Chapter Four
"Did you like my letter?" Emmanuel asked the moment Draco arrived at the Orléans' home.
"It was...different," Draco answered. "It didn't help that the master of the house read the letter before I did and I had to—"
Emmanuel laughed. "So my plan worked, then."
"Your plan?"
"Yes. I need to show to him that you belong to me. He's wound up too tight for my likes," Emmanuel answered.
"You've met Potter?"
"Of course. I met him ages ago when Avi first frequented our parties. I wasn't always here but in the beginning he did accompany her and I met him once or twice. Then I was back at my travels and then never saw him again."
"Right," Draco said. He wasn't sure what to make of that information. He'd imagined that Potter had met Jacque Orléans but he had no idea that he'd met Emmanuel, also. Was that why Potter was so uncomfortable with Draco being around him. Had Emmanuel tried to shag Potter, too?
"He's a very talented artist," Draco said, feeling the need to argue for Potter. "He's the most disciplined person I know; he has to be because of his passion for his art."
Emmanuel frowned immediately when Draco started to defend Potter. Draco reckoned, charitable heart or not, Emmanuel didn't like being contradicted or disagreed with.
"He's using you," Emmanuel said.
"How so?" Draco raised an eyebrow. He'd barely entered the Orléans' house; he'd barely met the other guests. Emmanuel wasn't hosting a party-that much was clear. Evidently, he'd just used that as an excuse to get Draco to come.
"He's taking advantage of your impecunious state and treating you like a servant. Someone to parade around his work for free."
"It isn't free," Draco argued, as he fought to remain calm. "And I'd really rather not discuss my relationship with Potter with you."
"Do you discuss our relationship with him?" Emmanuel asked.
Draco was about to answer when he heard the sound of Avi's voice and he turned to look. She was arm in arm with Jacque Orléans and clearly they'd been listening to Draco and Emmanuel's conversation.
Draco looked at Jacque who seemed impassive by what he'd heard, but when he looked at Avi, she looked as though she'd just schooled her face to look unperturbed. Draco knew better, though. He lived with the woman. He knew when she really didn't care, and when she was acting.
He sighed and turned to look at Emmanuel. "If you'll excuse me, I'll just need a moment." He nodded at Jacque and made his way to the loo. He battled an anxiety attack as he locked himself up in there. Hoping, wishing that he could just stay there all night or simply Apparate back to the confinements of his bedroom.
Draco was worried by the vexed look in Avi's eyes. He'd hoped that whatever was happening with Emmanuel would die off easily or at least Draco could kill it before it escalated and now that Avi had heard them talking, it was hard to play off as Emmanuel's interest in him was nothing but a misunderstanding.
Emmanuel had spoken negatively regarding Potter and Avi had heard it. Never mind the fact that Draco had defended Potter, because he knew that that information would be relatively insignificant.
When Draco emerged out of the loo again, Emmanuel informed him that Avi and Jacque had left for the evening. He escorted Draco to the room where the other guests were gathered. Most were drinking Firewhisky or smoking cigars, and some were playing chess. No one seemed to care about Draco's presence or give him and his flamed-tattooed arms a second look.
"Are you tired?" Emmanuel asked after they had played what seemed like their tenth game of Basilisks and Ladders.
Draco straightened up in his leather chair and looked around the room. "Perhaps it is time to retire," he said. "If I'm staying in the same guestroom as before, I can find my own way."
"Haven't' changed your mind, then?" Emmanuel said standing up and gently pulled on Draco's arm. "I can't help but wonder what it would have been like if I'd met you before you signed on with Potter."
"What do you mean?" Draco's wobbled a bit as he walked, leaning on Emmanuel more than he would have liked, but he reckoned he'd had too much Firewhisky.
"If I'd met you before your service-bond was bought by Potter, then, I don't know, I wouldn't have to fight for you so hard. You wouldn't belong to him."
"And I'd belong to you?" Draco asked.
"Yeah. You'd be mine. Mine to do whatever I choose with—"
Draco chuckled.
"What is it?" Emmanuel asked, looking confused. "What did I say that's so funny?"
"That's really where you're wrong," Draco replied. He couldn't believe he was going to say this. After all these years, he was actually going to admit to something he'd never thought he would. "I am in a professional contract with Potter. I work for his shop. He works on me as his canvas. As his art. I do not belong to him. I don't belong to anyone. He'd given me a choice and I chose to be his. If anything, he belongs to me. He's my Saviour. In so many ways that I couldn't even count. And you?" Draco scoffed. "You want me like you'd want a toy you couldn't have. If you'd met me before I belonged to Potter, you'd have discarded me in the same way everyone else did."
Emmanuel's eyes were wide and there was a fiery rage there that Draco had seen in Avi's eyes earlier that night. That's when he realised that he was just so over it. Draco didn't need to defend himself to anyone. He didn't need to prove anything to anyone. Potter belonged to him and he belonged to Potter. It was just that simple. Why else, would after all these years, he be brought back to him? Why would they be reunited in such a way that connected them on such a deep level?
Emmanuel wanted Draco, there was no doubt about that. He'd kissed him, touched him, been aroused by him, but all Draco wanted was Potter's touch. He wanted Potter's ink on him. Potter, alone in his studio, candles floating around them. Draco could live in that room—forever.
Draco had no idea if this realisation meant that he loved Potter, or just respected him. But, he was willing to find out. He looked at Emmanuel who had opened his mouth just to say something but Draco cut him off.
"If my services are no longer needed, I'd like to leave now. I don't think I'll be spending the night in your guest bedroom, Monsieur Orléans. I'd rather go home. Where I truly belong."
Emmanuel nodded and Draco thought that he looked like he'd been stunned silent. Draco nodded respectfully in return and made his way towards the main room to collect his travelling cloak from the gatekeeper. Five minutes later, he'd Disapparated to Grimmauld Place and found Potter and Avi on the sofa in the sitting room near the fire.
He still felt a bit dizzy given the amount of Firewhisky he'd consumed and the fact that he'd Apparated but he walked towards them. "Hello," Draco said, trying not to sound overly care-free.
"Didn't expect you back so soon," Avi said.
"Yeah, you too," Draco replied. He wasn't sure of what Avi had been telling Potter but by the look on Potter's face, it wasn't good news.
"Have a nice night?" Potter asked and walked past Draco.
Draco followed him up the stairs and they'd reached the door to Potter's bedroom. Potter had barely looked back to acknowledge Draco's presence.
"Yeah it was—" Slam. Potter shut the door violently. "—rather eye-opening."
00-*-00
Draco didn't see Potter for nearly two weeks. He wasn't at home nor was he at work. Draco went to the shop in the mornings, following his routine the best he could, hoping that Potter would surface.
Potter eventually arrived at the shop for his scheduled customers and he barely looked at Draco when he'd entered Potter's studio. He was always too busy to speak to him and even their usual morning walks to the café had stopped.
Any free time Potter had, he spent in on tattooing Avi. Avi barely had any skin left from her neck to her ankles and it was clear that Potter was adding the finishing touches. Soon she'd be a complete piece and then she'd leave.
Even though Draco wasn't happy about the fact that Potter had barely shown him a drawing for his own tattoo, he was glad to know that Avi would be out of his hair soon enough. Then, he'd focus on getting Potter's attention. Even Asha and Alexis had started to notice Draco's misery.
"Hey, Draco... What do you think about me finishing up your arm? With the flames, I mean." Jackson stumbled out of his studio space on a Wednesday afternoon and started to chat up with Draco. His appointment had phoned to reschedule and there hadn't been any walk-ins that day.
"What do you mean? Potter does my—"
"Yeah, but Harry said you're leaving soon and you're not going to get any more work done by him."
"Leaving soon?" Draco felt the ground under him shake. "What are you talking about?"
"I don't know, that's what Harry said. He said that we'll have to find someone for the morning shift at the desk and that you're going to go away to Paris or Zurich, maybe..."
"I am doing no such thing!" Draco snapped. "That is utter rubbish!"
"Hey, calm down," Jackson said, raising his arms in surrender. "Maybe he misunderstood, but he seemed rather adamant about it. And a bit sad, if you ask me." Jackson winked.
Draco had half a heart to almost say that he didn't ask him but stopped himself. "I—uh—I should go talk to him," Draco said as he stood up from his chair. "It's a slow day. You don't mind, do you?"
"No worries, bud," Jackson answered. "I can hold the fort while you work your shit out with Harry." Jackson winked at him again and Draco frowned. Evidently everyone around him knew that he had some shit to work out with Potter.
He practically ran up the stairs towards Potter's studio and knocked on the door.
"Potter, it's Draco."
No answer.
Draco knocked again. "Potter, I know you're there."
No answer.
Draco slowly turned the doorknob and opened the door to the studio. He looked in and Potter was hunched over his desk, a quill behind his ear, and one in his hand. He was biting his lower lip, concentrating on his drawing.
"Potter," Draco whispered.
Potter looked up at Draco, annoyed. "I didn't give you permission to enter." Potter's voice was harsh. He was cold as he was in the beginning when Draco had first come to live with him. Any warmth that Potter had shown towards Draco in the past had all but fizzled away.
"I know. I'm sorry but this is urgent."
"I do not have time to speak to you, Malfoy."
"Potter—"
Potter slammed his fist on his workstation and then angrily pushed all the parchments off the table. Everything went scattered and Potter's studio looked like a biggest mess as Draco had ever seen. "I do not wish to speak to you right now, Malfoy."
"Potter, I don't understand," Draco said as he closed the door behind him. He didn't want Potter's employees to hear him scream this way. Potter would only come to regret it later.
"I know you wish to leave us," Potter said.
"Leave?" Draco spoke quickly before Potter said anything else. "Who says I'm leaving?"
Potter came around from behind his desk to face Draco. It was a challenge, and all of a sudden they were in second-year and ready to duel again. "Is it not true that Emmanuel Orléans wishes that you be with him?"
"Yes."
"And he's indicated on several occasions that he doesn't like the way I treat you and that you are being used?"
"Yes."
"So it's true. He's preparing to buy your service-bond off me and release you of any obligations that are required of you as my oeuvre?"
Draco didn't say anything. This was the first he'd heard of it. Emmanuel was still after him? He wanted to purchase Draco off Potter?
"Fucking hell," Draco muttered and Potter scoffed. Draco realised that he gave the wrong answer to him. "That bloke doesn't give up does he?" he added immediately.
Potter raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"I told him I wasn't interested. I didn't wish to be with him—belong to him. I said that I was happy being here. With you." Draco hoped that Potter could see the sincerity in his eyes.
"Oh," Potter whispered. "Perhaps she misunderstood."
Draco didn't need to ask who Potter was talking about. "Why didn't you ask me when you'd found out about it? This...misunderstanding?"
"I—I didn't wish to believe it. But, then his letters—"
"His letters?" Draco was confused again. Everyone around him was so eager to make decisions for him, spread stories, and jump to conclusions. It was infuriating.
Potter walked to the corner of his studio and opened a drawer from the table that was settled there. He returned with a few letters in tow. Some were opened and some were still sealed. "They're from him," he said. Potter offered them to Draco.
Draco grabbed the letters from Potter's hand and he all but crumbled them in his fist. He used his other hand to collect his wand from the back pocket of his jeans. "Incendio." The letters burst into flames and were soon dissolved into thin air. "Proof enough for you?" Draco asked. He stepped up to Potter, closing the distance between them, and ran his hand through Potter's hair.
Potter closed his eyes and leaned into the touch. Then he suddenly snapped them open, as if he realised what he was doing. He looked at Draco, his eyes giving away his hurt, his warmth. "Don't toy with me, Malfoy," he whispered.
"Potter, I don't wish to leave. I wish to stay. As your canvas. As yours—"
"Harry, are you here?"
Whatever Draco was going to say, which he himself wasn't entirely sure of, was interrupted when Avi barged into the studio.
"Oh," she said, sounding genuinely startled. "Made up then, I see."
"Just a misunderstanding," Draco said before Potter had the chance to say anything. He smiled and looked at Potter. He brushed Potter's hair off his forehead and straightened his glasses. "We're all good now, aren't we?"
Potter cleared his throat and nodded. "Right," he said and turned to grab his wand and pick up the mess he'd just made, off the floor. "Avi, why don't you settle on the chair?"
"Draco, I've got some designs for your phoenix in my office at home. Bhim will let you in, and you can look at them. I'd like your input by the end of the week."
"You...you want me to go into your office? Unsupervised?" Draco flustered over the words. All of a sudden, his nonchalance had vanished and he was nearly well panicking. Potter never allowed anyone in his office, except for Alexis.
"Yes," Potter said, matter-of-factly. He looked at Draco as if he didn't understand Draco's hesitation. "I've drawn up some ideas for the background, besides the bird and the flames, and I'd like you to look at it."
"Erm...alright," Draco said and left the room. He went up the steps to the attic and Disapparated to his bedroom in Grimmauld Place.
00-*-00
Potter's offbeat schedule had finally come to an end and he joined the rest of the household for dinner that night. He seemed to be in a good mood and didn't even flinch when another owl arrived from the Orléans' household.
"What does it say?" Avi asked as Draco hadn't even bothered to be troubled by it. If it was for him, he would simply burn it and if it was for Avi, then, it wasn't really his business.
He was still thinking about the designs he'd picked up earlier that day when he was in Potter's office.
Alexis had let him in with a knowing smile and Draco couldn't help but grin in return. Alexis stayed with him for a few moments and then instructed him: 'do not touch anything,' and left. Draco was ecstatic.
He sat on the leather chair behind Potter's desk and imagined Potter working there—late at night—hunched over the desk and damaging his posture. He saw one of Potter's coats hanging on the coat rack and he walked up to it and inadvertently took a whiff. It smelled like Potter. Everything in that office was Potter and Draco wanted to live there.
A half an hour later when Alexis had returned to announce that Potter was going to join them for dinner, he quickly grabbed the drawings and headed to his bedroom. He didn't want to get caught creeping around Potter's office. It was attached to Potter's bedroom and he only regretted not being able to peek in there.
"It seems that the Orléans are moving back to France, for good. They are selling their estate in England, and are having a goodbye feast." Potter's tone was unconcerned. He read over the invitation and handed it to Avi.
"We are all invited," Potter added. "You, Draco and myself."
"What?" Avi nearly screamed her astonishment.
"They're leaving?" Draco asked, calm. He didn't know why Avi was so shocked with the news. She was the one who'd mentioned it to Draco at Marie Orléans' engagement party.
"So it seems," Potter answered. "I will not be able to attend the feast as I have plans all this week. Avi, you can answer for yourself and whatever Draco decides to do." He abruptly stood up from his seat at the table and left.
Draco wondered what plans Potter had. If he really had any, or if he just didn't wish to attend the feast.
He watched Potter leave and then turned to look at Avi. "Perhaps, you should go alone," Draco said. "If it's their last few evenings here, maybe, you'd like some alone time with Monsieur Orléans and I would only get in the way."
Avi still looked fairly distraught. Draco chose to refrain from teasing her. He wasn't that person anymore, and truthfully, he had other business to attend to. "When is the feast?" he asked.
"In three days."
"Oh, brilliant. You best write back right away, then." He smiled softly at her and also stood up to leave the room. It had been an emotional day and all he wanted at that moment was sleep. He felt bad for Avi; he really did. She cared for Jacque a lot, but Draco was just glad that Emmanuel was going to be out of his life, forever.
00-*-00
Avi returned the RSVP for the invitation the next day. She'd asked Draco at least three times before she sent it off, just in case he'd changed his mind. He hadn't. He wasn't interested in doing displays for the Orléans. He wasn't really all that interested in displays at the moment, no matter who they were for. He wanted to mend things with Potter. He wanted to concentrate only at his job and his ink.
He cared for nothing else.
Much to Draco's relief, Marie Orléans invited Avi to their estate the night before the big feast. Draco knew and assumed that Potter also suspected that it really was Jacque Orléans who had invited her via his sister's owl, and Draco was glad for her. She had been too frantic ever since she had heard about their move back to France. With her ink nearly done and her contract time with Potter almost over, perhaps she would get some closure and could concentrate on what she wanted to do for her future.
Draco still had lots of time left at the Potter house and was glad for it. As much of a workaholic as Ann was and as flirtatious Jackson was, Draco was happy working with them at the shop and couldn't see himself doing anything else for a while. Time spent alone with Potter on his tattooing chair was also a reward on its own.
With Potter busy at the shop all day, Avi's visit at the Orléans', Alexis' trip to the market, and Asha busying herself with household chores, Draco spent his quiet days in the library again reading another book on Wizarding Tattoos. He found one that was signed personally to Potter from someone named Sebastian Guna.
Dear Harry,
I give this book to you on your last day of apprenticeship and all I have to say is that I've been impressed every day by your skill, which is nothing short of rare and distinct. You have been one of my favourite pupils, and not just because of our unique connection, but also because of your sheer talent. You know that you must come visit me whenever you feel the need. It won't be the same without you. I will miss you terribly.
Ever so yours,
Sebastian Guna.
"Unique connection?" Draco wondered if something had happened between Potter and his teacher. There was nothing else in the book to indicate where Sebastian Guna lived, but Draco did remember Potter telling him that he'd travelled a lot and apprenticed with several different styles of tattoo artists.
After reading the note, Draco placed the book back where he'd found it and looked through others. He wanted to see if any of the other books had any personal messages in them for Potter.
He was out of luck. An hour later, he was surrounded by books on the floor as he looked through them frantically. He was so occupied with his search that he hadn't even heard someone enter the library.
"Draco?"
Draco looked up desperately from the mess of his books and was startled and slightly embarrassed to see Potter standing by the door.
"Potter!"
"Is everything alright?" Potter raised an eyebrow and looked at the pile of books that surrounded Draco.
"Yes! Sorry..." Draco reached down to pick up a few and began piling them on the table. "I just got carried away with...research," he said.
"I can see that," Potter said, to Draco's relief, Potter's tone was light and he didn't sound angry.
"Asha says I need to go out more," Draco said, as he continued to pile the books, "but, I barely have anyone to leave the house with me. Avi—" He sighed. He didn't want to speak ill of Avi, she was only going to stay at the house for a short time now. He wasn't going to hold any grudges against her.
"Oh," Potter said, sounding disappointed or confused. Draco stopped and turned to look at him. "I'm leaving—I've got a Portkey scheduled for Romania and well—do you want to come with?"
"To Romania?"
"Yes, I've asked Ann to handle the shop for a couple of days as I go on holiday and—"
"What's in Romania?"
"Friends."
Draco thought Potter was being oddly cryptic. "And you want me to come with you?"
"Yeah. If Asha says that you need to get out more—that means—it isn't business as usual, so I'd take her advice if I were you."
"Okay, when do we leave?" Draco asked. He wouldn't mind a change of scenery and if it was with Potter, well that was even better. He didn't trust Emmanuel, the man might just come and kidnap him while Potter was on holiday.
"In twenty minutes," Potter answered.
Draco's eyes widened and he nearly panicked. He had to get ready in less than twenty minutes!
Potter smiled softly at him and then nodded towards the door. "Why don't you go and pack a few things for two days, and I'll put the books away."
"Oh," was all Draco said, and he was mortified at the fact that Potter would have to clean up after him. What was wrong with Draco, anyway? He'd become obsessed with finding more about Potter's relationship with his teachers, and he'd hoped to get more information on Sebastian Guna.
"Come on, then," Potter said, and Draco was out the door in no time.
He ran to his room and packed a set of clothes. He wasn't sure what he should have packed. Was he going as Potter's guest or as his oeuvre? If he were accompanying Potter, would he be expected to show his artwork to those around them? These were questions Draco should have asked Potter before he was in his room packing. He eventually folded up a pair of jeans, a few long sleeved button-down t-shirts and a pair of wizarding robes. He stuffed everything in small bag and grabbed his wand. He didn't care about his clothes getting wrinkled as he'd have to perform an ironing charm on them, regardless.
Potter knocked on the door to check in with Draco.
"Are you ready?" Potter asked.
"Yes. Just about. How are we going, where is the—?"
"The Portkey is set up at the Burrow, so we'll have to Apparate—" Potter stopped talking when he must have seen the look of sheer fear on Draco's face. "Don't worry, no one is at the Burrow," he said.
"Oh," Draco mustered out.
"The Weasleys are on holiday, as well, we might see them in Romania tomorrow evening. If we stay that long," Potter added.
"Erm. Are you sure that I should come along, then?"
"Yes. Why wouldn't you?"
"Uh...not sure. If it's a family affair, then I best—"
"It's not a family affair. I am going to see my friends and it just so happens that the Weasleys are going there tomorrow, too. We might see them; we might not. If you're that afraid then we'll leave before they arrive."
Potter didn't wait for Draco to respond and left his room. Draco dutifully followed as he was suddenly extremely nervous. Why would Potter leave early if it bothered Draco?
They arrived at the Burrow and Potter hurried towards the shed where he grabbed a broom before they made their way to the object that was serving the purpose as a Portkey. It was an old boot that was settled in the corner of the shed.
"Why is it here?" Draco asked.
"What is what here?"
"The Portkey? Why at the Burrow?"
"It's an on-contact Portkey," Potter answered. "So it needs to be at a safe place."
"If it's an on-contact Portkey, that means, there's no time limit." Draco narrowed his eyes at Potter. "Why did you tell me that I only had twenty minutes to get ready?"
Potter gave Draco a sly smile. "I wanted to see how fast you could get ready."
"So you were planning on taking me along—"
"Yeah. I was going to ask you, regardless," Potter said shrugging. "So are you ready?"
Draco scowled at Potter as they both touched the boot together. He was jerked forward and his feel left the ground. He felt Potter grab his arm as his other hand clutched onto the broom tightly. And before he knew it, it was over. He practically fell on top of Potter who caught him before Draco hit the ground.
"Easy there," Potter said and his arm was snaked around Draco's waist.
"We're there?" Draco asked, breathing heavily.
"Yeah, just outside Charlie's village. That's why we need the broom."
"Charlie's village?" Draco asked.
"Yeah." They landed outside a small hut, and Draco watched as Potter placed a protection charm around the Portkey and the tiny shed. "I told you I'm visiting friends. Charlie Weasley and his partner."
Draco didn't say anything and somehow understood his conversation with Potter from before. He was visiting Charlie Weasley, that's why the Weasleys were arriving tomorrow. Where were they tonight, then? And his partner? Charlie was gay?
Potter had told Draco a while back that he'd lived in Romania for a year. Did he stay with Charlie?
"So we have to fly to their house. They don't like unannounced guests so their wards are quite guarded." Draco gave him a confused look. "But they're expecting me," Potter added. "No need to worry."
There was something odd about Potter's demeanour and the way he was speaking. The night wasn't that cold but it looked like Potter was shivering. If it wasn't with the cold then it was with anticipation. Draco had watched Potter for a while now, he'd observed Potter's every move. The cool and calm appearance that he always had on wasn't all there tonight. Why was Potter nervous?
"Well, I'm ready when you are," Draco said.
Draco tried not to think about the fact that the last time he was on a broom with Potter, Potter had been saving his life. Potter, who could have just let him burn in the fire. And here they were, nearly ten years later, Potter was flying them to some random house in a remote village in Romania. And he was nervous.
Potter mounted the broom and Draco followed. He wrapped his arms around Potter, inadvertently leaning closer, and took in his scent. Under him, Potter fidgeted a bit and Draco thought that his actions made Potter awkward.
"Sorry," Draco said and pulled back.
"No! It's fine," Potter said. "So we're off then." Without waiting, Potter took off and Draco tightened his grip around him again. This time, Potter didn't tense up as much as before, and Draco relaxed as well.
The flight wasn't very long and when they'd arrived, a tall muscular man with bright red hair was waiting for them. He waived at Potter the moment they had flown close enough to the small house.
"Harry!" he exclaimed and Potter all but jumped off the broom, leaving Draco behind and hopped into the man's arms for an embrace.
Draco watched them for a short while. If they had actually kissed, he would have thought that they were long lost lovers reuniting after years. But there was no kiss, just a very tender embrace that still left an odd upset feeling in the pit of Draco's stomach.
"Draco Malfoy," the man, who Draco assumed was Charlie Weasley, said. "In the flesh. I hadn't really believed it at first. But, here you are."
Draco hopped off the broom when Charlie offered his hand for him to shake. Potter came by his side and collected the broom from him. Draco shook Charlie's hand. "It's nice to meet you..."
"Charlie," Potter said. "Draco this is Charlie. I'm not sure if you've ever met."
"Not officially," Charlie said, squeezing Draco's hand and led them into his home. "Sebastian has been waiting all day for you to arrive."
"Sebastian?" Draco hadn't realised that he'd said the name out-loud until both Charlie, and Potter stopped to look at him. "Sorry, I—"
Sebastian. Draco followed Charlie and Potter into the house and looked around. Could it be possible? He'd come across the name earlier that day and could he be meeting Sebastian Guna tonight? Potter had said that he was visiting Charlie and his partner. Draco remembered the words: unique connection—
"Harry!"
Draco was yanked out of his thoughts when another man entered the room. He wore a short-sleeved shirt with black trousers and his arms were covered with tattoos. Leaves moving about as if they felt the breeze in the room and Draco stared at them in fascination.
"Draco, this is my former tattoo master, Sebastian Guna. Remember when I told you that I stayed in Romania for a year? I stayed here with him and Charlie."
"Oh, that's wonderful. It's an honour to meet you," Draco said shaking the man's hand and felt pleasantly relieved. He straightened up his shoulders and all the tension from his back seemed to have gone away. He was in Potter's former teacher's house and there was no sexual history or connection between them. He smiled at the thought and realised that they were all looking at him strangely.
"Sorry. I just got lost in my thoughts for a moment," Draco said and cleared his throat. He looked at Potter who gave him the oddest expression. His eyes were roaming around Draco's face as if he was trying to understand what Draco was thinking. Draco smiled again and looked around the room once more. "I like your house," he said, in efforts to remain polite.
"Thank you," both Sebastian and Charlie said in unison.
"Sebastian's shop is in the back and my work isn't terribly far from here so it works for us," Charlie said. Then he scowled for a moment. "Why are we all still standing. Come, have a seat."
"I hope you're hungry," Sebastian said and left the room.
"He's been cooking all day. You'd think that the family was coming tonight and not tomorrow night." Charlie shook his head as he poured small amounts of Firewhisky in four glasses.
"What's the occasion?" Draco asked. He figured that there had to be one if everyone was going to come to their home in Romania. There was definitely a party planned.
Charlie smiled and looked down into his glass, a blush creeping up on his cheeks.
"Ten years and you're still like this," Potter said. He looked at Draco and spoke softly. "Bonding ceremony. Charlie and Sebastian have been together for ten years and there's a bonding ceremony in the morning and the family arrives late afternoon for the celebrations."
"They won't be here for the ceremony?" Draco asked.
Charlie took a swig of his drink. "No, the ceremony is supposed to be small. Just a magical celebrant and one or two witnesses. It's not like a wedding ceremony. So we're just having the formal part in the morning then, the family will arrive for all the drinking festivities."
"They're good at that," Potter said smiling and finished his Firewhisky in one gulp.
"I'm so glad they won't be here in the morning," Sebastian said as he walked into the room carrying a plate of hors d'oeuvres. "I'm not sure if I would have agreed if it wasn't just you, Harry."
"Anything for you guys," Potter said and grabbed a chunk of Bruschetta off the tray.
"Well then, Draco," Sebastian drawled, turning his attention towards Draco. "I see you've been looking at my ink since you arrived." Draco gulped nervously and bit his lip. "Oh, he's adorable." Sebastian turned to look at Potter, who frowned for a moment before he schooled his face.
"Well, I'll show you mine, if you show me yours." Sebastian raised an eyebrow and Draco turned to look at Potter, apprehensive of what was being asked of him.
Potter rolled his eyes. "He's just trying to intimidate you," he said. "He's my former teacher. He wants to see your ink. So he can criticise me."
"Oh. Shall I—" Draco started to remove his jacket but hesitated for a moment. He looked at Charlie Weasley nervously.
"I can leave the room if it'll make you feel better," Charlie said.
"No. It's fine," Draco said and removed his jacket. "This has to be my lifestyle someday, right? And I've already been put on display, so—"
Draco saw Potter look away for a brief moment, like he was trying to hide something. His hands turned into small balls of fists, and then he breathed out and looked up at Draco as if nothing had just happened.
Draco unbuttoned his shirt and took it off as well. He looked at Potter again. "Do I need to remove my trousers?"
"No, that's fine," Sebastian said standing up and walking towards Draco. All of a sudden, his flirty tone was gone and he sounded stern. He placed his hand on Draco's shoulder and traced the phoenix on his back. Draco felt his fingers over the artwork and he'd leaned in, close to Draco's skin, scrutinising it.
"It's near perfection," Sebastian mumbled.
"Just near?" Potter teased and then he came close to Draco as well.
"Don't get arrogant, kid," Sebastian replied. "The flames are interesting. They're different than what I've seen you draw on people before."
"That's because Draco designed them," Potter answered.
"Oh, he draws, too?" Sebastian seductive tone had returned.
"And can work with a needle," Potter answered. He grabbed Draco's shirt and handed it to him and then rolled up his own sleeve to show the serpent to Sebastian.
"Oh I see you're finally taking the next step," Sebastian said and started to examine the tattoo closely on Potter's arm.
Draco was nervous again and he took a seat next to Charlie on the sofa. Charlie handed him another shot of Firewhisky. "They'll be like this for a while," he said.
"What's the next step?" Draco asked.
"Harry taking an apprentice," Charlie answered.
"The best thing a tattoo master can acquire is someone who wants to be their student. Harry wants to show his teaching skills to Sebastian, so he can move on from just being an artist to a mentor."
Draco leaned back and watched Sebastian and Potter speak to each other. Now he realised why Potter had brought him there. He thought it was weird that Potter was going to include him into something so intimate like the bonding ceremony of his friends, but now Draco realised that Potter wanted to show Draco off to his teacher. Not just Potter's talent as an artist with his ink on Draco, but Draco's ability to learn and tattoo—that would make Potter look good.
Draco felt oddly proud in that moment. Their relationship was so different than what he'd thought it would be when he'd first arrived at Potter's shop. It was so different than what Emmanuel had accused him of and of what Avi shared with Potter.
He smiled and thought about how proud he made Potter. How proud he was to be Potter's. He took a sip of his drink and felt the set of eyes that were watching him. He turned to look at Charlie who was just grinning at him.
"What?" Draco asked, confused.
Charlie shook his head and shrugged. He got up off the sofa and cut into the conversation that Potter and Sebastian were engrossed in. "Can we eat now or are we going to talk shop all night?"
"Before we do that, I want Draco to officially be initiated as Harry's apprentice," Sebastian said.
Draco realised he was the only one sitting on the sofa as the three men were looking down at him. "How do we do that?" Draco asked, standing up.
"Get your wand," Sebastian said and when Draco did, he pulled Draco towards Potter. "Touch the serpent with your wand and cast the spell."
"What spell?" Draco asked.
"You haven't taught him?" Sebastian scolded Potter.
"I—uh—our sessions were interrupted for a few weeks due to some—misunderstandings," Potter said, flustering over his answer.
Sebastian groaned in disbelief, or so Draco thought.
"Draco," Potter said. "You're going to place your wand in the middle of the tattoo and say: Effio Vivere. Okay?"
Draco nodded.
"Are you sure he's ready?" Sebastian asked, sounding unconvinced.
"He's ready," Potter said, before Sebastian had a chance to add something else to his question.
"The midsunder—"
"He's ready," Potter insisted.
"I'm ready," Draco said. He pulled out his wand and both Sebastian and Charlie stepped away from the two of them. It would have been comical, given Draco and Potter's history, if he weren't so damn nervous about it. "Effio Vivere," Draco muttered and he saw the serpent on Potter's arm move.
Draco almost squealed at the sight. He looked at Potter who was staring right at Draco, his eyes gleaming with pride. "You did good, Draco," he said.
Draco smiled at him and eventually, Charlie dragged them to the kitchen for dinner.
00-*-00
Charlie and Potter were in the kitchen cleaning up as Sebastian had returned to his studio looking for a book that he wanted to give Draco.
"Are you staying tomorrow night?"
Draco had left the two friends alone making an excuse about looking for the loo. When he returned, he heard them talking and decided to not interrupt right away.
"Not sure. I don't think Draco's ready for—the Weasley convention. I practically grew up with your family. When I'd mention the chance of them being here, he'd panicked. I don't want to—"
"You're awfully worried about him."
"He is my charge."
"You know he's in love with you, right?"
Potter dropped the dish he was holding. "What?"
"I watched him. When you were speaking with Sebastian. You're proud of him and he's—I'm rather positive of it."
"Charlie, don't be an idiot. He just cares about—" Potter sighed.
"What is it?" Charlie's voice was worried as if he'd seen an expression on Potter's face that Draco could not from where he was standing.
"A few days ago, I thought—I thought something would have happened between us. But Avi had walked into the room and then the moment was gone. He—I still don't trust that he won't just run away..."
"But you're taking him on as your apprentice?"
"Yes."
"You know what that means..."
"I know exactly what that means."
What did it mean? Draco had no idea. His heart broke a little when he heard that Potter still didn't trust him. Potter thought that he was going to run away? Even after he told him — assured him — that he wasn't going to take Emmanuel Orléans' offer to purchase his service-bond.
"Draco!"
Sebastian walked into the room and startled him, and Draco turned away from the kitchen. Whatever conversation Potter and Charlie were having was also halted.
Sebastian presented Draco with a book titled Basic Fundamentals of Wizarding Tattoos. "I know that there are plenty of books in Harry's library that you can look over, but I wanted to give you a signed copy," he said.
Draco looked down at the author and realised that it was written by Sebastian Guna. "Oh, that's brilliant!" Draco said and opened the cover to find a note from Sebastian. "This is really—very thoughtful of you." He grinned at Sebastian and then turned to show the book to Potter.
"Interesting that I did not get a signed copy," Potter teased.
"You already have a book from me with my congratulations. You're not that special, Harry."
"You will be like this all night, won't you?" Charlie asked and shook his head. "Your things are still by the door, Draco. Let me show you where you and Harry are going to sleep tonight." He grabbed Draco and Potter's bag from next to the sofa and walked up the steps.
Draco followed him, slightly panicking that he and Potter were going to be sleeping in the same room. This was right after Charlie had announced to Potter that he believed that Draco was in love with him?
"Because Sebastian works from the house, his studio is set up in the back. We don't have a lot of space, so unfortunately, we only have one guestroom," Charlie said, as if he'd not noticed Draco's dismay at all.
He opened the door to the guest room and there were two beds on each corner of the room. Draco sighed with relief. At least, he wouldn't be sharing a bed with Potter.
"You can settle your things and then come down and meet us for a drink if you'd like. But there's no pressure, we won't be staying up too late because of the early morning ceremony."
Draco nodded and sat on the bed that was on the left side of the room. "I think I'll just stay here for the night. I don't want to interrupt you. You probably haven't seen Potter in a long time, and I am a bit tired."
"Are you sure?" Charlie gave Draco a once over. "If you change your mind, feel free. I won't mind if you come and rescue me from their shop talk." He grinned at Draco and then left closing the door behind him.
Draco undressed quickly and settled in bed. He had little to no intention of going downstairs and embarrassing himself further. He knew he liked Potter—wanted to impress him, but love? Was he in love with Potter? Was it that obvious?
He didn't stay awake very long. It had been a very long day and sleep overcame him quickly. He woke, what he thought, was a few hours later. The room was dark and the door opened abruptly; Draco he sat up, alarmed.
It was Potter and he was stumbling into the room. "Sorry, didn't mean to wake you," Potter said and all but crashed on the empty bed.
"It's fine. Are you alright?" Draco asked, getting up off the bed.
Before Potter stumbled onto the floor, Draco grabbed Potter by the waist and steadied him. Potter held on to Draco's shoulder and then leaned against the mattress.
"You're...you're not wearing anything."
"It's hot up here and I just thought I'd sleep in my boxers," Draco said, as he settled Potter on the bed. "How much did you drink, Potter?"
"Yeah, it's hot in here. Of course," Potter mumbled.
"What's the matter? It's not like you haven't seen me naked before..." Draco trailed off. Draco had undressed in front of Potter enough times to not even give it a second thought anymore. What was Potter's problem tonight?
"Right. I should..."
"Lean back," Draco said, and as Potter lay on the mattress, Draco helped take his shoes off. Potter removed his shirt and all but threw it across the room.
Draco sighed and shook his head.
"What?" Potter scowled.
Draco walked towards where Potter had thrown the shirt, picked it up, and folded it. "This isn't your home, Potter. There's no Asha or Alexis here to clean up after you." He placed the shirt at the side table. "Do you need help with your trousers?"
"No!" Potter answered, agitated. "I'll just sleep like this."
"You'll be hot."
Potter didn't say anything, just shrugged. "Alright." Draco pulled the covers over Potter's body and turned to go towards his own bed.
"Draco..." Potter drawled and Draco turned to look at him. He didn't say anything and just waited for Potter to talk. "Thanks," he whispered a minute later. Draco couldn't help but wonder if Potter wanted to say something else but had stopped himself. He closed his eyes and Draco waited until Potter's breaths evened out and his chest rose and fell in an even rhythm.
Draco leaned in and removed Potter's glasses and placed them next to the shirt. He waited and watched Potter's sleeping face for a few moments. His nose twitched and he mumbled something before turning away.
Draco had seen some of the tattoos on Potter's chest and arm, but never his back. There was a giant—incomplete—stag resting there. As if it too was sleeping with Potter. Draco had watched Potter for months finishing up ink after ink, and the way Potter would draw on Avi and Draco. He now knew an uncompleted artwork if he saw one, and the stag, though brought to life, was unfinished.
Draco chuckled to himself; not really sure what he was doing, and why he was standing like that next to Potter's bed. He ran his fingers through Potter's hair and then turned away again.
Draco stopped with a jolt when he saw Sebastian standing at the door. Apparently, he'd watched the whole thing. Sebastian's expression was inscrutable and Draco didn't dare move. He had no idea what he would do, or say, or what Sebastian would say to him. So, he just stood there.
"He's fragile," Sebastian whispered finally, filling the awkward silence that was becoming too daunting for Draco.
"I don't— I mean, I wasn't—"
"Don't abandon him," Sebastian said before he moved away from the door and left.
00-*-00
The ceremony had, indeed, been a quiet affair. Draco hadn't attended a wedding since he was a child, and had never participated in a bonding ceremony for a gay couple. He figured the rules were the same: the officiator speaks, the couple makes their vows, the witness recites the spell that binds them for life. What Draco hadn't anticipated was the tears he'd have when Sebastian promised to care for Charlie for the rest of his life, or when Charlie accounted for their first meeting and how he'd fallen for Sebastian since their first date.
It also didn't help that as they pledged for their bond, Draco was in direct sight of Potter, and the look on Potter's face as he watched the couple was overwhelming. The cool and calm demeanour that Potter almost always had with Draco, or the friendly and kind appearance he sported with Asha and Alexis had vanished. Draco watched Potter as he watched the two affianced men, and he saw a sort of love and longing that he'd never seen before.
Potter was happy for his friends, genuinely happy, and there was something else. Draco couldn't figure out what it was. Was it jealousy? He couldn't help but wonder if Potter had ever been in love with one of these men, or was it envy that he didn't have what they had? Perhaps it was just sadness. Draco could see that. Potter was, for the lack of a better word, alone. He had his employees at the shop and at the house. He had Avi—for a short while more—but, he didn't date. He rarely went out on his own and the nights Draco and Avi were out for a viewing, Potter was home alone, drinking.
Maybe it was sadness. Maybe it was the fact that he hid behind his work and didn't date, and here he was, a witness to his mentor's marriage. Why hadn't Potter found someone to be with? What was stopping him?
TBC