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Added Troubles
He was only human, so Albus permitted himself a couple heated moments of vivid imagery depicting all the ways the Slytherin could 'dominate' him in the most pleasurable sense of the word. Not for the first or last time was he so very sorry that none of those images would ever come to pass, the Gryffindor silently mused to himself. But while he had no problem with the idea of the other man having his wicked way with him, though he considered himself as much an alpha male as Scorpius, Albus knew better than to think that the Malfoy would ever act on the chemistry they had together at moments like this.
So he played the role of coolly uninterested, as per usual.
Reaching out Albus pretended to adjust the other man's shirt collar, just for the excuse to briefly touch. "You like dominating me, huh? Well that will certainly make things interesting when I'm you're boss, and can order you around all day as I please."
Scorpius's lips twitched. It was no secret that his partner would one day take over the position of Head Auror from his father. Everyone expected it and Albus had been groomed for it. He didn't even really mind the idea of the man being his boss, though he would miss them being partners when the time came. "That's decades away." Scorpius pointed out, grateful for that fact. He was fairly sure that their present boss would never retire until the man was in his grave, thus meaning he still had decades to enjoy the pleasurable torture that was being around the Gryffindor five days a week.
"True." Albus acknowledged with a small, knowing smile as he let his hand drop back to his side. "But we both know the reason I'm so well suited for the job is because I 'm so very, very good at instructing others in how to go about turning in the best performance possible."
"Their best can't be good enough if they need instructions." Scorpius shot back with a wicked gleam in his eyes.
"Ah, but teamwork is essential to getting the most favorable results."
"It's not real teamwork if one of the parties has to instruct the other." Scorpius countered, angling his head ever so slightly so that if he were to lean forward his lips would be pressed up against the Gryffindor's. "You and I are so good at what we do because we don't need to instruct each other. We're so in tune with each other that we instinctively know how to compliment each other, anticipate what the other needs."
Stomach muscles clenched painfully while a great deal of blood headed south, making the Gryffindor so hard and aching it was a wonder he could stand up straight. But Albus wasn't about to buckle just yet. "And yet you continually frustrate me with your performance."
"How terrible of me. I should rectify that."
"Sorry, but being a Slytherin, you're programmed to under perform when it counts." Albus shot back as he deliberately blew a breath against the other man's slightly parted lips. "But don't worry, as time has proven, I'm more than up to compensating for your inadequacies."
The insult rolling off his back Scorpius was far more interested in the fact that he was pretty damn sure the man was as turned on as him by their verbal foreplay. Since it was the only foreplay the Gryffindor would have with him the Slytherin was determined to draw it out despite the ego shot. "So exactly how should I perform to better meet your…needs?"
Albus's voice purred out seductively in spite of himself. "I thought you didn't need instruction from me?"
"And here's where I cut in." Pulling on Albus's arm Louis cut off the conversation before it could get anymore flammable. "Hello, Malfoy, always interesting to see you, Al and I will be going now."
Not waiting for the reply Louis dragged his cousin away while Malfoy glared holes into his back.
When they were outside the club Louis changed his grip, slugged an arm over his cousin's shoulder, and spoke in his best imitation of their grandmother. "I thought we'd talked about you letting him wind you up like that."
Albus blew out a steamy breath. "I know. I know."
"Then why do you let him?"
"Let me count the ways." Was Albus's feverent reply as he replayed the whole conversation over in his head. It had been a while since the man had come on to him that strongly. Damn if he hadn't missed it.
Louis just rolled his eyes. "You really need to get properly laid, my friend."
"Tell me something I don't know."
)
Rorake took one look at the other man's face and gave serious thought to just leaving without his best friend. But they were best friends and god brothers, and Merlin only knew what would happen if he didn't see to it that Scorpius didn't kill anyone. Possibly someone they knew like Potter if he was still at the club. So walking over to get a good grip on the other man Rorake led Scorpius out of the club, appreciating the fact that the man was too pissed to put up a struggle.
Once they were out the Slytherin gave the man a questioning look. "You and Potter get into it again?"
"Weasley interrupted. Again."
"Ah. I ran into him in there too." Rorake volunteered. "He owes me a drink, but maybe he'd be willing to trade that in for letting you have one of your talks with Potter without interrupting."
Not at all pleased Scorpius gave the other man a dark look. "And just what did you do to make him owe you a drink?"
"He dropped his wallet in the club."
"Which you returned to him even though he's constantly ruining what little fun I get to have with Potter. What kind of a best mate are you?" Scorpius wanted to know. "You're supposed to be on my side. My enemies are your enemies kind of deal. It's because he's blonde, isn't it? You've always had a thing for blondes even though I've pointed out countless times that we're nothing but trouble."
"I've managed to resist you." Rorake pointed out, wisely holding back a grin.
Scorpius reached out to whack the guy upside the head, knowing the other Slytherin would let him because Rorake's head was just that hard. "That's because we're practically brothers, you git. And not each other's type on top of that. And putting those bloody images in my head are only encouraging me to find that skinny blonde bastard and kick the shit out of his skinny arse."
"Actually, I rather like his skinny arse."
"Do you want me to throttle you?"
"Good luck with that." Was Rorake's unconcerned response as he easily shrugged the threat off. "Now shall we get you home before you do something stupid that will have your partner hunting you down like you're a rabid dog in need of being put down?"
Still annoyed and wanting very much to kick Louis Weasley's ass Scorpius ordered himself to throttle back by reminding himself mentally that Rorake was right to think that his partner wouldn't tolerate him beating the crap out of the man's cousin, however deserving of the beating the other blonde might be. Unfortunately the man cared a great deal more for the other man than him, and likely always would.
"You know what you should do."
"Am I going to like what I should do?" Scorpius wanted to know as they started walking down the street.
"I think you will."
"Then tell me what I should do, oh wise and all knowing Rorake."
Grinning, Rorake gave Scorpius a little hip check. "I think you should egg Potter into practicing some more hand to hand combat with you on Monday. You'll feel better and if you time it right you won't have to worry about Weasley or anyone else getting in your way. A small consolation prize, I'll give you, but it should improve your mood for the rest of the week unless he wins this time."
"He never wins."
"There you go then."
)
Harry Potter walked down the hallway with his guest, his destination his son's office. He hoped his son's partner would be there as well, he could use the Slytherin's instincts on this. There was just something about the man at his side that made his shoulder blades itch. But he had his orders to show the man around and make him feel welcome, so that was exactly what he was going to do. He was just going to sic his boy on the man while he was at it, Harry thought, even as he answered the other man's questions and acted like he couldn't be happier with their present situation.
Arriving at the correct door Harry knocked, pleased to hear both Albus's and Malfoy's voice call out for him to enter. Opening the door Harry motioned for the other man to go in first, following afterwards. Closing the door behind him Harry nodded at both of his men.
"Gentlemen, this is David Santana, an Auror for the Spanish government. Mr. Santana, my son Albus Potter and his partner Scorpius Malfoy. Two of my finest Aurors."
Both Albus and Scorpius sized the man up in an instant, taking in the man's dark, exotic good looks. In his mid thirties the man was dressed expensively and like a businessman, but there was a layer of toughness that indicated there was more to the other man than met the eye.
The man's lips curved, speaking in perfect English that was tinged with just enough of his birth country as to lend a sexy, foreign touch to his words. "Mr. Potter. A pleasure to meet you." Moving forward the man walked over to take Albus's offered hand, the look on his face suggesting that he thought it was a real pleasure to make the other man's acquaintance. And there was definite interest in the man's face as he smiled at the Gryffindor with very male appreciation.
"Mr. Santana. Welcome." Albus returned, getting the message clearly when the other man held his hand longer than was necessary before letting his go.
Nodding his head the man then turned to face Scorpius, all charm vanishing from his face as he took the Slytherin's hand in a brief, borderline insulting shake. "Mr. Malfoy."
Scorpius eyes were cool and accessing as he gave the man a curt nod of acknowledgement in return. "Mr. Santana."
"Mr. Santana is here as an observer." Harry explained, keeping his face neutral even as he pondered the possible implications of the man's suggested interest in his son. "His government sent him here to observe us in action in the hopes of improving their own system and forging better relations between our two departments."
"I look forward, very much, to learning more about your department." Turning his attention back to Albus Mr. Santana's charms came back in full force. "I hope very much to have time to speak with you personally, Mr. Potter. I've had the pleasure of reviewing some of your previous work and have gotten the sense that I could learn much from speaking with you."
"I'm flattered that you've admired the work my partner and I have done." Albus returned, subtly reminding the man that Scorpius had as much to do with his impressive record as he did with Scorpius's. They were a team after all and deserved equal credit.
The Spaniard briefly glanced over at Scorpius before turning his attention back to Albus. "I'm sure Mr. Malfoy's…connections often come in handy in our line of work."
Knowing Scorpius well enough to know how easily and thoroughly the Slytherin could verbally eviscerate a man Harry cleared his throat, not wanting to have to reprimand his man for something the Spaniard deserved for his rudeness. The blonde had long since proven himself as far as he was concerned. And he wouldn't stand for anyone belittling the man who'd worked so long and hard to redeem himself and his family in the eyes of their peers.
"Mr. Santana, we should let these two get back to work. They're due in court shortly if I recall correctly. And their time is very valuable." Harry added with a hint of an edge, opening the door and then motioning for the man to walk through it. "I just wanted to introduce you to them so that they would know who you are when they see you in the building."
"Until we meet again then, Mr. Potter." Once again the man held his hand out to Albus, the Gryffindor shaking it after a thoughtful pause.
The foreign Auror didn't hold out his hand or speak to Scorpius, merely inclining his head before heading out the door, Harry sending the two a look of apologetic understanding before following the man out, closing the door firmly behind him.
As soon as the sound of their steps had faded away Scorpius rounded on Albus. "He was eye fucking you, wasn't he?"
"He was not." Albus returned, though there was some truth to the statement. The Spaniard had definitely been sizing him up, both as a colleague and as a man. He apparently hadn't been found lacking in either case. Not that he had any interest in the foreigner. Santana wasn't his taste, and even if he had been his rudeness to Scorpius would have put him off the man right away. His partner could be a real ass, but he was still his partner.
And nobody messed with his partner but him.
Scorpius's eyes said plainly what he thought about Albus's denial. He thought it was pure bullocks. "He's going to come after you."
Yes, yes he was, Albus silently acknowledged. He'd seen it in the other man's eyes. "If or when he does I think I'll be able to handle him well enough."
"If you don't I will."
He didn't like the guy for the way he'd treated him when they'd been introduced, and the way he'd been dismissed as Albus's sidekick. But Scorpius actively hated the man now for daring to think he would hand his partner over to him. Especially since he'd gotten a vibe off the man that didn't sit right with him at all, the Slytherin mentally added. It could just be his own jealousy, but Scorpius's instincts fiercely rebelled against the idea of the man being anywhere near his partner.
Picking up on the protective vibes the other man was giving off Albus couldn't help but go a little gooey, even though he knew the man was probably more upset about the other man's digs than the man's obvious flirting.
Reaching out Albus patted the man's cheek with an affectionate little smile. "Easy, Slytherin. I'll be just fine."
Moving before the Gryffindor could react Scorpius placed a hand overtop of the other man's, holding it against his cheek.
"I'll hold you to that."
)
It was close to the end of his shift when Albus encountered the Auror from Spain, the man alone this time and making a beeline for him. Not the least surprised Albus came to a stop, letting the other man come to him as he waited to see what the man's next move was. Because the man had several moves planned where he was concerned, Albus thought as he smiled a greeting, even as his mind coldly prepared to analyze and dissect everything the man said and did. What do you really want from me, Mr. Santana, Albus silently asked the man in question. And you most definitely didn't do your research, if you think I'm a mark you can play.
"Mr. Potter, I was hoping I would run into you." The man's lips curved into a sensual, slightly rakish smile as he came to a stop in front of Albus. "I was hoping that perhaps I could impose on you this evening. I know no one in the city, and as a native I'm sure you know all the best places to dine. Would you permit me the pleasure of buying you dinner in exchange for your company tonight?"
His first instinct was to politely decline, but he also had a feeling that it was in his best interests to learn more about the Spaniard. "As it happens I have nothing planned for this evening, Mr. Santana."
"David, please."
"David." To keep the man guessing Albus made no move to give the man permission to call him by his given name as well. "My shift is over in about forty minutes. Where are you staying?"
Making plans to meet at his hotel the man held his hand once more to Albus once their plans for the evening were made, only this time instead of shaking it the Spaniard brought the Gryffindor hand to his lips, his dark eyes full of hot promises as he watched the man for his reaction.
Giving none away Albus allowed the gesture, but showed no reluctance in leaving the man's side either to head back towards his office.
Walking over to his desk Albus had barely gotten settled before his partner spoke, asking him if he'd be interest in heading down to the gym after their shift for a quick workout, the loser buying dinner.
Now he really regretted agreeing to meet Santana after shift, Albus thought, genuinely disappointed to have to turn the other man down. Practicing their hand to hand combat was the only time he had a legitimate excuse to put his hands on the other man's body. But he had made the date and he did need want to learn more about the foreigner.
"Sorry, I have plans. Maybe tomorrow?"
Something in the man's tone caught Scorpius's attention as he looked up from the paperwork he'd been going over. "If you like. What are you doing tonight?"
"I ran into Santana in the hallway. We're having dinner."
