Author's Notes: The next few scenes don't have smooth transitions between them but I am hoping that my handful of loyal readers won't mind. :-)
Cranachan, which is mentioned in the third scene, is (according to the interwebs) a traditional Scottish dessert - I have never had it but it seems like it would be yummy. It also seems like it would be hard enough to make that it wouldn't be had often and would be thought of as a special treat. That might just be my cooking skills talking though. Ha ha
And, Mizzrazz72, I hope I addressed some of your concerns in this chapter. I rewrote several things with your comments in mind. :-)
"Daddy, we do twain?" Harry asked.
"Yes, " Cassius said, pulling away from Corbin and standing up. "Mama, where's the box?"
"By the front door," Corbin answered. "Daddy, bring the box in here, I'll help set it up."
Cassius nodded and was back with the box in a moment. The three of them gathered around it after Cassius put it on the floor in the middle of the room. Corbin unpacked the contents while Cassius read the directions. Harry stood between them, a small hand on each of their shoulders. In a short while, train tracks were all over the sitting room. Corbin was almost positive the train set hadn't come with so many pieces and then he noticed Cassius doing duplicating spells.
There was a knock on the door. Corbin opened it to find Owen standing on the front step. He pasted a smile on his face.
"Come in, Cassius and Harry are playing with Harry's new train set." Corbin gestured towards the sitting room.
Owen greeted Cassius warmly and gave Harry a cursory hello while Corbin sat back down near the sofa to finish piecing together the pieces of train track Cassius had given him. Corbin was only a little surprised and more than a bit dismayed that Owen came over to sit next to him.
"Cassie told me he's having trouble." Owen said in a low voice, "He said he didn't want to talk to you about it, but I thought you should know."
"How nice of you," Corbin said as he watched Harry giggle while Cassius stacked books to create a tunnel.
"He's not happy. You got married too soon," Owen said. "And now you have a kid. It's too much for Cassie."
Corbin took a breath, reminding himself of what Stevens had said about Owen being jealous, but it only helped a little. Before he could respond, Cassius called out, "Mama, you ready?"
"Um," Corbin clicked the last two pieces of track together quickly, "Yes!"
Harry released the train which proceeded to chug its way over and under and around the furniture in the sitting room before falling off the tracks as it navigated a curve on its way towards the mantle. Harry and Cassius hurried over to the train and Corbin could hear Cassius explaining to Harry what they needed to do to support the tracks better. They left the room, probably to get books from the library, Corbin guessed.
"Corbin," Owen started, "I think-"
"Stop," Corbin said sharply, his temper had gotten the better of him. "Stop it. I do not care what you think. Your opinions about our marriage and our family are clear. And that is just what they are: opinions. They don't matter to me at all," He stood up, "If you'll excuse me."
He met Harry, holding an armful of books, at the bottom of the stairs.
"Could you get five more books please, Mama?" Cassius asked, following behind Harry.
Corbin nodded, "How thick?"
"Between 4 and 8 centimeters," Cassius answered, heading towards the sitting room.
Corbin walked up the stairs, breathing slowly to calm himself. He took his time picking out five books that met Cassius's requirements and headed back down the stairs about ten minutes later.
"Thanks" Cassius said with a smile, his fingers deliberately sliding over Corbin's as he took the books.
"Where's Owen?" Corbin asked, realizing their friend wasn't there anymore.
"At the pub, he and Stevens are having a night out."
"So he just…" Corbin stopped, of course Owen had just stopped by to tell Corbin how he was the cause of Cassius's unhappiness, of course. "Well, it was nice of him to drop by." He congratulated himself on sounding somewhat convincing. Cassius didn't seem to notice as he and Harry started the train again.
At the pub...
"Have you noticed Cassie calls Corbin Mama all the time now?" Owen asked.
"He says Corbin won't let him when they're in bed." Stevens laughed.
"Corbin isn't respectful - he's always telling Cassie what to do," Owen frowned.
"Cassie doesn't mind," Stevens answered.
"One of us ought to say something to Corbin."
"Cassie doesn't need protectors anymore, Owen." Stevens said lightly, "He needs friends. And he needs friends who realize how much he loves the man he chose to marry."
Owen huffed and Stevens took a long drink of his beer.
"Cassie will choose Corbin over you, over me, over anyone," Stevens said, "I'd think hard before I did anything to make him think he has to."
"What do you mean?" Owen asked.
"Seems like you're angry at Corbin..and sooner or later Cassie will notice."
Back at Windy Corner, later that evening...
So, Harry's asleep," Corbin said, leaning against the doorway to the sitting room.
Cassius was rearranging some of the train tracks and didn't answer.
"Harry is asleep," Corbin repeated, in Malfoytongue.
There was a clatter as Cassius dropped the train tracks in his hand and stood up.
"Harry's asleep?"
Corbin nodded
"Oh, so I want to play chess, and I want to win, and I want Cranachan."
"That's three things," Corbin exclaimed.
"You said 'whatever you want', you didn't limit the number of things." Cassius retorted.
Corbin could argue that, he'd said 'something you want' right before 'whatever you want," but it was just like Cassius to latch on to whatever would get him more. And if it made him happy... Corbin couldn't help smiling, "Would I be right in thinking there's more things you want?"
"Yes. I want to shower together, and I want to have sex. And then I want to be the little spoon."
Corbin shook his head, laughing.
"You said if I told you," Cassius scowled.
"I did. And I will honor the agreement. You set up the chessboard and I'll make the Cranachan."
Soon they were settled at their chess table, by the window of the sitting room, with bowls of Cranachan. Corbin had also poured them small glasses of whiskey. They played several moves without speaking.
"I have something to tell you," Corbin said nervously, moving his knight so he wouldn't have to look at Cassius.
"About Owen?"
"What?" Corbin was startled into looking up into Cassius's green eyes.
"How long has he talked to you in that tone?" Cassius asked.
"You heard him - but you were talking to Harry," Corbin protested.
"I heard enough." Cassius slid his bishop across the board towards Corbin's queen.
"Oh, I...just..well...for a while." Corbin moved his queen and then picked up his whiskey glass so he had something to fidget with. "I thought at first I was being too sensitive."
"And you didn't tell me because?"
"I didn't want you to get upset or," Corbin sighed, "It just seemed easier. But I should have told you."
"Stand up," said Cassius, getting to his feet.
"What? Why?" Corbin asked, even as he followed the order.
"Because I can't do this with the table between us, Mama," Cassius answered, pulling Corbin in for a crushing hug. "Owen couldn't be more wrong. I am happy with you, and with Harry."
"I'm happy with you," Corbin said, "But I can't breathe."
Cassius loosened his hold slightly, sitting down and pulling Corbin onto his lap.
"How am I supposed to play from this side?" Corbin asked.
"You'll just have to resign the game," Cassius answered, nuzzling behind his ear.
"Fine, I resign, but I'm finishing my Cranachan before we shower." Corbin leaned forward and retrieved his bowl.
"This morning we were both keeping secrets from each other," Cassius said, as they stood in their shower with hot water cascading over them.
"Your ancestors must be so proud," Corbin smiled. "Malfoys love secrets."
"Except that then we were honest with each other," Cassius answered.
"I'm so sorry we ruined it," Corbin handed the soap to Cassius so he could wash Corbin's shoulders. "Let's agree that we can have surprises, like the spell you have on the hallway and the stairs, you aren't telling me so I can figure it out, but if I asked, you'd tell me. A surprise is something that you won't always keep to yourself."
"Like something I get for your birthday, it's coming up soon, isn't it?" Cassius asked as he washed his own shoulders and chest.
"On Thursday," Corbin answered as he rubbed soap over his face.
"I thought it wasn't until next week," Cassius sounded worried.
Corbin blindly reached out for Cassius, "Don't you dare apparate to the store naked."
"Why do you think I'll do that?" Cassius asked with a laugh.
"You don't always remember if you've got me a present, and you panic," Corbin rinsed his face and opened his eyes.
"Well, I already have a present for you. And I know where I've hidden it."
"Is that right?" Corbin asked with surprise.
"You never go up to the attic so it's—" Cassius stopped abruptly, "it's not where I hid anything."
Corbin laughed, and pulled Cassius in for a kiss, "You sly thing."
"Harry and I are going to bake you a cake, only I wanted to make sure we could practice first," Cassius frowned, "Thursday is soon."
"I will love any cake you make for me." Corbin said reassuringly, "And you can practice tomorrow."
"And then, you kiss my neck and tell me how much you love me. Got it?"
"Got it," Corbin nodded. Cassius had just finished explaining how he wanted to have sex. "When are we starting?"
"After I brush my teeth," Cassius answered, grabbing his toothbrush..
Corbin leaned against the bathroom counter, he'd brushed his teeth while he'd been listening to Cassius. He waited quietly for Cassius to finish brushing his teeth.
"Why didn't you tell me my hair was sticking up all over like Harry's?" Cassius asked, as he put his toothbrush back in its holder.
Corbin smiled fondly, "Because you look so cute."
"Malfoys aren't cute." He ran his fingers through his hair until it was smooth.
"Agree to disagree," Corbin took a few steps away from Cassius, "I can't, I've got three chapters to read for Potions and an essay about Venomous Tentacular that's due tomorrow."
"What?" Cassius looked confused.
"No, I can't have sex with you here in the corridor of the third floor at Hogwarts," Corbin said, walking into their bedroom. He hadn't gotten far before he was spun around and pulled tightly against Cassius's body.
"Oh, he started," Cassius murmured as he tilted his head down to kiss Corbin's neck.
"Don't even try to convince me," Corbin put his hand on Cassius's chest and pushed half-heartedly. "And...Oh! That's not fair!" Corbin shivered as Cassius's tongue swirled around his ear. Cassius took a couple of steps and Corbin felt his back bump against the wall. "Someone could see."
"No one will see," Cassius kissed Corbin hard, "Tell me yes."
Corbin shook his head and Cassius grabbed him under his arms and hoisted him higher on the wall, moving closer to press his body between Corbin's legs. Corbin's breath caught - he loved when Cassius used his strength to manhandle him and Cassius knew it.
"Tell me yes," Cassius demanded between kisses. "Cory, please."
Corbin tangled his fingers into Cassius's hair, "Is the door locked?" he asked softly.
"Um, yes?" Cassius answered, pressing their foreheads together. Corbin put his hand down and searched for the wand he knew he had seen on the top of the bookshelf next to him. Finding it he cast a locking charm on their door. He dropped the wand back on the shelf.
"Cassie, we really shouldn't," Corbin turned his head to the side, evading Cassius's kiss to his mouth. "I haven't even started the essay."
"He gives in to me. He always gives in to me." Cassius whispered between kisses, pressing closer, his hands slipping inside Corbin's bathrobe to grip Corbin's hips tightly.
"I suppose I could skip the reading," Corbin said, trying to sound reluctant.
Cassius twined a hand in Corbin's hair and their eyes met, "Say yes."
"Yes," Corbin tilted his head against the wall as Cassius pressed long fingers against him - into him. "Oh, God."
"I love fucking you against a wall," Cassius whispered against his neck as Corbin struggled to catch his breath.
"Is that why you insist we can't put a bookshelf here?" Corbin threaded his hands into Cassius's hair and pulled him in for a kiss. "I love you fucking me against a wall. And now I want to lay down on our bed and fall asleep."
"You have to-"
"I know." Corbin pressed Cassius's hips away from him and set his feet back on the floor.
They crawled into their bed after they'd both pulled on pajamas.
"Wait, I need to be on that side."
"What? Why?"
"Because I can't lay on my left side," Corbin said, sliding over Cassius's body to Cassius's side of the bed. He pulled Cassius against him and kissed his neck. He could feel Cassius's body practically melting into him. "I love you more than Nifflers love shiny things."
"Really? Nifflers love shiny things very much," Cassius said sleepily.
"Yes, really," Corbin laughed softly, pressing another kiss to Cassius's neck. Cassius was soon sleeping but Corbin was kept awake for a while, worrying. It had been a long time since Cassius had thought aloud in Malfoytongue without being aware of it.
Sunday after lunch, Harry and Cassius practiced making a cake
"Whisk in," Cassius muttered, "It could just say 'stir'."
Corbin thought about answering but Cassius had been talking under his breath in Malfoytongue, mostly swear words, as he concentrated on the unfamiliar recipe. And so far he hadn't seemed to be expecting Corbin to respond.
"Daddy, baby do," Harry held his hand out for the whisk. He was standing on a stool next to Cassius.
Corbin read a few more pages in his book before hearing Cassius call his name.
"Does this look right?" Cassius asked, staring down at the bowl of batter. Corbin stood and walked to the counter to look at the batter.
"Yes," Corbin stirred the batter with a spoon, "And, all the ingredients are in?"
"Yes." Cassius looked over the empty bowls and cups on the counter. "Yes."
"Then it's ready to be poured in the pan."
"You said it's like making a potion, it's harder than making a potion." Cassius frowned, his hand moving towards his mouth.
"I said it's like making a potion, meaning similar, not exact," Corbin said calmly, catching Cassius's hand in his and kissing the back of it. "While the cake bakes, we'll make the icing."
When the timer went off, Cassius pulled out the pan from the oven, he'd used an oven mitt only because Corbin had handed him one.
"Now it has to cool before you can put the icing on it." Corbin said, stopping Cassius from picking up the icing bowl.
"Cool? For how long?"
"You could do a cooling charm on it if you wanted to speed up the process."
"You could." Cassius nodded.
"I know I could," Corbin laughed. "But I'm only here for moral support."
"Moral support, and cooling charms."
Corbin did a cooling charm on the cake as Cassius lifted Harry up and blew a raspberry against his stomach making him shriek and giggle.
A few moments later, Cassius smoothed the last bit of icing on the top of the cake and stood back.
Harry clapped his hands. "Yay, Daddy! Cade so booful!"
"You are right, Harry. Daddy, that is a beautiful cake." Corbin kissed Cassius's cheek.