CHAPTER FIVE: TALKING

It was very warm where he laid; warmth indescribably too good in his personal experience… and it seemed there was a magnetizing pulse in his body, directing him closer to the heat. A vibration deep within his chest thrummed away until he curled closer and wrapped himself around such, thus calming it. His subconscious felt as if it couldn't live without out whatever this was, even when he dreamed. However, in the haze of his content, there was a gentle tickling sensation on his cheek. What is that? He tried to ignore the feeling, but it was too distracting from the pleasurable fever and it began to frustrate him. Slowly he climbed through the walls of his mind until his eyes slowly opened, blurry and tired.

It took longer than necessary to realize where the hell he was and who—who was-

Scorpius bit his lip hard to conceal the yelp of surprise.

The silver in his eyes flared when they rested on the muss of black hair tucked under his neck and brushing part of his face. His body stiffened and his jaw clenched. What should he do? A flush rose to his face when he noticed Al's fingers brushing against his stomach, the place where his shirt had ridden up earlier in the night. It was the skin-on-skin contact, right? That had to have drawn his best friend closer, just as he had gotten closer to him earlier.

"Al," Scorpius choked out; his voice didn't rouse the other boy.

Shit, shit, shit. How was he supposed to get up now? Scorpius quickly realized the warmth was coming from Al, and it felt too, too good mixed with the pull of the screwed up spell.

The blonde wriggled slightly, praying Al wouldn't wake up until after he had detached him back to the original position with their hands—but the Potter merely mumbled something incompressible in his sleep and nuzzled a bit, his hair tickling the other again. The blush was quick to spring back on Scorpius' face. Damn. The Potter was sometimes too cute for his own good.

He used one of his free hands to toss the blanket off their bodies, trying to not look at how awkward their position was with Al practically draped over him and his own body curved to allow it.

As gracefully as Scorpius could manage, he plucked stray limbs and shifted Al's legs – how the hell did they manage to entangle in his own? – before taking a few deep breaths through his nose. If he moved Al's head, he was sure to awaken and ask what was going on. The Malfoy debated just slipping out under him and letting Al fall against the pillow… but he didn't really want to explain what had happened. 'Oh, sorry, Al, I rolled off the bed. Suddenly… and randomly. Yeah.' Scorpius mentally face-palmed in exasperation. He was the biggest idiot.

As gently he as could get his voice, he murmured, "Al, wake up." The black-haired boy stirred. "It's Saturday… I don't want to sleep in." More like he didn't want to get in awkward situations if he thought too hard about what went on when they were sleeping.

"Nnng… Scor?" Slowly Al lifted off of Scorpius' neck and turned around, half-laying on his side and half-hovering over the other's face in his sleepiness. Two grey eyes widened and the blonde's mouth opened a bit, unsure what to say—if he could say anything at all. The Potter's eyes were half-lidded from drowsiness and a light pink was in his cheeks from sleeping so hard. "What're you doing in my bed?"

That sounded so… wrong. Not to mention Al's rosy cheeks and messy bed head.

Scorpius swallowed hard, trying desperately to tame his over-active imagination again. "Al, we're sleeping in the same bed because of…" he trailed off, hoping the other would catch on.

Al blinked once before the green suddenly flashed and the boy sat up all too quickly, a ferocious red in his face. "The hex!" He practically yelled his reply, startled by his actions.

The Malfoy couldn't help but crack a smile to reassure the flustered Potter. He wondered what had the other in such a deep sleep before, what with the messy appearance and all. When he began to speak, a sudden jolt of pain ripped through his body and he sucked in a breath of air instead, stunned. Across from him, Al made a noise of discomfort and their eyes met, thoughts flickering.

In his head, Scorpius could see the bathroom door being thrown open and Al rushing to him, eyes wild in desire and strain, hand outstretched.

Having caught the intense need to touch the other this time, Scorpius instantaneously sat up and his body practically moved on its own. In a whirl of color, he found himself with his fingers gripping the sheets and a wincing, breathless Al beneath him. One of Scorpius' hands went to touch the Potter's and it was as if all air returned to their lungs, soft gasping filling the room. Then it hit him what he had just done.

Oh.

The determined expression melted off his face and Scorpius took in the scene under him. Straddled with black hair tangled which way and panting, it almost looked like—

The Malfoy got off, this time remembering to keep their hands connected, and sat on the side of the bed facing away from Al. "I didn't think it would hurt us," was the least he could say, sounding detached. Scorpius felt the beginnings of self-directed anger burning in his veins until the forgotten vexation returned in full remembrance. What am I doing? I'm stepping out of line. Shame with a mixture of embarrassment burned in his face and he didn't want Al to have to see it.

There came a hesitated rustle of sheets before Al edged closer, not quite beside him, but uncertainly behind. He wondered if he had gotten the other afraid. "We didn't know," There was a pause where Scorpius was sure Al's fingers almost tightened in his own, "It's okay."

Scorpius laughed a bit and turned to look at those worried green eyes, not quite feeling like himself. It was hard enough to suddenly have to be touching Al all the time; the thought was completely based on his previous problems when it came to proximity, anyway. Not being able to control what he did was worse. "Al, it's not okay," He said slowly, "What would happen if we were separated too long? Would we die?"

Al averted his eyes to rest on their hands. It was a while before he said, "I won't let that happen, Scorpius."

"…We don't even know when it will stop," he couldn't stop himself from saying. You'll be in pain for who knows how long… and it's my fault.

Al's emerald green eyes narrowed and he lifted his downturned head to evenly meet Scorpius' gaze. However, not a word got past his lips when there came a blunt rapping at their door.

[ - ]

"So, um, here's the letter."

"Thanks."

"Yeah."

Could things get any more awkward? He should've seen this coming.

Tousled red hair, wind-blown from probably running, encased her upper form and bright eyes watched their every move. The short girl before them was practically radiating curiosity in itself, and a small smile kept trying to slip past her mask of seriousness. Who was this young girl? Lily Potter from the Gryffindor House.

Beside him, Al let go of his hand and quickly ripped open his envelope, chewing on his lip absentmindedly as he did. Scorpius occupied himself by pressing a nail into his thumb to remind himself not to go into a hex-fit in front of his little sister. Little sister...

The Malfoy let his gaze drift anywhere else but the redhead, but it didn't stop the fact that her green eyes were repeatedly going from her brother to him every few seconds. He cleared his throat.

"What's it say?" He asked gruffly.

Al grinned as he looked back, "Hogwarts told my parents about the hex. They just wished me luck and all that good stuff—said they're sending some get-well gifts too."

Lily abruptly hopped closer to them, smiling widely, "The teachers wouldn't let us see you, Albus! At first we were all worried… I'm glad nothing happened to you! When they said they had a letter for you, I volunteered first." The girl turned her attention to Scorpius and he swallowed uncertainly. "What about you? Are you okay?"

He built his wall of nonchalance, "I'm fine." Brief. Good.

The Gryffindor seemed disappointed, almost as if she were waiting for him to say something else. There was a silence where she simply analyzed the both of them. Al tossed the letter on a nearby table and silently slid his fingers into Scorpius'. The blonde wondered if Lily was throwing him off as well. He felt Al's hand give a subtle twitch when she pointedly looked at the space between them.

"What's it like?" She asked.

"…What's what like?" Al's voice was weary.

Lily snorted, impatient. "You know what I mean! Being stuck to your best friend!"

Stuck? Scorpius would've answered if it didn't feel so wrong. Maybe if he hadn't said those things to Al before she arrived.

The older Potter sent a cautious look his way. It wasn't hard to figure out what the message was. Scorpius dipped his head a little in acknowledgement; he wouldn't mention the pain there was when they separated.

"Uh, it's okay."

"Really?"

"Yeah, I guess."

Lily didn't look like she liked the fact her brother was the only one answering, so she glared at Scorpius, eyes fierce to get something out of him this time. "Al doesn't bother you, does he?"

"No. He's my best mate for a reason, Little Potter."

Usually Lily would rattle off about the nickname. She wasn't interested in that today. The redhead cocked her head to the side, "What about the hard things?"

Don't think in the gutter. "We get by them the best we can." Part of him just wanted to toss her out the door and be done with it. His short fuse was already crackling.

Lily leaned back on the heels of her feet in contemplation, her lips pursed. She surprised them both when she walked around them and observed their new living space. She grunted something to herself and Al reached his other hand out toward her, as if he were going to grab her. Scorpius could easily see the building embarrassment and exasperation coming onto the older Potter's face. Meanwhile, the cheek the blonde usually bit onto was beginning to have a metallic taste.

"Lily, what are you doi-?" Al's voice garbled off and he awkwardly stepped forward, tugging Scorpius with him.

The redhead stood right before their huge, luxury teacher's bed, her hands on her hips and the widest of grins on her face. "I thought so!" She chirped, giving it a pat for measure.

What the hell is even going on anymore-? The Malfoy opened his mouth then closed it; he repeated this a few more times. What could he possibly say to that? He clenched his free hand and tried his best not to blush. What was she thinking anyway?

If Al was embarrassed before, he looked terribly bad now. The Slytherin Potter yanked Scorpius along until he could spin Lily around to face them. She was practically glowing. "Lily! Wh-why are you even saying that-?" Al spluttered.

She smiled impishly, "Since the hex was said to keep you guys together, I was just wondering how you slept at night!" Both boys grew ridged. "I was right when I thought it was the same bed!"

Al shook his head wordlessly and shot Scorpius a look of apology. The blonde could feel the sweat on the nape of his neck so he quickly said, "Hey, we have to get ready. We're still in our night clothes." He was blunt about it, deciding it was best that way.

"I have so many more questions though!" She exclaimed, now being dragged to the door by her brother. "Like, what do you do for showers, you kno—?" The door slamming close blocked the end of her sentence.

When the boys met each other's eyes, they turned away, blushing hot and linked by their hands.

It wasn't hard to remember what had happened when they woke up.

Damn it all.

[ - ]

A-ahh! So many kind reviews…! Oreo and I are really happy about that, you guys! Glad my Scorpius seems to appease you all too. ;; He's such a temperamental angsty thing.

Hope you all enjoyed the chapter (and silly Lily)! I'll let Oreo take the next away~