He groaned, laughing softly. There weren't enough years they spent the rhe holidays and breaks together like this, so he was always grateful during the years he could spend as much time as possible with him when he wasn't teaching. He had a loose grip on his tie, glancing up at the clock, which had suddenly struck midnight. "Merry Christmas, darling." He murmured affectionately, dragging him into a heavy kiss.

Darling. Albus rarely used pet names with him and he softened further as Albus dragged him by the tie to kiss him. They'd never spend Christmas together before. Summer always seemed to be their season. He kissed him back with a soft hum, gathering him into his arms to pull him closer. "Merry Christmas, dear Albus." He whispered softly against his lips.

"And what a delightful sight you make." @the-greater-good-1899

Credit ▪ Paris, 2014 – Saint Laurent by Paul Franco and Emmanuel Giraud

"Am I distracting you, dear Albus?" Gellert teased him from across the room. He watched as Albus was sitting with his sketch book, clearly drawing something but he couldn't quite see the pages.

"And you know very well how to find me." He murmured, suddenly tugging him close by his tie. "Should I summon coal for your stocking or are you going to let be a good boy tonight?" He grinned, brushing a kiss against his mouth

"Oh I think I've earned enough coal already for the previous months. I shall be on my best behaviour tonight in the hopes Santa might be willing to overlook my past transgressions." Gellert teased him with a soft chuckle. "Although, perhaps he brought me you for Christmas in which case, Santa must think I've been a very good boy indeed."

“You have to stop overestimating your failures and underestimating your powers.”

— Channing H.M

"You are the naughty list." He teased with a soft laugh, shaking his head fondly. "Believe it or not, I don't enjoy spending all my holidays and free time alone." He muttered

"I'm at the top of the naughty list, dear Albus. But then perhaps you've always had a thing for bag boys?" Gellert teased him lightly before he sobered. "You shouldn't be spending any holidays or free time alone. You know you're always welcome in Nurmengard."

"Is it a crime to come see my husband instead?" He chuckled. He tried to see him as often as possible when they hadn't left things off on bad terms

"No, it's certainly not a crime. Although being here with me, you might end up on Santas naughty list." Gellert chuckled softly.

"..Merry Christmas?" Cue sheepish grin. --------------- "Well, I must say this is rather unexpected Albus. I thought you were spending the holidays at Hogwarts this year.... Are you my gift this year Albus?" @the-greater-good-1899

"I would be a terrible husband if I didn't worry about you." Gellert knew he hadn't always been the best husband to Albus. He has failed him, at times when he had needed him the most. He shouldn't have stayed away for so long, not when he knew that Albus didn't have anyone else close enough to him that he would allow them to see his struggles. "It's my responsibility to care for you Albus and I can see just how much you're hurting. I started to write to you many times but I didn't think you'd care to hear from me. Not after the way we parted the last time." he leaned down to brush a soft kiss against the corner of his mouth.

"I heard everything you said."

"You'll have to be a bit more specific than that, darling." He might be playing innocent, but also that could refer to so many things.

Gellert was kissing him back deeply, groaning softly against his mouth as he continued to stroke him. Oh, he had missed him so much. They had been apart for so long, too long. Why had he not gone to find him as the months had stretched between them? But Albus had been busy and they hadn't parted on the best of terms. He had thought he was doing the right thing, leaving Albus in peace and yet he had found him in this state and.... too many thoughts. He was having too many thoughts and he just wanted to savour this moment with his beloved and.... A filthy groan tore from him as he realised just what Albus was doing. He pulled back slightly to watch him work himself open. Oh, he must have been achingly aroused, for Albus was usually too embarrassed to do that, even in front of him. He continue to stroke him, watching as he opened himself up for him.

It had been nearly four years now since the events of godrics hollow and his sisters death as follows. Yes, his sisters death had been a tragic accident- But he also knew it was what freed him from that awful place, able to finally travel as he wanted. That summer after he fled after Ariana's funeral, he did, in fact, get to travel the world with Elphias for what was left of that summer.

At some point he ended up in Paris a couple years under Nicolas Flamel, helping the alchemist with his research as partners. That same summer he and Gellert, unable to stay away from one another had a fling off and on throughout the summer he was in Paris. Not long after, a year and a half later he became fascinated by dragons blood, discovering 12 uses of it, which earned his recognition tenfold and had the school reach out to offer him a teaching position.

He had accepted.

Now, here he was, after finishing his shopping at Diagon Alley some days ago found himself in Knockturn Alley, once again in desperate and obsessive searching of the remaining two hallows- Despite what his lover might've thought, he had never ceased his search. He also found himself desperately searching for any sort of dark artifact or potion that could possibly relieve the overwhelming GRIEF that threatened to consume him, even still. Consumed in his research and search for the hallows helped distract him- But it could only do so much. Once again, defeated in his search for such an object, he found himself walking out of another shop, dressed in a dark suit, fiery red curls falling around his sapphire blue eyes.

Unexpecting to the fates that would have them cross paths once again, as a familiar blonde watched him from afar. @magicblooms

"You look wonderfully at home here in Nurmengard Albus. It's where you were always meant to be." @the-greater-good-1899

Gellert kissed him back with equal desperation, clinging to him as his fingers dug into his skin deep enough to leave bruises behind. Finally he had Albus back in his arms and oh how he had missed him so deeply. He had run that day from the Hollow, panicked and angry and heartbroken. Albus had betrayed him that night, raising his wand against him seemingly without thought. Perhaps he should have stayed behind. Demanded answers from him. He still needed those same answers and he knew at some stage, they would need to talk. But Albus was as irresistible to him now as he was then. He never should have left him, at least not without confronting him. Could they recover from the betrayal between them and pain and distance? He hoped so. He snapped his hips up once more, a soft whimper escaping him.

It had been the better half of two years since he'd last seen Gellert Grindelwald in the flesh- Though he had heard plenty of whispers, murmurs in the dark corners of the wizarding world. Ever since his younger sister Ariana's funeral he had packed what he could and fled Godric's Hollow and never looked back. He had toured the world as he has intended to before the terrible accident that befell Kendra Dumbledore due to an outburst of his sisters wayward magic, and that following summer, well.. He came.

News of his research and success spread like wildfire in the wizarding world- The Daily Prophet, Wizard Weekly, every and any wizarding world outlet found themselves posting his research and findings. After that, well.. Unhealthy obsession befell Albus Dumbledore once more with the deathly hallows, specifically the resurrection stone. He had been studying it long before Grindelwald came along and now he had more incentive, with three members of his family befalling tragic deaths.

If anything could bring them back, it was the stone.

He travelled the world in search of it, consumed by grief and mourning, which drove him on even more. Searching the darker corner of the wizarding world- He was no stranger to it. Not after Grindelwald. He found himself listening in, occupying dark wizarding clubs, darker places such as Knockturn Alley- When he heard whispers of his former lover from Godric's Hollow. Rumors of a rally taking place, to gain followers for his- Their movement. Change the world.. It's what they said they'd do.

For the greater good.

For the weeks that followed, he found out where it was taking place. He was adorned in head to toe in all black, a hood shrouding most of his fiery red curls as he made his way into the crowd, finding himself blending in. At least, he had hoped so. Baby blue eyes found themselves glued to his husband on stage, as he ranted and raved about what he sought to do, words flowing like the magic that so easily made up both halves of the star crossed lovers of Godric's Hollow, that poetic way he has with words.

He felt his heart beat in his chest. @magicblooms

"I missed you too." Gellert whispered back almost instantly. Perhaps he shouldn't have been so quick to take Albus in his arms and back into his bed. They still needed to talk and he wasn't sure if Albus intended to remain with him or if he would simply disappear within hours or days or weeks. But Albus was almost impossible to resist. He had been during their summer together and he still was now. "I've missed you so much Albus." His fingers dug into his upper arms, feeling the sting of the separation that had been devastating for him. He had forced himself to stay away, certain Albus wanted nothing to do with him. But perhaps they had both made a mistakes, many mistakes. Both during the summer and the years that had past since. Was it too late to right them? He snapped his hips up with a soft cry. "Albus." He groaned against his mouth.

It had been the better half of two years since he'd last seen Gellert Grindelwald in the flesh- Though he had heard plenty of whispers, murmurs in the dark corners of the wizarding world. Ever since his younger sister Ariana's funeral he had packed what he could and fled Godric's Hollow and never looked back. He had toured the world as he has intended to before the terrible accident that befell Kendra Dumbledore due to an outburst of his sisters wayward magic, and that following summer, well.. He came.

News of his research and success spread like wildfire in the wizarding world- The Daily Prophet, Wizard Weekly, every and any wizarding world outlet found themselves posting his research and findings. After that, well.. Unhealthy obsession befell Albus Dumbledore once more with the deathly hallows, specifically the resurrection stone. He had been studying it long before Grindelwald came along and now he had more incentive, with three members of his family befalling tragic deaths.

If anything could bring them back, it was the stone.

He travelled the world in search of it, consumed by grief and mourning, which drove him on even more. Searching the darker corner of the wizarding world- He was no stranger to it. Not after Grindelwald. He found himself listening in, occupying dark wizarding clubs, darker places such as Knockturn Alley- When he heard whispers of his former lover from Godric's Hollow. Rumors of a rally taking place, to gain followers for his- Their movement. Change the world.. It's what they said they'd do.

For the greater good.

For the weeks that followed, he found out where it was taking place. He was adorned in head to toe in all black, a hood shrouding most of his fiery red curls as he made his way into the crowd, finding himself blending in. At least, he had hoped so. Baby blue eyes found themselves glued to his husband on stage, as he ranted and raved about what he sought to do, words flowing like the magic that so easily made up both halves of the star crossed lovers of Godric's Hollow, that poetic way he has with words.

He felt his heart beat in his chest. @magicblooms

"Of course you wouldn't have expected the Ministry to attack you, in a place you should have been perfectly safe in. You should have been safe anywhere, since you haven't done anything wrong." Albus was not to blame for any crimes but in the Ministries eyes he was not only a threat but something to be used. Albus' magical prowess was well known, even if he knew he often attempted to hide and hold himself back. Albus was his only equal, a fact the Ministries had quickly discovered years ago. He loathed the way they wanted to use him, especially now knowing they had tortured him to bend him to their will. They'd pay for it. He was taken back when Albus spoke of being grateful toward him. He had never expected that. Everything he had ever done for Albus had been completely out of love and devotion for the man. All the way back in Godrics Hollow up until now when he had brought him here to Nurmengard with him. "I never expected your gratitude Albus. I did what I did out of love for you. You needed me back then." He had helped with Ariana as soon as Albus and Ariana were comfortable with him being around. He had become quite fond of her so quickly and he still grieved her now.

The dawn of November 1, 1945.

With the chaos of a recently graduated Tom Riddle sent out into the world, and the ministry breathing that much more down Albus Dumbledore's neck for the last few weeks after he'd been forced on "administrative leave" by the ministry while he was in their custody for the last several weeks, beaten and tortured until he gave into their demands to duel Gellert Grindelwald once more. He knew his husband's actions had grown more horrific over the years that even he could not ignore, and between that, the torture...

He had accepted.

The ministry was unaware of his possession of the resurrection stone, given to him by Flamel in case things turn for the worst in that duel. He's made enough potion to live out the next fifty years with himself and his wife- Should Albus not come home from this. Days before, he had sent out a letter. Part of him hoped it did not make it to him, or he would simply ignore his ridiculous quest for a final duel, to see who would finally come out on top. Or, in the ministries eyes.. If good would triumph over evil.

For the greater good.

Days later, he had anxiously arrived at that location, dressed in his usual attire. His wand was grasped tightly in his hand, other shoved in his pocket, wrapped tightly around the stone in his pocket. He had used illusion charms to hide what a wreck he really looked like, after what the ministry had put him through for the last several weeks. In his weakened state he might've still been quite the formidable opponent- But the ministries underestimated Grindelwald when it came to Dumbledore. He truly didn't know who would triumph this time. He hoped so desperately that the letter had not made it, or he would refuse.

But when was luck ever on Albus Dumbledore's side? @magicblooms

(template/layout credit to @seekingabettergood tysm <33)

"Needing protection isn't a weakness Albus. Sometimes being powerful simply isn't enough." Of course, he couldn't quite know just what they had done to Albus but he could make assumptions. Travers and the Ministry knew just how powerful Albus was. At least they suspected as much. MACUSA hadn't done the best job keeping him captive but they'd been adequate. He hadn't had to stay in custody for as long as he had, but they'd known what spells to use to limit his uses of magic and therefore, limited the ease in which he could escape. "You must not be harsh upon yourself Albus, you are not at fault here. Travers and the Ministry is. Not you."

The dawn of November 1, 1945.

With the chaos of a recently graduated Tom Riddle sent out into the world, and the ministry breathing that much more down Albus Dumbledore's neck for the last few weeks after he'd been forced on "administrative leave" by the ministry while he was in their custody for the last several weeks, beaten and tortured until he gave into their demands to duel Gellert Grindelwald once more. He knew his husband's actions had grown more horrific over the years that even he could not ignore, and between that, the torture...

He had accepted.

The ministry was unaware of his possession of the resurrection stone, given to him by Flamel in case things turn for the worst in that duel. He's made enough potion to live out the next fifty years with himself and his wife- Should Albus not come home from this. Days before, he had sent out a letter. Part of him hoped it did not make it to him, or he would simply ignore his ridiculous quest for a final duel, to see who would finally come out on top. Or, in the ministries eyes.. If good would triumph over evil.

For the greater good.

Days later, he had anxiously arrived at that location, dressed in his usual attire. His wand was grasped tightly in his hand, other shoved in his pocket, wrapped tightly around the stone in his pocket. He had used illusion charms to hide what a wreck he really looked like, after what the ministry had put him through for the last several weeks. In his weakened state he might've still been quite the formidable opponent- But the ministries underestimated Grindelwald when it came to Dumbledore. He truly didn't know who would triumph this time. He hoped so desperately that the letter had not made it, or he would refuse.

But when was luck ever on Albus Dumbledore's side? @magicblooms

(template/layout credit to @seekingabettergood tysm <33)

Gellert kissed him back with equal desperation, hands clinging to him as he continued to ride him. He could never get enough to Albus himself and so many things he did everything really drove him absolutely wild with need and desire. Albus knew this too and did everything he could when he was in the mood to drive him absolutely feral for him. The cries and whimpers were intoxicating and he couldn't help but cry out himself as Albus snapped his hips up to push deeper inside him. "Hmm I think I might have an idea Albus, for certainly you do exactly the same thing to me." His desire and desperation for Albus had always driven him insane, ever since they met in Bathildas living room all those years ago.

I don't appreciate you sending your little lap dogs in, to sabotage my plans. If you must attempt treason against me, surely you could deign to make an appearance yourself - GG

"Treason?" He scoffed, throwing his hands up in exasperation, seeing his image accumulate in his mind. "Treason?!" He was absolutely dumbfounded. How dare he sum this up to treason? It was nothing of the sort! If anything, he was the one committing treason! "Oh you've got some bloody nerve-" if he was there in person, his fiery temper might've caused him to slap him. "How dare you stand there and say that practically to my face, after what you've done!" @magicblooms