Intrinsic Damn you, Rufus Wainwright. You keep me up at all hours writing.
Slash. Male-on-male. Implied sex. You were warned. I just love doing
couples I never see.

Intrinsic

Harry felt so protected when those strong arms were
wrapped around his smallish form. He could just lay there forever
with his head nuzzle into the crook of Cedric's neck, feeling him hold
tightly to him, and pretend nothing could get him. Not teachers, not
the press, not Voldemort. Cedric would be saving him from all that.
He kissed the very hook of the older boy's neck with this thought.
Cedric marveled at this boy. The Famous Harry Potter,
cuddling with him. What he would give to hold him forever. Just
keep him away from everyone else and keep him for himself. He
sighed as Harry kissed him and moved a hand to tangle itself in that
silkened ebony hair.
The rose-scented candles, almost completely burned, were
casting stained-glass shadows over the lovers through the barely
touched bottle of champagne Cedric had smuggled in. It was the
night before the final task of the Tri-Wizard tourney. Neither of them
knew who would win, nor did they care. So long as in the end they
could find some alone time to celebrate the victory properly, even if
it wasn't one of them. Botj even went so far as to secretly hope it
wasn't one of them, so they wouldn't be missed and could have the
whole night to themselves.
"You know, Harry," Cedric murmured, making soothing circles
with his hand on Harry's naked back, "my parents are planning to
stay a day after the tourney. I think...maybe it'd be nice to have a
dinner with them? Together, I mean?"
Harry rose a bit to look at his beau.
"And...I mean, if you're okay with it...maybe...um, maybe tell
them...about us...as a couple...? Maybe?"
Harry grinned and kissed him. "I know what you're saying.
You're just so cute when you stammer like that." His grin turned into
a keyed down smile, and he said gently, "Do you truly want to do
that? I mean, you've told me about how your mom feels about...you
know..."
"Yes, exactly why I'm nervous. But...Harry, if you were older,
I'd be proposing right now." Cedric gently tightened his linked arms
around the boys waist and said, "But, since I can't, this seems like
the next best way to let you know I'm serious. Serious about us."
And in that moment it was clear. It was clear to both of them.
As long as they had each other, they would be just fine. As long as
they had each other, there would never be a day too long or too
hard. As long as they had each other, life would go on.
As long as they had each other.