Chapter 65
Rose's Apartment
Rose woke by the usual buzzing sound of her muggle alarm clock, which she promptly silenced with a whack on its head. A groan swiftly followed as she recalled the large amount of alcohol she consumed the night before. Somehow through the pounding feeling in her head, Rose could hear the movements of someone somewhere in her apartment. Rolling over to see the alarm clock, with a startled gasp she realised it was half past eight and either she had sleep through her alarm for two and a half hours or someone had tampered with it. Sitting up quickly and reaching for her wand, now more alert than ever, Rose pulled back the covers and exited the warm bed to investigate.
Wand at the ready, she slowly exited her bedroom, entering straight into the open plan apartment. Rose's eyes quickly flicking towards her kitchen, discovering the cause of the noise. Her jaw dropped as she saw Scorpius with his bare back to her, puttering around in her kitchen wearing only jeans, whistling as he prepared what she assumed must be breakfast.
"What in the name of Merlin, are you doing?"
Scorpius smirked when he turned around to see Rose. She was a beautiful mess with her big bed hair, wearing a camisole and shorts, panting slightly with her wand still trained on him clearly shocked and horrified.
"Making breakfast," he replied, now dropping his smirk and actually smiling at her. He thought she looked rather cute. "You hungry?" He added before she could say anything else. He took a slip of his tea as he served the scrambled eggs he'd made onto two plates.
Rose slowly walked over to the kitchen bench seeming at a loss for words as she put two and two together. Mostly, scolding herself the whole way, thinking about how she wanted to take this slow and how this was probably going to blow up in her face because it is all happening so fast, tearing her family and friends apart, not to mention her own heart that was on the line.
"Oh no, how could I be so stupid," she said to herself, bringing a hand up to rub her forehead.
"Rose, there are plenty of things I could call you, but stupid isn't one of them," Scorpius said, clearly amused, drawing her attention back to him. She perched herself up on one of the stools at her kitchen bench as he placed her plate in front of her. "Tea?"
"Yes please," she mumbled her reply. She just watched him quietly as he prepared her tea for her, too many thoughts swirling around in her head.
"There you go," he said, turning back around to give her the mug.
"Thank you," she replied before taking a sip.
"Are you okay, Rose?" he asked, moving around to her side of the bench.
"Yeah, it's just that we slept together and we were supposed to take this slow," she whined, turning towards him and putting down her warm mug. "I can't believe I let you persuade me into this, you knew I wanted to take this slow. I mean you were there when I said it!" Scorpius was trying not to laugh at her little melt down, but he was truly happy to see the small flecks of anger dashing through eyes and voice. It reminded him more of the old her, please to see that part of her was still in there. "I did not want it to happen last night and not like that and now it's done and I don't even remember it!" she finished puffing a little, blushing at the thought that she probably came across as a mad person. Judging by the his attempts to hold in his laughter she probably did, she thought with a sigh.
"Okay, is that all?" Scorpius asked, letting a chuckle slip and moving to stand behind her.
"What do you mean is that all?" Rose got down off the stool and turned to face him, battle ready with her hands on her hips. "This is important, Malfoy!" she raised her voice angry with the chuckles that were still coming out of the blond man. Scorpius couldn't take it anymore, his joke was certainly up. Quickly he reached out for her, bringing his lips down on hers before she could protest. Rose let out a little squeak of surprised before she sighed into the kiss, sliding her hands up his bare chest to the back of his neck and kissing him back. Slowly, he wrapped his arms around her waist before he leaned back to look down at her.
"I have to tell you something," he whispered into the space between them.
"Now?" she asked, her eyes closed as she softly rubbed her nose against his, still dazed by the kiss.
"Yes, now," he replied with a soft laugh. "We didn't have sex last night."
"We didn't?" Rose exclaimed almost appalled, quickly pulling back a little to get a better look at him. He shook his head no, amusement dancing in his eyes. "But-"
"Nope."
"Then what happened?"
"I took you home, wanted make sure you made it there safely and then you asked me to stay," Scorpius explained, finding pleasure in seeing her blush at the last part. "And I did...on the couch," he added.
"Oh…" was all that she said. Scorpius held her close as he watched her process the information, biting her lip lightly as she did. "So we definitely didn't...?"
"Well, not without the lack of trying on your part," he answered as his smirk slid back onto his face. "You were very enthusiastic, I must say," the blond added, enjoying the deeper blush that surfaced in her cheeks.
"Oh no," Rose groaned as she pressed her face into his chest, hiding. "I'm so sorry."
"It's fine, honestly," he said reassuringly. Scorpius let her hide away for a moment before leaning back and tilting her chin up so he could see her again. "Last night was truly fantastic," he said with a smile before kissing her tenderly again. However, before he could deepen the kiss, Rose broke away.
"I'm late for work," she blurted out, rushing back into her bedroom. "Why did you mess with my alarm clock? Daisy will never let me live it down."
"It's okay, I called Daisy," Scorpius called out to her, moving back to the bench and taking another sip of tea.
"What?" Rose replied, coming back into the kitchen.
"I called Daisy and told her you won't be in today."
"Why would you do that?" She asked, clearly shocked and confused.
"Because I think you deserve a day off," he replied, casually.
"Aww no," Rose muttered, reaching a hand to her forehead. Embarrassed, as she knew exactly what conclusion her co-worker would come to after hearing from Scorpius on Rose's phone.
"Actually she was very enthusiastic about the idea as well," Scorpius smirked, enjoying the blush across Rose's cheeks.
"Of course she was," Rose glared at Scorpius. "You can't do this," she added, rather stubbornly.
"Well, I already did," he smirked back at her. "Plus I need your help today."
"Help with what?"
Daily Prophet, Alison's Office
She couldn't concentrate on anything. And she didn't know what to do about it. When she found the ring she was so happy, its what she wanted after all. Her and Albus, husband and wife, sharing the rest of their lives together. However, that happiness passed and as she put the ring back in its hiding place. All she could think was, what do I do now? She needed to talk to someone about it and she couldn't get a hold of Rose all night. She didn't really want to discuss this with any of her friends here at work. So, she just accepted the fact that she would be completely useless until either Albus proposed or Rose could calm her down. It was unfortunate that no one else got this memo.
"Alison?" Jenny entered the office. "Hello? Alison!" She snapped her fingers trying to get Alison out of her daze.
"Yes? Sorry, how can I help you?" Alison replied, trying to focus.
"Are you okay?" Jenny asked, actually concerned as she had never seen Alison like this before.
"Yeah, fine," the brunette replied, however, Jenny gave her a look that said she didn't by it. "I'm okay, really. What's up?"
"I just came to apologise about this taking longer than we initially expected, and to thank you so much for continually stepping up into the position," Jenny answered, getting straight to the point choosing to ignore Alison's strange behaviour. "You have done a fantastic job, by the way, people have noticed," she added with a smile.
"Oh thank you," Alison replied, thankful for the distraction. "I actually really enjoy it."
"I'm glad," Jenny responded with a smile, because focusing back down on the files in her hands. "Now, I need your prelim articles and layout on my desk in two hours. Okay?" She added with a nod before exiting the office.
"I can't believe this," Rose sighed as they approached the house. "First, you take over my kitchen," she went on, rounding on Scorpius. "Then, you pretty much told all my staff that I got laid last night and won't be working today to celebrate." He chuckled, despite her serious attempt at being mad at him. It really was an attempt because all Rose could really think as he looked back smiling at her was, 'Merlin, he's gorgeous'. "And now, you forced me here to work for you."
"Yep," Scorpius replied. "Although, forced is such a strong word. Let's be honest, it was more like I convinced you," he cheeked, stepping around her and moving towards the house he was building for Albus.
"More like you gave me no other option," Rose exclaimed as she followed. "I couldn't show my face at work, thanks to you."
"Your welcome," Scorpius turned and winked back at her.
As they made their way inside the house, Rose could see how much work and effort had gone into making it. Standing in the middle, of what she assumed would be the main living area of the home, she turned around taking it all in. The exposed ceiling beams and stairs made you feel like this is a home that has stood the test of time.
"Wow, its beautiful Scorp," she said, her eyes still taking in the sight around her.
"Thanks," he replied. "I was worried about doing it at first but once I started it came along quite well."
"You going to tell me why you are doing this yet?" Rose pushed.
"Not yet, I will soon though," he answered, taking a step towards her and taking her hand in his. "I promise." Rose surprised herself with actually not feeling too worried about him not telling her yet. For some reason she felt like she didn't really need to know yet and he wasn't intentionally wanting to keep her out of it. It was refreshing, almost like having instant trust.
"Okay," she let it rest, comfortable with that fact that he would tell her when she needed to know. "So, what did you drag me here to do today?" She asked, ready to get stuck in and get a job done. He laughed and smiled, glad that she was okay with not knowing yet.
"The best part of renovating," Scorpius replied, before holding up a paint brush that she didn't notice he held in his other hand behind his back. "Painting," he said with a cheeky smile.
Hugo's Apartment
He rubbed his eyes, as if clearing the sleep from them would make her disappear. It didn't unfortunately for him. Next, he took a calming breathe in attempt to slow down his rapid beating heart. Again that provided little help as well, this isn't what he wanted to happen last night. 'I should have been more careful' he thought. Slowly, he tried to remove his arm from underneath her. She let out a little content sigh and he almost stop breathing. The last thing he wants was to face her this morning, he knew had to get out of there.
Slowly, he made another attempt to free his arm, and this time he was successful. He slipped out of the bed and got dressed, picking up his clothes from the floor as he went. He then rushed out the front door and down to the building apparation point. He didn't waste any more time, disapparating straight away.
Scorpius had been impressed with how good Rose was at painting. They worked well together, she cut in around the cornices and he rolled the walls. Her attention to detail and steady hand that she would need while decorating her cakes transferred across to this work well. They worked in silence mostly, choosing to concentrate on the task at hand. He took a chance, as he was getting some more paint on his roller, to look up at her on the ladder. Rose was wearing a blue old t-shirt and denim shorts with a red bandana holding her hair back. She had her cute concentrating look upon her face that he remembered from Hogwarts, complete with a tiny crinkle between her brows. He smiled and admired her figure as she stretched to reach further along the ceiling, allowing her shirt to slip up a little and show some skin around her waist.
"Stop it," he heard her say, drawing his back up to her face. She hadn't even taken her eyes off the task at hand.
"What?" He replied, faking innocence.
"You know, what?" She said, throw a quick glare at him over her shoulder. He just laughed as Rose went back to work.
Scorpius continued rolling the walls moving closer to Rose who stood up on the ladder.
He knew it was a childish thought but once it had entered his head there was no stopping him. Rose let out a shocked squeak as she felt the wet, sticky paint roll down her back. She turned to see Scorpius rolling the paint on the wall with a trace of a mischievous smirk at the corner of his mouth.
"How childish are you?" She asked climbing down the ladder.
"What?" He faked innocence, as she approached him.
"Oh really?," Rose said, moving toe to toe with a smiling Scorpius. "Is that how you want to play it?"
In that moment, he decided the challenging and playful look that he found on her face, was his favourite Rose expression. Before he could react, she wiped her paint brush across his cheek.
"Oh, that's lovely," Scorpius commented, shocked that she would actually get him back.
"Yes, it really suits you," she smirked back at him.
"You think so?"
"Definitely," Rose teased, enjoying this playful development. However, before she could move away, he had snagged an arm around her waist. Holding her close as he used her own brush to wipe some paint across her neck. Giggling, Rose had managed to wiggle free as a paint fight commenced. They ducked and weaved, to try and avoid the paint the other was throwing. Eventually, Scorpius had managed to grab Rose again and they fell in a heap of messy painted limbs on the floor, laughing and heaving. They didn't even notice they had an audience.
Hugo walked in to find his sister and roommate rolling around on the floor, laughing and half covered in paint. He continued to watch them confused and unable to process the scene in front of him. They stilled suddenly, Rose on top of Scorpius as the finally noticed how close they were. She stared down at him with a content and blissful smile, he raised a hand to caress her cheek as he return it with a smile of his own. Just as Scorpius lean up to reach her lips, Hugo made his presence known, the only way Hugo could.
"What the fuck!" He shouted, completely freaking out. This was the last thing Hugo expected to deal with after the morning he was having. Rose gasped and practically flew off Scorpius at the sound of her brothers voice.
"Hugo! Language!" She scolded, already on her feet and blushing. She heard a chuckle from the blond man next to her at her attempt to turn the tables and distract from her embarrassment.
"Yeah sure, mum," Hugo mocked, causing Scorpius to laugh again. Rose ignored him and quickly changed the subject.
"What are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same question?"
"I'm…helping Scorpius with the painting," she replied with an unsteady voice, refusing to look both men in the eye.
"Is that would your generation calls it now?" Hugo said, rather smugly. Rose immediately shot a glare her brothers way. Reading the anger quickly taking over Rose's posture, Scorpius stepped in.
"Alright, enough," he said, taking hold of Rose's arm as she moved to step forward. "What's going on, Hugo?"
"You mean other then what I just walked in on?" Hugo replied with one more jab. Typical, Rose thought as she rolled her eyes. "Not much, everything is all good," the younger man continued, both Rose and Scorpius noticed the panicked edge in his voice. "Oh yeah, except for the fact that I slept with Ella!"
Okay, so it has been about two years... I think. Therefore it is entirely possible that no one will read this, but I had to keep going. I am so sorry, if you have been waiting and are still interested. I struggle so much to write with work and everything now day but I want to continue so I will try. If you honestly don't want me too or think I should just stop then let me know, after this chapter you might think that is for the best haha
So sorry again about the cliff hanger and that we didn't really make much progress this chapter. There is more to be made moving forward, if you are still interested. Scorpius and Rose need to clear the air and really talk about things they haven't yet and keep avoiding. Alison and Al have a few things to sort out and I bet you can't wait to see how Hugo and Ella handle things.
Please let me know your thoughts :)
