jack of hearts [benny]

[JOHN ELLIOT CLARK]

late september 2027

Jack's first month back at school had somehow flown by. He'd always hated coursework and structured learning, but his end goal had always remained the same. Keep his shit together until he could afford to play music full time. He'd had a fruitful meeting with Camila Cabello, a pop star, and was now on the radar of HR records with his song writing. If only they could hear him play and sing. But Jack had long since learned patience, and playing the long con was something he excelled at. Lessons and essays were still boring as ever, but Jack pushed through, and had even done some sort of extra credit. At night, he would sit at the kitchen table with Mal and hum songs that weren't yet written, his brother drumming out a steady beat on the table. They'd fallen into an amicable routine, and Jack was certain that things were set to change.

But change happened slowly. And while he was forced to wait, Jack vowed to continue in his hedonistic ways. He'd messaged an old school friend, Benjy, a Hufflepuff with whom he got along with surprisingly well. They'd become friends at Hogwarts and soon after meeting discovered that the other was interested in the potential for more. The pair had fallen into an easy routine of friendship and fooling around, the latter never overtaking the former.

It was a cool evening in late September when Jack had set to meet Benjy at Club Indigo. He'd thought about picking up a film and lipsing in the sitting room of the flat he shared with Mal, but figured he ought to at least get drunk first. Benjy was reliable and fun, the sort of person who always went with the flow. Jack appreciated that steady nature, especially in such a tumultuous period of his life.

Jack ordered two vodka sodas, downed the first, ordered another, and waited for Benjy to meet him by the bar. It wasn't immensely crowded yet, but it would be soon. They would either indulge in one another or find respective partners for the evening. There was never any pressure. That was what it meant to be friends.

gehry benjamin ollivander

[gehry benjamin ollivander]

looking for adventure

in whatever comes our way

September 2027
JOHN ELLIOT CLARK

Benny had gotten off work early, but because he opened that day, he was yawning when lunch hit. Somehow, he’d gotten through the rest of the day, though a nap in the backroom while the new girl watched the front had helped immensely. A text from an old friend from his school days appeared on his phone. Benny would always be fond of his years at school. He’d had loads of fun, much to the dismay of his professors, who had expected the youngest Ollivander to be much like his older sisters. Jack had been in the same house and year as Mina though they’d all gotten along well enough.

At some point, Benny realized that he was interested in more than just women, and he simply looked for a connection with people. That’s what had mattered, so things had been relatively effortless with Jack. But no expectations, no drama, and just fun. So, it was good to hear from him after a while. Benny appeared in front of Club Indigo, chugging the rest of his espresso and tossing the cup in a nearby bin. He would need it.

Entering the heavy bass of the music hit his ears right away, and it was energizing. That or the Spellbucks was kicking in. Either way, he made his way to the bar and approached Jack from behind, slinging an arm around him. ”There you are. Sorry I’m late.” Honestly, Benny on time for anything would have just been a damn miracle. The boy was late to his own birth. As Benny retracted his arm and took the open seat next to Jack, his eyes wandered through the patrons, it wasn’t full yet but lots of new faces gearing up for a fun night.

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[JOHN ELLIOT CLARK]

Jack always looked forward to his time with Benjy, even if their relationship had started off with Jack calling him by the wrong name. To this day, he still didn't understand why he preferred Benny over Benjy, and continued to address him as the latter. The connection they had was effortless, no matter what their names were. When Jack invited Benjy on a night out, he knew he would agree. Benjy was a go with the flow sort of person - be it getting absolutely blind or watching a film.

Jack sank the first vodka soda before ordering another one. Benjy arrived a short while later. "Not by much," Jack replied as he handed the drink to him. He leaned into Benjy's embrace, allowing himself a moment to revel in his touch. Solid and reliable, not to mention the way Benjy's eyes glinted in the dark light made Jack's stomach do funny things. "Can you be late to the club? Reckon not, unless it's closed by the time you get there," he mused aloud.

"How was the shop today?" asked Jack, ready to get the updates out of the way and drink and dance and be merry for the rest of the night. He took a long sip of his drink, his eyes roving over Benjy's relaxed features. He wondered mildly how long it would take for them to get sick of the club and head back to one of their respective homes to get more comfortable.

gehry benjamin ollivander

[gehry benjamin ollivander]

looking for adventure

in whatever comes our way

September 2027
JOHN ELLIOT CLARK

Benny had always been partial to nicknames. His first name had confused his classmates as a child, so he’d happily used a variation of his middle name. Jack had called him Benjy from the beginning, and he liked the sound of it, so he didn’t correct Jack on his name. It wasn’t till much later and after deciding not to attend a Slytherin-Hufflepuff Quidditch match, that Benny casually mentioned that Benjy was not technically his name. But it stuck, nonetheless. Both the boys were not much different than they were in their youth. Perhaps a little taller, a different hairstyle, or a little more fit.

Accepting the drink from Jack, Benny didn’t waste any time drinking down half of it. ”Good. I didn’t want to miss any of the fun.” His eyes scanned the room as he polished off his drink. Dancers were out in full force as more patrons filled the empty space. ”The usual—boring. Mina wasn’t scheduled today, and the new girl is always so skittish around me.” For the life of him, Benny didn’t know why and he shrugged. He’d always been friendly and polite with her. She was a smart girl, but he’d caught her glancing just a few seconds longer than what was normal with him. Quick to look away when he saw her. ”You know what sounds good? Tequila.” The bartender made his way back to the pair, and Benny ordered two shots.

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[JOHN ELLIOT CLARK]

Jack rolled his eyes, but he couldn't fight back the grin. "Benjy, I can't imagine a situation in which you would miss the fun. You bring it yourself," he said. "Who's the new lass? Is she fit?" asked Jack, following Benjy's gaze to the dancers on the floor. His gaze flicked back to his friend and he arched a brow. "Tequila is always good," he added, turning to the bar to order two shots. He was brought back to the moment he'd first met the youngest Slater - that had been over tequila too.

Jack knocked back the tequila shot and sipped his drink in quick succession, the lack of lunch and quick intake of drinks adding to his inebriation. He was already feeling wavy. Plonking the empty glass on the bar, Jack turned to Benjy. A vague idea wandered through Jack's brain - had Benjy ever considered a threesome? - but he quickly shut the thought away. He was too sober to enquire. "Let's get three more shots and dance," said Jack, turning back to the bar. "I wrote a song the other day," he added after a moment, thinking to the long night that had turned into a hungover morning. "I'll show you some time," he said before placing another order for shots.

gehry benjamin ollivander

[gehry benjamin ollivander]

looking for adventure

in whatever comes our way

September 2027
JOHN ELLIOT CLARK

Benny smiled easily. ”I do, don’t I?” And such was the life of the easy-going Ollivander. The youngest who arrived at a time when his parents had already chosen who would bear the weight of the family’s legacy on their shoulders. Fortunately, it had not been him. And thank Merlin it wasn’t, since Benny didn’t like pressure or that kind of stress. He thought about the new girl, a year or two younger than himself and a little shy but easy on the eyes. Benny nodded his head with a shrug. ”Sure.” She was pretty and a nice girl, but he hadn’t clicked with her that way.

”But you know how Diagon Alley is, a pretty girl in every shop or pub.” That part was true, and most of them Benny had known since they were learning to walk. And here they were now, full-fledged adults. The first that came to mind was Nova and Vasilia, though Nova had joined them as kids and a little older. Still, both pretty and fun to flirt with. It was a shame Vasilia had tied herself to someone so opposite of her. Picking up the shot, he quickly drank it, and the quick burn brought him back to the present and out of his wavering thoughts.

”Oh? What about?” Benny didn’t have a mind for music outside of just enjoying it. Not that it bothered him, he enjoyed music and watching people create it. So he was curious about what Jack had written about this time. The shots arrived, six in total. ”Let me get two more—“ He asked the bartender before he left, glancing at Jack. ”—this one started without me, so I’ve got to catch up.”. He stood a little straighter and acted as though he was mentally preparing for a fight. But it didn’t take long for two shots to go down before the other two showed up. If he was lucky, these would hit him fast enough to ignore how heavy it sat in his stomach. But then he thought of how he possibly prod Mina into attempting five shots in a row by saying that he’d done it, and that got him through the rest.

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[JOHN ELLIOT CLARK]

As Jack ordered the tequila shots, he thought mildly how it had been doing well for his life as of late. In fact, he couldn't recall a time where tequila hadn't landed him in the bed of someone exceptionally good looking. However, Jack was unsure if that had to do with tequila itself or his severely inhibited decision making facilities as a result. Either way, he would count it as a success, and was certain that the record would continue tonight. He'd asked Benjy if the new bird was fit, and Benjy in typical fashion responded in a half hearted affirmative manner.

Rolling his eyes, Jack offered his friend a cheeky smirk. "Feels like every witch decided to take some bleeding beautification potion. Heard the Weasleys offer that shit," Jack added. His mind drifted back to Addy - she wasn't as outwardly stunning as many girls he'd come across, but that was part of her allure. Jack was intrigued by the girl next door look, and the way she could put him in his place was just another quality he appreciated. Jack said nothing though, forcing thoughts of that fling out of his mind. "You're perfect the way you are. Never change," said Jack with a snicker before sinking the tequila shot.

Jack revealed that he'd written a song a few days ago. Inspiration had struck him whilst hanging over a slice of pizza with the pretty cashier across from him. "How women have so many expectations on them from men and yet we stifle them under a glass ceiling. Put them in a box. They belong there, to us," said Jack, his gaze shifting around the dance floor. "When I get more put to it, I'll show you." Jack had never been one to hide away his gift. Jack didn't complain when Benjy ordered more shots. "Dancing may be hard after this," Jack observed, but dutifully took the shots. His throat burned and his head swam. He swung an arm around Benjy. "Show off your best shapes, mate."

gehry benjamin ollivander

[gehry benjamin ollivander]

looking for adventure

in whatever comes our way

September 2027
JOHN ELLIOT CLARK

One might mistake Benny’s random overconfident comments as arrogance or the typical behavior one expected of the youngest of a well know family. But that wasn’t Benny at all. While he didn’t walk around carrying a legacy on his shoulders with his shoulders slumped, his goal was simply to live. Most people just wanted to survive. And one way to live and have fun was tequila. Nobody enjoyed the hangover the following day, but Benny was overdue for a night of fun and rolling with whatever antics came his way. Just like their old school days, the choice between studying or drinking smuggled firewhiskey was easy.

”Don’t forget the wizards.” Benny remarked with a wink and a slight smirk on his face. The girls outnumbered the boys, and he certainly wasn’t blind. Those girls he used to run around and play hide and go seek with had grown up into lovely women. And lovely women who would undoubtedly put Benny in his place if he ever showed an ounce of disrespect. ”You friends with any of them?” And by friends, the implication that Jack had not simply spent time with them over a cup of tea. Whether or not Jack would share didn’t bother Benny. He was merely curious. He chuckled lightly at the compliment. ”You sound like my mother.” As well as Veronica. The age gap and how she’d automatically adjust the collar of his shirt or something or another when he’d drop by was very mother-like.

After consuming two shots very quickly, Benny picked up a lime to let those settle before he continued, but it gave him a moment to ponder the meaning of Jack’s song. ”I’d love to hear it. What sparked this idea?” As most creative types did, Benny figured there was something that had sparked this idea. Maybe something Jack saw or perhaps someone Jack had met. By the time Jack finished his shots, he had slung an arm around Benny, knocking him off balance just slightly as the massive amount of tequila he’d consumed began seeping into his system. Benny leaned into Jack before regaining his balance. ”You might be right—“ He concurred considering his slowly increasing lack of coordination. ”—but I love this song.” The high-energy music they played here calmed him and let him simply exist as himself among a crowd of people doing much the same. Here to have fun, enjoy themselves and live.

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[JOHN ELLIOT CLARK]

Jack snorted. "I suppose. Imagine lads with puffed up lips and padding in their asses," said Jack with a smirk before sinking the shot. In fact, he wouldn't much mind the extra padding back there. Made for something better to hold on to. His gaze flicked appreciatively over Benjy, whom he knew from experience had just the sort of hardness and softness in the right places. He decided that Benjy was perfect the way he was, which was true, and knocked back another shot of tequila. He could already feel the warmth spreading from his insides. Jack cast his eyes over the girls, and he recognised none. Then, he looked to the boys. Only one stuck out. Jack inclined his head as the boy glanced his way, giving him a sultry smirk. But Jack wasn't the sort to double dip with strangers. "Just one. But that's done," said Jack with a shrug, returning his attention to Benjy.

Jack preened at Benjy's curiosity. He described how as a whole, men tended to see women a certain way - a way which was neither fair nor truthful. "A lass," he answered simply, a cryptic smirk on his lips. When he figured out a melody to go along with the words he'd written, he'd gladly show Benjy. And Jack promised his friend that he would. More shots were ordered, and with every sip, Jack's inhibitions wore off. He found himself drifting closer to Benjy, his shoulder brushing his friends in that deliciously familiar way. He intoned that maybe it would be difficult to dance after all these shots, but Jack knew he had rhythm. He had to, in order to hone his chosen craft.

With a laugh, Jack took Benjy's hand and led him to the dance floor, spinning him playfully as if he was a doll and Jack was his puppet master. They danced without doubt, without worry and without a care in the world, shimmying and nodding their heads to the beat, their hips and feet moving in tandem. Each song melded seamlessly into the next, and Jack twisted and turned with the beat and with Benjy. The music fuelled his energy, and Jack grabbed Benjy's hand, pulling him close. "It's always fun with you,' said Jack, his eyes sparking with delight.

gehry benjamin ollivander

[gehry benjamin ollivander]

looking for adventure

in whatever comes our way

September 2027
JOHN ELLIOT CLARK

Benny chuckled and forced down his remaining shots. Merlin, he would feel this tomorrow and not regret a moment of it. Nobody should act surprised. While the Ollivander women stood up straight and did their due diligence, the boys couldn’t quite get it together. Instead happy to lean on a bar with a drink in hand. Frankie might have thought that Benny was the favorite, although they all knew that to be false. It didn’t bother Benny. He may not have cared what others thought of him. But that little boy who watched his big brother walk away only wanted his big brother to care enough to even ask about his favorite color.

But, regardless, Benny focused on the tequila, the music, and the man next to him. Years they had known one another, they fit like two peas in a pod. He didn’t know what it was, but there was that glint in Jack’s eyes that Benny always gravitated toward. His eyebrows lifted curiously. ”A lass, eh? Anyone I know?” His tone full of curiosity. Their social circles overlapped quite a bit, but this lack of an answer hooked Benny in. Despite their closeness, physical and otherwise, there were certainly little bits and pieces left hidden.

The way the room spun as they went to the dance floor was delightful in the most wonderful of ways. Like he’d just taken some potion Rue had brewed up, and Benny happy to test. At some point in their lives, Jack had gained a few inches on Benny. But Benny’s long and lean form had also changed. He didn’t quite look like a shoelace, as one classmate put it, anymore. But this. This is what he craved. That lighthearted and free feeling and someone to match your energy. Benny’s chest almost collided with Jack, but he stopped himself. At this range, he heard how breathless they sounded despite the music. ”We’ve always been a good pair, haven’t we?” Their overlapping ideas of freedom, even borderline recklessness. The sparks were there, and better yet, without the drama.

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[JOHN ELLIOT CLARK]

In lieu of responding, Jack simply shot Benjy a cryptic smirk. Sure, he was pretty certain Benjy knew of Lulu, the black sheep of the Blishwick family. She seemed so different from her relations, and the way that she had skittered around the edge of his thoughts for the past few weeks meant that he'd watched the rest of the Blishwicks with a much closer eye. The patriarch, the one who bought and sold everything and was set on turning Hogsmeade into a corporate wasteland was the worst of the bunch. The pair knocked back a final set of shots before meandering onto the dance floor.

Things seemed to fall away when Jack was with Benjy. Suddenly, there was nothing more important or dire than who could dance the best, who knew the lyrics to the songs they played. They were everywhere and nowhere at once. Jack twirled Benjy, laughing freely at the antics they got up to, commenting how they always had worked. There was a flicker of chemistry between them, and there was no hesitation in Jack as he dropped a kiss onto Benjy's lips. He pulled away, grinning devilishly, head bobbing to the playful new song that came on. "Should we get more drinks?" asked Jack rather unnecessarily, knowing that Benjy would be agreeable.

gehry benjamin ollivander