brotherly love (Lance/Josh)

[Lance Jordan]

Lance sat on the edge of his bed which was right next to his brother's in the 6th year boys dorm room. They were alone and classes had finished for the day. The night before the champions had been announced for the tournament and they'd found out about the Yule Ball. Neither had really discussed what they were going to do but Lance had it on his mind today while they'd been in their classes.

It was an unspoken knowledge that both brothers liked both girls and that made things a bit difficult considering neither had chosen to pair up as couples before. They'd always been a foursome since their second year when Eve had finally rejoined them and gotten to know Genevieve. Best friends who all happend to be close in their own special ways with each of the other in the group. It was an unusual situation and Lance had never harbored jealousy for his brother, they were just too much alike and he knew it was inevitable that they'd end up likeing the same girls over time.

When it was just the two of them they didnt' tease each other half as bad, they were actually fairly close and enjoyed joking but also enjoyed and unusual friendship. They had their own personalities but they were alike in so many ways, more so than most twins who were often at odds. Lance and Josh were almost inseperable.. but of course this year was the first that they had not chosen all the same classes. Lance missed having Josh in the same ones but at the same time it was nice to branch out and have individual time durring them, especially Herbology. Lance had really enjoyed that class of late now that it was only him and the girls.

Lance ran his fingers through his hair for not the first time that evening, "we can't very well draw straws you know.." he was saying talking about the girls. He wasn't so insensitive to the girls that drawing straws was an option of who to take to the dance... but he also was torn over his own feelings for the two girls. He honestly liked them both, his best friends besides Josh.. and both were pretty and fun to be with.

[Josh Jordan]

Josh crashed on his bed the moment they walked in. He laid there as he kicked off his shoes. The thought of asking Eve was on his mind, as it had been all day. There was something different about her and Josh wanted to spend as much time with her in order to figure it out. Besides, whenever he danced with Eve, he was almost as graceful as his brother.

He was relieved that he did have classes with Eve. That way he could spend time with her, and she wouldn't think that he was trying to spend every waking minute with her.

"Dude, I know that. I've decided I'm taking Eve," Josh said. "I've got to figure some stuff out, but I am going to ask her tomorrow, right after her last class. You can go with Genevieve. I mean, you're eyes practically fall out of your head when you see her anyway." He gave Lance a grin.

[Lance Jordan]

"you are? Why eve?" Lance had been certain that Josh liked Genevieve as much as he did and would have wanted to go with her. He had been equally considering Eve though and hadn't made any decisions having wanted to talk to his brother first. "I mean.. I thought you liked Genevieve too, and I just assumed you'd pick.. and well and I'd ask Eve." He WANTED to ask Genevieve first, but though the were twins he still thought of Josh as his older brother, even if it was only by 3 days. He was just a bit confused and he knew his brother would understand even if he didnt' quite finish his sentences.

He also knew that Josh had an odd closeness with Eve though and he probably shouldn't have been surprised if he thought about it. Lance had feelings for Eve too and that was what made everything so difficult. He honestly liked both girls... although he had to admit to himself that his dreams usually only held one of them. But who could blame him, Genevieve was beautiful.

[Josh Jordan]

"Yes. I'm asking Eve," said Josh. "I've thought about it. I want to go with her. Like I said, there are a few things I need to figure out. Things have seemed to be a little different with her lately. I don't mean anything bad, but you've seen it too, as long as you weren't too zoned off with thoughts of Genevieve." He grinned.

"And yes, I do like Genevieve too. I'm not going to lie, but like I said there's something different with Eve, and I'm going to find out what it is. Besides, it'll give you a great chance to be alone with Genevieve, and me with Eve."

[Lance Jordan]

"I'm not blind of course I noticed you looking at her all the time, why do you think I have left Eve and you alone so much lately? I guess I'm just surprised that's all... but I guess it all works out then.. I still like Eve though too and she's gotten.. we'll lately she's changed a bit too and well I think about both of them to be honest. Though probably Genevieve more..." he admitted to his brother. If Josh could be honest with him then he could be honest with Josh, it was that simple. He wanted to make sure Josh knew that he felt more than friends with Eve too no matter what he pretended when they were around her. "but genevieve is like a butterfly, flitting around and making me smile. Josh..." He hesitated considering his brother. "do you ever dream about them? Eve and Genevieve? Not together I mean.. but like.. do they both seem to get to you too?" Even Lance admited to himself that he had dreamed of both of them in odd ways lately but he still had more dreams of Genevieve, his butterfly.

[Josh Jordan]

"I do think about Genevieve too, but not so much. She seems to be smitten with you anyway, not that I have a problem with that." Josh sighed. Eve had changed, a lot. "You know, I wish Eve wouldn't wear such baggy clothes. I mean, she's beautiful and all, I just wish she was more confident about it. Maybe I can get her to by tighter clothing. You know, not too tight, but more so than what her clothing is now. If I buy it, maybe she'll wear it."

He stared up at the ceiling. "Yeah. From time to time. I had a dream about Eve last night. It was really weird, but good." Josh ran a hand over his face. "I'm going to try something different with her. Something that's not too different than what is usual, but just a hair bit different. Just to see her reaction, and to throw hints out without actually telling her. I don't want to scare her away. You should try with Genevieve."

[Lance Jordan]

"Yeah I bet she'd clean up good if you could get her out of those mousey clothes she wears.. maybe we should have Genevieve take her shopping? Or we could have them go and then we can buy them both gifts on our own.." There was an idea.. they could let the girls go shopping, then head off to get their own dress robes and.. find something for the girls to wear too.. a surprise. Girls liked surprises right?


"what, you mean don't act like I have my head in the clouds?" he could laugh at himself, he knew he had a tendancy to drift off in his own thoughts... which was probably why he found Genevieve so endearing, she got distracted even more than he ever had and she looked cute doing it too. "or you mean I should try and show her subtly that I like her more than friends?" Lance wondered if he'd frighten her off by being less subtle, but she'd probably think he was just teasing like normal. Maybe he should try a more serious tact? Lance looked at Josh wondering what he meant by that. Just how do you change from best friends to a couple without getting awkward. He certainly didn't want things to ever be awkward... for any of them.

[Josh Jordan]

"Hm. Maybe they would like surprises. We could do that." Josh sat up on his bed. "I'm sure that would mean something to them." What could they get the girls though? He would have to see what they could find.

"And I mean to let Genevieve subtly. I mean, don't let up on what you're doing, but maybe add a little bit more to what you're doing. I'm going to try it with Eve. I hope that she reacts the way I hope she will. Maybe Genevieve will be the same, although I think she'll be just fine with it. She seems to enjoy whatever you do now."

[Lance Jordan]

"Yeah I guess it can't hurt, maybe little things and see how they react? and hope they don't pull back." Lance could already imagine playing with her hair or touching her arm just a little bit more.. complimenting her and not as a joke? hrm.. he'd have to try some of those see what worked and what didn't. Find a way to let her know she was... special to him.

"Heh.. I wonder what they'd look like in tight dresses..." Lance wiggled his eyebrows in a guy to guy talk suggestive way, something he wouldn't have been caught doing if the girls were around, it was a guy thing and what they didn't know wouldn't hurt them. Usually the girls wore casual clothes or uniforms or robes.. but never fancy dresses... It would be something new and Lance was looking forward. He hoped Genevieve wore blue... it was his favorite color on her and made her eyes stand out.

[Josh Jordan]

Josh laughed and then threw his pillow at Lance. Seeing the girls in tight dresses would be interesting, but yet, he didn't want the dresses to be too tight. Sure, it was nice to show off their bodies, but not so tight that they couldn't breath. Although, he knew that Eve would look great in whatever she would get.

"I'm looking forward to it. Plus, once we can get Eve to dress in a little tighter clothing, I'll have to step up protection of her, but one thing will be sure. My eyes still will be glued." Josh sighed. "What am I going to do Lance?"

[Lance Jordan]

Lance laughed and didn't even try to dodge the pillow, he'd half been expecting it and fell back on to his bed to look at the ceiling... "Hey don't think you weren't thinking it too! ..but seriously I think at least not so baggy for Eve.. more how Genevieve dresses would be nice on her. Hey yer not gonna play security for me though right? Eve does have nice legs...." He was teasing his brother, taunting him and he knew it.. he was trying not to laugh. But at the same time he wasn't lying either she did have good legs, though not quite as graceful as Genevieve's were.

"I dunno man, I think we're in the same boat without oars and hopefully the tide will point us in the right direction before we drown. ...I just hope they say yes."

[Josh Jordan]

"I hope that the girls give us the oars we need to get out of the middle of the lake," said Josh. "Although, I don't know if they would say no. I just hope some other guy hasn't taken a liking in Eve already asked her. I don't think I would go if I couldn't go with her. And of course Eve has nice legs. She's perfect." He gave a sigh. She was perfect. There was no ifs and buts about it.

"What should we do to tell them how we feel about them? My words would get jumbled up and everything if I tried to tell Eve that I really like her. And you. You're ears give you way, although I can't really say much on that one."

[Lance Jordan]

"Yeah well we get it honestly I guess." he said knowing that his ears turned red when he was flustered or blushing. So did Josh's though and they both knew it, not that they could do anything about it. "But.. I think if you told eve out right she'd either think you were just being nice, take it the wrong way or just not believe you. She needs more confidence in herself I think before she'd believe you." He thought about it a moment, he knew eve well and although he'd noticed subtle changes in how she acted towards Josh lately she'd not acted any differently towards himself so he was still fairly objective about her and how he knew her to be.

"Honestly? I think you're going to have to just show her. Sneak it in little by little where she can see it for herself so that by the time you tell her how you feel she'll actually believe you. As for telling her.. maybe by the time the ball? I don't know know.. I was thinking of telling Genevieve at the ball.. if I can ask her in time before she gets some other offer." Lance didn't doubt for a moment that if left long enough some other good looking guy would sweep her up and steal her away before he could.

"But for them... I think it needs to be something special... they deserve it that way." He was speaking the simple truth. Something he would only say to his brother outright, but both of the girls deserved to feel like the most special girl in the world and hope that it would help their chances to not screw up so royally while telling them how they felt."

But... he also knew that the part about what to say or do.... he was still at a loss as much as Josh seemed to be.

[Josh Jordan]

"I'll tell her by the ball. If she doesn't believe then, I'll do something to make her believe it. If I have to, I'll announce it to the entire school." Josh wouldn't have a problem with that if it made Eve believe him. He didn't want her to think that he was kidding with her or anything.

"And by the way, I'm sure that no one will ask Genevieve yet. After all, they see her with you all the time. While you are wooing over Genevieve, which I'm sure that you already have, I'm going to try to give Eve a little bit more self-confidence. When we go to Hogsmeade, I'm going to pick something out for her that is completely different than what she usually wears, but make it special all the same." Oh, going to Hogsmeade to buy girl's clothes? That was going to be an interesting trip in itself.

"And I think we should attempt to make something for them. I'm going to try to make a nice braclet for Eve. I think she would like that. Besides, I think that they will both like something we attempt to make. Although, food is not really on our list of things we're really good at."

[Lance Jordan]

"I do know something I could buy her... if I can find one in Hogsmede that is." He had an idea, there had been a butterfly amulet he'd seen at one of the shops there once that reminded him of Genevieve. He hoped they still had it, she didn't wear much jewelry that he'd noticed and the necklace would look beautiful on her. Genevieve his beautiful flighty pixie butterfly.

"Make? I haven't a clue what I could make...." Lance frowned, it was a bloody brilliant idea though, girls always liked that kind of thing but what was he actually capable of making? "And since when do you know how to make a bracelet?" he quirked an eyebrow at Josh, since when was his brother Mathalda Stewart, the homemaking witch?

[Josh Jordan]

"It's not that hard to make a bracelet Lance. All you need is string, beads, and a clasp to make sure that the beads stay on. You make it seem like it's like trying to get away from a fire-breathing dragon!" Josh sighed. He was capable of making things with his hands, except for the fact that he couldn't knit or sew, or cook.

"And I've always been able to make bracelets! I made one for Eve a long time ago actually. I wonder if she still has it. If you want, I'll help you make something and then I'll say I had nothing to do with it."

[Lance Jordan]

Lance grinned at Josh with relief... he wasn't crafty at all... but he made up for it with his dancing and spell casting at least. Not that he was the best or anything, but he was not bad either. "Sure.. actually... can you help me make a necklace? I know this amulet I saw the last time we were in Hogsmede that I think I'm going to get her but I'll need a necklace to put it on." Two in one gift.. that was the ticket. Then he had a brilliant idea... he'd make her one of those flower garlands he'd seen their mom make once or twice for holidays. He could do that at least and he bet that it would be fitting for her. He knew there was an enchantment for making flowers stay fresh and he'd have to do that so she could keep it.

[Josh Jordan]

"Of course I'll help you make it. It won't be hard to make," replied Josh. "And I'll make sure that it was made for her by you." He thought for a moment. "I think I'm going to make Eve a bracelet that has a broom charm on it and maybe have her name on it or something. Plus, I'm going to make her Christmas gift sometime soon."

Josh looked up to the ceiling. "I just hope things don't go awkward, you know?"

[Lance Jordan]

"What you mean if we start pairing into couples instead of always the four of us? I'll do my best to give you some space with Eve if that helps. Besides I don't need to watch you kissing all over her all the time, I might try to punch you if you get too fresh with Eve." He was half joking of course but he was protective of Eve, even though he knew his brother would never do anything like that Eve wasn't ready for, but that didn't mean he wanted to be around to watch either. He cared about Eve almost as much as Genevieve. But he knew that Josh felt the same only more about Eve so he wasn't truly worried, he just enjoyed teasing him about it.

In actuality he was wondering the same thing as Josh. If the changes in their friendships would make things awkward around each other considering their shared feelings and close friendships for each other. He just hoped there wasn't too much separation because he would really miss having the familiarity of their little group dynamic that he'd always relied on to be there.

[Josh Jordan]

Josh laughed. "Well, I wouldn't like to see you kissing all over Genevieve either. That would hurt my eyes forever," he teased. "I might end up going blind and it would all your fault." He grinned at Lance.

He grew quiet. "Although, the more I think about it, the more it seems like things between the four of us, if you started dating Genevieve and I started dating Eve, wouldn't be so awkward. I think that things would still be the same. However, the thing that I'm worried about is whenever I do finally tell Eve that I really like her a lot, that things would get awkward. I don't want things to change, but I feel like if I don't tell her it is going to drive me mad."