WiP The Summer Al Tried to Live Chapter 8
Author: asnowyowl
Title: The Summer Al Began Tried to Live: Chapter 8
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: Sunday dinner
Warnings: none really
Rating: This chapter: PG13 for language
Beta: bk7brokemybrain.
Word Count: 3290
Notes: Written for week eight 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: Gellert Grindelwald, Place: Godric's Hollow, Object: Cleansweep Five, Food: Bread, Emotion: Nostalgia, Freeform: Time Travel, Song: Queen: Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy
Previous chapters:
"Chapter 1"
"Chapter 2"
"Chapter 3"
"Chapter 4"
"Chapter 5"
"Chapter 6"
"Chapter 7"
The Summer Al Began Tried to Live. Chapter 8
It was pure relief to pull into the driveway and see that the only extra vehicle there was Uncle Ron's truck. Al knew Rosie's family was coming for dinner, but that wasn't a worry. Rosie, of course, knew Corey, her mom had at least seen him, and as of last night, even Uncle Ron knew Al was gay. Al should've realized his father wouldn't be able to keep any big news from his best friend for long. As for Hugo, well Hugo could be a nuisance, but he really was okay. Hugo would be fine. What Al had really been afraid of was that Grandma and Grandpa Weasley would show up unannounced for Sunday dinner as they did at least once a month, but if they hadn't arrived yet, they wouldn't.
"So what's Rose's dad's name?" Corey asked. He was cool again, looking completely pulled together, like he hadn't just told Al about his father and leaned on him for reassurance.
"Ron."
"Okay." Corey took a deep breath and drummed his hands on his thighs.
"Are you nervous?" Al asked.
Corey grinned. He opened the door and hopped from the car, winking at Al. "Not me. You?"
"Scared shitless."
By the time they got into the house everyone was already sitting at the dining room table. Al introduced Corey around and then took his place, Corey on his left, Rose on his right, Hugo across from him. He caught his father's eye. Harry grinned, but his eyes darted toward Corey, and his face flushed.
Corey's knee nudged Al's under the table. That felt nice, like they were sharing a secret.
At first, conversation was stilted. Al's mom started topic after topic, only to have them die after a few comments. To Al it seemed like the everyday noises: the clink of silverware, rasp of chewing, rustle of clothing, were oddly amplified, nudging at his consciousness more than they should. He was too nervous to eat, he didn't want to look up in case everyone was looking at Corey and him, and the smell of broccoli was making him feel sick.
Just when Al thought he might jump out of his skin, Hugo said, "Gay, huh?"
"Hugo!" Rose scolded.
Corey chuckled into his milk glass, kicking Al under the table.
Al knew his face had turned brilliant red, but he looked right at Hugo and said, "Yeah. I'm gay."
Hugo shoved a rather large piece of roast beef into his mouth and chewed slowly, his eyes never leaving Al and Corey. When he swallowed, he said, "I can't believe I didn't see that."
"Why?" Hermione asked. She wanted to know her children's reasoning for everything.
Shrugging, Hugo said, "I always keep an eye on Al. I should've noticed something.
Everyone at the table, except Corey, laughed. They all knew Hugo followed Rose and Al whenever he could get away with it. No one was completely sure why. Al figured it was simply because he was a curious kid, and since Lily was way too girly to be Hugo's best friend, he tagged after his sister and cousin.
Rose leaned forward and said to Corey, "Hugo's always had a bit of a thing for Al."
Uncle Ron spluttered. "It's not a thing. He's always just wanted to be as close to Al as Rosie is, it just never quite happened."
Hugo rolled his eyes. "No. It's because I like to spy and Al's around more than anyone else." He shrugged, tore off a piece of bread, and began sopping gravy off his plate. "Maybe I'll join the CIA someday."
"So, what have you found out about Al? Any juicy secrets?" Corey asked.
It was Al's turn to kick Corey.
"I guess I missed the most important secret, didn't I?" Hugo glared at Al, as if Al should have been more transparent.
Corey laughed and they all went back to small talk. This time it came easier. Harry asked Corey about college and baseball. Hermione talked to Al about the new inventory program he'd designed for George's store.
The table buzzed with conversation throughout the rest of the meal, and continued when Al's mother excused herself to fetch dessert.
Ginny had just come from the kitchen, carrying two apple pies, when Hugo dropped his fork and grinned. "Corey. Hey, Corey!"
Corey excused himself from his conversation with Harry.
"I know Al's biggest secret. Do you want to hear it?"
"Hugo…" Al warned. He tried to imagine what Hugo might know, but, really, being gay and crushing on Corey were the biggest secrets he'd ever had.
"Well… I don't know." Corey said.
Hugo grinned. "Oh, you'll want to hear this. Al's real name is Albus Severus."
Al groaned and buried his face in his hands. Yeah, that was probably the worst of the secrets he had left.
"Now that's nothing to be ashamed of," Grandma Potter said. "You have a good name, Al. It's regal."
Al didn't think he could be any more embarrassed, but he was proven wrong when he felt Corey lean against his side and rub his back lightly. Usually he soaked up Corey's touches, but he wasn't sure how the adults at the table would respond. He lifted his head and glanced around. The women were smiling at him, wearing oh, aren't they cute expressions. Harry was blushing again, but he didn't seem upset. Ron was staring out the window as if all he wanted to do was escape.
"You know what?" Corey said. "I like you, Hugo."
Hugo waggled his eyebrows. "In what way? Should Albus start worrying?"
Ron choked, though Al was pretty sure his uncle hadn't been eating.
Corey laughed. "Al has nothing to worry about. Nah, you speak your mind. I like that in my friends."
Hugo beamed.
Lily huffed, as if mad that Corey hadn't said she might be his friend. Which was pretty stupid since she hadn't said a word to him other than hello.
"I'll tell you a little secret about myself, how's that?" Corey asked.
"Excellent." Hugo leaned forward.
"My real name isn't Corey. It's Scorpius Hyperion."
Hugo rolled his eyes.
Everyone at the table laughed.
Al looked at Corey, his eyebrows raised.
Corey nodded. "Really. I'm not lying."
"Oh. I'm so sorry, Corey," Ginny said. "We shouldn't have laughed."
"It's okay, Mrs. Potter. It is pretty funny."
"Are your names from some old book like Al's are?" Hugo asked.
"An old book?"
Ginny cleared her throat. "It's all my fault. When I was little there was this fantasy series, called Godric's Hollow. They were my favorite books. Two of the best characters were Albus, the wizened old wizard who battled the evil Grindelwald, and Severus, the heroic spy." She grinned and waved a hand in the air. "Oh, there were flying brooms called Cleansweep Fives, and time travel, and magic wands." Ginny sighed. "I'm afraid I was feeling a bit nostalgic when Al was born."
Corey chuckled. "Well, my name doesn't come from any book. It's an old family name." He looked at Al. "After my dad disappeared, my mom started calling me Corey and insisted everyone else did, too."
Al smiled. He doubted Corey had told many people his real name. Maybe it wasn't so bad that Hugo had given away his secret. He dropped a hand to his lap and then shifted it over to squeeze Corey's leg, proud that Corey trusted him and that he would say something so personal about his father in front of Al's family.
Corey turned to speak to Hermione when she asked him a question about the origin of his name. Under the table, he grabbed Al's hand and squeezed.
As usual, Hugo was blessedly silent as he ate dessert. Al figured if Hugo was supplied with an endless amount of sugary snacks, he'd never talk. Al would have to remember that for the next time Hugo decided to start blurting secrets. Perhaps he should carry some of George's candies with him whenever he was near his cousin.
Just as they were getting ready to clear the table, Corey said, "Oh, Mr. Potter, Mrs. Potter, my mom said that since it might be late when Al brings me home, he can stay the night at our house, if that's okay with you."
Al was as shocked by the announcement as it looked like his dad was. He wished Corey had mentioned it to him earlier so he could have warned him to not even ask.
Harry's eyes darted between Corey, Al, and Ginny. He pulled at the collar of his shirt and cleared his throat.
"But don't worry," Corey said. "My mom will be there, and she won't let us sleep in the same room."
Ginny laid a hand on her husband's arm and nodded.
Harry cleared his throat again. "Um… that'd be fine. You're both eighteen, after all. You're old enough to make your own decisions."
Al's mouth fell open. He wondered if stories of alien abductions were true, because how else could he explain that answer?
Corey grinned. "Perhaps we should spend the night here, then."
"Well, I'm not sure if…."
"I'm only kidding, Mr. Potter. Thanks." Corey pressed his leg more firmly against Al's, making Al wonder just what he should expect from a night at Corey's house. "My mom said to call her if you have any concerns."
Hugo reached for another piece of pie, but paused long enough to say, "I don't know what you're worried about, Uncle Harry. It's not like either of 'em can get pregnant."
********
By the time they finally left Al's, it was getting late and Al was in a sour mood. It wasn't that everything had gone badly, in fact, it had all gone a little too well. His dad and Uncle Ron threw a baseball around with Corey, listening to his stories of the games he'd won during high school. Then the whole family had come outdoors and started a pick-up game. When Al fitted a glove to his hand and walked out onto the field, everyone acted like it was a miracle.
Aunt Hermione talked politics with Corey, Hugo followed him around, Ginny patted his hair like she did her own children, and even Grandma Potter had called him 'honey' and 'dear'.
Al knew it was stupid, but he felt like his family liked his boyfriend more than they liked him. And Corey wasn't helping. He was chattering on about how wonderful Al's family was and how he couldn't understand why Al hadn't come out to them years ago.
"I mean, I can't believe you thought your father wouldn't accept you. He's great!"
Al only grunted, which Corey didn’t even seem to notice.
They were driving past a convenience store a few miles from Al's, when Corey asked Al to stop. "I promised mom I'd bring home some milk."
Al's hands tightened on the steering wheel. "We can stop when we're closer to your house. The milk won't get warm that way."
"The one near me will be closed by the time we get there."
Al had already passed the store's parking lot. "There must be somewhere else we can stop."
"Just turn around. It'll only take a minute."
Out of excuses, Al turned and pulled into the parking lot. Through the window, he could see the clerk was one of James's friends, Shane. The only customer was an old man who often came into Weasley's Sugar Shack. "Um, I'll go in. What kind of milk do you want?" Al unbuckled his seatbelt and grabbed the door handle.
Corey unbuckled, too. "I'll come with you. I'm getting low on condoms. Can't have that, can we?" He chuckled.
"No… we can't have that. You stay here. I'll get them." It'd be bad enough buying condoms from Shane without Corey tagging along.
"Al?"
Al was halfway out the door, one foot on the pavement. "What?" The word came out a bit harsher than he would've liked.
"Why don’t you want me coming in with you?" The interior light of the car illuminated Corey's narrowed eyes and pinched mouth.
Al shrugged. "That's not it at all. Listen, I'll be right out, okay?" Before Corey could answer, he slammed the door, shoved his hands into his pockets, and marched away. His stomach was tight as he listened for the car door to open, for footfalls on the pavement, but those sounds didn't come. He didn’t even dare look back when he opened the shop's door.
"Condoms?" Shane asked when Al placed his items on the counter. "You?" He snorted.
"Just do your job," Al hissed. He glanced through the store's large windows, but couldn't see inside the car. Good. If he couldn't see Corey, then Shane couldn't either.
"You're such a little shit," Shane muttered, keeping his voice low so the old man couldn't hear.
Al paid for his purchases and nearly ran from the store. He smiled when he climbed into the car, but the smile died on his lips at one look from Corey.
Corey's mouth was set in a thin line, his eyes dark and angry. "You haven't come out at all, have you?"
For one wild moment, Al thought Corey was talking about Al leaving the store, but that didn't make any sense. Then, of course, it hit him like a sledgehammer to the gut. Al tried not to react. He put the car into gear and slid out onto the highway. "I told my family."
"How much of your family?"
"The ones you saw today, James, and my Uncle George." When Corey didn't say anything more, Al glanced his way. Corey's face was averted, his body tense. "I promised that if we got serious, I'd tell my family. I think we're serious, I told my family, what's the big deal?"
"What's the big deal? I can't believe you'd ask that." Corey shook his head. "I knew. I really did. When we never went out in your town, I knew something was wrong, but I didn't want to believe it. But tonight… tonight you can't even be seen in a shitty little store with me? That's great, Al."
"It's not that!" Al was breaking out in a sweat. His heart hammered, making him lightheaded. He didn't want Corey to be mad at him. Corey had to understand.
"Then what is it? Right from the start I told you I wouldn't be in a relationship if it meant sneaking around."
"We're not sneaking around. It's just that the guy working in the store is one of James's friends. I knew he'd be mean to you and I didn't want you to go through that."
"Like I haven't gone through that hundreds of times. You're the one who needs to get used to the way people are going to treat you now. I wanted to be there to help. Did he give you a hard time?"
Al felt like a shit. Corey wanted to protect him, and all Al could think of was keeping a low profile. He shrugged. "He was just as stupid as he always is. I don't think James told him I'm gay." He glanced over at Corey.
Corey nodded. "Well, whatever this was tonight, I won't keep sneaking around. You know that. I thought maybe since I met your family today, you'd be more open. Was I wrong?"
At the mention of his family, Al's anger rushed back. None of this was any damned fair, not the way Harry fawned over Corey, or the way Al's family treated Corey like he was normal while Al was still a bit odd, or the fact that Corey expected Al to just jump out of the closet and yell, Ta Da! Well, if Corey could be mad at him, he could be mad right back at Corey. "Yeah, well, maybe I shouldn't have invited you to meet my family. I didn't need another excuse to feel like a fucking failure."
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"If my dad has to have a gay son, I'm sure he wished it was you instead of me. Corey Malfoy, the macho baseball player, the budding politician, the all-around normal guy. A gay son like that, a father'd be proud of."
Corey was silent for long minutes as they crossed the county line and kept driving. Finally, when the lights of his house were visible, Corey said, "Really nice, Al. Really mature thing to say to a guy whose father didn't even stick around to raise him. I'm learning a hell of a lot about you tonight, aren't I?"
The air rushed from Al's lungs. How could he have not realized how those words would affect Corey? He'd been so mad, so scared of being found out, that he hadn't thought. He pulled into Corey's driveway. "Look, I'm sorry… I was out of line."
"I'd say so." Corey unbuckled his belt and jumped out of the car. Al went to do the same, but Corey said, "Have a safe trip home, Al."
Al watched Corey walk away, watched Corey's mother open the door and step out onto the porch. He saw Corey say something to her and saw how she turned toward his car and frowned. His heart nearly broke when they stepped inside and closed the door. When the porch light winked off, he could have screamed.
He sat in the car in Corey's driveway for a while, just thinking. God, he'd ruined everything. He was such an idiot. He'd found the best thing he'd ever had and managed to make a mess of it. A dozen times he thought about starting the car and just driving home, but he was afraid that leaving this fight until morning might be waiting too long.
Finally, fifteen minutes after Corey had gone into his house, Al climbed from the car and shuffled up the walk. He had his hand raised to knock when the door opened. "What do you want?" Corey asked. "I was beginning to think you planned to camp out in my driveway."
"I want to say I'm sorry. I want to tell you how bad I feel and how much of an idiot I've been. I need you to know how much you mean to me. I couldn't stand it if we broke up, because when I'm not with you… well, when we're not together I always think of you."
Corey stared at him for a moment and then stepped aside, letting Al in the door. "Then tell me." He leaned against a kitchen counter, arms crossed over his belly.
Al nodded. "I'm sorry, Corey. And you're right, you know. I've still been afraid to tell people about me… about us. I'm trying. I think about it all the time." Al hated the lie, but he'd made the promise to himself that he wouldn't hurt his dad's campaign. "I… I like you so much. I've never felt this way before. God, sometimes it feels like I'm totally out of control because all I can think about is being with you. And the stuff I said about my father, that was just me being jealous… just me being a jerk, and you don't deserve that."
Corey's face softened. When Al's speech trailed off, he stepped forward and pulled Al into a hug. "That's got to be the best apology ever."
Al wrapped his arms around Corey's neck, laid his head on his shoulder, breathed in the scent he already loved. "You forgive me, then?"
"How could I not?"
"Can I stay? I don't want to go home. I need to be with you."
"Yeah, you can stay. But, Al…"
"Yeah?"
"I won't keep hiding our relationship. Not from anyone."
"I know."
TBC
Title: The Summer Al Began Tried to Live: Chapter 8
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: Sunday dinner
Warnings: none really
Rating: This chapter: PG13 for language
Beta: bk7brokemybrain.
Word Count: 3290
Notes: Written for week eight 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: Gellert Grindelwald, Place: Godric's Hollow, Object: Cleansweep Five, Food: Bread, Emotion: Nostalgia, Freeform: Time Travel, Song: Queen: Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy
Previous chapters:
"Chapter 1"
"Chapter 2"
"Chapter 3"
"Chapter 4"
"Chapter 5"
"Chapter 6"
"Chapter 7"
The Summer Al Began Tried to Live. Chapter 8
It was pure relief to pull into the driveway and see that the only extra vehicle there was Uncle Ron's truck. Al knew Rosie's family was coming for dinner, but that wasn't a worry. Rosie, of course, knew Corey, her mom had at least seen him, and as of last night, even Uncle Ron knew Al was gay. Al should've realized his father wouldn't be able to keep any big news from his best friend for long. As for Hugo, well Hugo could be a nuisance, but he really was okay. Hugo would be fine. What Al had really been afraid of was that Grandma and Grandpa Weasley would show up unannounced for Sunday dinner as they did at least once a month, but if they hadn't arrived yet, they wouldn't.
"So what's Rose's dad's name?" Corey asked. He was cool again, looking completely pulled together, like he hadn't just told Al about his father and leaned on him for reassurance.
"Ron."
"Okay." Corey took a deep breath and drummed his hands on his thighs.
"Are you nervous?" Al asked.
Corey grinned. He opened the door and hopped from the car, winking at Al. "Not me. You?"
"Scared shitless."
By the time they got into the house everyone was already sitting at the dining room table. Al introduced Corey around and then took his place, Corey on his left, Rose on his right, Hugo across from him. He caught his father's eye. Harry grinned, but his eyes darted toward Corey, and his face flushed.
Corey's knee nudged Al's under the table. That felt nice, like they were sharing a secret.
At first, conversation was stilted. Al's mom started topic after topic, only to have them die after a few comments. To Al it seemed like the everyday noises: the clink of silverware, rasp of chewing, rustle of clothing, were oddly amplified, nudging at his consciousness more than they should. He was too nervous to eat, he didn't want to look up in case everyone was looking at Corey and him, and the smell of broccoli was making him feel sick.
Just when Al thought he might jump out of his skin, Hugo said, "Gay, huh?"
"Hugo!" Rose scolded.
Corey chuckled into his milk glass, kicking Al under the table.
Al knew his face had turned brilliant red, but he looked right at Hugo and said, "Yeah. I'm gay."
Hugo shoved a rather large piece of roast beef into his mouth and chewed slowly, his eyes never leaving Al and Corey. When he swallowed, he said, "I can't believe I didn't see that."
"Why?" Hermione asked. She wanted to know her children's reasoning for everything.
Shrugging, Hugo said, "I always keep an eye on Al. I should've noticed something.
Everyone at the table, except Corey, laughed. They all knew Hugo followed Rose and Al whenever he could get away with it. No one was completely sure why. Al figured it was simply because he was a curious kid, and since Lily was way too girly to be Hugo's best friend, he tagged after his sister and cousin.
Rose leaned forward and said to Corey, "Hugo's always had a bit of a thing for Al."
Uncle Ron spluttered. "It's not a thing. He's always just wanted to be as close to Al as Rosie is, it just never quite happened."
Hugo rolled his eyes. "No. It's because I like to spy and Al's around more than anyone else." He shrugged, tore off a piece of bread, and began sopping gravy off his plate. "Maybe I'll join the CIA someday."
"So, what have you found out about Al? Any juicy secrets?" Corey asked.
It was Al's turn to kick Corey.
"I guess I missed the most important secret, didn't I?" Hugo glared at Al, as if Al should have been more transparent.
Corey laughed and they all went back to small talk. This time it came easier. Harry asked Corey about college and baseball. Hermione talked to Al about the new inventory program he'd designed for George's store.
The table buzzed with conversation throughout the rest of the meal, and continued when Al's mother excused herself to fetch dessert.
Ginny had just come from the kitchen, carrying two apple pies, when Hugo dropped his fork and grinned. "Corey. Hey, Corey!"
Corey excused himself from his conversation with Harry.
"I know Al's biggest secret. Do you want to hear it?"
"Hugo…" Al warned. He tried to imagine what Hugo might know, but, really, being gay and crushing on Corey were the biggest secrets he'd ever had.
"Well… I don't know." Corey said.
Hugo grinned. "Oh, you'll want to hear this. Al's real name is Albus Severus."
Al groaned and buried his face in his hands. Yeah, that was probably the worst of the secrets he had left.
"Now that's nothing to be ashamed of," Grandma Potter said. "You have a good name, Al. It's regal."
Al didn't think he could be any more embarrassed, but he was proven wrong when he felt Corey lean against his side and rub his back lightly. Usually he soaked up Corey's touches, but he wasn't sure how the adults at the table would respond. He lifted his head and glanced around. The women were smiling at him, wearing oh, aren't they cute expressions. Harry was blushing again, but he didn't seem upset. Ron was staring out the window as if all he wanted to do was escape.
"You know what?" Corey said. "I like you, Hugo."
Hugo waggled his eyebrows. "In what way? Should Albus start worrying?"
Ron choked, though Al was pretty sure his uncle hadn't been eating.
Corey laughed. "Al has nothing to worry about. Nah, you speak your mind. I like that in my friends."
Hugo beamed.
Lily huffed, as if mad that Corey hadn't said she might be his friend. Which was pretty stupid since she hadn't said a word to him other than hello.
"I'll tell you a little secret about myself, how's that?" Corey asked.
"Excellent." Hugo leaned forward.
"My real name isn't Corey. It's Scorpius Hyperion."
Hugo rolled his eyes.
Everyone at the table laughed.
Al looked at Corey, his eyebrows raised.
Corey nodded. "Really. I'm not lying."
"Oh. I'm so sorry, Corey," Ginny said. "We shouldn't have laughed."
"It's okay, Mrs. Potter. It is pretty funny."
"Are your names from some old book like Al's are?" Hugo asked.
"An old book?"
Ginny cleared her throat. "It's all my fault. When I was little there was this fantasy series, called Godric's Hollow. They were my favorite books. Two of the best characters were Albus, the wizened old wizard who battled the evil Grindelwald, and Severus, the heroic spy." She grinned and waved a hand in the air. "Oh, there were flying brooms called Cleansweep Fives, and time travel, and magic wands." Ginny sighed. "I'm afraid I was feeling a bit nostalgic when Al was born."
Corey chuckled. "Well, my name doesn't come from any book. It's an old family name." He looked at Al. "After my dad disappeared, my mom started calling me Corey and insisted everyone else did, too."
Al smiled. He doubted Corey had told many people his real name. Maybe it wasn't so bad that Hugo had given away his secret. He dropped a hand to his lap and then shifted it over to squeeze Corey's leg, proud that Corey trusted him and that he would say something so personal about his father in front of Al's family.
Corey turned to speak to Hermione when she asked him a question about the origin of his name. Under the table, he grabbed Al's hand and squeezed.
As usual, Hugo was blessedly silent as he ate dessert. Al figured if Hugo was supplied with an endless amount of sugary snacks, he'd never talk. Al would have to remember that for the next time Hugo decided to start blurting secrets. Perhaps he should carry some of George's candies with him whenever he was near his cousin.
Just as they were getting ready to clear the table, Corey said, "Oh, Mr. Potter, Mrs. Potter, my mom said that since it might be late when Al brings me home, he can stay the night at our house, if that's okay with you."
Al was as shocked by the announcement as it looked like his dad was. He wished Corey had mentioned it to him earlier so he could have warned him to not even ask.
Harry's eyes darted between Corey, Al, and Ginny. He pulled at the collar of his shirt and cleared his throat.
"But don't worry," Corey said. "My mom will be there, and she won't let us sleep in the same room."
Ginny laid a hand on her husband's arm and nodded.
Harry cleared his throat again. "Um… that'd be fine. You're both eighteen, after all. You're old enough to make your own decisions."
Al's mouth fell open. He wondered if stories of alien abductions were true, because how else could he explain that answer?
Corey grinned. "Perhaps we should spend the night here, then."
"Well, I'm not sure if…."
"I'm only kidding, Mr. Potter. Thanks." Corey pressed his leg more firmly against Al's, making Al wonder just what he should expect from a night at Corey's house. "My mom said to call her if you have any concerns."
Hugo reached for another piece of pie, but paused long enough to say, "I don't know what you're worried about, Uncle Harry. It's not like either of 'em can get pregnant."
********
By the time they finally left Al's, it was getting late and Al was in a sour mood. It wasn't that everything had gone badly, in fact, it had all gone a little too well. His dad and Uncle Ron threw a baseball around with Corey, listening to his stories of the games he'd won during high school. Then the whole family had come outdoors and started a pick-up game. When Al fitted a glove to his hand and walked out onto the field, everyone acted like it was a miracle.
Aunt Hermione talked politics with Corey, Hugo followed him around, Ginny patted his hair like she did her own children, and even Grandma Potter had called him 'honey' and 'dear'.
Al knew it was stupid, but he felt like his family liked his boyfriend more than they liked him. And Corey wasn't helping. He was chattering on about how wonderful Al's family was and how he couldn't understand why Al hadn't come out to them years ago.
"I mean, I can't believe you thought your father wouldn't accept you. He's great!"
Al only grunted, which Corey didn’t even seem to notice.
They were driving past a convenience store a few miles from Al's, when Corey asked Al to stop. "I promised mom I'd bring home some milk."
Al's hands tightened on the steering wheel. "We can stop when we're closer to your house. The milk won't get warm that way."
"The one near me will be closed by the time we get there."
Al had already passed the store's parking lot. "There must be somewhere else we can stop."
"Just turn around. It'll only take a minute."
Out of excuses, Al turned and pulled into the parking lot. Through the window, he could see the clerk was one of James's friends, Shane. The only customer was an old man who often came into Weasley's Sugar Shack. "Um, I'll go in. What kind of milk do you want?" Al unbuckled his seatbelt and grabbed the door handle.
Corey unbuckled, too. "I'll come with you. I'm getting low on condoms. Can't have that, can we?" He chuckled.
"No… we can't have that. You stay here. I'll get them." It'd be bad enough buying condoms from Shane without Corey tagging along.
"Al?"
Al was halfway out the door, one foot on the pavement. "What?" The word came out a bit harsher than he would've liked.
"Why don’t you want me coming in with you?" The interior light of the car illuminated Corey's narrowed eyes and pinched mouth.
Al shrugged. "That's not it at all. Listen, I'll be right out, okay?" Before Corey could answer, he slammed the door, shoved his hands into his pockets, and marched away. His stomach was tight as he listened for the car door to open, for footfalls on the pavement, but those sounds didn't come. He didn’t even dare look back when he opened the shop's door.
"Condoms?" Shane asked when Al placed his items on the counter. "You?" He snorted.
"Just do your job," Al hissed. He glanced through the store's large windows, but couldn't see inside the car. Good. If he couldn't see Corey, then Shane couldn't either.
"You're such a little shit," Shane muttered, keeping his voice low so the old man couldn't hear.
Al paid for his purchases and nearly ran from the store. He smiled when he climbed into the car, but the smile died on his lips at one look from Corey.
Corey's mouth was set in a thin line, his eyes dark and angry. "You haven't come out at all, have you?"
For one wild moment, Al thought Corey was talking about Al leaving the store, but that didn't make any sense. Then, of course, it hit him like a sledgehammer to the gut. Al tried not to react. He put the car into gear and slid out onto the highway. "I told my family."
"How much of your family?"
"The ones you saw today, James, and my Uncle George." When Corey didn't say anything more, Al glanced his way. Corey's face was averted, his body tense. "I promised that if we got serious, I'd tell my family. I think we're serious, I told my family, what's the big deal?"
"What's the big deal? I can't believe you'd ask that." Corey shook his head. "I knew. I really did. When we never went out in your town, I knew something was wrong, but I didn't want to believe it. But tonight… tonight you can't even be seen in a shitty little store with me? That's great, Al."
"It's not that!" Al was breaking out in a sweat. His heart hammered, making him lightheaded. He didn't want Corey to be mad at him. Corey had to understand.
"Then what is it? Right from the start I told you I wouldn't be in a relationship if it meant sneaking around."
"We're not sneaking around. It's just that the guy working in the store is one of James's friends. I knew he'd be mean to you and I didn't want you to go through that."
"Like I haven't gone through that hundreds of times. You're the one who needs to get used to the way people are going to treat you now. I wanted to be there to help. Did he give you a hard time?"
Al felt like a shit. Corey wanted to protect him, and all Al could think of was keeping a low profile. He shrugged. "He was just as stupid as he always is. I don't think James told him I'm gay." He glanced over at Corey.
Corey nodded. "Well, whatever this was tonight, I won't keep sneaking around. You know that. I thought maybe since I met your family today, you'd be more open. Was I wrong?"
At the mention of his family, Al's anger rushed back. None of this was any damned fair, not the way Harry fawned over Corey, or the way Al's family treated Corey like he was normal while Al was still a bit odd, or the fact that Corey expected Al to just jump out of the closet and yell, Ta Da! Well, if Corey could be mad at him, he could be mad right back at Corey. "Yeah, well, maybe I shouldn't have invited you to meet my family. I didn't need another excuse to feel like a fucking failure."
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"If my dad has to have a gay son, I'm sure he wished it was you instead of me. Corey Malfoy, the macho baseball player, the budding politician, the all-around normal guy. A gay son like that, a father'd be proud of."
Corey was silent for long minutes as they crossed the county line and kept driving. Finally, when the lights of his house were visible, Corey said, "Really nice, Al. Really mature thing to say to a guy whose father didn't even stick around to raise him. I'm learning a hell of a lot about you tonight, aren't I?"
The air rushed from Al's lungs. How could he have not realized how those words would affect Corey? He'd been so mad, so scared of being found out, that he hadn't thought. He pulled into Corey's driveway. "Look, I'm sorry… I was out of line."
"I'd say so." Corey unbuckled his belt and jumped out of the car. Al went to do the same, but Corey said, "Have a safe trip home, Al."
Al watched Corey walk away, watched Corey's mother open the door and step out onto the porch. He saw Corey say something to her and saw how she turned toward his car and frowned. His heart nearly broke when they stepped inside and closed the door. When the porch light winked off, he could have screamed.
He sat in the car in Corey's driveway for a while, just thinking. God, he'd ruined everything. He was such an idiot. He'd found the best thing he'd ever had and managed to make a mess of it. A dozen times he thought about starting the car and just driving home, but he was afraid that leaving this fight until morning might be waiting too long.
Finally, fifteen minutes after Corey had gone into his house, Al climbed from the car and shuffled up the walk. He had his hand raised to knock when the door opened. "What do you want?" Corey asked. "I was beginning to think you planned to camp out in my driveway."
"I want to say I'm sorry. I want to tell you how bad I feel and how much of an idiot I've been. I need you to know how much you mean to me. I couldn't stand it if we broke up, because when I'm not with you… well, when we're not together I always think of you."
Corey stared at him for a moment and then stepped aside, letting Al in the door. "Then tell me." He leaned against a kitchen counter, arms crossed over his belly.
Al nodded. "I'm sorry, Corey. And you're right, you know. I've still been afraid to tell people about me… about us. I'm trying. I think about it all the time." Al hated the lie, but he'd made the promise to himself that he wouldn't hurt his dad's campaign. "I… I like you so much. I've never felt this way before. God, sometimes it feels like I'm totally out of control because all I can think about is being with you. And the stuff I said about my father, that was just me being jealous… just me being a jerk, and you don't deserve that."
Corey's face softened. When Al's speech trailed off, he stepped forward and pulled Al into a hug. "That's got to be the best apology ever."
Al wrapped his arms around Corey's neck, laid his head on his shoulder, breathed in the scent he already loved. "You forgive me, then?"
"How could I not?"
"Can I stay? I don't want to go home. I need to be with you."
"Yeah, you can stay. But, Al…"
"Yeah?"
"I won't keep hiding our relationship. Not from anyone."
"I know."
TBC