Must Have Done Something Right / Scorbus

Chapter 52 / Three AM

Albus' initial thought was that Teddy had just pulled a huge practical joke. There was just no way on earth that he could be serious; no way that Teddy was gay. But as the seconds of silence dragged on and Teddy and Adam were looking more and more terrified as they stood in front of the table, he was forced to believe that it was the truth.
His next thought was: Holy crap!
He quickly looked around the table to see the rest of his family just as shocked as he was. He felt, more than saw, Scorpius tense up in astonishment.
His mum spoke first. "How nice to meet you, Adam," she said in a calculated voice, as if she was still trying to figure out what was going on.
Teddy and Adam both looked a little relieved that the silent deadlock had been broken.
"Nice to meet you too, ma'am," Adam responded politely. Albus instantly noticed his Australian accent. Adam cast a glance at Teddy and said, "Ted's said so much about you."
"I wish we could say the same," their dad joined in with a tone he was trying to keep casual, "but we'll have plenty of time now. Why don't you join us?"
James and Lily immediately shifted to one side to create enough room for another chair. Reluctantly, Ted and Adam moved to their seats and Albus saw that they made sure their chairs were close enough that their shoulders were touching.
Upon sitting, Teddy said to Adam, "Well, this is my family." One by one, he said everyone's name, including Scorpius, whom he introduced as "Albus' friend from school." Adam nodded pleasantly to each person with a smile that reached his blue eyes. Albus took the time to study him. His hair was blond, though not nearly as light as Scorpius'. It looked to have been coloured by the sun itself. His skin was easily more tanned than anyone else at the table, and Albus was reminded of why he preferred the sun to the cloudy and colder weather of England.
"Everyone else," Teddy said after he had gone through each of the names, "this is Adam Malone, my bo—uh ..." He paused and quickly rethought his wording; "from Australia."
His slip-up in words was clearly recognisable. Teddy's intentions were obvious to all, even if he was too uncomfortable to say it aloud. Without knowing why, Albus felt an infinitesimal sense of release fill him; as if an invisible weight had just been lifted off his shoulders. He and Scorpius shared a brief glance.
"Australia, eh?" his dad spoke up once more.
"Yes, sir. Born and bred there. This is my first time so far from home," Adam said, smiling a little to relieve some of the tension in his shoulders. Albus had to admit he was quite attractive when he smiled.
"First time?" his mum repeated. "Well, we're honoured you chose here."
"I had no intention of leaving," he admitted. "But when Ted told me he had to go back, I wanted to go with him."
Albus saw Teddy blush, before quickly turning to Adam and smiling affectionately. "I'm glad you're here."
That small gesture of familiarity and intimacy convinced Albus that Teddy and Adam were serious. This wasn't a joke. Nor was it an infatuation. They were together, whether or not it was accepted by everyone else. It was a lovely and comforting sight.
"We're glad you're here too," Lily piped up. "And just in time for Christmas! Please tell us you'll stay overnight? Please, please, please. We can open presents together!"
Albus was happy to see Adam and Teddy chuckle along with everyone else at Lily's unbiased enthusiasm. It meant they were slowly acclimatising to the situation, and for some reason, Albus was desperate to make sure that Adam felt comfortable and relaxed in his family's presence.
Adam looked to Teddy for an answer, and after a moment, Ted answered, "Yeah, why not? It is Christmas."
Later that night, when dinner was over and the shock of seeing Teddy with Adam had subsided, they had all migrated into the living room, laden with portions of Grandma Molly's famous Christmas pudding. Albus was just about to put a spoonful into his mouth when conversation restarted, demanding all of his attention.
"So, boys," his dad said to Teddy and Adam, "How did you two meet?"
It was the question on everyone's mind. With intense interest, Albus kept his eyes trained on Ted and Adam for an answer.
Teddy wet his lips in apprehension before speaking. "We met at a bar, actually; where Adam works."
"Oh?" his mum prodded. "What exactly do you do, Adam?"
"My job changes. Sometimes I'm the bartender; other times I'm a waiter. I was manning the bar the first time I met Teddy," he explained. Then he cracked a small smile directed at Ted. "He was sitting alone that night and I felt a little sorry for him, so I decided to start to chat. I remember that when I first heard his accent, I thought it was fantastic."
Teddy chuckled a little as if he was also reminiscing their first encounter. He picked up the story: "We started talking and the next thing we knew, an hour had past and Adam was getting in trouble for not serving anyone else. We said goodbye, I left ... but then I went back the next day ... and the day after ... and, well, the rest is history."
They shared a look of affection and warmth, and it made Albus' stomach do a little somersault. He realised that that was what he wanted as well. Watching Teddy and Adam together made Albus crave that sort of relationship. Surreptitiously, he looked at Scorpius only to find that Scorp had his silver eyes trained on him. Gazes locked, Albus let his mind conjure up images of a similar relationship between Scorp and he. He imagined what it would be like to introduce Scorp as his boyfriend.
Boyfriend.
Albus' mind stalled on the word.
This was where his perfect dream faltered. He couldn't get past the idea that by donning this single word, everything would change. Again. People would look at him differently, treat him differently, call him names. It was a frightening and unfamiliar world to venture into. But if Teddy has done it—Teddy, who everyone thought would be Victoire's husband one day—then why couldn't Albus?
When he finally tore his eyes away from Scorpius, Albus knew that he desperately needed to speak to Teddy. He'd always looked up to him; now, more so than ever.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
The time was well past midnight, but Albus was still awake. He could hear the gentle and slow breathing sounds from the sleeping Scorpius a metre or so away from him. Albus knew he should be sleeping too. Tomorrow was Christmas and he needed to rest if he was going to enjoy every minute of the day. But his eyes were wide open and his mind was swirling with thoughts—namely, of Scorp.
He turned his head toward Scorpius and saw him curled up on his side in Albus' direction so that Albus had a clear view of his sleeping face. A pang of something warm and pleasant flushed through him upon seeing Scorp's unreserved, calm, perfect face. It made his heart beat faster in desperate longing for something.
He had had this feeling once before—when he first realised he was in love with Mel many months ago. But this time, the feeling was stronger and his heart thudded harder. His entire body felt alive; and yet somewhat empty, as if waiting to be satisfied by something new and something whole.
He cast his mind back to a few hours ago, when he had been observing Teddy and Adam sitting next to each other, occasionally holding hands, looking at each other, sharing inside jokes with each other. It was obvious to everyone that they were in a relationship; totally and completely. He knew Teddy had put everything on the line by coming out to them. He had risked being shunned by his family and friends. But as Albus had looked at the way Teddy was with Adam, he knew that Teddy wouldn't have traded it for anything. Teddy had decided that Adam was worth the risk. They were in love.
Albus' stomach flipped over once more and he was suddenly short of breath. He turned to look at Scorpius' sleeping form once more, knowing he now faced a similar situation that Teddy had faced.
Love.
Is that it? Is that what this is?
Albus decided he couldn't wait any longer. Carefully, so as not to wake his friend, Albus got up and crept through the door and down the hallway to the spare room, silent as a tomb. Cautiously and without noise, he twisted the handle, opened the door and peeked inside. Teddy and Adam were asleep on the bed which had been magically extended to fit two people. Teddy was on the side closer to the door, but he was facing away from it, having placed an arm around Adam's waist. Their bodies were perfectly aligned. Even in sleep, Albus could clearly see the strength of their relationship. The longing in his heart increased.
"Teddy," he whispered, knowing Teddy had always been a light sleeper.
Instantly, Teddy roused, lifting his arm and turning around to face the door. "Albus?" he whispered back, squinting at the door. "What—what are you doing? What time is it?"
Albus looked at the clock on the wall beside him. "It's three."
"Three? What the hell are you doing up at three?"
"I—Ted, I need to speak with you," Albus answered. "Please."
Teddy must have heard the note of distress in Albus' voice so he questioned no more. Instead, he said, "Yeah, alright, mate. Let's go downstairs."
When Teddy joined him on the living room couch two minutes later, he asked, "So what's up, Al? What couldn't wait until the morning?"
Albus swallowed. "I'm sorry I woke you up, I just ... needed to talk and you're the only person I want to talk to. Or, at least, the only person who would understand."
"Albus, what's wrong?"
"I think I ..." Albus trailed off and looked at the fireplace. If he finished the sentence, there was no going back. If he said it aloud, it meant that the changes he was so frightened of would happen, regardless of if he wanted them to. He took a big breath of air and spoke the words that would change his life. "I think I'm in love with Scorpius."
Teddy's eyes went wide, before his brows knitted in confusion. After a moment, he said, "As in, Scorpius Scorpius?" he asked, pointing up the staircase in the direction of Albus' room to clarify whether or not they were talking about the same Scorpius.
Albus nodded gravely. "Yeah. Scorpius; the one currently sleeping in my room."
It meant a lot to Albus that Teddy didn't automatically laugh it off. Just like before, he didn't question him. Albus knew he had been right to come to Teddy for assistance.
Teddy shuffled closer to him. "Al, what—what brought this on?"
Running a hand through his hair, he said, "He did, I suppose. He's liked—well, loved—me for a few months now ... and things just changed." Albus sighed. "Everything in my life changed."
"In what way?"
And Albus, knowing he had a confidante in Teddy, proceeded to recount everything that had happened to him since the start of the school year.
He spoke about Matt, Paul and the rest of the boys who never left Scorpius alone; who teased him, bullied him and made his life a living hell. Telling Teddy brought on a whole onslaught of emotions and while he was remembering that awful afternoon when he found Scorpius in a pool of his own blood, Albus couldn't stop his tears. When Teddy asked him why Albus hadn't reported any of it, Albus told him that it was because Scorpius had asked him not to. "Al," Ted said, "Someone needs to know." Albus knew he was right, and he vowed that he would uncover Matt's sins when he returned to school.
He told Teddy of his fights with Matt and that he would always return to Scorpius after every one. Retelling this made Albus realise that while he himself was protecting Scorp with everything he had, Scorpius also had been doing the same. They had found solace in each other. Without the other, they would both have been defeated by their greater foe. People had always accused Scorpius for being weak, but Albus knew from the bottom of his heart that Scorpius was stronger than even he sometimes. Scorp's strength was unique, and Albus felt honoured that he had not only experienced it, but had been protected by it.
When his story led him to retell of how his own girlfriend affiliated with Matt to humiliate Scorpius in front of the whole school, Albus was consumed by an indignant anger towards Mel. His tears, which had subsided, returned with force when he told Teddy about that horrible Halloween night.
But, perhaps the most gut-wrenching part was when he had kissed Scorpius. Teddy listened, without uttering a word, as Albus apologised over and over again for his grave mistake, knowing in his soul that Scorpius deserved so much more. His heart ached in pain then as it had done those three weeks he had been separated from Scorpius, and he told Teddy how quickly he had deteriorated being away from him for so long. "I knew then," Albus said, wiping his ever-flowing tears, "that I had to break up with Mel."
After grabbing a tissue, Albus continued. He mentioned Eamon's role in Scorpius' life and that Albus had never felt jealousy as severe as when he witnessed the two of them together, knowing inwardly that Eamon was stealing his place as Scorpius' partner. His story took a turn for the better when he described how his friendship with Scorp was mended when Albus realised that he could never let Scorpius go and that Albus was willing to go to any lengths to ensure that their relationship not only recovered, but would grow.
"That was only a couple of weeks ago," Albus murmured. "When I found out that Scorp broke it off with Eamon, I was so bloody happy and so relieved, especially because I knew that Scorp still loved me."
"But you didn't love him then, did you?"
"I was attracted to him," Albus answered honestly and blushed. "But I was too scared to do anything."
"Why?"
"Because too much had already changed, and I wasn't ready to admit it or take the next step."
"So what's different now?" Teddy asked.
A small smile shaped Albus' lips: "You."
Teddy paused and nodded with an understanding sigh. "Adam," he said knowingly.
Albus nodded and let out a deep breath. "When you first walked into the dining room, I thought it was some joke. After everything I was struggling with; you walk in with a boyfriend and suddenly my perspective shifted." He turned to face Teddy square on. "You knew it was a risk, didn't you?"
"Hell yes," Teddy agreed. "I was bloody scared. I didn't know what you would all think. But I couldn't hide it ... not when Adam meant so much to me." Teddy stopped and looked straight into Albus' eyes. "He deserved more than my cowardice."
Albus nodded slowly. So does Scorp.
Teddy continued. "You told me you love Scorpius."
"Yeah."
"Do you, really?" Teddy insisted, not breaking eye contact.
Albus nodded once more. "Yes."
"Then you know what to do, Al," Ted said simply with a small smile. "I think you always did. But maybe you just needed someone to tell it to."
"Thanks. For listening."
"No problem ... but there's someone else who needs to hear it as well."
"I know."
Silence descended between them, and Albus used the time to come to terms with what he had just agreed to do.
"Half-three," Teddy announced, looking at the clock above the fireplace.
"We should get some sleep."
"Yeah. We've got to get up early to open presents tomorrow, or Lily might have our heads," Ted agreed with a snort of laughter.
Albus stood up and Teddy followed suit. "Thanks again, Teddy,\"" Albus said sincerely.
"Anytime, mate. I'm glad I could help." He smiled playfully. "And I'm also kind of glad I'm not the only queer in the family."
Albus grinned and playfully—and tiredly—punched Teddy on the shoulder. "Shut up," he muttered. "Get some sleep, you tosser."
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Being around Scorpius the following day made Albus tense all over. He found he couldn't look at him properly without thinking about his conversation with Teddy and knowing that his feelings could no longer be denied.
It was true. He loved Scorpius. He knew that now.
But telling him was a different matter altogether. In his mind, he was replaying a hundred different scenarios on how he would do it. None of them were easy.
Scorpius nudged him. "What's on your mind?"
Albus looked down at the mug of hot chocolate in his hands. "Nothing much," he murmured.
"I don't believe that for a second," Scorpius replied, his cheeks dimpling as he smiled.
Albus shrugged his shoulders. "Just thinking."
"About what you're gonna get?" Scorpius asked, gesturing to the large pile of presents before them.
Albus looked up and observed the towering Christmas tree with all its gifts on display beneath it. One of them, labelled 'ALBUS', caught his eye. Around the tree, his family and Teddy and Adam were gathered, yawning sleepily yet still excited to open their presents. "A little," he replied, conscious of the fact that Scorpius wasn't a big fan of his short two-worded answers. But his anxiety over his decisions yet to be made was making things like simple chatting very difficult.
"Can we start now?" Lily asked enthusiastically, her fingers itching to grab on the present closest to her.
The response was a unanimous agreement and before anyone could say anything else, Lily eagerly reached for a shoe box-sized present.
The carnage of wrapping paper slowly filled the living room floor for the next fifteen minutes or so as present after present was ripped out of its paper encasings. He looked down and saw that his feet were hidden beneath a pile of gaudy red wrapping paper that had tiny Santa Clauses flying around it on a sleigh. Surveying his present pile, he was happy to note he now owned a CD from one of his favourite Muggle singers, a humorous book about some of the best Quidditch mishaps, two new shirts and a football that was signed by a famous Brazilian footballer from Teddy and Adam. His least favourite present was easily a red and gold t-shirt that had the words 'Gryffindor At Heart' emblazoned across the chest. It was from James, of course. Albus vowed to incinerate the thing.
"This one's from me, Al," Scorpius said softly so as not to grab the attention of others who were busy either opening more presents or observing the ones they already had.
Albus looked at him and saw Scorpius chew his bottom lip in nervousness. Trying to swallow with his suddenly dry mouth, Albus tentatively reached for the neatly wrapped package.
"Thanks," he said.
"If you don't like it, I can change it—"
"I'll love it. I know I will."
Scorpius blushed but said nothing else, and Albus was forced to tear his eyes away from him.
Gingerly, he unwrapped the gift, pulled it out and held it up.
He grinned instantly and shook his head slowly because only Scorpius would think to buy him a gift like this.
It was a navy blue hoodie. On the front was the logo of Puddlemere United, his future team. It was the back of the jumper, though, that made Albus smile. Scorpius had paid for someone to have the name 'POTTER' written in white block writing above the number '1'—the number usually awarded to a team's First Squad Seeker.
He lowered his arms and locked eyes with Scorpius'. "Scorp, it's perfect," he said genuinely.
Scorpius beamed. "I thought you'd appreciate it," he said.
"It's brilliant. Thank you." He looked at his surname printed across the back of the jumper and continued to grin. It was a unique gift that carried much meaning behind it. Albus could only imagine the trouble Scorpius would have gone through to getting it, particularly having to investigate the sport he paid little attention to. That Scorpius would deem him worthy of not only the effort, but also the position of First Seeker, only cemented his love for Scorp. His heart began to beat faster and his palms began to sweat. He swallowed once more. "My turn?" he asked with a smile.
"If you'd like."
He stood up and offered a hand to Scorpius. "My present's upstairs in the room."
Scorpius gave him a curious grin. "Why?" he asked, grabbing Albus' hand and pushing himself up.
Albus shrugged. "Because," he said simply. "Come on."
Their sudden departure sparked no questions as everyone was still engrossed in their newly opened possessions. Hastily, Albus and Scorpius climbed the staircase. When they entered his room, Albus shut the door behind him and led Scorpius to stand in front of his wardrobe.
"Al, what's going on?" Scorpius inquired.
Grinning, Albus replied with, "Just trust me, and close your eyes."
Scorpius, still with a speculative smile on his face, obeyed instantly and shut his eyes. Suddenly, Albus' heart rate tripled in speed; he could have sworn it was audible. He wet his lips.
"Keep them closed," he advised, marching over to his chest of drawers and pulling out his present. He turned back to Scorpius and moved to stand directly behind him. He could tell Scorpius was about to burst with questions, but to Albus' relief, he remained quiet and awaited Albus' instructions. Albus took a large breath and looked down at the small gift in his hands. A necklace made up of alternating black and silver links. He had chosen it himself a few days ago when they had gone shopping and now he was filled with an overwhelming desperate hope that Scorpius would like it. He had bought it fully aware of the conversation he and Scorpius had had months ago in the Hogwarts kitchens.
"Jewellery is a very serious gift to that special someone," Scorpius had told him.
It hit Albus that he had bought the gift without having consciously thought of the three words he had uttered for the first time last night. Maybe he had always instinctively known Scorpius was his 'special someone'.
"Albus?" Scorpius said softly, still with his eyes shut.
Albus lifted his arms and brought them around either side of Scorpius' neck, holding the ends of the necklace in each hand. In a swift move, he lowered the chain against Scorpius' neck and carefully clasped it at his nape.
Scorpius gasped, his eyes shot open and his hand instantly flew up to feel the new addition, running his fingers over the necklace, as if unable to believe it was actually real. Slowly his mouth opened in surprise as he stared at the chain that drooped over his collarbone against his pale skin.
"Oh, Al..." he whispered. The mirror on the wardrobe before them reflected the image back and Albus could see Scorpius stare in wonder at his gift. After a minute, he slowly turned around to face Albus. "It's beautiful."
His silver eyes were glistening, and Albus knew he had made the right decision. Filled with all the right emotions, he smiled down at Scorpius. "Then it fits you perfectly."
Scorpius' cheeks flooded with colour but he didn't look away like he usually did. Their eyes maintained their hold. Albus had never felt so close to someone as he did with Scorpius. Their gaze spoke volumes. The attraction between them was almost visible.
When Albus next spoke, his voice was husky. "I—um ... I have something else I want to give you."
Scorpius' eyes widened a fraction, in surprise. "Albus, you don't need to—"
"I want to."
Albus leaned down towards Scorpius and stopped until their noses were centimetres apart and the saccharine scent that Scorpius always had sent shockwaves of pleasure into Albus' system. Scorp's eyes widened at Albus' closeness, but he didn't pull away. Caught up in the beauty of his face, Albus lifted his right hand and gently placed it along Scorpius' left jaw line. Tingles of sensation sparked in his palm and spread across his body. Touching Scorpius' skin was addicting; it made his body warm and ready to pursue him further. His thumb slid across the soft skin where Scorpius' neck became his jaw and he felt Scorp lean into the touch as his breathing became unsteady.
"The last time I did this, I screwed it up," Albus whispered, remembering the regret he felt that night. "You don't know how sorry I am for the mistake I made. I know you deserve more than that." He paused and stared into Scorpius' unblinking eyes, noticing the ever-present silver flecks and his almost-white eyelashes. Albus took a deep breath as he felt emotion rise up in him. "I love you, Scorp," he whispered, lowering his forehead until it rested against Scorpius', keeping their open and unhidden gazes in tune with each other. There were no more secrets. Relief flooded him. "I won't be afraid of my feelings anymore. And if you'll let me, I want to make up that moment to you."
The smallest hint of a smile on Scorpius' face told Albus it was okay. Albus couldn't wait any longer. Slowly, he closed the gap between them and sealed his lips against Scorpius'; kissing him, truly, for the first time.
It was everything he dreamed of. It was desperate, yet slow. Hot, yet warm and loving. Fulfilling, yet it left much more to be desired. Swept up in the moment, Albus had to remember to keep his feet on the ground. He pressed into Scorpius, tightening the hold they kept with their mouths. The hand he had placed on Scorpius' jaw crept around to his nape, holding his head in place so their kiss could deepen. He smiled against Scorpius' lips, almost hesitating to believe that it was happening. Heads dancing side to side, lips caressing softly, hands touching gently; it was everything right and nothing wrong.
The sounds of their kiss echoed in his room; Scorpius' whimpers piercing his heart directly and causing waves of desire to crash through him. Heat escalated rapidly, despite the chill of the morning, leaving them short of breath. But Albus didn't want to stop. His entire body was under attack and attuned to all that was happening. His senses were bombarded, overwhelmed. The smell of Scorpius' lotion; the touch of Scorpius' skin; the taste of Scorpius' lip gloss; but beneath it all, the taste of Scorpius himself that Albus could never have enough of.
It was phenomenal.
Unparalleled.
Unequalled.
Right.
Nothing could ever compare to Scorpius. He was, in and of himself, the centre point of Albus' world.
When they pulled apart, and he opened his eyes, the space between them was nonexistent. His two arms were wrapped tightly around Scorpius while Scorpius had linked his own around Albus' neck. They shared the same air; the same breath. Their legs were intertwined, even while standing.
A long moment of breathy silence passed.
"You're a good kisser," Scorpius whispered, letting a smile develop on his face.
It took Albus a moment to remember. Last time, it had been he who had uttered those words. He smiled back with lips that were on an overdrive of sensation. "Well, I kind of couldn't have done it without you."
In the pause that settled between them, Albus began to fiddle with the soft blonde hair on Scorpius' nape. After a minute, Scorpius asked, "Did you mean what you said?"
Albus didn't need to ask what he was referring to. Did he mean it when he said 'I love you'? "Yeah ... yeah, I did." He grinned. "Will that be a problem?"
Scorpius returned the grin. "Not at all. It actually solves a problem. You see, I've been madly in love with this boy for so long now, I was simply waiting to find out when he'd love me back," he joked with an air of casualness.
"Tell me who this boy is. I'll punch him for taking so long," Albus teased.
"Oh, don't do that. He's been punched too many times, and I'm fresh out of Episkeys." Scorpius chuckled. "Just tell him ... that it's about bloody time. And that I love him back."
Albus grinned before he tilted his head forward and kissed Scorpius again, because he could.