Harry awoke to the sound of a nearby sneeze. He groaned at the idea of moving. Ron was still peacefully sleeping on his chest. Harry carefully pulled back a hanging and saw, relieved, that it was still dark. He slowly started to move, trying to be as quiet as possible. But Ron blinked his eyes open and reached out to grab Harry's arm.

"No," he murmured, half asleep.

Harry smiled, leaned down, and kissed him on the cheek. "I have to," he whispered, "It'll be morning soon."

"Stay," Ron argued, with a slight whine, "Just a little bit."

"I've been here for hours," Harry said, laughing quietly, "I gotta go. I'm only a few feet away."

"Please," Ron whispered, gripping his arm tighter.

The tone of Ron's voice almost made Harry cave, but he leaned back down and kissed Ron's neck,

"No fair begging," he murmured softly, "You can't beg."

"Please," Ron insisted, "Please stay." His eyes were all the way open now.

"Stop," Harry growled, "I'll see you in the morning. Go back to sleep."

Finally he made his way to his own bed, which was cold. Harry lay, and after fitfully tossing and turning for a while, fell asleep. He felt he had only slept for a few minutes before opening his eyes to the sound of everyone bustling around getting ready for the day. Harry rubbed his eyes and put his glasses on. Instinctively, he glanced at Ron's bed. Ron was looking back at him, smiling ruefully. Harry smiled back, his eyes zooming in on the small, purplish bruise under Ron's collarbone. A weird feeling suddenly settled into the pit of his stomach.

He slowly started getting dressed. Ron followed suit. They took their time and let their fellow roommates get ready at a quicker pace, and once they were alone Harry crossed the room, fiddling with guns tie.

"Um," he said, clearing his throat, "Are you okay?"

Ron turned around, looking slightly confused. "'course I am," he replied, "Why?"

"Well," Harry said carefully, bunching his tie into his hands then unfurling it, "I didn't mean to be so…aggressive. I mean, I did but, I just didn't want to scare you or anything. Or hurt you. Well, hurt you too bad."

"Oh…well I'm fine," Ron told him, smiling and turning slightly pink, "I…I liked it. I wasn't scared. A little surprised. But I liked it. All of it." His face turned redder. "I thought it was kind of obvious."

Harry grinned.

"Well, I just wanted to be sure," he said, stepping closer and dropping his voice, "I didn't exactly let you speak a whole lot."

Ron dropped his gaze. "Well, I liked every part." He seemed bashful. "I think I like being…controlled…by you." He turned away quickly, as if he wasn't sure what to say after that.

Harry turned away as well and walked back to his bed, and continued to get dressed. "Well good," he said casually, "Because next time you think you can misbehave, I won't let you cum."

[][][][][][][]

A few days passed where it was nearly impossible for Ron and Harry to find a moment to be alone the way they wanted to be. And before Harry knew it, it was the day before Valentines Day. He had spoken to Cho once or twice but out of deference to Ron, Harry kept these chats small. But finally he knew he had to say or do something.

"Are you okay?" Harry whispered to Ron during Divination that afternoon. Ron had been rather fidgety all day. Not being able to sit still or focus on classes, taking even less notes than usual.

"Mmhmm," Ron responded unconvincingly, tapping his quill against a blank piece of parchment.

"Look at me," Harry said, trying not too sound too angry.

Ron's eyes flicked upward.

"We'll talk tonight, okay?" Harry told him gently, "Can you be okay until then?"

"Yeah," Ron replied, taking a deep breath, "I'll be okay."

Though Ron ate only two bites of dinner and remained a bit twitchy, the rest of the day passed smoothly. By the time evening came and Harry, Ron, and Hermione were doing homework in the common room, even Harry was just as anxious to talk to Ron. Eventually, Hermione called it a night and headed upstairs. Harry and Ron glanced at each other, then slowly started packing away their things.

"Upstairs or downstairs?" Ron asked, unsure of whether to stand or not.

Harry looked around, there was a group of 7th year girls sitting in a corner comparing assignments but they looked about ready to go.

"We can stay here," Harry said after a moment, "But maybe…" He nodded toward a far corner, cast into shadow from being far away from the fire.

Ron started to move over, Harry following. Once they sat, Harry started first,

"Look, about tomorrow-"

"Do you have to go?"

Harry blinked, surprised at being cut off. Ron's voice sounded very small, and hopeful yet hesitant.

"I made the date with her ages ago," he said, "I don't think I can cancel, or not show up, you know?"

"Well you made it after…we…you…" Ron trailed off.

"I know," Harry said, they both stopped talking as the group of girls got up and started to leave. "Look," he said again, "It's not going to really mean anything. I don't think so."

Ron looked miserable. He scooted his chair closer to Harry's, their knees touching. He put one hand on Harry's thigh.

"Please don't go," he said, "Please."

"Ron…" Harry said breathlessly, he wasn't sure what it was about Ron's begging, but it made his brain go foggy and his stomach flip, "Don't."

But Ron had picked up on how his tactic was steering Harry in the direction he wanted. He glanced quickly around the room and slid his hand farther up Harry's thigh, a move he had not made before. Incapable to control it, though he wanted to, Harry's breath quickened.

"Please," Ron whispered shakily, "Please. I don't want to think about you…with her."

Harry grabbed Ron's hand firmly and closed his eyes, gathering his thoughts before speaking firmly,

"It's not going to be like that. Now stop. Stop begging, okay? I can't…I can't think when you beg." He hadn't wanted to give Ron that kind of ammunition but he had said the words too quickly.

"Are you going to kiss her?" Ron asked, he had pulled his hand away without Harry realizing it.

"No," Harry said quickly, "I don't think so."

He knew that was the wrong thing to say. The silence that fell was uncomfortable. Ron looked very hurt and confused. Harry felt confused as well, but also slightly irritated. Why was Ron making such a big deal out of this? It was one date. And also, it wasn't like he and Ron were together. Unless Ron thought they were? Harry considered this.

"Ron," he said quietly, "Just listen to what I'm saying for a moment alright?" after Ron nodded he continued, "I'm being polite. I'm going to go. And then when it's done with, I'm going to come back to school, and nothing will be different, okay?"

Ron nodded. He gave Harry a small, shaky smile.

"Okay," he said.

Harry smiled back and stood up.

"Wait," Ron said quickly, Harry slowly sat down, "Can I…will you kiss me…before we go up. Please?"

Harry chuckled softly and leaned forward. He gave Ron a gentle kiss, then slowly brought one hand up and placed it softly against Ron's throat and squeezed as he whispered gruffly,

"You can't keep begging." And let go. "Or I'll start making you beg for things you really need."

And a fiery sensation flared in Harry's chest as Ron simply smiled slyly at him.

[][][][][][][]

Harry dressed carefully that morning, and he knew Ron was watching. They kept glancing at each other. But were silent as they went to breakfast, where Hermione asked Harry a few questions about his plans. Harry quickly changed topics by asking Hermione what she was going to do. Ron had practice and wouldn't be in Hogsmeade at all.

"Well," Harry said standing up, "Better go. I'm supposed to meet Cho soon." He couldn't look at Ron.

"Wait," Ron said quickly, standing as well, "Um…Angelina wanted to ask you something. I'll walk with you."

Hermione looked confused, but shrugged and let them walk off.

"Angelina?" Harry asked as they were in the hall, "What-"

But before he finished his question Ron had pulled him into a dark classroom. Only seconds later Ron's mouth was on his, kissing him with such force Harry lost control for a moment and moaned quietly. Ron, egged on by the sound, deepened the kiss, parting Harry's lips with his own and shoving his tongue into his mouth. It was only when Ron's hands were going up his shirt that he made him stop, pulling away, panting slightly.

"Not right now," Harry said between breaths.

Ron dropped his hands and fell back against the wall with a sigh of defeat. Harry felt a small twinge of guilt. This date with Cho was really bothering Ron. He stepped forward, and, deciding to be gentle, spoke softly.

"Everything will be okay," he assured him, "It's one date. No more." He gave him a small kiss. "I promise you, love, everything will be okay."

A startled look fluttered across Ron's face. Then he smiled faintly.

"Okay," he said, "I…better go to practice."

There, Harry thought, he'll be okay.