Christmas holidays were always the worst. Al hated the noise, the constant nagging of his mum trying to get them all to be in some kind of festive spirit, and worst of all he hated his father's half-hearted attempts to bong with him. His dad always wanted to play quidditch or go camping, or some other vaguely menacing chore that didn't involve sitting indoors. At least Scorp would be coming over in a few days to save him from his perpetual nightmare.

Thinking about the blonde had started to do funny things to Al's mind – he was pretty sure that this time was different. Their interactions with each other had been more… intense, and for his part Al kind of liked it. He just hoped Scorp felt the same way.

"You did tell Hugo, right?" asked Lilly, settling down on the couch and turning on the T.V. Al turned from his position by the kitchen and raised an eyebrow,

"Tell Hugo what?"

"About Scorpius coming over for Christmas eve?" He shook he head and went to join his sister on the couch. Say what you want about them, the Potters had extremely comfortable couches. "I asked dad what he thought I should do and he told me that he'd deal with it. Apparently he's going to tell uncle Ron and Hugo at the same time. Probably to stop me getting cursed. Lilly snorted,

"What made you think this was a good idea?"

"Truthfully?" She nodded,

"Dad asked me to invite him."

"What?" Lilly's forehead creased, "But… Why?" Albus shrugged,

"No idea, but he told me to invite Scorpius and make it look like it was my idea. I'm pretty sure Scrop figured it out though, because one of the first things he asked me was to make sure I didn't leave him alone with either uncle Ron, Hugo or dad."

"HA. So how exactly is it going to work? Hottie McMalfoy man will arrive the day before Christmas eve, stay the night and then portkey back after dinner?" He nodded, "And where will he be sleeping?"

"In my room."

"Oh really?" She winked, "And where in your room will he be sleeping?"

"I'm not entirely sure what you're implying, but I have the pull out couch in my room, remember? He'll be on that."

"Alright, so if I sneak into your room at say four in the morning I won't find you two in the same bed?" Albus rolled his eyes,

"Lilly…. I…"

"What? It's O.K. Albus," she said, touching his arm. "Or at least it is with me." Albus pushed himself off the couch, "That's great Lilly, really, but I have to go Christmas shopping. What do you want this year?" She shrugged,

"Something shiny and expensive."

"So, socks?" She kicked him in the shins, "Owch! O.K. O.K. no socks, geez."

"See you later Albus, and remember, for someone like Scorpius who already has everything, the ordinary stuff won't work. Why not try going to Portobello market and pick up something odd." He nodded,

"Thanks for the advice, I'm glad no-one asked you."

"You're welcome!" she shouted as he threw some powder into the fire and floo'd to Diagon Alley.

Christmas Eve, Eve was fast approaching, and Scorpius was silently freaking out. Everything had to be perfect, but given both past experience and Albus' propensity to fuck everything up, it was bound to be anything but.

On more than one occasion Scorpius had berated himself for giving the Potter boy chance after chance after chance, but for some reason he just couldn't stay mad at him. Every time Al messed up, he apologised Scorpius stayed away for a week or a month and then suddenly they were back where they started. It was wholly unhealthy.

He'd gone shopping for a presents and bought Al a book of unique charms he wouldn't have learned at Hogwarts, an infinity bangle, a leather satchel from a boutique market next to his home in Italy and a bottle of cologne from a haberdashery in Tuscany. It smelled like Tuscan oak, dark and broody but with a hint of black cherry to brighten the mix. The cologne was very a very intimate scent – and could only really be smelled from close up. It would suit Albus perfectly.

He'd also acquired some smaller gifts for the other members of the Potter family and wrapped them all individually. That ought to buy him a few points with the family, at least.

"Scorp, dinner's ready!" yelled Marcus from somewhere below him

"Down in a sec, dad". Scorpius stowed the presents in his trunk and went downstairs for dinner.

Scorpius arrived at the Potter residence at precisely 16:00 on Christmas eve eve. Stepping out of their fireplace, he dusted off his jeans. He had opted a simple pair of black jeans and a white turtle neck – nothing too ostentatious – but form fitting none the less.

"Hi Scrorp!" Said Al, rushing over to his side "It's good to see you."

"Good to see you too!" Scorpius turned his head and regarded the other family members in the room "Mrs Potter, Lilly, nice to see you both."

"Likewise Scorpius. And please, call me Ginny – Mrs Potter makes me feel far too old." She smiled and took a step towards him, "I was so saddened by the news of your mother. She was, by all accounts, a tremendous woman, and… well, I'm sorry for your loss". Scorpius smiled sadly,

"Thank you."

"Of course, Albus will show you upstairs". Albus took Scorpius' suitcase and carried it up the stairs, taking the third door on the left into his room.

"Merlin, Scorp what's inside here, bricks?" the blonde shook his head,

"No, but there may be a present or two for you in there." Albus set the case down on the ground and closed the door with his foot. The pair stood there in awkward silence for several seconds, Albus unsure of what to say and Scorpius wary of his new surroundings.

It was Scorpius who broke the silence. Stepping towards Albus he threw his arms around the smaller man and pulled him into a hug. Al flinched at the sudden contact, but settled once he realised what was happening.

"Woah, what's this for?" Scorpius kissed the side of his head and held him tightly.

"I really missed you, you know. I always miss you." Albus settled further into the embrace

"I missed you to, Scorp. More than you know." Several seconds later, Scorpius let go and moved to unpack his case

"So if dinner is tomorrow night, what are the plans for this evening?" Al shrugged,

"Nothing planned – I was hoping we could just hole up here and ignore my family as much as possible." Scorpius raised an eyebrow, Albus looked unsure of what he was about to say

"Come on… out with it" Al smirked,

"That transparent am I? It's nothing – It's just with school and Hugo and all the bullshit in between, I was hoping we could just relax a bit. Spend some time together before everyone else ruins it." He shrugged and looked at the floor. Scorpius walked over to Al and lifted his chin –

"Sounds fantastic. Why don't we just grab a load of snacks and watch some movies? I can show you my favourite and you can show me yours. Just the two of us." Albus beamed,

"I'd like that a lot."

Albus and Scorpius spend the majority of the night in one another's company, save for dinner and the occasional trip to the rest room. The laid on Albus' bed and ploughed through chocolate like it was going out of fashion and Scorpius showed Albus movies he'd never even heard of. One of which was solely in French and did not have subtitles, which was mildly confusing to say the least.

Albus felt the heavy weight of the past year lift when he got to spend time alone with Scorpius. It was like all the crappy stuff that he'd done, or the Hugo had done just drifted away and the two of them were able to just be together. Scorp made him laugh and feel comfortable in ways other people just couldn't.

They were halfway through a 90s thriller that Al had selected because he vaguely remembered it having an interesting plot when Scorpius moved closer to his side. Albus reached out and entwined their fingers, chancing a glance at Scorp to check that the additional contact was welcome. Scorp simply moved even closer and rested his head on Albus' shoulder, running his free hand up and down Al's arm in slow, soothing motions.

"Hummm… do we have to have dinner with my family tomorrow? Can't we just stay in here forever?" Scorp snorted in response.

"Forever seems a tad excessive, and … I think I've only got another 20 minutes in us before I'll fall asleep. He brought their hands up to his mouth and placed a kiss on the pack of Al's hand. "I should go change for bed." Al nodded,

"There are fresh towels in the bathroom". Scorpius returned several minutes later to an empty room, changing into his pyjamas he settled in the sofa bad Al had made up for him. Al returned a while later, similarly garbed in sleepwear, two glasses of water in his hands. He passed one to Scorpius who thanked him.

Al moved over to his bed. "Well, goodnight." Scorp nodded as Al turned out the light. Al's hand still tingled from where Scorp had kissed him – a flurry of excitement coursing through his system at the thought of it.

"Albus?" Scorpius' voice sounded small in the darkness.

"Yeah?"

"Thanks for tonight – I had a great time."

"Me too." Silence settled over the boys once more until finally Al couldn't take it anymore. "Hey, Scorp?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you want to… maybe…" Not needing the other boy to finish the sentence, Scorpius walked over to Al and slid into bed next to him.

"Sure." Al smiled at his friend before rolling over on his side. Following the other boy's lead, Scorp wrapped an arm around Albus and tucked himself behind the smaller man. He always knew Albus would want to be the little spoon. A sigh of content, somewhere between a moan and a purr, escaped Albus' lips and he settled back against Scorp before drifting off to sleep.