The bell dinged, signifying the arrival of Lucius Malfoy to Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. George lifted his eyes from the register, taking in the blond, resplendent in pitch-black dress robes.
Strength radiated from Lucius as he strode through the shop. Lucius's hands, pale and slender, caught George's attention. His face flushed, watching Lucius turn a bottle of Cupid Crystals so delicately it reminded him of a lover's caress.
What's wrong with you? George glanced at the ledger on the counter. The numbers made his head spin, and he struggled to focus.
xxx
"3 Galleons," George stated, curiously eyeing the pink box Lucius had set upon the counter.
Lucius's callused fingertips brushed George's palm as he placed the coins into George's hand. George ground his jaw and tried not to flinch.
Lucius noticed the pain buried in George's brown eyes. Like me, he never smiles.
"What are you doing here?" asked George. "This is the twelfth time this month!"
"Buying that."
"Why?"
"To daydream."
"Seriously?"
"Do you think I'm trying to raise another Dark Lord with daydreams?" spat Lucius. "Impossible!"
Good. "Tell me why you're here," George demanded.
"To apply for the bookkeeping post," Lucius confessed.
"Absolutely not."
"You've sold two Haunted Decks of a hundred. Discontinue them and stock more Ten-Second Pimple Vanishers. You're almost out, and you've got half the month left."
"I won't pay you," declared George after a few minutes passed.
"I don't want your money."
"Fine. Be here at nine tomorrow morning."
Lucius nodded, extending his hand. George gave it a firm shake, ignoring the shivers that ran down his spine.
xxx
Several months had passed, and Lucius's outstanding work helped the shop regain the success it had before the war.
"Come here," beckoned Lucius. George sat in the chair across from Lucius. "Can you read upside down?"
"No," replied George, taking the seat beside Lucius. He took a deep breath, accidentally inhaling Lucius's intoxicating cologne.
Lucius's husky timbre entranced George, and he observed the way Lucius's fingers curled around his quill and the way he sucked on the tip when deep in thought.
"Paying attention?" questioned Lucius, feeling the intensity of George's gaze. George blushed in response.
xxx
"It's high time you do the figures," Lucius decided one afternoon.
George sank into the chair, and a loud fluctuating sound came from his backside. He stood up, picked up the offending item, a Muggle Whoopee Cushion, and burst into laughter. His laughter triggered Lucius's, and soon the two men were in tears.
George crossed the room to Lucius, toy in hand. Lucius opened his mouth, but George silenced him with a gentle kiss. Lucius's eyes widened. He hadn't experienced affection in ages, and so he returned the kiss, deepening it slightly.
"I'm sorry," George whispered, slowly backing away.
"Don't be." Lucius stepped forward, pulling George in for another kiss. "By the way, we're selling these," he whispered against George's lips, finally releasing them.
George could only nod as a feeling of warmth and happiness coursed through him.
A/N: Word Count: 500. Written for Pairing the Character Drabble Competition - Week 9 Lucius Malfoy.