Two weeks had passed since Draco's heart was so cruelly obliterated by the love of his life and husband of only three weeks prior. It had been seven hours since Harry had been back to their cottage to talk over the custody papers. Draco was still hurt and having to muster up the courage to place on that old, stoic mask drained him completely. He felt desperate and lonely. He needed Harry, why didn't Harry need him anymore? Draco couldn't stand it any longer so he made a snap decision. He would follow Harry home.
Along the shadowy corners and edges of buildings, Draco made his way down several streets. He knew Harry walked to and from the ministry from their- his- flat in London. Harry gave no indications of noticing Draco, of which Draco silently cheered for. He knew they were getting near the gate in the front of the building. Draco resolved that he would slip into an alleyway after he saw that Harry was not with anyone else in what used to be their flat, and apparate home to his son.
Harry poked the keys to open the gate casually and Draco stilled as he pulled himself further into shadow. Yes, he was reassured that Harry had not left him for anyone else. Now what? There were far too many strings to connect still in this confusion which kept the broken man awake at night.
"Come inside Draco." Harry's tone held a hint of a demand. Draco was startled. He was convinced he had been elusive. That was until Harry turned and pierced him with his verdant gaze, the very one which Draco could never resist. He hesitated but hadn't he wanted to be alone again with Harry? Draco took a faux confident step out of his shadowy fortress.
Harry held the gate open for Draco as they both stepped through. The windows glowed, bathing the grass and walkways with yellow light. For a brief second Draco questioned what he was doing here. The swirling shadow of pain still clung to every cell in his body, but this felt too right, felt too good to pass up. He felt Harry's hand on the small of his back as he allowed himself to be led in the door and up the stairs to the familiar place. Somewhere in the recesses of his mind Draco knew this would only make his situation worse as Harry kissed him. Draco didn't care now, he had his Harry back.
Fa la la
"Mmm Draco, you still look amazingly handsome." Harry was trailing his finger up and down Draco's bare chest as they lay in bed together, sheets draped lazily around their waists. Draco reasoned Harry may always be fascinated with him.
"Harry," Draco whispered, "I love you."
The other man continued his ministrations but said nothing. After a moment of tense silence he spoke.
"You should probably get back home. Scorpius is waiting, I'm sure." Draco did not allow his hurt to show. As much as he found he detested the cold Malfoy mask, he found it to be quite useful as of late.
"Scorpius will be waiting, you're right. I should not have come and kept him waiting. I shall return to the manor now." Draco held his head high as he carefully pulled his clothing on again. He dared not look back at the still warm bed and the man who felt like home to him. Perhaps one look wouldn't hurt anymore than he already was.
The mask slid off Draco's face as he turned his gaze onto the man he would forever love. For a brief moment Draco allowed Harry to see his pain, hurt, confusion, and the slightest hint of that ever simmering anger. He allowed Harry to see how he still loved him and always would be there for him. Mirrored in Harry's eyes were some of the same emotions; pain, confusion, and love were there, but so was something else. Guilt was shining brightly, struggling against the conscience of the heart breaker. Before he could break down, Draco put his façade back in place and disappeared with a crack.
xXx
Instead of going back to the manor where Scorpius would no doubt be asleep by now, Draco went to the cottage. He hadn't set foot in the place since the day after his marriage was ended. He made his way straight to the study he used to share with Harry, the study which still held a bottle of some of the finest Firewhiskey. Pouring himself a generous glass, he sat in the leather chair behind the desk and propped his feet up. Draco allowed the alcohol to imbue his senses as he nursed his second glass. Harry had cleared out all his belongings and any trace of the former occupant was completely gone as if he never existed.
Just then something under the book case something caught Draco's eye. Something was glinting in the dim lamp light. He slowly swung his feet off the desk and stood. His drunken gait carried him and placed him on all fours, drink forgotten on the desk, and Draco picked up a granite chess piece. A pawn. He turned the piece over in his hand feeling its smoothness, and as if an invisible forced knocked him against the book case, Draco felt the waves of nostalgia hit. In a rush memories came back to him.
Draco was working late in his study, trying to make sure his order forms were set for the next week. He found himself increasingly busy juggling his potions work for the ministry, his new marriage and Scorpius. He was so absorbed in his forms he couldn't hear Harry come into the room.
"Draco." The man's head shot up in surprise.
"Yes Harry?"
"C'mon, you've been working at that stuff all day. You need a break." Draco narrowed his eyes as Harry smiled, hands clasped behind his back. "Play a game of chess with me? I know you can't resist." Harry winked as he produced a box from behind his back. Draco, who had his quill poised above an order form for a particularly large order, looked skeptically at his husband. Giving a slight shake of his head he continued to fill out the form. Harry sat down on the opposite side of the desk and proceeded to set up the board. Draco raised his eyes to watch as Harry methodically placed each piece in the center of their squares as if this were a casual occurrence. Sighing in defeat, Draco set the quill down and agreed to play.
"Knew you'd come around love!"
"Yeah, yeah, just move your piece already Potter."
"Oh now Draco, is that any way to talk to your new husband?" Harry laughed.
"Hmmm. Check." Harry looked down at the board dismayed. He could already tell he was going to lose no matter what.
"Daddy!" Scorpius bounded into the room just as Draco was about to move his final piece and win the game. He launched himself into Harry's arms knocking over the board and scattering the pieces. The small boy and the man holding him laughed as the tumbled to the ground pulling a disgruntled Draco with them. Draco couldn't help but chuckle along with his son and husband.
xXx
"Mpf, Harry, we have to stop," Draco panted.
"Says who?"
"Aaahhhh, ok, we don't have to- you don't have to stop."
"Mmm that's what I thought."
"Huh-aaarrry?"
"Yes love?"
"We ahhh really should stop. I- I needed to tell you something you git." He pushed the other boy off of him and sat up on the bed. Harry looked confused and slightly worried.
"What's up Drake?"
Draco took a deep breath to steady himself. "I'm pregnant. About 14 weeks along. We're going to be parents." Harry's eyes widened in shock and disbelief.
"You're joking. Right? I mean, how can you be…? Merlin, we're 18!" He pulled Draco to him and kissed him hard. "I love you Draco. I'm glad we're having a child." Draco smiled.
"Good. Now I believe you weren't quite finished with what you were doing before?" Draco cocked an eyebrow at his boyfriend who grinned wolfishly in return and winked.
xXx
"Draco I love you with all my heart. We've been together for almost four years now and have a beautiful, articulate son together. I couldn't imagine spending my life with anyone else other than you. Will you marry me?"
"Yes, yes of course Harry."
"Marry me tonight Draco," Harry pleaded.
"You want to elope?"
"Your parents already know. They will be there and so will the Weasleys and Hermione. Please Draco, marry me tonight."
"Alright." Harry's face broke into a dazzling grin of genuine happiness.
xXx
"What exactly are you trying to say Harry?" Draco's voice was dangerously quiet.
"I'm saying that I think we should have thought this marriage thing through a little more. We're so young still Draco! We're only 21 for Merlin's sake! There's so much we haven't done yet and need to experience. I am just not right for you right now. We need some time. We need to just do stuff for a bit, get out and explore and experience things, ya know?"
"Harry, I don't know if you've forgotten but we have a three year old son. I can't exactly just abandon him to 'just do stuff for a bit' or 'explore.' And you were the one who wanted to rush into this marriage three weeks ago! Three weeks Harry, that's how long we've been married and now you want to end it? Why the hell did we get married to begin with then!"
"I don't know," he replied softly.
"You don't know. You know what Harry, I love you. You're everything to me and I love being married to you, but if you're adventures are more important, then fine. I would give up everything for you. I already have." Draco sank into one of the chairs at the kitchen table completely defeated. Several minutes passed before he heard the front door shut.
xXx
Draco rubbed the tears off his face and made to stand. He abandoned the firewhiskey on the desk and decided to floo home to the manor. This cottage held too many memories for the man and he could not bear it. He thought back to that moment at the flat where he saw the guilt ridden eyes of his former husband and lover and how alone Harry was. Draco drifted into an uneasy sleep that night with those thoughts swirling around his mind.
I know you're sleeping all alone
You feel suicide
Now you're dying to get out
But it's in you deep inside
Do you feel it in your veins
The poison rushing through?
But can't you see it in your heart
I'm still there for you?
xXx
A/N: Yikes, sorry this was a day after I wanted to have it out! The songs of the day for this chapter were Fascination by La Roux and Disco by Metro Station (last bit there from that song). I would also like to note that traditionally I am sure couples have children after they are married, but seeing as NONE of this is in any way traditional, divorce would be silly. Two words: suck it! Now that the harsh side note is out of the way, I am sharing some love and hoping you return the favor by reviewing.