The Summer Al Tried to Live. Chapter 5/10
Author: asnowyowl
Title: The Summer Al Began Tried to Live: Chapter 5
Pairing: Albus Severus/Scorpius
Summary: In the summer before college, Al Potter finally begins living, but can he find the courage to show his family who he really is? In this chapter: Lots of talking and more UST. God, I can't get these characters to shut up!
Warnings: Nothin' much
Rating: This chapter: R to be safe
Beta: bk7brokemybrain. You are awesome!
Word Count: 4848
Notes: I took artistic license and moved the Great Adventure amusement park from NJ to NY. Also, it's not really part water park, but hey, I wanted to get the boys half naked. You will forgive me, won't you? Written for week five of the 2009 ass_carnival. I plan on writing in this verse for the full 10 weeks, completing the fic toward the end of August.
Prompts used: Person: Luna Lovegood, Place: The wilderness, Object one: Compass, Object two: Rope, Food: Hotdogs, Emotion: Courage, Song one: Wild Thing by The Troggs, Song two: Setting Forth by Eddie Vedder, Quote: "Happiness only real when shared." - Christopher McCandless, Freeform: A great adventure
Previous chapters
"Chapter 1"
"Chapter 2"
"Chapter 3"
"Chapter 4"
The Summer Al Began Tried to Live. Chapter 5
Al was sitting at the kitchen table, his mom across from him, his father pacing the floor. When Rose and Al had emerged from the woods, the party had broken up quickly, everyone relieved to see them, anxious to get home. At least Al didn't think anyone had heard his father hiss, "You better not have touched her, Al."
"Where were you?" Harry leaned against the table. Al imagined it was his official question-the-suspect stance. His voice was calm, but Al knew his father was livid. Harry Potter was known for appearing cool regardless of the circumstance.
Al shrugged.
Harry straightened up and ran a hand through his hair. "You and Rose disappear from your own party. We find you an hour later, stumbling out of the woods, looking like…" he waved a hand at Al, "that."
Al caught his mother's eye. She was tight-lipped, her hands balled into fists on top of the table, but her eyes were warm. Her eyes said she wasn't judging Al.
"So maybe, just maybe, since Rosie didn't look like she'd just had sex, I can believe you didn't do anything to her. Thank God."
"Of course it wasn't Rose," Ginny said, tipping her chin to look up at Harry. "I've told you for years there's nothing going on between Al and Rose. They're friends, as close as brother and sister. Isn't that true, Al?"
Al nodded, though Rose was actually closer to him than his own sister. He couldn't imagine sharing everything with Lily like he did with Rose.
Harry held up his hands. "Okay, it wasn't Rose, but that doesn't forgive the fact that you were kissing some girl hard enough to get swollen lips. Jesus, Al, you never even mentioned a girl, but here you are looking like you've attacked her. I have no idea what her parents must think. If Lily came home like that, I'd be out for blood."
"I'm sure Al didn't hurt whoever it was he was with. You know Al better than that, Harry."
"That's the problem, isn't it?" Harry swung around to face Ginny. "I've never really known Al, never been able to figure him out. James is easy, he's a jock, half girl-crazy, but always careful with them." He turned back to Al. "But you, Al, I just don't get you."
The words were like stabs to Al's chest. He knew he wasn't as close to his father as James was, but to hear it said aloud was horrible. He cleared his throat, not sure if his voice would work after being silent since his father dragged him into the house and pointed at the kitchen chair. He felt like he had to say something, but he wasn't ready to tell the truth. If his father didn't understand him now, just wait until he found out Al was gay. "I didn't hurt anyone."
"Who is she, Al? I need to call her parents. Check on her. Is it some girl you met in Bloomfield? Do you realize what something like this could do to your reputation? To my campaign?"
Al shook his head.
"To your campaign?" Ginny stood, hands on her hips. "What's this got to do with your campaign? Nothing, that's what. I'd bet my life that Al's done nothing wrong, yet you're acting like he's a rapist! Christ, Harry, you found condom wrappers in your truck after James used it and never questioned him, but the first time Al shows a sign of being with anyone, you expect the worst."
"Whose side are you on?" Harry demanded.
"Not the goddamned Sheriff's side, that's for sure."
Al stood. He hated seeing his parents like this, especially when he was at fault. He glanced at the clock, it was well past midnight, he needed to get to bed, needed rest if he was going to see Corey in the morning, though he couldn’t imagine falling asleep when he felt like this - like he was completely torn apart. "Listen, I didn't hurt anyone. I'd never do that. I just need a little time, okay? Can we talk tomorrow?"
Harry swung around to glare at Al. "I'm working tomorrow."
"Let him go." Ginny put a hand on Harry's shoulder, which was immediately shaken off.
When Harry remained silent, glaring at Al, Al said, "Tomorrow night, then. I… I'll explain everything, okay?"
"Al?" Ginny stepped a bit closer.
"I promise."
Harry nodded tersely and Al bolted from the room. By the time he took a shower and fell into bed, the house was quiet. A light breeze stirred the curtains at his window, but it wasn’t enough to cut the heat. Al kicked off his blankets and rolled onto his side. He tried to ignore the light knock on his door a few minutes later.
His mother came in and sat on the edge of his bed, a hand resting on his arm. "I'll back you on whatever you decide, you know that."
"Yeah. I do."
"Your father's not a bad guy, Al, he just has high standards for his family, too high for any of us to live up to sometimes. He knows James is immature, and has always taken a boys-will-be-boys attitude with him, but since you were little, you've been the mature one - the old soul - and because of that your father expects more out of you."
"So, what? I'm not supposed to date?"
Ginny chuckled. "I'm surprised you've waited this long, but no, that's not what I meant. Your father expects you to bring home some shy girl who's top of her class and perfectly polite." She paused for a moment, her hand running light circles on Al's arm. "We both know that isn't going to happen, don't we?"
"It's not going to happen." That was as close to a declaration as Al had ever made to either of his parents. He swallowed hard, his chest feeling like it was full of ice, waiting for his mom's reaction.
"I won't say anything to your father, yet, but I can't keep a secret from him for long, never have been able to."
"I'll tell him tomorrow night. I already promised, didn't I?"
"You did, and I know you will." She stood and bent down to kiss Al's forehead. "There's one thing I need to know."
"What?"
"He didn't hurt you, did he? The boy you were with tonight, was he rough with you?"
Al felt some of the tension he was carrying loosen. He laughed softly. "No, mom, he didn't hurt me. We both got a little carried away, but nothing happened, and we stopped before it could."
After Ginny left the room, Al lay in bed for a long time, alternately marveling at the fact that his mother knew and wasn't upset, and scared to death that he'd have to tell his father tomorrow. He would've liked to talk to Rose or Corey, but he probably wasn't Rose's parents' favorite person right now, and to call Corey this late would seem pretty desperate. Instead, he lay back and chased sleep until he finally caught it.
His phone woke him earlier than he'd have liked. He croaked a hello.
"Get over here as quickly as you can," Rose said. "Vince and Corey want to take us to Great Adventure, but my mom needs to talk to you first."
Al packed swim trunks and a towel, and then ran downstairs. He almost asked his mom for the car, but decided that would be pushing his luck too far. Instead, he stuck his head into the kitchen. "I'm riding my bike over to Rose's. I probably won't be back until after supper."
When his mom frowned at him, Al said, "I'm going to talk to dad. I really am."
She nodded. "Where will you be all day?"
Gathering all his courage, Al grinned and said, "I have a date. We're going to Great Adventure."
Al heard a kitchen chair scrape across the floor. He hadn't realized anyone else was in the room with his mother. James's face appeared very close to his own. "I wouldn't have guessed you had it in you. Sneaking off, making out with some girl, now taking off again when you know dad's mad." He whistled. "Living on the wild side, aren't you?"
Al tried to shut the door, but James blocked it with his arms. "You're lucky I have plans today or I'd be all over you."
Without another word, Al turned and slammed out the front door. He was on his bike and pedaling for Rose's house before his nerves caught up with him. By the time he'd biked the two miles, his hands were shaking and he was wondering how he'd ever face Aunt Hermione, never mind his own father.
Rose wasn't much help, pulling Al into her house, hissing in his ear, "I'm sorry. I had to tell her or she wouldn't let me go."
Al's stomach churned. Rose hadn't actually told her mother that, had she? He was pushed into the kitchen where his Aunt Hermione sat at the table.
Rose turned and fled the room.
Hermione surveyed Al over the top of her teacup, her usually friendly face now stony. "Sit down, Al."
Al sat.
"Rose assures me you weren't molesting some helpless girl last night."
"No. I wasn't molesting anyone." It irked Al that everyone thought the worst of him.
"Good. I didn't believe it of you, but I couldn't figure out what really happened." Hermione's face softened. She reached out and brushed her fingertips over the back of Al's hand. "You shouldn't hide who you are."
"I'm trying not to."
Rose came into the room, carrying a swimsuit and towel, looking sheepish.
"This boy, Corey, right? He didn't hurt you last night, did he?"
God, was this the female line of the day? Did his mom and aunt think that because he was gay he had to be protected from the big, bad men? "Of course not."
"And he's a good guy? You can trust him?"
Al nodded.
"And Rose's new boyfriend, what about him?"
Al looked from Hermione to Rose. Rose was biting her lip, her eyes wide. "Vince is a good guy. Not super bright, but I don’t think he has it in him to hurt anyone."
Hermione nodded and smiled. "Have fun today."
********
It was a two-hour trip to the Great Adventure Amusement Park, but it gave Al and Corey a lot of time to talk. At first he was afraid they'd run out of things to say, but while Corey drove his old Ford along the twisting highway, there was never a pause in the conversation. Al paid little attention to the couple in the back seat, but from the drone of voices, he knew Rose and Vince were sailing smoothly as well. And all the time, Al wanted to tell Corey about his mom knowing and how he would tell his dad later, but it seemed like a loaded conversation. He had promised Corey he'd tell his parents only if he and Corey were getting serious. If he told Corey what was happening now, would Corey think Al had gone stalker after one make-out session?
When they arrived at the park, Corey threw an arm casually around Al's shoulders, pulling him close.
Al stiffened. He wasn't sure if he was ready for this.
"No one here knows us. We’re far enough away from home," Corey whispered.
Al nodded. He tried to relax, but it was hard. They might not run into anyone they knew, but they were still in upstate New York, which meant the sight of two openly gay men was going to attract lots of attention. Al didn't like attention, he never had. Corey might be used to people watching him play sports, reading the words he'd written for the press, observing him carefully when he went on dates, but Al wasn't. He'd always thought he'd go to a big university and lose himself in a throng of students before coming out and finding someone to be with.
Before he could really think about what was happening, though, Corey was steering him toward the ticket booths, they were all paying their admissions (and wasn't Al glad Corey hadn't insisted on paying for his ticket like Vince had with Rose?), and entering the park. "Al and I are going to ride the cable car first," Corey called out to Vince.
Vince waved a hand and pulled Rose toward the water rides. She waved at Al and laughed when Vince whispered something in her ear.
"He really likes her, you know," Corey said. He walked Al toward the elevated cable car entrance, still with his arm around Al's shoulders.
"I'm glad. She likes him, too." Al was getting used to Corey's arm around him, but he wasn't sure what he should do. Would Corey expect him to put his arm around his waist? He leaned into Corey a little more and put his hand lightly on Corey's back.
Corey turned and smiled at him.
Al's heart fluttered. He put his arm more firmly around Corey's waist, knowing his face was red and he was starting to sweat, but willing himself to be easygoing about this. If he looked uncomfortable it would only draw more attention.
They only let go of each other when they loaded into the two-person cable car. The female attendant smiled at them as she lowered the safety bar onto their laps. When the ride swept them away from the people below, Corey said, "I figured this was the best way to have a private conversation."
Al glanced at the cars in front and behind them, neither was close enough for the occupants to eavesdrop, and since they were twenty feet off the ground and moving all the time, no one below could hear them, either. "What did you want to talk about?"
"Did you get in trouble last night?"
Al groaned. He really didn't want to go over this right now. "A little."
"Why? Because you left the party? Or because you looked like you'd been making out?"
"Both." Al gripped the safety bar in front of them, watching his knuckles as they faded to white. "My dad's always worried that Rose and I have something going on. God, even when we were little, he always said we were too close, always told our mothers to keep an eye on us."
"Your father doesn't appreciate the value of a good fag hag."
Al laughed.
Corey elbowed him lightly in the ribs. "And you can't use a relative as your beard. It's creepy."
Al leaned back, relaxing against the metal seat. "I'll remember that."
"So what did you tell your parents?" Corey put an arm across the back of the car and then let it fall lightly across Al's shoulders.
It felt like every muscle in Al's body stiffened. He didn't want to lie to Corey, but he didn't want Corey getting the wrong idea, even when, if Al admitted the truth to himself, maybe it wasn't the wrong idea.
Corey nudged him. "What's wrong? Was it really that bad?"
Al sighed. "I don’t want you to take this the wrong way, but I told my dad I'd tell him everything tonight."
"You're going to tell him you're gay?"
Al nodded.
"And your mom?" Corey smiled, a small smile that seemed more in his eyes than on his lips, but more real because of it.
"She figured it out."
Corey tightened his grip on Al's shoulder and pulled him against his side. He nuzzled against Al's cheek. "That's great! Why did you think I'd take that the wrong way?"
Al angled his body toward Corey. It was amazing how strongly he reacted to being close to him. Corey was a beacon that Al was drawn to, and Al was like those insects at his party, inexorably attracted to his particular light. "I promised I'd tell my parents I'm gay only if we got serious. I didn't want you thinking I'm some loser who falls in love after one kiss."
"It was more than one kiss." Corey chuckled.
"Yeah, I guess it was."
"And I want it to be more." Corey ran his fingertips up Al's arm, making the muscles twitch under his touch, raising goose bumps.
"I do, too." Al rested his head against Corey's shoulder and looked out at the park spread beneath them. He smiled when he saw a blond woman standing in front of a gaudy tent. She wore flowing rainbow robes and a wreath of flowers in her hair. Al pointed her out. "That's the fortune teller, Madam Luna. I went to her last year. She told me that happiness is only real when shared, and that I shouldn't eat hotdogs."
"What?"
"Yeah, and later that day, I had a hotdog for lunch and choked on it. My Uncle Charlie had to do the Heimlich."
Corey squeezed Al's arm and laughed. Finally, he said, "Well thank goodness for your Uncle Charlie. I went to Madam Luna last year, too."
Al pulled back so he could look Corey in the eye, anxious to know what had been foretold, a bit embarrassed that he half believed what Luna said. "What did she tell you?"
"She said I was setting forth into the Universe, into the great wilderness, but I'd be okay because I'd find my map and compass along the way. Oh, and she also told me to be wary of blue ropes shaped like pretzels." He snorted. "Good thing I've never come across any of those."
"No blue pretzel ropes? Imagine that. Have you found your map and compass?"
"I don’t know. Maybe you're one of them."
Al smirked. Corey's easygoing nature was making him comfortable in a way he always imagined being with the right person. "Maybe I'm both."
Corey nodded, as if he was really considering that. "Maybe you are." He pulled Al back in closer, kissed his temple, and let his lips linger there as he said, "But I think you're more like the wilderness, at least that's the way you make me feel, like I'm wild, out of control, like nothing else matters but being with you."
Al couldn't have put it any better himself. "You make me feel that way, too." He could feel Corey's mouth slide into a smile.
"Before we both lose control again like we did last night, we should talk about protection and stuff."
Well, there went the romance, but Al knew Corey was right. He nodded, not willing to start the conversation, not even knowing where to start.
"I've only been with two guys and we always used condoms, no matter what, and I've been tested a couple of times just to be safe. Have you?"
Al moved away from Corey a little. It was hard to think of him with other guys. Although he hadn't really thought Corey was a virgin, it hurt to imagine what uses they'd put those condoms to. He shook his head. "I've never been tested."
"Would you? I think it's important."
"There's no need."
Corey frowned. "You're telling your parents tonight, Al. I bet they'll want you to be tested, and anyway, wouldn't you do it for me?"
Al pulled away until he was pressed against the side of the car, feeling cold, even though the sun was sending waves of heat down on them. Damn it, he knew there was no way he could be Corey's first, but it didn't stop the jealousy that swelled in his gut. And how was he supposed to tell Corey that he was untouched. God, he was lame. Corey would really think he was a loser. He stared at the ground below, watched it crawl up to meet them as they neared the terminal. "I haven't done anything that would put me at risk."
"No sex?"
Al shook his head.
"No hand-jobs or blow-jobs?" Corey's voice was tinged with a little disbelief.
Al bit down a surge of anger. No sex meant no sex, couldn't Corey get that? Through gritted teeth, he said, "No. Nothing. When we kissed the other day, even that was my first. If you don't believe me, you can ask Rose."
Their car reached the platform and the girl who'd put them on the ride helped them off. Al shoved his hands into his pockets and began walking, not really caring what direction he was going in. Corey fell in step beside him. "Of course I believe you, and I'm sorry I pushed. I had no idea."
"Now you do."
"Please don't be upset." Corey grabbed Al's arm and dragged him to a picnic table situated under a stand of maple trees. He sat on top of the table, pulling Al up to sit beside him. "It's not a bad thing that you're a virgin, you know."
Al pulled his hands from his pockets and rested his elbows on his legs, slumping forward, trying not to show how tense he was, not sure what to say.
Corey leaned in to Al, wrapped an arm around Al's waist, and whispered in his ear, "I'm really not that experienced, you know. It's not like I'm miles ahead of you. A little fumbling around, one blow-job, and that's it. I never wanted those other guys the way I want you."
Al relaxed a bit. He looked up. "You never… you know… um…."
"Fucked?"
Al swallowed hard and nodded.
"Nah. That's way too intimate, you know?"
Al shook his head. No, he really didn't know. For the last couple of years he'd fantasized about having someone inside him, what it'd feel like to be taken and possessed like that. Once in a while, he'd turn the tables, imagine fucking some guy (and since he'd first seen a photo of Corey, it was always him), but those fantasies were rare.
Corey chuckled lightly, and then said, "I don't want to say it grosses me out, but I have a hard time imagining sticking even my fingers into someone's ass, forget about my… well… you know. I think I'd have to be really close to a guy before I'd be ready for that, like be in love or something. And to be fucked, Jesus, that'd take a lot of trust to let someone do that to me."
Al tried not to feel disappointed. In truth, since Corey had pressed him into the ground the night before, all he could think about was Corey fucking him. He almost ached with the need, but it didn't look like that would ever happen. At least there was one bright spot in all this. "So, those guys you were with, you didn't feel close enough to them to do that?"
"No."
********
Al loosened up after that. He couldn't change Corey's history, he couldn't make Corey want to fuck him, all he could do, really, was relax and enjoy himself and gladly take whatever Corey might offer.
They rode a few rides first, rollercoasters and spinning rides that pulled them together, plastered them against each other. Al ignored the looks they got, the occasional whisper he heard about queers, and even the yelled, "Fuckin' pussies, go home!" He wasn't going to let anything spoil the rest of their day.
When the sun was high and hot, and they'd eaten a quick lunch (no hotdogs involved), they walked, hand-in-hand, toward the water park. They changed into swimsuits (in separate stalls, with Al trying not to think about Corey in the next stall, naked) and then threw themselves down waterslides, laughing and clutching at each other when they both hit the bottom. They caught occasional glimpses of Rose and Vince, who looked like they were having the time of their lives.
Al even took on the largest waterslide at the park, The Wild Thing, a monstrous ninety-foot tangle of caves, drops, and spirals. He'd never dared try that slide in the past, but there was no way he was going to let Corey know he was scared. In the end, when he splashed into the pool below, Al was laughing and spluttering, feeling victorious and unstoppable. When Corey shot out of the tube moments later, Al wrapped him in his arms and kissed him. It was only the attendant clearing his throat and whispering, "Not here, boys," that broke them apart.
When it was almost time to meet Vince and Rosie to head home, Corey pulled Al behind a small building. "Are you going to be all right tonight when you tell your dad?"
Al had been trying to avoid thinking about that all day, but now the terror came flooding in. "It feels like this is the last day that I'll have my dad. Is that stupid?"
Corey's eyes flashed sadness, but in a split-second it was gone. Before Al could question what he'd seen, Corey said, "Not stupid at all. Even if your dad is cool with it, it'll still change your relationship in some way." Corey turned Al so his back was against the rough cement of the building and then pressed in close. "I've been thinking…."
"It's a little hard to think when we're like this." Al looked down at their bodies, they were still only wearing swim trunks. Their flesh was rough from cold water, nipples pebbled on thin chests. He rested his hands on Corey's hips, feeling the jutting bones under his fingers.
Corey smiled. "I know. Remember how you were afraid to tell me about telling your dad tonight?"
Al nodded.
"Well, I'm afraid you might freak out when I tell you what I've been thinking." Corey caressed Al's shoulders and leaned in to nip lightly at his jaw.
There wasn't much Corey could say that would freak Al out, not when they were pressed together like this, not when Corey's water-chilled skin was starting to warm his own. "I'm not going to freak."
"I want you to feel like I'm with you when you talk to your dad tonight." Corey brushed his lips over Al's, the barest of touches.
Al leaned forward, trying to get a proper kiss, but Corey wouldn't allow it. Instead, he asked, "Would you like that, Al?"
"How am I supposed to feel like you're with me?"
"I want to mark you, you know, give you a hickey. That way it'll be there when you talk to your father. It'll be like part of me is there with you."
Al reflexively put a hand to his neck. His father would be the one who freaked if Al showed up with a bruise on his throat.
Corey removed Al's hand. He ran his fingertips over the skin Al had been shielding. "Not there." His fingers traced a path from Al's neck partway down his chest. "I feel your heart beating," he whispered.
Al shivered at the light touch.
"Right here." Corey tapped Al's chest. "Right over your heart. Your parents will never see it, but you'll know it's there." Corey's gaze held Al's.
Al bit his lip. There was no way he'd say no, no way he'd miss the chance to have Corey's lips on him. "Do it."
Corey smiled. He bent in and kissed Al's neck, then, with lips and tongue, followed the path his fingers had just taken. When he reached the spot over Al's heart, he kissed once, and then sucked the skin into his mouth.
The suction hurt just a bit, but Al didn't care. He looked down at the top of Corey's head, lifted his hands so he could run his fingers through the blond hair, gasped when Corey caught the flesh between his teeth and bit down lightly. "God, Corey, that feels so good," he groaned.
Corey drew a noisy breath in through his nose. He let go of Al's skin, sliding his tongue over just far enough to lap once at Al's left nipple, sending a shock of pleasure shooting down Al's spine. When Corey straightened, he licked his lips and then pressed them to Al's, kissing him furiously, not leaving room even for air.
Like he had the night before, Al pressed his cock against Corey, felt Corey's erection against his hip, knew that it would be all too easy to lose himself in this boy, feeling like he was already lost.
Corey was the one who was strong enough to pull away.
Al looked down at his chest. A bright red spot stood out against his pale skin. He knew he'd carry the mark for days, and he'd be damned if he wasn't proud of it.
But he was also hard and aching, a fact that his swim trunks couldn't hide. He flicked his gaze to Corey's groin and saw an answering bulge hidden under a thin layer of fabric. "I don't want to wait much longer," he said, knowing Corey would understand.
"Next time we're together, if you still want to…."
"I'll want to."
"Good. So will I."
They both draped their towels over their fronts to cover the evidence of their arousals, and dashed toward the changing rooms.
"Chapter 6"
Title: The Summer Al Began Tried to Live: Chapter 5
Pairing: Albus Severus/Scorpius
Summary: In the summer before college, Al Potter finally begins living, but can he find the courage to show his family who he really is? In this chapter: Lots of talking and more UST. God, I can't get these characters to shut up!
Warnings: Nothin' much
Rating: This chapter: R to be safe
Beta: bk7brokemybrain. You are awesome!
Word Count: 4848
Notes: I took artistic license and moved the Great Adventure amusement park from NJ to NY. Also, it's not really part water park, but hey, I wanted to get the boys half naked. You will forgive me, won't you? Written for week five of the 2009 ass_carnival. I plan on writing in this verse for the full 10 weeks, completing the fic toward the end of August.
Prompts used: Person: Luna Lovegood, Place: The wilderness, Object one: Compass, Object two: Rope, Food: Hotdogs, Emotion: Courage, Song one: Wild Thing by The Troggs, Song two: Setting Forth by Eddie Vedder, Quote: "Happiness only real when shared." - Christopher McCandless, Freeform: A great adventure
Previous chapters
"Chapter 1"
"Chapter 2"
"Chapter 3"
"Chapter 4"
The Summer Al Began Tried to Live. Chapter 5
Al was sitting at the kitchen table, his mom across from him, his father pacing the floor. When Rose and Al had emerged from the woods, the party had broken up quickly, everyone relieved to see them, anxious to get home. At least Al didn't think anyone had heard his father hiss, "You better not have touched her, Al."
"Where were you?" Harry leaned against the table. Al imagined it was his official question-the-suspect stance. His voice was calm, but Al knew his father was livid. Harry Potter was known for appearing cool regardless of the circumstance.
Al shrugged.
Harry straightened up and ran a hand through his hair. "You and Rose disappear from your own party. We find you an hour later, stumbling out of the woods, looking like…" he waved a hand at Al, "that."
Al caught his mother's eye. She was tight-lipped, her hands balled into fists on top of the table, but her eyes were warm. Her eyes said she wasn't judging Al.
"So maybe, just maybe, since Rosie didn't look like she'd just had sex, I can believe you didn't do anything to her. Thank God."
"Of course it wasn't Rose," Ginny said, tipping her chin to look up at Harry. "I've told you for years there's nothing going on between Al and Rose. They're friends, as close as brother and sister. Isn't that true, Al?"
Al nodded, though Rose was actually closer to him than his own sister. He couldn't imagine sharing everything with Lily like he did with Rose.
Harry held up his hands. "Okay, it wasn't Rose, but that doesn't forgive the fact that you were kissing some girl hard enough to get swollen lips. Jesus, Al, you never even mentioned a girl, but here you are looking like you've attacked her. I have no idea what her parents must think. If Lily came home like that, I'd be out for blood."
"I'm sure Al didn't hurt whoever it was he was with. You know Al better than that, Harry."
"That's the problem, isn't it?" Harry swung around to face Ginny. "I've never really known Al, never been able to figure him out. James is easy, he's a jock, half girl-crazy, but always careful with them." He turned back to Al. "But you, Al, I just don't get you."
The words were like stabs to Al's chest. He knew he wasn't as close to his father as James was, but to hear it said aloud was horrible. He cleared his throat, not sure if his voice would work after being silent since his father dragged him into the house and pointed at the kitchen chair. He felt like he had to say something, but he wasn't ready to tell the truth. If his father didn't understand him now, just wait until he found out Al was gay. "I didn't hurt anyone."
"Who is she, Al? I need to call her parents. Check on her. Is it some girl you met in Bloomfield? Do you realize what something like this could do to your reputation? To my campaign?"
Al shook his head.
"To your campaign?" Ginny stood, hands on her hips. "What's this got to do with your campaign? Nothing, that's what. I'd bet my life that Al's done nothing wrong, yet you're acting like he's a rapist! Christ, Harry, you found condom wrappers in your truck after James used it and never questioned him, but the first time Al shows a sign of being with anyone, you expect the worst."
"Whose side are you on?" Harry demanded.
"Not the goddamned Sheriff's side, that's for sure."
Al stood. He hated seeing his parents like this, especially when he was at fault. He glanced at the clock, it was well past midnight, he needed to get to bed, needed rest if he was going to see Corey in the morning, though he couldn’t imagine falling asleep when he felt like this - like he was completely torn apart. "Listen, I didn't hurt anyone. I'd never do that. I just need a little time, okay? Can we talk tomorrow?"
Harry swung around to glare at Al. "I'm working tomorrow."
"Let him go." Ginny put a hand on Harry's shoulder, which was immediately shaken off.
When Harry remained silent, glaring at Al, Al said, "Tomorrow night, then. I… I'll explain everything, okay?"
"Al?" Ginny stepped a bit closer.
"I promise."
Harry nodded tersely and Al bolted from the room. By the time he took a shower and fell into bed, the house was quiet. A light breeze stirred the curtains at his window, but it wasn’t enough to cut the heat. Al kicked off his blankets and rolled onto his side. He tried to ignore the light knock on his door a few minutes later.
His mother came in and sat on the edge of his bed, a hand resting on his arm. "I'll back you on whatever you decide, you know that."
"Yeah. I do."
"Your father's not a bad guy, Al, he just has high standards for his family, too high for any of us to live up to sometimes. He knows James is immature, and has always taken a boys-will-be-boys attitude with him, but since you were little, you've been the mature one - the old soul - and because of that your father expects more out of you."
"So, what? I'm not supposed to date?"
Ginny chuckled. "I'm surprised you've waited this long, but no, that's not what I meant. Your father expects you to bring home some shy girl who's top of her class and perfectly polite." She paused for a moment, her hand running light circles on Al's arm. "We both know that isn't going to happen, don't we?"
"It's not going to happen." That was as close to a declaration as Al had ever made to either of his parents. He swallowed hard, his chest feeling like it was full of ice, waiting for his mom's reaction.
"I won't say anything to your father, yet, but I can't keep a secret from him for long, never have been able to."
"I'll tell him tomorrow night. I already promised, didn't I?"
"You did, and I know you will." She stood and bent down to kiss Al's forehead. "There's one thing I need to know."
"What?"
"He didn't hurt you, did he? The boy you were with tonight, was he rough with you?"
Al felt some of the tension he was carrying loosen. He laughed softly. "No, mom, he didn't hurt me. We both got a little carried away, but nothing happened, and we stopped before it could."
After Ginny left the room, Al lay in bed for a long time, alternately marveling at the fact that his mother knew and wasn't upset, and scared to death that he'd have to tell his father tomorrow. He would've liked to talk to Rose or Corey, but he probably wasn't Rose's parents' favorite person right now, and to call Corey this late would seem pretty desperate. Instead, he lay back and chased sleep until he finally caught it.
His phone woke him earlier than he'd have liked. He croaked a hello.
"Get over here as quickly as you can," Rose said. "Vince and Corey want to take us to Great Adventure, but my mom needs to talk to you first."
Al packed swim trunks and a towel, and then ran downstairs. He almost asked his mom for the car, but decided that would be pushing his luck too far. Instead, he stuck his head into the kitchen. "I'm riding my bike over to Rose's. I probably won't be back until after supper."
When his mom frowned at him, Al said, "I'm going to talk to dad. I really am."
She nodded. "Where will you be all day?"
Gathering all his courage, Al grinned and said, "I have a date. We're going to Great Adventure."
Al heard a kitchen chair scrape across the floor. He hadn't realized anyone else was in the room with his mother. James's face appeared very close to his own. "I wouldn't have guessed you had it in you. Sneaking off, making out with some girl, now taking off again when you know dad's mad." He whistled. "Living on the wild side, aren't you?"
Al tried to shut the door, but James blocked it with his arms. "You're lucky I have plans today or I'd be all over you."
Without another word, Al turned and slammed out the front door. He was on his bike and pedaling for Rose's house before his nerves caught up with him. By the time he'd biked the two miles, his hands were shaking and he was wondering how he'd ever face Aunt Hermione, never mind his own father.
Rose wasn't much help, pulling Al into her house, hissing in his ear, "I'm sorry. I had to tell her or she wouldn't let me go."
Al's stomach churned. Rose hadn't actually told her mother that, had she? He was pushed into the kitchen where his Aunt Hermione sat at the table.
Rose turned and fled the room.
Hermione surveyed Al over the top of her teacup, her usually friendly face now stony. "Sit down, Al."
Al sat.
"Rose assures me you weren't molesting some helpless girl last night."
"No. I wasn't molesting anyone." It irked Al that everyone thought the worst of him.
"Good. I didn't believe it of you, but I couldn't figure out what really happened." Hermione's face softened. She reached out and brushed her fingertips over the back of Al's hand. "You shouldn't hide who you are."
"I'm trying not to."
Rose came into the room, carrying a swimsuit and towel, looking sheepish.
"This boy, Corey, right? He didn't hurt you last night, did he?"
God, was this the female line of the day? Did his mom and aunt think that because he was gay he had to be protected from the big, bad men? "Of course not."
"And he's a good guy? You can trust him?"
Al nodded.
"And Rose's new boyfriend, what about him?"
Al looked from Hermione to Rose. Rose was biting her lip, her eyes wide. "Vince is a good guy. Not super bright, but I don’t think he has it in him to hurt anyone."
Hermione nodded and smiled. "Have fun today."
********
It was a two-hour trip to the Great Adventure Amusement Park, but it gave Al and Corey a lot of time to talk. At first he was afraid they'd run out of things to say, but while Corey drove his old Ford along the twisting highway, there was never a pause in the conversation. Al paid little attention to the couple in the back seat, but from the drone of voices, he knew Rose and Vince were sailing smoothly as well. And all the time, Al wanted to tell Corey about his mom knowing and how he would tell his dad later, but it seemed like a loaded conversation. He had promised Corey he'd tell his parents only if he and Corey were getting serious. If he told Corey what was happening now, would Corey think Al had gone stalker after one make-out session?
When they arrived at the park, Corey threw an arm casually around Al's shoulders, pulling him close.
Al stiffened. He wasn't sure if he was ready for this.
"No one here knows us. We’re far enough away from home," Corey whispered.
Al nodded. He tried to relax, but it was hard. They might not run into anyone they knew, but they were still in upstate New York, which meant the sight of two openly gay men was going to attract lots of attention. Al didn't like attention, he never had. Corey might be used to people watching him play sports, reading the words he'd written for the press, observing him carefully when he went on dates, but Al wasn't. He'd always thought he'd go to a big university and lose himself in a throng of students before coming out and finding someone to be with.
Before he could really think about what was happening, though, Corey was steering him toward the ticket booths, they were all paying their admissions (and wasn't Al glad Corey hadn't insisted on paying for his ticket like Vince had with Rose?), and entering the park. "Al and I are going to ride the cable car first," Corey called out to Vince.
Vince waved a hand and pulled Rose toward the water rides. She waved at Al and laughed when Vince whispered something in her ear.
"He really likes her, you know," Corey said. He walked Al toward the elevated cable car entrance, still with his arm around Al's shoulders.
"I'm glad. She likes him, too." Al was getting used to Corey's arm around him, but he wasn't sure what he should do. Would Corey expect him to put his arm around his waist? He leaned into Corey a little more and put his hand lightly on Corey's back.
Corey turned and smiled at him.
Al's heart fluttered. He put his arm more firmly around Corey's waist, knowing his face was red and he was starting to sweat, but willing himself to be easygoing about this. If he looked uncomfortable it would only draw more attention.
They only let go of each other when they loaded into the two-person cable car. The female attendant smiled at them as she lowered the safety bar onto their laps. When the ride swept them away from the people below, Corey said, "I figured this was the best way to have a private conversation."
Al glanced at the cars in front and behind them, neither was close enough for the occupants to eavesdrop, and since they were twenty feet off the ground and moving all the time, no one below could hear them, either. "What did you want to talk about?"
"Did you get in trouble last night?"
Al groaned. He really didn't want to go over this right now. "A little."
"Why? Because you left the party? Or because you looked like you'd been making out?"
"Both." Al gripped the safety bar in front of them, watching his knuckles as they faded to white. "My dad's always worried that Rose and I have something going on. God, even when we were little, he always said we were too close, always told our mothers to keep an eye on us."
"Your father doesn't appreciate the value of a good fag hag."
Al laughed.
Corey elbowed him lightly in the ribs. "And you can't use a relative as your beard. It's creepy."
Al leaned back, relaxing against the metal seat. "I'll remember that."
"So what did you tell your parents?" Corey put an arm across the back of the car and then let it fall lightly across Al's shoulders.
It felt like every muscle in Al's body stiffened. He didn't want to lie to Corey, but he didn't want Corey getting the wrong idea, even when, if Al admitted the truth to himself, maybe it wasn't the wrong idea.
Corey nudged him. "What's wrong? Was it really that bad?"
Al sighed. "I don’t want you to take this the wrong way, but I told my dad I'd tell him everything tonight."
"You're going to tell him you're gay?"
Al nodded.
"And your mom?" Corey smiled, a small smile that seemed more in his eyes than on his lips, but more real because of it.
"She figured it out."
Corey tightened his grip on Al's shoulder and pulled him against his side. He nuzzled against Al's cheek. "That's great! Why did you think I'd take that the wrong way?"
Al angled his body toward Corey. It was amazing how strongly he reacted to being close to him. Corey was a beacon that Al was drawn to, and Al was like those insects at his party, inexorably attracted to his particular light. "I promised I'd tell my parents I'm gay only if we got serious. I didn't want you thinking I'm some loser who falls in love after one kiss."
"It was more than one kiss." Corey chuckled.
"Yeah, I guess it was."
"And I want it to be more." Corey ran his fingertips up Al's arm, making the muscles twitch under his touch, raising goose bumps.
"I do, too." Al rested his head against Corey's shoulder and looked out at the park spread beneath them. He smiled when he saw a blond woman standing in front of a gaudy tent. She wore flowing rainbow robes and a wreath of flowers in her hair. Al pointed her out. "That's the fortune teller, Madam Luna. I went to her last year. She told me that happiness is only real when shared, and that I shouldn't eat hotdogs."
"What?"
"Yeah, and later that day, I had a hotdog for lunch and choked on it. My Uncle Charlie had to do the Heimlich."
Corey squeezed Al's arm and laughed. Finally, he said, "Well thank goodness for your Uncle Charlie. I went to Madam Luna last year, too."
Al pulled back so he could look Corey in the eye, anxious to know what had been foretold, a bit embarrassed that he half believed what Luna said. "What did she tell you?"
"She said I was setting forth into the Universe, into the great wilderness, but I'd be okay because I'd find my map and compass along the way. Oh, and she also told me to be wary of blue ropes shaped like pretzels." He snorted. "Good thing I've never come across any of those."
"No blue pretzel ropes? Imagine that. Have you found your map and compass?"
"I don’t know. Maybe you're one of them."
Al smirked. Corey's easygoing nature was making him comfortable in a way he always imagined being with the right person. "Maybe I'm both."
Corey nodded, as if he was really considering that. "Maybe you are." He pulled Al back in closer, kissed his temple, and let his lips linger there as he said, "But I think you're more like the wilderness, at least that's the way you make me feel, like I'm wild, out of control, like nothing else matters but being with you."
Al couldn't have put it any better himself. "You make me feel that way, too." He could feel Corey's mouth slide into a smile.
"Before we both lose control again like we did last night, we should talk about protection and stuff."
Well, there went the romance, but Al knew Corey was right. He nodded, not willing to start the conversation, not even knowing where to start.
"I've only been with two guys and we always used condoms, no matter what, and I've been tested a couple of times just to be safe. Have you?"
Al moved away from Corey a little. It was hard to think of him with other guys. Although he hadn't really thought Corey was a virgin, it hurt to imagine what uses they'd put those condoms to. He shook his head. "I've never been tested."
"Would you? I think it's important."
"There's no need."
Corey frowned. "You're telling your parents tonight, Al. I bet they'll want you to be tested, and anyway, wouldn't you do it for me?"
Al pulled away until he was pressed against the side of the car, feeling cold, even though the sun was sending waves of heat down on them. Damn it, he knew there was no way he could be Corey's first, but it didn't stop the jealousy that swelled in his gut. And how was he supposed to tell Corey that he was untouched. God, he was lame. Corey would really think he was a loser. He stared at the ground below, watched it crawl up to meet them as they neared the terminal. "I haven't done anything that would put me at risk."
"No sex?"
Al shook his head.
"No hand-jobs or blow-jobs?" Corey's voice was tinged with a little disbelief.
Al bit down a surge of anger. No sex meant no sex, couldn't Corey get that? Through gritted teeth, he said, "No. Nothing. When we kissed the other day, even that was my first. If you don't believe me, you can ask Rose."
Their car reached the platform and the girl who'd put them on the ride helped them off. Al shoved his hands into his pockets and began walking, not really caring what direction he was going in. Corey fell in step beside him. "Of course I believe you, and I'm sorry I pushed. I had no idea."
"Now you do."
"Please don't be upset." Corey grabbed Al's arm and dragged him to a picnic table situated under a stand of maple trees. He sat on top of the table, pulling Al up to sit beside him. "It's not a bad thing that you're a virgin, you know."
Al pulled his hands from his pockets and rested his elbows on his legs, slumping forward, trying not to show how tense he was, not sure what to say.
Corey leaned in to Al, wrapped an arm around Al's waist, and whispered in his ear, "I'm really not that experienced, you know. It's not like I'm miles ahead of you. A little fumbling around, one blow-job, and that's it. I never wanted those other guys the way I want you."
Al relaxed a bit. He looked up. "You never… you know… um…."
"Fucked?"
Al swallowed hard and nodded.
"Nah. That's way too intimate, you know?"
Al shook his head. No, he really didn't know. For the last couple of years he'd fantasized about having someone inside him, what it'd feel like to be taken and possessed like that. Once in a while, he'd turn the tables, imagine fucking some guy (and since he'd first seen a photo of Corey, it was always him), but those fantasies were rare.
Corey chuckled lightly, and then said, "I don't want to say it grosses me out, but I have a hard time imagining sticking even my fingers into someone's ass, forget about my… well… you know. I think I'd have to be really close to a guy before I'd be ready for that, like be in love or something. And to be fucked, Jesus, that'd take a lot of trust to let someone do that to me."
Al tried not to feel disappointed. In truth, since Corey had pressed him into the ground the night before, all he could think about was Corey fucking him. He almost ached with the need, but it didn't look like that would ever happen. At least there was one bright spot in all this. "So, those guys you were with, you didn't feel close enough to them to do that?"
"No."
********
Al loosened up after that. He couldn't change Corey's history, he couldn't make Corey want to fuck him, all he could do, really, was relax and enjoy himself and gladly take whatever Corey might offer.
They rode a few rides first, rollercoasters and spinning rides that pulled them together, plastered them against each other. Al ignored the looks they got, the occasional whisper he heard about queers, and even the yelled, "Fuckin' pussies, go home!" He wasn't going to let anything spoil the rest of their day.
When the sun was high and hot, and they'd eaten a quick lunch (no hotdogs involved), they walked, hand-in-hand, toward the water park. They changed into swimsuits (in separate stalls, with Al trying not to think about Corey in the next stall, naked) and then threw themselves down waterslides, laughing and clutching at each other when they both hit the bottom. They caught occasional glimpses of Rose and Vince, who looked like they were having the time of their lives.
Al even took on the largest waterslide at the park, The Wild Thing, a monstrous ninety-foot tangle of caves, drops, and spirals. He'd never dared try that slide in the past, but there was no way he was going to let Corey know he was scared. In the end, when he splashed into the pool below, Al was laughing and spluttering, feeling victorious and unstoppable. When Corey shot out of the tube moments later, Al wrapped him in his arms and kissed him. It was only the attendant clearing his throat and whispering, "Not here, boys," that broke them apart.
When it was almost time to meet Vince and Rosie to head home, Corey pulled Al behind a small building. "Are you going to be all right tonight when you tell your dad?"
Al had been trying to avoid thinking about that all day, but now the terror came flooding in. "It feels like this is the last day that I'll have my dad. Is that stupid?"
Corey's eyes flashed sadness, but in a split-second it was gone. Before Al could question what he'd seen, Corey said, "Not stupid at all. Even if your dad is cool with it, it'll still change your relationship in some way." Corey turned Al so his back was against the rough cement of the building and then pressed in close. "I've been thinking…."
"It's a little hard to think when we're like this." Al looked down at their bodies, they were still only wearing swim trunks. Their flesh was rough from cold water, nipples pebbled on thin chests. He rested his hands on Corey's hips, feeling the jutting bones under his fingers.
Corey smiled. "I know. Remember how you were afraid to tell me about telling your dad tonight?"
Al nodded.
"Well, I'm afraid you might freak out when I tell you what I've been thinking." Corey caressed Al's shoulders and leaned in to nip lightly at his jaw.
There wasn't much Corey could say that would freak Al out, not when they were pressed together like this, not when Corey's water-chilled skin was starting to warm his own. "I'm not going to freak."
"I want you to feel like I'm with you when you talk to your dad tonight." Corey brushed his lips over Al's, the barest of touches.
Al leaned forward, trying to get a proper kiss, but Corey wouldn't allow it. Instead, he asked, "Would you like that, Al?"
"How am I supposed to feel like you're with me?"
"I want to mark you, you know, give you a hickey. That way it'll be there when you talk to your father. It'll be like part of me is there with you."
Al reflexively put a hand to his neck. His father would be the one who freaked if Al showed up with a bruise on his throat.
Corey removed Al's hand. He ran his fingertips over the skin Al had been shielding. "Not there." His fingers traced a path from Al's neck partway down his chest. "I feel your heart beating," he whispered.
Al shivered at the light touch.
"Right here." Corey tapped Al's chest. "Right over your heart. Your parents will never see it, but you'll know it's there." Corey's gaze held Al's.
Al bit his lip. There was no way he'd say no, no way he'd miss the chance to have Corey's lips on him. "Do it."
Corey smiled. He bent in and kissed Al's neck, then, with lips and tongue, followed the path his fingers had just taken. When he reached the spot over Al's heart, he kissed once, and then sucked the skin into his mouth.
The suction hurt just a bit, but Al didn't care. He looked down at the top of Corey's head, lifted his hands so he could run his fingers through the blond hair, gasped when Corey caught the flesh between his teeth and bit down lightly. "God, Corey, that feels so good," he groaned.
Corey drew a noisy breath in through his nose. He let go of Al's skin, sliding his tongue over just far enough to lap once at Al's left nipple, sending a shock of pleasure shooting down Al's spine. When Corey straightened, he licked his lips and then pressed them to Al's, kissing him furiously, not leaving room even for air.
Like he had the night before, Al pressed his cock against Corey, felt Corey's erection against his hip, knew that it would be all too easy to lose himself in this boy, feeling like he was already lost.
Corey was the one who was strong enough to pull away.
Al looked down at his chest. A bright red spot stood out against his pale skin. He knew he'd carry the mark for days, and he'd be damned if he wasn't proud of it.
But he was also hard and aching, a fact that his swim trunks couldn't hide. He flicked his gaze to Corey's groin and saw an answering bulge hidden under a thin layer of fabric. "I don't want to wait much longer," he said, knowing Corey would understand.
"Next time we're together, if you still want to…."
"I'll want to."
"Good. So will I."
They both draped their towels over their fronts to cover the evidence of their arousals, and dashed toward the changing rooms.
"Chapter 6"