As I Say Goodbye to A Way of Life I Thought I Had Designed For Me
Harry woke the next morning with a start, his fists clenched in the tangled sheets and sweat on his brow. He quickly sat up and took a deep breath before releasing it shakily, his brain finally registering the fact that it'd just been a nightmare and that he wasn't in fact still trapped in Borgin and Burkes.
He looked over and also remembered the fact that he was in the spare room and Draco was sleeping alone.
Harry dropped his face into his hands and shook his head. He felt swamped with guilt for last night. He knew he was worrying his partner, probably even angering him, but he just hadn't been able to face pretending to be alright.
Harry suddenly longed to slip into bed beside Draco and have the blond wrap his arms around him, to anchor him to this reality that seemed to be slipping through his fingers. He had to try harder; if he alienated himself from Draco then all of this would have been for nothing.
Harry threw back the blankets and swung his legs over the side of the bed. As soon as his feet touched the floor he felt his stomach turn over. He placed a hand to his abdomen and remembered that he hadn't eaten dinner last night. He ignored the nausea, telling himself that he could eat a big breakfast later, then made his way out of the bedroom and padded up the hall in his bare feet to the master bedroom. He cautiously pushed open the door and tip-toed inside.
He could see Draco lying on the right side of the bed, his body twisted up in the white sheets, one arm thrown haphazardly over his head and his shining blond hair in disarray.
Harry quietly walked over to the empty side of the large bed and slipped between the cool sheets. Half asleep, the blond turned over and slid one arm around Harry's chest, pulling him in close.
Harry smiled, feeling content, as Draco's warm breath wafted across the back of his neck, lifting his hair and sending shivers down his spine. He allowed his eyes to fall shut and surprisingly drifted back to sleep in a matter of minutes.
Harry woke an hour later, feeling as though he were being watched. He turned his head to see Draco looking down at him with probing silvery-grey eyes.
"Morning," Draco greeted him hesitantly.
"Good morning," Harry replied contentedly.
Draco's eyes flickered with relief at Harry's smile. "Feeling better?"
"Much," Harry replied honestly. "Absolutely starving though."
Draco smiled and sat up. "Let's go out for breakfast then."
. . . .
The two young men slid into the sunny window seat at Galileo's Coffee Shoppe. They quickly gave their order to the server and sat back, enjoying the pleasant spring sunshine outside the large window.
"So, I had an idea," Draco started, resting his arms on the table and leaning forward. All thoughts of asking Harry if anything was wrong and why he lied flew out the window in light of Harry's good mood this morning. He didn't want to push him if Harry was simply dealing with his past. If Harry wanted to talk about it then Draco would be all too willing to listen and help, but until then he would just remain silently supportive.
"Yeah?" Harry replied curiously.
"I thought it was time that we went on a proper holiday together."
Harry smiled, pushing away the memory of Lance already telling him this news when he last saw him. "Wow, really? Where?"
"Where would you like to go?" Draco asked as their drinks were placed in front of them.
"You haven't booked anything yet?"
Draco shook his head as he took a sip of his Earl Grey tea. "Wanted to check with you first," he said, after swallowing.
Harry wrapped his hands around the hot ceramic mug in front of him and stared into his foamy caramel latte with thought. "I'm happy to go anywhere," he said after a moment, "but perhaps… Italy?" he added, looking up.
Draco smirked, pleased. "Excellent choice Potter. I thought you were going to suggest Disneyland or some such nonsense."
Harry chuckled. "Did you have somewhere in mind?" he asked, feeling the first flutters of excitement. Not only was this his first holiday out of the UK, and his first holiday with Draco, it was also time away from everything that was going on here, time out from his complicated life.
"No, Italy sounds perfect," Draco replied, sounding slightly wistful.
"Have you been there before?" Harry asked, relaxing into his plush seat as the coffee filled his still slightly nauseous stomach and instantly helped to settle it.
"Yes, a few times while growing up and once on business two years ago. It is an amazing place Harry; you're going to love it. I want you to see Cinque Terre, along the Italian Riviera, it is the most amazingly beautiful spot."
Harry smiled at how animated Draco was. The blond obviously had a love for travel. Harry tried not to feel embarrassed that he hadn't been anywhere yet and hoped that he could now make up for lost time.
"I already spoke to Oliver about you having some time off," Draco was saying, bringing Harry back to the present.
"When do we leave?" Harry asked, grinning over the rim of his mug.
Draco smiled and picked up his own drink to clink it against Harry's. "As soon as possible, I'll speak to my travel agent today. Hopefully we can leave this weekend and have two whole weeks to relax."
"Just the two of us," Harry said with satisfaction.
Draco nodded, relieved that Harry seemed like his usual self again.
. . . .
"Are you sure you're alright?"
Harry nodded and opened his eyes again as he straightened up. "I just think I'm a little too excited," he said with a sheepish smile. "I'll be fine once I eat something."
Draco smiled but still looked a little worried as he gently grasped Harry's elbow and led him out of the foyer at the La Toretta hotel. He quickly hailed a cab and directed the driver to Aristide, a pleasant little café in the heart of Manarola, the oldest village in Cinque Terre, Italy.
Harry seemed to gain some colour and look a bit happier as the meal went on. "Mmm…." he closed his eyes in pleasure at the delicious breakfast; everything was so fresh and full of flavour.
"Feeling better?" Draco asked as he sipped his coffee, a soft fondness in his eyes as he watched Harry enjoy his meal.
"Loads," Harry replied with relief. "Where are we off to today?"
"I thought we could check out the Sanctuary of Nostra Signora della Salute and then head to the ocean for a swim."
"Sounds perfect," Harry replied as he set his fork down and pushed his plate away, feeling very full and content.
The two paid for their meal before wandering back out into the warm sunshine and making their way by foot to the famous sanctuary atop the hill.
Harry sighed, closing his eyes and tilting his face up to the sun as it warmed his skin and seemed to soak right into his bones. "I love it here," he said, feeling the most relaxed he'd been in years.
Draco looked over at him with a smile. "I thought you might."
"Can we move here?"
Draco chuckled as Harry opened his eyes and looked over at him with a grin.
"Maybe we can retire here," Draco mused, glancing around at the colourful buildings and smiling tourists. It really was paradise on earth.
Harry slipped his hand into Draco's as they continued up the hill together, taking their time and enjoying the sights.
"This place is amazing," Harry enthused once they'd made it up the hill to where the ancient building sat half constructed into the rocky mountainside. The sanctuary was beautiful, with shining marble floors and large open windows facing the glittering Mediterranean far below.
Draco watched Harry as the other man walked over to the window and peered out, a look of awe on his face. Draco felt his heart swell with love, he'd never before cared about someone so much. In that moment he knew he would die for Harry, and it was a surprisingly heady feeling. Harry was so attractive and intelligent and caring, he couldn't ask for anything more in a partner, and he felt both extremely lucky and extremely thankful that he rescued Harry when he had. Now the captivating brunette was his forever.
In that moment, Draco knew that he wanted to propose to Harry. The bracelets connected them for life but he wanted a symbol of love that was made by choice instead of necessity to present to Harry. He wanted Harry to know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that he loved him.
"Earth to Draco."
Draco blinked as his mind returned to the present and saw Harry standing in front of him with an amused grin on his face. "Sorry, kind of got distracted there for a second."
Harry chuckled and grabbed him by the arm. "Come on, let's explore this place."
The two wandered around the tranquil sanctuary for the next two hours, gazing at everything and marvelling at the architectural beauty of it all, before heading back down the steep hill for a quick bite and then off to the seaside rocks for a swim in the warm Mediterranean water.
Harry lay down on their large shared towel, breathing heavily after an hour of jumping off the rocks and swimming around the many little bays and caves in the vicinity. Draco was already there, lying on his stomach half-asleep in the Italian sun.
"You're going to burn Malfoy," Harry warned as he turned on his side to face his companion, head propped up on one hand.
"Nonsense," Draco murmured haughtily, eyes still closed behind his Dolce & Gabbana sunglasses.
Harry snorted and lay down on his back, hands linked together over his damp stomach.
Draco opened one eye and gazed at Harry's half-naked body glistening in the sun. He felt a stirring in his groin and, without a second thought, removed his sunglasses and leapt back into the refreshing water, trying his best to splash Harry in the process.
"Hey!" Harry chastised as he sat up and mock-glared at his boyfriend.
Draco raised one brow and removed his bathing shorts before tossing them up onto the rock next to Harry.
Harry immediately swallowed; he was instantly aroused.
"You coming Potter?" Draco called out boldly as he tread water below him.
Harry glanced around their private cove but there weren't many people around, and those who were close by weren't paying any attention to the two men.
Harry got to his feet and jumped into the water next to Draco.
Draco grinned as Harry tried to remove his shorts as quickly as possible whilst treading water. Not quite managing it as gracefully as Draco had, Harry finally threw the swim trunks up onto the rocks with a triumphant look at his boyfriend.
Draco snickered and swam over to him, gently pushing him backwards; hiding them from any prying eyes beneath the outcropping of rocks. Draco's lust-filled eyes flickered to Harry's parted lips for a moment before he closed the space between them and pressed his lips to Harry's, kissing him thoroughly.
Harry's eyes fell shut of their own volition as he returned the kiss, his lips parting and welcoming Draco's smooth stroking tongue into his own mouth.
Draco's hands grasped onto the rock on either side of Harry's body to stabilize them as Harry wrapped his arms around him, still kissing back fervently. Draco moaned into the heated kiss as one of Harry's hands wandered down to stroke him firmly beneath the water. Draco thrust into his hand, the water slicking his skin as Harry squeezed and stroked him, bringing him ever closer to the precipice of climax.
Harry breathlessly broke away from Draco's lips and turned around, grabbing onto the rocks and looking back over his shoulder at Draco invitingly.
"Merling, you have no idea how hot you are Harry…" Draco breathed as he swam closer and grasped the rocks next to Harry's hands, pressing his body up against Harry's from behind, his erection pushed firmly against Harry's backside.
Harry moaned and thrust back against him. "Please…" he gasped, his body crying out to be filled to breaking point.
Draco didn't hesitate, he quickly used his right hand to direct himself to Harry's entrance and pushed inside in one forceful thrust.
Harry moaned louder, his head dropping back onto Draco's shoulder as the blond thrust again, slow and hard.
"Oh fuck…" Draco groaned, already feeling close to coming as he squeezed his eyes shut, his member throbbing almost painfully within his lover.
"Harder," Harry gasped, pushing back.
Draco's fingers tightened their hold on the rock ledge as he began to thrust hard and fast to Harry's hushed moans of ecstasy in front of him. Harry reached down and rubbed himself with practiced strokes in time with Draco's driving thrusts. It wasn't long before Draco was crying out and stilling his hips, emptying himself within Harry's clenched passage as Harry himself gave one last hard stroke and spurted his seed into the swirling water around them.
After a moment to recover their breath, Draco carefully withdrew and Harry turned around in his arms.
"That…was amazing," Harry exclaimed.
Draco brushed Harry's wet fringe out of his emerald eyes with a smile. "I think that was the best sex I've ever had."
Harry laughed, still somewhat breathless. "Me too," he said with a nod.
Draco grinned and placed one last gentle kiss to Harry's swollen lips before moving away, floating backwards back out into the sun.
Harry pushed off of the rocks to join him, looking up at their towel on the ledge above them. "How do you propose we get our shorts back without anyone seeing us Malfoy?"
Draco smirked and nonchalantly lifted himself out of the water, completely starkers, and walked back over to their discarded bathers. He slipped into his shorts before tossing Harry's back down to him.
"Exhibitionist," Harry muttered with a shake of his head. He couldn't blame Draco for wanting show off his body though, the man looked like a Greek god, and, much to Harry's annoyance, his pale skin wasn't even slightly pink from the harsh sun.
After a quick rest on their towel, the two slowly made their way back to the hotel for a snooze and then got ready for dinner.
The hotel restaurant was aglow with the soft flicker of candlelight as Harry and Draco entered later that evening. The tables and chairs were placed around the perimeter of a small circular dance floor. The dark-skinned Italian hostess led Harry and Draco to their table with a smile before leaving them with the drinks menu.
Harry stifled a yawn as he glanced at the vast array of elaborate drinks.
"Are you sure you're up for this Harry?" Draco asked, noticing his companion's fatigued expression.
Harry nodded, stifling yet another yawn behind his hand. "Sorry, yeah I'm fine. Too much sun maybe."
Draco ordered a bottle of champagne from their server. "Among other things," Draco smirked once the waiter had left them.
Harry blushed, remembering the long drawn out blow job Draco had given him back in their room just before dinner.
Draco chuckled. His lover could be so bold and confident in the bedroom and then so self-conscious in public, it made it easy to embarrass the Gryffindor, much to Draco's delight. "Hungry?" he asked.
"Famished," Harry replied, scanning the menu eagerly.
They decided to order a shared plate for two which had samples of all sorts of tempting Italian cuisine.
"I guess we won't be dancing til midnight," Draco teased as Harry yawned yet again.
"Sorry," Harry replied sheepishly. "Maybe it's jetlag."
Draco laughed. "There's only a one hour difference between here and London Harry."
Harry grinned. "Oh yeah."
The champagne arrived then and their server poured them each a generous glass of the sparkling liquid.
Draco raised his glass. "To us," he said.
Harry clinked his glass against Draco's with a grin. "And to Italy."
Draco took a sip of the wonderful champagne, watching Harry over the rim of his glass with an affectionate smile. Harry looked the happiest he'd ever seen him.
. . . .
"Draco, have you seen my hat?" Harry yelled out over the bannister as Draco slipped into his coat at the front door, trying to swallow the last few dregs of his coffee before work.
"No sorry love," Draco replied, setting his empty mug down on a nearby table and looking up. "See you tonight! I'll probably have to work late since I've been away but I'll try to be back before seven."
"Bye!" Harry called out, shooting Draco a smile as the blond opened the door.
Draco turned away and headed out the door, mentally trying to get back into office mode and out of holiday mode.
Harry sighed and turned back to rummaging through his suitcase. He dearly wished they were back at La Toretta, sleeping in their comfortable king-sized bed until ten o'clock every morning…
Harry heard the door open behind him just as he spotted his new hat squashed into one of the side pockets of his case. "Ah ha! I found it!" he called out, straightening up.
Harry turned at the silence and his heart plummeted as his eyes landed on Lance Waverly standing in the open doorway.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, glancing past him out the open doorway. "Draco isn't far away."
Lance smiled and shut the door behind him, locking the silver deadbolt. "Don't worry, he's gone. I waited until the coast was clear."
Harry swallowed. It was too soon; he wanted the lingering haze of holiday bliss to keep going. His skin crawled with the idea of getting into bed with Lance already.
"Is there a problem Harry?" Lance asked, a threatening undertone to his refined voice.
"Couldn't this wait until tomorrow?" Harry tried hastily. "I'm just uh… really tired."
Lance shook his head slowly from side to side. "I'm afraid not love-"
Harry visibly winced at the endearment; only Draco should be calling him that.
"I have a very busy schedule this week so it will have to be now," Lance insisted, stepping away from the door and walking to the foot of the staircase.
Harry knew it was no use protesting, but in that moment he was sorely tempted to tell Lance that the deal was off, that he didn't care what happened anymore. He'd thought about going to the authorities but they certainly wouldn't believe an ex-prostitute over a very prominent wizard, even if he did used to be a house-hold name many years ago. Plus it wasn't as though Lance was forcing him, it had been consensual every time, as loathed as Harry was to admit it.
Harry knew he was trapped, standing in their new expensive house that they wouldn't have been able to afford if Draco didn't have such lucrative support from Lance Waverly, not to mention the fact that they had been able to fly off to beautiful Italy for two weeks without a second thought.
Harry met Lance's superior gaze and nodded miserably, feeling that familiar heavy weight settle back onto his shoulders and in his heart.