AN: Happy Sunday, everyone…hope you all enjoy …
Also, I received a very touching review from someone and I wanted to say thank and wasn't really sure how. So, I know it's not much, but crusadingangel1388, this chapter is dedicated to you. Thank you for your review and for sharing your thoughts with me. Your review made me a little teary and I am honored that you feel the way you do about this story. I'm so happy that it helped, even if only a little. Thank you for sharing.
Chapter Eighteen
- May 26th -
For the first time in his adult life, Draco Malfoy was ridiculously, unbelievably and if you asked his friends, obnoxiously happy.
He and Harry had been an unofficial couple for almost three weeks and in Draco's opinion, things couldn't be going any better than they were. They had seen each other every day and Draco had spent the majority of those nights at Harry's place, cuddled up close to the smaller man. He had never thought of himself as a cuddler, but there was no way to deny it now. He knew that there was nowhere else he would rather be more than Harry Potter's arms.
He had been bursting to share the news with his mother and had finally caved in and returned her phone calls. She had been patient as she listened to him ramble on and on about how amazing Harry was and she had seemed so genuinely happy for him that Draco couldn't deny her invitation to dinner, even though he knew his father and his father's out of town associates would be present.
He sighed heavily as he straightened his tie in the large mirror in the entryway of Harry's home. He fiddled with his already perfect hair and smoothed down the nonexistent wrinkles in his dress shirt. Deeming himself presentable enough for dinner at the manor he grabbed his keys from the table and before he could talk himself out if, wrenched open the front door.
He had only made it two steps onto the porch when a strong hand grabbed him by the elbow. "Draco."
Draco turned around and grinned at Harry's sleepy, disheveled appearance. They had spent the majority of the afternoon in bed just talking, laughing and cuddling and Draco hadn't had the heart to wake him when he was leaving. "I'm sorry if I woke you," he said softly as he took Harry's hand. "I wrote you a note."
Harry just smiled a sleepy smile and leaned in to place a soft, quick kiss on his lips. "Good luck," he whispered against Draco's mouth. He ran gentle, calming fingers down Draco's cheek and jaw and kissed him again, this time lingering for awhile before pulling away. "Don't let your father push you around. And tell your mother that I look forward to meeting her."
Draco felt a pang of guilt at not correcting Harry's statement about his mother. I'll tell him tomorrow he promised himself for the hundredth time. He didn't quite understand his hesitance to confess their shared history to his lover, but he could never seem to come up with the right words.
"I'll tell her," he promised. He kissed Harry one more time and squeezed his hand before heading to his car. As he started the engine and glanced back at the house, his heart warmed to see Harry standing there, leaning against the railing and smiling at him. He waved once and sped away before his desire to go back inside and drag Harry back to bed overtook him.
The short, yet tense drive to his childhood home was filled with a jumble of thoughts, mostly pertaining to Harry, Harry's surprising flexibility, Harry's talented tongue and hands and what exactly Harry might be doing at that very moment.
But there were other thoughts as well. Guilt ate at him when he thought about how little time he had been spending with Chuck of late. Pansy had been quite enthusiastic about taking in the dog so that Draco and Harry could spend more time in the 'honeymoon' phase of their relationship. Or so she had said. But Draco knew that that arrangement couldn't last. Hermione was due in ten days time and everything would change.
Before he knew it – and well before he was ready – he found himself parked in front of the three story ancestral home of the Malfoys. He took a few moments to collect himself, preparing for what was sure to be an awkward and uncomfortable evening spent with his decidedly unpleasant father and his associates.
A glance at the dashboard clock revealed his near tardiness, so he took a deep breath and headed inside.
When he let himself into the manor, he was met with silence. He headed directly for his mother's sitting room, hoping to put off any confrontations with his father until a later a time, but he was sorely disappointed by what he found.
His mother was sitting on the couch with her back to him, facing the large picture window. The same couch they had sat on when she had showed him the pictures from his childhood and he had confessed his feelings to her.
But instead of being drawn to the vibrant reds and purples blooming outside the window, his eyes were drawn to the chair to the left of the window. His father was sitting there, looking regal and perfect as Draco had come to expect. Lucius's dark grey suit was tailored to perfection and his black shoes shined like Draco had never been able to get his own to do. Long blond hair that was now mostly white was pulled back into a tail at the base of his neck, not a strand out of place. And the grey eyes that Draco had inherited looked up at him with none of the warmth of the usual father looking upon his only son.
Lucius stood, an artificial smile plastered onto his handsome face. "Ah, here he is." His voice was deep and commanding. He made a grand sweeping gesture with his arm that drew Draco's attention to the three strangers in the room. There was an older man, probably in his early fifties who sported a bald head and rather large brown eyes. His nose was a bit small and Draco couldn't help but think it made him look like an owl.
The man stood and smiled in Draco's direction, though much like his fathers, it felt false. Draco had to force a smile back as he inclined his head in greeting. "Good evening," he said as his eyes darted back to his father. "Father." He nodded his head again and headed over to the couch. "Good evening, mother," he leaned over and kissed her cheek, trying to hold back his annoyance at having been put in this situation.
"Draco, this is Lester Mulligan, one of my associates from Ireland and an old, dear friend. Lester, this is my son, Draco."
Lester extended his hand to Draco and gripped tightly when Draco grasped his hand in greeting. He inwardly cringed at the feel of a cold, sweaty palm pressing against his. When the handshake ended, he had to make a conscious effort not to wipe his hand on his trousers.
"It's good to meet you, young Mr. Malfoy," Lester said with a crooked grin. "May I present to you my wife and daughter?" He turned to the two women who were still seated on the couch perpendicular to his mother. The women stood and joined them. "This is my wife, Eleanor."
A short, plump woman with badly dyed red hair stepped forward and took Draco's proffered hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Mulligan," he said, plastering his most charming smile onto his face.
Eleanor Mulligan blushed and giggled like a schoolgirl. Her warm, open smile lit up her rosy features and surprised Draco when it revealed the hidden beauty in her face. She just needs a little work. A new hairstylist to begin with. Whoever invented that ghastly shade of orange should be drawn and quartered. He gently squeezed her hand and released it as he turned with dread to meet the daughter.
"And my daughter," Lester's proud face beamed as he looked at her. "Margaret Mulligan."
The girl was quite striking, Draco had to admit, and if he had been at all interested in woman, she was probably what he would look for. Her hair was thick and long, hanging past her shoulders in chestnut brown waves. Her eyes were large and brown, like her fathers, but hers were surrounded in long, dark lashes that fluttered as she blinked nervously at him. She was small in stature, a good bit shorter than Harry, who was already shorter than Draco. She was curvy, yet trim and when she reached out a small, perfectly manicured hand towards him, there was no hesitation as he took it in his and leaned over to kiss it.
She laughed softly and gently pulled away, stepping back to stand between her parents. "It's nice to meet you, Draco," she said softly.
"The pleasure is mine, Miss Mulligan," he said with a smile.
She blushed and nodded at him, then looked away quickly.
Draco glanced over at his father who was smiling a rather terrifying smile at Lester Mulligan. He clenched his jaw as the truth of the situation finally dawned on him. And why wouldn't he try to force his colleague's daughter on you? How else are you supposed to continue the family name unless you marry a woman? He found himself disgusted by the thought and had to hold back a laugh. He glanced at Margaret who was standing near the window, staring blankly out at the cloudy sky. Eyes that only moments ago had been so open and friendly were now shuttered and cold and Draco had the feeling that Margaret Mulligan knew exactly how he felt at the moment.
"Let us all move into the dining room. Dinner will be served momentarily," Lucius offered his arm to Narcissa as she stood.
Draco finally glanced at his mother and she stared back at him with sad eyes. "I'm sorry," she mouthed at him.
Draco forced a smile and shook his head. He knew she wasn't to blame for any of this. All he had to do is get through the evening and then he would never have to see these people again.
Lester had offered his arm to Eleanor and they were following the Malfoy's out of the room. He shot a quick look over his shoulder, making eye contact with his daughter. He jerked his head in Draco's direction and gave her a hard look.
Draco knew what was expected of them, so he took a deep breath to calm himself then walked over to the window and offered his arm to Margaret. "Shall we?"
She gave him a small smile and took his arm.
"I know how you feel," he said softly as he led her from the room. "I have someone waiting for me as well."
Her small, tight smile melted into an honest, relieved one and she squeezed his arm. "Thank you, Draco."
"You're welcome, Margaret."
"Please, call me Maggie."
Draco smiled and ushered her into the dinning room. "Of course…Maggie."
As he expected, they were seated beside each other, which he was surprisingly okay with. Under different circumstances, he could see himself befriending this girl. She was intelligent, witty and he could sense a wicked temper not far beneath the surface. During small talk, he discovered that she was only just nineteen and a sense of anger toward her parents for trying to sell her off at such a young age coursed through him. He shook it off and continued to chat pleasantly with his new friend.
"Look at them," Lester Mulligan said from across the table. "Wouldn't they make a fine couple, Lucius?"
"Indeed," Lucius agreed with a smirk.
Neither parent was making much of an effort to keep their voices down and from the corner of his eye Draco could see Maggie's mother agreeing silently and his own mother flushing with embarrassment for her child.
"They would be the envy of our entire circle," Lucius said, a proud gleam making his normally cold eyes shine. "Just imagine what it could do for the Malfoy and Mulligan names should the two families join."
Maggie blushed and stared down at her plate.
Draco cleared his throat softly and wiped his mouth with his napkin before setting it back on his lap. "Mother," he said as he turned to look at her. "How are the gardens coming along?"
Narcissa smiled at him. "Very well, dear. The new roses are blooming quite beautifully and the daffodils are the most perfect yellow. Make sure you see them before you take leave."
"Maybe you and Margaret could take a walk in the gardens after dessert," Lucius suggested.
"Yes," Lester agreed; his delight at the situation making his eyes widen even further. "Margaret has always enjoyed the gardens at home, haven't you, dear?"
Maggie nodded and glanced at Draco, who gave her an encouraging smiling. "Yes, father," she agreed.
"The gardens at home are quite lovely," Eleanor added. "I'm particularly fond of lilies myself. Have you any lilies, Narcissa?"
Draco let their mothers continue their discussion on flowers and leaned in closer to Maggie. "So, what's his name?" he whispered.
Maggie gave him a startled look, and then smiled when she saw the curious look in his eye. "His name is Liam," she said, just as quietly. Her face softened as she said his name and Draco knew that this Liam was her Harry. "His mother is dead and his father is a farmer. He is poor and I've been told I'm not to see him again." Her face took on an angry, determined look and her fists clenched in her lap. "He asked me to run away with him."
"Do you love him?"
She nodded with no hesitation.
"Then do it. Or you'll never escape this." He gestured with his head to three of their four parents who were not so subtly discussing how close their children already seemed to be. "Trust me. I know."
"Draco?"
He looked up at his father and raised an eyebrow. "Yes, father?"
"Your mother and I recently received an invitation to the marriage of Daphne Greengrass and Gregory Goyle. Did you receive your invitation?"
Draco was momentarily surprised at the idea of the girl he lost his virginity to marrying one of the dumbest people he had every met in his entire life. Daphne had been stunningly beautiful when they were in school and she had had her choice of almost anyone she could have wanted. He had to hold back a snort at the thought of their union.
He wasn't sure if he received an invitation or not, but he did recall seeing an extravagant, parchment envelope in his stack of mail a few days earlier. "I believe so, father," he finally said.
"Their wedding is sure to be one of the highlights of the season," Lucius told Lester and Eleanor. "I'm sure your daughter would fit in just perfectly with Draco and his friends."
"Those people are no longer my friend's, father," he said before he could stop himself.
Lucius glared at him in warning before continuing to the elder Mulligan's. "I'm sure Margaret would enjoy herself immensely." He turned back to Draco. "You could introduce her to Pansy and Blaise and I'm sure Daphne herself would take a liking to her. Daphne always was a delightful girl."
Draco smirked, but said nothing about the 'delightful' things that he and Daphne had gotten up to back in their school days.
"So, Margaret dear," Narcissa began. "Are you planning to attend University?"
Cold grey eyes narrowed at Narcissa before Lucius turned his attention back to Maggie. "Are you fond of the theater, Margaret? Draco quite enjoys it and I'm sure he would love to have someone to accompany him when he sees Hamlet next month."
Maggie's face was flushed and Draco could feel the discomfort radiating from her. He had already cursed his father for putting him through this awkward situation, but his anger on Maggie's behalf was worse. "I don't enjoy the theater father," he said with a slight frown. "I haven't been in years."
Lucius Malfoy's face was clouded in anger. "But I've already bought the tickets for your birthday, Draco. I spent a lot of money on them."
"Regardless of the fact that I don't wish to attend, I couldn't possibly have Miss Mulligan accompany me." Draco adopted an apologetic look as he turned to Maggie's parents. "I'm sorry, but you see, I am already involved with someone and I must say, it is quite serious." From the corner of his eye he saw his mother raise her napkin to her mouth to cover a pleased smile.
Eleanor looked crestfallen. "Well, that is a shame," she said with a soft sigh. "May I ask who the lucky woman is?"
"His name is Harry Potter," Draco said with a smirk, his eyes glued to his fathers face.
Several things happened all at once. Lucius slammed his fist down on the table, his face looking as if his head might explode in a fit of rage and embarrassment; Eleanor Mulligan gasped and pressed her hand to her chest, his cheeks flushed with disbelief; Lester Mulligan choked on his water and had a coughing fit so violent that Lucius had to thump him on the back to help clear his airway; Narcissa looked away from the scene to hide her amusement; and Maggie Mulligan threw her head back and laughed as she clutched at Draco's forearm.
Once the chaos had subsided, silence fell on the room and everyone except Maggie stared at a smug looking Draco Malfoy who was now quite enthusiastically digging into his roast and fresh vegetables.
"My son has always had an…interesting sense of humor," Lucius said between clenched teeth.
"Oh." Draco wiped his mouth again and looked over at Lester and Eleanor. "I'm sorry if my father has just now given you the impression that I am joking, but I assure you, I am not. I am very happy in the relationship that I am in." He looked over at Maggie and gave her a fond smile before turning back to her parents. "You have an incredible daughter and I do hope that you recognize that. I could never make her happy and if she ever does find that someone that lets her be, I hope you give her your blessing and don't insist that she choose between family and love."
Eleanor had the decency to blush as she looked at her only daughter. But Lester Mulligan just stared at Draco, a look of disgust poorly hidden on his round, owlish face. Draco stared him down until the other man looked away and then finally looked back to his father.
Lucius' face was its usual pale. There was nothing to give away his extreme anger except two small spots of pink high up on his perfect cheekbones. He stared at his son as if his eyes alone could will the boy to take back all of the horribly embarrassing and disgusting things he had just said, but Draco happily ignored him and went back to chatting amiably with Maggie.
The parents at the table were silent, none of them making eye contact with the others. Draco gave his mother a soft smile, hoping to reassure her that he knew what he was doing, but he couldn't keep away the small feeling of dread that grew tighter and tighter in his chest the longer his father seethed in silence.
When dinner and dessert had been finished, the Mulligans were quick to retreat. Mr. Mulligan all but pulled Maggie away from Draco as they said their goodbyes, his eyes never meeting Draco's as he hurried the girl and his wife away.
Narcissa took Draco's arm and squeezed it as she guided him into the sitting room. Draco leaned in and kissed her cheek, thanking her for her silent support of his choices.
"Draco," Lucius said, his tone quiet, but icy with anger.
Draco stood tall and turned to face his father, but said nothing in return.
Lucius' jaw clenched and unclenched as he stared down at his son. "I don't think you understand how much you embarrassed me and your mother tonight."
"Oh, Lucius," Narcissa said softly. "I wasn't – "
"Quiet," Lucius snapped, his eyes never leaving the face of his son. "He is dishonoring the name of Malfoy and I am putting a stop to it right now!"
Narcissa bit her tongue as she stood beside her son and clenched her hands together in front of her.
Draco took a deep breath, trying to reign in his anger. "I apologize if you were embarrassed by my comments, father, but you really didn't give me many options. You gave the Mulligan's the impression that I was to court their daughter when I have no intentions – "
Lucius took two quick steps forward until his face was only inches from Draco's. "I don't care about your intentions, Draco," he hissed in anger. "You will cease this foolishness immediately and you will do what is right for this family. I did not raise you to behave this way."
"You didn't raise me at all," Draco pointed out to him. "That was all mothers doing."
Lucius scowled at him and took another step forward. "I worked myself to the bone to make sure you and your mother had everything you could have ever possibly wanted!"
Draco snorted and folded his arms over his chest. "Everything? And what if I just wanted my father to love me? Or hell, even like me?"
A stunned look melted the anger from Lucius' face and he took a step back. "Of course I love you, Draco. You're my son…my heir."
Before he could quell the desire, Draco rolled his eyes. "Right. So, you love me, but you just don't like me then. Admit it, father. I mean, how can you like me when I'm something that you so clearly despise?"
The room fell into an uncomfortable silence for a few short moments before the elder Malfoy turned his attention back to his son and continued with their earlier conversation as if nothing had happened. "I have two tickets for the symphony for tomorrow evening. You will escort Miss Mulligan – "
"No," Draco protested harshly. "You're not listening to me! She doesn't want me and I don't want her."
"Love will come with time, son."
"I'm sorry, father, but I won't. Maggie is a nice girl, but I don't want to be with her. I'm perfectly happy with Ha – "
"Don't you dare say Harry Potter," Lucius growled as he shoved a finger into his son's chest.
Draco bit his lip to hold back a smirk. "His name is that distasteful to you?"
"That boy has poisoned your mind."
"He's a good man," Draco said through clenched teeth. "You don't know him."
"And you shouldn't know him either," Lucius said softly. "If you would just give this relationship with Miss Mulligan a chance, I think you will see that a woman can offer you so many things that a man would never be able to give you. A child, for instance. A son."
"If I ever decide that I want children I can adopt."
"Malfoy's do not adopt, Draco. Be a fucking man!"
"Lucius," Narcissa said softly. She reached out and touched his arm, trying to calm him.
"Why not?" Draco asked, a bitter smile fighting its way to the surface. "There are plenty of little girls out there who could use a good home and I have the money, so why not help them?" He knew purposely trying to anger his father was never a good idea, but he couldn't hold it in any longer.
Lucius shook free from Narcissa's grip without even glancing her way. "You will cease seeing Mr. Potter immediately and you will escort Miss Mulligan to the symphony tomorrow. I will not have any more of your dishonorable behavior tainting the Malfoy name. You are twenty six years old, Draco. It is far passed time for you to grow up and stop acting like a petulant child."
"I won't do this," Draco said calmly, though his heart was racing wildly.
"Yes, you will."
The Malfoy men stared each other down in silence, both faces frozen into a frown, both sets of grey eyes narrowed and full of anger.
"Lucius," Narcissa said as she again rested her hand on his arm.
"Stay out of this, woman," he snapped at her.
Draco growled softly. "You don't get to control my life and you don't get to control Mother either."
"Watch your tone, young man."
"Or what? I'm an adult and I'm not afraid of you anymore." Ha…that's a complete and utter lie.
Lucius straightened his shoulders and looked down at his defiant son. "You will be engaged to her no later than September."
"I won't do it," Draco whispered through the lump in his throat. I'm not leaving Harry. There's nothing he could do to me that would make me leave him. Not now.
"I expect a wedding by January and your first child to be born within the year." Lucius' face was stony, any trace of anger that had marred his complexion only moments ago was now gone. He stared calmly down at his son. "You will write a letter to Mr. Potter informing him of your imminent engagement – "
"No!" Draco could feel the tears of anger and frustration stinging at his eyes and he cast a desperate, pleading look at his mother, but she was staring down at her tightly clenched hands. His chest tightened as he looked back at the person he had come to loathe more than any other.
"You will inform him of your engagement and sever all ties. You will not contact him again or speak of him to anyone, or so help me, Draco – "
"I love him!" he yelled over his father. He faintly heard his mother gasp, but had no time to react to his own confession before he found himself stumbling backwards, a sharp, stinging pain blossoming across his left cheek and the metallic taste of blood filling his mouth as he hit the floor.
"You do not 'love him'!" Lucius screamed as he hovered over him. "I did not raise you to be a faggot!"
The blood rushing in Draco's ears almost drowned out the sounds of his father's fury, but he couldn't completely block out the words or the deep, cutting pain they caused. He struggled to his feet and ran the back of his hand over his mouth, blood staining the pale skin red. "I do love him," he said calmly. His eyes darted over to his mother who was crying quietly into her hands. She gave him a small, sad smile and a slight nod before he turned back to face his father.
"If this is the way you insist on living your life, make sure you are aware of the consequences," Lucius growled softly.
"Lucius, no," Narcissa softly begged him.
"No son of mine is going to live a life of sin. I won't sit back and watch you destroy everything that I have done for this family. I won't watch you destroy our name with your filth!"
Draco's heart clenched painfully in his chest as he began to suspect his fathers intentions.
"If you do not sever ties with Mr. Potter…and any other man you've had inappropriate relations with…I will no longer call you my son."
Narcissa let out a quiet sob and turned her back to them.
Draco licked his suddenly too dry lips and nodded curtly. "I suppose since I have no intentions of giving him up that I should leave your property then…Lucius?"
Lucius flinched slightly, but quickly schooled his features and nodded. "I will visit my attorney in the morning. As of then, you will no longer be entitled to any monies, properties or possessions of the Malfoy family."
"I don't need your money," Draco told him. "I have the club and that's more than enough for me."
Lucius let out a quiet laugh. "You and I both know that that disgusting club of yours does not make enough money to sustain your way of life. You depend on the money that I give you. Without your monthly allowance, you will be broke by the end of the year."
Draco swallowed hard; unable to refute what he knew to be the truth. The club made decent money, but it was nowhere near what he spent. He would have to cut back on his spending habits, possibly even sell the house, but despite the fear that struck him at the idea of being poor, he refused to back down. "I will get by," he said and he was pleased to hear how steady his voice sounded, even if he felt shaken and sick on the inside.
"If you've made your decision, then you are free to go."
Draco looked at his father and nodded before turning to face his mother. Narcissa still had her back to him and she hadn't said a word other than her feeble protests against Lucius' decision. He wasn't sure what to say to her. He was confused as to why she had just stood there and said nothing in his defense as his father had hit him and called him names and so easily expelled him from their family.
"Mum?" he said softly, all pretense of steadiness now gone, his voice sounding as shaky as his hands felt.
After a short pause, Narcissa turned to him and attempted a smile. She took a step forward and kissed him softly on the cheek. "I'm sorry, love," she whispered as she turned away and fled the room.
His eyes burned as he watched her go. This was different. He had gotten past the idea that his father didn't love him, but his mother had always been there. How could she have given up on him so easily?
Lucius cleared his throat and motioned toward the door that led out to the foyer. "Shall I see you out?"
Draco shook his head, but didn't look at him. He moved to the foyer in a daze, unable to believe that what had just happened was real. When he and Harry had been jokingly thinking up worst case scenarios for the evening, this hadn't come to mind. It would have been bearable had his mother tried a bit harder to stand up for him, had she done or said anything to defend him, but she hadn't and his heart felt like it was a stone sinking into the pit of his stomach.
He was still in a daze when he reached his car and he looked up in surprise when he heard the crunch of gravel beside him.
"Draco," Narcissa said as she swiped at a tear that fell down her pale cheek. "I'm sorry, darling. I'll talk to him, I promise. I'll fix this, love."
A tight lump formed in his throat as he looked at his mother. He cleared his throat and tried to swallow, but he felt like he would choke. He cleared his throat again. "Why didn't you stand up for me?"
Narcissa bit her lip, but moved closer, her normally crystal clear blue eyes sparkling with tears and roiling with emotion. "You know how your father is when he's made up his mind about something, no matter how crazy it may be. There was no reasoning with him and I – "
Draco stepped back as she reached for him. "You could have defended me! You could have told him that I'm not all those awful things that he said I was! Why didn't you stand up for me, mother?"
She let out a soft sob as she again reached for him, only to have him move even further away. "I'm sorry, Draco. I couldn't go against him and he just…it would have made things worse!"
"I told you he didn't love me and you promised me I was wrong! You promised me!" A bout of nausea hit him so hard that he had to swallow multiple times to force it back. His stomach was clenching and twisting and he pressed a hand to his abdomen and squeezed his eyes shut. He didn't want to think about any of this. He didn't want to talk to his mother or listen to her begging and useless promises. He needed to get away.
"He does love you," she insisted, her tone of voice edging towards desperation. "Draco, you are his only child. How could he not?"
"Because he doesn't love anyone! I shouldn't be surprised by that, I've known it for years. But that doesn't make it hurt any less."
"Just give me a couple of days." Narcissa stepped closer to him. She was breathing hard and her face was flushed as she stared at him, her eyes begging for him to forgive her; to believe her.
"I just don't understand," he said softly, almost to himself. He frowned and blinked furiously, trying to keep his own tears from falling. "How could you just stand there and…those things that he said… why didn't you…?" He pressed the palms of his hands against his stinging eyes and took a shuddering breath, trying to calm his wildly pounding heart and ease the tightness of his chest. He exhaled sharply as he dropped his hands and looked back at the house. "You know what, I don't care anymore. I don't need you or him or your fucking money!" He turned for his car as the first tear escaped and fumbled with his keys to unlock the door.
Narcissa grabbed his arm to try to stop him, but he managed to shrug her off and open the door.
"I'll fix it, Draco; I promise you I'll fix it."
He slammed the door and jammed the key into the ignition. He threw the car in drive and sped away before he had to listen to anymore of his Mother's pleading cries.
*.*.*.*
- May 26th -
Draco was leaning heavily on the polished oak bar, his head swimming with the results of too much liquor imbibed far too quickly. His hands had yet to stop shaking, so he grabbed the whiskey bottle in front of him and gulped down another mouthful, completely ignoring the glass of ice at his side and the angry glance from the man behind the counter.
"Maybe you should slow down, Mr. Malfoy," the bartender said a bit hesitantly.
Draco frowned at him. "Do you like working here?"
The bartender returned the frown, but nodded.
"Then kindly shut the hell up." Draco took another swig and slammed the bottle down on the counter.
The club was mostly empty at that hour so he felt no need to put on airs, to pretend that he wasn't currently as devastated as he was.
"Is…is something troubling you, sir?" the bartender asked.
The discomfort that his employee was radiating at him caused a smile to break out on the blond's face, but he ducked his head and turned away. "Nothing a little whiskey can't fix," he said softly as he walked away, bottle still in hand.
He wandered over to the dance floor, which was empty but for four young men and a woman, all of them seemingly together and none of them nearly drunk enough to do much other than sway softly and cast quick glances at each other from the corners of their eyes.
Draco walked up to the group and smiled brightly, even though it was a challenge to force his face into anything but a scowl or a pout. "How are you enjoying my club?" he asked a bit too loudly in his drunken state. He waved his arm around dramatically, motioning to the nearly empty first floor.
The tallest of the group, a boy with shaggy brown hair and dark eyes smiled at Draco and moved closer to him. "It's wonderful," he said as his gaze moved up and down Draco's swaying body. "You own this place?"
Draco nodded and took another mouthful of whiskey. He held the bottle out to the boy in front of him. "Want some?"
The boy took the bottle and drank deeply from it, his dark eyes never leaving Draco's. He licked his lips as he handed the bottle back, purposely brushing their fingers together as he let go. "I'm Alex," he said softly. He stepped closer to Draco, eyeing him carefully. "You looking for company tonight?"
Before he had met Harry, Draco wouldn't have hesitated to take the boy up on his offer. He was attractive, quite fit and stylishly dressed. He was taller than Draco, which he wasn't used to and didn't normally care for, but Alex carried himself with grace and his thin limbs and narrow hips worked completely in his favor.
Draco shook himself from his perusal and glanced around behind him, his eyes falling on Blaise who was standing at the counter with his arms crossed over his chest, giving Draco a dirty look.
"Shit," Draco said softly to himself. He turned back to Alex and took a step back. "Sorry, Alex. I have something I need to do. Maybe we'll run into each other later, yeah?"
A frown of disappointment crossed Alex's face before he shrugged and turned back to his friends. "Sure," he called softly, without giving a second look.
Draco made his way over to Blaise and took in his angry stance. "What?" he asked as he set the whiskey on the counter. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"What were you just doing with that guy?"
"Nothing. I was talking. Why the hell does it matter to you anyway?"
"Because Harry is my friend and you're not going to do this to him or yourself." Blaise moved closer and set a hand on his friend's tense shoulder. "What is going on with you? Did something happen at dinner?"
Draco shrugged him off. "Fuck off, Blaise. I wasn't going to fuck that guy or anything. It's just nice to know that people still want me." He completely ignored the question about dinner and fervently hoped that his friend would forget the question as well.
"You should call Harry and have him come get you. I can get by tonight without your help."
"I don't need Harry to come rescue me, Blaise," Draco bit out.
Blaise sighed heavily and rubbed at the bridge of his nose. "Either tell me what the hell happened that's got you so bent out of shape or go somewhere else and be a prat."
Draco growled at him. "You're the prat," he muttered softly.
Blaise rolled his eyes and pushed himself away from the bar, heading for the stairs to their office.
Draco settled back onto his stool and stared gloomily down at the water rings his glass had left on his pristine bar. He rubbed at the ring with his fingertip, smearing the still cool liquid into squiggly lines and spirals. Trails of moisture spread out in an ever widening pattern in front of him and began to dry, leaving smudged fingerprints in their wake.
He had no idea how long he sat there, his eyes half shut as he only partially recognized the increasing volume of the music and the growing crowd around him.
"So, I'm starting to think you were just looking for an excuse to get away from me."
Draco looked up at the voice coming from his left to find Alex sitting there, a glass of something fruity looking in his hand. Grey eyes lingered on the brightly colored drink for a moment, before lifting to look at the friendly, smiling face. "Just had some things to discuss with my partner," he explained before returning his attention to nothing.
"Partner," Alex said in obvious disappointment. "That's too bad, though not surprising in the slightest."
Draco smiled, but didn't look at him. "My work partner," he said softly.
"Oh!" Alex perked up immediately and scooted his stool closer. "So, no life partner then?"
Draco thought about it. It's too soon for all of that, isn't it? Harry isn't my partner exactly. I'm not even sure if he's my boyfriend. His heart seemed to stutter in his chest as he remembered his fight with his father and finally admitted to himself what he had said to the man that had made him strike him. I love him. "I don't know that I care for that term. Life partner…it sounds so…clinical…cold."
"Sounds lovely to me," Alex said with a wistful sigh. "What about a boyfriend? Have you got one of those?"
Without even thinking, Draco nodded. I love him he thought once again and he silently delighted at the warmth that spread through him. I love Harry Potter. Part of him wanted to run upstairs and shout it to Blaise; call Hermione and Pansy and tell them that he finally figured it out; track Harry down and kiss him until they were both breathless; but the other part of him wanted to keep it close and quiet. He didn't want to share that feeling with anyone because it was his. No one else's but his.
And Harry's. Harry should know. He glanced around as if his lover would just magically appear in front of him and was slightly startled, though not at all unpleased to see Harry walking directly towards him.
His hair was perfectly messy and his eyes were shining brightly from behind the frames of his glasses. He was wearing an old, threadbare t-shirt that clung to all of the right places and his jeans were dark blue and slightly frayed, a thick black belt holding them up around his trim waist. Draco couldn't help the affectionate smile that spread over his face as he glanced down at the raggedy green converse that covered the man's feet. He had once hated those shoes with such a passion, but now he couldn't imagine Harry wearing anything else.
Alex gently caressed Draco's arm, trying to get his attention back. "Do you want to dance?" he said as he leaned in close, his breath ghosting over Draco's ear and neck.
Draco turned his head and stared down at the fingers that stroked his arm. "I'm sorry, Alex. I can't."
"Draco?"
Hearing Harry's voice made his heart thump heavily and he spun around quickly to face his lover.
Harry smiled at him, though a bit hesitantly and glanced over at Alex. His eyes fell to Draco's arm, which Alex was still touching. "Who's this?" he asked as he looked back at Draco.
Draco stood, forcing Alex to move his hand and wrapped his arms around Harry's neck.
"Draco, who – " But Draco pressed his mouth tightly to Harry's, cutting off any other words he may have wanted to say.
I love you. Draco kissed him harder, trying to wordlessly relay his thoughts. He nibbled softly at Harry's bottom lip and slipped his tongue into his lover's tea flavored mouth. He groaned as he twined his hands into unruly locks of soft hair.
After only a few short moments of confusion, Harry melted into the kiss, his hands coming to rest at the small of Draco's back to pull him closer.
"Take me home," Draco whispered against his lips. "Take me home and fuck me, Harry. Show me that I'm yours."
Harry's breath caught and he moved his mouth to Draco's long, pale neck. He left a trail of soft, possessive kisses against the heated skin, marking the flesh with his tongue, teeth and lips, leaving no doubt to anyone who would see that Draco was taken.
Draco gripped Harry's hair. "Please," he moaned softly. "Harry…" I love you. I fucking love you. "Please take me home. I want you."
Harry raised his head and crashed his mouth to Draco's, kissing him brutally, his teeth nipping almost painfully at Draco's already swollen lips. "Yes," he finally agreed.
Draco kissed him again and reluctantly let go of his hair. He glanced at Alex, who was staring at them with lust filled eyes, his mouth open as his breaths came in harsh pants. "This is the boyfriend, I take it?"
Draco nodded and looked back at Harry.
Harry's eyes shone with surprise and happiness. "Boyfriend, eh?" He grabbed Draco's hand and brought it to his mouth to kiss it. "I didn't know you were going around telling people I was your boyfriend." Harry turned Draco hand around and held eye contact as he ran the tip of his tongue over his palm.
Draco's cheeks flooded with color as he nodded. "Is that alright?"
"Oh, it's more than alright," Harry said softly. He took Draco's face in his hands and stroked his cheeks with his thumbs as he pressed a soft kiss to the corner of his mouth. "Let's go." He let go abruptly and turned away, dragging Draco behind him as he headed for the door.
The drive home was tense and silent. Draco shifted in his seat, his cock already hard at the thought of what was to come. He glanced over at Harry who was staring intently at the road as he chewed on his lower lip.
"You're fucking gorgeous, do you know that?" Draco turned slightly in his seat and leaned back, his hand falling down between his legs, resting on his growing erection.
Harry glanced over at him and his eyes grew wide as they fell to Draco's lap. "Fuck," he muttered as he snapped his eyes back to the road.
Draco watched Harry's Adam's apple bob up and down as he swallowed again and again. He moaned softly as he rubbed himself a bit harder, desperately trying to ease the ache that just looking at Harry caused.
"You need to stop that," Harry said softly. "You're going to distract me and what good will it do you if I crash the car?"
Draco smiled and undid the button on his pants. "Don't mind me then. You pay attention to the road, I'll concentrate on this." He slipped his hand into his boxers and took himself in hand, squeezing gently and ripping a surprisingly loud groan from his own lips.
"Draco," Harry breathed softly. He reached over, blindly grabbing at his lover with a trembling hand.
Draco reached out his free hand and entwined his fingers with Harry's, bringing them to rest on his thigh. He gave the fingers a squeeze and held tightly to Harry's hand as he began to stroke himself faster. He couldn't pull his eyes away from Harry's flushed face.
Harry somehow managed to steer the car with one hand and keep his eyes on the road, despite the quiet moans and sighs coming from the passenger seat. He let go of Draco's hand and turned his hand over, gently massaging Draco's tense thigh through his trousers.
Draco tilted his head back and let out a soft whimper. "Harry," he whispered softly. He used his free hand to finish undoing his pants and pulled his cock free. He sighed as cool air hit his overheated skin and he ran his thumb over the leaking head, spreading the milky fluid over his length.
Harry let go of Draco and put both hands back on the wheel. He stepped harder on the gas as he approached his street, then almost slammed on the brakes as he turned the corner, his tires squealing in protest. When he pulled up in front of his house, he threw the car in park and ripped off his seatbelt.
Draco watched with heavily lidded eyes as Harry frantically scrambled onto his knees in the drivers seat. He let go of his cock to pull his lover to him and then finally, Harry's tongue was in his mouth, his hand was on his cock and Draco sighed in relief.
But just as quickly as their kiss had started, it ended. Draco cried out in disappointment, but his disappointment faded when Harry suddenly leaned over and closed his mouth around his erection.
"Fuck!" He bucked his hips forward and gripped Harry's hair in both hands. "Coming…" he muttered softly. "Oh fuck…oh my…fuck…Harry…" Three hard sucks was all it took and he was coming down Harry's throat in hard, thick pulses that seemed to go on and on and on. He threw his head back and pumped his hips, unable to hear anything except the blood rushing in his ears and his own loud moans.
Harry moaned softly as he licked Draco clean and sat up slowly. His cheeks were flushed and the bulge in his pants unmistakable.
Draco stared at Harry's hard cock and smiled lazily. "Want me to take care of that right now or are you saving it for later?" Draco asked, his eyes glued to Harry's crotch.
Harry smirked at him then leaned in to tuck Draco away and do up his pants. "As much as I'd love for you to suck me off right here, I'm a bit afraid of what the neighbors might think."
"You didn't think about the neighbors while my cock was in your mouth."
Harry laughed and leaned in to kiss him. "I didn't think about anything while your cock was in my mouth." He kissed him again then turned for the door. "Come on."
Draco stumbled out of the car and into Harry's waiting arms. He couldn't keep his hands to himself and growled with frustration as Harry continually batted his hands away as they made their way up the walkway.
"Can you wait until we're inside please?" Harry laughed. He fumbled to unlock the door, Draco's arms wrapped tightly around his waist and his lips attached to the back of his neck. "You're making this much more difficult than it has to be. We'd be inside already if you'd let me concentrate."
Draco smiled against Harry's neck and nipped him gently before letting go. "Fine. But we're still going to fuck, right?"
Harry smiled over his shoulder. "Like I could ever turn that down." He got the door unlocked and they finally made it inside.
Draco headed straight for the stairs. He pulled off his jacket and tossed it over the railing, to be quickly followed by his shirt. "Coming?"
Harry hurried after him and caught up with him on the first landing. He spun him around and kissed him, pressing him into the wall and rubbing his erection against Draco's hip. "I can't wait to have you inside of me," he whispered against his ear.
Draco shivered at the feel of Harry's breath on him, but when his words registered, he pulled back. "I thought you were going to fuck me," he said with a frown.
Harry smiled up at him and snaked a hand up his chest to gently squeeze his nipples. "You're only saying that because you've been drinking. I'm not fucking you while you're drunk just to have you regret it in the morning." He licked at Draco's neck and lightly twisted one of his nipples.
"But I want you to," Draco moaned as he reached between them to feel Harry's arousal. "I want you, Harry. I won't regret it. Please, fuck me."
Harry laughed and let go of him. He pulled his shirt over his head and headed into the bedroom. "You should take a shower and sober up a bit. You'll change your mind once you do."
Draco growled softly and stormed down the hall after him. "Stop telling me what I do or don't want, Potter. I wouldn't have asked for it if I didn't want it."
Harry sat down on the edge of the bed and looked up at him in concern. "What's up with you? Blaise called me and told me you were upset about something so I hurried down there. I barely get two words out of my mouth and suddenly you're all over me, asking me to fuck you. What happened at dinner?" He stood and went to his boyfriend, taking his hands in his.
"Nothing fucking happened. I'm just horny and I want to fuck. What's wrong with that?"
"The only time you've ever let me be inside of you was when you were upset about Cedric leaving."
"That's not why I let you!" Draco shouted and he inwardly cringed at the emotion in his voice. He pulled his hand away and turned his back to him. That's what he thinks? He thinks I only let him because of my breakup with Cedric? He was surprised at how much Harry's comment hurt and he fisted his hands at his side, digging his nails into his palms.
"Just tell me what happened, Draco."
"I've been disowned," he said as he spun around to face him. "My fucking sorry excuse for a father disowned me. He had one of his associates there with his family and they tried to force the daughter on me. He wanted me to court her. I said no and he disowned me."
Harry stared at him in silence, his mouth half open and his eyes wide.
"My mother didn't defend me," he continued mostly just to cover the silence. He crossed his arms tightly over his bare chest and stared down at the floor. "As of tomorrow, I will be a Malfoy in name only. I'm sure my father would have forced me to change that as well if he could have." He laughed a soft, bitter laugh and fell silent.
"Why would he do that?" Harry said softly. He took a hesitant step toward Draco. "Why…but you're his son. Shouldn't he want you to marry for love? Doesn't he want you to be happy?"
Draco licked at his lips, running his tongue over the cut that his father had given him and that Harry hadn't noticed. "He doesn't care if I'm happy. As long as I'm with a girl, that's all that matters to him."
Harry stepped back. "He disowned you for being gay?"
Draco nodded. "I told him I wouldn't leave you. That I was happy with you."
Harry fell silent, staring at him in shock. "Why would you do that?"
The horror in Harry's voice stunned him, putting a heavy damper on his lingering arousal. "What do you mean?"
"They're your family, Draco! Why would you give them up for me?" Harry ran his hands through his hair and over his face. "Fuck…I can't be the reason that you don't have a family. I grew up without one and I know what it's like. If someone had given me a choice…I don't think there's anything that I wouldn't have given up to have them in my life."
Draco scowled at him. "You think so little of our relationship to suggest I walk away from you in order to keep my father in my life? My father who hates me in case you've forgotten."
"They're still your family!" Harry shouted. He paced toward the window and back again, biting his lip and looking anywhere but at Draco. "You shouldn't have done that."
"It was my choice and I chose you." He stared at Harry, his heart thundering against his ribs, his hands cold and clammy where the gripped at each other. "Why are you so upset about this? I thought you would be happy that I chose you."
"It was stupid to shut them out, Draco. Do you even realize what you've done? I could never have given up my family. Not for anyone."
"Yeah, well your family loved you, Harry. There's a difference."
"You don't know that," Harry said softly to himself. He kept his back to Draco and stared out the window in silence.
But I do. He took a few small steps closer to his distraught lover and sighed heavily. "It's too late now," he said. "I'm not changing my mind."
Harry spun around, his face a cloud of anger. "Go back to them and apologize. I'm sure they'll forgive you if you just – "
"Forgive me?" Draco shouted. "I don't need to be fucking forgiven, Potter, because I didn't do anything wrong!" He pulled at his hair in frustration and glared down at the smaller man.
"But if you would just talk to them, I'm sure – "
"You don't know what the fuck you're talking about, Harry, so just drop it. It's already done."
Harry grabbed at Draco's arms and stared up at him with tears in his eyes. "But why are you okay with it? I understand that you don't get along with your father, but he would have come around eventually."
"No, he wouldn't have." He pulled away from Harry and sat down on the edge of the bed.
"You're going to regret it," Harry said softly as he returned to his spot in front of the window. He stared outside for a moment, then turned and leaned on the windowsill, facing Draco. "You'll regret it and you'll grow to resent me and I don't think I could take that, Draco. So just, go back and – "
"I love you."
Harry fell silent, his eyes blinking rapidly in shock.
Draco took a deep, shaky breath, surprised at himself for saying it aloud. "He wanted me to write you a letter and tell you that I was getting engaged. I told him I wouldn't leave you." He stood and wrung his hands together in front of him as he moved nervously toward his silent lover. "The girl that he wanted me with, Maggie, she had someone at home waiting for her too. We didn't want that, Harry. I just…I love you and I'm sorry it took so fucking long for me to say it and I'm sorry that I'm not the best at showing it, but it's true, I swear it and…would you please just fucking say something?"
And Harry was across the room in a flash, pressing their mouths together in a feverish, painful kiss. Draco could feel tears of relief burning at his eyes, but he forgot them as he was pushed down onto the bed, his body covered with Harry's.
Harry sucked and licked and bit at his neck and jaw, his fingers tore at Draco's clothes until, before he realized it, he was down to his boxers. "Harry," he whispered.
Harry stood from the bed and stared down at him with wild eyes. Draco wasn't sure, but they looked a bit glassy and he wondered if Harry was going to cry.
"Take them off and turn over," Harry said as he began to undo his own pants.
Draco breathed in and held it for a moment before exhaling slowly. He slipped his boxers off and rolled over onto his stomach, pillowing his head on his folded arms. He tried controlling his pounding heart with slow, steady breaths, but just knowing that Harry was preparing to fuck him was enough to send his pulse racing out of control.
He could hear the rustling of clothes being discarded and he glanced over his shoulder to see Harry standing there, looking down at him with wide green eyes. He was stroking himself and staring at Draco's arse and Draco felt tingling warmth run down his spine and straight to his groin.
He turned and buried his face in his shaking arms. He anxiously shifted his hips, restlessly grinding against the firm mattress and feeling his cock hardening at the thought of what was to come.
He felt the bed dip as Harry climbed on and he almost jumped out of his skin when a warm palm rested on his thigh. Harry's hands slid slowly up his legs and over his arse, his fingers alternating between soft, gentle touches and deep kneading and groping.
Draco squeezed his eyes shut when he felt unsteady breaths wafting over the small of his back. Then a velvety soft tongue touched him, lightly tracing over the dip at the base of his spine. Lips sucked at the curve of his hip and traced down over the swell of his arse. Sharp teeth bit at him and he moaned as he pressed himself up, trying to get Harry to bite him harder without saying a word.
He opened his mouth to protest when he felt Harry's strong hands on his arse, spreading him open; exposing him. But before he could get a single word out, hot breath and an even hotter tongue were teasing and lapping at his entrance and his brain promptly shut down, only able to concentrate on that tiny yet suddenly hugely significant part of his body. He had never had anyone do this to him before, he had never allowed it and he was beginning to wonder why as he felt his body turning to jelly under the overwhelming and wholly unfamiliar sensations. Goose bumps erupted over his shuddering body, making the fine hairs on his arms and legs stand on end. His nipples hardened to painful nubs and he rubbed his chest against the bed, trying to create some sort of friction to ease his discomfort.
A startled cry was pulled from him as he was forced up onto his knees. Harry pushed his legs further apart before returning to his task of making Draco lose his mind.
"Harry," Draco panted. Had he not been so out of his mind with lust, he may have been humiliated by the way his hips pushed back so eagerly against Harry's face, urging his tongue deeper inside of his body. But at that moment, he didn't care what he looked like or sounded like or what he was saying as long as Harry didn't stop.
He whined when Harry pulled back, but then there was a finger in his slightly loosened hole and it didn't hurt at all like it had last time. He pushed back, forcing the finger deeper and moaned when Harry ducked his head lower and ran the flat of his tongue over his balls.
"Fuck me," Draco grunted. He buried his face in his arms, keeping his knees firmly planted beneath him to support himself. "Harry…please." His head snapped up and he arched his back as a second finger breached him and brushed lightly over his prostate, making his cock pulse and throb. He wondered if he'd even last or if he would come before Harry even got inside of him.
"You look fucking amazing like this," Harry breathed against the skin of his arse. He forced a third finger in and pushed deep.
Draco hissed at the slight sting, but bucked his hips back against Harry's hand. "Now," he moaned. His fingers clenched tightly in the sheets below him and he gritted his teeth, trying to hold back his orgasm. "Harry…fuck me now."
Harry pumped his fingers a few more times then Draco was suddenly empty. He let out a soft sigh of disappointment and looked over his shoulder to see Harry grabbing the lube from the bedside table. He watched as Harry poured the clear, fragrant liquid into his hand and lathered his cock in a few short strokes. Green eyes met grey and they stared at each other for a moment, no sound in the room except the labored sound of their breathing.
Harry reached out and ran a gentle hand over Draco's hip. "Say it again," he whispered.
The corners of Draco's lips turned up into a soft smile. "I love you."
Harry smiled a blindingly bright smile then moved into position behind him.
Draco resettled himself on his forearms and pressed his forehead against the bed. He clenched his eyes shut and tried to relax as he felt Harry rubbing the smooth head of his cock against his opening. He pressed in slowly and Draco held his breath as the head slipped inside of him.
Harry ran one hand in slow circles over the small of Draco's back, his other hand holding tightly to one of his hips. "Alright?" he murmured.
Unable to speak, Draco nodded and pushed back, forcing Harry deeper inside of him. He groaned as his body stretched to accommodate the welcome intrusion and sighed in contentment when he felt Harry's balls pressing against his arse.
Harry kept his hips still and continued running his now trembling hands over Draco's back in a comforting manner. "Still alright?" he whispered.
"Yes," Draco sighed. He shifted his hips cautiously and when he felt only a slight tingling of pain, pushed back against Harry. "Please…move."
Harry slowly slid out about halfway and quickly pushed back into him.
Draco gasped and fisted at the sheets, bunching them into his hands. He closed his eyes and concentrated on the feeling of Harry's cock dragging over that sensitive bundle of nerves that were sure to be his undoing any minute now.
"Not gonna last," Harry groaned as he began to thrust faster and harder.
"Mm," Draco moaned in agreement. He managed to raise himself up on shaky arms and looked back over his shoulder, desperate to see Harry moving inside of him.
Harry's face was flushed with exertion, his fingers almost white where they gripped Draco's hips. His head was tilted back and his eyes were closed, his mouth open as he sucked in as much air as he could between thrusts. "So good," he moaned softly. "Fuck, Draco…you feel so…fucking…good." He lowered his head and opened his eyes, meeting Draco's gaze.
"Kiss me," Draco whispered.
Harry stilled his hips as he repositioned himself, his arms planted firmly on either side of Draco. He pressed his chest to Draco's back and kissed him, though the position wouldn't allow much more than a brushing of lips and tongues.
Draco continued to push his hips back, even after Harry had stilled and he clenched his muscles around him, hoping to get him moving again.
Harry groaned and pressed his forehead to Draco's shoulder as he began to thrust in earnest. He slid a hand over Draco's chest and down to his cock, which he gripped tightly as he began to pull in time with his thrusts.
"Oh, God." The slow burn in his stomach and balls began and Draco knew it was only a matter of moments before this was over. "Harry…" He clamped down around Harry's cock, trying to speed Harry's orgasm along.
"Fuck, Draco." Harry kissed his shoulder and brushed his lips over his ear. "I love you," he moaned. "Draco…I love you."
Draco came with a cry that sounded and felt like a sob; Harry's softly spoken words increasing the intensity of his orgasm ten fold. He pressed his face into his violently shaking arms as his body shook spectacularly, his hips still moving, trying to prolong his pleasure. His vision had gone cloudy and dim as he struggled to catch his breath and he thought it might very well be the most perfect orgasm he had ever experienced.
"I love you," Harry muttered against the back of his neck as he continued to thrust into him. He released Draco's spent cock and slid his hand up his pale chest to rest over his wildly pounding heart. "Draco…" Harry's whole body froze and he moaned loudly into Draco's neck. His hips jerked and his breath caught as he released himself inside of his lover.
Draco's eyes burned with tears and he squeezed them shut when he finally realized that he was crying. He pressed his face into the sheet beneath him and clenched his teeth tightly, trying to hold in the sob that was so desperate to escape. He loves me.
Harry placed dozens of lingering kisses on Draco's sweaty back before slowly pulling out of him and guiding Draco's trembling form down onto the cool sheets of the bed. He eased himself down beside him, facing him. "Draco," he whispered. He leaned in close and pressed his lips to the blond's temple. "Hey."
Draco turned to him to see Harry's brilliant emerald eyes also shiny with unshed tears. He managed a small, exhausted smile and a soft sigh in response. He loves me.
Harry smiled as he brushed the tears away with his fingertips, tracing Draco's jaw line and chin with gentle strokes. He leaned in and kissed his forehead, then rolled onto his back, pulling the blond close against him.
Draco pressed himself tightly to Harry's side and buried his face in his neck. He let Harry hold him until he finally drifted off to sleep, warm and happy and surrounded by the scent of the man he loved.
*.*.*.*
TBC…
AN: Hope it was worth the wait! Please review.