Disclaimer: I am not J.K. Rowling. This story is merely my way of saluting her. I do not own any of these characters; I just manipulate their thoughts.

A/N: Oh, shucks! You guys have to be the sweetest reviewers in the universe! I love you too :D

Please don't kill me…

"Started a year after the Battle. I thought I wouldn't be – but it just worked slower on me, I guess. It didn't even hurt to begin with. Just felt like something was there. And it wouldn't go away. And halfway through the year, it would hurt sometimes. Not like I was being summoned or anything. Just hurt. I didn't think much of it. I mean, it's a Dark Mark and all. It was bound to hurt. I got used to it. I didn't even notice it. Then – Theo was there when it – and he knew what was happening. That's when he started to help me. We – for the past year, we thought we'd stopped it from spreading. Then it kept moving. By the time it got to my shoulder… There's nothing more we can do. I – I'm running out of time now. And I wish you weren't here. But – I – I've been wishing for so long that you – and now – I didn't mean for this.

"It's just that… Whenever you're with me, the pain just goes away. I know I'm being selfish. But I don't want you to leave. I want you to stay with me forever. Forever and a day. I know you will. That's who you are.

"You're giving me the one thing I want, you know that? A life with love. I don't understand why it has to be you. You, of all people. After all you've been through. I'm glad it's you. I think it's always been you. Strange, isn't it?

"I used to be scared. Scared that I'd die and then… Nothing. I'd just die. I guess I'm still scared. Because when I die, you'll be here. Dying is so easy. Living is – If you die, I don't know what I'd do. When I die, I hope you'll do what I say. I want you to keep living. For me. Live for me, okay? Do what I could never, in a million years, do. Be who I could never be. I want you to keep loving. Keep being you. I want you to change the world. I want you to laugh. I want you to be happy. Be everything you can be. For me.

"Again, selfish, isn't it? I just – I've tried to change. But there never seems to be enough time. I don't know what to do, what to say, how to be… Knowing when and how you're going to die sounds morbid. But I'm glad it's happened this way because now I can change, however small the change is. I think just loving you will change me. I think it already has changed me. I'm so glad for you. I'm so glad that I can love you. It feels amazing…"

Harry straightened up with a soft smile on his lips. His fingers danced against the silver, sending ripples through the surface. "It definitely feels amazing," he whispered.

"Your friends are going to kill us. You know that, right?"

Harry laughed and nodded. "I know! Which is exactly why you need to be there when I tell them!"

Draco pouted and wrapped an arm around Harry's waist. "Sick sense of humor. Not appreciated, Potter."

"Look who's talking."

They walked down the path slowly, leaning against each other for warmth. September wasn't being kind. "So, after Weasley hexes us and Granger kicks our arses, what do we do?"

Harry shrugged. "Dunno. Go out for drinks?"

"I like the way you think," Draco smirked.

Of course, neither of them was prepared for what really happened.

"What?"

Harry and Draco tinged pink as Hermione and Ron paled. The silence was filled with questions and shock.

"The curse?" Hermione breathed.

"He still has a couple months…"

"Harry!" Ron exclaimed in distress at the candid remark.

"Look, I – it just happened. It's not like we did this on purpose," Harry said defensively.

"But how – and why? And when?"

Draco shrugged, picking at the thread off of the cushion. "It just happened," he repeated after Harry.

Ron let out a frustrated breath and rubbed his eyes. "What are we going to do?"

Harry bit his lip and looked at Draco. "Um… Make it the best two months of my life?" he said hesitantly.

"One of the best two months," Draco corrected quickly when he saw Hermione's horrified face.

"Really, it's alright. Just – keep talking, okay?"

"O – okay… About what?"

"Start at the beginning…"

Harry laid his head against Draco's chest and ran long fingers down it. "Beginning."

"Beginning to the end."

Harry felt Draco's heart thumping into his cheek, erratic from pain. He pressed a kiss against the warm skin. "I remember it all, you know?"

"All what?"

"Everything about you. From the beginning."

Draco smiled as he wrapped his arms around Harry. "All good?"

"Nope."

"Oh?"

"I like the bad too."

"Of course you do…"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Draco laughed as Harry's head popped up indignantly. "Nothing, Potter. Sheesh."

Harry glared at his lover for a few seconds before settling back down. "Whatever. I should know better than to fall for your mind games."

"Yes, you should."

Harry ran his lips up to Draco's neck. "It began with me hating you and it ended with me loving you."

"Quite an abridged version there."

"Yup. Very abridged. Let me love you some more."

Harry snorted as it all faded away. "What a sap," he murmured endearingly, shaking his head free as he let go of the marble.

"So, what, you're just going to drop dead one day and hope no one notices?"

"Harry, please –"

"No, don't 'please' me, Malfoy. You're right. You are a selfish prick with no sense and –"

"Look, just shut up, alright. You have no idea what you're talking about. You have –"

"I have no idea? What the fuck do you think you're doing here? They need to know ev –"

"NO. This is my life and I won't let you –"

"She is your mother! What makes you think she –"

"What's the point? What's the fucking point?"

"She deserves to know! That's the whole fucking point! She deserves –"

"She deserves more than anything I can give her!"

"Fuck. You." Harry dragged Draco into a helpless hug. "Fuck you and fuck your philosophy. Do what I tell you to do, okay?"

"I can't," Draco choked out, his eyes clenched shut against Harry's shoulder. "Please, Harry… I can't tell her. She – she's been through so much. I can't –"

"I'll tell her, then."

"This is where I lived. Seventeen years."

Draco's eyes swept the house on Privet Drive. The yard was trimmed to perfection and the car was parked perfectly against the side of the driveway. The perfect white door stood in contrast with the perfect blue trim and shutters. Soft smoke sputtered out of the chimney as the first snow fell in October. "You lived here."

"Yes."

"Your family lives here?"

"Yes."

"Should we go in?"

Harry shook his head. "We shouldn't."

"Because…"

"They don't want me."

Draco's gloved hand squeezed Harry's. "Do you want them?"

Harry watched the snowflakes drift towards the wind. "I did…" he replied.

"Not anymore?"

"I don't know anymore."

"Hmm…" They stood on the other side of the street, hand-in-hand, cloudy breath mingling against breath.

Harry drummed his hand against the steering wheel anxiously. He didn't have to go in. He didn't have to do anything… He opened the car door, stepping out into the beating sun and hazy driveway. The familiar walk to the front door was oddly insignificant. Nothing like he had imagined. He ran his hand over the knocker. "For you, Draco. Because I'm a fucking pushover," he muttered, lifting the knocker and letting it fall against the perfect white door.

Harry pressed soft kisses against the slender neck as he pushed in further. Draco gasped and his eyes moved under his half-shut lids. Harry felt the pulse beating against his lips. He felt detached from everything and everyone except the man against him. He breathed out heavily as he buried himself in the warmth and passion. Draco moaned. Harry kissed the parted mouth as he pulled back slightly and worked himself in again. Draco's tongue darted into Harry's mouth in response. "Oh god," he whimpered as he moved up to meet the slow thrusts. Nothing ever hurt with Harry. Harry could never hurt Draco.

They moved together, sheets rustling around them and the air coursing with warmth. Each push dug into Draco. His head fell back as he tried to take in all of Harry.

"Draco…"

"Mmm."

"I love you."

Draco opened his eyes and drew towards Harry's. "Always."

A small smile was all the reply he got. It was all he needed.

"Don't go."

Draco held Harry close, wincing as the pain threatened to overpower him again. "I love you," he whispered.

"Please, Draco. Don't go."

"I love you more than the world."

Harry's sobs were muffled as he clutched Draco in desperation. "You can't – I still need you."

"No, Harry. You don't need me. I need you."

"It hurts…"

"I know. I'm so sorry, Harry. I wish this wasn't – I wish I could be here forever."

Harry curled into Draco. "I'll come with you."

"No," Draco said firmly. "You won't."

"Please."

"I need you to – for Mother. Please. Promise me you won't do anything."

"I'm not strong enough to do this, Draco. I thought I was, but – you – I love you so much. Why doesn't that fix anything?"

Draco clenched his jaw, as though to ward off the curse for a few seconds longer. "You fixed me, Harry. Don't ever think otherwise."

"No, no," Harry said frantically as he heard Draco's voice slipping away. "It's too soon. I need more time."

"Something I don't have…"

"Don't go," Harry cried, kissing Draco's cold lips helplessly. "Please."

"Live for me, Harry. Promise me you'll live for me."

"Always."

"Love you…"

"Love you more."

"Oh my gosh, Draco, will you ever stop being a twat?"

"Nope."

"Infuriating piece of shit…"

Draco stuck his tongue out before kicking off the ground and soaring to the sky. "Can't help it if you're too slow," he called out.

Harry growled in frustration as he pushed away from the grass and zoomed towards the smug blond. "I'll give you the beating of your life," he threatened.

"Oh, I'm so scared," Draco taunted.

Before Draco could blink, Harry was inches from him. He reared back in astonishment and didn't even notice when Harry plucked the Snitch out of his fingers. "You better be," Harry growled, letting the Snitch fly free as he grasped Draco's shirt and pulled him into a demanding kiss. He melted under the touch, arms looping around Harry's back and tongue drinking in all he could. He leaned in a little too far. His broom slipped out from under him as he rolled. His heart jumped to his mouth when his breath got knocked out of him. He was falling… For a second.

Harry's surprised laugh pulled him to the surface from his panic. "Scared, Malfoy?" Harry asked, his hand gripping Draco's. Draco grappled for his broom and dragged it under him. His heart finally decided to start beating again. He didn't let go of Harry's hand. Harry didn't let go either. The laugh turned into a fond smile. "Don't be," Harry murmured, his lips pushing into Draco's again. "I'll catch you if you fall."

"I know…"

"Love you…"

"Love you more."