AN: I'm not sure if I got back to you all to say thanks for your lovely reviews, so if I missed you, I am truly sorry and appreciate you more than you will ever know!
As for this chapter…I know I put these boys through a lot and unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how much you love angst and drama) this one is sort of a doozy…hope you all stick with me and continue to enjoy it. But don't be afraid to tell me if you don't!
Also, a warning for some Draco/Cedric lovin ahead. missblackeyeliner, I thought you especially might like this one. Enjoy!
*.*.*.*
Chapter Nine
- May 29th -
Draco Malfoy was dreaming. Well, dreaming wasn't really the right word for it. It was more like a memory…a really, really good memory. It just so happened to be occurring while he was asleep.
Draco sighed softly as he stirred, finally waking after almost twelve hours of unconsciousness. He moaned at the wonderful, warm pressure engulfing his cock and opened his eyes to see a messy head of sandy hair between his legs.
"Cedric," he gasped. He dug his fingers into his boyfriend's thick hair, gently massaging his scalp and trying hard not to pull. He groaned and arched his back as he was swallowed completely. "What… what are you…fuck!" As hard as he tried to resist, he couldn't help but buck his hips when teeth gently scraped over the head. He abandoned the thought of questioning Cedric's motives and concentrated instead on not gagging the other man.
"Mm…you taste good," Cedric muttered as he moved his mouth from Draco's cock to his thigh. He licked and sucked, leaving a light mark as his hand slowly continued to pump the blond's erection.
"Morning," Draco breathed as he looked down into bright hazel eyes.
Cedric lifted his face from Draco's thigh and answered with a smile. He sat back on his knees, revealing his own pajama covered arousal to his lover. "Feeling better this morning?"
Draco's face fell at the memory of the night before and he turned his face away.
"Hey, none of that," Cedric said as he crawled up his lover's body. He lowered himself onto his elbows so their chests pressed together, his hips quickly following suit.
Draco let out a soft hiss at the feel of Cedric's clothed erection pressing against his. "How can you want to touch me after what I-"
"How could I not want to touch you?" Cedric interrupted. He forced Draco to look at him and pressed his lips to his. "I love you." He lowered his mouth to Draco's neck, instantly finding the spot below the blond's ear that he knew drove him wild. He slowly began rocking his hips.
Draco closed his eyes and moaned at the intense pleasure he was being treated to. He didn't understand it, but he wasn't stupid enough to question it any further.
Cedric's hips moved faster and he licked at the area where Draco's neck met his shoulder. One hand snaked up between their bodies to pinch lightly at a small, pale nipple.
Draco grunted and thrust his hips harder. He grabbed Cedric's hair and pulled him into a deep kiss, his mouth sucking at the other's tongue.
Rolling onto his side, Cedric pulled Draco with him, continuing to kiss him while simultaneously trying to get his pajama bottoms off. He grunted in frustration when the material became tangled around his legs and he couldn't free them.
Draco laughed into his mouth, but didn't pull away, unwilling to give up the warm press of his boyfriend's lips. He reached down and helped Cedric remove the offending article of clothing, then once they were both naked, he pulled him back on top of him.
Cedric straddled his hips and sat up. He thrust forward again and again and smirked when Draco's fingers dug into his hips, silently begging him for more.
"I woke up craving you," Cedric said as he leaned over and opened the drawer of the nightstand. He pulled out a small bottle of lube and grinned when he looked back to see Draco's eyes darkened with lust. The blond licked his lips as he stared at the bottle. Cedric sat back on Draco's thighs and gazed longingly down at the rock hard cock below him.
"Why are you taking so long?" Draco whined when nothing had happened.
Cedric snorted softly and opened the bottle to pour some of the slick fluid into his hand. He tossed the bottle onto the bed beside them and rubbed his palms together, warming it up. He couldn't help but smile at the desperate look on his boyfriend's face.
"Cedric," Draco whimpered as he squirmed beneath him. "Don't torture me."
Cedric leaned over to kiss him quickly before sitting up and wrapping both hands around Draco's erection. He slid his hands down slowly to the base, squeezing gently, then back up to the head. He ran his thumb up underneath, forcing a long, deep moan from Draco's mouth.
Draco was panting with need, his cock aching to be inside this man who was slowly driving him insane. "You're going to make me come if you don't stop," he warned.
Cedric chuckled softly and reached again for the bottle of lube. "Give me your hand," he said as he opened the bottle.
Draco moaned softly at the rough sound of Cedric's voice and raised his hand to him.
Cedric dripped a few drops onto Draco's pale fingers, enough to coat them thoroughly, but not so much that there would be an excess amount. It was just enough to please them both without taking away the feeling.
Draco rubbed his fingers together to warm up the fluid, then used his other arm to pull Cedric down on top of him. He rolled them over so he was on top and kissed him furiously. He had always been a big fan of morning sex.
Cedric took Draco's hand and forced it between his legs. "Hurry…I don't think I can wait much longer."
Draco laughed softly and kissed him before propping himself up on his elbow to watch his lover's face as he prepared him. He nudged his legs apart further, then slowly pressed a finger into him.
Cedric's eyelids fluttered and he held his breath as his body was breached. His nostrils flared as he waited for the initial sting to pass, then he opened his eyes and gazed up into silver grey eyes that were watching him intently.
"You make me so hard," Draco whispered against his mouth as he slid in a second finger. He kissed him, quieting the soft moan that escaped his lips.
Cedric threw his head back and gasped as Draco's fingers found their target. His cock twitched with the extra pleasure and it quickly became obvious to both of them that he was ready. "Now," he begged softly.
Draco gently removed his fingers then started to roll onto him, but was surprised to feel himself being pushed onto his back. His heart knocked painfully in his chest and he smiled wide as he lay back on the pillows, allowing his boyfriend to climb on top of him.
"I like watching you from this angle," Cedric explained. He reached behind him and took Draco in his hand, giving him a gentle squeeze before guiding him to his entrance and slowly lowering himself onto him.
Draco let out a soft growl of pleasure as the almost unbearably tight warmth of Cedric's body engulfed him.
Cedric's eyes fell shut as he became still, adjusting to the sizable, yet welcomed intrusion. He breathed deeply, waiting for his body to adjust. "I love how hard you get," he breathed softly. He opened his eyes and looked at Draco, then began to move.
Draco couldn't take his eyes off of him. Cedric knew exactly how to move and exactly where to touch him to give him the most pleasure and this morning, he was pulling out all the tricks. Draco's breath caught as he looked down to watch himself disappear again and again inside of him.
He slowly reached out and ran his fingertips down the length of Cedric's cock, his thumb catching a few drops of precum. He looked up into his eyes as he brought his thumb to his mouth and licked it clean.
Cedric bit his lip and moved faster as he watched him.
Draco took Cedric's hand and pulled him down on top of him. He kissed him in time with their thrusts, pushing his hips up as Cedric pushed down, trying to get as deep as possible.
Cedric ran his tongue up Draco's jaw and nibbled gently on his earlobe, pulling on it with his teeth.
Draco gripped the other man's hips and thrust up harder.
Cedric grunted and pushed down just as hard. "Dray…" he moaned softly.
Draco wrapped both arms around him and quickly rolled so he was on top. He raised himself to his knees and guided Cedric's legs to his shoulders. He leaned forward, resting all his weight on his hands and began to move faster.
Throwing his head back onto the pillow, Cedric fisted the sheets on either side of him, giving up all control and letting Draco lead. "Harder," he whispered.
Draco obeyed, but he sat back on his knees again and lowered Cedric's legs to wrap around his waist. "Touch yourself," he begged him. "I want to watch."
Cedric took his cock in hand and slowly began to stroke it. He bit his lip and breathed harshly through his nose, trying to keep control.
"Faster," Draco whispered. He felt the beginning signs of his orgasm and he really wanted Cedric to get off first. Watching him like this was just a bonus.
Cedric's hand moved faster and his mouth fell open as he gasped for breath. "Close. So close."
Draco's thrusts were becoming erratic and he knew he was losing control and fast. He pushed deeper and held back a triumphant grin when Cedric let out a strangled cry and came, squeezing his muscles tightly around him.
Draco threw his head back and his eyes slammed shut as his orgasm rocked his body. "Fuck!" His thrusts slowed, but he continued to rock slowly, easing himself through it.
Cedric stared up at him with a half smile on his face. His eyelids drooped as he brought his hands up to his boyfriends shoulders and –
Draco woke with a low moan, his cock throbbing painfully, pinned between himself and the mattress. He rocked his hips a few times and sighed at the pleasure of it, then turned to initiate a new round of morning sex.
Cedric wasn't in bed.
Draco groaned and fell back against the pillows. He momentarily debated taking care of it himself, but he longed for his boyfriend's touch, so he climbed out of bed to go find him.
Draco knew how unbelievably lucky he was. They had never again spoken of the wedding incident and Cedric seemed content to pretend it had never happened. The blond was surprised at how quickly the other man had blown it off, but he was thankful every day that he had. It seemed that making the choice of Cedric over Harry had calmed his urges for the raven haired man. And it certainly didn't hurt that he was no longer in the country.
Draco walked into the kitchen and smiled to himself as he watched Cedric cooking. He was humming and tapping his foot, eggs and bacon sizzling in pans in front of him.
"Morning," Draco finally said after watching him for a few minutes.
Cedric smiled over his shoulder. "Morning, love."
Draco wrapped his arms around Cedric's waist and kissed his neck and jaw. He pressed his erection against him and smirked into his neck when he felt his lover's breathing hitch.
"That can be very dangerous in front of an open flame," Cedric said softly as he tilted his head, giving Draco's mouth better access to his neck.
Draco continued to kiss and lick while at the same time, reaching around him to turn off the burners.
"Breakfast will get cold," Cedric protested halfheartedly.
"Don't care."
Cedric laughed and pressed back against him. "What's gotten into you?"
"Nothing. I just can't get enough of touching you."
Cedric turned himself around and pulled Draco into a rough, passionate kiss. He guided him backwards until he hit the counter. "Right here?" he asked as he lifted Draco up, setting him on the counter top.
Draco nodded and quickly started to undo the other man's pants.
The phone rang, startling Cedric, though Draco didn't seem to notice.
Cedric stepped back from his flushed and panting boyfriend.
"Ignore it," Draco begged, reaching for him.
Cedric laughed and grabbed the phone from the table. "Yes?" He never took his eyes from Draco's.
Draco huffed to himself, slightly irritated that Cedric had chosen answering the phone over having sex. But he snapped back to reality when he realized that Cedric was holding the phone out to him and that the playful smile he had been wearing just moments before had faded from his face.
"It's the hospital," Cedric said softly. "They wouldn't tell me anything."
Draco hopped down from the counter and buttoned his pants before taking the phone. "Hello?"
"Draco Malfoy?"
"Yes, this is."
"My name is Dr. Ramsey and I'm calling from St. Mungo's emergency room."
Draco's heart raced. "What happened?"
"We have a Harry Potter here and he was brought in with multiple injuries sustained during a domestic dispute. He has been in and out of consciousness and is being prepped for surgery, but while awake, he asked for you. We found your phone number in his cell phone. He couldn't tell us if he had any family. And he only asked for you."
"What happened? Is he going to be alright?" His mouth had gone dry and he had to force himself to breathe. He hadn't even known they were back from Germany yet.
Cedric took his arm and led him to a chair, forcing him to sit, but Draco didn't even notice that he had been moved.
"We're hopeful that he will be just fine, though he will have a bit of a recovery ahead of him."
"What…" Draco stopped to clear his burning throat. Breathe Malfoy…breathe. "What were his injuries?"
"Some broken bones, bruises and lacerations. I can go into better detail when you come down here."
"Did they arrest him?"
"If you're talking about Mr. Wood, well, he's here as well, though his injuries are nowhere near as severe. But Mr. Potter put up one hell of a fight. The police are already here and Mr. Wood will be arrested after his treatment."
"Good…that's good." Draco blinked away the tears that stung his eyes. "Why does he have to have surgery?"
"We're going to have to go in and set his arm. It's a pretty bad break."
"How long until he goes into surgery?"
"He'll be taken for prep in about two hours. Maybe a little sooner."
"Can I come see him first?"
"Of course."
"Thank you, doctor." Draco hung up the phone and set it down on the table. "Can you take me to the hospital?" He didn't look at Cedric for fear that he would lose control of his fragile emotions.
Cedric nodded and helped him stand. "What happened? Is it Harry?"
Draco didn't have the presence of mind to be surprised that Cedric had known so he just nodded.
"I'll be right back." Cedric kissed his head and hurried out of the room.
Draco wrapped his arms around himself and waited for his boyfriend to return.
Cedric brought him clothes and helped him dress, then he led him out of the flat and to the car.
*.*.*.*
Draco stood nervously in the doorway of Harry's room. Cedric had agreed to stay in the waiting room, but Draco partially wished he was there for support.
Just don't let him see how bad it is. Don't cry…remember to smile. Don't let him see how upset you are. He took a deep breath then walked inside.
Harry was lying in bed, completely still. The only sounds were the beep of the heart monitor and the soft drips from his IV.
Draco covered his mouth as he looked down at an unrecognizable Harry Potter. "Jesus, Harry…what the bloody hell did he do to you?" he whispered as he sat down on the edge of the bed and gently took his hand.
"Beat me with a bat," came a soft, mumbled voice.
Draco looked from their joined hands to Harry's face and his breath caught in his throat. He swallowed heavily. "Hi," he managed to say.
Harry tried to smile, which showed off the wires that held his broken jaw in place. "Hi," he said softly, then he winced.
Draco's heart clenched. "Do you need a nurse?"
"No." Harry squeezed his hand and looked up at him. His left eye was black and purple and completely swollen shut. The other was bruised and the white of his eye was stained red, the blood vessels completely broken.
"It seems stupid to ask how you are." Draco held tighter to Harry's hand.
"He tried to kill me," Harry said as tears began to pour from his eyes.
Draco stretched himself out on the bed beside him. "It's okay," he whispered as he stroked Harry's heaving chest. He kissed his temple and carefully slid an arm under his head so he could hold him closer.
Harry turned his face into Draco's neck and sobbed against him. His good hand, which was between them, came up to clutch at a handful of Draco's shirt.
"It'll be okay," Draco whispered again as he rocked him gently, trying not to jar his injured body. "He's never going to touch you again." He continued to hold him and mutter nonsense to soothe him.
Harry's sobs subsided after a few minutes and his grip on Draco's shirt lessened, though he didn't completely let go.
Draco pulled back just enough to look down at him. He smiled and gently wiped at his tears.
"I was so scared," Harry whispered, then squeezed his good eye shut.
Draco kissed his forehead. "You're going to be just fine."
Harry reached up and gently brushed the back of his fingertips against Draco's cheek. "Thank you for coming."
Draco smiled sadly. "Of course…but where are Ron and Hermione?"
"Late honeymoon," Harry mumbled. "Just left for Australia two days ago. Didn't want to worry them." He continued to stroke Draco's cheek then suddenly let his hand drop to his stomach. "I'm very tired."
"You go to sleep then." Draco kissed his forehead, then climbed out of bed, adjusting Harry's blankets around him.
"Don't leave," Harry begged, his hand shooting out to weakly wrap around Draco's wrist.
"I'm not going anywhere," Draco said with a soft smile. He pulled a chair closer to the bed and sat down.
Harry reached for his hand and held tight. He gazed at Draco with a small smile on his lips until his eye fell shut and he was asleep.
"He looks much more peaceful now."
Draco looked up at the nurse who was standing at the foot of the bed and reviewing Harry's chart.
"He's been very agitated since he arrived. He kept crying and saying your name in his sleep. You are Draco, right?"
Draco nodded and looked back down at Harry.
"It's nice to see he has someone who cares so much about him after what that other man did to him."
Draco rubbed small circles on Harry's palm with his thumb.
"The doctor will be in soon to get him ready for surgery. You can stay until then."
"Thank you," Draco said softly.
She did a quick check of all the machines then left them alone.
Draco finally let himself cry. He moved the chair closer to the bed and held Harry's hand in both of his, leaning his head to rest on top of their joined hands. He closed his eyes and listened to the soft sounds of Harry's breathing.
"You'll be fine," he whispered. "I promise you will be fine." He kissed the pale hand that was still gripping his, even in sleep.
"Dray?"
Draco quickly wiped away his tears and sat up straight, though he didn't let go of Harry's hand.
"Fuck," Cedric said as he stopped at the end of the bed and looked down at Harry. "Is he going to be alright?"
Draco nodded, but he couldn't bring himself to look at Cedric.
Cedric stared down at Harry and his face softened in sympathy. "Oliver did this?"
Draco nodded and swallowed the lump in his throat.
Cedric sighed softly, then walked over to his boyfriend, stepping up behind him. He rested his hands on his shoulders, gently rubbing and stroking his tense muscles. "Don't hold it in Draco. God knows I want to cry, so I can't even imagine what you're feeling."
"I just feel so…helpless," Draco whispered, his tears returning with a fury.
Cedric pulled a chair up next to him and sat down. He put his arm around his shoulder and pulled him close.
Draco clung tightly to Harry's hand, but turned his face into Cedric's neck as he cried himself to sleep.
*.*.*.*
The sound of quiet voices and a slight vibration woke Draco from his sleep. It only took him a moment to recognize the two voices, so he kept his eyes closed and forced himself to relax as he listened.
"I'm sorry I interrupted your Saturday," Harry said softly, his words a bit mumbled from his broken jaw. "I just didn't know who else to call."
"Stop apologizing," Cedric said, his voice equally as soft as Harry's. "You need to rest. There's no reason to get yourself so worked up."
"I didn't think you would come with him."
"He was too upset to drive himself."
There was a long silence between the two men.
"I don't hate you, Harry. Not anymore."
"You don't?"
"No. Actually, if it weren't for this one here," he said, pulling Draco a little closer, "I'm sure we'd get along just fine, if not actually be friends."
Harry laughed softly. "Maybe."
Another long, awkward silence.
"Do you love him?"
"Oliver?"
"No…Draco."
Silence.
Draco's heart was pounding as he waited for Harry to answer Cedric's question. He finally got impatient and opened his eyes to see Harry staring at the ceiling, his face pale.
Harry opened his mouth to speak.
"Okay, Mr. Potter," a nurse said as she hurried into the room. "It's time to get you ready."
Draco pushed away the slight disappointment he felt and faked a large yawn as he sat up straight. He rubbed his itchy, burning eyes, then looked down at Harry.
Harry's eye was filled with tears when he finally looked back at Draco.
Draco smiled reassuringly and reached out to stroke Harry's hair. "It's going to be just fine." He kept saying it, but he wasn't sure if it was for Harry's benefit or his own.
"Will you be here when I wake up?" Harry asked nervously.
Draco nodded and leaned over to press a soft, lingering kiss to his forehead.
Cedric took Draco's hand and gently pulled him back. "He'll be here," he promised Harry.
Harry managed a small smile and a nod. "Okay."
Cedric slid an arm around Draco's waist as they watched Harry be wheeled away.
"Thank you," Draco whispered as he rested his forehead against his boyfriend's temple.
"For what?" Cedric turned so they were facing each other.
"Being nice to him." Draco slid his arms around Cedric's waist and pressed his face into his neck. "I know this can't be easy for you."
Cedric sighed and held Draco tight. "It's not," he admitted. "But I'm fairly certain that this had been harder on him, so who am I to make things worse?"
"You're a very good man, Cedric Diggory." Draco kissed his cheek.
Cedric blushed and pulled away. "Let's go eat. We missed breakfast." He took Draco's hand and kissed it before leading him away.
*.*.*.*
It had been two hours since Harry had come out of surgery and Draco was sitting in a chair by his bed, watching him sleep and waiting for him to wake up. He had been told the surgery went smoothly, but until he actually spoke with Harry, he knew he wouldn't be able to relax.
"Knock, knock."
He looked up as Pansy and Blaise entered the room and smiled in relief, glad for the company. "He's still asleep. The doctor said he should wake up soon." He turned his attention back to Harry.
Pansy set a vase of lilies on the table beside the bed. She looked down at Harry with sad eyes, then sat down in the chair next to her best friend, linking her arm with his. "How about you? Are you alright?"
He nodded. "I'm fine…just…worried."
Blaise stood motionless at the foot of the bed, his eyes slowly roaming over Harry's prone form and taking note of his injuries. "He's tough. He'll pull through just fine."
Draco nodded his agreement, though he wasn't so sure that he believed it himself. "Have you seen Cedric?"
"We sent him home," Pansy said. "He looked pretty tired, so I told him we would drive you home."
"I'm not leaving."
Blaise sighed. "He told us you'd say that."
Feeling a slight twinge of concern, Draco looked up at them. "Is he angry with me?"
"No. I think he's just worried that this is going to be what finally pushes you and Harry together for good." Pansy leaned against Draco and squeezed his hand.
Draco looked down at his and Harry's entwined fingers and didn't reply.
Pansy and Blaise exchanged a look. Neither of them had to say a word to know what the other was thinking.
"Pansy?"
All three visitors looked up to see Harry's face turned toward the small blonde woman.
"Hi," Harry said, his voice sounding hoarse. His eye closed for a moment and he cleared his throat.
Pansy stood and quickly wiped at her tearing eyes before sitting next to Harry and taking his hand from Draco. "Hello, darling." She gently stroked his hair and cheek. "How are you feeling?"
Harry opened his eye again. "I'm still so tired, but it doesn't hurt so much anymore." He managed another small smile and his eyes moved over to Blaise. "Blaise," he said softly.
"Hi, Harry." Blaise walked up behind Pansy, resting a hand on her shoulder.
Harry sighed softly and closed his eye again. "Draco?"
Draco quickly stood and looked down at him. "I'm here."
"I dreamed about you," Harry mumbled, his eye still shut. "It was a nice dream."
Pansy moved and allowed Draco to take her place at Harry's side.
Draco sat down and gently took the drowsy brunet's hand between both of his. "What kind of dream?"
A joyful smile spread across Harry's face and he opened his eye. "We had a dog. A big black lab named Chuck. I thought it was a silly name for a dog, but you liked it." He closed his eye and squeezed Draco's hand. "Doesn't that sound nice?"
Draco cleared a lump from his throat and nodded. "Yes," he whispered.
"He would sit with us outside in the summer while we had tea and in the winter he slept on our feet at night so they wouldn't get cold. You snuck him food under the table when I wasn't looking and we took him for long walks every night."
I want that. My God…I want that life with him. He gently stroked Harry's hair and smiled down at him.
"I know how cold your feet get," Harry said with a sigh.
Draco smiled. "They do get pretty cold."
"I feel so fuzzy and warm." Harry sighed again and mumbled something under his breath that the others couldn't hear before continuing, more clearly. "I always feel warm when you're with me."
Draco glanced up at his friends. Pansy was standing with a hand over her mouth as she leaned into Blaise, who was biting his lip as he waited for Harry to continue. Neither of them seemed to notice him looking, their eyes were glued to Harry.
Draco turned back to him. "Go to sleep, love," he said softly. He leaned over and pressed his lips to his cheek.
"Draco?" Harry muttered sleepily.
"Yes?" He gently nuzzled his nose against the hair at Harry's temple.
"I love you, Draco," Harry whispered.
Draco pulled back in shock and stared down at the now sleeping man. "What did you just say?"
Harry didn't respond.
Draco's eyes were burning with unshed tears as he looked up at Pansy and Blaise. "What…did he…?"
Blaise nodded. "Yes. He said that he loves you."
Draco stared blankly at his friends, then suddenly stood and hurried from the room, looking for a private place to break down. His chest was tightening and he felt his breaths coming faster and harder, the beginning signs of a panic attack.
He ducked into a bathroom and went to the sink, turning on the cold water and splashing himself in the face. Breathe, breathe, breathe. In through the nose, out through the mouth. Just breathe. When the cold water did nothing to calm him, he turned his back to the wall and slid down, burying his face in his knees and wrapping his arms around his legs. He squeezed his eyes shut so tightly that it hurt, but somehow, the tears still escaped.
He was dizzy. His heart was beating so fiercely that he feared it might actually kill him this time. Harry doesn't love you…it was the drugs talking. He was completely out of his mind and had no idea what he was saying. He only said what he said because of the dream. He loved you in the dream, that's all. It means nothing. Get over it and get your cheating arse home to your boyfriend.
At the thought of Cedric, the flow of tears increased. How is it possible to love him as much as I do and still be tempted to leave? What the hell is wrong with me? I don't want to do this anymore. I don't want this…I never wanted this…
"Dray?"
He didn't look up when he heard Blaise's concerned voice.
"Draco, talk to me." Blaise crouched down in front of him and placed a hand on his head, stroking his soft blond hair and trying to comfort him. "Tell me why you're so upset. I thought you wanted to know if he loved you."
"I thought I did too," Draco cried softly into his knees. He lifted his head and used his palms to wipe the tears from his face. "Now it's just…worse. It's more real now and more…"
"Tempting?"
Draco nodded. "It would be completely unfair of me to leave Cedric just because Harry…loves me." The words almost stuck in his throat.
"You can't stay with him out of obligation," Blaise said as he sat down next to and put and arm around him.
"But if I leave him…people will think that I was only using him while I waited for Harry."
"Is that what you did?"
"No!" Draco lifted his face to scowl at his friend, but it came off more like a pout. "I love Cedric so much that it hurts. When I'm with him, I only want to be with him. Well…mostly." He blushed and looked away. "There was that whole calling him Harry during sex episode." He lowered his head. "And the wedding." His stomach clenched with guilt.
"Do you love them both?"
Draco sighed heavily. "I know I love Cedric. That's the one thing I'm absolutely, one hundred percent sure about. But when Harry is near me, I can hardly breathe and I certainly can't think straight, as my prior actions have shown. He's like a drug and I can't tell if he's good or bad for me. And I've never felt anything like it, so I don't know if it's love or obsession."
"I saw the look on your face when he was talking about his dream."
Draco nodded. "I can't deny that a part of me wants that. I want the dog and the long walks and the sleeping together every night. I just don't want to leave Cedric in order to have it."
"Has it occurred to you that maybe staying with Cedric is hurting you both more than leaving would?"
Draco nodded and buried his face back in his knees. "Maybe I should be alone for awhile. Leave them both?" He looked at up at Blaise. "Tell me what to do and I'll do it. I don't have the strength to make this decision."
"I'm not deciding that for you," Blaise said kindly. He rested his hand on the back of Draco's neck and gently ruffled his hair. "But maybe you should talk to Cedric about it. Explain to him how you feel about both of them and let him help you make the decision of whether or not it's worth it for the two of you to continue to fight for what you have."
"Maybe I should move out of the country. I hear Iceland is nice this time of year."
Blaise laughed softly. "You're not going anywhere and you know it."
Draco rested his chin on his knee and sighed. "I hate this, Blaise. I spent twenty four years blocking out this kind of emotion. I never let myself fall in love before and I'm beginning to think I had the right idea all along. My father was right and I never should have doubted him. This whole love thing is way more painful than it's worth."
"That's not true. You just have to get through all the bad to get to the good."
Draco snorted in disbelief. "You'll excuse me if I'm having a hard time believing that."
"You'll make the right decision, Dray. I know you will." Blaise stood and held out a hand to his friend. "And just know that whatever you choose, Pansy and I will be behind you no matter what. We just want you to be happy."
Draco took his hand and let himself be pulled to his feet and into a tight hug.
"I love you," Blaise told him.
"Love you too." Draco squeezed him and let go. He stood in the middle of the bathroom and glanced at the door. "I don't think I want to go back in there right now. I don't think I can handle seeing him right now. I think…maybe I just need some rest."
"Why don't you go home for a while? It's been a long day for you. I promise that Pansy and I will stay with him for a while and make sure he's alright."
Draco nodded. "Thank you." He kissed his friends cheek and hurried downstairs to catch a taxi, desperate to be away from the hospital and the memory of Harry's whispered words.
*.*.*.*
TBC…
AN: Thanks for reading everyone!