Three Isn't A Crowd

[Andrew Belo]

Although practice had been especially brutal, Andrew Belo had no complaints. They were professional athletes after all and hard work was what was expected of the players, especially the Thunderers. Anyone who expected to simply enjoy some fame for being a quidditch player would not have fit in well on the team. All of the players, male and female alike were true athletes. It had taken some time for Andrew to get used to that idea. He had arrived on the team as a cocky, unfocused guy, but he had those qualities quickly stripped away. The coach was always ruthless in telling Andrew to pick up the pace and stop swinging like an amateur. The words had lit a fire under him the first time he'd heard them and continued to every day.

By the time they'd stopped for the day, there was not a single part of Andrew's body that wasn't aching. But, his coach had no negative comments to make. It was a good trade-off especially since he knew a good shower would set him straight. "Good practice" Andrew said, slapping hands with some of his teammates as they headed for the locker rooms. After practice some of the players had showered quickly and left, returning to their families or heading off to do whatever it was they did. Andrew always moved slowly, taking time to ice his arm before heading to the showers, but he had eventually made his way to his locker and dressed quickly in a jeans and a t-shirt. He always felt proud to see the plaque bearing his name at the top of his area. Inside his locker, he had a clean practice uniform, his pads and game uniforms. He also had a picture of his family- his 5 kids (they were his stepchildren though he didn't like to label them like that) and his girlfriend. It was a wizarding picture so the little children moved a lot, trying to touch the edge of the picture and squirm out of their mother's arms. He touched it before every game for good luck.

As his stomach grumbled, Andrew began pulling on his sneakers. It was time to get some calories into his body. "Any of you guys wanna grab a bite?" he asked to the room in general. He was friendly enough with all of his teammates that he would welcome any of their company. They spent a good amount of each day together after all, and it was only for a meal anyway. "I could eat a hippogriff right now."

 

[Dietrich Metzger]

After being the new Seeker for a while now and out of being the Chaser, Dietrich Metzger was doing good when it came to practicing. Somehow, he was good with catching smaller balls. Dietrich's practice always had the love of his life with him, and now that they were really public, Dietrich was just off the menus for the ladies, much to their dismay. Dietrich was a catch, but he was only for one. Once he had caught the snitch for the fifth time with his speedy skills, he knew that one day soon, he might be Quidditch World Cup material one day. It would be something that he would want for all of his life. Well, that and being married to Michael Drape one day... thought the professional Quidditch player with a smile on his handsome features. He turned his broom when he was done with his own practice, and landed. Dietrich turned his neck to and fro, cracking it and he groaned. That really hurt! He felt some blood rushing to the starving muscles, before he moved his limps a bit. He was not a Chaser anymore, but he always seemed to get hit by a bludger. Every practice, every game. This time, a bludger hit him in the shin, but he healed it and went on.

"I'm hoping we made the coach proud today, cause man am I sore!" exclaimed Dietrich with a laugh once he was in the locker rooms. Once Dietrich was dressed and showered, he hoped that Michael was not too anxious for him. Though Dietrich put everything in the locker with his name on it, and he turned to the rather scrumptious looking Andrew. Dietrich knew that if he did not have Michael, he would totally hit on that. But he was a loyal man, but one could play around especially if Michael was up for it. They bothered Raffael, and that was just fun. As far as Dietrich was aware, Andrew would not even think of swinging the other way, which was what made it even more fun! Andrew asked if anyone really wanted to go grab some food, and this was the perfect time to jump in. Dietrich did not hear what the others that had not left said, but he raised his hand and he said, "I'm game! I'll get Michael and we can go to get some burgers or something." Dietrich then rushed out of the locker room where he would find Michael, not caring what Andrew would say about him and his lover coming along. Dietrich whispered the plan for him, before he went to sit on the bench by the locker room. Strangely enough, Andrew and Dietrich had something in common. In a way. Both had five kids (only Dietrich's kids were actually his).

 

[Michael Drape]

Since the engagement, Michael had attended practically every training and quidditch match that Dietrich was a part of. Naturally he was rewarded for his efforts, but that was beside the point. The point was that his boyfriend, no fiance, appreciated his support and that meant that Michael would give him as much as he could. The couple were very much a public figure now and Michael didn't think he would ever get used to his face being in the papers next to Dietrich's and talk about either how much of a scandal it was, or how great it was for the quidditch industry that they supported gay players. It was just one of those things one learned to ignore, because the truth was that Michael had never been happier in his life.

Michael had his feet propped up on the seat in front of him. It was only training, so the stands were not packed like they usually were during an actual match. His eyes never left Dietrich and more than once Michael's hand would fly to his wand and he would have to resist the urge to blast those bloody bludgers out of the sky. It was irrational behaviour but it happened every game. Dietrich would always end up getting hit and although Michael knew Dietrich would see it as nothing, Michael couldn't help his possessive nature flare up. The idea that Dietrich could end up seriously hurt would always flash in front of his mind. Regardless, it would probably never happen, Dietrich was far too skilled on a broom to let himself get hurt badly. That thought would always soothe Michael's nerves.

As training was wrapped up, Michael knew Dietrich and the rest of the team would be cleaning up in the locker rooms, so Michael lifted himself slowly from his spot in the stands and lazily walked down to where he knew the rooms to be. When he got outside, he sat on the bench where he usually waited for Dietrich, the blonde was normally one of the last people out. Michael hadn't bothered much with his appearance today. There was a reasonable breeze, so instead of styling his hair the way he normally did, it was left loose. It made the twenty-four-year-old look a lot younger.

When Dietrich emerged from the change rooms, Michael grinned at his fiance. He seemed to be up to something, and as Michael registered his lovers words that were whispered into his ear, he had to smirk. Michael nodded his agreement as he stood from the bench and slipped an arm around Dietrich's waist, sending a sly glance Dietrich's way. "So where's lunch?" He asked in a silky voice.

 

[Andrew Belo]

Andrew kept putting his sneakers on as most of the team mumbled that they had plans. One person though jumped on the offer, and Andrew didn't need to turn around to know who it was. He recognized the voice easily and even if he hadn't, he would have realized who it was when he heard the name Michael added in. "Uh, sure. Cool." He stood up slowly, not less eager to go grab a bite but a little more nervous. He'd never really hung around all that much with Dietrich, other than what was necessary to run drills during practice and during games of course. Not because he didn't like him or anything. It was just that he had never found anything in particular for them to talk about. The two men did have being teammates in common at least, and they also had the distinction of having ten kids between them. It was a startling amount considering how young both men were. The key difference to most people though was that Dietrich's kids were biologically his and Andrew's weren't.

There was another rather large difference between the two men, one that was probably more obvious to some people. And that was where Michael came into play. He was Dietrich's...something. Fiance, he was pretty sure especially if he was to believe the tabloids and newspapers who photographed both men together fairly often. Andrew had never directly asked Dietrich about his relationship with Michael. He was a live and let live kind of guy. As long as Dietrich brought it during game time, which he always did, Andrew didn't care if he wanted to date a dementor. It was absolutely none of his business as far as he was concerned. Standing up when he was done, Andrew finished putting some things into his locker as he waited for his teammate.

When Dietrich didn't return, Andrew assumed that both men were outside waiting. The man had left quickly, so he wasn't sure but he figured it was as good a place as any to head. His stomach was already growling and protesting in hunger. Besides, Andrew had spotted Michael waiting outside of the locker room after a few practices so he had a feeling he'd spot them outside. This will be interesting. Leaving the locker room, Andrew spotted the couple by a bench, their arms around each other and he walked up to them slowly. He reached them just in time to hear Michael ask where lunch would be. He held out a hand to Michael. "Hey man. Good to see you...are you two ready?" he asked, stuffing his hands back into his pockets. "You mentioned burgers, right? Do you know a place around here?" He looked over at Dietrich and waited for his reply.

 

[Dietrich Metzger]

Dietrich curled his body into Michael's, before placing a cute kiss on his cheek, before he turned to Andrew. He remembered all the publicity that Michael now received because of Dietrich, but did Dietrich mind? Why no, because seeing his face next to Michael, it was just perfect. The fact that the Quidditch league supported gay relationships and everything was just the most perfect thing in Dietrich's eyes. He had the band around his ring finger indicating that he was engaged and totally off limits. Dietrich just hoped that there was that thought of Andrew coming along with the two lovers and then they were in for a world of fun. Dietrich rarely did this to anyone, which was why they had it so much fun for the rare occasion, and they had to make sure they had the most perfect victim for this as well. With Michael's arm around his waist, Dietrich felt like he was in heaven, which was no surprise because he felt like this all the time with his love. Dietrich wanted nothing more but to feel like this all the time, and well, it was happening.

There were many differences in the men. Andrew was a beater, which was something Dietrich really failed at doing. But then there was something that Andrew seemed to be into women whereas Dietrich really was not. He was at one point in his life, but now there was just one in his life, and that was Michael. It seemed like Dietrich was the girl of the relationship actually. Dietrich used to crush on Hadan, but that was such a long time ago, and she managed to catch this really hot boy that Dietrich just loved to look at. Michael knew about this too, and more than likely agreed. That Raffael was man candy! Dietrich wondered if Andrew would feel rather awkward with the two. He would be with two men that were deeply in love, but he had heard no rejections. So that was a good sign anyway.

"It is in a restaurant, Michael," Dietrich smirked lightly, before he stood up and then helped Michael to his feet and intertwining his fingers within Michael's hand. Dietrich thought for a moment, thinking of a good place to eat which was just five miles from here. Not many people here, but it would be better for them anyway. Dietrich smiled, "Sure do, it is on the corner of 3rd Street and Westen Avenue. Best place there, and just follow me!" Dietrich apparated off and he hoped that Michael would not mind apparating himself. Dietrich really sucked with apparating other people with him because he was always freaking out about splinching. The place was called 'My Place'. Dietrich walked into expecting the boys to follow him, and he went to a booth inside the small, isolated place, before he scooted over to the wall to give Michael some room to sit down. "Best burgers around, I guarantee it. And they have curly fries!" Dietrich was unusually happy anyway, which was not surprising to the boys if they knew him long enough.

 

[Michael Drape]

Michael's cheek tingled momentarily from the kiss Dietrich placed there. He turned a fond smile to his fiance. Michael knew that it would probably always be like this. Most couples cooled down with their partners after a while and things became steady, but with Michael and Dietrich every moment felt fresh and new. It didn't matter if Michael and Dietrich were just sitting and talking, Michael thought just being with Dietrich made his head spin with how exciting the blonde made his life. He could almost guarantee that it would be just like this no matter how long they stayed together.

As Andrew emerged from the locker room, Michael allowed himself to take in the man's appearance. Michael would be lying if he said he didn't find him attractive, someone would be crazy not to think so, but from the brief times he had met Andrew at practices or games and from what Dietrich had told him, Michael knew that he was completely 100% straight. Which was what was going to make lunch a whole lot more fun. Michael smirked as he hand out his hand to shake Andrew's. "Yeah, good to see you too," Michael winked at the man before withdrawing his hand. "Nice practice today," he commented. It wouldn't be the first time Michael and Dietrich had played the game they were about to play at lunch. Michael thought back to the party at Hadan's home when they had first met Raffael. Dietrich and Michael both agreed that Hadan was a lucky girl, but then again, she was gorgeous herself, so together they made a lovely couple to look at. Although Michael didn't think anyone could beat him and Dietrich in the best-looking-couple category, but perhaps that was just him being bias.

Michael turned to Dietrich at his sarcastic comment and gave him a nudge in the ribs. "Gee thanks, caption obvious." He said playfully, linking his fingers with Dietrich and using his fiance to help himself off the bench. Michael couldn't resist the urge to laugh out loud when Dietrich explained where they were going to eat and then apparated himself off straight away. He turned to Andrew and rolled his eyes fondly. Dietrich kept Michael on his toes that was for sure. He seemed to have endless amounts of energy. Michael too aparated himself to the location Dietrich had mentioned and followed the blonde inside. Slipping into the booth, Michael looked around, taking in the interior of the restaurant. He turned to Dietrich and grinned, "You and your curly fries," he said, leaning in to brush his nose with Dietrich's quickly.

 

[Andrew Belo]

As he glanced at the two guys, an amused look crossed Andrew's face. There was no doubt that Dietrich and Michael were in love with a capital L. Anyone who thought otherwise was either blind or dumb. When it came to love, there were no gender boundaries in Andrew's mind. Sure, he wasn't into dudes since he loved the company of women way, way too much, but he didn't judge. The two guys before Andrew were clear evidence of that. The men were all over each other in a way that new couples usually were. Andrew was pretty sure that they had been together for a while though, especially considering the fact that they were engaged. Both men wore rings signifying that commitment. Marriage was a pretty serious step, one that Andrew had never really considered before. He couldn't consider any of the women he'd dated before to be girlfriends let alone fiances. There just hadn't been that level of caring in Andrew's heart. He and Evette were a different story. He certainly cared about her deeply and he'd even told her he loved her and meant it. Marriage was another story though. Andrew wasn't sure if he was ready for that step.

As Michael let go of his hand, Andrew pointedly ignored the wink. He had the feeling that he might be dealing with a lot of that sort of thing today, which made him begin to reconsider the whole lunch thing. Andrew didn't know if he'd be able to deal with all of the PDA, but he really, really needed a guy's day. For the past few months, Andrew had been shin-deep in diapers and bottles whenever he wasn't at practice and by the time he and Evette had a few moments to share alone, they had little energy to do more than simply sleep. Besides hanging with these two seemed like it would be alright. Dietrich seemed like a cool guy. He was roughly the same age as Andrew, athletic and always in a good mood. Andrew didn't know much about Michael at all, but if he was with Dietrich, he had to be ok.

As Dietrich told them where they would be eating and left, Andrew looked over at Michael and shrugged before apparating away. He landed in front of a place simply known as 'My Place.' "Interesting name" he smirked as he stepped inside behind MIchael. Dietrich was already seated and Andrew slipped into the booth on the opposite side of the two guys. He glanced down at the menu, listening to what his teammate said. "Guess I know what I'm having then" he said with a chuckle. How could he turn down the chance at having the best burger ever and curly fries to boot? Andrew was very much a meat and potatoes kind of guy so the decision was an easy one to make. As the two touched noses, Andrew hastily glanced down at the menu again. Not many things made the guy bashful, but seeing people snuggling close together in public always did. He cleared his throat and then looked up again at Michael as he sat back in his seat. "So, how long have you two been together? It's pretty cool that you come to watch our practices. It's gotta be pretty boring for you sometimes to just watch us do drills."

 

[Dietrich Metzger]

The love was clear as the Professional seeker was blonde. Those two were in love, and seemed like everyday in heaven. It was sweet to watch and just have such happiness for the two of them if you accepted that type of relationship however. Dietrich was honestly glad that his whole team was accepting of the two of them, and loved it that they were so close and the publicity that they received was also a blessing but a pain at times too. Sometimes Dietrich wondered if Michael himself had a fan club. If there was one, he would totally be the president. He knew more about Michael than he did about Quidditch.

Dietrich figured that Andrew would not really be comfortable with the whole public display of affection, but it would be best to keep it on a low for right now. At least wait until everyone was settled at the restaurant and eating, and then let the plan go through. It was all for fun really, and Dietrich hoped no hard feelings would remain afterward. Guys did this all the time, and Dietrich smirked lightly when Andrew seemed to be a little...off about the wink that Michael had given him. Perfect, the plan was going smoothly. "The restaurant isn't really international or anything, but it is more like home cooked meals that mothers and grandmother's make. So that is why I like it, reminds me of my mom's cooking and all." But then again, Dietrich also did not have his mother anymore, as she had died after he was six-years-old. Most knew this about him, and would continue to know as well. Was not really something one could really hide anyway. Dietrich's father was a deadbeat dad and really hated that subject. If anyone talking about having a deadbeat dad, he would just change the subject, and maybe that was why he was caring for all his kids now.

"I like being sarcastic from time to time. Sometimes it is just too easy to ignore, babe," Dietrich retorted at his beloved boyfriend - er, fiance, which was still weird for the young man. Dietrich caught the waiter and the waiter asked for drinks while passing out menus, but Dietrich already knew what he wanted so he did not need the menu to even look at. He just ordered a wizard soda, before turning his eyes to the boys once more. Dietrich turned his eyes to Andrew when he started asking questions but he figured that Michael should answer them. Dietrich talked to Andrew more than Michael did, so it would give them more time to get to know each other. Though Dietrich and Andrew did not talk so much really, but it was more than Michael and Andrew. That was what he was taking into consideration. Dietrich had to have a comment at the end though, "He loves to see a man in a uniform, that is what it is." Dietrich laughed softly.Dietrich nuzzled Michael's shoulder lovingly, before smiling once more.