Meet The Other Side.
The thing is that with Alec, there is something more of Draco that comes out, something deeper and raw and just so pure that it's breathtaking.
And Draco is a bit reckless in that way, he lets himself loose, he lets his soul loose and he just enjoys being who he is, who Alec helps him to be.
A normal, casual guy who deserves to live.
So just like that, Draco agreed to go with Alec back to London, and not by floo or portkey, but by muggle train!
Alec couldn't stop laughing at first but then simply pulled Draco down onto the big sofa, on top of himself, running one hand through his hair, smiling softly up at Draco.
- It won't be any different to the train you take to get to school. Just a bit more modern. -
That's how they ended up standing at the peron, ready to get on the train, backpack thrown over Alec's shoulder, him still holding Draco's hand.
- Stop worrying your lip like that. - Alec's thumb was suddenly at Draco's mouth, pulling the bottom lip he was worrying between his teeth free, not taking his eyes off of it. - It makes me want to bite down on it. -
Alec's eyes shifted for a second to look deep into Draco's and Draco felt himself shudder, getting lost in the darkening depths of Alec's eyes.
But then Alec was letting him go, looking away and climbing into the train, pulling Draco with him.
They sat down in their seats, Draco by the window. Soon the train started moving, it felt so familiar and yet so utterly different.
Draco turned to look at Alec who seemed deep in thought, playing with Draco's fingers.
- So, tell me once again about this foothball thing. - Draco asked softly.
Alec smiled, looking back up at Draco, pushing their shoulders together.
- It's a really simple sports game. Basically there are two teams just like in quidditch, only there is just one ball, and you kick it and do not pick it up, just kick it to the goal. That's basically it. There are of course a couple more rules, but in short version it's like that. It's real fun but a lot less dangerous than quidditch, the only dangerous thing is that we all wear shoes with studs on the sole so it's easier to run. You will enjoy it. - A soft smile played against Alec's lips when he picked up Draco's hand and kissed his knuckles.
- And how long have you been playing it? - Draco couldn't stop the warmth pooling in his stomach from watching Alec talking so fondly about something he loves.
- Professionally, only a couple years, and even that is mostly only on a low level. But otherwise, I have been playing it for fun almost all my life. - Alec shrugged like it was nothing.
- You really enjoy it. - Draco pushed his fingers through Alec's loose hair.
- Yeah, I really do. It's fun and freeing. - Alec shook his head a bit.
- I know what you mean, I used to feel that way about quidditch. - Draco sighed.
- One day you will be able to play it again. Maybe not on the league level but like, for fun. I know that you will, I believe in you. - Alec looked at him with such a deep stare that all Draco could do was believe it.
Alec pulled out a weird-looking thing with wires coming out from one side, he turned to Draco, softly brushing aside his hair and pushing one round end of the wire into his ear, causing Draco to shiver and Alec to chuckle while pushing the other end of second connected wire into his ear.
He turned to grin at Draco and hit a small button on top of the thing in his lap, and all of sudden there was sound blasting into Draco's ear, right out of the weird wire thing.
His face must have scrunched up really weirdly because Alec broke out laughing before pulling Draco against him into a half hug.
- It's a music player, you fool. And these are earphones. Quite handy if you want to listen to music by yourself. - His hand was back in Draco's hair, calming him down right away.
- Oh… - was all Draco let out, closing his eyes and getting lost into the foreign music humming right into his ear.
They spent most of the ride simply staying like that, listening to music and Draco dozing off, feeling safe in Alec's warmth.
He was woken by soft pecks against his cheek and the first thing he noticed after opening his eyes was a smiling Alec.
- We're here. - Alec said softly before getting up, stretching out a hand for Draco.
- Oh, sorry that I dozed off. - Draco stretched a bit before taking Alec's hand and following him outside on the platform.
- Ready for your first cab ride? - Alec glanced at Draco with something glinting in his eyes, but a smile still playing on his lips.
- Well, it can't be so bad, can it? - Draco shrugged, watching Alec extend one hand to call a cab to a stop, opening the door for Draco to slide into.
It really wasn't anything special, just like cars he had seen on the streets but still, it was the first time Draco was actually in one, but Alec was there with him, pressing their shoulders together, his warmth seeping through to Draco.
Safe.
He felt safe like that.
The ride itself was really short but somehow it was exciting in its own weird way.
- So, tada! This is my uni. Nothing as grand as Hogwarts but good enough. - Alec laughed nervously but Draco was in awe, looking up at the majestic building in front of him.
- It's gorgeous. - Draco murmured before looking over at Alec. - And we really can just go inside? -
- Yes, it's open day today, basically, you can walk through it to see if you want to study here. - Alec smiled, taking Draco's hand in his and leading him inside, walking around and telling Draco all he knew about the building itself and about the studies going on inside it.
They stopped at the studio.
- And this is where I get to spend most of my time this year. - Alec plopped down on the small couch on one side of the room, pulling Draco down with him.
- It is so mind blowing. - Draco looked around at all the things propped around the room.
- Yeah, it was the same for me too, the first time I came here. Last year I went through a short course of Psychology but this year I'm all on fashion design and photography. Also, having extra lessons of English Literature, but that one is more for fun than on a professional level. - Alec had started to run his fingers through Draco's hair. - Would you want to be my model? -
- Don't be daft, I'm no model. - Draco shrugged, elbowing Alec playfully.
- Why do you think that? You are absolutely gorgeous! And I will fight you, if you say that you are not. - Alec turned around, cupping Draco's face in his hands, looking deep into his eyes.
- You're a fool. - Draco mumbled, not breaking eye contact.
- Your fool. - Alec breathed out, suddenly being so close that Draco could feel his breath ghosting over his lips, their noses almost touching.
But something clicked in Alec's eyes and he pulled away, straightening up and shooting Draco a quick smile before walking to the door.
- Hey, wait for me! - Draco pushed himself up, running after Alec who had started to laugh, running away from Draco.
He rounded the corner and ran straight into Alec's arms, who laughed in his ear, holding him close.
- Caught you. - Alec murmured against his ear before placing a chaste kiss right below the earlobe, making Draco shiver at the sensation.
Alec let go off of him, taking Draco by the hand and leading him down to the stadium, telling him a bit more about rules of football.
- So just stay here, okay? I will change and be out in a min. - Alec smiled his toothy grin, turning to go, but Draco stopped him by grabbing at his wrist, feeling nervous all of sudden at so many people being around them, taking their seats in the rows and rows of the stadium. Alec turned back, smiling at Draco, leaning down to place a chaste kiss on his forehead, calming Draco down right away before hurrying back inside to the locker rooms.
It looked similar to quidditch, the way everyone was gathered around in the stands, waiting for the teams to come out from their locker rooms and start the game. Only the stands were a lot less high than in quidditch, and the first seats were just like a metre away from the ground, and in the pitch, instead of goal hoops there was one big square on each side where you needed to hit your ball to get a goal. And one more thing that confused Draco was that there were long seats right on the pitch, near the stands, where the teams were sitting down with their coach, and they even had water placed there.
But the overall feeling was really similar to being in yet another game of quidditch and that made something warm flutter in Draco's chest.
Alec came out together with his teammates, sitting down next to Draco.
- The game is about to start, and the coach said that you can stay here. Cheer for me? - Alec asked with that mischief light glinting in his eyes.
- Never. - Draco shoved at his shoulder, earning a loud laugh from Alec who leaned down to peck his cheek before rushing onto the pitch to stand with his team, giving just one more wink to Draco before the game began.
The more Draco watched, the more he saw how much force Muggles put into their sports with fierce and adrenaline, squeezing out the best of what they have, just to win.
The more the game went on, the more Draco started to cheer with everyone around him, booing at the other team, screaming himself hoarse when their team got a red or yellow card, and even while he wasn't exactly sure what each of them actually meant, the anger around stands implied that it wasn't anything good, so he just screamed along with everyone else.
And then the time ended, cheers erupting around the whole stadium because their team had won. Alec had won.
The whole team was crushed into a big sweaty hug, and then Alec was rushing to Draco, hugging him tight without caring that he was drenched in sweat. And Draco found that he didn't care either, all he wanted to do was to hug Alec because he had won!
- You were amazing! - Draco croaked out, pushing Alec's sweaty hair out of his eyes.
- Just for you, darling. - Alec laughed before nuzzling against Draco's neck.
One of his teammates clapped him on the back.
- Get a room, lovebirds. We need to change and then it's a celebration party at Patty's. Will you come? - The guy stood just a couple feet away from them, but somehow Draco didn't care, loving the feel of Alec's arms around his waist.
- Draco, what do you say about that? - Alec looked up.
- Why not? You earned it. -
- Then it's settled, we are coming. I'll just go change. - Alec gave Draco's cheek one more peck before rushing away together with the other guy, who was throwing back his head and laughing, earning a punch in the shoulder from Alec who was shaking his head but laughing.
Draco sat back down, watching people slowly pour out of the stands, chatting cheerfully, still riding high on the win.
It was interesting simply watching them all, seeing all the small details of how someone was rushing but someone else was dragging their feet, not wanting for the game to be over yet.
Draco was so deep in his mind that he didn't notice Alec coming back together with the guy from before, his arm slung over Alec's shoulders, laughing about something.
But Alec's laugh snapped Draco back to reality, he looked up to see Alec throw his head back in a laugh, his hair wild and still damp, hugging his face. Alec looked fully free and so damn beautiful but then Draco moved his gaze to see the other guy who was holding Alec, his head turned to Alec, slowly leaning closer, his own laugh curling his lips that were close to brushing against Alec's cheek, and just like that that acid feel in his chest was back, curling around his insides and burning its way around.
Draco wanted to push himself up to go there and just strangle the guy, but no, he still had his pureblood roots, so he stayed still, his back fully straight, his hands neatly placed upon his knees, his face rid of emotions, his eyes closed down cold, no emotions showing there either.
Alec stopped next to him, a smile still on his lips, his eyes shining and his face a bit flush from his quick shower.
- Ready? - He let the other guy's arm fall off of his shoulder and instead leaned down to pull Draco up, flush against his chest, locking his arm around Draco's waist in a strong and sure grip.
- Yeah. - Draco breathed out, leaning a bit closer to Alec, pushing hair out of Alec's deep blue eyes, letting his fingers linger in the damp hair.
- Then let's go. - Alec didn't let go off of Draco, instead leading him, the other guy following them but no longer daring to touch Alec, so just for a second he nuzzled his nose against Alec's neck, breathing in his scent. Alec leaned his head closer, placing another chaste kiss on top of Draco's head.
The party itself was… loud. Really loud.
There was thumping music playing, blasting so loudly that you could barely hear anyone speaking.
On top of that everyone seemed to scream-talk with each other, people cheering all the time and simply screaming for no real reason other than just for pointless fun.
And everyone was pressed close to each other, dancing and simply mingling around.
There was a bonfire going off on one side, while people were jumping into an already crowded pool on the other side.
Alcohol, it seemed that it was pouring from everywhere.
For the first bit of party Draco felt fully uncomfortable. He had never been to a party, always ignoring the house parties in the Slytherin common room, the only things close to being a party were the balls in the manor but well, it was a far shot, really far.
But somehow after just a bit, being pressed close to Alec, Draco started to relax, enjoying the thumping of the music pumping together with his blood, shooted talks and of course, never leaving Alec's arm around his waist, holding him close and keeping him safe.
Someone gave Alec a cup of drink which he downed in one gulp, earning a cheer from his teammates.
After that Alec pulled Draco with him for a dance, well, if it could be called a dance. It was more like jumping around while cheering and pulling and pushing and grinding, something weird but pleasant and in a weird way, freeing and relaxing.
After dancing, Draco felt a bit exhausted but fully relaxed and Alec fell down into one of many chairs around, pulling Draco in his lap, for which Draco was fully thankful because he had no idea how long his legs could hold him upright any longer. After all, it was the closest to exercise for Draco's legs since he stopped playing quidditch.
Draco nuzzled against Alec, pressing his face against his neck, placing a small kiss there.
Alec let his fingers run through Draco's hair, holding Draco close, and for a moment it felt like they were on their own, just two of them in their own comfortable bubble.
But just as the moment started, it was gone when someone came and gave Alec another drink, and this time his cup was more full.
Alec took a drink from it, smiling down at Draco.
- Wanna try some? - He held his cup out and Draco took a long sip of it.
Whatever was inside tasted neither good nor bad, it just was there with the significant burn of alcohol, burning it's way down to Draco's stomach.
- Woah, easy there, tiger. - Alec laughed, looking at his half-empty cup.
- It's not the first time I have had a drink, you know? Well, first time with muggle drinks but still. - Draco pulled the cup back, taking another sip.
Alec just laughed, pulling his cup back and emptying it before standing up and dragging Draco with him inside the house that was a lot quieter, but still quite full with people.
He stopped in the kitchen, surprising Draco by pulling him up onto the counter before turning himself to face the fridge, rummaging through before taking out pizza and a bottle of another drink.
He moved back in between Draco's thighs, opening the box and taking out a slice, taking a bite before holding it out for Draco with a small smile on his face while chewing.
Draco shook his head before taking a big bite himself. If he was fully honest, he was really hungry.
They stayed like that, eating pizza and taking a drink straight from the bottle, simply enjoying themselves with music still playing in the background.
By the time they finally finished the pizza, they were both slightly drunk, swaying in the rhythm of the music.
Draco was full and felt so warm inside and out, and only after thinking did he understand that it was because after such a long time he was feeling happy, all because of Alec.
Draco let his eyes travel over Alec's face, settling on watching how Alec was taking another drink from the bottle before passing it for Draco, who too took a long drink, not taking his eyes off of Alec's now fully dark ones.
He let the empty bottle drop onto the counter, getting fully lost into Alec's eyes, music somehow fading in the background.
Alec was leaning closer, his hands now resting on Draco's hips, so he slung his own arms over Alec's shoulders.
Alec breathed out, his breath ghosting over Draco's lips, making something other than alcohol burn inside him, and then he closed the distance, his lips pressing so softly against Draco's, so soft that they were almost not there at all.
Draco sighed and it was all it took for Alec to press closer, pressing his lips more firmly against Draco's.
Draco had never really given a thought about kissing or why people did it but now feeling Alec's warm and still damp lips against his own, it made something shift inside him, wanting to pull Alec closer, not wanting for it to end but at the same time not being able to get any air, it was confusing and so amazing that he felt lost and found at the same time.
And it seemed that Alec was feeling the same way, kissing Draco gently but with bigger urgency, pulling him closer, causing them to be pressed flush against each other.
Draco had no idea how long they kissed for but when they finally pulled apart, they were both slightly out of breath, hands tangled around each other, their heartbeats beating together against their chest as one running heart.
Alec's eyes were searing Draco's, his cheeks so flushed and his lips plush and red.
- You keep surprising me. - Alec breathed out, his voice so hoarse that it sent shivers down Draco's spine.
- You're the one with the surprises. - Draco joked back, letting his head fall down against Alec's shoulder, simply wanting to hold him down, needing a moment for his mind to catch up.
Alec just laughed, holding him, running a hand through Draco's hair.
- If you're tired, we can go to sleep. Patty won't mind me crashing in one of his guest rooms. - Alec murmured against Draco's ear.
Draco just hummed, letting Alec drag him up the stairs where you could barely hear any music at all, into one of the bedrooms, shutting and locking the door before pulling Draco to bed.
He slowly helped Draco get out of his clothes before shedding his own, getting in bed, tucking the blanket around Draco.
They stared at each other for a moment before moving closer, Alec sliding his arms around Draco, letting him rest against his chest.
It took only a couple minutes for them both to fall asleep, still tangled together and buzzing high on the feel of the kiss.
so, how are we feeling about this turn? what do you think will happen next? tell me all what you think!