~What Am I Feeling?~

~Chapter 21- This Is What It Is~

The next few days were a complete blur. Albus and Scorpius avoided each other on mutual terms after the kiss.

Albus was the one who was mainly confused this time. He knew he had commenced the kiss and he knew it wasn't Scorpius' fault, though he had blamed Scorpius at the time. He did realise feelings for Scorpius had been floating around for a while now and they had been bothering him, but he didn't know what had possessed him to kiss Scorpius. At the same time, in that moment he knew he couldn't resist it. He had been thinking of Scorpius and what it would be like to kiss him before, but that time he just lost control.

Another thing playing on his mind was the fact that Scorpius hadn't pushed away but kissed back and also had that sudden outburst after. For some reason, he felt safe in the knowledge that Scorpius might feel a similar way. It brought a certain comfort. Although he did worry about the deeper meaning to what Scorpius said, as well as Scorpius being upset. Why don't you see what's between us…? Albus wondered… and just kept wondering… what exactly it was between them.

Scorpius was devastated. He felt like sleeping away his days yet he couldn't because of school and he was too distracted. He was tired in class and lonely. He hadn't spoken to Albus, he had avoided Chris and hadn't had the energy to find Louis.

Scorpius didn't know what to do anymore. He was in love with his best friend who would probably never be able to return his feelings. And he felt broken and beaten up because of it. He knew it was time to break up Chris, his feelings for Albus had gone too far to lead the older boy along now. If he couldn't be with Albus, he didn't want to be with anyone else either. But right now, he couldn't find the heart to break up with Chris.

Scorpius sat on his own at the Ravenclaw table, poking his food with a fork and rolling it around his plate. He yawned loudly, the students opposite him staring in concern before returning to their own conversations.

The blonde finally put a forkful of beef in his mouth, his brain convincing himself that he had to eat. He groaned and tilted his head back.

When a sudden yelling from the entrance of the Great Hall buzzed, Scorpius' head snapped up to see what all the commotion was. Many other students were also watching the scene with nosy interest.

Danielle and Albus were marching into the hall, faces an obvious picture of resentment and distress towards each other. Danielle's arms were crossed in a huff and she seemed to be the one following Albus.

"Would you just listen to me instead of running away from me and our problems all the time?" Danielle yelled, reaching out to grab Albus' arm.

"We don't have any problems!" Albus challenged, "You're just overreacting, as always!"

"Just because I'm the only one out of the two of us who actually admits we have problems and have the courage to confront them!" They stopped in the middle of the hall, a lot of people staring at them, others not bothered enough to pay attention.

"What problems then?" Albus shouted back, "Tell me, what problems do we have?"

"You never spend time with me, never pay any attention to me," Danielle said in a softer tone, yet just as loudly, "You act as if you don't care about me at all and I'm just someone who's there. there are other people who you care for more…" She glanced over at Scorpius who lowered his head, 2

"Our relationship started off great, but it's just gone downhill from there! It's got worse and worse. I don't know… if there's any point of hanging onto the… remains of this relationship…"

"I like you though, Danielle…" Albus lied quietly, his head lowered in shame.

"I don't think you do though, Albus," Danielle said softly, "Not anymore anyway."

"So what does this mean?" Albus mumbled, although not even finding the will to care anymore.

"That maybe we should just end this. Just stop being stupid and fooling ourselves."

"Okay…"

"We're breaking up, Albus." Danielle whispered.

And with those words, she rushed out the room, tears running down her face which she wiped off her face.

And just like that, Danielle was out of the equation. She and Albus were no more. Albus was single, just him. Single and free for the person who truly loved him and truly loved him back.

Because as Albus turned his head around the room, glaring at all the people who were watching, he met those silver eyes which always wrapped him in their own little world. He felt no remorse for his finished relationship, he just thought of Scorpius.

He looked at Scorpius' features. The smaller boy looked broken with large bags under his eyes and face pale as he looked at Albus curiously. Albus felt the pain radiate through his ribs looking at the broken boy.

Why don't you see what's between us…?

I love him. Albus thought in that moment. I love him. He continued to repeat those three words to himself.

It was then that it all came crashing down on Albus. Everything Scorpius already knew, everything that had hurt him so, Albus realised.

It was Scorpius. It had always been Scorpius. Never mind Scorpius being a boy, never mind Scorpius being with someone else… it was Scorpius. The one he needed to be with was Scorpius.

And knowing that scared Albus. He gave one sympathetic look to Scorpius before escaping the Great Hall himself. He headed up towards the Ravenclaw Tower with the intention of processing everything that had happened and was happening. His mind was running with uncertainties, bewilderment but there was a slight hope there.

When he started thinking of Scorpius, his heart filled with joy as it normally did. But this time it was different. It was everything Scorpius had experienced after the kiss. Promise, hope and love. He thought of everything good about Scorpius, every little thing he loved from the sound of his voice when Albus teased him to the colour of his blush.

Albus stopped halfway up the stairs, beside a window. He looked out the window, admiring his reflection. It was missing one thing.

Scorpius.

He smiled to himself. It could all be good now. He assumed Scorpius felt the same way from the reaction the other night. This way they could be happy… be together as it should have been from the start. Albus was just stupid to realise this so late.

So Albus raced back down the stairs. He was going to find Scorpius and tell him. Tell him so they could start their perfection together. Enjoy moments like they had done the other night but when they were both completely sure of what they felt and the way they wanted to be with each other.

But meanwhile, Scorpius was heading towards the library to distract himself from his lack of sleep and the cause of that lack of sleep.

Albus had just broke up with his girlfriend, right before his eyes. Well she broke up with him really. It was like the tiniest bit of hope had been thrown back into his soul but he didn't want to have too many expectations. Everything always seemed to go wrong between he and Albus and it wasn't going to get much better soon.

Scorpius yawned again, slugging his bag further over his shoulder while balancing his books with the other. His eyes were glassy with exhaustion and the dim lights stung his pupils.

He almost thought it was a dream when someone yanked his wrist back fast. His back hit the surface of a wall with a loud thud and his books were dropped to the floor.

In a weary state Scorpius looked up to see who it was when a recognisable head of golden hair dove into his neck. Chris latched his lips onto Scorpius' pale skin on his neck and kissed and nipped the smaller boy's skin.

Scorpius gasped out loud, fear overriding his body because of Chris' advances. His instinct was to thrust his arms out against Chris' chest to shove him away but it didn't work. Chris remained pressed up against Scorpius, showering kisses down Scorpius' throat.

Scorpius had no idea what Chris was thinking. He obviously thought Scorpius wanted to have sex with him but even if he did love Chris he wouldn't be ready for sex yet. Scorpius had no idea what had put this idea in his mind; Scorpius could only guess that Chris desired him so much and the desire to have his boyfriend had clouded his thoughts.

"Chris! Stop! Stop it!" Scorpius whimpered, his arms and legs struggling to get out of Chris' grip.

Chris grabbed Scorpius' wrists and held them against the wall too, "It's okay Scorpius, just trust me, it will feel good," Chris breathed against his skin, "Merlin, I want you…"

"Chris I don't want this!" Scorpius cried out.

Scorpius had squeezed his eyes shut when he felt his arms being released sharply and a thump a few metres away from him.

He opened his eyes only to see Chris lying on the floor, rubbing his head with an angry Albus glowering over him. He was reminded of the last time this happened, though this time he was more than happy to see Albus.

All the boys were panting heavily. Chris turned over, scowling at Albus. Scorpius' best friend always seemed to get in the way of him and Scorpius.

Albus stepped towards Scorpius, enfolded an arm protectively around Scorpius' waist and pulled him into his side. Their eyes met and there was a sudden understanding. Scorpius hadn't wanted that and Albus knew. Scorpius was giving Albus permission to shout and yell at Chris as much as he wanted this time.

"What the hell is wrong with you, you stupid beast?" Albus roared, holding a frightened Scorpius possessively.

Chris wiped his mouth and argued, "Well I'm sorry for wanting to be intimate with my boyfriend!"

"You know, I almost forgave you for last time," Albus sneered down at Chris, "But you took it way too far this time! He told you he didn't want it and you didn't bloody listen! You never listen to him!"

Albus didn't stay to argue for long especially with how guilty Chris looked. He offered Scorpius an apologetic look but Scorpius was still too shaken up to accept it.

With his arm still wrapped around Scorpius' hip, Albus led the blonde away, "Come on Scor…" He muttered, but his face still flushed with anger.

They walked in their previous position up to their dorms. Both were nervous; it was the first time they had been in such close proximity since their kiss and it was a bit awkward but at the same time they were relieved to be together again. And to have escaped their partners and to just be with each other again. At this point, it was Albus who knew more. He knew that he loved Scorpius and he thought that Scorpius loved him too.

Once they arrived into their room, Albus released Scorpius and burst.

"Who does he think he is?" Albus screamed out in fury, "He can't just do that to you! Th-that's completely unforgivable! If he knew you he would know you're not ready for this! Merlin, he's a rat!"

"Al-" Scorpius piped up but was interrupted.

"You need to break up with him Scorpius!" Albus grabbed onto Scorpius' shoulders, shaking the smaller boy a bit, "He's not right for you! You can't let him treat you that way!"

"Albus!"

Scorpius reached upwards and grasped Albus' face in his hands. He hoped for Albus to calm down, calm down so they could speak of the other day as well as Albus' sudden break up. Even though he was still annoyed with Albus, he wanted to make up with the boy and wanted his friend to be able to talk to him about recent events. And maybe he could even make him realise his feelings…

Immediately, Albus calmed. His breath returned to normal as well as his cheeks paling again. The change was so abrupt, it wasn't normal. No, that was not natural and Albus knew it.

And as he stared into Scorpius' eyes, the Malfoy's face extremely close to his, he understood that the only explanation was Scorpius' power.

"That-that was your power," Albus stuttered, anxious from just being so close to the smaller boy, "It just calmed me down…"

Scorpius nodded, captivating solely by Albus' bright green eyes, "Y-yeah… I think it was…"

"Scorpius…" Albus whispered, his hand sliding up to cup Scorpius' face. Scorpius' eyes fluttered shut. He knew where this leading and excitement surged through him. A kiss from Albus would be heaven. Did this mean he knew? He knew how they both felt? He knew what they were to each other? Did this mean… they could be together? They could kiss each other every day and explore the feeling of being in love properly? Scorpius hoped.

"Scorpius…" Albus repeated in a hushed tone, "What Am I Feeling?"

Scorpius' fingers floated up to Albus' scalp, brushing through the rugged brown hair, "The same as I'm feeling. The same as I've been feeling for so long now… What we've both been confused about. Something beautiful and unexplainable. Something which will last a long time, if we have both finally admitted to each other that this is what it is."

And without a second thought, Scorpius rolled onto the balls of his feet and Albus bent down so the two friends' lips collided in a passionate kiss.

~X~

A/N: THE END.

Just kidding, we have a loooooong way to go on this story.

Aaah, I was so excited about writing this chapter. It was actually relatively shorter than the other chapters, but I hope it has everything it needs to make a good chapter.

So I'm looking at this as almost a new era in the story, I mean they're finally not being so stupid and both know what they feel etc. I've been looking forward to this for so long now, because now all the fluffy behaviour can start!

I have to go somewhere that's why I've posted this so early. I'm not sure whether I'll get a chapter done today, I'll probably get one done tomorrow.

Thank you to Pasdoll, XxKit-ChanxX, NekoAkitsuki, C8ecat and GreenGirl111 for reviewing the last chapter! Glad you all enjoyed it.

Next chapter:: Albus and Scorpius explore a new side to their relationship but will Chris get in the way?