It Doesn't Matter; We're Only Human
Chapter 1
"Who I am hates who I've been"
"Harry!" Draco called; arm reached out to Harry's turned back, which was quickly retreating in the opposite direction of him. "Damnit, Harry! Come back here!" Draco yelled, hurrying after the other, being taller he was able to catch up rather quickly, though it seemed like Harry wanted him to come after him, whether this was a good thing; that they'd make up, or a bad thing; Harry just wanted to chew him out. Draco couldn't tell, but either way he knew he had to go after Harry.
"Why? So you can keep acting like the elitist you've always been? No, I thought you changed, Draco!" Harry shouted back at him, stopping and turning on his heel, emerald green eyes blazing at Draco. It left the blond speechless and nearly breathless, seeing the other's eyes alight with such passion. Harry's eyes only lit up like they did when he was angry or happy. Draco stopped short, about five feet from Harry. He'd learned from experience that the darker man had a bit of a temper, and wasn't against shoving roughly or even punching. The two had gotten into quite the heated argument and Draco had taken the wrong step, he'd thought if he just gave up shouting and embraced the other, Harry would calm down. When he got within range the shorter of the two punched him square in the jaw. Draco hadn't registered the pain; he'd been too shocked that Harry had hit him. Sure they'd gotten into fist fights before, but never since they kindled a relationship. Harry had been just as shocked if not even more, for his anger snapped away and he had dotted on the blond for the next week, apologizing profusely and fretted.
"I have, I have changed, Harry! Can't you see that? I never promised I'd be able to change completely! That shit was drilled into my brain from age two!" Draco yelled back, getting fed up with this. They fought about this a lot. Draco would slip up and his nasty attitude would come slithering back, or he'd lock down and not talk to anyone for days. Draco couldn't help it; he'd been raised that way. He was only twenty, freshly turned, and he'd been with Harry for a good three years, but seventeen years of being raised like a proper Malfoy couldn't be totally erased in just three years.
Harry seemed to stifle another yell, bringing a hand up to pinch at the bridge of his nose. He closed his eyes and was visibly trying to calm down, most likely counting to ten. After a minute or two of this, and Harry looked less tense and more relaxed, Draco dared to step closer, carefully holding his arms out in a gesture of a hug. It'd been almost a year since Harry had punched him, and he knew that Harry would never do it again, but he was still wary. While Harry wouldn't punch him, he would certainly shove him back and stalk off again, annoyed even further. Harry looked up, eyes cracking open and he let out a deep breath, stepping into the circle of Draco's arms, his own arms rising to lock securely around Draco's waist, cheek resting against Draco's shoulder, sighing slightly and nuzzling.
"'m sorry, Drake. Just stressed," Harry apologized, eyes falling closed when he felt Draco's cheek rubbing against his hair, ruffling it and making it even messier than it currently was. His lips turned up when he felt small kisses being planted on his scalp and a sigh flowing over his hair.
"It's okay, Harry. I'm not mad." Draco said simply. Harry had been instantly forgiven. Draco knew he always got cranky and stressed this time a year. It was the anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts, or so it was called. Draco knew how much losing everyone they did bothered Harry. Draco's arms gave Harry a squeeze and they settled comfortably. "You know, I really am trying to change. I hate how I was. Was to you, to everyone. I was so stuck up, but it was how I was raised. My father taught me to keep a stiff upper lip and to act like a proper Malfoy heir. I really did think it was okay to be the way I was, I see now I was terribly wrong to be that way." Draco explained, needing to get it off of his chest. It had been bugging him lately. Nagging at him from a dark side of his mind. Harry listened silently, turning his head to tuck his face into Draco's neck, his glasses knocked crooked from it, and planted a couple stray kisses here and there. They were hardly this affectionate unless they knew the other needed it. They weren't the affectionate sort of couple. At least under the gaze of anyone else. It made Harry nervous and Draco didn't like his private life being pried into anyway.
"I know, Drake. I know. I'm sorry I've been acting ridiculous and expecting so much. It's not fair for you. You've changed enough for me." Harry said, giving the pale neck before him a gentle nuzzle before he leaned back in Draco's arms, just enough to be able to see his face clearly. He gave the taller man a small smile, head tilted to the side the way he usually did. Draco chuckled and brought up a hand to set Harry's glasses on his nose correctly, straightening them before his hand brushed over Harry's cheek and his hand gently cradled the back of hair's head, his palm resting just behind Harry's ear, just like the younger liked. Harry's eyes shut immediately and he hummed in content. It was moments like this that made his relationship with Draco worth it, the small tender moments that he knew Draco was capable of, but almost didn't know how to initiate them without prompting from Harry. He was getting better, being more able to pull them off.
Draco leaned down and touched their foreheads, blond meeting black and the tresses of hair meshed together. "I love you, Harry." Draco breathed, and Harry's heart swelled with joy and he basked in it. Draco was still tentative about using the words, not having heard them much as a child. It didn't bother Harry that Draco didn't verbally express his love for him, because Harry knew that Draco cared deeply for him and Draco showed his love much more easily than spoke it. Harry loved his small gestures, the little things Draco would come up with to compensate for his lack of vocalized expression. Harry tilted his head and brushed their noses together, knowing the gesture calmed Draco and knew he'd get a kiss in return.
Draco did just as expected, tilting his jaw just enough to fit his lips against Harry's in the way they both loved, pressing their lips together firmly, keeping it merely lips. They broke apart a few moments after and Harry sighed happily and brushed his lips against Draco's as he returned the words.
"I love you too, Draco. So much." He murmured against Draco's lips, drawing their mouths together again. Once they shared even just a small peck the two had troubles stopping their kisses, enjoying the feel that warmed their chests.
~o~