A/N: I've actually had this written and sitting on my phone for the last mine months, but I'd completely forgotten about it until I went to clean out my phone today of the fics I had already published/rewritten/backed up. So I figured I would get this published before I forgot about it again or accidentally deleted it off my phone or something. Also, I know this isn't the process for resignations, but I'm claiming dramatic license. ACOMI and Tail updates are coming soon as well. I'm so glad I've been able to get back to writing. Happy reading!

EDIT: I'm incredibly sorry, I had a minor mishap and uploaded the wrong file. This is the right fic! :)

It's Just Business

"Mr. Malfoy, you have a call on line three," Harry said over the intercom.

"God, is it Linda again? Tell her I'm busy and I'll call her later. I cannot handle another air headed twit today!"

Harry suppressed a laugh at Draco's antics and instead sighed in exasperation. "Mr. Malfoy, you've put her off four days in a row now. It would be impolite to keep her waiting longer," he said, as if talking to a child.

Draco was silent. Then he groaned. "Alright, out her through. And stop laughing, the whole building can hear you!"

Harry rolled his eyes, then realized Draco couldn't see him. "I'm rolling my eyes, Malfoy," he said helpfully, losing his professional facade for a moment. Then he was all charm and smiles again. "I'm putting her through." He transferred the call, then stared fondly at the phone, still laughing internally at Draco's childish behavior. His smile dropped after a moment, and he sighed sadly.

He had realized a while ago that he loved his boss, and, although he knew Draco would never love him back, he had thought he could be content with the odd camaraderie they shared. After all, Harry was just Draco's secretary. How could he hop to be noticed when Draco had some of the world's wealthiest and handsomest men parading before him on a daily basis? But Harry knew he held a special place in Draco's heart, and he had been content with that.

But recently, it hadn't been enough. Harry wanted to settle down with someone, come home to a partner, lie in a bed filled with someone else's warmth. He wanted someone to share his life with, to make memories with, to mark milestones with. And he knew that as long as he was pining over Draco, he would never be able to find another person.

He tried not to think about the envelope in his desk, tried not to imagine how the confrontation would go. And to some extent, he succeeded. But he kept returning to one thought: would Draco care? Would Draco miss him, or would his boss replace him immediately? Had he made an impression on Draco's life? Or had he just been another fleeting thought?

Harry firmly pushed the worry out of his mind. He had made his decision. What would come would come.

As the day drew to a close, Harry began packing this things away. All his personal effects were thrown into his briefcase, except for one photograph. All his research, files, notes, and comments were neatly organized for his successor. The files on the computer were transferred to a flash drive, which he tucked into the top drawer, and his work surface was efficiently wiped down with a Clorox wipe. His workplace clean, Harry drew out the envelope he had left in the top drawer and went to see Draco. He knocked on the door once and, upon receiving no reply, quietly opened it and slipped in.

Draco was sitting slumped in his chair, head resting on the desk and arms clasped over his neck. Harry cleared his throat to announce his presence. Draco started and looked up, blinking wildly.

"Potter, hi," he said. Harry got the impression his boss had been taking a quick nap. He smiled at the thought before remembering why he was here. His smile dropped like a rock.

"Mr. Malfoy, I'm handing in my resignation. Don't get me wrong, I loved the job, it something personal has come up and I can't continue working here." he placed the sealed envelope on Malfoy's desk. "I'm almost done packing, and I've already compiled a list of potential replacements. I've left a file out for whomever you choose as my successor. I've set up an automatic alert system that will remind you about all of your appointments for the next two weeks. It's been fun working with you, Malfoy." Harry grinned, gave his boss a mock salute, spun smartly on his heel, and walked out of the office, ignoring Draco's dazed expression.

He sobered as he returned to his desk, trying to assess what he could take comfortably now and what he would have to make a return trip for. He had never dreamed that Draco would be asleep when Harry broke the news, and would grill him about why he was leaving. He even had a cover story ready. But he doubted Draco had heard anything he had said.

Harry fumed silently to himself as he stored his briefcase and another box of stuff in his car. He returned for the final box, cursing the blonde git to high hell. He opened the drawers to make sure he hadn't forgotten anything and froze.

He shifted the box to his left arm and pulled out the only photo he had of Draco laughing. The company had sponsored a carnival, and Harry had convinced Draco to go with him. To both their surprises, Draco had had a marvelous time, and Harry had managed to get it on camera.

Harry leaned at the desk and stared at the picture, drowning in nostalgia. Without conscious thought, tears began streaking down his face. He stayed like that for several minutes before turning to throw the picture away and coming face-to-face with Draco in the process.

Harry hurriedly wiped his tears away. "Mr. Malfoy," he said, somehow keeping his voice steady. But it was a wasted effort. Draco had already seen the tears. It was only a matter of time before the questions came.

Instead, Draco plucked the photo out of Harry's hand. He looked at it from a second, trying to place it in his memory. "Hm. I remember that day," he said after a minute. "Who the hell purposely sets up an event that attracts hundreds of overenthusiastic children? Still, the rides were fantastic. When did you get this picture, Potter?"

"Um, when I went to get the funnel cake," Harry managed to say.

Draco considered the photo. "I'll have to destroy this, you know," he said conversationally. "I do have a reputation to keep." He tucked it into his back pocket and looked at Harry, who had taken a step back. "Now, about your resignation."

"It's final, Malfoy, I'm not changing my mind," Harry said, forestalling Draco's inevitable protests.

"Yes, yes, I understand that. And I appreciate all you've done, you were a wonderful employee, won't you consider staying on, I'll offer you a raise, blah blah blah," Draco said, rolling his eyes. "I'm just wondering, Potter, why you've suddenly decided to up and quit even though you have no complaints."

"It's personal," Harry said firmly. "I have my reasons."

Draco nodded. "It would have been nice if you had shared those reasons with me. Perhaps then, none of this would have been necessary."

Harry was confused. "Malfoy, what are you talking about?"

Draco took a step forward and wrapped his arm around Harry's shoulders to keep him from moving. "This, Harry," he whispered, and drew Harry into a soft kiss.

Harry froze. Was this a trick? Was Draco trying to take advantage of Harry? Did Draco know Harry loved him and was simply leading him on?

And then Harry decided what the hell and kissed Draco back.

He stopped thinking and gave himself over to the sensations running through his body. Draco's lips were firm but soft, intense and unyielding, hot with passion but cold from the air conditioned room. Harry tangled a hand in Draco's hair, bringing the blonde closer and leaving no doubt as to his feelings.

All too soon, though, Draco pulled away. Harry tried to follow, but Draco gently pushed him back with a smirk.

And then the reality of the situation hit Harry. He pushed away from Draco angrily, grabbed his box from where it had fallen onto the desk, and shoved his way past Draco. "I don't know what you think you're playing at, Malfoy, but I'm not just a plaything," Harry said coldly. "I don't do one-offs."

But Draco didn't look smug or pleased. He looked genuinely confused. "What are you talking about?" he asked, echoing Harry's words from earlier.

Harry's eyes narrowed. "Just because I don't work here anymore and can't do anything about it doesn't give you free rein to use me for sex. This may suddenly be okay because it's no longer "between employees," but I have feelings, Malfoy. I'm a real person. I...I love you, but I won't allow you to take advantage of that."

Draco was silent for a minute. Then his eyes narrowed, too. "I'm glad I waited to do this, if that's the case. At least my suspicions weren't unfounded. I thought you knew me better than that, Harry. I never play with the emotions of someone I care about; it's unnecessarily cruel, and while I am many things, cruel is not one of them. And I do care about you, Harry, more so than I have ever cared about anyone else." He spun on his heel and walked towards his office. "I guess I'll see you around, Harry," he said breezily without turning around. "And just for the record, I loved you, too."

Harry felt frozen to the spot as he tried to process what had just happened. But by the time he turned to confront Draco, the blonde had already shut and most likely locked his door. "Damn it!" Harry cursed under his breath. Why couldn't he have just accepted it? Why did he have to second guess everything? "Bloody git," he muttered, but there was no heat in his voice. He had had a chance, and he had lost it. And now he would never have that chance again.

"I guess I'll see you around, Draco," he whispered in response to Draco's earlier comment. "And I'll always love you, you git."