Chapter Text
Albus fidgets from his spot on the floor. Previously leaning with his back against Scorpius's bed. Having been curved over his mini potion set, that he has been meticulously working at for the past hour. Deciding to finally Stand up, only to then fall onto the empty space on the bed beside Scorpius himself, staring up at the canopy above. Using the moment to stretch his back of the knots that had slowly formed. Albus now back to a relaxed position, digs into his pocket, retrieving his wand. Reaching up, he waves a small “leviosa” to put away his homework. Leaving the mess for a future albus, who hadn't been frustratedly working on the endless experiment, was assigned to many students dismay. But especially Albus as the annoying work had cut into his precious ‘hanging out with scorpius’ time. Time that has been irritatingly small as of recent, due to the approaching holiday season. Tests and quizzes have seen an increase across the board, every class rushing to finish the curriculum in time.
Album rolls onto his stomach and brushes against scorpius.
“Sorry” Albus muttered, not yet fully on his side, facing away from Scorpius. He's not sure he had even heard him with the lack of reaction typical of his friend. And quite frankly Albus had not sounded all that sorry. The touch hadn't necessarily been intentional but it would be a lie to say it wasn't intended. shifting to lay closer beside Scorpius, who was sitting cross-legged. Fitting his hands under his head, with his elbows digging into the bedding below.
Now up to look over at his friend, he let a second pass before looking away. Unnoticed by Scorpius who was too entranced in his own work to register the movement beside him.
They have been working on homework for the past few hours, as Scorpius had insisted on getting a head start on the work, as next weekend was scheduled to be a hogsmeed visit. He had already planned on spending all of their time buying Christmas presents and sweets. to last until the holidays. Beating the annual frenzy that happens on the following hogsmeed weekend before Christmas break.
Albus moved to untuck one of his hands from under his head, to poke at Scorpius.
“hmm.” Scorpius gave a short hum in response, still writing his essay.
“Come on Scopius, we've been working for the past hour, with no break.” Albus said, removing his hand tucked under his chin to nab Scorpius's parchment.
Scorpius flicks his quill at Albuse's hand, leaving a black line when the pen has collided. With a follow up glare at the hand that moved to focus on Albus face.
“I’m almost finished, give me a couple more minutes,” Scorpius replied. Facing his essay once again, eyebrows return to their furrowed position.
“That’s what you said forever ago…” Albus whines. Glancing at the mark left on his poor hand, placing it back under his head.
“Thats what you said 2 minutes ago,” Scorpius reprimanded, voice keeping a steady tone “unlike you, my sense of time is intact and working perfectly”
Albus huffs and puts his hands down to lay his head on them. Turning to stare at Scorpius once again.
For as long as Albus knew Scorpius, one thing he’s never understood is his adverse to touch. Every time he would so much as graze at Scorpius skin, the boy would freeze every muscle in his body. In Albus's family it was almost mandatory to share touches. Every good bye accompanied by a crushing hug from his aunts and uncles or a rough kisses on the cheek from grandma. All the cousins are not afraid to lean on one another, arms bumping across the table during game Nights. James was the worst offender, making a game of how many times he could bother Albus and Lilly with his wiggling fingers.
“How come you don’t like touch?”
“Huh?” Scorpius was startled. No one's ever addressed it before.
“You know, you always tense up when you get a hug and you never like it when someone passes in the hallway.” Albus replied.
“Oh,” Scorpius pauses. “I don’t know, I’ve never really thought about it before.”
That was a bold face lie, he’s thought about it plenty. How he wishes for just a few more seconds, more brief brushes. Every time Albus began to lean on him, his thoughts would fade into a fuzzy blur. But without fail he would tense up, and Albus would notice, pulling away, keeping his body painfully far.
And it was true, he didn’t like it when the hallways would get too crowded. Everyone pushing and shoving through, momentarily agreeing to disregard the social contract of ‘keep your hand to yourself’. He’s never liked it, the touch or sudden throwing out the window, so to say, of social rules. But he has to deal with it all the same. It’s the reason he’s even getting all his work done before Hogsmeed, the small roads are not for the faint of heart.
Scorpius finally notices how long he’s been staring at his paper and sighs. Putting away his quill and paper back into his school bag, placing it by the foot of his bed next to his luggage.
Curling up his body resting his arms over his knees with his back against the head bored of his bed.
“I guess it’s just the surprise of it all, I don’t actually mind the touching… part” even he could hear how awkward he sounded.
“Well I just know in my family, the surprise is the least surprising part” Albus answers. “It’s like a guarantee that you’ll get at least one hug in the first five minutes of any get together.”
“Well surprise, surprise…” Scorpius mumbled. The phrases popping into his head.
“We have got to stop saying ‘surprised’ man.” Albus smirked, turning his head to glance at Scorpius.
Scorpius returned the smile. Unfurling, letting his legs straighten out towards where Albus was laying, careful to not touch. Despite how small the beds were at Hogwarts, he always tried to leave Album some space. It was almost subconscious.
Almost.
He doesn't remember the moment the rule was placed in his head but Scorpius always tried to abide by it. Don’t stand too close, keep your hands to your side, don’t lean into others' space. Don’t touch unless allowed.
And the rule did make sense, doesn't mean he liked it all that much. And it’s not like others followed it either, he always saw students give casual grazes, on the arm, shoulder, or even legs. He just didn’t understand what the difference was between that and holding hands. When did touch begin to turn romantic and therefore not allowed? It was better to just not touch at all. Wouldn’t want to make anyone uncomfortable, that would be hypocritical of him.