whereagainst | OPEN RP POST.

[Scorpius is not invited to "family time". Which is completely, entirely understandable, and really it's fine because Albus doesn't even want to go, and he always comes back from it complaining about it, so really, it's fine.

He doesn't do homework because he and Albus always do their homework together. He considers reading, certainly that will keep him pleasantly occupied, but their dorm room is empty for once and there's something Scorpius has been wanting to try for a little while, but it'd be a little embarrassing for one of their roommates to walk in on it.

No it's not anything dirty get your mind out of the gutter.

Anyway, that's a long way of explaining that when Albus walks in, Scorpius is attempting to paint his nails, doing his right hand first. It's difficult, he's unpracticed and right-handed, but the thought was that by the time he finished the other hand, this one would be dry and he could fix it up.

Unfortunately, focused as he is, he doesn't hear Albus coming in and startles when his voice comes from behind him, dark green nail polish streaking up his right index finger.] Albus! [He turns towards him, laughing a little.] Merlin, you startled me. Um, not much. How was family time?

[ albus' favorite hobby is bitching about being forced into weird 'family time' situations because he's so used to them and his family is so overbearing that honestly sometimes a guy just wants to breathe. he knows he's lucky to have such a big family but he feels so out of place around them even when no one's making fun of him that it's just... it's dumb, to have the emotions he does about it, but he's still pretty self-centered.

if noticing scorpius is painting his nails startles albus he doesn't really let on: he moves over to the bed that the other boy is sitting on, raising both eyebrows and crossing his arms over his chest imperiously. honestly, scorpius. ]

The usual. I left when James started acting the prick again. [ that's a thing too. anyway: ]

You're uh, making quite the mess there, aren't you?

[ he shifts, sitting next to him and taking up plenty of space, and holds out one hand. ] Hand it over. [ if you're going to paint your nails, it might as well look nice, dude. ]

[Scorpius gets a little nervous at the look Albus levels him with. Does he not like it or something?

Of course James was a prick again. He nods understandingly, then immediately huffs with offense at the question.] I didn't mean to. You startled me!

[Making room on his bed for Albus is second-nature, and he follows the request to hand over the bottle of polish before he really thinks about it.]

I just wanted to try it out, you know? It's different... I thought it might look nice! But I've never used nail polish before so, uh... [He trails off, wiggling his fingers. It's a semi-decent first attempt but it still looks... very much like a first attempt.

This was a dumb idea. Albus probably thinks it looks silly. It does look silly. Why did he think this was a good idea?

He gives a nervous laugh.] I should just clean it off, probably.

I came into my own room!

[ albus takes the bottle and turns it in his hands thoughtfully as he listens to scorpius ramble - and honestly, he rolls his eyes super hard. scorpius, that was not what he was going for. ] Well, you should get it off your finger but the color is nice.

[ he takes scorpius' hand in one of his and lifts it so that it's up at the level of his eyes, and grins. ] Contrasts. [ house colors, you bastard. ]

Let me do it. [ he's just going to settle in, holding on to scorpius' hand still as he figures out how to balance the tiny bottle properly so that he can carefully use the brush to paint the rest of scorpius' nails. it takes a lot of concentration: he's not very coordinated or artistic, honestly, but at least he can do a better job than using your non-dominant hand on a first go.

anyway, he's being completely serious about this; cross-legged next to scorpius on the bed, clutching at his hand to keep it steady, and doing his best to be meticulous with putting the polish on. ]

I didn't hear the door! I'm only saying it's not like I did it on purpose, I know you didn't either!

[oh. he doesn't think it looks ridiculous?]

Heh, yeah well, I already know green's my color, right?

[oh, he's grabbing Scorpius' hand?? and offering to do it for him???]

Uh, alright. Thanks! That'd be really nice, I think, I mean, you'll probably do a better job than what I could do on my own. [Will he ever not ramble

Albus is concentrating so hard on it, and he's still holding his hand, and Scorpius is really really glad he's not looking up because there is no hiding a blush on a face like his. He can only hope it'll have faded before Albus looks up again.]

Did Lily ever get you to do hers, or are you just as clueless as I am? I mean, you're doing a really good job! Please don't think I'm complaining or anything! I was just curious if you've had any practice. [He's very careful to keep his hand still, despite the fact that he can't seem to shut himself up.]

Mmhm. Excuses.

[ he's teasing.

it's slow going - he wants it to look nice and that means he has to be careful, which definitely isn't his thing really, but it also means scorpius is safe from getting outed for blushing for the time being. he chews on his lip, finally shaking his head at the question. ]

No, not really. I mean I've seen it done, and I know the polish goes on the nail only, but that's about it.

[ which is really more than some people can say. when he finally glances up he smiles, letting go but holding out his hand expectantly. ]

Give me your other hand.

[ oh, it's going to be both? well, okay. ]

[Merlin, but he's cute when he's focused like that. It always feels so nice to have that intense focus on him.]

I suppose that's all you really need to know, right?

[Albus finishes with the first hand and Scorpius looks over his work, grinning. It's really much better than he'd been able to do on his own, even with as inexperienced as Albus is. He's not as surprised as he might have been when Albus demands his other hand, but he's always been thorough, hasn't he?

Scorpius gives him his left hand, trying not to get flustered all over again from it.] It looks brilliant. Thank you, though now I'm going to make you do this every time I want to wear it, you know that, right?

I suppose. Makes sense.

[ he takes scorpius' other hand and starts on that one too with a low hum in the back of his throat. he doesn't mind the task despite its mundane nature: being this close to scorpius is nice, even if he's not going to say that part aloud. he lets himself grin at the compliment, shrugging as he continues. ]

I can add it to my CV. It'll look good next to potionsmaking. My two skills. [ a beat, and then: ] I don't mind. It's not like it's a big deal.

[ when he's finally done he grasps onto scorpius' hand and kisses the back of it over-dramatically before letting him go and closing the bottle, flopping back on the bed. ] There you go, your highness.

I don't see why you can't go on to combine the two skills. Open a nail salon and make your own proprietary magical nail polish blends. [Their usual banter helps him feel a little less flustered. At least until Albus has to be all dramatic and kiss the back of his hand and well, there goes all his effort in trying not to blush again.

At least Albus still isn't looking, flopped onto the bed as he is.

Letting out a nervous sort of giggle, he nudges Albus' side with a foot in a weak imitation of a kick.] Oi, that's Scorpion King to you, Potter.

[The hand that's dried is splayed out on the bedspread and he looks down at it, feeling himself smile wider at the sight. He really does like the way it looks, having his nails painted. And this was a simple thing, just one solid color. He'd have to get something more interesting for next time.]

OPEN RP POST.

they don't all have to be aus

u rite

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject