(Lovely readers! I feel so awful, to neglect you all for so long! How disappointing of me! *cowers* You must find it in your gracious hearts to forgive me! I am trying to make a return to you, despite my reluctant muse, and I hope you all enjoy my efforts. I WILL finish this story. I am determined. I'm just not sure how long it's going to take. But if you're patient with me, I promise to do my very best to make it worth your while! Review, my lovely readers, you know how that inspires me!)
When Scorpius finally made it back to his room that night he was still in a daze, trying to make sense of the scene James had just made about his relationship with Alistair. Clearly he didn't approve of the idea of his new little brother being intimate with anyone any more than he seemed to like the idea of Albus doing so. But his method… Well, it was a little less than brotherly. Merlin, they'd been a breath away from kissing! Less than that!
The thought sent a shiver through the blonde. Last year, he remembered seeing James with his girlfriend, that Amanda Brown girl. Every morning it seemed like it had been nearly impossible to avoid stumbling across their snogging outside the Great Hall before every meal. The helpless little Hufflepuff girl had been like putty in his hands. And now he knew why. And he hadn't even actually been kissed by him. It was… ridiculous.
Scorpius shook his head and dropped onto his bed with a groan, burying his face in his pillow. It would be much more sensible on his part to continue as he was with Alistair and forget all about what had happened tonight with James. Nothing would ever come of any attempts at a relationship between them but awkwardness and pain. He would rather continue their fighting than allow that. At least this way sometimes they were still friendly with one another. If he allowed such a thing as his misplaced lust to ruin that…
He shook his head and burrowed just a little deeper into his pillow, squeezing his eyes shut momentarily. It just didn't bear thinking on.
The sound of soft footsteps outside alerted him to the presence of another just before the door opened to let someone else into the room. Scorpius sat up a little and twisted, startled, only to relax with a small smile immediately afterward. "Alistair. I suppose you felt like turning in early tonight as well."
Scorpius turned fully onto his back now to face him, now propped up by his pillows so that he could comfortably remain in his current reclined position. Alistair shut the door quietly behind himself, his eyes dark as they focused on the other boy. It was suddenly very obvious that they were completely alone. "Without you there," he admitted as he crossed the room, "It seemed a waste to spend much more time in the Hall. So I thought I would join you here."
With slow, yet obvious intent, Alistair approached Scorpius' bed, pausing to give him the chance to protest before lifting a knee to rest on the edge, leaning in toward him. Scorpius felt his heart give a heavy little thump, flushing a little when he heard his next breath shudder ever so slightly in anticipation. Alistair's lips quirked into a small smirk. "Eager." He lifted his other knee onto the bed now, crawling up until he was straddling Scorpius. He braced his hands on the head board, their faces now only inches apart. "I missed you this summer," he murmured.
Scorpius tilted his head back to look up at him, thinking briefly of unyielding stone against his back and green eyes flashing with intent. With relief, he felt the conflicting emotions James had stirred become submerged by the here and now as he shoved the recent memories to the back of his mind. "I missed you too," he admitted. And it was true; he had missed Alistair over the summer. But not nearly so much as he had expected. James had definitely seen to that.
He felt like slapping himself right then. Why would he want to ruin this moment with thoughts of James? Who thought of their brother when they were in such a compromising position with a bloke that not only liked them but was a far better match for them than said brother? Even though he wasn't really his brother…
Cue another mental slap to the forehead.
Alistair seemed to know that his thoughts were drifting, and where. Somewhat, anyway. "Did your brother try to give you a hard time about me?" he asked, tracing a finger lightly down the front of Scorpius' shirt, bumping his finger over each button slowly.
Scorpius chuckled, shutting his eyes for a moment. "James always tries to give me a hard time. He must think it's his job as the oldest of us. I don – nngh." Alistair cut him off by finally leaning in and pressing a kiss to his lips, stealing the words right out of his mouth.
When he pulled back, Scorpius found that at some point he had slung an arm over his shoulders, clinging to him. He couldn't regret the move, even if he didn't remember making it. Being with Alistair did that sometimes. The dark-skinned boy pressed a kiss to his throat, laughing quietly at his sudden silence. "You talk too much, you know."
Scorpius rolled his eyes. "If you had it your way, I'd never talk at all."
Alistair lifted a brow and grinned roguishly. "Would that be so bad?" He leaned in close again, kissing him more gently this time. "If you'd just relax and let me in, I could show you just how good it could be." He traveled lower, back down to his throat. At the edge of Scorpius' collar he became fierce once again, sucking at the pale skin while Scorpius tilted his head back and panted, finding it difficult to speak while being so forcefully marked.
"Not... yet, Alistair."
"Soon."
A vision of James flitted through his head, glaring disapprovingly at the very idea. In that moment, the urge to defy him was strong. "…We'll see."
(Time skip)
"It really is kind of you to allow us to stay here for the duration of the tour." Roderich tilted his head at Draco as they walked down the hall together. "Gilbert was positive that you would welcome us here, no questions asked, but I truly didn't want to impose."
Draco lifted a hand and waved it at him dismissively. "Nonsense. With the children at school, the Manor seems very empty sometimes. It will be nice to have guests for a while. And if you're still here for the holidays, I know the children will be happy to see you both. They do love their uncles. Ah." The pair halted and Draco glanced at Roderich with a knowing smile before opening the door and stepping inside. "Here we are."
The lights flickered on as they both entered the room, highlighting its contents immediately. Draco had the pleasure of seeing delight flash briefly across the reserved brunette's face for just a moment before he controlled it once more. "I remember you mentioning that you couldn't bring your own piano with you for the tour, so I thought you might like to make use of our own while you're here. Harry doesn't play, and I rarely seem to have time for it anymore. I regret to admit I've fallen quite out of practice over the last few years."
Roderich shook his head. "Understandably so. A family takes quite a lot to maintain." He approached the instrument and seated himself. Draco noted just how much more relaxed he suddenly seemed to have his hands on the piano. For a moment, there was a heavy silence, ripe with anticipation. And then he began to play.
It was absolutely beautiful. The man himself was rather reserved and uninviting most of the time, but his music was entirely different. Draco leaned in the doorway and listened for a few moments, realizing quickly that he had been all but forgotten. With a quiet huff of amusement, he ducked out, shutting the door behind him. The melody followed him down the hall.
Downstairs, Gilbert was lost in yet another story about his time in Austria. Harry was listening intently, grinning at the outlandish tales that, coming from anyone else, would have seemed more like rubbish than truth.
"I thought Roddy was going to explode, he looked so furious! He's so good at hiding his emotions in front of other people, but after that whole ugly episode last year, he's really opened up to me! Of course, that means he shows me just how mad he can be too, but I don't mind, I'm just happy that he's really letting me in. And he's getting better at letting others in too, instead of always hiding everything from everyo– ."
They both paused to listen as the faint strains of music drifted down the stairs to tease them. Gilbert sighed, suddenly looking very much like a man that was witnessing something of the utmost beauty and was still in disbelief that it was truly his own.
Harry was the first to break the silence, nodding as he returned to their conversation. "I'm glad things are so much better now. Draco was beside himself when he heard about the falling out between you two. He was talking about going to Austria to get you and give Roderich a piece of his mind. I had to talk him out of it multiple times."
"Do I hear my name being slandered with blatant lies?" Draco leaned in the doorway, brow cocked expectantly.
Gilbert grinned. "You don't have to lie to me, Draco; I've gotten you to admit that you love me before. Harry knows that you actually have room in that black heart of yours to care about more than one person at a time."
Draco pressed a hand to his chest, looking insulted as he looked between the two men. "Harry knows nothing of the sort, do you, Harry?"
Harry shook his head, feigning an apologetic look. "I'm afraid so, Draco. Your secret is out."
The blonde moved his hand up to his forehead, faking a swooning fit, and toppled onto the couch right onto Harry's lap. "What will I do? The world can never know my horrible secret. No one will ever look at me the same again. Well," he relented, deadpan as he glanced at Gilbert, "I suppose the sex more than makes up for it."
Harry choked while Gilbert laughed.
(Time skip)
"I'm going to fucking kill that Zabini."
Albus grabbed his shoulder and gave it a good shake. "James, I don't think that Dad wanted you to stop fighting Scorpius just so you could start fighting someone else instead. Come on, leave them alone. They haven't even done anything to you. I seriously don't get why you have it out for them."
James shrugged him off, watching with fury in his eyes as Scorpius avoided his gaze, fixing all of his attention on that whore Zabini. If that were all he was doing, he would handle it better. Well, maybe about as well as he handled it last night. But at least it wouldn't ruin his appetite. But no, what had him especially furious this morning was the presence of a hickey on Scorpius' neck. And judging by the smug smile Zabini was sporting and the way he kept running those slimy fingers of his up and down the blonde's arm, it was very obvious who had put the mark there.
Scorpius seemed to be trying to hide it, but it was just high enough that his collar didn't quite do the job. Zabini would have done that purposefully, wanting to show off his new conquest. If Scorpius had let him get close enough to do that, it was only a matter of time before they started doing more…
The idea left James feeling sick to his stomach.
James ate very little, spending most of his time watching the Slytherin table relentlessly, and as soon as Scorpius got to his feet, Zabini followed. James wasn't far behind them. He heard Albus get up to follow him as well, probably hoping to ward off any fighting. But James wasn't about to be deterred.
He strode out of the Great Hall and looked around, spotting the Slytherin duo heading down the hall to his right. Probably heading to class early. The hall was fairly empty at least, since most of the school was still at breakfast or sleeping in. "Zabini!" he called, satisfied by the echo that bounced around them as he ran to close the distance between them.
The pair of younger boys paused at that, and Zabini turned to glance back at him with one brow arched even as Scorpius obviously tried to encourage him that they keep going instead. "Ah, my least favorite Potter. What an unpleasant surprise."
James' fists clenched. "I thought I made it clear at the end of last year that you're to leave Scorpius alone, you filthy git."
Alistair's smirk widened. "Well, I considered it, but… he doesn't want me to leave him alone." He slipped his arm around Scorpius' shoulders and the blonde allowed it, drifting just a bit closer to him to make the position more comfortable. "And I think that's just a bit more important than whatever misplaced brotherly protectiveness you seem to be suffering from."
"You're a fucking whore, Zabini, and the whole castle knows it. I won't let you fuck around with him like you have everyone else." Albus grabbed him arm, attempting to hold him back as he took another step toward the pair, murder burning in his eyes. We're not brothers. He's too good for you. Hell, too good for me.
Despite himself, Scorpius barely suppressed a little shudder, forcing himself to continue meeting his gaze. Salazar, he had the same look in his eyes now as he had the other night… "Don't talk about him that way, James. I won't let either of you speak badly about the other." Scorpius took a step forward, loosening Alistair's grip on his shoulders. "Being with Alistair is my decision, and even if you're right about him, James, then it's my problem, not yours. But I don't think you are, and I'm willing to risk it. So from now on you need to leave him – leave us – alone."
By now James had closed the distance between them until they were in arm's reach, dragging Albus behind him all the way. He grabbed Scorpius' collar and pulled it aside, ignoring his protests. "Looks like you've already started risking things. " He released Scorpius roughly, sending him stumbling back with Zabini. "If that's how you want to be, then fine. But don't come running to me when he takes everything you have to give and leaves you broken afterward. I tried to warn you about him, countless times. It's your own stupid fault for not listening."
"Trust me, I won't," snapped Scorpius as Alistair wrapped an arm around his chest, anchoring their bodies together. Over Scorpius' shoulder, he winked, resting his chin on the blonde's shoulder as he pressed his cheek against his neck. It was only that look on Scorpius' face that kept him from charging forward and pounding that little punk bloody for putting his hands on what James so desperately wanted to call his own.
Unfortunately, James couldn't think of any other words that didn't involve claiming Scorpius for himself, so he merely snarled, "Good." Turning around, he stomped away from all three of them. At least, he told himself, he could be much more certain that there was probably nothing between Albus and Scorpius now. Albus didn't seem at all phased by the Slytherins being together. He wasn't anywhere near as emotionally invested as he, James, seemed to be. Either he was a better actor, which wasn't very likely, or he only saw Scorpius as a brother, which was as it should be. And it meant that the only thing really standing between him and Scorpius was Alistair Zabini.
Frustrated, he stopped just around the first corner he turned and rested his head against the cool stone, closing his eyes. He was tormented by the image of Scorpius returning to the Slytherin dorms last night after their argument, after he had nearly lost control and kissed him; he imagined Scorpius letting Alistair get close to him, to kiss him and mark him as he had when what he really wanted was to be the one sneaking into Scorpius' bed, or sneaking Scorpius into his own bed. To be kissing him, running his hands over that perfect pale body…
James lifted his head and smacked it against the stone again. Hard.
Fuck everything everywhere.
(Time skip)
"Do you really think the boys are all right?"
Draco sighed in exasperation and tilted his head back, closing his eyes as he rinsed the suds from his hair. Harry was sitting on the counter, insistent that they continue conversing despite having turned down Draco's offers of sharing the shower tonight. He knew it had something to do with their house guests. The prudish little Gryffindor.
"Harry, if they were in any trouble, we'd have already gotten the letter. They're going to be fine. Scorpius can handle himself if they do fight, and eventually they'll get over whatever this is that's between them. It's only a matter of time, really."
"Just because nobody catches them fighting doesn't mean they're not. They're smart; they could keep it away from any teachers…"
Draco rolled his eyes and yanked open the shower curtain, ignoring the chill that rolled in as he glared at his husband. "Then Albus will write to tell us about it in a heartbeat. You know that. And there's no way they could hide it from him. He and Scorpius are practically attached at the hip half the time. Now if you're not going to come and screw me into the bleeding wall in here would you please get out? Merlin, a bloke can't enjoy a hot shower after a long day at work if there's no sex and no quiet."
"All right, all right. Godric, Draco, no need to get all bent out of shape. I'll leave." Harry hopped down off the counter, but paused at the aggravated sound which came out of the shower as the curtain was snapped shut once more. The grin he'd been fighting to hide crept onto his lips. "Would you prefer it if I joined you instead?"
Draco only growled. "Not anymore. Now I'm quite pissed with you. Go on, clear out." Despite himself, he jumped when the curtain suddenly reopened, revealing a very amused, and very naked Harry, who stepped into the steaming water with him and closed the curtain once more behind them.
"Even better. We haven't done it with you pissed at me in a while. You'd think the newlywed bliss would have worn off by now."
Draco scowled but still returned his kiss, wrapping his arms around his neck. "You're a git."
"And you love me anyway." Harry grinned charmingly until Draco glanced away, the corner of his mouth twitching as he fought back his own amusement.
"For some reason." Draco's head tilted back as Harry trailed kisses across his heated skin. He still had a penchant for making his shower water too hot. Or at least what Harry considered to be too hot. Draco didn't see how anyone could enjoy a good shower without it being nice and hot. What was the point of a lukewarm shower?
"I love you, too. We should get lunch tomorrow. We haven't done that in a while."
Draco snorted. "Because we've only been back to work a few days."
"Mmm. Whatever. Where do you want to eat?"
Draco thought for a moment, and then frowned slightly. "I can't tomorrow. I already promised Gilbert. He said he had something important he wanted to discuss with me, so we're going to talk over lunch." He felt the tension suddenly flood through Harry's shoulders, and he shut his eyes.
"Oh. I see."
"It's not like that, Harry. You know better than that."
Harry lifted his head, a frown now marring his lips as well. "Yeah, I know. Any idea what he wants to talk about? Why can't you just discuss it here?"
Draco shrugged. "Apparently it's a big secret. He insisted that we talk somewhere more private about it."
"….More private than the Manor? There are only four of us even here right now!" Harry's brows furrowed in frustration.
"If I knew more I would tell you, Harry. Regardless, it's not a big deal. It's just Gilbert. He's probably just exaggerating its importance and I'll be able to fill you in as soon as I get home tomorrow. Don't go making something out of nothing."
Harry's lips threatened to drift downward into a pout. "Maybe I'll go have lunch with Roderich tomorrow instead."
Draco barely resisted rolling his eyes at the poorly-disguised threat. "I think that would be a lovely idea. Gilbert is constantly complaining about how he doesn't open up enough to people. It would probably do him some good."
Harry felt the urge to scowl, now neatly trapped into not only eating with Roderich, but also out of trying to 'accidentally' stumble across wherever the duo went for lunch tomorrow so that he could join them. It wasn't that he didn't trust Draco, or even Gilbert. It was just… If Ginny had cheated on him, what was stopping Draco from doing the same?
(Awwwww, it's still so short! Why can I not get these chapters to a sufficient length? ;A; Well, I suppose I should be happy to have produced what I have. Regardless of my displeasure with it, I hope everyone enjoys, and leaves lots of nice reviews for me so I can get another chapter out soon! ^^ Oh, and Happy New Year, to all my lovely readers!)