After the New York date, Harry went back to a safer option. something less likely to stir up old emotions.

It was odd to be back in dress robes, something he used to wear so often, but hadn't since his own gala. The night Draco had agreed to the nine dates. Giving them another chance at getting this right after so many fucked up attempts.

This was the eighth date, the second last one. Had he done enough to give them a solid foundation? Could they have a good relationship going forward? Was Harry still caught in his abandonment thinking, doing anything to just keep Draco around? Blind to his faults, desperate to be together even if it was toxic?

Even in his limited experience, Harry had to say they had given these dates a fair shot. Used the time to get to truly know each other, the real Draco and Harry, below the public image and the haze of their shared past.

Beyond still being strongly physically attracted to Draco, Harry knew his feelings for the man had deepened. He loved his intelligence, his passion for books and ideas, and his drive to share that with the public. To make a positive difference in the world. He saw his remorse for his past, the bullying, narrow-mindedness, and everything he had been drawn into as the war became inevitable. He had survived it, and worked hard to change.

At the core of the man, there was intelligence and humour, and a good heart that he learned to follow. He had fought his demons in sixth year, facing the horrible task he had been assigned, and his failure to kill Dumbledore had been a watershed moment.

Harry had no more doubts about Draco as a man. The thing that made his hands shake as he pulled on his dress shoes and took in his reflection, attempting to smooth down his unruly hair, was his doubts that Draco had the same types of feelings about him. Was there more than liking each other? Lust? A shared past? Was there enough there to keep them together after the last date?

Knowing it was useless to delay, Harry apparated to the exterior of a fancy hotel. Draco was already there, and he straightened as he spotted Harry, a smile of greeting spreading slowly over his handsome face.

He returned the smile without conscious thought, running his eyes over Draco approaching him in impeccable dress robes, looking so gorgeous Harry felt a bit breathless.

"Hi," he said softly, his voice breathier than he expected.

Draco's lips tightened into a slight teasing smirk. "Hi, yourself. You look good."

The words were surprising to hear, but started a warm glow deep inside Harry. He held out his hand towards Draco. "Ready to go in?"

Taking his hand, Draco allowed Harry to guide him inside the crowded hotel lobby. Paparazzi were taking pictures and interviewing the prominent attendees, and Harry was relaxed as he posed with Draco, and they both answered their share of questions. Deflecting anything too personal with a neutral 'No Comment'.

Soon enough, they were guided to their table, sharing it with Ron, Hermione, Arthur and Molly. Harry was happy to see Draco was greeted just as warmly as he was by everyone.

"George and Ginny are running a bit late," Molly said, nodding towards to the two empty chairs at their table.

Ron was sitting to Harry's left, and he leaned his shoulder against him for a moment. "Do you have a speech prepared?"

Flushing slightly, Ron gave a quick nod. He looked nervous, and grabbed his water glass to gulp half of it down.

"He's been practicing it in front of the bathroom mirror for weeks, but hasn't let me hear it yet," Hermione said, giving her fiancé a fond look, and taking his hand with her's.

"It doesn't have to be anything very long, son. Just thank your boss and the other aurors. And say you wouldn't be the man you are today without your father," Arthur teased, holding up his wine glass to toast him before taking a sip.

Harry glanced towards Draco, checking in to see if he was bored by all this family talk, but he smiled reassuringly at Harry. They were still holding hands, and Harry gave his a light squeeze.

Harry had attended many other galas in this ballroom of the hotel, but it seemed so much better surrounded by people he cared about so much. His best friends from Hogwarts, and the older couple who had basically become his adopted parents. Holding hands with a man who had come to mean so much to him in this last year.

The other tables were full of aurors and their significant others, the ministry officials, and the rich and powerful of the wizarding world. A string quartet played classical music, the lights around the beautiful room a little dim, setting off the candles twinkling at each table.

The head table was on a dias, and Harry saw Matilda Dankworth rise from it to walk over to the podium. She was dressed in an elegant deep red gown, her silver hair in an updo. Magical lights shone on her brightly, and the crowd turned their attention towards her as the music ended.

"Welcome to the Annual Auror Ball. We will take this time to honor our best, celebrate those who have retired from service, and let you know our innovative solutions coming up for the next year to allow everyone to continue to sleep soundly every night."

Harry felt a surge of emotions as his former boss continued her speech. Working as an auror had been a huge part of his life for so many years, and he suddenly missed it intensively. His eyes went from table to table, looking at each auror, remembering working at their sides, supporting each other in difficult situations. The whole stronger than each single part. He was proud of his work, knew he had made a difference.

"For going above and beyond the call of duty, Ron Weasley!"

Hearing Ron's name being announced pulled Harry back. He stood up, applauding with everyone else at their table, as Ron flushed with pleasure, his smile wide. He looked quickly around the table, basking in the pride and love, and moved quickly up to the stage. Matilda presented him with a plaque, shaking his hand enthusiastically, leaning closer to congratulate him.

The whole hall was applauding him, and Harry could only feel intensely happy his best friend was getting the accolades he richly deserved. Harry had received many such recognitions at other balls of the past, but somehow this meant more to him.

As they sat back down and the speeches continued, Draco took Harry's hand, giving it a warm squeeze. Glancing his way, Harry saw that he had been touched by Ron's award.

By the time the dinner and speeches were done, Harry had enjoyed three glasses of wine. He hadn't been drinking as much lately, and found he was pleasantly relaxed and feeling good.

Many people were coming up to the table to congratulate Ron, and Harry thought it would be best to move away, give him his moment. Let him enjoy it.

"Draco, there's a few people I'd like you to meet," Harry said, as a plausible excuse to leave the table. But as they walked around, he found it was true.

Approaching a table with many of the youngest aurors with his arm slung along Draco's lower back, Harry smiled warmly at Nathaniel and Folade. He introduced them.

"Draco, I can't tell you how many mornings I had to listen to these two rehashing the previous night's Stormcloud debate," Harry said with a smile at all three of them.

"We still do that!" Folade smirked. "I think the best one lately was if love was simply due to chemicals in the brain."

Harry turned to Draco, giving him an inquiring look. "I must have missed hearing about it. What was the consensus?"

"They play a role, like why some animals mate for life. They have higher levels of certain a 'love hormone' than similar animals with multiple partners," Nathaniel jumped in to say.

Draco shrugged a shoulder. "But it's not like muggles have discovered a love potion. That hormone can't make you fall in love with someone."

Harry listened as the aurors debated with Draco in a friendly way, and he easily countered their arguments. He knew his stuff.

It was like that at most tables, his old friends greeting Harry warmly, but getting into intense discussions with Draco about the debates, books they had read from his store, or giving him suggestions for future events.

He handled it with aplomb, his business acumen on full display as he charmed everyone. He listened attentively, and encouraged them all to come to the store. Many gave him their business card.

Watching Draco, Harry was struck how far they had both come. Was it just in the spring they were both in the closet, and Draco wouldn't show his face in wizarding areas? Here they were, comfortably appearing together as a couple, and getting a warm reception from the most influential people in their society.

"Harry," a woman nearby said, and he turned to see Matilda Dankworth. "Can we talk privately for a moment?"

It was a little startling to have her speaking calmly with him like that. Harry could remember that last confrontation in her office, and the way she had suspended him. It still irked him.

Draco seemed involved talking with a couple people, so Harry quietly excused himself, and followed Matilda over to a window, looking out into the dark night. They were far enough from others to not be overheard.

"I have bern following what you have been doing in the papers. Your charity, and everything," her eyes flicked back to Draco, before meeting Harry's again, her gaze as direct as ever. "You have been keeping busy."

Nodding, his smile was a bit stiff. In the back of his mind, he knew coming to this event to support Ron would bring him close to former colleagues, some he wanted to see, others who would stir up a lot from his past.

"I want you to come back," Matilda said, her forthrightness something Harry had liked in the past.

A dozen emotions swirled through Harry. Pleased at being valued by this powerful woman, pride in his auror work, the pull of being part of the close knit team again, partnering again with Ron. So many things he could admit to himself that he missed.

But the negative feelings were there too. The gnawing dread on entering a crime scene, seeing people hurt or killed. Blood splashed across the floor. Telling family members about a death. Seeing criminals getting away.

That old tension was back, and he could feel his breathing was faster. He tried to remember Dr. Mendosa's advice, what to do when he felt like this, but his mind was blanking.

But then there was a warm arm circling his waist, pulling him back against a solid chest. His scent, his presence, seeped through Harry and he felt he could breathe a little easier.

"Shall we go dance? I feel like we haven't had a moment alone with you all night," Draco said softly near his ear.

Harry stroked along the arm around his waist, and looked up over his shoulder. "That sounds nice." Anything to get away from everything else for a while. Just be in a tiny bubble where it was just the two of them.

"Wait," Matilda said firmly, and her hand clasped Harry's wrist, keeping him from moving away.

Draco looked down at her hand, and then glared at the woman. Harry could sense him tensing, not backing down.

But Matilda looked away first, her eyes going to Harry, her grip still firm. "When I said I want you to come back, I didn't necessarily mean as an auror."

That didn't make any sense, and Harry stopped trying to pull away. He could have easily broken out of her hold, but didn't want to make a scene. "Not as an auror?"

She dropped her hand now, knowing she had hooked him enough to hear her out. "We have enough aurors, Harry. But what we missed when you were gone was your expertise. I would like you back, either to use your training skills with new aurors, or your investigative skills on cold cases."

He stepped back, just needing time to process this. In the meantime, Draco's arm came around his shoulders, and drew him away. "He will consider your offer and let you know. Goodnight."

Matilda nodded at that, her face conflicted, and Harry knew she wanted to push her ideas more, convince him to accept. But she glanced up at Draco, and whatever she saw in her expression had her stepping back as well. "Thank you. I'm available anytime if you have questions."

Harry felt relieved when he was well away from her, in Draco's arms, and moving across the dance floor. Nearby Ginny was dancing with George, and Hermione was draped around Ron, looking a little tipsy. He let everything fall away, and just concentrated on the music and being close to this man he cared about so much.

"Those are pretty intriguing offers," Draco murmured softly.

Pulled out of his happy place, Harry leaned back to look at Draco. "Are you kidding me? You were the one encouraging me to quit."

"Harry," Draco said, stroking his hand over his back in a calming gesture. "Isn't it time you took a good, long look at your old job? Sure, there are parts you've had enough of, but those roles seem to focus on the parts you really enjoy."

Turning his face to rest it against Draco's shoulder, he thought about it. He had loved training his classmates for the DA, seeing their progress and the way they grew more confident.

But investigative work was satisfying too. Collecting all the information and piecing together the puzzle, little by little. And cold cases had the advantage of cooler emotions. The crime scenes had been analyzed and cleaned up, the family members were over the initial shock and grief. Sometimes a little time passing made new facts bubble up.

Draco chuckled when the song ended and they walked back to their table, hand in hand. "Perhaps we should call it a night. I'm a little tired from talking with so many people, and I can tell you have a lot to mull over."

Harry couldn't deny it, and he walked with Draco into the hotel lobby, where there was a series of fireplaces flashing green with floo powder as tipsy guests took this safer way home.

Pulling him off into a quiet side passage, Harry pushed Draco up against the wall. All night, he had been the perfect date, chatting with Arthur about living amongst muggles, giving Ron a hearty back slap of congratulations, and debating quidditch animatedly with Ginny and George. Being his most charming self as Harry greeted other people at the ball, seeming pleased when Harry proudly told them Draco owned Tempest Books. Loved seeing the way people lit up, discussing their favorite books with him or suggesting Stormcloud topics. Even with Dankworth, Draco had been there when Harry needed support.

"Have I told you lately how fucking amazing you are?" Harry said softly, and loved the way Draco's fair skin flushed slightly, his lips pulling into a small pleased smile.

Too, too much to resist. Harry leaned in, kissing Draco thoroughly. Showing him when words just didn't seem enough.

Draco hands were instantly on Harry's back, pulling him in closer, kissing him back just as enthusiastically.

"Excuse me," a male voice said firmly, and Harry dragged his head up to see a uniformed hotel employee with a small cart trying to pass by them.

They jumped apart, standing against the wall to allow him to pass, and then looked at each other, chuckling.

"Just one more date," Draco said, his eyes glowing with banked heat.

Harry nodded, and pulled Draco back into the main hallway before he attacked him again. "One more."

With a quick goodbye kiss, Draco was whisked away in a flash of green

...

Heart thumping, Harry tied the blindfold around Draco's head.

"This is quite the turnabout. Didn't we start all this with me tying you up and putting the blindfold on you?" Draco smirked.

Chuckling, Harry took in the beautiful man standing before him. Draco was dressed more casually, as Harry had requested, with a thick moss green sweater and dark jeans. A colourful knit scarf was knotted around his neck. It was hard to resist stealing a kiss.

Taking a spoon out of his pocket, Harry pressed it against Draco's hand, glad when he trustingly grasped it. Harry held the other end and glanced at the clock tower.

Minutes later, Harry was shoving the spoon back in his pocket, and guiding Draco over the rocky, uneven ground. Already, he feared his surprise was spoiled, as even without visual clues, the caw of sea gulls and the cool salt air surrounding them.

It had taken a lot of work to get everything just perfect, and he led Draco through the doorway, and closed it behind them, before finally pulling the strings on the back of the blindfold.

The dark fabric fell away, and Draco looked truly shocked. He eyes travelled over the fireplace, bright with a crackling fire, to the small table set with a tablecloth and elegant place settings for two. The scent of lamb stew filled the air. Lastly, his eyes scanned over the full bookcases, and he stepped closer to one, lifting a shaking hand to glide along their spines, like he was checking they were really there.

He turned to Harry, his eyes wide. "How did you-" he started, "Why- when did you..."

Guiding Draco over to the sofa, they sat, and Harry turned to face him. "We are alike in a lot of ways. So many similar experiences, like Hogwarts, playing seeker in quidditch, the war, and dealing with the aftermath of all that."

Harry had practiced what he would say, again and again, and appreciated that Draco stayed quiet, knowing he had more to say. He took Draco's hand in his, just needing the contact. "We don't have a lot of family anymore. I know your mother is settled in Switzerland with no plans to return, and that you will see her when you can.

"I inherited Grimmauld Place from Sirius, and even though he's gone, it's still a link to him, my family, and I have made it my own." Turning Draco's hand over, he traced along the faint lines on his palm. "This cottage could be a link like that to your family, to your book-mad great uncle. A place to just get away to be near the sea, and cuddle up in front of a fire with a stack of books."

"You bought this for me?" Draco said, flummoxed. Harry didn't think he'd ever seen Draco at such a loss for words, just looking around, taking it all in.

Harry let it all sink in, but had to get the rest of his prepared speech out before he forgot it or lost his nerve. "Look, I know I have enjoyed these nine dates, getting to know the real you, the way you are now. Spending time doing more low-key things. I know I'll probably be a public figure for the rest of my life, but I don't want a public life. I want to work, do charity stuff, have a big gala annually to raise funds, and spend lots of time with friends. I'm really dreadfully dull and you probably regret agreeing to those dates now."

Draco was smirking a little, but his eyes were warm. And he hadn't let go of Harry's hand. He took that as a good sign and pushed on, his Gryffindor bravery being tested.

"Um, so, the dates are done now, and you are under no obligation to ever see me again. I give you this cottage, and hope you enjoy it, no strings attached." Harry finished, almost out of breath.

His heart pounding, barely breathing, Harry waited. How would Draco respond to all this? Be insulted and insist Harry leave? Leave himself and reject the whole gesture? Or would he get what Harry was trying to do? He bit his lower lip to keep quiet, to stop himself from babbling on out of pure nerves.

"You said the dates are over now, right?" Draco finally drawled, his silver eyes glinting in the firelight.

Before he knew it, Draco sprung forward, pushing Harry backwards on the sofa. His hands were deep in Harry's hair, kissing his hard and deep, almost desperately. Harry moaned, hugging Draco closer, a burst of pure joy racing through him.

It was a jumbled mess of greedy kisses and eager hands, pushing clothes out of the way to have access to delicious bare skin. Harry shifted, spreading his bent legs, so Draco was cradled between them, and they both moaned at the closer contact. Silver eyes met green as Draco rocked and pushed against him, and Harry could do nothing but grab Draco's ass and arch up against him.

It was over in a few breathless minutes, and Draco rolled off Harry, chuckling. "Sheesh, that was just like that other time on this sofa. Worse than teenage virgins."

Pulling out his wand, Harry was chuckling too as he cleaned them up. "Perhaps the sofa is enchanted to make people frot."

Draco yanked a nearby blanket over them, and snuggled against Harry. "Sorry for attacking you like that," he looked up, and then traced his fingers over Harry's light beard. "I blame this. I've been wanting to make out with you since your gala. You look so good."

The comment made Harry feel great. The beard was staying now for sure. But even as he thought that, a niggling thought sprang up. Was he falling already into old patterns? Doing it just to please Draco? He considered it a moment and dismissed it. He liked the beard, it felt like 'him' now.

Draco's eyes met Harry's, and he could see the vulnerability there, the emotions so close to the surface. "After the war, I was a mess. I questioned everything, my whole life up to that point, and I didn't like the answers."

Harry stayed quiet, knowing that Draco usually had high walls up, protecting himself, and felt honoured that he was opening up.

"The brothel, being a dom, taught me about people from many different walks of life. I read and learned everything I could, spent time around muggles in my neighbourhood."

It was the true story of what Draco had done after the war, not the cleared up version he had given for the newspaper article. Harry wanted to know more about this time of his life. "Did you ever work in a cafe with a bookstore beside it?"

Draco nodded. "Yes, when I left England. I stayed with my mother, mostly trying to get over you. When the cottage sold, I suddenly had a chunk of money and no idea what to do. I travelled a little, but settled in Paris. I had my own room above the cafe, and grew to know all the regulars. Many were university students or just avid readers, and all so passionate about debating ideas. I loved it."

Harry could see that spark in Draco, the one that always was there when he talked about books. No wonder he had loved it there. He could picture Draco arguing in perfect French, flirting with well-dressed intellectuals, taking an university student up to his room. He looked down at their linked hands. "It sounds perfect for you."

"The bookstore owner was an older man, and I could tell he would probably accept if I offered to buy the place."

"You had enough money to do that?" Harry asked, knowing how much he had bought the cottage for recently. It hadn't been that much.

Draco shrugged a shoulder. "Buy the business, the books, the name. The premises were rented, so just taking over the lease. My mother came to visit me and I told her all my ideas."

"And?" Harry prompted, his heart beating faster.

"As I explained it all to her, I could see it would be a very good life for me. A fresh start, around exciting people, and many handsome, well-dressed men. Sexy, smart, French-speaking men. Living in one of the most beautiful cities of the world."

Harry felt a bit irked at the comments about the French men, so stayed quiet.

"But it was missing one important thing. You."

Catching Draco's gaze, Harry could only stare. Had he heard that right? "Me?"

With a chuckle, Draco gave him a quick kiss. "Yes, you."

Harry's heart was pounding again.

"Maybe I was a fool, but I came back here with a plan."

"A plan?"

Draco smirked, getting more into his story now. "What had screwed us up before? Not being out, not being an accepted part of wizarding society, right? So, first thing I did was come back and started going out a lot, dating as publicly as you had. Gay and unashamed."

"I noticed," Harry said drily, remembering all those pictures in the Prophet. Seeing Draco looking amazing with hot men all over him.

"Were you jealous? Good," Draco said with a satisfied nod. "How the fuck do you think I felt when I heard you were dating every gay wizard in London when I left?"

Harry simply arched an eyebrow at him. Touché.

"The next step," Draco said, moving on, "was the interview for the paper. Just owning up to the past and showing that I had learned my lessons. Just wanted people to give me a second chance.

"The real test was when the store opened. Would people forgive my past enough to become paying customers? Luckily, the debates became popular and I got caught up in all that. After years of being reviled, it was amazing to be respected."

Harry chuckled, remembering it. "You were 'cool'. Dressing sexy and going clubbing all night."

Draco shrugged dismissively. "Despite all that going on, I was always watching for you. It was like you had disappeared, no longer dating, not going to charity events. I was hoping to run into you, but had no idea how."

Thinking back on that time, Harry realized it was when he was going to therapy a lot, and not working. "Oh, I, um, kind of dropped out of things for a while there. When I was less busy, it seemed to allow old feelings to bubble up more. I went to a therapist a lot during that time. When I wasn't obsessing over pictures of you in the paper and walking by your bookstore far too often."

"You did?" Draco asked, looking pleased.

Harry sighed. "It was confusing having you back in town, and not contacting me. I thought you weren't interested in me anymore, that you had moved on."

That confession got him a kiss, and Draco grinned. "Me too. It was great getting all that attention from the public, but I missed you."

"Oh, I had no idea," Harry said. How much time had they wasted?

Draco arched an eyebrow. "You didn't? Then why did you come into the bookstore that day?"

Harry could feel his cheeks heat a little. "Um, well, frankly it was early in the day and I didn't think you'd be working the early shift. I popped in to just satisfy my curiosity about the store."

Scoffing, Draco rolled on to his back, looking up at the ceiling. "I took it as a sign you wanted me, forgave me for the crappy way I had left. I felt so relieved that I basically hauled you up to my bed." He seemed a little embarrassed.

Harry cuddled closer, and kissed Draco. "I was hardly resisting, was I?" he said with a bit of a smirk.

"But I feel awful! I took so much for granted!" Draco groaned, covering his face with both hands.

Harry could only grin down at the man fondly. "I have wanted you since I saw you at the brothel. You know that. Maybe even before that."

"Before that?" Draco's hands dropped from his face, his eyes wide.

Harry shrugged a shoulder slightly. "Before I even knew I was gay. At school, I spent half of it obsessed with you. Fighting you, competing, following you around. Always sneaking glances at you at meals. always so aware of you."

"Fuck," Draco groaned, "Me too. and I knew I was gay. Talk about conflicted feelings, seeing you dating Cho and Ginny. Knowing you were straight. probably made me even a worse git to you."

"You had no inkling about me being gay, then? Were you shocked at the brothel?"

Draco shook his head. "Biggest shock of my life. My teenage enemy. Gay and wanting me to punish him."

Harry moaned, feeling aroused at the memories that instantly flashed into his mind. "You were so gorgeous, sexy, but untouchable. I wanted you so fucking much."

"It was a mess. I was acting stupid, treating you way harsher than I should for a new sub, not even discussing what we were doing," Draco said softly, regret clear in his tone. "I think I was trying to scare you away. I didn't want you as a client."

This had Harry propping himself on one elbow to look closely down at Draco. "Why?"

"Because I was confused, conflicted," Draco huffed out a breath. "You stirred up the past I thought was resolved. Made me mad. Horny. I wanted you but was afraid you just wanted me because of our past, or because I was a dom. Not me. And I couldn't have sex with a client anyways."

"Why?" Harry asked, finally getting the answers he had needed for so long.

Draco looked down, not meeting Harry's gaze. "I had been lowered down to being poor, homeless, starving. Almost dying. But I couldn't go as low as to have sex for money, no matter what. Couldn't do it even for you."

Harry could see everything Draco had been through from that. Once one of the richest, a spoiled, pampered brat, Draco had fallen to having nothing. Starving and desperate. But even at his worst, he had held on to that last scrap of his pride. He had not sunk that low.

"I never thought of you that way," Harry said softly. "I just wanted you."

Draco sighed. "I have never been sure why. I thought you could be dealing with the past, or just attracted to my dom persona, or later, to my 'rockstar' image. Wondered if you could you ever like and want the real me."

The pieces were coming together more and more now. Harry took his hand, just wanted to show him support for talking so openly.

"Like when you said you felt dirty from being with me, and then didn't want me at your gala," Draco almost whispered, the words full of pain. "I felt like my work at the brothel had changed how you see me. That I'm not worth more than being your lover. Not someone you proudly show at your side."

Harry's heart clenched at hearing how torn up Draco was. He moved closer, cuddling against his side, and lifting their joined hand to kiss the back of Draco's. "Oh Merlin, it wasn't like that at all for me. I hope these dates have proven it to you. I'm very proud to have you at my side." Their last date, they had been at the auror gala, and Harry had proudly introduced Draco to everyone. They had danced and held hands openly, clearly there together.

Draco nodded slowly. "We both needed these dates, I think. To get over the past, to get to know each other as we are now." He met Harry's eyes, and there was a turbulent mixture of emotions clouding his. "To stop posturing for each other, trying to be what we think the other wants. I finally feel I can just be myself around you. You saw me at my lowest points, and you are still here."

Harry gave him small smile. "You know me better than anyone. I can be the real me with you too. More than with anyone else. You scoff at the image of me as a savior as much as I do."

That made Draco chuckle, and it released some of the tension between them. "Well, you did die and come back to life to defeat ol' Voldy, so I guess you did 'techically' save us all."

It was said dripping with so much sarcasm, Harry could only grin widely down at Draco. "I'll never get a swelled head with you around," Harry replied fondly.

"Really?" Draco reached under blanket, his hand finding Harry's thigh and sliding upwards. "Let's just see about that..."

...

When Harry awoke a few hours later, it was in the new double bed, surrounded by a high quality down comforter, Egyptian cotton sheets and a very cuddly Draco Malfoy. If this was a dream, he never wanted to wake up.

He ran a hand over Draco's silky hair, loving the way it fell back into place instead of sticking up stubbornly like his did. His hand went down lazily to the bare skin of Draco's back, just feeling like he'd never get enough of touching this man. He still felt so drawn to him, like he'd never felt with anyone else.

Draco stirred out of his light doze, giving a contented hum as he cuddled closer against Harry.

It was a wonderful sound, but Harry needed a bit more affirmation. "Um, so, you like the cottage then?"

"I love it," Draco mumbled, still sounding sleepy.

"And my hair, the beard?" Harry knew he was perhaps coming across as insecure or needy, but he still had to ask.

Draco shifted upwards on his pillow, giving Harry an exasperated glare. "Sheesh, Potter. Would you shut up and go to sleep? Fine. I love your hair! I love your fucking beard! I love you!"

His mouth snapped shut in shock, and he swallowed hard. "Um, I mean I love, um," he looked around the room desperately, and stared at the discarded clothes on the floor, "your awful khakis."

But the words were already out there, seeming to echo over and over.

Harry rolled on top of Draco, pinning his wrists to the bed, and grinning widely down at him. "You said you love me. Admit it. Come on, Draco."

Draco gave a big sigh, meeting Harry's eyes with a defiant tilt to his chin. "Fine. I love you, Harry Fucking James Fucking Potter."

"And I love you. Draco Lucius Malfoy," Harry said back, meaning every single word.

Draco's stormy grey eyes softened. "I've never said it to anyone else."

Harry shrugged. "I've only said it to Ginny, but I never loved her like this. That was just sweet, teenage love."

"And this is dirty, old man love?" Draco asked dryly.

Harry couldn't resist giving Draco a couple lingering kisses. He loved his snarky comments so much.

When he finally pulled back, his heart was pounding in his chest, almost overwhelmed with feelings just needing to be expressed. "This is, at least on my side, the deepest love I have ever felt, and I never want it to end. I want to be with you for the rest of our lives, if you'll have me."

Draco was simply stunned at the heartfelt words. He blinked at Harry slowly for a couple moments, lost for words. "Did you just propose to me?"

Harry stilled, reviewing what he'd just said. "Um, I guess it depends on how you'd answer. If you'd say no, then I was just joking around," he said with a smile, and then he took Draco's hand. "If you'd say yes, then I was completely serious and we could probably get married in the village tomorrow and make this into a honeymoon."

He dropped down, cuddling against Draco's side, but they were both highly conscious of the unanswered question dangling over them.

Finally, Draco took a deep breath, and turned on his side to face him. "Harry, I just said 'I love you' for the first time, so it's a little fast to be talking about marriage and honeymoons. We have jumped into everything else too quickly and you'd think we would have learned better by now. We barely even met, and we were instant enemies. At the brothel, we jumped right into being dom and sub. At the bookstore, we jumped into being lovers."

"Oh, OK..." Harry said, sighing. Feeling a bit deflated.

Draco squeezed his hand. "I want a good year of just being boyfriends. Getting used to being hopelessly in love and doing disgusting amounts of PDA in front of everyone."

They kissed softly, and Harry was happy to lose himself in it. Draco was sweet and cuddly, and Harry hugged him close. He never thought it could be like this between them. So perfect. So right.

"We could go to Zurich next weekend. Visit my mom. Let her see that her advice worked," Draco said softly as Harry was about to fall asleep.

"Her advice?"

Draco nodded. "She visited me in Paris and I told her about thinking of buying the store there, but still having feelings about you. She's the one who suggested opening the store in London instead and doing everything I could to get you."

Harry groaned. "Two Slytherins plotting against me. It's no wonder I fell so neatly into your little trap."

"Too neatly. We were together, but I could tell it wasn't a true relationship. Even though I've never really been in one."

Stroking Draco's shoulder, Harry thought back on that time in the summer. "I wasn't much better. My therapist says that I don't have proper boundaries and try too hard to please other people. I was going along with everything, happy just to be with you."

"That exactly why I think we need to go slow. We both suck at relationships and talking openly about our feelings. We need time to do this right. You are far too important to me to screw this up." Draco said softly.

Harry chuckled at that. "Oh Merlin, last time you said we should go slow, that meant no sex. Are you going to make me wait a year?"

Draco chuckled. "I said we should be boyfriends, not monks! Let's enjoy this stage and not rush into living together or other stuff."

Harry agreed and they snuggled together for a few sleepy kisses. He couldn't remember ever feeling this happy before.

As Harry drifted off, he remembered the list of things Clementine wanted in a guy. Someone sexy, funny and smart. Confident, but still respectful.

To Harry, Draco was all those things, and so much more.

...

The next morning, Harry woke to the very good feeling of Draco kissing the back of his neck. The previous night rushed back in vivid memories, and he snuggled back against his boyfriend.

The kisses spread out, down his neck and along to his shoulder, making Harry chuckle and roll on to his back, looking up at Draco. He had never seen him looking so happy, and it gave Harry's heart a big squeeze. He brushed back his hair, and pulled him down for a deep kiss.

Draco gave a contented hum, settling between Harry's legs as the kisses intensified. They were still naked, and they rocked together, losing themselves in it.

A few minutes later, Draco was pushing slowly into Harry, their gaze locked on each other. Wanting to fully feel and share it all. It was so different than other times, even yesterday, just being completely open to each other. Vulnerable and trusting. Nothing hidden. Incredibly intimate.

Harry felt like he couldn't get close enough, just wanting everything. He arched up into every thrust, his hands on Draco's ass, pulling him in deep. Moaning at how good it felt.

Draco seemed just as affected, leaning down to kiss Harry often. Panting and speeding up, taking them both where they needed to go, knowing just how Harry liked it. It was like the passionate sex they had during the summer, but with the added depth of their feelings making it so much more intense.

Dropping his head to Harry's shoulder, Draco shook against him, breathlessly gasping "I love you." The words and sensations put Harry over the edge, groaning as he said the words back.

They shared lazy, soft kisses as they got their breath back, still holding each other tight.

Eventually they rolled apart, lying side by side. Draco was holding Harry's hand, rubbing his thumb in small circles over his palm. "You know, we've both had a fair share of people we wanted to sleep with, but there's only one person I ever want to wake up with. You."

Harry was touched, and gave Draco a light kiss. "Was that a proposal?"

"Sheesh, Potter. You already have my body and my heart. Are you so desperate to marry me to get half the bookstore?" Draco teased back.

"Nah," Harry shook his head. "I'll be pretty busy, running the charity and training aurors."

"And being my boyfriend," Draco smirked, before looking at Harry questioningly. "So, you decided to accept Dankworth's offer?"

It had been on Harry's mind a lot since the gala, and he had finally made a decision. "I had to make sure it was something I truly wanted, not doing it just to help others or please her. But I think it will fit into what I want in the future."

"What do you want, Harry Potter?" Draco asked softly.

Looking into those blue-grey eyes, the morning sunlight catching on his eyelashes and the lighter strands in his dark blond hair, Harry felt sure of his answer. "Friends. Family. A job I'm good at and enjoy. Helping others. Eventually marriage and children," Harry said, his heart so full of feelings for this man. "But most of all, you, Draco Malfoy. Sharing our lives, fully and completely."

"I want that too," Draco said softly, leaning in to seal their words with a kiss.

...

-A/N: There! A big love confession, talk it all out chapter! The dam broke & all the words they had been holding back flooded out.

-Thanks for reading this story, which was way longer & twistier (is that a word?) than I initially intended. Hope it was satisfying in the end.