Last Name / Title / Page 1 Okay this might be the last chapter I put up for a while. I'm moving soon and won't have internet access until who knows when. I 'might' be able to put up one more chapter before then. We'll see. This time around the story is told from Scorpius' point of view. It becomes apparent that Al may want more than simple friendship from him, Draco is not as invincible as he'd like to be, and Scorpius has a question he needs answered.. Usual disclaimers, JK owns everything.

Scorpius and Al laid down, but could not sleep. Despite having had a rather full holiday, it seemed to have come to an end all to quickly. Scorpius partially blamed his mother and her abrupt departure. He figured it had to be hard to really enjoy your summer when the people you were staying with were having family troubles. Scorp had apologized to Al for this numerous times, but Al refused to hear it. "It's okay, don't even worry about that now." He would say. Scorp was sure his father would send Al home, maybe promising to try again next year, but much to his surprise he took all three of them on a trip to Greece.

Scorp was delighted, of course. He and Al had a blast, and even his father aloud himself to have fun for once, but Scorp couldn't help feel his dad was just trying to hide his pain. He was certain of this once they got home. The change in his father was almost immediate. He had taken them out to New York again for Al's last dinner with them, but seemed as though he were miles away. Scorp asked what was wrong and got the typical answer "Oh nothing, just day dreaming." Draco Malfoy, was probably one of the most intelligent people Scorpius knew, and that wasn't just a son's pride talking, but sometimes he could be so stupid. Why did he always have to hide things that were apparent to Scorp anyway? Why did he put everything he had into taking care of his son, but refused to let anyone take care of him. It was something that infuriated Scorp at times, though to hear Al tell it Scorpius could be the same way.

Everyone went straight to bed after returning home. Scorp and Al must have been in bed 20 minutes and still neither one of them was asleep. Scorp had been lying on his side, curled in a ball as he often was when he slept. Al was spooned up behind him with his arm around Scorp's mid-section. He was lightly stroking Scorp's belly. Al always had been rather affectionate and Scorp, having long become accustomed to it, found comfort in his touches now. "I had fun this summer." Al finally said quietly. "Next time you should come to my house." Scorp laughed "Why, have your siblings and cousins been banned?" Al smacked Scorp's belly, before resuming his strokes. "Come on, they're not that bad." "The girls aren't. I like Lily and Rose just fine. But I think you're the only boy in you family who's not a complete ars." They were silent again. Al moved his arm and was now alternating between stroking Scorp's arm and shoulder, and caressing a circular pattern in his pack. Scorp shivered a bit. "Cold?" Al asked. It was cool that night, but that wasn't the problem. "No, just tickles, that's all." Al snickered to himself. "You're so ticklish, you know that?" Scorp changed his position so he could face Al. Al's hand now rested on his waist. "I'm really glad you came." "Me too." Indeed Scorpius did not know how he'd survived all these summers without Al. As amazing as the manor may have been to outsiders, the boredom of the place could be maddening, and at time it felt more like a prison than a palace.

Scorp did not know how long he laid there contemplating all this, but a sudden movement from Al brought him back to the present. Through the shadows he could see Al moving closer. Before Scorp could make any inquiry, Al had placed a soft, tender kiss on his lips. Scorp immediately froze; unable to do, say, or think anything. Al must have taken this as permission to continue, because he kissed Scorp again. This time staying there longer. Scorp could feel heat rising in his cheeks. He had kissed and been kissed before. Hell he'd even gotten his first blow job at school several months prior, something he couldn't wait to tell Al about. But he'd never been kissed by another guy before, least of all his best friend. When Scorp still didn't move or say anything Al must've thought he'd over stepped his bounds. He backed away quickly as if burned by Scorp's lips. "I... oh God! I'm so sorry Scorp, I... shouldn't have... Oh God!" Al frantically kicked the covers aside and paced the room a bit. Scorp sat up, still a bit stunned. "Al..." Al backed away. "I'm sorry! I'll... I'll sleep in the other room!" He backed up to the door and was startled when the knob jabbed him in the back. "I, um... sorry." And with that he was gone. Scorp wanted to go after his friend, but got the feeling Al would not want to talk to him. He laid down again, missing Al's touch already. He'd never though of Al as being anything more than a friend and had always accepted his hugs, and pats and massages as part of that friendship. Obsiously they meant something more to the other boy. The bed felt oddly empty, and Scorp wasn't sure whether it was because Al wasn't there anymore, or because he felt Al should be there and wasn't.

The next morning was awkward. Scorpius, his father, and Al all ate in silence. Afterwards Scorp helped Al pack his things, including the crystal ball he'd given him and some souvenirs Al had picked up for his family in Greece. When they'd finished, the butler (what the hell was his name, again?) knocked informing them that Al's parents were downstairs waiting. Once he was gone both Scorp and Al were silent. Scorp shifted around nervously, Al just looked down at his feet. "Well, I guess I'll see ya." Scorp said quietly. Al nodded. "Same spot on the train, yeah?" Scorp asked. Al nodded again. "Okay then." Al bent down to pick up what bags he could, and without even thinking, Scorp had crossed the space between them and locked Al in a tight embrace. He was quiet for a moment before whispering in Al's ear "I don't know what to think about last night. I'm... not sure what it is you expect from me. But you're still my best friend Al, and I love you no matter what." He heard Al's bags drop, and felt his arms slowly creep around him, returning the hug. They the interrupted by Scorp's father knocking on the door, his voice calling from the other side. "You almost ready, Albus?" Scorp answered for him. "Yeah dad. We're coming." He held Al a moment more before placing a light kiss on his cheek. He backed away, laying his palms on Al's cheeks. "You ready?" He asked with a smile. Al's eyes were wet, but sparkled a beautiful green. He smile back "Yeah." Scorp helped him carry his things downstairs and bid him farewell.

Over the next few days Scorp had really felt Al's absence. His days were spent wandering the house aimlessly, writing Al and waiting for replies. In the evening his father came home, they ate together quietly, and the elder Malfoy went straight to bed when they were done. The next morning Scorp's dad would wake him to say that he was leaving, and the whole cycle would continue. To put it plainly, Scorp hated. He wanted Al back. He was fairly certain he didn't like Al quite the way Al probably liked him, but he'd have let Al snog him all he wanted at that point just for the company. He also wanted his father back. Not just physically, but back to being the way he was in Greece. Not the empty shell that he was now. Scorp came to truly loath his large, spacious house. It's size seemed to mock him, emphasizing his loneliness, exaggerating the distance between him and the people he loved most.

Scorp wanted to get out. Just him and his dad. He thought about what he'd once said to Al. 'He doesn't like me to bother him when he's had a long day.' He knew his father had only taken them out to entertain Al. He knew he had no chance of this with the boy gone. But he would try anyhow. So when his father got home and dropped into his favorite chair. Scorpius plucked up his courage and asked. "Dad, can we go out tonight." The older man removed his robes, looking as though he could barely manage it. After removing his tie and undoing the first three buttons on his shirt he answered "Not tonight." Scorp debated, for a moment, between pressing the matter or leaving it alone. "It doesn't have to be anywhere special. We can just go to town." He saw how tired his father looked, the regret of the answer he was about to give, and felt bad for even bringing it up. "I can't tonight, Scorpius. Another time, I promise." It was an empty promise, and they both knew it. But Scorpius didn't have the heart to persist. "All right." He said, before leaving the room. When his father did not show up for dinner, Scorpius went in search of him. He returned to the den, where he'd last seen him, and found the man still in his chair, fast asleep. Scorp crept over to him quietly. "Father?" he asked with a nudge. Nothing. "Dad?" he tried again. The man opened his eyes slowly, Scorpius had just noticed the lines underneath them. Draco looked half dazed still, and didn't seem to be able to move on his own accord. "Come on, let's get you to bed." Scorpius helped his father upstairs to his room and sat him on the edge on the bed. Draco seemed ready to pass out, as he was. Scorp undid the remaining buttons of his shirt and slid it off. He removed his shoes and socks and managed to help him out of his pants. When Draco sat in his black silk boxers, Scorpius laid him down and brought the covers up over him. "Such a good boy." He heard his father mutter, before turning over in his sleep. Scorpius pulled a blonde strand back from his father's face, before kissing his temple. "Good night dad."

Scorpius could not remember when he'd climbed in bed beside his father, but that was where he woke up the next morning. His father was still asleep. Scorp looked up at the clock. It was 9:30, his father was late. "Dad! Dad!" He said trying to shake him awake. It was then that Scorp noticed his father was covered in sweat and his breathing was strained. "Dad?" He nudged him again. "DAD!" The healed he'd flooed said that his dad had come down with some kind of bug, most likely due to his long hours at work and lack of sleep. He'd recommended Draco stay in bed for the next few days, something he would have refused had Scorpius not looked so concerned. After leaving some potions and giving Scorpius instructions on when and how to administer them, the healer was gone. Once alone, Draco held an arm out to his son. Scorpius leaned into his embrace. "I'm sorry." The boy pulled back giving his father a questioning look. "I didn't mean to make you worry." Draco explained. Scorpius smiled, smoothing out his dad's hair. "I wish you'd let me worry about you more often. Then things like this wouldn't happen." Draco smiled. "What would I do without you?" He ran his fingers though the boy's silver locks. "I'm gonna get you something to eat." With that Scorpius sat up and left.

That night, after clearing away his dad's food trays, Scorp came in waving a bottle of thick purple liquid. "Potion time." Draco groaned. "I don't want it. It tastes like bile." Scorp laughed. "Well you're in luck, because this one goes on your skin. Lie down, I rub some one your back." Draco did as he was told. Scorp heard a sharp intake of breath when his hands touched his father's skin. "Cold?" He asked, rubbing the potion into the man's muscles. "Yes. What's this for again?" "To help you relax. The healer says you're too tense." After a moment he added "You feel like it." Draco grunted. Scorpius' soft hands did feel relaxing and the potion began to turn warm after a moment. "It's warmer now." He commented. "That means it's working." Scorp answered. He continued rubbing, moving his hand further down, making sure not to miss a spot. The purple streaks slowly dissolved into Draco's complexion. "Dad, can I ask you something?" "Hmm?" "Why do you do it? I mean why do you push your self so hard like this?" Draco was silent for a moment. "At first I did it for you, and your mother. After the fall of the Dark Lord a lot of families that were loyal to him became pariahs in the wizarding world. The Malfoy s especially." "Why?" Scorpius asked in confusion. "I thought Grandmother helped protect Potter. That's why they let her and Grandfather go." "Yes." Draco answered. "But that didn't mean people trusted us. Besides that we were now cut off from the other former Death Eaters, WE were the 'blood traitors'." Scorp asked his father to turn over so he could do his front. Draco settled on his back and continued. "We were in bad shape. Yes we had our fortune, but with no one willing to do business with us, money became less than worthless. "I had to rebuild everything from the ground up. Because of my age, I could still claim some measure of innocence. People still distrusted me, mind you, but at least they gave me a chance." Draco snorted. "I think some just pitied me." Scorpius massaged the potion into his fathers firm chest and then his abs. He'd started on his arms when he asked "But why continue? People trust you now. No one even blames you for what Grandfather did. So why keep working so hard?" Scorpius rubbed Draco's left shoulder, then his solid biceps, working all the way down to his hand an fingers. "I guess," Draco started. "Part of it might have been fear. You have know idea until you have one, how terrifying the responsibility of having a child can be. But too be honest, a bigger part was me just wanting to get away." Draco cut himself off. Scorpius climbed over him and started on the next arm "From Mother?" He could call his father Dad, he would not call her Mom. Draco shrugged. "I wish I could say we both tried , that it wasn't all her fault. I guess in a way it wasn't. We married for convenience, not love. She wanted to get in with a family that had escaped the Ministries wrath, I wanted to continue the bloodline. Simple as that." Scorpius laid his father's arm down and looked down at him. "But why now. You have everything you wanted. Your honor, an heir, Mother's gone. Why do this to yourself now." Draco was quiet. He shook his head and seemed to be fighting for words. "I guess..." He said so quietly Scorpius almost missed it. "Because it's the only thing I know how to do... anymore."

Scorpius looked down at his father as if really seeing him for the first time. His eyes drifted across Draco's body, stopping to watch his chest rise and fall in slow steady breaths. Scorpius placed his hand on his father's chest feeling his heart beat. Somehow the feel of it made Draco more human to Scorpius. He wasn't this impervious machine that could go on indefinitely. He got tired, he got sick, he had a heart beat, and he had limits, just like everyone else. Draco placed his hand on top of Scorpius'. He held it up and kissed it, smiling at his son. "I love you." He said simply. Scorp smiled back. "I love you too." He placed a soft kiss on his father's forehead. "Get some sleep." He pulled the covers over Draco and left the room.