A/N: We're getting to the end, everyone. Just two chapters after this. It's such a weird feeling. Anyway, thank you everyone that left reviews! Thank you everyone that has stuck with this story so far. But a big special thanks to Mr Jakey Fakey for his kind review! Your kind words always give me the extra push to write another chapter, so thank you very much! Anyways, everyone please enjoy the next chapter. Let me know what you think! I know that they might be slightly OOC, but just think about how you would act with someone you love.
Also! When I emailed this to myself, some random lines appeared through the text. If they're there, please ignore them! If they're not, I just look like a crazy person.
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Draco threw himself against Ron's bed, letting his body sprawl out across it. He let out a whiney noise when the red head tried to roll him over for some more room. Ron just let out a laugh as he crawled next to the blonde.
It had been a week since the confession between the two. Draco barely remembered what happened afterwards. All he could remember was Ron taking his hand with a smile and leading him back to the Burrow. The rest of the day was a blur of smiles and Ron's fiery hair and loving kisses. There wasn't even the slightest hint of awkwardness. It just felt too right to the both of them.
The two didn't even have to act differently around Ron's parents. To them, nothing had really changed. They still felt the same, they still treated each other the same. There was nothing to hide around Arthur or Molly. Nothing except the occasional urge to jump each other and kiss each other to death. Other than that small part, everything had remained almost normal.
Currently, there was only a week left before Draco had to leave the Burrow. The summer had flown by so quickly that Draco wished he could take it all back. That he could have just opened his eyes and spent the whole summer with Ron, kissing and hugging him and loving him. If only revelations could happen faster.
The blonde rolled over on his side, letting Ron have a bit more room to lie down. His arms were bent awkwardly at his side, his brilliant blonde hair covering a good portion of his face. Through his not-too-thick hair, Draco stared at Ron. After a minute, Ron glanced down at his friend and gave him a smile.
"You know, you don't hide yourself very well behind hair." Ron quietly said with a small laugh. Draco's face immediately felt hot.
"Whatever, I'm not hiding." Draco mumbled as he brushed the hair away. He scooted himself just a bit closer to the red head, close enough to feel the other's body heat. It was quiet for a few moments, Ron staring at the foot of the bed and Draco's eyes just wandering where ever around the small room. Without thinking too terribly hard, a thought popped into Ron's head. Before he could talk himself out of it, he felt his mouth open and heard his voice speak.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Can I ask you something in return?"
Ron blinked a few times, trying to gather his thoughts together again. He hadn't expected Draco to request something in return. His curiosity got the better of him.
"Sure…?" Ron's voice trailed, scooting away from Draco just a bit. His neck was hurting and he wanted to look at Draco when he asked his question.
"Ok, you first." Draco mumbled as he sat up in the bed. Ron sat up shortly after him, still trying to put his thoughts back together. After a moment or two of thinking about it, he just let go and went for it.
"Ok, so you remember when I woke you up in the middle of the night because you were screaming? You said that is was to fill the silence. I still don't understand." The red head spat out. He tried to say it as slowly as he could. It still came out almost too fast for the blonde to register. Draco stared past Ron for a moment, searching for the right words to voice his thoughts. It made Ron feel a tad bit awkward, him just sitting there and Draco staring off into space.
"Do you remember what it was like when you first heard me play?"
"Wait, you didn't answer my- "
"Just go along with it, ok?" Draco calmly but firmly said as he cut Ron off. The red head sat there and thought about the first time he ever heard Draco play the guitar. It filled his heart with warmth remembering that moment.
"Yeah, I remember." Ron softly replied. Draco brought his eyes back to Ron's, refusing to look away.
"You know that feeling of warmth and happiness and like the world is never going to end? Like you're falling and flying at the same time? I feel like that every single time I look at you." Draco quietly said. Ron's head spun for a brief moment as he processed everything that Draco had said.
"That still doesn't answer my question." Ron bluntly said. Draco finally looked away from his friend as a small, sad laugh escaped him. Running his hands through his hair, Draco turned back towards Ron.
"In my dream, you died, remember? Without you there, I didn't feel happy anymore. And that terrified me. As cheesy as it sounds, you're the music in my life." Draco said with such intensity it left Ron speechless. Without having to think very much, Ron reached up and wrapped his arm around Draco's slim frame. It created this weird sort of half-hug, but neither of them minded it. Ron took in a deep breath of air and turned his head towards the blonde.
"Is it weird that that same night I had a dream where you died, too?"
Draco's eyes snapped back up towards the red head, but Ron's face was no longer in his direction. Instead, Ron was staring at his blankets, the end of the bed, the rest of the room. Anywhere but Draco. The blonde felt his cheeks flare up, but he wasn't really sure why he was blushing.
"Maybe… it was some sort of weird sign." Draco mumbled. Ron's gaze finally met back up with his. The red head's eyebrows were furrowed slightly, like he was trying to understand what Draco had said.
"What?"
"Well, not long after, all of... this happened. So maybe it was some kind of messed up sign that we really need each other." Draco slowly said. He chose his words carefully. At times like this, sometimes it can be easy to say what you don't mean. Or something like that. Draco wasn't really sure what his brain was thinking at this time.
Ron let Draco's words sink it, letting them fill his heart until it felt like it was going to explode. It created this feeling in his chest, like it was just swelling with happiness. Ron knew that his face was bright pink by now, his freckles probably looking a scary colour against it. But he found that he really couldn't care less. He needed Draco, and Draco needed him. He gave the blonde a small smile, taking his arm back and resting it next to Draco's on the bed. Without a second thought, he grabbed the other's hand, lacing their fingers together. Ron stared at the connected hands for a moment, looking at Draco. His face was flushed as well. Ron smiled.
"So, what was your question?" Ron quietly asked as he ran his thumb along Draco's hand. The blonde now found it a little difficult to speak or to gather his thoughts together or anything for that matter. He took a deep breath and looked Ron right in the eyes. It was now or never.
"I realized that I loved you not too terribly long ago. But, somewhere in the back of my mind, I know that I've at least liked you for a while now. Or something weird like that. It's hard to explain. The point of my speech is… well... when did you realize that you liked me, too?" Draco quietly said. He made himself say it slowly so Ron could catch it all. It was so painful to finally voice all the thoughts and feelings that he had felt for what felt like forever. Draco couldn't even look at Ron at this point; the air just felt too thick.
After a moment or two of awkward silence, Draco took the chance to steal a look at the red head. Ron's face... Draco had never seen it like this before ever. He looked so serious and like he was thinking so damn hard. The blonde forced himself to look away after he pictured one of Ron's veins bursting in his neck. He just looked like he was thinking so damn hard.
"You know, I actually don't remember."
Draco looked back at Ron, his voice stirring him from his thoughts. Ron had his eyes fixed on the blonde once again. His face was just so intense now... so determined looking. Draco had to look away before he got lost in it.
"What?" He managed to mumble in response.
"I don't remember a time where I decided that I liked you or loved you or anything like that. It's like, one day I saw you as a really good friend and the next… I just wanted to hold and kiss you." Ron softly replied. His hand tightened around Draco's. It was the most intimate and open that Draco had ever been with someone. The second he thought that, he started to become afraid.
The blonde's eyes went from their intertwined hands back up to the red head's face. Draco's eyebrows were turned upward slightly, his mouth parted just enough for Ron to see where he's been biting the inside of his lip. Draco could feel his heart beat faster, his skin become warmer from the rushing blood. Ron took this all in. This horribly beautiful sight in front of him… he saved this moment in the back of his memory before he ruined it.
Before Draco knew it, something soft forcefully hit him right in the face. It shocked and surprised him so much he almost fell over. Ron's sing-song laughter erupted in the silent room. Draco looked at him, seeing a pillow in Ron's spare hand. The hand that wasn't connected to the blonde. Draco gave his friend an evil smile, ripping his hand away. Ron had this look of curiosity before he realized that Draco had grabbed his own pillow, getting ready to pummel him with it.
"Wait, Draco-!" Ron tried to say but was silenced by the pillow repeatedly hitting him across the face. Ron managed to get a hold of his own, swinging it around wildly and hoping that it'd somehow stop the mad man in front of him.
After a few moments of play fighting, both the boys were roaring with laughter. They were now sprawled out on Ron's bed, both of them on their backs. Ron's legs were dangled on top of Draco's. It was a tight fit – Ron thought he was going to fall off once or twice – but it was comfortable. What could be more comfortable than lying in bed with the person you love?
"What the bloody hell was that for?" Draco suddenly said with a laugh. At this point he couldn't contain his giggling. Ron gave a short laugh, but the atmosphere quickly became serious again. The blonde made himself stop laughing.
"I like it better when you smile." Ron simply said. Draco stared at the ceiling, letting the unfamiliar relaxing feeling of laughter sink into him. He didn't say anything back to the red head. They just stayed there in a comfortable silence.
He liked it when he smiled, too.
000
The week was up. It was the day that Draco had to leave.
The two had been putting it off all day, packing a bit here and there, kissing and touching more than they should have been. Currently, it was the awkward time between lunch and dinner time. Both of them knew that Harry was going to be here for dinner, Hermione coming the following morning. Ron loved his friends dearly, but he was dreading having to part ways with Draco. It was for a short time, only a week, but he still couldn't stand the thought of it.
The two were standing the middle of Ron's bed room, trying to find the rights words to say goodbye. Arthur had called up a few minutes ago, giving Draco the warning that they were leaving soon. Ron wasn't able to go with them to drop Draco off at the train station; Molly wanted him here to help out with dinner and to greet Harry. It killed Ron when she requested this, but he couldn't protest. His parents still didn't know.
Neither of them had been very good at it… saying goodbye. Ron had done it before, but not very well. Draco had never done it properly. Right now, they were just standing there, Draco no more than a step away from Ron. The red head let out a small laugh, earning a concerned look from the blonde.
"I feel so stupid…" Ron mumbled. Draco raised an eyebrow.
"Explain?"
"I feel so… ridiculous. I'm going to see you in a week. A week. But even that feels like forever. You haven't even left yet and I miss you terribly already." Ron said, making himself not look at Draco as he spoke. He already knew that his friend's face would be red from his words; he didn't need to embarrass him anymore. Draco let out a small smacking noise as he forced his mouth open to speak.
"You don't need to feel stupid, Ron." Draco softly said. He had this tone of understanding. Ron took this as a chance to look at him now. Draco's face was slightly flushed, the hint of a small smile present. It made his heart ache for the other.
"Well, it's not just my stupid feelings. What about you? How're you going to be this week? And what about when we get back to school? How is everyone really going to take this? I don't care about the entire school, just the people that matter to us." Ron word vomited all over the place. It had been a very long time since Draco had seen him do that. It made his smile grow.
Draco took half a step forward, closing some of the distance between them. He reached towards the red head, resting his hand on his shoulder. Draco started to play with the wrinkles on Ron's sweater a bit, trying to piece together what he wanted to say.
"You're going to be fine. I'm going to be fine. We're going to be fine. Nothing is going to take us apart. You're stuck with me and nothing the world says can change that." Draco declared into Ron's small bed room with a crooked window. The words hung in the air, so proud and wild that it almost made Draco want to reach out and take them back. But he meant every single word he said.
Draco knew that this affected more than just him and Ron. There was literally the entire Wizarding World to climb over. And he knew that Ron was aware of this. And he really didn't give a damn. He'd face Voldemort himself head on if it meant he could always be with Ron.
With that thought, Draco felt the weight of the world being lifted off of him.
The red head stared straight into Draco's eyes. It started to make the blonde feel a little uncomfortable, but he didn't mind. It gave him a feeling of love mixed in with the awkwardness. Ron reached up, grabbing his friend by the shoulders and pulling him into a tight hug.
Draco blushed and only hesitated for a second before wrapping his slim arms around Ron's frame. It probably should have been a bit of an awkward hug, considering how much taller Ron was than Draco. But it wasn't. The red head's body, like always, just created a blanket over the blonde and seeping warmth into him. Draco's chin was just resting on Ron's collarbone. It should have hurt, but it didn't. He took in a deep breath, breathing in the smell of Ron. He couldn't describe it any other way but Ron.
Before either of them knew it, they were kissing again. It wasn't a passionate, desperate kiss like it had been earlier in the day. It was slower, gentler, a promise. More of a "see you later" kiss rather than a "goodbye" kiss. Despite how much both of them wanted to be like that forever, they knew they'd see each other again. There was no need for goodbyes.
A loud noise came from over near Ron's bed room door. The red head opened his eyes for a split second – when had he closed them? – and glanced over in that direction. In less than a second, Ron tore his face away from Draco's, his face a brilliant shade of red. His eyes met with confused green ones, his mind searching for words to explain the current situation.
"H-Harry! Uh-um, you're not supposed-!" Ron stumbled over his words. His face became even redder with each word. Harry stared wide-eyed at his best friend for a good moment as Ron continued to stutter and curse at himself. His eyes switched over to Draco.
Then, he did exactly the opposite of what Ron expected: Harry started to laugh.
The laughter of the "Boy Who Just Won't Fucking Die" sparked Draco's anger like it usually did. In fact, it made the blonde a degree more anger than the usual. This was not a situation to laugh at, in his opinion. But there Harry was, laughing so hard he was almost on the floor.
"This isn't funny, Potter!" Draco screamed – in a manly way, of course – at the laughing boy. Harry made himself stop, bits of giggles escaping him every now and then. He wiped the tears off his face as Ron glanced between the two.
"Is this what your letter was about, mate?" Harry questioned with a chuckle at the end. Draco furrowed his eyebrows, taking a step away from Ron.
"Letter, what letter?" Draco quickly asked. Harry had a sheepish smile on his face while Ron started to panic.
"Well, um, you see, about that – "
"Draco, dear, it's time for you and Arthur to leave!" Molly's voice called from the bottom of the stairs. The room became still as the reality of the situation came crashing back to Ron and Draco.
There was this pause. A pause that screamed "what now?". The two just stared at each other for a moment, Ron forgetting that Harry was even there. He reached out towards Draco, stopping himself before he could actually touch the other. Draco blinked a few times before giving his friend an understanding, sad smile. The blonde tilted his head to the side, forcing himself to look away from the red head.
"I'll see you later, Ron." Draco quietly said. It was so hard for him not to cry, and he felt stupid that he wanted to cry. And feeling stupid about it made him want to cry even more. Ron smiled a sad smile to himself, scratching the back of his head and taking a step back.
"Yeah, see you later..." Ron trailed.
And with that, Draco picked up his bags, turned on his heel, and left the Burrow.
000
"Ok, I would love it if you would explain."
"Harry, there can't be anything more awkward than your best friend walking in on you kissing another bloke, so please give me a minute." Ron said in between his fingers. He could feel his face turn bright red as he spoke.
After Draco left, Ron just collapsed on his bed, burying his face into his hands. Harry awkwardly stood by the bed, trying to think of the right words to say to his best friend. Nothing came to mind right away, so he just stared at the red head for a good twenty minutes before speaking.
Ron slowly took his hands away from his face, a tight frown on his face and his eyebrows furrowed. The look on his face was almost enough to make Harry laugh, but the seriousness of the situation kept him from doing so.
"This is what I mean, you know… in the letter…" Ron trailed. Harry raised an eyebrow.
"Elaborate?"
"In my letter… I wanted to know if you'd ever be friends with Draco… well, that's kind of why." Ron mumbled in response. Harry let his face relax as he took in what Ron was saying.
"Well, alright then."
"What?" Ron sputtered out as he sat up in his bed. Harry shrugged his shoulders.
"I don't mind being his friend."Harry clarified. Ron felt like screaming with happiness with a mixed feeling of suspicion.
"You… really don't have a problem with it?" Ron slowly said. Harry looked at the floor and shrugged his shoulders again.
"Why should I? I mean, sure, Malfoy's done some horrible things in the past. But I know that you wouldn't like him unless he really proved himself. And I'm not the bad guy in your story, Ron. You're my best mate; I'll support you no matter what happens." Harry quickly said. Ron had the feeling that he didn't really plan what he was going to say, but that was alright. It meant more than the world to him that his best friend still supported him. It almost brought tears to the red heads eyes.
Ron wiped at his face, giving his best friend the biggest smile ever. He was scared for a moment that he face would break in two. Harry smiled back at him, his green eyes filled with understanding.
"Thank, Harry. That means more than you'll ever know." Ron quietly said. Tears of happiness were threatening to fall. Harry just let out a small laugh as he shifted around on his feet.
"I hope you know that if he ever hurts you, he'll be in a world of shit." Harry shot back with a laugh. It took Ron off guard for a moment. He couldn't remember a time where he'd heard Harry swear of threaten bodily harm on anyone and actually mean it. And, even though Ron loved Draco very much, he couldn't help but openly laugh.
"I know, Harry. I know."
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This took so long. Much longer than I planned. I'm sorry for the long wait! I hope that everyone had a fantastic New Year. It's only two days in and I already hate it. But on the Brightside, I got the new Harry Potter video game for Christmas! Yay! Anyway, please let me know what you guys think!