Disclaimer: As always I own nothing but the original characters and the situations all characters get put in. Everything else belongs to someone else and that's just the way things are. Thanks so much for reading, hope you enjoy and let me know what you think.

Albus's Desecrated Skin

Gellert sat on the couch and looked into the flames, mentally debating with himself. On the one hand he knew he should be pleased, that his life should suddenly seem that much easier now that he knew Albus had deluded himself into being in love with him again. But he wasn't. Because seeing Albus look at him that way again had reminded Gellert of the time when he'd believed the love in those sky blue eyes. He might not have believed in love, but he'd believed Albus believed it. And he could not, would not make that mistake again.

So he could use Albus's love against him, or he could continue with his previous plans to win the stubborn redhead over, hoping to secure his place in Albus's life with a bond more lasting than love. If Albus was determined to believe in that love crap again so be it, but Gellert wasn't going to count on it this time around. No, he'd continue with his original plans and ignore the love thing all together. Using it would likely only backfire on him, like last time.

When the seat beside him compressed Gellert looked over to see that Christopher had joined him.

'Deep in thought about something' Christopher signed as he stretched his arms out above his head, working out the kinks. He was dressed in a t-shirt despite the weather, having spotted Gellert on his way to a work out session. Thanks to Gellert's boy toy and friend he was now stuck without a gym to even work out in. Laps around the castle as per usual, Christopher thought bad temperedly. Which was why he'd stopped to bug Gellert, who he had a feeling was brooding over said boy toy.

'Bugger off'

Amused Christopher wasn't going anywhere. 'But you were the one who said you wanted us to be the bestest of friends, remember'

Not the least bit amused Gellert would have given the werewolf the finger if he hadn't sensed that Christopher was deliberately screwing with him to get a reaction. 'Shouldn't you be off somewhere scaring small children like a good little werewolf'

'A good little werewolf? Isn't that an oxymoron'

'Well you're a moron anyway'

Shooting Gellert a 'very funny' look Christopher was about to get up and leave when he noticed who was walking into the room, arms full of precariously piled books. Seeing a chance to annoy Gellert once again Christopher got up but headed in Albus's direction, walking to stand at the redhead's side since he was pretty sure Albus couldn't see over the books. Reaching out Christopher tapped Albus's shoulder, than signed when Albus looked in his direction. 'Do you want some help with those'

"Thanks, that would be great." Letting Christopher take half the books Albus smiled happily, glad to see that Christopher's mellowing had continued from the day before. Not even noticing Gellert, much to the man's annoyance, Albus led the way towards his room with Christopher following behind, sending a smirking look in Gellert's direction.

After depositing the books on Albus's bed the two headed back towards the common room, Gellert still there fuming. Together the two were within hearing distance of Gellert when Albus happened to notice the tattoo on Christopher's right arm.

Much to Gellert and Christopher's surprise Albus reached down and turned Christopher's arm towards him so that he could get a better look at it. "This is really beautiful." Examining the tattoo of a large black wolf surrounded by dark forest, Albus admired both the execution and the way Christopher had creatively hidden his number code. All werewolves in Eastern Europe were required to be tattooed with a number that would identify him in the event that Christopher was killed while in his wolf form. Christopher had hidden the numbers within the tattoo, which covered the top of his right arm from wrist to elbow.

His blood pressure rising at the sight of Albus's hands on another man's skin Gellert glared at Christopher, who seemed amused by Albus's interest.

'You like tattoos?' Christopher signed, his surprise evident. He wouldn't have thought the brainiac the type to like that sort of thing.

"Oh yeah, and this was really beautifully done. It's so lifelike. Do you just have the one?"

Christopher nodded, thinking to himself how his grandfather would likely kill him if he were to get another tattoo. If it weren't for the fact that the tattoo hid his numbers, Christopher was fairly sure his grandfather would have made him have the wolf removed. Wordens didn't have tattoos if they wanted to stay Wordens.

Since he'd gotten the definite sense that Christopher had a hard time believing his genuine interest in the tattoo Albus's couldn't resist shocking the werewolf just a little. "Then I have more tattoos than you."

And shock he did. Eyebrows raising Christopher stared at Albus in surprise and disbelief. Guys like Albus didn't have tattoos. They got their asses handed to them by guys who did. 'Let's see them then' He signed, calling Albus's bluff.

Challenged Albus rolled up the right sleeve of his jumper to reveal the tattoo on the underside of his wrist. "Here's number one, the other two I'd have to take my jumper off."

Christopher had barely gotten a glimpse of the foreign language inscribed on Albus's wrist before Gellert was at their sides, yanking Albus's arm in his direction so that he could stare down at the tattoo in disbelief.

"What the hell were you thinking, tattooing your bloody arm? And there are more?"

Blinking in surprise Albus didn't know what to make of the outrage in Gellert's voice. "You don't like tattoos?" He asked in a small voice, thinking that his wrist tat was his smallest one. If Gellert had a problem with one this small…then what was he going to think of the one that took up half his back?

Gellert's glare could have peeled paint off a wall. "You have no business desecrating your beautiful skin with a bunch of tasteless pieces of poorly executed drawings. What are the other two of? Where are they? How big are they? They better be this small, Albus." Gellert warned, seriously pissed off at the very idea of Albus's milky white skin covered by some crappy ink drawings.

In some part of Albus's mind he knew he was supposed to be answering Gellert, but he couldn't get his thought processes past the fact that Gellert thought his skin was beautiful.

Taking Albus's silence to mean that he really wasn't going to like what else Albus had been stupid enough to tattoo on his body Gellert's scowl deepened. "We're getting them removed." Gellert announced, letting Albus's arm go so that he could cross his arms in front of him for added emphasis. "All of them."

"You think my skin is beautiful?"

Eyes narrowing threateningly Gellert looked in the mood to throttle. "Is that all you got out of what I've been saying?"

"But you've never said that before." Gellert had never given him a compliment about his physical appearance before, not ever. About his brains or magical abilities yes, but never, in any of their meetings, had Gellert spoken of finding him attractive. Did Gellert really think his skin was beautiful? The idea had Albus feeling more than a little lightheaded in delight.

Gellert couldn't begin to phantom why Albus seemed so hung up on his feelings regarding the other man's skin. Why would Albus care whether he found his skin attractive or not? It wasn't like having beautiful skin was a big accomplishment or anything. He'd complimented Albus plenty in the past for things far more valuable than physical looks, which would go away with age anyway. Not that he didn't care what Albus's looked like, obviously he did, but he would still desire Albus's companionship regardless of the other man's looks. He certainly wasn't one of those people stupid enough to desire someone only for their superficial looks.

Their amused bystander couldn't figure out which one amused him more. It was too close to call. And since they were both, for various reasons, trying to enlist him to be their friend, well a little friendly advice wouldn't hurt, now would it, Christopher thought with a decidedly evil gleam in his golden eyes.

Tapping Gellert's shoulder Christopher signed, 'I think you need to tell him you were serious if you want him to focus enough on the other stuff you said'

Gellert knew for a fact that Christopher had even less experience in relationships than he did. Which really shouldn't be possible, but there you go. Still, the wolf did perhaps have a point, and it wouldn't hurt to try.

"Yes I think your skin is beautiful. Why you think I'd lie about that is beyond me. Now can you please answer my other questions?"

"But why do you think it's beautiful? I look like a ghost during winter and in some places you can see my veins and stuff really clearly."

Raising an eyebrow Gellert was getting more confused by the minute. "Albus, I doubt seriously that you resemble a ghost in winter, and even then there are far worse things to look like. And the translucency of your skin is one of its appeals." Shaking his head Gellert looked very disappointed in Albus. "And why you've become so obsessed with your physical appearance is beyond me. But needing compliments and deliberately marring your body to gain social approval speaks less of you."

Gapping at Gellert like a landed trout Albus couldn't think straight and therefore blurted words out without thinking about them first. "Well excuse me but you never had anything nice to say about my looks before! Forgive me for being a little suspicious that you'd say them now when you aren't getting any!"

If Christopher could have laughed he would have. Priceless, he thought to himself, these two were absolutely priceless.

)

Coming into the room in time to hear Wimbledon's last words Scorpius really wished he'd walked just a little slower down the hallways. Shaking his head and pitying himself Scorpius tried to sneak past them without them noticing he was there while Gellert cursed under his breath in a language Scorpius didn't recognize.

Unfortunately for Scorpius Albus noticed him. Marching over Albus grabbed the former Slytherin's arm before he could get away, dragging him over to join the conversation.

Keeping a firm grip on Scorpius's arm so that he couldn't get away Albus gave the Slytherin his best 'don't mess with me' look. It was actually pretty effective, mostly because he hardly ever used it. "You said nice things about Al's appearance when you were going out, didn't you?"

Blinking Scorpius had a real bad feeling about this. "What?"

Repeating his question Albus was determined to prove to Gellert that he was not behaving like some narcissistic girl like the other man was suggesting in between cursing him out in Giant.

Looking towards the other two men for help Scorpius saw immediately that they weren't going to be of any. For the first time in Scorpius's memories Christopher was actually grinning, and Gellert looked ready to kill someone. Looking back at Wimbledon Scorpius thought that the redhead even looked close to doing violence.

"Well yeah…sometimes." He finally admitted, sensing he wasn't going to be turned loose otherwise. Not that he'd gushed all over Al about his looks or anything, but he'd commented a time or two about how much he loved Al's emerald green eyes and the way Al's hair stuck up stubbornly in the back no matter what anyone did to it.

"See? See?" Pointing a finger in Gellert's direction Albus's face was triumphant as he smirked at the man. "Even a Slytherin knows you're supposed to say those sorts of things once in a while."

"What's all the yelling about?" Al wanted to know, having been looking for Albus all over the place. Joining their little group Al was hard pressed to figure out just what was going on as he looked from face to face. Christopher looked happy, Scorpius looked annoyed, Albus looked smug, and Gellert looked murderous. Just what had he been missing?

Since his words sent Albus and Gellert into a heated argument in a language none of the others understood Al looked to Scorpius for answers, his ex just shrugging in his own confusion. Seeing that Christopher was his only option now Al dug around in the school bag he had slung over his shoulder and pulled out a notepad and pencil that he habitually carried with him, holding them out to the werewolf.

Understanding the gesture Christopher took the writing tools from him and quickly wrote out a brief summary of what was going on and why.

Reading over Al's shoulder Scorpius raised an eyebrow. "Wimbledon has tattoos? Since when?"

"Well he and I got our first ones as sweet sixteen presents to each other." His mum hadn't been terribly pleased, but he'd promised that if he got another one it would be to proclaim his love for her. That had calmed her down some.

Shocked Scorpius stared at Al. "You have a tattoo? More than one?"

Grinning at Scorpius's reaction Al shook his head. "No, I only have the one. Albus is the one who comes from a decorated family. Apparently soldiers and tattoos go together like bread and butter. Albus's dad has them all over the place and so do a lot of his uncles and cousins. It's a Marine thing."

Interested Christopher retrieved the pad and pencil and wrote out a quick inquiry as to what Al had had done.

Nowhere near as modest as Albus Al again shocked the hell out of Scorpius by crossing his arms in front of him, grasping the hem of his shirt, and lifting it up and over his head without hesitation. Shirt in one hand Al turned so that his right shoulder was facing Christopher. "Albus has the same on his right shoulder too. It's our house at Hogwarts." He added, as Christopher leaned in to get a look at the Gryffindor coat of arms.

In some small corner of his brain Scorpius knew he should probably be looking at the tattoo too, but he couldn't seem to make his eyes look away from Al's incredibly smoking hot body. All that taunt, unmarred golden skin stretched over a chest that had seen some serious development since the last time Scorpius had seen Al without a shirt on. The bulkiness of their school wardrobe had hidden just how in shape Al had really gotten in the last couple of years. Al was almost as built as Gellert was. Oh baby.

Feeling the heat of Scorpius's gaze Al turned his head to look over his shoulder, his eyes meeting Scorpius's stormy grey. Stomach muscles tightening automatically as heat began to build there Al couldn't look away as his whole mind and body focused on Scorpius's presence.

Since he couldn't enjoy Gellert and Albus's argument if they refused to speak something he could understand Christopher thought it wise to redirect the two's attention. That and if Malfoy and Potter kept looking at each other like that he was going to have to leave the room. He had no problem with them being gay; he just didn't want to watch them make out in front of him.

Tapping on Gellert's shoulder insistently until Gellert finally gave him his attention, Christopher quickly signed an explanation. 'The tattoo on Potter's arm is what your man has tattooed on his arm as well. Thought you'd want to see'

While Albus loudly objected to being referred to as Gellert's, like some sort of possession, Gellert went over and ignoring the vibes between Al and Scorpius got a look at the tattoo.

"The Gryffindor coat of arms?" Looking over in Albus's direction Gellert smirked. "Should have figured it. Your precious alma mater."

"I take this to mean you don't have any tattoos or a desire to get one." Al commented, forcing himself to look away from Scorpius, turning his attention to Gellert. Safer and better all around, he thought cynically.

"Do I look like I've suffered a brain injury lately?"

"Well that's too bad; I mean Albus thinks tattoos are pretty hot."

Opening and closing his mouth a couple times Gellert angrily crossed his arms in front of him. He was just too mad and frustrated for words. And if Albus thought for one minute he was getting a tattoo just to up his appeal than the idiot was crazy.

"Do you think so too?" Scorpius asked, unable to help himself. He had no objection to tattoos in principle, and actually thought Al's was kind of hot. Not that he would be getting a tattoo just to be more appealing to Al of course, he was just curious.

Also unable to help himself Al reached out and trailed a single finger along the shell of Scorpius's ear, lingering over the three studs at the bottom. "I do, but I'm still an earring man, first and foremost. Or at least where body art is concerned."

"Oh."

Looking in Albus's direction Gellert's eyes just dared Albus to say yes. "And I suppose you like earrings too?"

Not really all that intimidated, and starting to see the humor of the conversation, Albus shrugged casually. "I'm the reverse of Al here actually. I'm a tattoo man first and foremost with an appreciation for piercings depending on where and what."

"You don't have any though, right? Piercings." Eyes looking Albus up and down Gellert tried not to think of all the places people stupidly chose to pierce themselves.

Like Gellert Albus thought that anyone who pierced anything lower than their neck down was an idiot, but he could see how worried this was making Gellert. And he was human enough to want to get some of his own back, since Gellert had pretty much come out on tops in every other meeting they'd had since they'd found each other again.

So all he'd say was, "Wouldn't you like to know."