SCORBUS // consider me yours.

06 | room of requirement

Scorpius felt his heart rate increase as he heard faint sobs echo from inside the room.

He panicked, surely that couldn't be Albus. . . could it?

Scorpius walked in slowly, the doors already open.

The Room of Requirement had almost no furniture or decor in it. A long, faded and tattered couch was spread along the length of the wall, and a table was placed lazily in what seemed to be the middle of the Room. No wonder Scorpius heard echos; the Room was basically empty. Scorpius knew that the Room's appearance changed for each person and their mood, but this time, why was it all empty?

Taking a few more steps forward, Scorpius finally saw two people, who were occupying the couch. They sat at the edge of it, and it had sunken under their weight. Albus and Rose. Scorpius squinted to see better, and noticed that Albus' knees were pulled to his chest, and his head was laying on them. Rose had placed a reassuring hand on his back, and she seemed to be rubbing it softly.

For a moment, all was silent.

But then, a small groan came from Albus. It was short and quiet, like he was trying to hide it. Scorpius frowned, and immediately, he became worried.

He sighed inaudibly, and took a few more steps, moving deeper into the room until he was visible.

Rose looked up from where she'd been looking at Albus' knees, and she smiled crookedly once she regarded Scorpius. She'd given him the hints on purpose- she knew he had to come.

Scorpius pointed to Albus, still not saying a word, as if to say, What's up with him?

Rose glanced back at Albus sadly. She gave his back one last rub, smoothed the hair on his head, and got up from the couch. The couch let out a groan, causing Albus to lift his head.

He looked up at Rose, and Scorpius noticed how bloodshot his eyes were.

"Rose, where are you going—?" Albus' voice faltered once he noticed Scorpius was standing in front of him.

Rose stood beside Scorpius defensively. "You two need to talk everything over."

Scorpius didn't understand what she meant, but from the groan and burial of Albus' face, Scorpius guessed it wasn't good. Rose pursed her lips and somehow formed them into a weird, pressing smile. She squeezed Scorpius' arm before walking out behind him.

Scorpius didn't have time to freak out over the contact. He was too busy freaking out over Albus.

Albus sniffed, his head stuffed into his knees. Scorpius approached him slowly, and sat on the other end of the couch.

"What's been bothering you?" Scorpius whispered, his voice calm. It surprised him— calm was far from what he was really feeling. "You know you can tell me."

Albus' voice wavered. "I know I can, but I don't want to."

Scorpius sighed, accidentally ripping a piece of the old leather off the couch as he fiddled nervously. He wiped his hands on his legs. "Rose said we needed to talk something through. . . can you at least tell me what she meant by that?"

Albus sat still, quiet, and Scorpius could barely hear his breathing. The room fell quiet, both boys not knowing what to say or do next.

Eventually, Scorpius shifted much closer to Albus on the couch, and he brought his knees up to his chest too. Scorpius sat awkwardly, sort-of behind him— it was hard to tell because of the angle Albus was sitting in.

Scorpius could see Albus' shoulders shaking, and his heart broke. Hesitantly, almost unsure, Scorpius brought his hand up to Albus' shoulder and rubbed it slowly. Albus jerked at the sudden movement, but relaxed just as quickly as he'd reacted.

Scorpius heard Albus sigh and sniffle again, and Scorpius found himself moving his hand down the small of Albus' back. Scorpius absentmindedly began to trace circles with his thumb across him.

Albus lifted his head up, but only to wipe his face with the sleeve of his sweater. Before he could put it back down, Scorpius leaned across him awkwardly and grabbed Albus' chin. The boys stared at each other, and Scorpius' breathing quickened as he saw tears stream down Albus' eyes. Scorpius brushed one away with his thumb before letting go of Albus' chin.

"Tell me what's wrong, angel." Scorpius mumbled. Scorpius had been looking down at the couch he was sitting on, and his heart was racing. Why did he call him that?

Albus' face wasn't buried in his knees, but were now staring directly into Scorpius' eyes. Albus' eyes widened unnoticeably, and he gasped softly before he began.

"Don't call me that," Albus answered in the same tone he'd used before: stern. But Albus spoke like he didn't really care either way.