Title: Lacking

Author: mrs.rt

Pairing: H/D

Warning: None really.

Rating: PG – simply because it's m/m

Challenge: "Fine!" The Break-up Challenge!

Beta: Toamanda

Summary: What is Harry lacking? He doesn't know and Draco isn't telling.

"What do you mean I have to get it under control?" Harry's voice shook slightly from the effort to control his temper. His hands were clenched tightly by his side.

"What part of that do you not understand? You can't keep going on like this." Draco let out a heavy sigh as he gracefully sat down on a chair. Harry followed his lead, but instead of floating gracefully, he flopped down with such force that for a moment Draco thought the chair might break.

A silent impasse had been reached as both boys stared at each other from across the table. "Why can't you understand? Money just isn't the most important thing to me." Harry pleaded with his boyfriend.

"I know that. But you can't keep acting like it's never going to run out. You can't keep spending it like its water." Draco ran his hand through his hair in frustration. 'How can I make him understand? It's not just about the money.' he silently questioned himself as the stress showed clearly on his face.

"It's my money and I'll do whatever I want with it." The stubborn look crossed his face again as he masked his confusion of the situation. "Besides, it's not like you'd understand. You've never had to go without it." He spat out at Draco, not willing to admit that he was acting like a toddler throwing a temper tantrum.

Draco winced slightly at the insult he knew was really behind that comment. They have had this conversation before. How Draco was really just a spoiled brat with no concept of a hard day's work and how he never understood the value of money. But this time, it wasn't about Draco. It was about Harry. And what Harry was lacking.

Lifting his hand to straighten his hair, Draco desperately tried one more time to get his significant other to understand. "It's not just the money. It's the lack of control you've shown; the lack of any good judgment when it comes to important decisions. Maybe it's really just a lack in our relationship." This last part barely made it past his lips, as he had said it with a quiet whisper. Draco paused wondering if he had gone too far with that last statement.

"What?!" Harry exclaimed as he started to stand once again. "What's lacking? If there's anything lacking in our relationship it's because of you!" His face started to turn red as his temper once again started to rise. He looked down at Draco's face. He couldn't understand why he was saying these things.

Harry knew deep down that something was missing. He took every opportunity to go out and search for it. He spent his days shopping in the stores and street corner markets searching for this mysterious 'thing' that seemed to be eluding him. Nothing was too expensive or too cheap in his search. He just hoped that he would find it before it was too late.

But it was already too late for him as the boy across the table had finally snapped.

"FINE! I've had enough! Take your money and enjoy it! When you finally realize it won't make you happy, I hope you'll then remember what I had to offer you!" Draco pounded his fist on the table and stood abruptly. Grabbing his cloak from the closet, he headed for the front door.

With a last look at the man he thought he would be with forever, he sighed and walked quietly out the door. With a flick of his wand, he was gone.

"Draco, wait!" Harry ran to the door in hopes of catching his love. "I don't want the money, I just want you!" The responding silence from the night let him know exactly what it was that he was now lacking.

Fin.