Hold Me While You Wait // Scorbus

Six - Christmas

"Sooooo," James hummed as he stepped into pace next to Albus is the corridor, "How's the crush thing going?"

The ball had been a couple days ago and now they were in the midst of Mid-Term exams and the yearning for winter break was ever present. Scorpius had been spending more time with Albus now, more than usual actually, but Al wasn't about to complain. Al just hoped that it wasn't temporary and that once everything was normal he'd go back to hanging out with Adylinn more.

"Uhh," Albus replied dumbly, "It's gotten better - or worse? I dunno. We're spending more time together than ever making it nearly impossible for me to forget my crush now."

"Hm, typical," James nodded as if he dealt with this all the time, "Have you ever thought about telling her?"

"Just straight up?"

"Straight up."

"Uh, no. Absolutely not."

"Ack, come on mate! Why not?"

Albus gave him a deadpan look, "That would be suicide."

James responded with a flabbergasted look, "It's just a girl! What's the worst that could happen? She says no? Boo boo, poor Alby can't take no for an answer," he teased in a mocking voice.

Albus huffed in objection, "It's not that I can't take no for an answer! You wouldn't understand... I'd loose a whole friendship, and I care about our friendship more than a relationship. Besides, they're already dating someone anyways."

"Ah, I see," James eyed him with a smirk, "You're just a pussy, that's it."

Albus spluttered, "Am not!"

"Mhm!" James turned to walk backwards a few paces in front of Albus. "Albus Severus Potter is a pussy!" He said loudly and Albus felt his cheeks heat up and he stumbled over his feet slightly. "Albus Potter can't even ask a girl out!"

"I can too!" He protested lamely.

"No balls!" Is all James replied with before turning back around and skipping off quickly before Al could hex him.

Albus was left to think about his next move. Should he really tell Scorpius? Would that make things better? Or worse?

••••

Christmas break was now two days away and the four Slytherins were chilling in their common room, studying for their last exams when Adylinn spoke up.

"Hey Scorp, baby, I was wondering if you wanted to spend Christmas Eve with me and my family," she asked sweetly, tracing her hand from behind his ear to his chin.

Albus cringed at her contact and looked away before he could see Scorpius frown.

"I actually... uh, already told Albus I would go to his family's Christmas," Scorpius replied.

Albus perked up and gave him a curious look. Albus had definitely not mentioned that to Scorpius, in fact, he'd decided not to tell him that he was invited, like every other year, because he assumed he'd already made plans with Adylinn.

"Isn't that right, Al?" Scorpius turned and gave him a hopeful look as if asking Al not to spoil his lie.

"Yes," Albus nodded, "He's come to my Grandparents house every year for Christmas."

"Oh," Adylinn shifted awkwardly and shuffled back to her notes. "So I'll just see you at Jace's New Year party then?"

"I guess," Scorpius replied lamely.

Several moments passed and Albus leaned over to Scorpius and whispered, "Do you really want to come to my family's Christmas?"

"If you'll let me," Scorpius gave a shy smile, acknowledging that they'd only recently just fallen back to normality in their friendship.