Title: Of Picture Frames and Broken Dreams
Rating: T
Warning: hints of slash, not betaed
Summary: Sometimes we like to break our dreams over and over again.
Disclaimer: I neither own the characters mentioned nor am I making any profit off their use. No copy right infringement is intended.
Author's Note: Feedback is welcome!
A trio of violins played Pachelbel's Canon in the south garden. The music was magically enhanced, permeating the manor- not loud, a slight tickling, like fingertips brushed across bare skin.
"It will be beautiful."
The music paused for a moment as someone retuned a slipping string. Glassy eyes flirted fitfully over the speaker before darting on. Not acknowledging him. Not seeing him? It was hard to tell anymore.
"We ordered lilies. You like lilies."
The figure was pacing now- ignoring the other man, offering no comment- voluptuous folds of his emerald dress robes slipping off one shoulder, the hem whispering against the ground. Back and forth.
"I want this."
Somewhere below them the song ended and another began- seamlessly blending together.
"I promised." The man's voice hitched on the end of his declaration- convincing himself. A lock of white-blond hair escaped from his ponytail, and he brushed it behind his ear. His companion continued to pace- fingers tapping against a thigh. Offbeat. To some song only he heard.
Draco Malfoy smoothed the front of his suit jacket.
"I won't be visiting you any longer."
He turned to go. Not expecting an answer. There hadn't been an answer in years. If ever. Sometimes he thought he'd made it all up. The words, the feelings, the warmth of another body against him, over him in bed—it was a waking nightmare now. Memory and imagination were entangled together like the still, muggle photographs of naked, entwined limbs that often flashed behind his eyelids. Maybe there were more answers than questions—threatening to drown him beneath the weight of their irrelevancy.
"I love you." The pacing had stopped, but green eyes were still fixed upon their picture frame.
It was enough. It was a late, hard, staccato beat in his chest, but it was enough, real. His mouth was dry- words trying to tumble their way into existence- a lifetime's worth of empty promises. Touch. Taste. Love. He wanted to love.
"Mama, I love you! Please don't leave me!" The end was a whimper and a hiss- another shard of shattered dreams stomped out of existence.
Draco Malfoy walked to his wedding.
And, it was beautiful.
finis
Well… it has been awhile...sheepishly hides behind her computer chair . I apologize to anyone who read/liked Choices That Make Us for letting it collect dust, but, to be honest, it has lost my interest. On a… errr happier?... note (Though angst may have been more appropriate later when everyone was wallowing in the realization of just how much money they had spent), I hope that you enjoy my humble contribution to the holiday season! Cheers!