Alone, Together, by Kay Deluca

One
Some people might think Fred and George are co-dependent. They go everywhere together, have all the same classes, are both on the Quidditch team, and they’ve never been apart for more than a day.

They’re not, though. Not co-dependent, that is. Because co-dependency is an unhealthy psychological addiction, and they’re not unhealthy or addicted. It’s perfectly natural for them to be together at all times, be it walking the castle grounds, eating breakfast, or sleeping together. They were meant to be that way; they’re twins.

But even if they’re not co-dependent, they don’t like being separated. It’s just not right.

Two
Returning to Hogwarts after summer break flays at their senses in a way that's almost as much physical as mental.

Home is warm quilts and happiness and a crowdedness that makes it okay for them to be as close together as they like. Home means they can sleep in a tangle of sheets and comfort and bare skin, separated by nothing.

Hogwarts is cold stone and classes and a crowdedness that makes it impossible for them to be as close as they need. Hogwarts means they have to sleep apart, separated by feet of empty space and curtains and disapproval.

Three
Winter holidays are surreal because the setting's the same, but the circumstances aren't. They have the room to themselves, so it's suddenly okay when Fred slides into George's bed, slow and smooth.

It's okay, because no one can hear the soft moans and gasps, smell sex in the air, see two identical bodies twined together, bed curtains gaping open because there's no need for concealment.

It's more than okay, because they can be together for at least a little while, unfettered by societal standards, free to love each other before the holiday ends and life goes back to normal: hiding.

Four
It's the way things have to be; they understand that. What they can't understand is why.

When the emotional pull and just plain need to be together becomes almost overwhelming, and all they want to do is curl up in one bed and sleep, more peaceful together than they ever are apart, restraint is torture. Friends incur resentment for pain they're unaware of inflicting.

They only have a few months of school left, and after graduation they can shut out the world and make their own rules. But that's not now, and it seems like the future will never come.

Five
After some days of planning and more days of needing, their hands are more than super-glued together. Backfire from one of their pranks, it seems. The remedy potion won't be ready for a day yet, and until then they're quite literally stuck together.

George has to eat dinner with his left hand, and they can't cover both bludgers at Quidditch practice. Everyone smiles and laughs, thinking it's funny. And when Fred and George climb into the same bed that night, hands locked and pale skin sliding against pale skin, they fall asleep sweet and easy, with smiles on their faces.

END

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