A Good Man
Ron was had been lying on his bed since he saw Draco off to work. Since it was Friday, Draco had considered staying home and making a weekend of their anniversary. But his office was currently in the middle of a crisis, and as much as it pained him, he had to leave. Part of Ron was glad for it. His mind was in utter turmoil, and he needed time alone to think.
By all accounts, yesterday should have been a perfect day. He had reacquainted himself with Hermione, which was nothing short of miraculous. But her story mirrored his own too much for his liking. She was a courtesan, as Ron had expected, and the man that bought her eventually decided to take her as his wife. The only shot a blood traitor or exceptionally powerful mud blood had at a relatively decent life these days, was to be married off to a wealthy, influential pureblood. Wives had more liberties than most slaves, but they were basically slaves none the less. Ron wondered if Hermione was as unhappy with her lot in life as he was with his. Was hers worse? Or was there even the slighted chance, however slim, that she was genuinely happy.
The second reason Ron should have been in good spirits was that he had finally gotten an answer to an almost forgotten question. He now knew what became of his three older brothers. They had been captured after the war, that much he knew already, but they had not joined him in Azkaban. Because their connection to Harry, and the Order in general, had been minimal at best, their punishment had not been as severe. They had each received a ten year sentence in a medium security prisons. Percy had become an addict while incarcerated. Apparently he harbored some guilt over Freds death, and his relationship with his family just before the war. That combined with prison life had overwhelmed him. But since his release, hed been working to get sober. Bill reunited with his wife after his release, and they now had a son, whose picture Ron was currently staring at. Charlie was no longer permitted work with dragons, no blood traitors were, and what ever exemption Rons marriage gave George and Ginny, did not extend to him. However, he did return to Romania, and lived comfortably enough.
Rons brothers were doing as well as he couldve hoped and for that, he was grateful. Just as he had been to the man who brought him the information, Draco. It had been his anniversary gift to Ron. Ron could only imagine how much time and effort (and no doubt, money) had gone into obtaining the information. He was more thankful for it than he had ever been to anyone, for anything. He spent the entire night showering Draco with kisses and praises, and all the gratitude he had to give. But this morning, there was nothing. Draco was a man that had done something extraordinary for him, but he was still not the man Ron loved. So Ron was back to his usual dilemma.
A pecking sound at the door, interrupted Rons thoughts. He looked up to see an unfamiliar owl at his window. He got up to open the window, and retrieved the letter attached to the birds leg. It waited patiently for his reply, accepting the treats Ron offered. The letter was from Hermione.
Ron,
I still cant believe I ran into you yesterday. Its a shame you had to leave before we could talk properly. If youre not busy, could you possibly meet me this afternoon for tea? Ill have the house to myself, so you can floo in at about 2:00, if youre available.
I hope to hear from you soon.
Hermione
Ron smiled at the note, before scribbling his reply.
At 2:00 on the dot, Ron stood in the London hotel suite Hermione was staying in. She rushed out to greet him. They had tea on the balcony, over looking the city. The view was overcast, and threatened rain, but being there with Hermione, Ron could not have cared less. Hermiones personal house elf brought them their tea and some biscuits. Hermione thanked her, with a small sad smile. Ron presumed her views on house elf rights had not changed, but she was hardly in any position to protest their servitude now. She turned to him once the elf was gone, and schooled her features into a an uneasy smile. So, how was your anniversary? Ron did not hear any sincerity in her voice, but it did seem the most obvious way to break their awkward silence.
Ron shrugged and smiled. It was, pretty amazing. We spent the evening at home, just the two of us. He ended up staring into his tea as he spoke. It felt almost wrong to talk to her about Draco. I got him an enchanted watch that tracks family members like Mums clock. You remember that, dont you? You should have seen how proud he was when he took it with him today. I wouldve never pegged him for a family man but Ron laughed nervously. What did he get you? Hermione asked, raising her cup to her lips. Ron took a minute to answer, feeling choked up. He uh he found my brothers. Bill, Charlie and Percy. I hadnt heard from them since He wipe a stay tear from his eye. Bill and Fluer have a kid now. Charlies in Romania. Percys struggling right now, but hes getting by. They all are. Ron smiled up at her. The feelings Dracos discovery brought up still overwhelmed him. He had long resigned himself to the fact he would never see the rest of his family again, and now, to know they were alive, to know where they were. He had gotten a significant part of his life back.
Hermione took note of the look on Rons face. She reached out for his hand. What is it? Ron didnt know where to start. Its Draco. Its I dont know how to be married to him. The look in her eyes showed that shed already been expecting the worst, and hed inadvertently confirmed it. At that realization he felt hed betrayed his husband just a bit. Its not bad or anything. He quickly added. Its just I always thought when I got married, it would be like what my parents had. It would be with someone I loved more than anything. Lost for words only a moment ago, Ron began telling things hed not shared with anyone, thing he barely acknowledged himself. I wanted to grow old with someone, raise kids with them, and not because I had to. I wanted to do it with someone I couldnt picture my life without. Draco made me a proposition in prison, I took it, and once we were together, I knew any chance I had at that life I wanted was over. I thought Id hate it, but His voice disappeared. But what? Hermiones voice held an odd curiosity. Her yearning for the truth was as strong as he remembered, but this time, she was looking to Ron for the answers. And that scared him. How could he convey his feelings to her, when he barely understood them himself.
He looked up at her tearfully. Hes a good man, Hermione. He really is. I wanted so much to hate him in the beginning. It wouldve made things so much easier. But he takes such good care of me, and our boys. You wouldnt ever know he was the same git who made fun of us in school. Ron laughed. I try to be the wife he deserves. I want so much to be able to feel something for him. I look at him, and I see someone whos every bit the husband and the father my dad was. I have so much respect But I just dont Rons words failed. They sat silently for a minute, Hermione rubbing his hand with her thumb. Ron wipe the tears from his face again. I know I shouldnt complain. I know there are others who have it worse. So much worse. But I sit in his house, day after day, and I dont feel like Im at home. I want more, and then I want hate myself for being a selfish prat. Hermione shook her head. Youre not selfish, Ron. Her words were calm and soothing. You just want more than what you were forced into. Draco may be a good man, but hes not what you would have chosen. Theres nothing wrong with admitting that. You were robbed of the chance to choose your own life. After a moments pause, she added We both were. Ron nodded squeezing her hand. Yeah.
They sat in silence for a moment, before Ron spoke again. So what about you? Howre you and whats-his-name? Ron then caught himself. What is his name, anyway? I dont think youve told me. Hermione laughed, and it lightened the mood. Alexi. Right, how are you and Alexi. Hermiones smile faded. We dont see each other that much. Work keeps him busy. But when hes home, things arent much different from how they were before. Ron didnt need her to elaborate, and was thankful she hadnt. She looked up at him. Even all these years later, after everything she must have gone through, she had barely changed at all. If anything, shed only grown more beautiful. Im glad we met up again, Ron. He smiled back at her. Me too.
Ron was in the kitchen when Draco returned. Proper pureblood wife or not, it was not uncommon for him to strut about the house in nothing but his underwear. So he was currently wearing only an apron and a pair of silk boxers Draco bought him. They seemed a bit too girlish to Ron at first, but he had to admit, he like the feel of them against his neither regions. I wasnt expecting you home until much later. He told Draco, as he felt the other mans arms wrap around him from behind. Draco kissed his neck and said It took a lot of delegating, but I managed to clear things up enough to rush home to my beautiful wife. Ron added more seasoning to his roast. Isnt delegating a fancy way of saying you dumped your work on somebody else? Perks of being boss. Dracos hand moved to grab Rons crotch. What are you making for me? He asked, in voice that said he would rather have Ron, right there on the kitchen counter, than food. Nothing, Im eating it all myself and leaving you to sift through last nights left-overs. Dracos deep laugh rumbled against Rons back.
Draco had slipped his hands under Rons apron, and worked his semi-hard dick out of his shorts. Ron leaned his head back against Dracos shoulder. Stop it, youre gonna make me cum on the roast. Mmm, specialy ingredient. He placed a kiss at the base of Rons neck, and continued stroking him to full hardness. Okay, stop. Ron protested, pushing himself off Draco. I have to finish this. Draco pressed his own clothed erection into Rons rear. Get one of the house elves to do it, thats what theyre here for. Chuckling, Draco added Or would you rather they finish me? Ron turned to him scowling. Thanks for that imagery. Draco laughed and squeezed him tightly. Go wash up. Ron said, returning to his meal. You reek. As Ron bent over to put the roast in the oven, Draco delivered a hard, but playful smack to his left buttock, before disappearing upstairs.
That evening, all Ron could think about was Hermione. Her smile, her smell, her touch. All his long buried memories were back with a vengeance. He was only 17 when he was sent to Azkaban, so the subject of marriage had not weighed heavily on his mind before Draco. But if there was anyone he had thought he could possibly end up married to back then, it was the girl, the woman, hed met today in that hotel. Ron felt someones hand gripping an erection hed not realized he had. You want me to take care of this for you, hun? Dracos question brought Ron back to the present. They had been lying in bed together, reading, as was their custom. Draco was giving him a devious grin, as he gripped Rons solid member through the bed sheets. Ron did not speak, but guided Dracos head, downward with his hand.
Draco shifted his position and tossed the covers aside, before wrapping his lips around Rons cock. Ron closed his eyes, deliberately blocking out the sight of Draco, focusing instead on the warmth of his mouth. It slid slowly up his shaft to the tip. Lips separated as Dracos tongue tickled Rons swollen head, before the warmth seized Ron again. It sucked at Rons swollen glands, then eased its way back down, until all of Ron was engulfed. Ron recalled that sweet smell of perfume, that laugh that sent the butterflies in his stomach a flutter. He remembered the warm, soft hand on his. He opened his eyes, staring into those of his lover. Hermiones brown orbs stared back at him. Ron blinked, and the vision of Hermione taking him into her mouth was replaced by Dracos seductive gaze. Draco, with his gorgeous silver eyes, and hair like spun platinum. Draco, who had found his family for him as an act love, and given him a new one to consummate their union. Draco, who Ron could no longer deny, adored and cherished him, and was more than he could ever deserve. Hes your husband! Ron told himself. Youre married, you twat! So is she. Act like it! But Hermione had been the only person hed ever loved, all hed ever really wanted for so long.
Ron felt himself close to exploding in Dracos mouth, and pulled him off quickly. He threw Draco down onto the bed, face down. Glad that they had gone to bed naked, Ron wasted no time preparing Draco. Ron drove his cock up Dracos arse, and was fucking him before the other man even knew what was happening. Ron was rough, feral and uncompromising. One hand gripped Dracos hip, while another dug its fingers into Dracos shoulder. The shorter man cried out in a voice Ron had never heard from him before. Had Ron been of the right frame of mind, he would have feared he was hurting the blonde. But Ron was not in his right mind. He was mad with lust. He did not care about Dracos pleasure, or his pain at that moment. He did not want to make love to his husband. He wanted to fuck the nearest available hole in front of him. And he wanted to fuck hard.
Ron twisted Draco into a sideways position, where he had the blondes left leg up over his shoulder. Draco was gripping his pillow and biting down into it. His eyes were shut tight, tears, unseen by Ron, streaming down his cheek. Ron leaned down over Draco, and pounded him harder than ever, the bed creaking and thumping horribly. Thank Merlin the kids were away at school, not even the most powerful silencing charms would have done much to stifle the noise. Finally, the most intense orgasm of Rons life, ripped through his body. He felt as though he was emptying gallons of hot semen into Hermione. No, not Hermione, you fool, Draco. Youre married to Draco. Ron rested breathless on top of his husband, before sliding off to rest beside him. Draco said nothing, panting heavily, before opening his sparkling eyes, lips curling into a weak smile. You dont deserve to have him smile at you like that, you bastard. Ron silenced his inner voice, and curled himself around Draco. You havent fucked me like that since God, Ron. Youve never fucked me like that. Draco turned over on his back, his eyes barely leaving Rons. Maybe I should let you top more often? Ron hugged him tighter, Dracos laughter stabbed at his heart. Draco kissed him, Ron kissed back.
Exhausted, Draco fell asleep quickly. Ron could not. What are you doing? He thought to himself. Pining for something you could never have, when something more than what you could ever want is right here in your arms. It was as he told Hermione, Draco was a good man. He was a great man. He was a passionate lover, and a caring friend. He worked hard to provide for his family, but never put his job before them. He was Rons superior as far as the rest of the wizarding world was concerned, but he worshiped Ron like a god. The stuck-up, pale faced idiot Ron had hated in school was long dead; replaced by a warm, generous and kindhearted man, who not hours before, Ron had admitted having the utmost respect for. Why couldnt that just be enough?
Ron watched his, devilishly handsome, husband sleep, and felt his heart beating against his own chest. For the first time, Ron realized that Dracos heartbeat was in time with his own. It probably had been their entire lives, and hed never noticed. He forced himself to sleep, pushing all thought of Hermione from his mind.
Unfortunately for Ron, and Draco for that matter, you cant make yourself love someone. No matter how many good reasons you might have. But you can discover feelings youre not consciously aware of. So only time will tell. Next chapters all Draco again, and the first appearance of Scorpius and Hugo.