#When I realized Scotia would be relieved to find out Charlie works at Durmstrang I pictured this vividly??? And I just wanna say it would be

[thefallons]

interlude | scotia&charlie butterfly effect au

When Charlie Vogel heard a slight knock on his office door, he didn’t expect to turn away from his bookshelf to see Scotia Fallon-Vogel. They shared a name but no relation, not for 13 years at least.

Even now the aftershocks of that which transpired in the past ran deep, especially when Scotia wouldn’t take his eyes from Charlie’s and vice versa.

Scotia was the one to speak after several tense moments, ones in which he had likely expected Charlie to invite him in or ask him to leave. But the younger man did neither, feet planted to the ground to keep himself from being swept up in a storm the way he had been the last time he’d seen Scotia. 

“Sven is helping Jens pack his things.” Of course, it was the end of term, and Sven and Scotia had always been caring enough parents to help their son home, to welcome him back with open arms. “But I wanted to come see you.”

Now, why did he have to go and say that? Surely Scotia would have known how uncomfortable a visit like this would turn out, that it would have been easier for everyone involved if he simply skipped over it. But the Scotia he knew was rarely one to avoid a hard conversation and Charlie was almost sure it would be their downfall today. 

Scotia cut straight to the chase and Charlie was grateful for the lack of small talk, “You’ve been keeping an eye on Jens these last few years, I know you have. He talks about you all the time.” Scotia took a breath, pushing himself on. 

“He’s 16, just about an adult now...still, I don’t trust a lot of people with him,” he cleared his throat, “But I trust you.”

As Scotia shifted at the door, Charlie noticed a glint off the watch on his wrist- an overindulgent gift from his husband no doubt. 

Charlie strained to remember if there was a single time, long ago, that he had seen Scotia wearing a watch, let alone one heavy enough to weigh down his conscience. There wasn’t but he shook his head clear of the thought anyway. 

“I couldn’t be here for him but you were and that means a lot to me, to-” Scotia seemed to choke on a word in his throat and Charlie wondered if it was his brother’s name. Scotia took a breath, “I just wanted to say thanks.”

Charlie nodded but Scotia didn’t leave room for him to respond verbally. 

“You...don’t have to say anything. Or even give me a conversation. I just owe you a lot more than I could tell you. That’s all.” Scotia took a pause and once more they were caught gazing at one another, like 13 years of explanations attempting to tumble out all at once. 

But it was Scotia who eventually stepped back. “I should go help the boys pack. Take care, Charlie.”

And like that, he was gone and the oxygen returned within the four walls of the office. He was always too good at a quick, cauterized goodbye and Charlie wasn’t sure whether to be appreciative or disconcerted.