First Kiss: Ask Nicely
A/N This series of oneshots was written for dramionedrabble's 7 Kisses Challenge for Valentines 2010.
This is the first drabble written for the prompt: First Kiss
"Put the wand down, Granger."
"What are you doing Malfoy?"
The sound of my surprised, ragged breath fills the darkened alcove. I'd been checking it while completing my prefect rounds. Only minutes before, I'd discovered Malfoy hiding there, the back of his blond head resting against the stone wall, weary. At hearing my voice, he turns to face me, his shoulder leaning against the same place his back had been only moments before.
"Waiting for you to show up, of course."
The indolent posture and smug smirk belie the spark of fear I discover glimmering in the stormy depths of his gaze. It winks out as soon as I lower my wand.
"Why, Ferret?"
"I've been watching you."
"You're seriously disturbed, Malfoy."
He chuckles mirthlessly.
"I know, Granger."
I step closer to him, worried now. It's been more than a few minutes and he hasn't insulted me yet.
"Are you quite alright, Malfoy?"
Maybe he'd been hexed or forced to swallow some sort of personality-altering potion.
One more step and I'll be within touching distance. My instinct for self preservation keeps me just out of his reach.
"I will be if you'd come closer, Granger."
"Why?"
"Because I asked, of course."
"But you haven't even used the magic word," I say, smiling to myself because I doubt he'll understand the Muggle request.
"Granger," he all but growls. "Come here."
I dig my heels in at the command.
"No!"
I hear the scuff of his approach. I feel his hand on my arm, his fingers clutching to my school robe. His breath is hot against my cheek. I stand stock-still, feeling him move closer into my personal space.
"Malfoy, what are you doing?!" My alarm is increasing by the moment.
"Something I've been wanting to do for awhile now, Bookworm."
"But you hate me," I cry, feeling his fingers curling the ends of my hair, grazing the small of my back.
I stiffen at his touch.
"That's not true, Granger," his lips whisper against my temple. "I hate what you do to me."
I screw my face in consternation.
Is this some sort of twisted Slytherin joke?
Is Zabini eavesdropping, ready for a good laugh?
"What are you on about, Malfoy?" I hiss suspiciously.
"I hate that my father's lied to me all these years. I hate that because of him I can't be like... " his words trails off and I feel the rough skin of his cheek against the softness of mine.
"Like what?" I breathe, unsure of this moment, of this boy who I've always thought of as the enemy, upending my idea of him with his touch, his nearness.
"They can hold your hand," he says. I hear the frustration in his tone, and feel him move his hand to enfold mine.
"They can make you laugh," he sighs, untangling the fingers he has in my hair to tenderly touch a corner of my mouth.
"They can show you how much they care for you..." his half-lidded gaze is on my face, the regret clear in his expression. "This is what I hate about you. I hate that in the light of day, you so easily allow them these things, things I know, for me, you'd never..."
I forget to breathe because this is Malfoy saying words that I can barely believe from any boy, let alone him!
Malfoy tiredly rests his forehead against mine. His vulnerability at this moment has me instantaneously making up my mind. I can hardly believe the words that steal out of my mouth as I feel his warmth surround me.
"Never is a long time, Malfoy," I say, bravely placing my own hand at the nape of his neck, threading my fingers through the silkiness of his hair there.
I gulp, daring to meet his shocked stare. I move my other hand to run along his jaw pulling him closer as I tilt my face up to his. Our mouths are only centimeters apart.
I feel him urging me ever closer.
"Please, Granger," he whimpers.
I lift to my toes and touch my lips against his. The shock of the caress stops the beat of my heart. I suddenly remember to breathe again when he gently moves his mouth to cover mine. I fall into his embrace. I feel his frustration, his confusion, his longing for me in this heart stopping buss. He only lets up for air, as I let out a small gasp.
His hands right me, and I am again standing before him, his hands now at his sides. The only indication we'd touched so intimately is the slight color to his cheeks and the glistening of his lips where I'd only just licked them.
"Why, Bookworm?"
His utterly confused pewter gaze bores into me.
With my palm, I tenderly stroke his cheek and offer him a small sad smile.
"Because you used the magic word, Malfoy."
I slide my hand down to his chest, touching the beating of his heart.
Then, reluctantly, I turn to go.
End Note: I'm taking a brain break from Draco's Dilemma. I'm still on it, though! I'll be updating this series through the weekend. It is unbeta'd.
