RP: I had a talk with Percy....
Date: 12 September 1998
Characters: Lee Jordan, George Weasley
Location: WWW
Status: Private
Summary: Lee tells George about an insane plan
Completion: Complete
Lee was lying on the sofa after coming home from work, one hand behind his head, waiting for George to close the shop. He balanced a cup of tea on his belly, thinking about the conversation he'd had with Percy last Friday.
George didn't know yet. Lee still wasn't sure if it wasn't a really, really bad idea and hadn't wanted to tell him before he'd thought this through. It could go wrong in so many ways, and it was still entirely hypothetical, right? He'd just begun to build a life, had a respectable job. Hadn't that always been what his parents, especially his father had wanted him to do? If he'd do that now, it would be just another disappointment for them.
The job at the Ministry wasn't bad. The work wasn't boring, the people were nice, and he surely couldn't complain about his boss. That was the problem, though, it was a nice job and nothing more. When Lee though about the radio, plans and ideas were running through his head, he had the urge to summon a quill and make lists, he just wanted to do this.
Percy had said it would be possible, but Lee wanted to talk to George first, his opinion was more important. The cup wobbled precariously, as he tried to move it from one side to the other just by contracting his muscles.
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la_george
2008-02-14 01:48 am UTC (link)
George was wiped out. No one had even nibbled at the ad he'd put in the window and he was thinking that he really didn't have time to go upstairs looking for food. He should go directly to the back room and brew until it was dawn.
He walked into the back room, pulled off his robe and stared at the shelves for a full five minutes before deciding he didn't care. It wasn't the weekend, anyway so... That thought reminded him that he really needed to get the catalog up and running so that he could send a copy to all the lovely lads and ladies at Hogwarts. George resisted the urge to beat his head on the wall, gave in to defeat for one night, and remembered that all his favorite things were upstairs. And if he was lucky, his favorite person would be too.
Grinning for the first time in hours George, left the back room and bounded up the stairs. "Well, hello," he said softly after entering the room. Lee was lying on the couch apparently trying to scald himself with tea. "Mind that cup, mate, I'm rather fond of the bloke underneath it."
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la_leejordan
2008-02-14 02:04 am UTC (link)
Lee looked up when George spoke, grinned, sat up and, "Fuck!" Of course he'd forgotten about the cup, nevermind that he'd stared at it for the last 5 minutes, and that George had just told him to be careful. Luckily the tea wasn't that hot, just enough to remind him painfully what a stupid idea it had been in the first place.
He picked up the cup, put it on the table and summoned a towel to wipe away the hot water and to at least try and dry his shirt. "You know that there are probably a lot of people who'd think you're mental for being fond of that moron?" He gave up on the shirt and stood up to get a dry one from the bedroom. In less than a minute he was back and wrapped his arms around George. "How was your day?"
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la_george
2008-02-14 02:22 am UTC (link)
George gaped at him. In days gone by he would have laughed his arse off, but now he was caught in that limbo between worry and amusement. When Lee came back, shirt in hand, George yanked it away from him and examined his stomach. There were no blisters, no obvious marks so George kissed him on the nose and smiled at him.
"You know, if you wanted me to kiss your belly all you had to do was ask. Heaven knows I've been willing to get down on my knees for a while now. In fact," George dropped to his knees and kissed Lee's firm abdomen, "I believe this whole affair of ours started with me on my knees kissing something better."
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la_leejordan
2008-02-14 02:32 am UTC (link)
George kissing his stomach was nice. Lee tangled his fingers in George's hair and sighed contentedly. "But this worked quite well, and it was a lot more dramatic than just asking."
"I think I remember that. You looked rather horrified, though, after the first kiss." Lee tugged lightly on George's hair. "Now come up here, I want a proper kiss. My belly had enough fun for today."
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la_george
2008-02-14 02:48 am UTC (link)
George stood, after he put his tongue in Lee's navel for a moment. He was terribly addicted to the feel of Lee's hands in his hair. "If I looked anywhere near as freaked out as you did, then I can picture it." George was now face to face, arms wrapped around Lee, "Didn't want to lose you. All hail Gryffindor courage, however, because this is better." The kiss was lingering and fairly intense.
"So, is it too late to say 'Honey, I'm hoooome'?" George's voice lilted horribly on the last three words and he stepped back, grinning. "How was your day?"
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la_leejordan
2008-02-14 03:10 am UTC (link)
"I didn't look freaked out. I was just a tiny bit surprised." Lee hugged him and pulled him close, the kiss definitely worth spilling some tea. "Losing you was never an option. In retrospect that kiss was about the best thing that ever happened. And now I'm done being girly."
Lee shuddered. "It should always be too late for that, mate." He stepped back and finally pulled the T-shirt over his head. "My day wasn't bed. Are you finished for today? I wanted to talk to you. If you're hungry we could get some take away. Or do that thing with the pots and pans."
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la_george
2008-02-14 07:59 pm UTC (link)
George stole another quick kiss before letting him go long enough to pull on his shirt. "Pots and pans? Ewwwww. Do we still have those? I thought we were forbidden to touch the evil things without female supervision. Let's get take away. Do I need to dress up? Or do you find the cologne of gunpowder and sugar as intoxicating as I do?"
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la_leejordan
2008-02-14 08:07 pm UTC (link)
"Since when do you care what you're forbidden to do? But I agree. take away sounds better." Lee stepped close again and licked George's neck. "You always taste like gunpowder and sugar, and I find it very intoxicating. No need to dress up, if you do, I'd have to do it, too." Wand, wallet, boots, and Lee was ready to go, his stomach already complaining loudly. "What do you want to eat? And how's the shop going?"
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la_george
2008-02-14 08:33 pm UTC (link)
"Well, you have a point, but it makes a good excuse, right?" George tilted his head as Lee licked him and temporarily considered forgoing dinner all together. "I could eat anything. I had chose the last three times we went out. You're choice." George watched as Lee pulled on his boots and then moved to wrap his arms around him. "I'd follow you anywhere handsome," he said, move than a bit of teasing to his tone, even though the sentiment was actually genuine.
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la_leejordan
2008-02-14 08:52 pm UTC (link)
"You chose the last three times? How did you do that, and why didn't I notice?" He thought about what he wanted to eat for a moment. Actually he didn't care at all. "What do you say to some Indian curry? If I can't have you for dinner, I'd like to have at least something hot and spicy." It was a really tacky line, and he added some eyebrow waggling for more effect.
"I'd follow you, too, gorgeous." He meant what he'd said and Lee made a pause before he went on. "But you realise that would make us running around in circles, which would look rather ridiculous. You ready to go then? Let's apparate, I'm starving." Lee didn't whine, not at all.
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la_george
2008-02-15 07:32 am UTC (link)
George laughed and wiggled at him. "Circles can be entertaining but I'm hungry too. I promise to chase you later." So saying, George wrapped himself even tighter around Lee and said, "Take me away from this place and feeeeeeeeeeeeeed me."
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la_leejordan
2008-02-16 12:21 am UTC (link)
Lee kissed him, before any of the glass windows could break from the sound he was making. "What's up with you and shrill sounds today?" Lee asked in the moment between kissing and apparating. They reappeared at the other end of Diagon Alley, in the best place for getting curry in wizarding London.
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la_george
2008-02-16 03:26 am UTC (link)
"What can I say, I've been deprived of loud noises. There have been no recent explosions, no one has threatened to kill me, I've not gotten hives in at least a week and the last person that screamed at me was Angelina, and she didn't even mean it." George bumped him with his hip and grinned. "If I promise to listen, and cut down the noises will you feed me? Please?" George stuck his lower lip out and batted his eyelashes, even as he pulled Lee through the door to the curry place.
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la_leejordan
2008-02-16 03:43 am UTC (link)
Lee laughed. "I'm not falling for that. Every time you try to look innocent, there's some evil plan in the back of your head." He smacked George's bum as he followed him through the door. "I'll feed you anyway, but for purely selfish reasons. Did you just say you want hives?"
It smelled delicious, and Lee wasn't sure, if he would be able to keep himself from drooling. "I think I'll have chicken curry tonight. What about you? What do you want me to feed you?"
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la_george
2008-02-16 03:54 am UTC (link)
George smirked but sat down and left off the banter in favor of ordering the first thing he pointed to. He honestly had no idea what would end up on his plate, but unless it contained brussels sprouts he was certain it would be good.
"Enough with the teasing, or I really will be tempted to suck things off your fingers." George nudged Lee with his knee. "You had something to talk to me about? I'm all ears."
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la_leejordan
2008-02-16 04:17 am UTC (link)
"What? You mean you won't suck things off my fingers in public? Now I'm a bit disappointed." They had their food in record time and Lee began to eat hungrily.
"Yes. There's something I want to talk to you about. It's kind of huge, and I'm not sure how it happened, or if it will happen at all." Lee paused for a moment to take another bite, realising that he didn't make any kind of sense. Maybe he should just start at the beginning.
"Remember when we talked about the rent? I went to Percy like you suggested. He'll tell me the amount which will be fair for everyone, and then I can arrange automatic payment to your vault. We settled that within minutes and talked about our jobs afterwards."
The curry was good, and Lee ate some more before talking again. "He told me he lost his ambition, and he noticed, that while I like the Ministry job, I'm not really enthusiastic about it. I'm not quite sure how we managed to get from Ministry to WWN, and from there to talking about the lack of a decent radio station for people who are not Celestina Warbeck groupies."
Lee sighed. It really sounded like a stupid idea, when he heard himself explaining it. "I'm almost sure though, that we ended up making plans to go for it. Percy doing the orgnisation part, and me doing what I always do, tinkering with the equipment and, yeah, talking." At this point he didn't dare to look up, stared intently at his curry instead.
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la_george
2008-02-16 04:35 am UTC (link)
George still had absolutely no idea what he was eating. It was good though. Spicy. He was particularly fond of the white stuff, whatever that was. He shoveled food in as Lee spoke.
The comment about the rent made his gut clench but he took a drink of water and nodded in what he hoped was an amenable manner. Thoughts about leaving money on the dresser when departing ran through his head and he mentally shook himself. Lee didn't think of him that way. George knew that with every fiber of his being. Roommates, right. Charging one's lover for the roof over his head felt... but he understood. He did. He just didn't like it.
"Percy's good at stuff like that," he said, tuning back into the rest of the conversation. "Celestina Warbeck is a curse." George took another bite of his curry and swallowed as the import hit him.
"Wait. You're starting a radio station? That's brilliant!" George clapped a hand on Lee's shoulder and grinned at him, face nearly hurting from the size of the smile. "How can I help? Do you need anything? The old stuff from Potter Watch is in the storeroom. If you need capital, I still have that 1000 galleons sitting in the portrait. Could offer you the same deal Harry gave us - since he refused to take it back. People need to dance and get news and listen to ads for bizarre products just as much as they need to laugh."
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la_leejordan
2008-02-16 05:32 am UTC (link)
Lee saw George tense, and as he didn't even try to fake a smile, he probably still didn't like it at all. "I know you're not comfortable with me paying rent. Just let me do it."
He stopped eating when George began to speak, and he looked up, when George clapped on his shoulder. "You think it's a good idea? I mean, I want to do this, really want to. Percy says he could manage it, but I'm not sure if I could do the rest." His insecurities were getting the better of him, and Lee hated it, he'd never been insecure. "We haven't planned any details yet, but yeah, I'd need the Potterwatch stuff." He smiled at George's enthusiasm. "I'd make sure to make some decent ads for your products."
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la_george
2008-02-16 05:45 am UTC (link)
George leaned over and kissed him, trying to chase away the worry in his eyes. "There's no letting. I do understand." George kissed him again for good measure and then sat back.
"Of course I think it's a good idea. You've always been a natural behind a mike. I'll pay for ad space just like everyone else, and Percy could manage anything. If you spoke with him he likely has whole scrolls of parchment filled with lists by now."
George took another bite of curry and looked at his best friend, for they had been friends far longer than lovers. "So what's up? Why are you looking worried when you should by rights be telling me how brilliant you are and promising to still talk to me when you're famous and sought-after."
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la_leejordan
2008-02-16 05:59 am UTC (link)
"Honestly? I have no idea. I've turned into someone I don't want to be. I keep thinking of all the things that could go wrong. That's not me." Lee wanted to bang his head against a wall to get some sense into it, or back out of it, depending on how one looked at it.
"I even bother to think about how my father will take it, and that's a sure way to take the fun out of everything." Lee put his fork down on his plate.
"I don't know. Just smack me hard. Maybe that will do the trick."
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la_george
2008-02-16 06:08 am UTC (link)
George chewed on his lip for a moment before moving just enough to lay his own hand over Lee's injured one. "Been a rough year. Never did take the time to listen, did I? I know you know this, but it's fine to have doubts. Things probably will go wrong, it's the way of things, but that doesn't mean it's not worth doing. I have enough faith in you for both of us."
The question of Lee's father George left entirely alone. It wasn't a subject his friend broached often and George had never met the man. Still, how anyone could be anything other than proud of a son like Lee was something George had never understood, and understood even less now.
"Who do you want to be?" he asked at last, squeezing the hand softly before letting him go. "Also, I'd never smack you."
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la_leejordan
2008-02-16 06:36 am UTC (link)
Lee laid his other hand on top of George's. "Don't be stupid, you always take the time to listen." Hearing that George had faith in him meant more to Lee than he would be able to put into words. So he just let it be.
Lee leaned back in his chair and considered the question. "I don't want to be anyone else, just more like me again. Doesn't make sense, does it? I'm angry, annoyed, insecure and whiny. It's pissing me off." It was rather pathetic, and also absurd. He shook his head and chuckled.
"No smacking? Not even if I ask nicely?" It was easier to make fun of it, and Lee decided to see it as a good sign.
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la_george
2008-02-17 07:41 am UTC (link)
"Love you, no matter who you are," George said softly. "And it does make sense. Feel free to whine or yell or whatever, anytime."
George poked one of the white things and held it out to Lee. "So what is this? It's yummy, so if it's something truly noxious make something up, yeah?"
Lee wanted to lighten the mood and George let it go, and moved seemlessly to banter. "Nope, not even. You'll have to do the smacking. Would show better on my skin."
Edited at 2008-02-17 07:42 am UTC
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la_leejordan
2008-02-17 07:15 pm UTC (link)
"Thank you, means the world." Lee smiled faintly. "I feel like I'm doing that constantly, but it's good to know that I won't have to stop."
Lee looked at the white thing on George's fork. "It might be cabbage. They tend to sneak vegetable into the curry. Dunno what they do that for. You could pretend it's something unhealthy made from some kind of animal, though."
"So you're saying, that you don't want to smack me, because I have darker skin? Isn't that discriminating? I work at the Ministry, you know, I'm sure there's someone I can report that to." Lee grinned and raised his eyebrows. "Or are you telling me, you want to be smacked?"
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la_george
2008-02-17 07:40 pm UTC (link)
George put the white thing in his mouth and hummed appreciatively. He had nothing against cabbage. This must be some special type, regardless it was good.
He raised an eyebrow at Lee. "You could report me," he said, "or just punish me yourself, put a handprint or two somewhere?" And thinking inappropriate thoughts in the middle of a very public restaraunt was likely not wise.
"So, tell me everything about this radio idea, because it really is a brilliant plan and the world is crying out for the sound of your voice." George stole a bite of Lee's curry, which was hard because the plate was getting rather bare.
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la_leejordan
2008-02-17 09:44 pm UTC (link)
"Yeah," Lee said still grinning, his eyes never leaving George, trying to calculate how much of this was just teasing. It was always hard to tell. "A handprint or two would look fetching on you."
Lee pushed his plate towards George. "Want some? It's good." He leaned back in his chair. They hadn't talked much after they'd decided to do something. They'd both been too overwhelmed by the idea, that there wasn't anything to tell yet. "There's no plan yet. I'll have to talk to Percy first, maybe he's come to his senses by now. I have some ideas, and I've made a list of the equipment we'll need to get. Lots to do."
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la_george
2008-02-17 09:52 pm UTC (link)
"I'll consider that a promise," George said, meeting the look with one of his own.
Regarding the radio station, there was only one thing pertinent. "How can I help?"
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la_leejordan
2008-02-17 11:31 pm UTC (link)
"You may do that." Lee worked hard to keep his face impassive.
"We'll need the equipment, some advice, as you're the only one here with a successful business. Would it be okay, if we use the office as a place to scheme as long as we're not getting in the way of the shop? Maybe you could help us to come up with some ideas, your brain works way faster than mine, and in a different dimension." Lee knew he was asking too much, as George had already too many things to think about, but he wanted him to be part of it.
Edited at 2008-02-18 01:18 am UTC
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la_george
2008-02-18 01:19 am UTC (link)
George couldn't tell, in that moment, exactly what Lee thought of the idea, but now wasn't the time to find out.
"Of course you can use the office. Can use anything you want. I wasn't kidding about the gold. Was never ours to begin with anyway. Yeah, I'll help any way I can. Loved doing Potterwatch with you. Percy can likely look into the regulations and permits and whatever, because I'm sure there's something there that you'd need. What kind of shows were you thinking of?"
Edited at 2008-02-18 05:50 pm UTC
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la_leejordan
2008-02-18 06:15 pm UTC (link)
"I still want to do news. Real news. Different opinions, different people. Interviews and stuff. Maybe more information about what's going on in other countries. Perhaps the Prophet or the Quibbler would be interested to cooperate. I don't want to follow the Ministry. As much as I like the Minister, I want it to be independent."
"It would be brilliant if I could get more people to join. Doing weekly shows on a topic they're good at. There's tons of things that people are interested in. Of course, there would be music, lots of good music. What do you think about playing Muggle music, too? They have some good stuff." There were lots of ideas already in his head, and more were surfacing.
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la_george
2008-02-18 06:27 pm UTC (link)
George ate his curry, offering Lee a bite, and listened. Lee's face had lit up in a way it hadn't in far too long. He smiled softly, nodding his head.
"Yes. Yes to all those things. Ang and Al could help with the muggle stuff, and Meghan's brother is in music so he might be able to tell you how to get things converted from Muggle to magical so you could play them. Maybe you could get some of our quidditch crazy friends to do a weekly sport show? I think it sounds amazing, Lee. Tell me more."
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la_leejordan
2008-02-18 08:01 pm UTC (link)
Lee tried George's curry, and thought that he should have talked to George earlier.
"There's not much more to tell you yet. The first thing we'll have to do is find the rest of the equipment we need and get the license. I'm sure there is one we have to get. The equipment will be my part, Percy will have to do the license thing. And we need a name, of course. Any ideas?"
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la_george
2008-02-18 08:16 pm UTC (link)
"The junk shop might have some stuff. Dunno if Mundungus is still around, but that man can get anything, provided you don't ask too many questions." George took a long pull of his ale and wiped his mouth with a napkin. "Hmm, a name. Lovely Lee's Luscious Lullabies. Per-Lee Radio. NNW - New and Newsy Wireless."
George took another bite of curry. "I'm terrible with names that are not meant to be funny. You should know this. Um... yeah, I'm out. Thoughts?"
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la_leejordan
2008-02-19 12:11 am UTC (link)
"Yeah, and I know some people who sell equipment second hand. I'll get in contact and see what they have at the moment." Lee laughed. "I think Lovely Lee's Luscious Lullabies is a brilliant name. I'm not sure how to sell it to Percy though. I don't think he'll like it."
Lee finished his food. "Nothing wrong with funny names, though I have no idea yet. You haven't answered my earlier question though. How is the shop going?"
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la_george
2008-02-19 12:21 am UTC (link)
George licked the last bit of sauce off his fork and said, "Lllllllllllllll, for short. No, I suppose Percy might not like it. Told you I was pants at this stuff."
"We having dessert, or can I have you instead?" George asked, waggling his eyebrows. "The shop's okay. Need more help. I'm behind, but I have a sign up. Somebody perfect will wander in. I'm sure of it."
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la_leejordan
2008-02-20 11:57 pm UTC (link)
"I'm sure we can come up with something eventually. If not, we'll still have the Lllll. It does have a nice ring to it."
"You can have both if you want. Although I'll skip dessert today. You have any nefarious plans yet?" Lee asked, waggling his eyebrows right back. "The job isn't bad, so unless you mentioned the product testing, you shouldn't have a problem finding someone."
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la_george
2008-02-24 08:05 am UTC (link)
"It is original." George signaled the server for the check and paid. "I do want both, or rather you as dessert," he said after the waiter had gone.
"Product testing is mentioned. Seemed mean not to. You ready?"
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la_leejordan
2008-02-26 09:10 pm UTC (link)
"I'm ready," said Lee after the waiter had gone. "Let's go and get some dessert."
Characters: Lee Jordan, George Weasley
Location: WWW
Status: Private
Summary: Lee tells George about an insane plan
Completion: Complete
Lee was lying on the sofa after coming home from work, one hand behind his head, waiting for George to close the shop. He balanced a cup of tea on his belly, thinking about the conversation he'd had with Percy last Friday.
George didn't know yet. Lee still wasn't sure if it wasn't a really, really bad idea and hadn't wanted to tell him before he'd thought this through. It could go wrong in so many ways, and it was still entirely hypothetical, right? He'd just begun to build a life, had a respectable job. Hadn't that always been what his parents, especially his father had wanted him to do? If he'd do that now, it would be just another disappointment for them.
The job at the Ministry wasn't bad. The work wasn't boring, the people were nice, and he surely couldn't complain about his boss. That was the problem, though, it was a nice job and nothing more. When Lee though about the radio, plans and ideas were running through his head, he had the urge to summon a quill and make lists, he just wanted to do this.
Percy had said it would be possible, but Lee wanted to talk to George first, his opinion was more important. The cup wobbled precariously, as he tried to move it from one side to the other just by contracting his muscles.
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la_george
2008-02-14 01:48 am UTC (link)
George was wiped out. No one had even nibbled at the ad he'd put in the window and he was thinking that he really didn't have time to go upstairs looking for food. He should go directly to the back room and brew until it was dawn.
He walked into the back room, pulled off his robe and stared at the shelves for a full five minutes before deciding he didn't care. It wasn't the weekend, anyway so... That thought reminded him that he really needed to get the catalog up and running so that he could send a copy to all the lovely lads and ladies at Hogwarts. George resisted the urge to beat his head on the wall, gave in to defeat for one night, and remembered that all his favorite things were upstairs. And if he was lucky, his favorite person would be too.
Grinning for the first time in hours George, left the back room and bounded up the stairs. "Well, hello," he said softly after entering the room. Lee was lying on the couch apparently trying to scald himself with tea. "Mind that cup, mate, I'm rather fond of the bloke underneath it."
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la_leejordan
2008-02-14 02:04 am UTC (link)
Lee looked up when George spoke, grinned, sat up and, "Fuck!" Of course he'd forgotten about the cup, nevermind that he'd stared at it for the last 5 minutes, and that George had just told him to be careful. Luckily the tea wasn't that hot, just enough to remind him painfully what a stupid idea it had been in the first place.
He picked up the cup, put it on the table and summoned a towel to wipe away the hot water and to at least try and dry his shirt. "You know that there are probably a lot of people who'd think you're mental for being fond of that moron?" He gave up on the shirt and stood up to get a dry one from the bedroom. In less than a minute he was back and wrapped his arms around George. "How was your day?"
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la_george
2008-02-14 02:22 am UTC (link)
George gaped at him. In days gone by he would have laughed his arse off, but now he was caught in that limbo between worry and amusement. When Lee came back, shirt in hand, George yanked it away from him and examined his stomach. There were no blisters, no obvious marks so George kissed him on the nose and smiled at him.
"You know, if you wanted me to kiss your belly all you had to do was ask. Heaven knows I've been willing to get down on my knees for a while now. In fact," George dropped to his knees and kissed Lee's firm abdomen, "I believe this whole affair of ours started with me on my knees kissing something better."
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la_leejordan
2008-02-14 02:32 am UTC (link)
George kissing his stomach was nice. Lee tangled his fingers in George's hair and sighed contentedly. "But this worked quite well, and it was a lot more dramatic than just asking."
"I think I remember that. You looked rather horrified, though, after the first kiss." Lee tugged lightly on George's hair. "Now come up here, I want a proper kiss. My belly had enough fun for today."
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la_george
2008-02-14 02:48 am UTC (link)
George stood, after he put his tongue in Lee's navel for a moment. He was terribly addicted to the feel of Lee's hands in his hair. "If I looked anywhere near as freaked out as you did, then I can picture it." George was now face to face, arms wrapped around Lee, "Didn't want to lose you. All hail Gryffindor courage, however, because this is better." The kiss was lingering and fairly intense.
"So, is it too late to say 'Honey, I'm hoooome'?" George's voice lilted horribly on the last three words and he stepped back, grinning. "How was your day?"
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la_leejordan
2008-02-14 03:10 am UTC (link)
"I didn't look freaked out. I was just a tiny bit surprised." Lee hugged him and pulled him close, the kiss definitely worth spilling some tea. "Losing you was never an option. In retrospect that kiss was about the best thing that ever happened. And now I'm done being girly."
Lee shuddered. "It should always be too late for that, mate." He stepped back and finally pulled the T-shirt over his head. "My day wasn't bed. Are you finished for today? I wanted to talk to you. If you're hungry we could get some take away. Or do that thing with the pots and pans."
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la_george
2008-02-14 07:59 pm UTC (link)
George stole another quick kiss before letting him go long enough to pull on his shirt. "Pots and pans? Ewwwww. Do we still have those? I thought we were forbidden to touch the evil things without female supervision. Let's get take away. Do I need to dress up? Or do you find the cologne of gunpowder and sugar as intoxicating as I do?"
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la_leejordan
2008-02-14 08:07 pm UTC (link)
"Since when do you care what you're forbidden to do? But I agree. take away sounds better." Lee stepped close again and licked George's neck. "You always taste like gunpowder and sugar, and I find it very intoxicating. No need to dress up, if you do, I'd have to do it, too." Wand, wallet, boots, and Lee was ready to go, his stomach already complaining loudly. "What do you want to eat? And how's the shop going?"
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la_george
2008-02-14 08:33 pm UTC (link)
"Well, you have a point, but it makes a good excuse, right?" George tilted his head as Lee licked him and temporarily considered forgoing dinner all together. "I could eat anything. I had chose the last three times we went out. You're choice." George watched as Lee pulled on his boots and then moved to wrap his arms around him. "I'd follow you anywhere handsome," he said, move than a bit of teasing to his tone, even though the sentiment was actually genuine.
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la_leejordan
2008-02-14 08:52 pm UTC (link)
"You chose the last three times? How did you do that, and why didn't I notice?" He thought about what he wanted to eat for a moment. Actually he didn't care at all. "What do you say to some Indian curry? If I can't have you for dinner, I'd like to have at least something hot and spicy." It was a really tacky line, and he added some eyebrow waggling for more effect.
"I'd follow you, too, gorgeous." He meant what he'd said and Lee made a pause before he went on. "But you realise that would make us running around in circles, which would look rather ridiculous. You ready to go then? Let's apparate, I'm starving." Lee didn't whine, not at all.
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la_george
2008-02-15 07:32 am UTC (link)
George laughed and wiggled at him. "Circles can be entertaining but I'm hungry too. I promise to chase you later." So saying, George wrapped himself even tighter around Lee and said, "Take me away from this place and feeeeeeeeeeeeeed me."
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la_leejordan
2008-02-16 12:21 am UTC (link)
Lee kissed him, before any of the glass windows could break from the sound he was making. "What's up with you and shrill sounds today?" Lee asked in the moment between kissing and apparating. They reappeared at the other end of Diagon Alley, in the best place for getting curry in wizarding London.
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la_george
2008-02-16 03:26 am UTC (link)
"What can I say, I've been deprived of loud noises. There have been no recent explosions, no one has threatened to kill me, I've not gotten hives in at least a week and the last person that screamed at me was Angelina, and she didn't even mean it." George bumped him with his hip and grinned. "If I promise to listen, and cut down the noises will you feed me? Please?" George stuck his lower lip out and batted his eyelashes, even as he pulled Lee through the door to the curry place.
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la_leejordan
2008-02-16 03:43 am UTC (link)
Lee laughed. "I'm not falling for that. Every time you try to look innocent, there's some evil plan in the back of your head." He smacked George's bum as he followed him through the door. "I'll feed you anyway, but for purely selfish reasons. Did you just say you want hives?"
It smelled delicious, and Lee wasn't sure, if he would be able to keep himself from drooling. "I think I'll have chicken curry tonight. What about you? What do you want me to feed you?"
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la_george
2008-02-16 03:54 am UTC (link)
George smirked but sat down and left off the banter in favor of ordering the first thing he pointed to. He honestly had no idea what would end up on his plate, but unless it contained brussels sprouts he was certain it would be good.
"Enough with the teasing, or I really will be tempted to suck things off your fingers." George nudged Lee with his knee. "You had something to talk to me about? I'm all ears."
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la_leejordan
2008-02-16 04:17 am UTC (link)
"What? You mean you won't suck things off my fingers in public? Now I'm a bit disappointed." They had their food in record time and Lee began to eat hungrily.
"Yes. There's something I want to talk to you about. It's kind of huge, and I'm not sure how it happened, or if it will happen at all." Lee paused for a moment to take another bite, realising that he didn't make any kind of sense. Maybe he should just start at the beginning.
"Remember when we talked about the rent? I went to Percy like you suggested. He'll tell me the amount which will be fair for everyone, and then I can arrange automatic payment to your vault. We settled that within minutes and talked about our jobs afterwards."
The curry was good, and Lee ate some more before talking again. "He told me he lost his ambition, and he noticed, that while I like the Ministry job, I'm not really enthusiastic about it. I'm not quite sure how we managed to get from Ministry to WWN, and from there to talking about the lack of a decent radio station for people who are not Celestina Warbeck groupies."
Lee sighed. It really sounded like a stupid idea, when he heard himself explaining it. "I'm almost sure though, that we ended up making plans to go for it. Percy doing the orgnisation part, and me doing what I always do, tinkering with the equipment and, yeah, talking." At this point he didn't dare to look up, stared intently at his curry instead.
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la_george
2008-02-16 04:35 am UTC (link)
George still had absolutely no idea what he was eating. It was good though. Spicy. He was particularly fond of the white stuff, whatever that was. He shoveled food in as Lee spoke.
The comment about the rent made his gut clench but he took a drink of water and nodded in what he hoped was an amenable manner. Thoughts about leaving money on the dresser when departing ran through his head and he mentally shook himself. Lee didn't think of him that way. George knew that with every fiber of his being. Roommates, right. Charging one's lover for the roof over his head felt... but he understood. He did. He just didn't like it.
"Percy's good at stuff like that," he said, tuning back into the rest of the conversation. "Celestina Warbeck is a curse." George took another bite of his curry and swallowed as the import hit him.
"Wait. You're starting a radio station? That's brilliant!" George clapped a hand on Lee's shoulder and grinned at him, face nearly hurting from the size of the smile. "How can I help? Do you need anything? The old stuff from Potter Watch is in the storeroom. If you need capital, I still have that 1000 galleons sitting in the portrait. Could offer you the same deal Harry gave us - since he refused to take it back. People need to dance and get news and listen to ads for bizarre products just as much as they need to laugh."
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la_leejordan
2008-02-16 05:32 am UTC (link)
Lee saw George tense, and as he didn't even try to fake a smile, he probably still didn't like it at all. "I know you're not comfortable with me paying rent. Just let me do it."
He stopped eating when George began to speak, and he looked up, when George clapped on his shoulder. "You think it's a good idea? I mean, I want to do this, really want to. Percy says he could manage it, but I'm not sure if I could do the rest." His insecurities were getting the better of him, and Lee hated it, he'd never been insecure. "We haven't planned any details yet, but yeah, I'd need the Potterwatch stuff." He smiled at George's enthusiasm. "I'd make sure to make some decent ads for your products."
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la_george
2008-02-16 05:45 am UTC (link)
George leaned over and kissed him, trying to chase away the worry in his eyes. "There's no letting. I do understand." George kissed him again for good measure and then sat back.
"Of course I think it's a good idea. You've always been a natural behind a mike. I'll pay for ad space just like everyone else, and Percy could manage anything. If you spoke with him he likely has whole scrolls of parchment filled with lists by now."
George took another bite of curry and looked at his best friend, for they had been friends far longer than lovers. "So what's up? Why are you looking worried when you should by rights be telling me how brilliant you are and promising to still talk to me when you're famous and sought-after."
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la_leejordan
2008-02-16 05:59 am UTC (link)
"Honestly? I have no idea. I've turned into someone I don't want to be. I keep thinking of all the things that could go wrong. That's not me." Lee wanted to bang his head against a wall to get some sense into it, or back out of it, depending on how one looked at it.
"I even bother to think about how my father will take it, and that's a sure way to take the fun out of everything." Lee put his fork down on his plate.
"I don't know. Just smack me hard. Maybe that will do the trick."
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la_george
2008-02-16 06:08 am UTC (link)
George chewed on his lip for a moment before moving just enough to lay his own hand over Lee's injured one. "Been a rough year. Never did take the time to listen, did I? I know you know this, but it's fine to have doubts. Things probably will go wrong, it's the way of things, but that doesn't mean it's not worth doing. I have enough faith in you for both of us."
The question of Lee's father George left entirely alone. It wasn't a subject his friend broached often and George had never met the man. Still, how anyone could be anything other than proud of a son like Lee was something George had never understood, and understood even less now.
"Who do you want to be?" he asked at last, squeezing the hand softly before letting him go. "Also, I'd never smack you."
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la_leejordan
2008-02-16 06:36 am UTC (link)
Lee laid his other hand on top of George's. "Don't be stupid, you always take the time to listen." Hearing that George had faith in him meant more to Lee than he would be able to put into words. So he just let it be.
Lee leaned back in his chair and considered the question. "I don't want to be anyone else, just more like me again. Doesn't make sense, does it? I'm angry, annoyed, insecure and whiny. It's pissing me off." It was rather pathetic, and also absurd. He shook his head and chuckled.
"No smacking? Not even if I ask nicely?" It was easier to make fun of it, and Lee decided to see it as a good sign.
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la_george
2008-02-17 07:41 am UTC (link)
"Love you, no matter who you are," George said softly. "And it does make sense. Feel free to whine or yell or whatever, anytime."
George poked one of the white things and held it out to Lee. "So what is this? It's yummy, so if it's something truly noxious make something up, yeah?"
Lee wanted to lighten the mood and George let it go, and moved seemlessly to banter. "Nope, not even. You'll have to do the smacking. Would show better on my skin."
Edited at 2008-02-17 07:42 am UTC
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la_leejordan
2008-02-17 07:15 pm UTC (link)
"Thank you, means the world." Lee smiled faintly. "I feel like I'm doing that constantly, but it's good to know that I won't have to stop."
Lee looked at the white thing on George's fork. "It might be cabbage. They tend to sneak vegetable into the curry. Dunno what they do that for. You could pretend it's something unhealthy made from some kind of animal, though."
"So you're saying, that you don't want to smack me, because I have darker skin? Isn't that discriminating? I work at the Ministry, you know, I'm sure there's someone I can report that to." Lee grinned and raised his eyebrows. "Or are you telling me, you want to be smacked?"
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la_george
2008-02-17 07:40 pm UTC (link)
George put the white thing in his mouth and hummed appreciatively. He had nothing against cabbage. This must be some special type, regardless it was good.
He raised an eyebrow at Lee. "You could report me," he said, "or just punish me yourself, put a handprint or two somewhere?" And thinking inappropriate thoughts in the middle of a very public restaraunt was likely not wise.
"So, tell me everything about this radio idea, because it really is a brilliant plan and the world is crying out for the sound of your voice." George stole a bite of Lee's curry, which was hard because the plate was getting rather bare.
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la_leejordan
2008-02-17 09:44 pm UTC (link)
"Yeah," Lee said still grinning, his eyes never leaving George, trying to calculate how much of this was just teasing. It was always hard to tell. "A handprint or two would look fetching on you."
Lee pushed his plate towards George. "Want some? It's good." He leaned back in his chair. They hadn't talked much after they'd decided to do something. They'd both been too overwhelmed by the idea, that there wasn't anything to tell yet. "There's no plan yet. I'll have to talk to Percy first, maybe he's come to his senses by now. I have some ideas, and I've made a list of the equipment we'll need to get. Lots to do."
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la_george
2008-02-17 09:52 pm UTC (link)
"I'll consider that a promise," George said, meeting the look with one of his own.
Regarding the radio station, there was only one thing pertinent. "How can I help?"
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la_leejordan
2008-02-17 11:31 pm UTC (link)
"You may do that." Lee worked hard to keep his face impassive.
"We'll need the equipment, some advice, as you're the only one here with a successful business. Would it be okay, if we use the office as a place to scheme as long as we're not getting in the way of the shop? Maybe you could help us to come up with some ideas, your brain works way faster than mine, and in a different dimension." Lee knew he was asking too much, as George had already too many things to think about, but he wanted him to be part of it.
Edited at 2008-02-18 01:18 am UTC
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la_george
2008-02-18 01:19 am UTC (link)
George couldn't tell, in that moment, exactly what Lee thought of the idea, but now wasn't the time to find out.
"Of course you can use the office. Can use anything you want. I wasn't kidding about the gold. Was never ours to begin with anyway. Yeah, I'll help any way I can. Loved doing Potterwatch with you. Percy can likely look into the regulations and permits and whatever, because I'm sure there's something there that you'd need. What kind of shows were you thinking of?"
Edited at 2008-02-18 05:50 pm UTC
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la_leejordan
2008-02-18 06:15 pm UTC (link)
"I still want to do news. Real news. Different opinions, different people. Interviews and stuff. Maybe more information about what's going on in other countries. Perhaps the Prophet or the Quibbler would be interested to cooperate. I don't want to follow the Ministry. As much as I like the Minister, I want it to be independent."
"It would be brilliant if I could get more people to join. Doing weekly shows on a topic they're good at. There's tons of things that people are interested in. Of course, there would be music, lots of good music. What do you think about playing Muggle music, too? They have some good stuff." There were lots of ideas already in his head, and more were surfacing.
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la_george
2008-02-18 06:27 pm UTC (link)
George ate his curry, offering Lee a bite, and listened. Lee's face had lit up in a way it hadn't in far too long. He smiled softly, nodding his head.
"Yes. Yes to all those things. Ang and Al could help with the muggle stuff, and Meghan's brother is in music so he might be able to tell you how to get things converted from Muggle to magical so you could play them. Maybe you could get some of our quidditch crazy friends to do a weekly sport show? I think it sounds amazing, Lee. Tell me more."
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la_leejordan
2008-02-18 08:01 pm UTC (link)
Lee tried George's curry, and thought that he should have talked to George earlier.
"There's not much more to tell you yet. The first thing we'll have to do is find the rest of the equipment we need and get the license. I'm sure there is one we have to get. The equipment will be my part, Percy will have to do the license thing. And we need a name, of course. Any ideas?"
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la_george
2008-02-18 08:16 pm UTC (link)
"The junk shop might have some stuff. Dunno if Mundungus is still around, but that man can get anything, provided you don't ask too many questions." George took a long pull of his ale and wiped his mouth with a napkin. "Hmm, a name. Lovely Lee's Luscious Lullabies. Per-Lee Radio. NNW - New and Newsy Wireless."
George took another bite of curry. "I'm terrible with names that are not meant to be funny. You should know this. Um... yeah, I'm out. Thoughts?"
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la_leejordan
2008-02-19 12:11 am UTC (link)
"Yeah, and I know some people who sell equipment second hand. I'll get in contact and see what they have at the moment." Lee laughed. "I think Lovely Lee's Luscious Lullabies is a brilliant name. I'm not sure how to sell it to Percy though. I don't think he'll like it."
Lee finished his food. "Nothing wrong with funny names, though I have no idea yet. You haven't answered my earlier question though. How is the shop going?"
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la_george
2008-02-19 12:21 am UTC (link)
George licked the last bit of sauce off his fork and said, "Lllllllllllllll, for short. No, I suppose Percy might not like it. Told you I was pants at this stuff."
"We having dessert, or can I have you instead?" George asked, waggling his eyebrows. "The shop's okay. Need more help. I'm behind, but I have a sign up. Somebody perfect will wander in. I'm sure of it."
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la_leejordan
2008-02-20 11:57 pm UTC (link)
"I'm sure we can come up with something eventually. If not, we'll still have the Lllll. It does have a nice ring to it."
"You can have both if you want. Although I'll skip dessert today. You have any nefarious plans yet?" Lee asked, waggling his eyebrows right back. "The job isn't bad, so unless you mentioned the product testing, you shouldn't have a problem finding someone."
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la_george
2008-02-24 08:05 am UTC (link)
"It is original." George signaled the server for the check and paid. "I do want both, or rather you as dessert," he said after the waiter had gone.
"Product testing is mentioned. Seemed mean not to. You ready?"
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la_leejordan
2008-02-26 09:10 pm UTC (link)
"I'm ready," said Lee after the waiter had gone. "Let's go and get some dessert."