dinner parties | scorbus

CH25: right and wrong

CH25: right and wrong (4259 WORDS)

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Albus' hand fell from the door handle. Scorpius took a visual breath of relief and dropped a black backpack to the floor, carefully sliding it from his shoulders. Albus snapped his hand forward, holding up a finger.

"No, you're not staying. Leave."

"Albus—"

"I don't want you here. Do you think that it makes you a hero showing up today? Of all days."

Albus crossed his arms. Scorpius said nothing. He twisted his fingers and ducked his head slightly; adopting a slightly pathetic expression which caused Albus' stomach to churn. Scorpius crouched to pick up his bag, silent, and avoided Albus' eyes. His movements were slow; careful, and Albus' eyes began to burn. He hadn't realised just how greatly he'd yearned for his friend until Scorpius stood before him; timid and nervous.

He had a chance. And he was going to blow it if he didn't get his act together.

"No, hey—sorry, that was awful." Albus pressed forwards. "I didn't mean that. I was angry."

His socks hit the cool floor as he stepped into Scorpius' field of space. He tugged on the boy's thin arm for attention. When Scorpius stood up straight, Albus pushed to his toes and wrapped his arms around the blond's neck. Hands encapsulated his waist, locking him against his friend for comfort. The familiar scent of Scorpius wrapped around him once again. His fingers raked through the soft hair at the back of his best friend's head and he rubbed softly, wary of Scorpius melting into the embrace. Albus' toes began to ache as he continued to hold on.

"You have full right to be angry at me," Scorpius mumbled. Albus pulled back and dropped to his heels, glancing into Scorpius' cold, worn eyes. "I was so mean to you, and had no reason to be. I hurt you, and I made you upset, and I did that more than once, and one of those times it was intentional." Scorpius grabbed Albus' face in two hands, their chests remaining pressed together. Albus' stomach began to churn once more, his heart fluttered. "I want you to know that I am so, so sorry for the way I treated you. I should have listened and tried to understand the silence that I was met with, and the change in your attitude. But I didn't. And once again, I am sorry. You're not a jerk, or an asshole, you're an amazing person, who I do not deserve. I left you a message on the phone earlier and I needed to see you when you didn't reply—"

"Woah, settle. It's water under the bridge, now. I was disrespectful to you in my treatment of your girlfriend—"

"—She's not my girlfriend."

Albus paused for a moment. "—My treatment of Annabelle. And I hurt you. We're even. We both suck, and we're both saints. We're both right and wrong. And I'm sorry."

Scorpius pulled Albus to him once more. The brunet nearly crumbled as a hand cupped his cheek, holding his face to Scorpius' chest. Albus pulled back a while later, apprehensive.

Scorpius gripped Albus' biceps. "We're all good, then?"

"Of course we are. Now, how the hell did you get in, Ethan Hunt?"

"Who's Ethan Hunt?"

Albus waved it off. "Don't worry." He tugged awkwardly on his old, worn pyjamas. "How'd you get in?"

"I, um... I asked your cousin which room was yours, and she coerced the chef for you... Mabel? Anyway... the guard let me in..." Scorpius tossed a hand over his shoulder. "By the gate. I wanted to see you. I can leave if you want... I needed to see you. I fucking miss you. When I saw the paper this morning, I couldn't help but panic about how it must have hurt you. I know we had our fight and everything... but I wanted you to know that I support you through this. It's important to me that you know that I don't see you any differently. I, um... I have a letter I want to read you — later. It's for you..."