Must Have Done Something Right / Scorbus

Chapter 48 / Unresolved Tension Rises

A/N: For the sake of this story, let's just assume that people are allowed to drive at the age of 16 in England. Although, I know actual age is 18.

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Albus paced in front of the fireplace. Ceaselessly.
"You okay?" Lily had asked him ten minutes ago.
"I'm fine."
"Maybe you should sit down?" his father had suggested seven minutes ago.
"I'm fine."
"You're still pacing?" James had commented five minutes ago.
"Shut up, James."
"Albus, honey, he'll be here soon," his mother had said two minutes ago.
"Mmhmm."
Albus sighed loudly and nervously. None of them understood. Couldn't they just leave him alone until Scorpius got here, for crying out loud?
And where the bloody hell is he anyway? Albus thought anxiously, checking the clock on the wall for the twenty-second time, confirming that it was now fifteen minutes passed the time Scorpius said he would be here, and Scorpius was never late. He was the most punctual person Albus knew. Fifteen minutes was no mistake. Either something had gone wrong and he'd ended up in the wrong grate, or Scorpius had decided he wouldn't come after all. Albus felt sick at the thought.
No, he thought adamantly. Scorp wouldn't bail on me. He's coming; I know he is.
"Are you okay, Al?" came his father's inquisitive enquiry once more as he passed through the living room.
"I'm fine!" Albus snapped.
His dad was taken aback. "Okay, alright. Calm down," he said calmly. "No need to get your knickers in a twist."
"Dad!" Albus said, dipping his eyebrows angrily. "Is it really such a crime that I'm—"
Suddenly, the fireplace erupted in green flames.
Albus spun around and almost fell over in his exhilaration. Through the bright emerald-coloured fire, Albus saw a head of white-blond hair.
"Scorp!" he yelped, unable to stop the large smile that slapped across his face.
As soon as the flames started to diminish, Scorpius jumped out. "Albus!" he blurted happily in response. The sight of him instantly doused every foul emotion Albus had inside him. But he wasn't give time to dwell on the arrival of his friend before Scorpius suddenly stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Albus' neck in a hug.
It was unexpected, but not unwelcome. It was also the first time they'd ever hugged and Albus' heart began pumping maniacally that he swore it was about to jump out of his chest. The touch of Scorpius, so close and so pressing after four long days was unbelievable. The tips of his fine blond hair tickled his cheeks. Albus almost fainted when he felt Scorpius nestle his face into the side of his neck comfortably—as if the spot was made for him. Scorp's body fit easily against his and Albus would happily have left his arms connected around his waist forever.
Unfortunately, they weren't the only two people in the room and Albus wanted to murder his father when he began to subtly cough after it was made clear that their hug was not of the brief kind usually shared between two unromantically connected friends. Bizarrely however, Albus' concern wasn't that his father had just seen him hug a boy affectionately; but that his father prevented the hug from continuing.
They separated, but the scent of Scorpius' lotion—which was now easily Albus' favourite smell in the world—remained in Albus' senses.
"Hello, Mr Potter," Scorpius greeted amiably to the older man, in a direct contrast to Albus' emotions, who would have loved to tell his father to piss off. "How are you?"
"I'm well, thank you, Scorpius. I can see that you are as well!" he said in response.
Scorpius smiled warmly with his slightly shiny lips, and Albus was instantly enamoured with Scorp's mouth. "I am now," Scorpius replied. "I've looked forward to this."
"Well, let me assure you that Albus has as well," his father said embarrassingly.
"We'll be upstairs, dad," Albus said instantly, wanting to get away from a situation that could trespass into awkward territory faster that Albus could say, 'Oh by the way, I have totally inappropriate dreams about my gay best friend.' Before Scorpius could speak, Albus grasped onto his left hand and physically pulled him up the stairs and into his room, shutting the door behind him.
For a moment, they stood in front of each other, smiling like fools, words abandoning them. Albus didn't care about that, however, as he took his time in simply looking at Scorpius. Even with flecks of ash covering his normally pristine hair like dust, and bits of soot greying his attire considerably, Albus thought Scorpius was the most gorgeous thing he'd even seen. He reminded himself that they had eight days in front of them with no school, no work, and more importantly, no Matt, Mel or Eamon. The prospect of spending so much time with Scorpius alone caused a swell of happiness to sweep through Albus' body.
Finally, Scorpius had the sense of mind to say something.
"Merlin, I missed you."
Four words in, and Albus already found it a little difficult to breathe, his breath catching in his windpipe. He forced his vocal cords into normal function to say, "I missed you too." He paused and then added sheepishly, yet honestly, "Felt like weeks."
A blush lit up Scorp's cheeks. "It did. I'm glad I'm here, though."
"You have no idea. My family thought I'd go barmy waiting for you to get here," he admitted.
"Sorry I was a little late. My mother insisted I take a few more clothes, so she was repacking last minute," Scorpius said, looking guiltily at Albus, as if his secret was caught out.
Albus only laughed—because it was just so Scorpius to be late because of a scenario that involved clothes. "So where's your trunk?"
"Oh," Scorpius said, remembering something. He reached into the pocket of his thick long black coat and withdrew a palm-sized version of his trunk. "My parents shrunk it for me. It should return to its normal size in a minute."
"Good, then you can set up your stuff," Albus advised.
"Where am I to be sleeping?" Scorpius asked.
The answer was meant to be innocent—and it was—but Albus couldn't stop the wave of heat rush through his body just as much as he couldn't help flushing brighter red. "Here," he said. "In my room." They had a spare bedroom in the house, but every time Lily's friends slept over, they slept in her room. So, "why would your friend be any different?" his mum had asked when they were discussing it this morning. The logic was sound and Albus was hardly about to disagree, but if his mother had known that: one, Scorpius is gay; two, he's in love with Albus; and three, Albus has wet dreams about Scorpius; then Albus was absolutely certain she would have insisted Scorpius use the spare bedroom. As it was, she was none the wiser, and Scorpius and Albus would be sharing a room.
"Oh," said Scorpius, his mouth forming a tiny 'o'. The situation didn't escape him; he knew exactly what Albus was thinking, and exactly what Albus' parents didn't.
Albus tried to force himself not to dwell on it. It wasn't like there was something going on between them. There was nothing.
Yet, his subconscious added helpfully.
Seconds later, as Scorpius had predicted, his trunk blossomed before them to its usual size and Albus' eyes bulged. He had to jump on his bed to avoid getting hit by its burgeoning edges.
"Bloody hell! Is there anything you didn't bring?" he asked jokingly, impressed that one person could even own enough to fit inside the massive suitcase.
Scorpius laughed and playfully hit Albus on the arm. "It's the same size as my school trunk, you prat. Stop looking so surprised!"
"Well, come on then. Let's move it against that wall so we don't trip over it every time we come in here," Albus suggested, bending down to grasp the corner of the trunk. Scorpius held onto the opposite side and together they pushed it until it sat adjacent to Albus' wardrobe. Albus pointed to an empty space on the ground where his desk would normally be. "Mum'll set up a mattress there. But don't worry, I'll sleep on it. You're getting the bed."
Scorpius looked shocked. "No," he shook his head steadfastly. "I'll take the mattress. I can hardly deprive you of your bed—"
"Scorp, it's already decided. You're getting the bed."
"No, I absolutely—"
"Scorp—"
"Albus, please."
"What kind of a gentleman would I be if I let you sleep on a mattress?" Albus asked, allowing a hint of a smile to tug on the corner of his mouth, when he saw that his question had sucked Scorpius' refusal right out of him, and made him blush a brilliant scarlet. His charm was irresistible. "I insist. You're taking the bed. I'm taking the mattress. And that's that."
Scorpius worried his lower lip before conceding. "Alright. You win this time, Albus."
"I always win," Albus announced smugly.
"Oh, really? So that Potions mark I saw last week was actually an O, was it?" Scorpius replied cheekily, a smile forming on his face.
Albus laughed and shook his head in wonder at Scorpius' nerve. "I've ruined you. Before you were my friend, you were never this evil."
"Truce. We can't start our holidays with an argument, if we're planning on
having fun," Scorpius said reasonably.
"Speaking of fun ..." Albus said, allowing his voice to trail of deliberately, as an idea formed in his head and a smile on his face.
"Oh dear, I'm not going to like this am I?" Scorpius teased.
"I've got something to show you."
"A book?" Scorpius asked in feeble hope, knowing the chances of Albus showing him a book was about as likely as Scorpius showcasing to Albus his own Quidditch broomstick. The fact he didn't have one proved his point excellently.
Albus snorted. "Hardly. Come on," he urged, heading towards the door.
"Do you think I could perhaps change before I do?" Scorpius asked hesitantly.
"Why?"
Scorpius pointed to his clothing. "I'm covered in ash."
"Oh, sure. Go ahead," Albus said, pausing near the door and waiting for Scorpius to get a move on.
Neither moved for a moment and Albus didn't notice Scorpius sending him a deliberate look.
"Uh, Albus?"
"Yes?"
"Should I change in the bathroom?"
Albus frowned in confusion. "Why? Just change in here," he said with a casual shrug.
"Er ... yes, okay, but ... could you ... perhaps ..."
The penny finally dropped and Albus quickly realised his mistake. "Oh! You want me to leave? Oh, right, okay. Sure. Yes, I'll do that. Fine," he blabbered on, trying to ignore the blush in both his and Scorpius' cheeks as it would only make the situation more awkward. He opened the door. "I'll just be ... you know ..." He pointed, "...outside. Waiting. Take your time!"
He shut the door behind him, berating himself for his incompetence.
But he couldn't help but wish he could be in the room while Scorpius changed.
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"No."
"Oh, come on."
"No."
"No?"
"Absolutely not."
"Please?"
"Albus, do you even know how to drive a car?" Scorpius asked, looking at the low, black vehicle with displeasure.
Albus dropped his jaw, appalled. "Of course, I do! I wouldn't be asking you if I didn't! Come on, you trusted me with a broom!"
"But this is a Muggle machine!" Scorpius cried out. "And besides, you've been flying on brooms before you could walk."
"I'm a good driver too," Albus praised himself, wanting to assure Scorpius that he knew what he was doing. "Trust me."
"So this is your idea of fun?"
"Just humour me. If you really hate it after you've tried it, I'll bring you back, safe and sound."
"My father will not be pleased—"
"Your father doesn't need to know," Albus replied with a grin on his lips and a twinkle in his green eyes. He saw Scorpius wavering in his decision, so Albus decided to help matters along by unlocking the car and walking around to the driver's side door. Shooting Scorpius a daring grin, he opened the door and slid in behind the steering wheel, knowing that Scorpius would now enter through the passenger door.
Any second now.
"Fine," Scorpius sighed loudly and apprehensively as he yanked open the door and sat down, looking at the dashboard with untrusting eyes. "If I die, I'm telling my dad."
"But if you're dead, how exactly will you do that?" Albus posed cheekily.
"I'll come back as a ghost. And then after I've informed my father of your foolish plan, I'll haunt you for the rest of your life," he threatened, crossing his arms grumpily while turning his head to the window to avoid looking at Albus.
"Promise?" Albus teased.
Scorpius rotated his neck sharply to face Albus. Upon seeing the mischievous smile on his face, he simply glared with squinted eyes. The tension between them simmered like a potion on the boil. Albus wondered how much longer they could keep it like this before it exploded. They had both played with fire in the past week or so—flirting, suggesting, acting certain ways—and Albus knew that sooner or later, something would happen. Mutual attraction needed release, of this he was certain.
"Ready?" he asked, breaking the silence with a voice that was distinctly huskier than his normal one. He fit the key into the ignition.
Scorpius nodded mutely.
"You might want to put your seatbelt on," he suggested, pulling his own forward to show him.
Scorpius looked at it and dragged his own in front of himself. Copying Albus' motions, he buckled it in the latch. "What's it for?"
Amused that Scorpius clearly knew nothing about cars, he said, "It's for safety. Just in case we crash or something like that."
Scorpius' eyes bulged. "Crash?"
"Relax. I've got it all under control. This may not seem fun to you now, but I promise you that you're gonna love it," Albus assured wholeheartedly.
One of Scorpius' eyebrows dipped upward a little as he shot Albus a dubious look. "How can you be so sure?"
Turning the key, Albus heard the thrum of the car as it was wakened into life. Grinning, he said, "Just trust me."
Scorpius rolled his eyes. "I feel like that's all you ever say to me."
"And last time I did, you had a pretty good time on my Nova," Albus said smugly, releasing the hand brake to allow the car to roll forward and out of their garage.
Scorpius huffed, but had no other reply. Instead, he had his right hand clutching tightly at the door handle so that the skin over his knuckles looked almost transparent. His eyes were fixed straight ahead, looking out the windshield with a look that was three parts fear and one part curiosity. Albus was hoping his curious part would eventually take over. If their previous adventure on his broomstick was any indication, Scorpius would soon come around.
"Why exactly are we doing this, Albus?" he asked after a minute of silence, watching the traffic light in front of them with caution; its ominous red eye staring them down.
Silently relieved that Scorp's curiosity was coming out, he simply answered, "I've got somewhere I want to take you."
Scorpius looked surprised. "Really? I thought you only wanted to show off your driving."
Albus looked a little sheepish. "Well, that too. Impressed yet?"
"A little," Scorpius admitted. "So where are you taking me?"
"That's for me to know and you to find out," he answered mysteriously, giving Scorpius a wink, knowing his answer wasn't enough to satisfy his friend. When Scorpius prodded further, Albus simply replied that he wouldn't tell him until they arrived. Scorpius eventually tired of asking Albus, so he sighed loudly and grouched in his seat.
Smirking, Albus asked, "So how were your four days at home?"
"A little boring. Usually I would spend a day or two with Andrea or Claire, but Andrea's gone to visit her grandmother in Ireland, and Claire and her family are spending the holidays in Italy. So it was just me, mother and father."
"And they're not exactly the funnest people to be around?" Albus asked, keeping his eyes locked on the road as he made his way around a large roundabout.
"'Funnest' is not a word, Albus," Scorpius chided teasingly. He waited until the sides of Albus' face crinkled with his laugh lines before continuing to answer the question. "I suppose they're not. I get along well with them, but father was quite busy with work and kept getting called into the Ministry. And when he was home, he wasn't particularly pleasant to me."
"Why?"
Scorpius smiled. "Because of you," he said with no accusation in his voice.
"Me?" Albus yelped. \"What have I done? Well, besides make myself look like a lunatic at the station."
"You and your father, actually," Scorpius expanded. "My father's just not overly happy about me spending my holidays with the Potters."
"Is this really just about our last names?"
Scorpius paused for a moment. "He makes it out to be, yes. But I think it's also because this is my first Christmas away from my family. He's a little jealous that I'll be with you and not him and mum," he said. With a smirk, he added, "But of course, he'd never say that out loud. That's why I'm not angry with him; because I know he's too proud to admit that he's actually got feelings."
They had reached another red light. "Well, I'm honoured, Scorp," Albus said, facing him briefly. "That you'd want your first Christmas out to be with me."
Scorpius bit his lip through a warm smile. "Who else?"
Heart in his throat, Albus swallowed to try and let it resettle in his chest. "So your dad's pissed at me because he reckons I'm taking you away from him?" he asked to lighten the tension a fraction.
"A little, yeah," Scorpius replied awkwardly.
"Doesn't take much to get on his bad side, then, does it?" he asked jokingly.
Scorpius smirked. Then he turned his face to look out the side window, away from Albus, before he muttered, "It's worse for you because he thinks you've got ulterior motives."
Albus glanced briefly in his direction, keeping the steering wheel straight. Even though Scorp's face was turned away, he could clearly see the smirk plastered across it, and Albus realised that he was flirting in his own subtle way. Deciding to follow Scorp's lead, he inquired. "Oh, he does? What motives?" The question was useless—he could have answered it himself—but they had once again trespassed into evocative territory, where everything that was said had a suggestive connotation.
His eyes were trained forward, but he could picture Scorpius' smirk grow into a grin as he answered. "Take a wild stab at it, Al. I'm sure you won't be wrong."
Albus grinned as well. "He thinks I'm a bad influence on you?" he speculated.
Quiet giggles escaped Scorpius. "Very. In more ways than one."
He couldn't shake his smile, which expanded broadly. "Well, then. I better make sure I don't do anything to get him upset with me. I'll behave," he said, wishing that he wasn't driving so he could have a clear view of Scorpius' face.
After a minute, Scorpius replied. "Don't make promises you don't intend to keep, Albus."
Holy crap! Albus thought. Unless he was terrible at reading between the lines, he was pretty sure Scorpius had literally just invited Albus to come on to him! He swallowed and tried to get his thoughts back on track. But he couldn't think of anything to say in return—he was still so shocked (and pleasantly so!) of Scorpius' latest contribution to their highly suggestive conversation.
His mission to find the right thing to say was pointless, because when he turned the final corner, he realised they'd arrived at their destination.
The city centre of London.
Or more specifically, Scorpius' chance to shop until he could drop.
When Albus saw Scorp's face light up like a third year's first visit to Honeydukes, he knew he had been wise in keeping it a surprise.

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Next Chapter: He's gay, he's Irish and he's back.