A/N: I do not own the song mentioned in this Chapter. Property of Adele. The song is called "I found a boy"
Draco didn't know exactly what he was doing. He was driving to Cedric's house and he just happened to be wearing a pair of his favorite boxer briefs under his jeans that made his arse look amazing. He was prepared in case something happened between the two. He would try to follow his mother's advice and enjoy his time with Cedric. The thing that disturbed Draco the most was that he didn't know if his anger was motivating his sudden growth in attraction to Cedric. He quelled his thoughts as he pulled up in Cedric's driveway.
"Hey come on in." Cedric stood in the doorway. His chest was completely bare, a thin line of hair disappearing into the waistband of his pants.
Draco's mouth hung ajar as his eyes swept over Cedric's body. He shook his head and walked up towards Cedric's door. "Did I come at a bad time?"
"Not at all. I just finished pumping some iron. Excuse the way I look."
A slow bead of sweat made its way down Cedric's chest, begging Draco to follow with his eyes. Draco averted his gaze. "I was hoping we could talk."
"What's going on? Why is your lip bleeding?" Cedric gently ran his fingertip over Draco's jaw, eliciting a fuzzy feeling in the bottom of Draco's stomach.
"It's nothing." Draco enjoyed the smooth fingers grazing his skin. "I bit myself."
"That's quite a nice chunk you took out there. I'll get you some ice." Cedric made his way to his expansive kitchen. Wrapping an ice cube in a dish towel, he passed it to Draco. "Don't want to mess up those pouty lips of yours."
Draco smiled to himself. Maybe it wasn't such a bad idea coming to visit Cedric. He was full of compliments and his body was looking extra scrumptious.
Cedric leaned against the counter. "So what did you want to talk about?"
"I don't know if I even feel comfortable discussing this with you, but you are my only option right now." Draco took a deep breath. "Like I've said before, I don't think this plan will work. Harry made it very obvious to me tonight that he wants nothing more to do with me. I think I may have dug myself into a bigger hole by agreeing to this entire thing."
"You can't give up now." Cedric grabbed Draco by his shoulders. "What Potter is feeling right now is anger and resentment towards you. These feelings will pass and soon he will realize that he misses having you in his life. You have to be willing to stick with the plan, no matter the cost."
"What about the damage it's doing to me?" Draco let his emotions go. "Every time I get rejected, it makes me feel like I'm not good enough for anyone. What is so wrong with me? Can you tell me that Cedric? Why couldn't I keep the love of my life? Am I really that fucked up?" Draco could feel himself teetering over the edge as he fought to keep control over his sobbing. He started to bite his lip again. "I'm sorry…" He muttered.
"Stop apologizing and stop biting your lip." He wrapped his arms around Draco and pulled him closer. "It's okay to let your emotions out. You are perfect. You hear me? Perfect. Any guy that doesn't treat you like a treasure deserves to get lost. It sounds to me that Harry has lost his way. He doesn't realize the wonderful man in front of his face."
Draco couldn't believe that he was Cedric's arms again. This time he was cuddled against the man's naked chest. It was strange, yet it felt so familiar to Draco. It was like he belonged there. He knew he was setting himself up for disaster. The newfound feelings he had for Cedric would most likely not be reciprocated. He couldn't stand to be hurt again. Draco quickly changed the subject. "How did you know Cho was the one for you?"
Cedric took a moment to think. "I don't honestly know if she's the one for me. I never once said I'm 'in love' with Cho. We have history. I'm just trying to figure if I'm just in love with what we used to be. It would be wasteful to continue in a relationship where you constantly think of the past. But you know how hard it is to let go of someone you have so much history with."
Those words rang true in Draco's ears. He couldn't count how many times he would reminisce about the good times with Harry, when really things were rough and damaged between the two. "You know Cedric, you and I are very similar."
"Just like you, I don't like rejection." Cedric clapped his hands together. "I've got our next big plan that's going to blow Cho and Harry out the water."
"I'm curious now. Please continue."
"The ministry of magic holds their Annual Fundraising Ball in a week. All ministry of magic employees must be in attendance, which means that Harry and Cho will both be there. The ministry sends out invitations to well known socialites and I happened to receive my invitation a couple of days ago. It will be the perfect time to go together, have a great time, and make our exes come back to us."
Draco frowned. "That sounds grand but one thing…I don't dance."
Cedric furrowed his brows. "Do you mean you can't dance or you choose not to dance?"
"I choose not to dance because I look like a stumbling buffoon. Does that clarify it for you?"
"Well you're getting your first lesson today." Cedric walked over to the stereo and pressed play. The sultry voice of Adele blared through the speakers.
"I ain't yours for no taking
You must be mistaken
I could never look into your eyes
And settle for wrong
And ignore the right
When I found a boy who loves me more
Than you ever did before
So stand beside the river you cry
And let yourself down
Look how you want me now that I don't need you."
Cedric slipped his arms around Draco's waist. "Relax. If you make that expression at the ball, people are going to think that I'm making you sick."
Draco tentatively wrapped his arms around Cedric's neck. "You make me nervous."
"Why?"
Draco didn't want to tell him the real reason. "I'm in the middle of your kitchen learning to slow dance. Does this not seem embarrassing to you?"
"I'm not asking you to waltz."
"Excuse me Mr. Prancey Dancey. I don't have the skills that you showed off during the Yule Ball."
"Well first off stop holding me like we're at a primary school dance." Cedric pulled Draco closer. "Let me lead. Now, you slide your feet back in forth. That way you won't step on my feet."
"This isn't so bad." Draco calmed down. "We're just going around in a circle."
"Good. Put your head on my shoulder."
Draco complied. His nose was nestled against Cedric's neck and he could smell a wisp of lingering cologne. "This is what a man is supposed to smell like." Draco thought to himself. His mouth was so close to Cedric's neck. He took a moment of chance. Listening to Cedric's melodious humming, Draco pressed his lips against his collar.
Cedric's humming didn't stop. His fingers lightly grazed Draco's back.
Draco hadn't felt so nervous since he was a teenager. His heart was thudding in his chest and he was sure Cedric could feel it.
"You're doing good."
Draco looked up to see Cedric smiling down at him. He wasn't sure if Cedric was ignoring the kiss that he gave him or acknowledeging it. "Umm…thanks."
"Now let me show you how it's done." Cedric grasped the back of Draco's neck and coaxed him closer. Their lips came smashing together in heated madness.
Draco could feel Cedric's soft lips sliding against his own. He was in disbelief and incredibly turned on. Cedric was confident and assertive, something that he wasn't used to. Draco broke away and stared at Cedric with a puzzled expression. "Huh?"
"Did you like it?"
"Oh I get it. It's another one of your acting exercises."
Cedric shook his head. "That was all real. I find you extremely attractive."
Draco was hoping his ears didn't deceive him. "Me?"
"Yes you."
"I…" Draco was at a loss for words.
"You can't say you don't find me attractive either. You can cut the sexual tension between us with a knife."
Draco steeled his resolve. "Stop it. If this is what you're willing to do to get Cho back, I cant have any part of it.
Cedric sighed. "Way to ruin our moment."
"But its not about us. It was never about us. You're willing to sleep with me to make Cho jealous. I refuse to be hurt again."
Cedric frowned. "You've got it all wrong Draco."
Draco headed towards the door. "We should never speak of this moment again. I'll attend the ball with you where hopefully I'll be leaving with Harry. You'll get Cho back. We will stick to the original plan."
An expression of sadness crossed Cedric's face. "I hope you know what you're walking away from."
"I have no other choice." Draco turned and fled away from his weakness as fast as he could.