WiP The Summer Al Tried to Live by asnowyowl
Since I was late last week, I thought I'd better be early this week. ;o)
Author: asnowyowl
Title: The Summer Al Began Tried to Live: Chapter 7
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: Draco's story revealed.
Warnings: none really
Rating: This chapter: NC17
Beta: bk7brokemybrain.
Word Count: 2615
Notes: Written for week seven 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: Cho Chang, Place: Ocean, Object one: Robin eggs, Object two: Blue Lace, Food: Blueberries, Emotion: Sadness, Freeform: Once in a blue moon
Previous chapters
"Chapter 1"
"Chapter 2"
"Chapter 3"
"Chapter 4"
"Chapter 5"
"Chapter 6"
The Summer Al Began Tried to Live. Chapter 7
Rose set her cruise control at fifty-four, checked her rear-view and side mirrors, and then cleared her throat.
Since she'd picked him up at his house, Al'd been noticing that Rose was fidgeting nervously, hedging around something that she wouldn't bring up. Finally, he said, "Are things okay with you and Vince?"
She smiled. "Yeah. We're getting along really well."
"Are your parents mad because you're spending so much time with him?"
"I'm not spending that much time with him."
"Oh." In truth, Al didn't know how often Rose and Vince were together. In the past two weeks, whenever he wasn't at work, or sleeping, Al was with Corey.
"Do you know you haven't called me in almost a week? It used to be we'd never go a day without talking." Rose shook her head. She checked her mirrors again, signaled a turn, and pulled onto the shoulder of the road. When the car was in park, she turned to Al and said, "I think you're getting too serious too fast."
Al glanced out the window, barely noticing the blue lace flowers growing along the roadside. "What? I thought you'd be happy for me."
"I was. I am. It just seems like nothing else is important to you anymore. I heard you turned down several computer repair jobs - jobs you would've jumped at a month ago. You don't talk to me, you don't talk to any of your other friends. All you do is hang out with Corey, doing god-knows-what."
Al shook his head. Since when would Rose deny him a little fun? "What friends? You're my only real friend."
Rose's face softened. "That's not true. You have Ray and Jeff. You know that."
Al shrugged. His good mood was evaporating. He had hardly given his friends a thought since he started dating Corey. They didn't deserve that, especially Rose. None of them had left Al behind when they'd found someone special. "I'm sorry."
"How serious are you two?"
Jesus, it was only once in a blue moon that he had trouble telling Rose anything. When he'd been twelve and figured out he was gay, he'd blurted it out the moment he saw her next, but this seemed harder. "Corey and I don't talk about those things."
"Okay. Then how serious are you about him?"
"Pretty serious, I guess."
"Are you in love with him?"
Al could feel the blood rush to his face. He wiped his hands on his jeans and looked down at the floorboards. "I don't know how I feel, Rosie. I've never had anything like this. You know that."
Rose grasped his hand and laced their fingers together. "I just don't want you to get hurt." When Al lifted his head to speak, she held up her hand. "I'm not saying Corey would hurt you on purpose. From what I know of him, I think he's a really nice guy, but you're both going to college in a month. Things will change."
Al had been trying to avoid thinking about that, but really, it wouldn’t be so bad, their colleges were only an hour apart. "With him at Syracuse and me at SUNY IT, we'll be able to see each other a lot."
Rose nodded. "Just tell me you're okay and that you'll start calling me more often."
"I'm better than okay and I'll start bugging you all the time. I promise." He squeezed Rose's hand. "I really am sorry."
"I know." She let go of his hand, shifted the car, and eased back onto the road, heading in the direction of Bloomfield. "You're an eighteen year old who's having sex all the time, who am I to get in the way of that?"
Al swung around to look at her. He hadn't told her anything about what he and Corey had gotten up to over the last couple of weeks - hadn't mentioned all the hand jobs and thrusting against each other they'd done.
She glanced at him and laughed. "Oh, if only you could see your face right now."
********
"You really think you can beat him?" Corey laughed and handed the video game controller to his friend, Sam. He kissed Al's cheek. "My guy's the best damned Guitar Hero player I've ever seen."
Al blushed. He'd been steering Corey toward dates where they wouldn't be around many people, especially people Al knew. He was trying so hard to be in a normal relationship without people in town finding out, but that seemed almost impossible. Today, however, Corey had insisted Rose and he come over for a video game party. It was pretty much the same crowd that had been at Kinney Park a few weeks ago, including that girl who'd ignored him. She'd been introduced to Al as Vanessa Edgecomb, though she'd only frowned when he said hello.
When the game started playing, Al lost himself in the competition, trying to keep up with the notes scrolling down the screen. After a few minutes, he beat Sam soundly and handed the guitar to Vince. He dropped to the floor to sit next to Corey.
"I was watching your ass the whole time," Corey whispered.
"As long as you weren't watching Sam's."
"I heard that," Sam said. "You better not be watching my ass, Malfoy."
"Why would I watch your ass when Al's is so sexy?"
Vince glanced back and down. "My ass isn't so bad, is it?"
Corey laughed. "I try not to ever look at your ass, Vince."
Patting Vince's bottom lightly, Rose said, "I think it's a rather fine one."
Vanessa jumped up and glared at Al and Corey. "You know what? I've had enough!"
"Enough of what?" Vince turned away from the TV screen. "They're just kidding."
"No! They are not just kidding. I told my mom how gross all this is, but she says I can put up with it. Anything to help her stupid job. If I'm friends with you, your mother will like her more. Well, it's not worth it." She pointed at Corey. "It was bad enough just knowing you're a queer, but to have it shoved in my face. That's too much."
"Believe me, I'd never shove anything in your face." Corey stood up. "You asked to hang out with us. It's not like any of us wanted you here. Just leave."
"And you!" She glared at Al. "My dad works with your Uncle Percy. I can't believe he puts up with this!"
"Get out," Corey repeated, his voice low and dangerous.
Al pushed off the floor. His heart was hammering, but he stood next to Corey and put a hand on his shoulder. Corey was wound so tightly he was shaking. "Percy has no say in my life. Now, you heard Corey. Just get out."
There was a knock on the door of the den and Corey's mother walked in. She glanced between where Corey and Al were standing, presenting a united front, and where Vanessa was alone, away from the rest, hands on her hips, face bright red.
"What's going on in here?"
"Vanessa just informed us that she thinks Al and I are gross. I asked her to leave." Corey moved closer to Al and wrapped his arms around his waist. "She said she's only been hanging out with us because her mother asked her to, so you'll like her better."
Mrs. Malfoy raised an eyebrow. "Is that true, Vanessa?"
Vanessa turned and pushed past Mrs. Malfoy to escape out the door.
"Well, wasn't that interesting? Vanessa's mother is up for a promotion. I think I'll have a little chat with her about why she won't get it." She turned to Al. "I'm sorry. You shouldn't have to put up with that in my house."
Al smiled. He'd been to Corey's house a few times when Mrs. Malfoy was home, and she always treated him well. "It's fine. If Corey comes to my house when my brother's home from France, he'll have a harder time than I just did."
Al could feel Corey's body relax against his. Corey nuzzled at his ear. "Speaking of which, when do I get to visit the Potter household?"
"Soon." Al had been avoiding this. Despite what they'd said to each other the night Al came out to him, Harry and he hadn't spent much time together, but at least his father seemed comfortable around him.
Corey scowled.
"I'll ask my mom if you can come over for dinner on Sunday, okay?" Al's stomach churned at the thought. He knew Corey would be welcome, he just wasn't sure if he was ready to show this side of himself to his family.
"That'd be great."
Mrs. Malfoy smiled, her blue eyes twinkling. Her eyes were the color of robin's eggs, Corey's more like the ocean, but both were always warm. She pulled a cell phone from her pocket and punched in a number. "Now to take care of business." As she was walking away from the room, she said, "Cho, your daughter just caused a scene in my home…."
Vince and Rosie restarted the game. Corey sat on the floor and pulled Al down onto his lap.
"Good thing Vanessa didn’t see that," Corey's friend, Alison, said. She winked at Al.
Al smiled at her, though he was a bit embarrassed, feeling a little like a girl.
Corey rubbed circles on Al's thighs, his hands moving to within inches of Al's groin and then retreating again.
Al's body responded quickly. He leaned back and turned, so he could whisper, "You better stop that."
"Why?"
"I think you know why."
Corey chuckled. To the rest of the room, he said, "I'm still a little upset over what Vanessa said. I could really use some time alone with Al. You all won't mind if we leave for a few minutes, will you?"
Al tried to keep a straight face. It was made harder when Rosie turned to him and raised her eyebrows. "Yeah. I could use some calming down myself," he said.
Rose rolled her eyes, but grinned.
There was a bit of giggling and catcalling when they left the room. They really weren't fooling anyone.
They snuck past the living room where Mrs. Malfoy was still talking tersely into the phone, and crept up the stairs to Corey's room. Corey locked the door and pulled off his shirt. "We don't have much time. I don't want mom coming to look for us."
"Maybe we shouldn't…."
Corey dropped his shirt to the floor and pushed down his jeans. "Of course we should. Since you rode here with Rose, we probably won't have another chance today."
Al wanted so badly to touch Corey, stroke his cock. No matter how many times they'd been naked together, Al couldn't get used to having permission to touch Corey's body. He nodded and yanked off his clothes, stepping up and pressing against Corey. "Want you so much. Always want you so much."
"Mmmmm… me, too." Corey pulled away just long enough to grab the condoms. Al didn't fumble with them anymore, not like he had that first time. When they were sheathed, Corey dropped to his knees in front of Al. He brushed the end of the condom with his lips. "These are flavored ones. I thought maybe…" He looked up at Al through his lashes.
Al had wanted the same thing, but didn't know how to ask. He didn't know how serious guys usually were about each other before they did this. He swallowed hard, and nodded. "I'd love it if you'd…."
Corey grinned before he dove in, engulfing Al's prick in his mouth. It was everything Al thought it would be, times a hundred. The condom might keep him from feeling the wet, but the warm was amazing. He fisted his hands at his sides, hoping he wouldn't topple over, wishing there was a wall or furniture within reach to grab onto. Corey seemed to be enjoying the task, which only amped Al's fever higher, especially when Corey hummed and slurped. Al groaned and just stopped himself from thrusting into Corey's mouth as his balls pulled up tightly to his body. Corey sucked hard and Al was pushed over the edge, pulsing his release into the condom.
Corey stood and kissed him, his mouth tasting like blueberries.
When they broke apart, Al dropped to his knees. He might not have done this before, but he figured everything he'd liked Corey doing to him, Corey would probably like, too. So, he licked and suckled Corey's prick, he played with his balls, gently squeezing and releasing. He finally sucked and stroked hard and was amazed to feel Corey's cock jump when he came.
********
"I better warn you, my dad's going to ask about your father." It was Sunday and Al had picked Corey up at his house. Al was nervous as hell. He knew his family would treat Corey well, but he was afraid they'd also study him like a bug under a microscope.
Corey frowned. "I don't talk about my father."
"Then tell dad that, he'll have to live with it."
"I barely remember him. Most of what I know I learned from my mom." Corey looked down at his hands as he spoke, his voice flat, empty of inflection. "She says he was always looking for something, like he thought he should be living a special life. He and his parents followed one screwed up, fake prophet after another, always looking for… for who knows what. Mom says she didn’t know what he wanted, and she doubts he did, either. She really loved him. I think it tore her apart that she and I weren't enough, but she wouldn't follow him. She knew it wasn't the life she wanted for herself or for me."
Since they were almost to Al's house, Al slowed and pulled to the side of the road to give Corey time to talk. He unbuckled his seat belt and slid over so he could put his arms around Corey. He hated seeing him so sad. "What happened to him?"
Corey sighed. "Well, like I said, he was always following anyone who he thought could make his life better: guys with sneaky money-making schemes, women who promised spiritual awakening, power hungry lunatics, they were all the same to my father. He'd throw himself into something and then get disenchanted and come home. When I was five he left again, but that time he didn't come back." Corey shrugged. "He either found what he was looking for or he died trying. Otherwise, he would have come back, I'm sure he would've."
"Of course he would. He was messed up, but I bet he still loved you."
"That's what mom says." Corey turned so his face was nestled in the crook of Al's neck. "She says my love of politics and activism comes from knowing what my father did, that I need to be a leader so I won't be a follower like him."
"Do you think she's right?"
Corey shrugged.
"I'm sorry about your dad," Al whispered. He kissed the top of Corey's head.
"Don't be. I'm used to it. Anyway, once I'm the first gay President of the United States, if he's still alive, dad'll know where to find me."
"I don't doubt for a minute that you'll be President. I'll vote for you."
Corey lifted his head. He bit Al's ear lightly and said, "And you'll be there with me, right? You'll be… what? The First Husband?"
Al's breath caught. This was the first time they'd talked about the future. "I'd like that," he whispered.
TBC
Author: asnowyowl
Title: The Summer Al Began Tried to Live: Chapter 7
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: Draco's story revealed.
Warnings: none really
Rating: This chapter: NC17
Beta: bk7brokemybrain.
Word Count: 2615
Notes: Written for week seven 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: Cho Chang, Place: Ocean, Object one: Robin eggs, Object two: Blue Lace, Food: Blueberries, Emotion: Sadness, Freeform: Once in a blue moon
Previous chapters
"Chapter 1"
"Chapter 2"
"Chapter 3"
"Chapter 4"
"Chapter 5"
"Chapter 6"
The Summer Al Began Tried to Live. Chapter 7
Rose set her cruise control at fifty-four, checked her rear-view and side mirrors, and then cleared her throat.
Since she'd picked him up at his house, Al'd been noticing that Rose was fidgeting nervously, hedging around something that she wouldn't bring up. Finally, he said, "Are things okay with you and Vince?"
She smiled. "Yeah. We're getting along really well."
"Are your parents mad because you're spending so much time with him?"
"I'm not spending that much time with him."
"Oh." In truth, Al didn't know how often Rose and Vince were together. In the past two weeks, whenever he wasn't at work, or sleeping, Al was with Corey.
"Do you know you haven't called me in almost a week? It used to be we'd never go a day without talking." Rose shook her head. She checked her mirrors again, signaled a turn, and pulled onto the shoulder of the road. When the car was in park, she turned to Al and said, "I think you're getting too serious too fast."
Al glanced out the window, barely noticing the blue lace flowers growing along the roadside. "What? I thought you'd be happy for me."
"I was. I am. It just seems like nothing else is important to you anymore. I heard you turned down several computer repair jobs - jobs you would've jumped at a month ago. You don't talk to me, you don't talk to any of your other friends. All you do is hang out with Corey, doing god-knows-what."
Al shook his head. Since when would Rose deny him a little fun? "What friends? You're my only real friend."
Rose's face softened. "That's not true. You have Ray and Jeff. You know that."
Al shrugged. His good mood was evaporating. He had hardly given his friends a thought since he started dating Corey. They didn't deserve that, especially Rose. None of them had left Al behind when they'd found someone special. "I'm sorry."
"How serious are you two?"
Jesus, it was only once in a blue moon that he had trouble telling Rose anything. When he'd been twelve and figured out he was gay, he'd blurted it out the moment he saw her next, but this seemed harder. "Corey and I don't talk about those things."
"Okay. Then how serious are you about him?"
"Pretty serious, I guess."
"Are you in love with him?"
Al could feel the blood rush to his face. He wiped his hands on his jeans and looked down at the floorboards. "I don't know how I feel, Rosie. I've never had anything like this. You know that."
Rose grasped his hand and laced their fingers together. "I just don't want you to get hurt." When Al lifted his head to speak, she held up her hand. "I'm not saying Corey would hurt you on purpose. From what I know of him, I think he's a really nice guy, but you're both going to college in a month. Things will change."
Al had been trying to avoid thinking about that, but really, it wouldn’t be so bad, their colleges were only an hour apart. "With him at Syracuse and me at SUNY IT, we'll be able to see each other a lot."
Rose nodded. "Just tell me you're okay and that you'll start calling me more often."
"I'm better than okay and I'll start bugging you all the time. I promise." He squeezed Rose's hand. "I really am sorry."
"I know." She let go of his hand, shifted the car, and eased back onto the road, heading in the direction of Bloomfield. "You're an eighteen year old who's having sex all the time, who am I to get in the way of that?"
Al swung around to look at her. He hadn't told her anything about what he and Corey had gotten up to over the last couple of weeks - hadn't mentioned all the hand jobs and thrusting against each other they'd done.
She glanced at him and laughed. "Oh, if only you could see your face right now."
********
"You really think you can beat him?" Corey laughed and handed the video game controller to his friend, Sam. He kissed Al's cheek. "My guy's the best damned Guitar Hero player I've ever seen."
Al blushed. He'd been steering Corey toward dates where they wouldn't be around many people, especially people Al knew. He was trying so hard to be in a normal relationship without people in town finding out, but that seemed almost impossible. Today, however, Corey had insisted Rose and he come over for a video game party. It was pretty much the same crowd that had been at Kinney Park a few weeks ago, including that girl who'd ignored him. She'd been introduced to Al as Vanessa Edgecomb, though she'd only frowned when he said hello.
When the game started playing, Al lost himself in the competition, trying to keep up with the notes scrolling down the screen. After a few minutes, he beat Sam soundly and handed the guitar to Vince. He dropped to the floor to sit next to Corey.
"I was watching your ass the whole time," Corey whispered.
"As long as you weren't watching Sam's."
"I heard that," Sam said. "You better not be watching my ass, Malfoy."
"Why would I watch your ass when Al's is so sexy?"
Vince glanced back and down. "My ass isn't so bad, is it?"
Corey laughed. "I try not to ever look at your ass, Vince."
Patting Vince's bottom lightly, Rose said, "I think it's a rather fine one."
Vanessa jumped up and glared at Al and Corey. "You know what? I've had enough!"
"Enough of what?" Vince turned away from the TV screen. "They're just kidding."
"No! They are not just kidding. I told my mom how gross all this is, but she says I can put up with it. Anything to help her stupid job. If I'm friends with you, your mother will like her more. Well, it's not worth it." She pointed at Corey. "It was bad enough just knowing you're a queer, but to have it shoved in my face. That's too much."
"Believe me, I'd never shove anything in your face." Corey stood up. "You asked to hang out with us. It's not like any of us wanted you here. Just leave."
"And you!" She glared at Al. "My dad works with your Uncle Percy. I can't believe he puts up with this!"
"Get out," Corey repeated, his voice low and dangerous.
Al pushed off the floor. His heart was hammering, but he stood next to Corey and put a hand on his shoulder. Corey was wound so tightly he was shaking. "Percy has no say in my life. Now, you heard Corey. Just get out."
There was a knock on the door of the den and Corey's mother walked in. She glanced between where Corey and Al were standing, presenting a united front, and where Vanessa was alone, away from the rest, hands on her hips, face bright red.
"What's going on in here?"
"Vanessa just informed us that she thinks Al and I are gross. I asked her to leave." Corey moved closer to Al and wrapped his arms around his waist. "She said she's only been hanging out with us because her mother asked her to, so you'll like her better."
Mrs. Malfoy raised an eyebrow. "Is that true, Vanessa?"
Vanessa turned and pushed past Mrs. Malfoy to escape out the door.
"Well, wasn't that interesting? Vanessa's mother is up for a promotion. I think I'll have a little chat with her about why she won't get it." She turned to Al. "I'm sorry. You shouldn't have to put up with that in my house."
Al smiled. He'd been to Corey's house a few times when Mrs. Malfoy was home, and she always treated him well. "It's fine. If Corey comes to my house when my brother's home from France, he'll have a harder time than I just did."
Al could feel Corey's body relax against his. Corey nuzzled at his ear. "Speaking of which, when do I get to visit the Potter household?"
"Soon." Al had been avoiding this. Despite what they'd said to each other the night Al came out to him, Harry and he hadn't spent much time together, but at least his father seemed comfortable around him.
Corey scowled.
"I'll ask my mom if you can come over for dinner on Sunday, okay?" Al's stomach churned at the thought. He knew Corey would be welcome, he just wasn't sure if he was ready to show this side of himself to his family.
"That'd be great."
Mrs. Malfoy smiled, her blue eyes twinkling. Her eyes were the color of robin's eggs, Corey's more like the ocean, but both were always warm. She pulled a cell phone from her pocket and punched in a number. "Now to take care of business." As she was walking away from the room, she said, "Cho, your daughter just caused a scene in my home…."
Vince and Rosie restarted the game. Corey sat on the floor and pulled Al down onto his lap.
"Good thing Vanessa didn’t see that," Corey's friend, Alison, said. She winked at Al.
Al smiled at her, though he was a bit embarrassed, feeling a little like a girl.
Corey rubbed circles on Al's thighs, his hands moving to within inches of Al's groin and then retreating again.
Al's body responded quickly. He leaned back and turned, so he could whisper, "You better stop that."
"Why?"
"I think you know why."
Corey chuckled. To the rest of the room, he said, "I'm still a little upset over what Vanessa said. I could really use some time alone with Al. You all won't mind if we leave for a few minutes, will you?"
Al tried to keep a straight face. It was made harder when Rosie turned to him and raised her eyebrows. "Yeah. I could use some calming down myself," he said.
Rose rolled her eyes, but grinned.
There was a bit of giggling and catcalling when they left the room. They really weren't fooling anyone.
They snuck past the living room where Mrs. Malfoy was still talking tersely into the phone, and crept up the stairs to Corey's room. Corey locked the door and pulled off his shirt. "We don't have much time. I don't want mom coming to look for us."
"Maybe we shouldn't…."
Corey dropped his shirt to the floor and pushed down his jeans. "Of course we should. Since you rode here with Rose, we probably won't have another chance today."
Al wanted so badly to touch Corey, stroke his cock. No matter how many times they'd been naked together, Al couldn't get used to having permission to touch Corey's body. He nodded and yanked off his clothes, stepping up and pressing against Corey. "Want you so much. Always want you so much."
"Mmmmm… me, too." Corey pulled away just long enough to grab the condoms. Al didn't fumble with them anymore, not like he had that first time. When they were sheathed, Corey dropped to his knees in front of Al. He brushed the end of the condom with his lips. "These are flavored ones. I thought maybe…" He looked up at Al through his lashes.
Al had wanted the same thing, but didn't know how to ask. He didn't know how serious guys usually were about each other before they did this. He swallowed hard, and nodded. "I'd love it if you'd…."
Corey grinned before he dove in, engulfing Al's prick in his mouth. It was everything Al thought it would be, times a hundred. The condom might keep him from feeling the wet, but the warm was amazing. He fisted his hands at his sides, hoping he wouldn't topple over, wishing there was a wall or furniture within reach to grab onto. Corey seemed to be enjoying the task, which only amped Al's fever higher, especially when Corey hummed and slurped. Al groaned and just stopped himself from thrusting into Corey's mouth as his balls pulled up tightly to his body. Corey sucked hard and Al was pushed over the edge, pulsing his release into the condom.
Corey stood and kissed him, his mouth tasting like blueberries.
When they broke apart, Al dropped to his knees. He might not have done this before, but he figured everything he'd liked Corey doing to him, Corey would probably like, too. So, he licked and suckled Corey's prick, he played with his balls, gently squeezing and releasing. He finally sucked and stroked hard and was amazed to feel Corey's cock jump when he came.
********
"I better warn you, my dad's going to ask about your father." It was Sunday and Al had picked Corey up at his house. Al was nervous as hell. He knew his family would treat Corey well, but he was afraid they'd also study him like a bug under a microscope.
Corey frowned. "I don't talk about my father."
"Then tell dad that, he'll have to live with it."
"I barely remember him. Most of what I know I learned from my mom." Corey looked down at his hands as he spoke, his voice flat, empty of inflection. "She says he was always looking for something, like he thought he should be living a special life. He and his parents followed one screwed up, fake prophet after another, always looking for… for who knows what. Mom says she didn’t know what he wanted, and she doubts he did, either. She really loved him. I think it tore her apart that she and I weren't enough, but she wouldn't follow him. She knew it wasn't the life she wanted for herself or for me."
Since they were almost to Al's house, Al slowed and pulled to the side of the road to give Corey time to talk. He unbuckled his seat belt and slid over so he could put his arms around Corey. He hated seeing him so sad. "What happened to him?"
Corey sighed. "Well, like I said, he was always following anyone who he thought could make his life better: guys with sneaky money-making schemes, women who promised spiritual awakening, power hungry lunatics, they were all the same to my father. He'd throw himself into something and then get disenchanted and come home. When I was five he left again, but that time he didn't come back." Corey shrugged. "He either found what he was looking for or he died trying. Otherwise, he would have come back, I'm sure he would've."
"Of course he would. He was messed up, but I bet he still loved you."
"That's what mom says." Corey turned so his face was nestled in the crook of Al's neck. "She says my love of politics and activism comes from knowing what my father did, that I need to be a leader so I won't be a follower like him."
"Do you think she's right?"
Corey shrugged.
"I'm sorry about your dad," Al whispered. He kissed the top of Corey's head.
"Don't be. I'm used to it. Anyway, once I'm the first gay President of the United States, if he's still alive, dad'll know where to find me."
"I don't doubt for a minute that you'll be President. I'll vote for you."
Corey lifted his head. He bit Al's ear lightly and said, "And you'll be there with me, right? You'll be… what? The First Husband?"
Al's breath caught. This was the first time they'd talked about the future. "I'd like that," he whispered.
TBC