Word Count: 377


These are the moments Albus lives for. They're sitting by the lake, taking in the warm, sunny weather and enjoying a few blissful moments between studying for their NEWTs. Scorpius' bare feet are dipped in the water, and he looks so tranquil; it's a great improvement over his boyfriend's usual stressed demeanor.

"You're staring," Scorpius murmurs, and Albus wonders how he can tell if his eyes are closed. As if Scorpius can read his thoughts, he cracks an eye open, grinning. "You're always staring."

"Am not."

But Albus knows it isn't quite true. How can he not stare? Scorpius is so perfect that it makes his chest ache. Sometimes he wonders how he could be so lucky. Deep down inside, he had assumed Scorpius and Rose would be the ones to fall in love. More often than not, it feels like a dream, and he hopes he never has to wake.

"Mhm. Sure you aren't," Scorpius says, snorting. He sits up a little straighter, drawing his legs in.

For several moments, silence hangs between them. Albus watches as the Giant Squid peeks out from the dark water for just a second before plunging beneath again. He smiles to himself. These moments are so beautiful, so peaceful. He never wants them to end.

But they will. He knows that, though he tries again and again to ignore it. Scorpius plans on going into Curse Breaking. Meanwhile, Albus has an internship at the Ministry, and he hopes to have a successful political career.

"Do you ever worry about growing apart?" Albus asks quietly.

Scorpius laughs and moves closer, wrapping an arm around Albus. "Apart from you? Of course not."

"But we're going in different directions."

"Yeah? And? Every weekend, we'll meet up. Nudity is entirely optional." Scorpius pauses, pursing his lips as he seems to consider something. "Optional, but encouraged."

Albus can't help but grin as he snuggles his boyfriend closer. "Really? And here I thought you'd be the one to enforce it."

"Hmm… Maybe."

Maybe change isn't so bad. It still makes him anxious because this is his life, and he wants to cling to it, to make it stay the same. But maybe there's growth. Maybe this will make them stronger.

He's finally okay with finding out.