Scorpius was beginning to believe he'd died and appeared in Heaven. No way he was finally dancing with Rose Weasley, just like so many dreams he had had before. His hands felt so comfortable on her waist and her fingers were driving him crazy, smoothing his hair. He could have burst into song, but that would be weird and she'd go away – and that's the last thing he wanted.
- Let's go, then? It's easy, you'll see!
- Uh-uh. "Easy", of course.
- Yeah, it is! C'mon, count with me. 1, 2, 3…
They danced like that for a few minutes, and Scorpius noticed how hard she was trying to learn. Rose was actually good for a beginner because she learned the basic steps in less than fifteen minutes. However, she was still looking kind of afraid of missing some step or something. Trying to calm her down, Scorpius pulled her closer and murmured into her ears.
- Relax, Black Widow. Try to feel the music and enjoy the dance. I don't care if you know how to dance or not, just feel this moment.
Rose suddenly looked up to meet his eyes, looking surprised. And then she smiled fondly at him, resting her head on his chest. Scorpius wondered if she noticed how fast his heart was beating, and he felt his cheeks grew hot.
It was nice. It was wonderful. It was everything he had ever wanted since forever.
Too bad she didn't know who the hell the Captain America was.
When she didn't need to look at her feet to dance anymore, Scorpius caught one of her hands and turned her around. Her eyes widened and she laughed, her hair moving amazingly around her. She was smiling brightly at him and he couldn't help but smile back.
She was awesome and Scorpius could only admire her. Her eyes were shining with happiness and he felt a strange, but very welcomed warmth in his chest.
They danced and danced, his eyes never letting hers, and Scorpius was lost in time and space. It was just the two of them, dancing in Paradise. When he realized, the music was no longer playing, and there was just them dancing. Everybody was watching. Slowly, Scorpius finished their waltz, looking kind of embarrassed. He looked around the crowd that was watching them and found the Batman giving thumbs up for him.
Then he thought that looking at Rose was way better than looking at Alvo.
When he met her eyes he saw her smiling at him, and he suddenly had an urge to take off her mask to free her beauty face.
- You know – she started, after a few minutes – I've never had such an amazing dance with anyone. Thank you.
No, no, no, no, don't go! Scorpius was panicking inside, trying to find out a way to spend more time with her. Rose couldn't go now, he wanted to enjoy every minute he had – they didn't have much time so he wouldn't waste it.
- Actually, uh – he scratched the back of his neck nervously – do you want to go outside for a walk? Maybe we can talk and know each other a little.
Scorpius mentally slapped himself. What the hell of an invitation was that? "Know each other". Ah, wonderful. Now she thinks you want to woo her. It wasn't really a lie, because he did want to woo her, but he was aware he could only do that in his dreams. And Scorpius didn't even think about that when they were dancing, dammed!
Well, he could only pray she wouldn't run away.
She didn't.
Actually, she grabbed his hand and ran away from the room with him, going to the garden. Scorpius was too surprised to say or to do something clever, so he just followed her with a grin in his face.
They stopped when they were a few meters away from the castle, breathlessly. Scorpius wondered if Rose wanted to have some time alone with him, and the thought made him smile. He should stop wondering things that will never gonna happen. Yeah, he should.
Rose caught his smile and smiled back, their hands still holding together.
They chose a random tree and sit down next to each other under it, their hands still holding together.
They talked and talked, both of them not giving a damn about the party they were missing. They didn't know how long they had been talking there and definitely they didn't notice a certain Batman and a certain Alice staring at them from not too far, exchanging knowing smiles. That moment was too good for them to care about anything but them.
Sometimes he would tease her about her weird obsession for old books
and she would smack his shoulder when he laughed at her. Sometimes tears would cloud her voice when she talked about Crookshanks IV' death and he would hold her tight, hoping he could do something to calm her down.
And slowly, very slowly, she would allow herself to rest her head on his shoulder and he would tightened his embrace and close his eyes, enjoying her warmth.
- Maybe you should be more careful, dear Captain. We've been talking for a long time and I could have tried to murder you, you know.
Scorpius looked down and stared at her with amused eyes. It was kind of impossible for him to imagine Rose Weasley as a potential murderer. She was so sweet.
- You would never do something like that, I guess. You don't exactly look like a potential murderer. Have you ever seen yourself in the mirror?
A smile attempted to appear in her face, but she turned her head to the opposite side, trying to seem annoyed.
- Still. Are you saying that I am not strong enough to beat you up?
Rose crossed her arms and refused to look at him, although she was wearing an amused smile. Scorpius just laughed and buried his face in her hair, shaking his head.
- I've never said that. But I could say the same to you, Rose. I could have tried to murder you too and I actually do look like a potential murderer.
Her body tensed and she turned her head abruptly to meet his eyes. Hers were wide and shocked and Scorpius wondered if she had really taken him seriously. Her eyes, her beautiful eyes were so close to him and yet she was so shocked. Their noses were almost brushing and he could feel her breath against his own. He was so close! Was he dreaming?
- You… - she started, looking kinda horrified while he was still trying to find out what the fuck he had done wrong and controlling himself not to kiss her because it certainly wasn't the best moment for that. – you knew who I was from the very beginning?
What?
Oh, Merlin, he had said her name! Scorpius, you piece of shit. His eyes widened and he pulled back from her, trying to give her an explanation. He was suddenly so nervous! Alright Scorpius, she still doesn't know who you are, so why don't you just confess? He inhaled deep.
- I.. I.. I just wanted to know how it was, you know, being close to you. I have watched you over these years and you never – ah – noticed and, uh, well, there was this party and, uh, I saw you and – and…
It was getting beyond ridiculous.
He buried his face in his hands, unable to look straight at her. He was embarrassed, more embarrassed than he had ever been. Why was this so difficult? He could just spill it out, damned!
Well, that's why he went to Slytherin, and not Gryffindor.
When he looked up, though, he saw her smiling fondly at him, her eyes amused and so lov – no. Don't get your hopes high, Scorpius.
He watched her hands raising slowly to her head, and he forgot how to breathe when her mask slipped to the floor. That face – oh, Merlin - the face he had always seen in his dreams, the face that was always so angry whenever he tried to talk to her, the face that was now staring at him with a smile.
Her eyes were sparkling in a way he had never seen, and he couldn't help but stare back dumbly. She was suddenly too close, their noses almost touching ( damn mask ) and he noticed her hands in his hair and her touch was so smooth and – fuck – why can't he remember how to think –
- What.. what are you doing? – he managed to say breathlessly. WHY was he breathless? She hasn't even done anything! Scorpius, you ass.
Rose smirked and looked at him with amused eyes.
- What do you think I am doing? – she mumbled.
He felt her hands untying the knot of his mask and he would have panicked if he wasn't so distracted with her sparkling iris.
She was close, very close. He could feel her breath against his mouth and it was driving him insane. His heart was beating so fast that he feared he might die of a heart attack and his stomach was doing some weird and definitely unpleasant stuff that made him shivers.
- Gonna finally kiss you, Scorpius.
She smiled a little at his widened eyes and finally closed the gap between their mouths. He felt his mask slipping away while warm lips covered his own, and he closed his eyes. He was stunned and shocked for a brief second before he started responding eagerly, his hands finding their way to her waist and pulling her closer to him.
It was so good, so nice, so right. Why haven't they done this before? It was way better than his dreams, way better than whatever he had imagined. Their tongues met and he could only moan appreciatively when her hands started to play with his blond hair.
He wanted to stay like this forever, but they needed oxygen. They gently parted the kiss, foreheads touching. His eyes were still closed, not daring to open and see that it was just another illusion.
- What…?
She gave him a chaste kiss and he finally opened his eyes. She was still there, and the fondness in her eyes was still there too. He sighed contently, and tightened his grip, not quite ready to let go of her.
- I thought you hated me. – he whispered, resting his chin in her shoulder. She squeezed his neck and sighed.
- I was so, so dumb. – she whispered back. – My papa never liked you, you see? And I… I was too scared to do anything about it. What a shame.
Scorpius raised his head to look at her sorry look and kissed her forehead, just to hug her tight.
- It's not your fault. Let's stop thinking about thing we could have done, shall we? – he felt her nods and he continued, taking advantage of his sudden – and brief - braveness – Will… will you stay with me now?
She pulled away from him and smiled brightly, her eyes twinkling with mirth.
- Of course I will! – she leaned over him again and he smirked, his lips begging to feel the warmth of hers. Scorpius' heart was beating fast again, not used to this proximity. She was coming closer, closer and –
She kissed his cheek.
They heard a hard laugh from not too far and, oh, surprisingly it came from Batman, the Jerk Knight. Scorpius made a face at him while Rose felt her cheeks burn. Albus was waving his hand frenetically when he realized he'd been discovered and then he started to run to meet them under the tree, grabbing Alice's hand.
- ROSE! ROSE, MY LOVELY COUSIN, YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN HIS FACE!
"Alice" was laughing by his side and Albus was so excited that Scorpius feared he would do something really stupid. When they met Scorpius and Rose, then, 'Alice' turned to Rose, who was somewhat shy and somewhat irritated.
- So disappointed! Rose, you're so cruel! He was so hopeful and you just – just – just… - she burst laughing, not completing the sentence.
- I mean, really? A kiss on the cheek? Poor Scorpius! – Albus completed what she wanted to say, scowling Scorpius' arm. – dontchu worry, babe! You're so gonna be better tonight – I've got looooooots of firewhisky in my room, you know.
Scorpius slapped his face, not quite believing this was happening. Why, Merlin, why?
- That's the problem, then? – Rose said, and Scorpius felt her arms wrapping his neck, her lips meeting his eagerly.
But before their tongues met, Albus pushed them away, looking half-amused and half-jealous.
- Whoa, calm down. You're my bf but she's still my cousin, you bastard! But – he paused, glancing at them both – YOU'RE FINALLY TOGETHER, FINALLY! Just don't kiss me that eagerly in front of me, deal?
They laughed and went back to the castle telling bad jokes, enjoying each other's company. Scorpius has a possessive hand rested in Rose's waist and Rose was staring every girl who dared to approach more than necessary him.
They were okay.
They were going to be okay.