Work Text:
The tents had been Karls idea.
Albus sighed for the fifteenth time as he miserably stomped a peg into the hard ground. Scorpius rounded his side of the tent with a smile, “You would have finished 5 minutes ago if you used the mallet!” He swung the instrument tauntingly, “Are you sure you don’t give up?”
“Nope!” Albus chirped, somewhat uncharacteristically, popping the ‘P’ in the word. He punctuated the exclamation with one final stomp onto the peg. “All done.”
The wind picked up slightly, blowing Albus’ hair into his face. He pushed the brown curls that had grown out over the summer out of his eyes. It reached down to his neck, now, and curled near his eyes. With the wind and the sun beating down, Albus felt completely out of his depth in the wilderness of the Oxfordshire countryside (he had said as much to Scorpius after they had apparated here, and didn’t understand what about it had made him laugh so hard,) and pushed his sunglasses up over his eyes so that they held back his hair for him.
Across from them, Craig and Karl were already lounging on camping chairs by the firepit. The pair had finished their tent construction twenty minutes ago, with the added labour of finishing Yann and Pollys tent, which was in the middle of the three. Craig was reading a muggle novel called ‘Call me by your name’ (“Because it has immaculate summer vibes, Albus, despite the questionable ethics.”) whilst Karl looked like he was about to accidentally take a nap, his legs draped over Craigs lap, sunglasses slipping down his nose slightly. Albus furrowed his brow and headed inside the tent, immediately being hit with a wave of humidity. He fumbled through his overnight bag by his bed before taking off his shoes and changing into the denim shorts he had found. Blowing the hair threatening to fall into his face out of the way, he ducked his head and exited the tent.
Outside, Scorpius had set up their two blue camping chairs and was saying to Craig, “Wait, this kid is seventeen and the guy staying with them is…?”
“He’s twenty-four.” Craig lowered the book slightly, “Imagine dating a twenty-four year old, right now. Like, this summer, dating a twenty-four year old.”
“Imagine dating someone with like, a mortgage.” At this, Albus plopped himself down beside Scorpius in the slightly lumpy chair.
Craig narrowed his eyes, not unkindly, “I don’t think most twenty-four year olds have a mortgage.”
“Really? How do those work then -” Scorpius was cut off by the sound of beeping.
Down the road, a car was turning left into the campsite, beeping repeatedly. Karl awoke with a start, making his sunglasses finally fall from his nose. Polly pushed her head out of the open window, the wind pushing through her bright blonde hair. “We bring booze!” She shouted into the wind, as Yann parked the car in the spot across from the tents, only taking three times to reverse into the spot straight, which was better than his last attempt. Karl leapt up from his chair and went to help the two with the bags of shopping.
Yann hopped out of the driver's seat and straightened his shorts before heading around to the passengers seat and opening it for Polly. Albus restrained himself from rolling his eyes at the gesture, determined to be pessimistic despite how sweet that was. Scorpius helped Karl with the last of the bags, the two heading into Yann and Pollys significantly bigger tent, which had a small kitchen section and a fridge box.
Albus kept his eyes on Yann and Polly, who were now by the boot of the car laughing over something he hadn’t heard. Polly rested her head on his chest as she kept giggling and Yann kept talking animatedly, only making her laugh more. Craig cleared his throat and moved into Scorpius’ chair, “Do you have a crush on one of them?” he whispered mock-conspiratorially, “Because the level of yearning on your face is concerning.”
Albus rolled his eyes and knocked Craig with his shoulder. “No. Yann is not my type and Polly is a girl.”
“Yann is everyones type.” Craig murmured.
Albus furrowed his brow and looked at his friend incredulously, “Do you have something to confess?”
Craig grinned, “Wouldn’t you like to know…” He wiggled his eyebrows and Albus let out a laugh.
“You’re awful.”
“You love me!” Craig exclaimed, indignant.
Albus nodded distractedly and looked back over to the lovebirds of the friendship group, who were now heading in their direction. Laughs were coming from the tent that housed Scorpius and Karl.
“I’m not yearning for one of them. I am concerned that they found their soulmate by seventeen and I can barely talk to my best friend without wanting to die of crush-based embarrassment.” Albus sighed.
Craig nodded sagely, “A harsh reality to be living.”
The Potter started picking at the hem of his shorts distractedly, “Why does it have to be so difficult? Can’t we all be like Oliver and Elio?” He said, only somewhat taking the piss.
“Jesus Christ, mate, they are not the couple to look to for a happy relationship.” Craig chided, before Yann and Polly joined them and collapsed onto their chairs.
Polly tied her hair up into a ponytail, pulled it the highest her hair could get at its now short length, and sighed, “Jesus christ, its so fucking hot.” She fanned herself with her hands and Yann nodded, unbuttoning his flannel shirt and taking a long gulp of his water bottle. There was a comfortable silence before Scorpius and Karl finished arranging the fridge and came to sit down next to each other.
Albus tried not to look at the drop of sweat dripping down Scorpius’ neck, at the flush on his cheeks. He failed, spectacularly. Not that he’d ever admit it.
Karl started to drum his fingers against the arm of his camping chair, “So, we’re getting pissed tonight, right?”
“What gave you that impression, Karl? Was it the three large bottles of Vodka we got from Tescos?” Yann said innocently.
……………………………………….
“Why do we have to deal with muggle tents and tent pegs again?” Albus said as he rummaged through his bag.
“Karl was feeling sentimental for the camping trips he took with his Dad, and who are we to deny him?” Scorpius said from the other side of the zip up bedroom door. “Besides, it's fun! Isn't it? Living like muggles for a few days!” He flourished the sentence by unzipping the door.
Albus huffed, “I could do with having a proper bed, though, instead of one that's blown up.” He stood up with his swimming shorts in hand and stopped in his tracks. Scorpius was stood in his swimming shorts, rubbing suncream in. Albus swallowed. For Merlin's sake.
“Can you do my back?” Scorpius asked innocently. He tried to hand Albus the bottle but it slipped from his hands and he dropped to catch it before kneeling in front of Albus.
“Oh! You dropped these.” He handed the shorts Albus hadn’t realised he’d dropped back to their owner and stood, misjudging how close they were.
Albus tried not to react as Scorpius’ bare chest just barely brushed against his clothed one. He smiled tightly, “Thank you.” He paused, stepping back. “I just need to get changed, could you maybe ask somebody else?” Albus tried to regulate his breathing.
Scorpius’ smile dropped slightly, “Uh, yeah. Sure.” He whirled around. “I’ll see you out there.” Scorpius stepped out of the tent, having to duck his head.
Albus looked towards the tent's entrance after him. He closed his eyes and tried not to shout after his best friend, to tell him that he would have helped out with the suncream, if he felt like he could touch his bare shoulders without swooning and then promptly dying. He knew that sharing a tent with him had been a bad idea. Changing into his black swimming trunks, he put on his flip flops and followed his friend.
The gang of friends walked down to the lake together, Karl and Yann running and whooping far ahead, with Albus and Craig ambling ten paces behind Polly and Scorpius.
“Craig,” Albus whispered conspiratorially, “He asked me to rub cream on him.”
Craig guffawed before slapping a hand over his mouth, “Oh, buddy.”
Albus stopped in the middle of the path, Craig stopping a few steps ahead of him and whirling to face his friend. Albus bit his lip anxiously, “I am being such a fucking idiot.”
“I thought we agreed that negative self-talk gets us nowhere.” Craig said soundly.
“Okay. Thanks, Mum.” Albus said fake cheerfully and started walking again before Craig caught his wrist and stopped him, holding him by his shoulders.
“You are Albus fucking Potter,” He punctuated each word with a light push, “and you deserve nice things. You deserve every good thing. No matter what happens with you two, you’ve got to know that you two will always be friends, surely? It’s not like Scorpius is just going to disappear from your life because of one crush.”
Albus felt Craig loosen his grip and pulled back, “I don’t want to make him uncomfortable.”
Craig rubbed his hand along Albus’ shoulder comfortingly. “I don’t think being told someone is in love with you is ever a bad thing.”
“Yeah, well you’re a hopeless romantic.” Albus muttered, “And have a worryingly positive view on life, for someone who almost -”
“THERES A FUCKING WASP!!! A FUCKING WASP IS FOLLOWING ME - YANN!! FUCK!!” Karl shrieked from up ahead, flailing his arms around him in the middle of the path about twenty paces away. “IT HAS AN AGENDA!!!”
“Karl - Karl, if you stay still it will leave you alone -” Yann attempted, but Karl was already running towards the lake and in two moments was submerged, his flip flops floating to the top before he reappeared, spitting out lake water.
“That's one way to go about it.” Polly remarked. “Yann, don’t look at me like that.”
“Look at you like what?” Yann was grinning, walking towards her.
“Like you are about to do something you will later regret.” Polly warned, humouring her boyfriend's hands on her waist.
Yann shook his head, “I have,” he lifted her up, “no idea,” lifted her into a fireman's carry, “what you are insinuating, Polly Chapman!”
“Yann Fredericks I will tell your Mothers!” She shrieked, but she was laughing as her boyfriend waded into the lake and unceremoniously dumped her into the water. A moment later she emerged and pulled him down with her.
“She is surprisingly strong for someone with such bony arms.” Scorpius remarked from the shoreline, as Craig cautiously stepped off the grass and onto the small stony beach before dipping into the lake. Albus unceremoniously dumped himself onto the grass and Scorpius sat beside him.
The two watched as the four friends splashed around and pushed each other under, and as Karl lifted Craig, shrieking, onto his shoulders like he was at a concert. Albus picked at the grass beside him, breathing in the fresh, if slightly muddy, scent of the lake beyond them.
“Did I do something wrong?” Scorpius said quietly from beside him.
Albus turned, “What? No!”
Scorpius’ shoulders actually deflated with relief, “Okay,” and continued picking at his nails.
Albus bumped his shoulder against his friends’. “You know you can talk to me about anything, right?”
Scorpius’ gaze narrowed for a millisecond before he smiled and said, “Let's go for a swim!”
Scorpius stood briskly and held his hands out to help Albus up. He obliged, trying not to hold on to his hands too long. Whilst his friend turned to run to the water, Albus shook his hands to try and rid them of the memory of Scorpius’ warm palms.
………………………………..
Albus Potter had never been an overly positive person. There were glimpses, sure, but overall, Albus was normally more likely to dismiss an idea than support it. His perception of his own ideas was mottled and scarred, considering that in fourth year a series of bad ideas had resulted in the deaths of himself, his parents, half of the wizarding world, and very nearly his dorm-mate turned best friend, who was now sat across from him drinking a fruity cider and finishing his book. Albus thought, as he tapped his knuckles against the cold glass of his beer, that chances were he’d think up another brilliant idea that would get everyone almost killed, so he tended to stay away from them, even almost three years later.
“Jesus christ, that was bleak.” Craig said, as if he was reading Albus’ mind, before downing the last of his cider and closing his book and gesturing to it, “Gay people can never win.”
“What a beautiful sentiment.” Polly offered, finishing off her third vodka lemonade.
Scorpius emerged from their tent in one of Albus’ hoodies and Albus suddenly needed four shots of vodka and a brisk walk to the lake and back before he could process the feelings that was conjuring up. Sitting beside him, his friend whispered, “I hope you don’t mind but I have literally no warm clothes, I forgot we would be outside in the dark and there would be no magically heated tents.”
Albus shrugged non-committedly even as he felt the blush rising on his cheeks. “No worries.”
Craig caught his eye across the fire and comically widened his own, nodding slightly in Scorpius’ direction. Albus shook his head, this silent conversation harnessing more concentration than he had three beers and a shot of vodka into an evening. Across from them, Yann and Karl stood (or in Karls case, crouched) over a disposable BBQ that was filled with burgers and sausages, way too many for just six people. Yann tugged a hand through his curly hair as he intensely stared down at the food, which was getting more charred by the second, “I just don’t know if it's cooked inside yet.”
Albus’ stomach rumbled, “Well if it's not, will it kill us? Because I am considering hedging my bets and just going for it.”
“Go ahead, Potter, but I will not be held accountable for any food poisoning.” Yann murmured darkly.
A timer beeped beside Karl and he picked up his phone, a battered Iphone 5, “Okay. The amount of time google recommended BBQ-ing sausages for has passed, so I think it’s time to just go for it.”
Polly poured herself way too much vodka into her small cup before murmuring, “Well, your confidence is comforting.”
……………………………..
Albus could not feel the tips of his fingers anymore, whether it was from the cold or the vodka, he wasn’t sure.
Polly had had four vodka lemonades before food had even been served, and was determined to keep the buzz she had gained - she did so by doing three shots to wash down dinner - Yann, Albus and Scorpius joined her. Karl and Craig went on a short “walk” out of the campgrounds and returned twenty minutes later with red eyes and a need to sample all of the crisps that were currently on offer. The two now sat with Craigs legs draped over Karls lap, chatting conspiratorially to one another, and sharing said crisps. Every so often, Karl made a general sweeping grand statement - his favourites tonight were: “I love you guys,” “I love camping!!”, and, when his mood began to dampen slightly, “Things will be so different next summer…” Which was a bit too real for Albus, who, whilst still not the biggest fan of Hogwarts, had not yet accepted that this time next year he would never be going back to the Slytherin dorms, or the potions classroom he spent so much time in. He only had one great feast left, one more year of sitting in the library studying with Yann, one Hogwarts Christmas left, one more year of exams and classrooms, one more year of yearning for Scorpius from across the common room. He wasn't sure if it was this thought or the vodka that was making him feel nauseous.
“You okay, sweets?” A soft voice murmured from his right, and Albus shifted to find Polly sitting down on the grass beside him.
“Just thinking of all of the things I’ll miss after this year is over.” Albus said, the thought very sobering despite the fact that the fire was very hypnotising to his vodka soaked brain.
Polly hummed and leant her head on his shoulder, linking her arm with his. “Lots of changes,” she slurred slightly, “Not all of them bad.”
Polly was looking forward to her eighteenth year, Albus knew, because turning eighteen meant her parents could no longer force her to see them. Albus also knew that Yann and Polly planned to move to a flat just outside of central London, previously occupied by Yann's mums, who had now moved up here, to Oxfordshire. Her plan, as always, was perfectly planned and sounded like a dream to Albus, who knew he’d probably just be moving back home after Hogwarts had finished.
Albus leant his head on top of hers, “Why must all good things come to an end, Chapman?”
Polly snorted, “You’re calling your entire Hogwarts experience a good thing?”
“Well, no, the first four years were pretty horrendous. There was this whole -'' Albus made a wild gesture around himself, “thing, and I don’t know if I ever told you, but there was this horrible blonde in Gryffindor who -” Albus was shoved playfully. He sat back up and looked at his friend, raising his hand to his chest in mock offence.
“She sounds like a cow.” Polly said apologetically.
“She’s not so bad.” Albus admitted, which earned him a kiss on the cheek. “I just mean that, after all of that, after everything with Craig, the last year and a half has been so fucking good. And why couldn’t that have lasted?”
Polly sighed introspectively, “As cheesy as it is to say, times like this wouldn’t be as special if they never ended.” She patted her hand on his thigh. “That's why I’ve promised myself to always try to do what makes me happy in the -” She yawned, “ moment . Christ, I sound like Karl after too many edibles.”
Albus found his gaze lingering over a blonde haired boy excitedly pointing out the different constellations of stars to his curly haired friend, who was lying down next to him on the grass, nodding enthusiastically as if he had never paid attention to astrology class. Polly followed his gaze, “Stop ogling my boyfriend.” She said teasingly.
“You know that was not what I was doing.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, did I interrupt your longing stare?” Polly pushed her shoulder against his. “Jesus christ. Gay people are so confusing.”
“You are literally bisexual.”
“I stand by my previous statement.” Polly grinned through her yawn and passed him the bottle of vodka that was sitting in her lap clumsily. Albus took a swig, immediately regretting it as the burn stung his throat. “When are you gonna get over the longing stare thing and go over there and just fucking snog him?” She said just a bit too loudly.
“Uhhh, let me see. I need to dig myself a grave first, so I can crawl into it after he rejects me, so give me a few hours and we should be good to go!” Albus said with fake sincerity. He gave her a double thumbs up to seal the deal.
“I don’t know, man. Seems like longing stares go out of both eyes.” Polly slurred. Albus decided to nod as if that sentence had made any sense. Alcohol blurred both of their visions as they looked up to the stars together in drunk contentment.
Albus glanced back towards Scorpius, who was still wearing his fucking hoodie, damn him, and huffed in discontent. “Chapman, if I ever said a thing to him about how I-” He hiccuped, “really feel, I genuinely actually don’t think I’d ever be able to look him in the eyes again if he rejected me. And -” another hiccup, “how could I ever not do that? Do you know what I mean?”
“No.” Polly replied through a yawn.
Albus chuckled, warmed by the fire and the alcohol in his stomach. Warmed by something deeper, threatening to come out. “Nevermind.”
…………………………….
The next morning came all too quickly, as Albus’ eyes blinked open in the sunlight filled tent, hearing the sounds of the countryside all around him. It was already warm, Albus quietly pulled down the zipper on his sleeping bag and wriggled his head and bare shoulders out of the bag, yawning. He looked over to where Scorpius still slept soundly in a foetal pose, his hands curled under his head. He had kicked off the sleeping bag during the night, and it was now pooled around his waist. Scorpius still wore Albus’ grey hoodie, his cheeks flushed from sleep. Albus only realised he’d been staring when Scorpius cleared his throat and Albus realised with horror that he was now awake.
“Morning.” Scorpius said, with a deep sleepy tone to his voice, and Albus thought he might just die right in his sleeping bag.
“Hi.” Albus mumbled. “How's your head?”
Scorpius moaned and turned onto his back - “I think I could still be drunk.”
Albus smiled apologetically, “We did only get to sleep at three, and it's probably only sevenish. You haven't had the time to sleep off the alcohol yet.”
“You’re perky.” Scorpius groaned, pulling the hood of Albus hoodie up over his eyes.
“I drank water.” Albus grinned.
“Well wasn’t that smart of you. It feels like someones reversing a lorry inside my head.”
Albus sighed apologetically, “Oh, baby.”
It took Scorpius lifting his head and pulling his hood down for Albus to realise what he’d said. “Sorry,” Albus smiled sheepishly, “I don’t know where that came from.”
Scorpius’ smile matched his, he lifted himself from his blow up bed and groaned again. Standing, he stripped off Albus’ hoodie and threw it on his friend before stretching. Albus jolted when he saw that Scorpius was left shirtless, that he was now leaning down towards him. Albus’ breath hitched before he realised his friend was reaching for his flip flops that had been flung near his bed unceremoniously at three AM. After retrieving them, Scorpius did not stand back up to his full height, hovering above Albus, who was still resting on his pillow. Their faces level, Albus let himself give in to temptation, let himself lift his head up off the pillow slightly, let his eyes flick to Scorpius’ lips, quickly, and then back up to look him in the eye again. His friend smiled sweetly. “Don’t apologise. I liked it.”
Whilst Albus spluttered, Scorpius slipped on his shoes, unzipped the tent and ducked outside. Albus collapsed back on to his pillow.
…………………………
“Fellas, is it gay to call your best friend baby?” Albus said over his toothbrush in the bathroom block.
Yanns eyes widened, Craig started sputtering and Karl almost sprayed his mouthwash all over the bathroom mirror. After spitting it out in the sink, Karl said, “Do you call me baby?” Albus shook his head, “Do you call Yann baby?” Albus shook his head again. “Do you call Craig -” Albus was already shaking his head.
“That answers your question, then.” Yann rinsed his mouth with water from the sink and put his toothbrush back in his washbag.
“No, but friends call their friends baby sometimes.” Albus tried to reason.
“Have you ever called anyone baby before, in your life, Albus?” Craig asked, annoyingly perky for someone who had been throwing up into a toilet 15 minutes ago.
“No.” Albus said, begrudgingly. “But -”
“Albus -” Yann stopped him, the voice of reason, “I’m sorry but I think we’re going to end up going in circles with this. Did Scorpius react badly? Is that why you’re asking?”
“No. He said he liked it right after he hovered over me when we were both shirtless and looked intensely into my eyes.” Albus blurted, taking a big gulping breath after finishing.
“Holy SHIT!” Karl exclaimed.
Yann smiled as they exited the bathroom block and headed back up the hill to the tents. Albus swung his wash bag back and forth through the air, “I wish I were dead.” He said nonchalantly.
Karl linked his right arm with Albus’ and Craig did the same on his left. “I’m sorry, I was under the impression that this was a good thing?”
Albus sighed, “I don’t know, because now I may actually have to talk to him about it.”
Yann whirled in front of them and started walking backwards - “I’d say that's a good thing.”
“I am so happy.” Craig said evilly.
………………………………..
After another trip to the lake for the day, the clouds above them began to look menacingly grey, so the group made sandwiches and sat under Polly and Yanns awning whilst the first drops of rain began to fall, and the sun started to drop behind the trees.
“Rummy!” Karl exclaimed and everyone groaned as, for the third time, he won the game. “The perks of growing up hanging around with your dad in pubs: tonnes of J2O’s, getting to gamble your dads money at age eleven,” he ticked off each point on his finger, “and learning card games from old men.”
A couple of hours later, the rain was coming down in earnest, and they had played four more games of Rummy, in which Karl had only been beaten once, by Polly, who was just as shocked she won as Karl was.
“I was only a two of hearts away from winning.” Yann sighed and laid his cards on the table. Albus took a swig of his beer, looking at his cards. He had been nowhere near winning. The rain started pelting down around them, and Scorpius, sitting beside him, closest to the rain, moved his chair in and against Albus’. If he didn’t lean, he was directly in line with a steady drip of rain coming off of the awning.
“Do you want to sit here? You look cold… and a bit damp.” Albus offered.
Scorpius smiled a small smile to his friend, comfort in his eyes. “Thank you.”
The two awkwardly scooched against each other to swap seats, Albus sitting half on his side and leaning into Scorpius slightly to avoid being dripped on by the rain running down the awning. “You can lean on me fully, if you like.” Scorpius offered.
Albus smiled at him gratefully and leant his head on his shoulder. Scorpius put his arm around Albus’ shoulder. Albus took a deep breath in, smelling the rain on Scorpius’ skin and his peppermint body wash. He was wearing Albus’ hoodie again.
Polly yawned and leant on Yann in much the same way. Her hair was pulled into two short pigtails at each side of her head, which Karl had delighted in tugging on through the day, despite being told to knock it off every single time. Dramatically, Karl leant his head on Craig’s shoulder too, making a huff. Albus looked at him quizzically, to which he responded, “What? We were the only two left out.”
Polly let out an “Aww” which promptly turned into another yawn. “Two hours of sleep is not enough.”
“You’re making that revelation now?” Yann kissed the top of her head. The rain started thrumming against the top of the tent, so much so that the awning was now dipping slightly, and the rain was tipping down and drenching the right hand side of Albus. He shivered and leant further into Scorpius.
“I am going to bed.” Polly declared, “Night you lot.” A chorus of goodnights answered her as she rose, kissing Yann quickly before dipping into the tent.
“Albus and I might head in too. He’s getting soaked and I am feeling sleepy.” Scorpius stood, holding his hand out to Albus to help him up.
“Goodnight guys.” Albus stood too, and as Scorpius turned to pick up his book and his blanket he had brought with him, Karl lifted his head from Craigs shoulder and started nodding in earnest at his friend, mouthing “Talk to him!” as Yann nodded and Craig held two thumbs up. Albus shook his head quickly. Karl narrowed his eyes and mouthed “Talk. To. Him.” much more assertively. Before Albus could raise his middle finger, Scorpius turned and said “See you in the morning!”, though Craig had not been quick enough with putting his thumbs down, Yann was still nodding and Karl was fixing Albus with a hard glare. “Have…fun, you guys.” Scorpius said warily.
Scorpius pulled Albus over to their tent by his wrist and unzipped the door. He gestured for Albus to step in before him. Albus stripped off his damp t-shirt and swapped it for another one of his hoodies. He shivered, offering his last dry zip-up to Scorpius, who took it gratefully, peeling off the grey hoodie and slipping on the blue one. “Jesus christ.” He said over the hammering sound on the roof of the tent, as Scorpius dropped onto his bed with a sigh and grabbed for his wand, which was tucked into his sleeping bag. He summoned a ball of light that floated to the top of the tent and lit them with a warm glow. “Thanks.” Albus said gratefully, realising that he’d put his hoodie on backwards in the dark and rectifying his mistake before dropping onto his bed.
“You know what you said - about me being able to tell you anything?” Scorpius said gingerly, as he tucked his wand back into his sleeping bag. Albus nodded distractedly, rubbing his hands together in order to try and warm himself up. “Well, I do have…something to say.” Scorpius moved so he was sitting next to Albus on his bed, their knees knocking together. Albus tried to regulate his breathing. He stared down at his shoes.
“You can tell me anything. I meant it.” Albus murmured. He tried not to wince, he knew what was coming: He’d taken it too far today. He’d been too clingy, too relationshippy, too close. And he understood, completely. The thought drummed through him like a heartbeat, Too Much, Too Much, Too Much. “I’m so sorry if I’ve been making you uncomfortable.”
Scorpius blinked, turning to him, “What's that supposed to mean?”
“Isn’t that what you were about to say?” Albus looked at his friend, whose hair was damp and frizzy from the rain, instead of perfectly styled as it normally was.
“No! Merlin's beard, Albus, I’ve been extremely comfortable. All day. That is until I got drenched in a downpour, but that's hardly your fault.” Scorpius grinned.
“So what were you going to tell me?” Albus asked, trying to bypass the butterflies in his stomach.
“No wait, this is much more interesting.” Scorpius shifted next to him so he was cross legged next to Albus on his bed, Albus copied his position. “What did you think you were doing to make me uncomfortable?”
Albus felt his heart in his throat, and blinked, turning to face his friend. Here goes nothing.
“I was worried I was maybe being too…close to you. Today. After this morning. I was worried I maybe took it too far.” Albus murmured quietly.
Scorpius hummed, “I don’t think so. Besides, I started it.”
“Did you mean to start - it?” Albus stuttered.
“Depends what you mean by ‘it.’” Scorpius said, resting his hand on Albus’ bent knee. Albus looked down at his hand. As much as he doubted himself, as much as he doubted his ideas, he had a feeling that this would be a good one. Gingerly, he lifted his hand and placed it on top of Scorpius’. Once he had, he took a deep breath as he felt Scorpius lift up his fingers and thread them through his own. The two boys sat cross legged across from each other with their fingers intertwined and their chests heaving. They had held hands before, of course. Countless times. But this time felt like more of a choice than it ever had before. Albus looked at Scorpius’ long, pale fingers twisted through his own tanner, shorter ones. He let a small smile cross his features as he looked at his best friend.
“Okay. Here's what we’re going to do.” Scorpius smiled, “I am going to tell you my news - what I originally wanted to tell you, and then we will see what we want to do about -” he wiggled his fingers, still linked with Albus’ “it. That sound okay?”
Albus hummed with contentment.
“I’ve decided that next year, after we graduate, I am going to train at St Mungos. Or atleast, that this year I am going to attempt to gain a place on their graduate programme, and then train at St Mungos.” Scorpius smiled.
Albus’ eyes widened, “Wow. Jesus. That's - huge! Oh my god, you’re gonna-” He pulled Scorpius into a hug. “You will be amazing.” He said, sincerely, pulling back and resting his forehead on Scorpius’.
Albus could see the stress in Scorpius’ expression, “I just - after every thing that happened with my Mum, and the last few years seeing Craigs recovery, I think it’s somewhere I need to be. Helping people.”
Albus smiled gently at him, “I can't think of a better place for you to be.”
Scorpius smiled back - “You think so?”
“I know so.” Albus had never been more sure of something in his life. For the second time in about fifthteen minutes, Albus had an idea. One that could shatter his heart or one that could finally stitch it all the way back together. The thing was, Albus could tell by the awe filled face in front of him, and the warmth of his threaded fingers through Scorpius’, that this idea was good. This idea was sunshine and healing and kindness and Scorpius . But that nagging sensation in the back of his head still shouted to him to guard it all and stand down.
“I love you, you know that, right?” Scorpius said quietly, head still resting against his. And any doubt in Albus’s mind was quickly stamped out by hope.
Albus breathed deeply, “I love you too.”
“God I want to know what you’re thinking - I swear sometimes I just want to grab your head and squeeze it like a lemon so I can find out every little thought.” Scorpius whispered.
Albus smiled with the corner of his mouth, “Ask me what I’m thinking.”
“What are you thinking?”
Albus took a deep breath. “You’re one of the bravest people I’ve ever met. I’m thinking of the way you squeeze my hand twice when you can tell I'm overthinking something and the way you smell like peppermint and the way your eyes light up when you’re talking about something you’re passionate about. I’m thinking about the way you ramble when you’re drunk and you think I’m not listening. I’m thinking about how sorry I will be if this comes across wrong or I’ve misread things. But mostly, I’m thinking that when I say I love you, I mean it in every single way.”
Scorpius’ mouth was parted in a quiet shock.
“And now I’m thinking that maybe I’ve skim-read too many of Craig's romance novels, because that sounded like something Hugh Grant would say at the end of a romcom.” Albus narrowed his eyes, “Which wasn’t my original goal, I was mainly just trying to tell you how I feel without throwing up first.”
Scorpius smiled kindly, “Please stop talking about vomit.”
Albus nodded, “Fair enough.” He sighed and pulled away from Scorpius’ forehead, looked up into his grey eyes. “Please say something.”
Scorpius smiled, a small, private, beautiful thing, before placing his hand on Albus’ cheek, swiping his thumb along the soft skin of his face, once, then twice, and leaning in to press the softest of kisses on Albus’s lips.
Albus may have squeaked slightly at the soft contact, over far too quickly for his liking. Scorpius made a contented hum in the back of his throat as he pulled away, and Albus, drunk on the possibilities, leant down to kiss it gingerly, then pressing his lips to the top of Scorpius’s collarbone, then his jawline. Gentle, featherlight feelings that floated around them and danced in Scorpius’s charms glow. Scorpius hummed again and gently brought Albus’s face up to his to kiss him properly again. The two fit together like two long awaiting puzzle pieces, exploring and tenderly remembering every last detail of each other. After a while, the kisses became slightly harsher, more pointed, with more breathy pauses and more pushing against each other, until Albus found himself lifting up and placing his knees either side of Scorpius’s hips, running his hands down Scorpius’s shoulders and kissing him as he did. Scorpius let out another hum and pushed his hands into Albus’s hair, before pausing the kisses. “Your hair has been driving me insane, just so you know.” He said as he pressed a kiss to Albus’s neck.
Albus let out a breathy laugh, “Why?”
Scorpius rolled his eyes dramatically, “You really have no idea how good you look with your stupid long hair and your tan and your freckles, do you?”
Albus raised his eyebrows, and said teasingly, “I’m sorry - my hair is stupid? I thought you liked it. ”
Scorpius scrunched his nose adorably before lifting up slightly, readjusting, and saying, “It's not stupid. Please don’t cut it.”
Albus smirked evilly, “I’ll see what I can do.” He pushed his hands against Scorpius’s shoulders, leading the other boy to fall against the quickly deflating airbed. He leant down and started kissing him again, whilst Scorpius ran his hands down his back leaving goosebumps where he went, before pausing at the bottom of his hoodie.
“Can I-?” Scorpius said sheepishly, beginning to push his hands up, taking the hoodie with them.
Albus’s eyes widened, “Uh. Sure.”
“You don’t sound very sure.” Scorpius dropped his hands from his back and placed them on the back of his neck instead, “So we’ll stick to this, yeah?”
Albus nodded slightly, “It’s not that I don’t.. want to? It's more that I have never… you know, done anything like that before. And I’m not sure I’m ready for anything like that so quickly -” Scorpius scrunched his hands in Albus’s hair to stop him talking, “You don’t need to explain yourself to me.” There was a smile in his voice, “But it's good to know that it's something you’d eventually like to… do… even if I was legitimately just asking if I could take your hoodie off, not for sex.”
Albus’ eyes widened again and Scorpius had to stifle a laugh at his deer in headlights expression. He gestured for Albus to move off of him, and when he did, facing him in the twin bed, said “I love you in all the ways too, even if I’m not as good at sweeping declarations of love as you apparently are.”
Albus sighed and scrunched his nose, “Yeah, I really don’t know where that came from. I’m sorry if I came on too strong.”
Scorpius narrowed his eyes incredulously, “Albus, we just made out on your bed for twenty minutes, what about that made you think I was not totally on board?”
Albus shrugged, “Just covering all the bases.” He smirked before leaning in to kiss him again.
………………………….
The next morning, a shriek from across the campsite awoke the boys like a particularly shrill alarm clock, with Albus jolting up from where he lay spooned in Scorpius’s arms, awakening the other boy with a start. “What kind of animal is that?” Scorpius said sleepily, with that deep morning voice that drove Albus the smallest bit insane.
“FUCK!” The voice shrieked.
Scorpius yawned into Albus’ bare shoulder - at some point in the night, he’d clearly gotten too warm and slipped off his hoodie - before flopping back down against his pillow. “Not an animal, just Craig.”
Albus nodded, “Just Craig.”
“It was so much quieter before that lot showed up.” Scorpius murmured.
“ So much quieter .” Albus said, kissing Scorpius’ cheek before stepping up from the bed and ducking his head to leave the tent, ignoring the boy in beds’ protests.
Unzipping the door, Albus was affronted by a sight he’d never forget: Craig, in his boxer shorts and a shirt that he’d borrowed from Yann, with “Bigfoot is my Boyfriend” printed across it, holding out his arms in surrender, and, stood in front of him, was a large brown horse. The animal was looking extremely concerned for the wellbeing of Craig, who was still shrieking.
To his left, Yann and Polly's tent door unzipped, and as Polly stepped out, she did a double take before murmuring, “Holy shit.”
“Polly - POLLY. What the fuck do I do?!” Craig whisper screamed.
“Well firstly, stop screaming like an offended owl. It’s not like it can kill you -” Polly said quietly as to not spook the horse. She looked over to Albus, “Horses can’t kill you, right?”
Albus shrugged with an affronted look, “Do I look like someone who knows the abilities of a horse?”
“I don’t know what that type of person looks like!” Polly screeched, and the horse stomped its foot, offended.
Scorpius peaked his head out from their door and gingerly stepped out in just his pyjama bottoms and Albus’s unzipped fleece, an awestruck look on his face. “When did that get here?” He said sleepily.
Karl bustled through the door of the tent across from Albus, taking half a second to assess the situation before him. When his gaze landed on the horse to his left, he sucked in a breath, “Oh my God.”
After a second, Karl went to take a step towards the creature, with Craig gingerly trying to pull him back. He turned to his friend and said, “It’s not going to kill me. Let go.”
Albus huffed, “Apparently the only awake person to know the abilities of a horse is Karl.”
Karl was advancing gingerly towards the mare, holding his hand out for her to sniff before placing his palm flat on her nose. The horse pushed against him and he let out a laugh. “Do you mean to tell me you lot were screaming at six in the morning because a horse was fifteen feet away from you?” He turned away from the mare and appraised the four of them, “You three can literally wield wands and you were scared of a horse? Scorpius has literally met Voldemort -”
“I never actually met him.” Scorpius reasoned, but he was cut off.
“And not one of you thought to step back slowly and stop screaming at eachother?” As he spoke, the horse nudged her nose against his back and pushed him forwards a bit.
………………………….
With the horse gently (and nervously) deposited back in the field behind the one they were staying in, the group, now dressed and filled with bacon sandwiches, began to disassemble their tents and pack up their stuff for the journey home. Yann, Polly, Craig and Karl would drive back to Yann's parents house about forty minutes away before flooing or driving home, and Albus and Scorpius would apparate straight back to Kent, to Albus’s house for a few more days.
Whilst Scorpius deflated the airbeds they had borrowed from Yann, Albus pulled out the last of the tent pegs with a triumphant cheer. “Finished! Much easier taking them out than stomping them in.” He said sagely, and Scorpius kissed him before murmuring his sarcastic congratulations.
Across from them, Craig choked on the water he’d been drinking. Albus looked over quizzically, Scorpius copying the movement, before they both realised what he’d seen and Albus grinned. “Something on your mind, Craig?” He asked pointedly.
“You finally fucking got on with it, then!” Craig cheered.
“Yeah, I finally fucking got on with it.” Albus shouted, just as Scorpius said, “Yes I did!”
The two looked back at each other before whirling back to Craig, looking accusatory, who was shaking his head innocently with a smirk on his face. “Hey! It’s not my fault that both of you chose me to forlornly lament about your crushes on eachother to!”
Albus’s mouth dropped open like a goldfish and Scorpius scoffed, “I wouldn’t call it lamenting.”
Craig nodded, “I would. Especially in your case.” He pointed at Albus, who flushed red and suddenly became very interested in folding the tent.
Scorpius helped him, smiling the whole time, smile widening when Albus got sick of trying to fold the tent small enough to fit into its bag and murmured a folding spell under his breath before stuffing it in nonchalantly.
“I saw that.” He whispered.
“Saw what?” Albus said innocently, zipping up the bag and standing slowly with a pained expression on his face, “Jesus, I am looking forward to sleeping in my bed tonight, on a proper mattress.”
Scorpius bumped his shoulder against his boyfriends, “Me too.” He enjoyed watching the flush that rose up Albus’s neck, grabbing his hand, intertwining their fingers between them and squeezing twice.
They finished packing the three tents into the boot of Yanns’ red car before turning to their friends, who were now all stood against and around the driver's side of the car.
Yann twirled his car keys around his forefinger twice before leaning in to give Albus and then Scorpius a hug, saying goodbye into his hair. The three after him followed suit, with Craig last. “I hope you two aren't actually mad at me for not telling you. I just knew that you’d work it out eventually. And if you didn’t, I had an elaborate plan for the end of seventh year to seal the deal before next summer.” He squeezed one of their shoulders each. “Love you guys.”
“Love you too.” They both said brightly. The three embraced in an awkward three way hug for a moment. They were joined by Yann, Karl and Polly moments later.
The group hug lasted maybe a few moments too long, and as they pulled back, stood in a circle, Polly blinked back tears. “God. This is stupid, I’m seeing the both of you in a week and a half!” She reminded herself. “I am so glad the two of you could come.”
“Us too.” Albus replied, smiling softly. Yann kissed away the tear on her cheek.
“It’s all just made me feel really lucky. That we get to do all of this together.” Polly sniffed, “That we got the opportunity to.”
Craig squeezed her shoulder, “You are a soppy git.” He murmured kindly.
Polly laughed wetly and moved to give Albus and Scorpius one last squeeze. “Send an owl when you get home.”
Albus nodded. “Of course.”
“Alright lads, all aboard the Yann-Mobile!” Karl exclaimed, “Shotgun!” and ran around to the other side of the car. Yann shook his head at him as he got into the driver's seat.
“The Yann-Kart? Like Go-Kart but its-” A chorus of no’s sounded from the back seats.
A few more suggestions were thrown out before the engine came to life with a start and Yann put a hand out of the car and waved as they turned and drove up the road out of the campsite, horn honking and hands waving out of every window before they turned (albeit slightly slowly) and got out onto the main road.
Albus released a deep breath, “If you had told me four years ago that Polly Chapman cried because she was going to miss me, I would have laughed in your face.”
“If you had told me four years ago that Albus Potter was my boyfriend by Seventh Year, I would have high-fived myself.” Scorpius remarked. Albus lightly pushed his chest.
“Soppy git.”
“True.” Scorpius grinned down at him.
“Let's go home.” Albus announced, reaching for his boyfriend's hand.