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Lucius sat on the couch, staring at the space in front of him. His house was finally devoid of any Death Eaters aside from himself and Draco, who had already excused himself to bed. The elder Malfoy was not the same man he used to be. He was broken, scared, and for once in his life, wished he could swap places with anyone else. His home, the place where generations of Malfoys had been born and raised, had become the Dark Lord's headquarters, and he was thoroughly disgusted with himself. His only son was asked to do the impossible.
He's still just a boy.
Lucius closed his eyes as he drew a shaky breath. He had failed, as a father and a husband. He had been reckless and power hungry, and now his family was in danger. He should have resisted the Dark Lord and went into hiding. He should have let Draco finish his schooling at Hogwarts. He should have followed Serverus and asked the Order for protection.
"Lucius." He looked up to see Narcissa, his beautiful wife, standing at the foot of the stairs. His voice caught in his throat, and he could feel tears forming in his eyes. She didn't deserve this, to feel like a prisoner in her own home. She didn't derserve the worry that came with her husband and her son being Death Eaters. She deserved only the best of everything.
Yet here she was, still beside him after all these years, walking on egg shells in what was suppose to be her home. Here she was, being ever faithful to their wedding vows. Even in the darkest of times, she still held on to something so dear to both of them. It was moments like this, when he had hit rock bottom, surrounded by hopelessness, that he was reminded why he loved her.
"Cissa," he choked out as her gentle, slender fingers caressed his face. Her lips met his, stopping any attempt to speak.
"Hush, Lucius, dear," she soothed. "Just come to bed, please. It's late." He nodded and followed her to their bed chamber. His silver gaze watched her undress and lay on the silk sheets.
How had he managed to make her fall in love with him? He was more than capable of being cold, calculating, and, at times, heartless. He had proven that time and time again. Yet he had managed to win the affections of a woman who had so much love to give.
"Lucius?" Her soft, airy voice pulled him from his thoughts, and he laid next to her and pulled her close.
"You deserve so much better," he whispered. "You deserve so much more." She snuggled her head under his chin.
"I've got all I'll ever want or need right here," she murmured. "What could be better than this?" A single tear fell down his face as he kissed her head.
"Someone who can do a better job than I've been doing," he muttered. Her fingers caressed his face once more.
"Lucius, you are my husband," she stated firmly. "I love you, and could never imagine being anywhere but right here in your arms." He rested his head against hers.
"I'm sorry, Cissa, for everything," he half sobbed. "It takes a crazy, strong woman to love a reckless son of a bitch like me." Her hands combed his platnium lockes.
"I know, Lucius," she cooed. "At least, it will always be an interesting life."