On their way back to the hostel Draco had convinced Harry to get a look into one of the bars at the street.
"Come on, Harry! Just a few minutes? I haven't been here for such a long time…"
So Harry had sighed and followed Draco inside only to stop dead after the door had closed behind him. The bar was overcrowded. People were standing and sitting around everywhere, the noise of talking and glasses banging against each other was overwhelming. From his low position he could not even see most parts of the small room. Someone bumped into him from behind, an apology was uttered above his head. People around him were beginning to stare. Harry would have turned on the spot and left if Draco had not already disappeared into the crowd. He swore under his breath and reinforced the grip around the metal handrims at the wheels of his chair, maneuvering around tables and people stepping into his way.
"There you are!" Draco suddenly appeared at his side, looking alarmed. "I am so sorry, Harry."
Harry shrugged, annoyed. It was not the first time he had been lost inside a crowd.
"Let's leave, Ok? We can have a nice evening at the hostel, too, right? There is no free place here, anyways", Draco pleaded.
"There are places over there." The crowd had parted for a moment and Harry nodded towards the counter.
Draco hesitated. "Yeah…"
But Harry had already turned and wheeled towards the spindly bar stools in front of the high counter, feeling strangely reckless in his anger. Draco followed in a hurry.
"You sure you want to do this… I mean… er…" he stuttered, being completely ignored by Harry who had spun the wheelchair around next to one of the bar stools, put the breaks in and removed his feet from the feet rest.
"Are you going to help me or not?" Harry asked. His green eyes shot sparks at Draco and his lips were set in grim determination.
"Er… what do you want me to do?" Draco asked nervously
"I'm afraid this will be a bit more complicated than last time…" Harry said and prodded the bar stool experimentally. At least it seemed to be a heavy one that was standing firm on the ground. He motioned Draco closer.
"The seating of the stool is too high to just let me slide on it. I need to get one hand on the counter and one on the stool. Then I will be able to push me onto it. Your job is to keep me standing up until that because I don't trust my legs much right now. Ok?"
Draco nodded. "Piece of cake", he murmured and bent down upon a signal from Harry, so that Harry could wrap his arms around his neck.
"You can grab my belt", Harry ordered.
Draco nodded. Some of his hair had fallen into his face and a curl tickled Harry's nose.
"Ready?"
Draco lifted Harry into a standing position and turned him slightly so that he was with his back to the stool. Harry found that his legs were indeed more cooperative than anticipated. He disentangled his arms and managed to push himself onto the bar stool. Draco cheered at him. "You made it!"
"Any concerns?" Harry laughed but could not hide that he was a little relieved, too. "You can release me now, by the way. The eagle has landed."
Draco blushed slightly and let go of Harry's waist.
"We should have a drink on this", Harry said.
"Indeed. The Samuel Adams Boston Lager is fant-"
"What?"
"I'm sorry. No alcohol for you, I assume"
Harry shrugged. "Yeah… although if you want to get me drunk, one bottle of beer would certainly do it right now. But… you are right, rather no alcohol for me. Although it helps with the pain, temporarily"
Draco didn't say anything and settled down on the other stool to Harry's left. As Harry studied the menu written on a chalkboard behind the counter he felt Draco scowl at him from the side.
"What?"
"You never told me you were in pain."
"Didn't think it was important."
"Woah, come on. If I had known I would never have-"
"Taken me out? Come to Boston? Draco, this is my life. I'm in pain more often than not. Trust me, this is nothing new to me. But it is also my life, you understand? I decide what to do and when to stop. I can take care of myself and I know best when to slow down and when to go on, OK?"
Draco stared at him, slightly taken aback. "I got you", he said.
They sat in silence for some time. Then-
"I'm sorry!" – "I'm sorry!"
They both broke out in laughter.
Draco shook his head. "You first"
Harry rubbed his temples. "I'm sorry for being all cranky tonight. You don't deserve that" He looked up.
Draco smiled. "I'm sorry for trying to make decisions for you."
Harry reached over and squeezed his arm. "I am really glad that you managed to come to Boston."
Draco patted his hand. At this moment the barkeeper arrived in front of them on the other side of the counter.
"What can I get you two?"
"Er… Samuel Adams Boston Lager and… a coke."
The barkeeper beamed at them and vanished.
Draco cleared his throat but Harry gave him a stern look: "And that was another decision I made. I can totally stand it if you have a beer while I don't have alcohol"
Draco looked at him sheepishly and sighed. "Yeah… I got you. I do!"