In the Cold Light of the Morning
by Ellena McKelles
.twelve.
It was almost nine o'clock before Draco dragged him weary body over the threshold of his flat. It was dark, save for a small light on in his kitchen. He smiled slightly, seeing the covered plate on the table. He pulled the wrapping off to find it still hot. A simple dinner of chicken curry and rice, one of Harry's specialties. Taking the plate and tucking his attaché case beneath his arms, he made his way towards his office, only to stop next to the sofa. Harry lay asleep on it, a tangled mess of limbs. Draco frowned, noticing the large bruise on his hip. He sat down on the coffee table, staring at the purple mark decorating Harry's hip. His fingers ghosted over it lightly. Harry stirred, rolling over on his stomach, stretching like a cat.
"You're home." He said sleepily.
"Just got in." Draco lifted the plate. "Thank you for dinner."
"Of course." Harry smiled. "Sorry it's just curry."
Draco dug the spoon into the dish. "Oh, it's just fine. Besides, something simple is nice one in a while."
"I'm glad." Harry yawned.
Draco munched through a few bites. "That bruise looks like it hurts."
Harry yanked down his shirt. "It's fine…"
"Are you sure? I have cream in my medicine cabinet." Draco replied, swirling the curry into the rice in his plate.
Harry shook his head, sitting up. "No, really it's fine."
Draco lifted the shirt again. "I did this…"
"Draco…"
"I did this to you." He set the plate down on the table. "I've hurt you."
"No, no… Draco, you haven't hurt me."
The blonde pressed lightly against the bruise, causing Harry to flinch. "Yes, I have."
"It wasn't intentional, we were both drunk." Harry replied, pulled his shirt more firmly over the bruise. "We just got a little out of hand. I mean I practically asked for it…"
Draco sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Harry, you know… It's not my intention to treat you this way."
"I know…" Harry looked down at his hands.
"I'm serious, Potter." Draco replied. "I know we are together do to some… unusual circumstances, but I would never wish you any ill will. I would never abuse you."
"Hermione talked to you…" Harry slumped against the sofa.
"She's concerned about you." Draco said, his tone touched with worry. "After doing a little digging myself, I am too."
"You looked into me?" Harry asked defensively.
"You forget what I do for a living. Accessing records is in my job description." Draco crossed his arms over his chest. "And fourteen drunken disorderly citations in the last two years is a bit excessive. Had I known you had an issue with alcohol, I wouldn't have let Pansy talk us into going out."
"I do not have an issue with alcohol." Harry replied icily.
"Fourteen citations say otherwise." The blonde pinched the space between his brows. "You've experienced something traumatic on more than one occasion. You have nightmares – do not deny they don't exist because I can hear you at night. You isolate yourself, yet you don't want to be alone. The hyper-sexuality while intoxicated—"
Harry stood abruptly. "I'm not one of your victims who needs to be coddled!" He began down the hallway. "I am a grown man. And a wizard at that!"
"Whatever Praetor did or didn't do, you know… You know you can tell me."
Harry froze, breath coming in pants. "She told you about Reed?"
"She saw your bruise this morning… Granger may have jumped to conclusions, but she's not stupid. I've seen a photo of Praetor, we're not dissimilar looking men with the similar ugly backgrounds. She saw the bruise, she made her assumptions based on past situations. Harry, if he—"
"He didn't." Harry stood straight, shoulders squared. "He didn't. I don't even know why Hermione thought to bring it up."
"Okay, fine..." Draco stood, picking up the plate and his attaché case. "I just want you to know that I would never hurt you like that on purpose. Intoxicated or not. As much as you think that I don't care about you, I am concerned for your personal wellbeing." He strode from the living room, the door to his office snapping shut.
Flopping down at his desk, he set to work on the files he'd brought home from the office. He knew that Harry had lied. That what Hermione had disclosed to him made perfect sense. Why they had ended their relationship so suddenly. Why Harry never spoke of his previous relationships. Draco knew the situation all too well. Partners of powerful people too afraid to leave their situation for fear of the loss of the comfortable life that had become accustom to. A pretty outside with an absolutely toxic center they only showed behind closed doors. Draco slumped in his seat. He should have known better than to confront Harry directly about the situation. It had never worked with nervous plaintiffs he dealt with on what seemed like a weekly basis.
Sitting back up in his chair, he began organizing his files for his cases in the morning, intermittedly shoveling curry into his mouth. It was almost half past midnight when he finally finished. He stacked the completed case files into his case and then strode back into the kitchen to deposit the dirty plate into the sink. Wearily, he trudged down the hallway to his bedroom, pausing to press a hand to the door to the guest bedroom. He felt like an idiot, but he shouldn't push his apology. Carding a hand through his hair, he turned away and headed down the hallway to his own bedroom. There, curled into a small ball on the side nearest the door, lay Harry. The duvet was a mess, obvious evidence that Harry had been sleeping fitfully.
"Merlin…" Draco sighed.
The blonde set about to readying himself for bed as quickly and quietly as possible. Harry moaned, brows furrowing. Draco frowned, taking in the fact that the dark-haired wizard was having yet another nightmare. He slid under the duvet next him and Harry twinged again, this time a breathy 'no' falling from his lips. Biting his lip, Draco slid closer to Harry. The smaller wizard turned into him, curling a thin hand into Draco's t-shirt. Draco wrapped his arm around him loosely and watched as a Harry relaxed into the embrace. He sighed, finally coming to terms with the fact that he was most definitely falling in love with Harry James Potter.
"Fuck…" Draco breathed, nuzzling his nose into Harry's thick black hair. "Fucking fuck…"
