Gobblestone - Stress

Accuracy: Charlie/Draco, Power: clapping, Technique: violin.

For Pairing the Character. Paired Draco with Charlie.

For OTP bootcamp with the prompt: kindly.

For the record, I blame this on Laura.

Charlie is thankful for the warmth the moment he walks through the door. He shakes the snow sticking to him off as he stomps his feet on the doormat. He tugs off his dragonhide gloves and pulls off his hat, dropping them in the bowl near the door along with his keys.

There's a beautiful melody coming from further in the flat. Charlie follows it without hesitation.

Draco sits near the fireplace, holding a violin between his cheek and shoulder, his slim fingers dancing across the neck as the other hand pulls a bow across the strings. His eyes are closed and he looks almost peaceful as he plays.

Charlie folds his arms over his chest as he stands there, watching quietly. His boyfriend doesn't play often, only when he's stressed and needs something else to focus on. When he does play, Charlie likes to sit for hours, listening and watching.

The music is more somber and harsher than usual, which causes him to study the blond closer; his music always reflects whatever is stressing him, good or bad. From where he's standing, Charlie can see the dark rings under his eyes. Draco looks tense while he plays.

The song ends as Charlie studies him. Draco pulls the violin away from his body, presumably to put it away. Charlie grins as he claps. Draco's eyes snap to meet his. There's a hint of a blush on his cheeks.

"You're home," he says stunned.

Any other day there would be a retort on his tongue, but he can't bring himself to say it today. Instead he kindly requests, "Play me another song?"

Draco raises the violin back up, tucking it in between his chin and shoulder once more. He starts to play a brighter, happier song for Charlie.

Charlie takes a seat on their couch, listening as Draco plays. Later, when the other man is ready, he'll tell Charlie what is stressing him. But for now, Charlie is content to listen to his boyfriend play beautiful melodies.