Over the next few weeks, Draco made an effort to visit Harry and the boys at least once a day. Occasionally he wouldn't be able to get away from various business dealings and have to put off a visit when he could and those times were near torture. He had gotten so used to seeing the boys and Harry practically every day, sleeping over on occasion and staying for a loud but enjoyable breakfast with everyone around the table. Angus' new spot was between Teddy and Gabe, ever hopeful for dropped tidbits.
Draco was in high spirits; he had finally gotten a buyer for the Manor and he was so close to finally being rid of the property. He wanted to grab Harry and celebrate. He had floo'd Hermione, still shocked he got along with her so easily now, and made sure she was free that evening to watch the boys. Steven had moved out to be with Neville a few days ago, but he preferred asking Hermione, anyway.
He was especially looking forward to telling Harry, hoping the man would use it for an excuse to ask him to move in. He grinned at the idea and nearly wanted to do a jig. Merlin, Harry was turning him into a complete and utter sap. Though, not even Harry could get him to do that shrunken golf again. It was 2 long hours of tediousness. The only plus being Gabe and Teddy offering to get his oddly dimpled little ball after he had refused to bend over and pick up his own ball when Harry said they didn't float out or somehow get back in his hand on their own. (He did enjoy watching Harry bend over to retrieve his ball, though.)
Muggles... the things they come up with.
He headed to Harry's right from his last meeting, not even bothering to stop at the Manor to change his robes. He Apparated to the back yard and let himself in the kitchen. He still felt awkward just walking in, but Harry had insisted and made such a fuss about how welcome he was he finally relented. He tossed his robes over a chair, not even pausing to consider the mistreatment of the expensive fabric and called out for Harry.
As he made his way through the kitchen, his thoughts easily strayed to that morning; specifically how Harry woke him that morning. If he was a blushing man, he would probably be doing it now as he thought about the many wicked ways Harry can use his mouth, lips, tongue, hands and, on occasion, teeth. If he hadn't already warmed to the idea of being with Harry for the foreseeable future, waking up every morning with his cock wrapped in a hot, wet mouth would seal the deal. Oh yes. He allowed a grin to stretch his features for a moment as he walked down the hallway.
A strong arm snagged him around the waist and he was pulled (not with an unmanly squeak, thankyouverymuch) into a firm, warm lap. "Hi," Harry greeted once Draco landed, somehow rather gracefully, and turned slightly to give him a look.
"Hi," Draco breathed, still reeling from surprise and the usual breathlessness that Harry could still cause him on occasion. "I'm here," he informed needlessly.
"So I see," Harry said with a smile and leaned in for a kiss. "You look positively elated," he said pulling back after a moment, a smile on his face again. Draco's hair was a bit mused (and wasn't that just one of the sexiest things Harry had ever seen), his cheeks a rosy pink and his eyes were practically like liquid silver as he looked at Harry.
A happy Draco was quite a sight.
Draco stood with a chuckle as he pulled Harry his feet and quickly sat back down in his seat, pulling Harry down into his lap as soon as he was seated. He gave Harry a smirk, and rubbed his hands along his back and thighs, when he made to complain. "Mmhmm," he acknowledged after a moment. He had his face buried in Harry's neck, his lips kissing along the warm skin languidly. "I have some good news."
A thunder of small feet, and a soft clicking of toe nails, made Harry pull back from Draco's lips with an apologetic smile. He moved once Draco nodded his understanding, sitting on the arm of the chair instead just as the boys, and a happy looking Angus, burst into the room.
"Daddy! Papa!" Gabe exclaimed excited, unaware of the stunned faces both men in the room now wore. "Look what Angus can do!" He turned to the dog and held up his hand. "Gimme five," he commanded and the dog's paw came up and landed right on his open palm with a soft 'smacking' sound. He turned back to them, a big smile on his face. "Isn't that awesome? We didn't even teach him, he already knowed it!"
Harry wasn't surprised, Angus would sit most mornings he snapped his lead on or when he would bring him along to get Teddy from school. He hadn't taught the dog anything apart from not eating the cushions the boys lounged on. He didn't want to burst the happy bubble by saying he already knew Angus was smart and already trained for many things.
Not to mention his mind was still stuttering over Gabe saying 'papa' at Draco when he burst into the room. He knew he was just sitting there blinking stupidly but neither boy seemed to notice.
Teddy bounced on his toes next to Gabe. "Yeah, we were asking him what he could do and he sat!" He looked at Gabe, "Let's go find out if he can roll around," he suggested and Gabe agreed before they all ran back out and upstairs, Angus following happily behind them.
The boys were again giggling upstairs, as Angus barked once to Teddy's request he 'speak', oblivious to the growing tension in the room they just left.
Draco slowly turned to Harry and flinched when he saw the surprised expression being clouded with anger, contorting his face and made his green eyes almost spark at him. He didn't even get a chance to open his mouth before he felt a sickening sharp tug through his whole body and he was stumbling onto the ground, landing ungracefully on his arse.
He was in front of the Manor. He sat on the gravel and blinked in confusion for a moment before he dropped his head in hands and groaned miserably.
Oh shit.
This wasn't good. Harry didn't even blink and he had forcefully apparated Draco out (or his wards did at his request) and back in front of his house. Fuck. Draco groaned again, his hands rubbed his face trying to make the numb feeling of shock go away. Harry must think he had told Gabe. He didn't. He was just as surprised as Harry when Gabe burst in the room calling him 'papa'. The warm feeling that flushed through him was so abruptly halted by the panic of Harry's anger and the nauseating rush from the Apparation, it might as well hadn't ever been there.
"Fuck," he muttered and found himself hoping this wasn't a permanent thing. He felt a sick swoop of despair at the thought.
Shouldn't he feel angry? Probably; but all he could muster up at the moment was fear he'd fucked up somehow and a small worm of hope that Harry would let him at least talk to him. Later, after he'd had some time to think and (hopefully) calm down.
He slowly got up, dusted off his trousers and made his way inside, his thoughts a mass of confusion. He dimly felt glad he still even had access to the Manor, even if only the basic wards were up now and awaiting the new owners to personalize and strengthen them in a week or so.
~*O*~
Harry was sitting in the darkening room when Hermione floo'd in, humming something under her breath. He barely registered the sound of the floo and didn't care who was here.
Hermione was smiling as she stepped into the sitting room. She hoped Draco's good news was going to make Harry happy and get them down the proper road, namely moving in together. She looked around, confused. There were sounds upstairs from the boys, but otherwise it was quiet and lights hadn't been turned on yet. Hermione made her way into the parlor and started at the sight of Harry, sitting alone in the darkened room.
"Harry?" she called, walking over cautiously. She clicked on a few lamps on her way over and gasped softly when she saw Harry. He was a picture of misery and she felt her heart go out to him.
"Hey 'Mione," he said quietly.
Hermione was shocked to see tear tracks drying on his face. "Oh, Harry," she said quietly and knelt down next to him, putting a hand on his knee. "What happened?" she asked gently. She bit her lip, trying not to blurt out the thoughts that raced through her mind. As she looked closely at him, she was pretty sure it had to do with Draco. Did he take the news badly?
"Draco," Harry said with a shuddering sigh. "Gabe called him papa." His voice was so soft she nearly had to ask him to repeat it.
Hermione blinked a moment. "What? I thought you weren't going to tell him yet."
"Yeah," Harry muttered and barked a bitter sounding laugh, then sniffed quietly. "So did I."
Hermione pursed her lips in thought. There was no way Draco would do something like that without telling Harry first. He was serious about Harry and the boys; she knew he loved them. She was sure he wouldn't want to mess that up. She shook her head; no, Draco couldn't have changed his mind that fast. "Are you sure Draco told him?"
"Huh?" Harry looked up at her, a frown on his face. "Why else would Gabe say that? I certainly didn't tell him, 'Mione. So, that leaves Draco. Or you. Or Neville. Or Arnold. Did any of you tell him?" Harry didn't believe any of them would have said something. They hadn't in all these years, why would they now? No, it had to have been Draco.
Hermione shook her head. She didn't even think any of them mentioned it, allowing Gabe somehow to overhear it accidentally. "No, but Harry..." she waited until he looked at her, "Did you ask Gabe why he called Draco papa?"
Harry blinked and then looked away, a guilty expression creeping onto his face. "No," he whispered. He groaned and covered his face with his hands. He hadn't even thought of that. "I kicked him out, 'Mione."
"Who?" she asked, but already knowing the answer.
Harry made a strange choking sound. "Draco," he said sadly.
He hadn't even given Draco a chance to say a damn word. He had looked as shocked as Harry felt, now that he thought about it. "Oh shit, Hermione," he whispered, sounding miserable as he buried his face in his hands. "I have to talk to Gabe," he decided. He had to find out how much groveling he'd have to have to do for kicking Draco out of his home. Oh, and Apparating him to the manor, he thought with a grimace. Draco would be livid, once the shock of being kicked out and sent home wore off. He wouldn't blame Draco one bit if he never wanted to see him again. "Shit," he said again.
"Oh, Harry," Hermione said, not without sympathy. She stood and gave Harry a calculating look. "Now, when you say you kicked him out..." she waved her hand, waiting for Harry to supply the rest.
Harry looked up slowly, facing his best friend. She loved him, he knew that, but she still could be scary. "I sort of forced him out of the wards. And back to the Manor." He flinched from her look. "I know! I was just so angry, and hurt, I didn't think..."
Hermione laughed softly, "No surprise there. Oh, Harry, he's going to be so mad." After he was done feeling absolutely gutted, she didn't add.
"I know," Harry said morosely. He felt his chest tighten and his eyes prickle as the horrible thought of Draco never speaking to him again popped in his mind. He would speak to Draco later, say he was sorry and beg for forgiveness.
He took a deep bracing breath, a plan in mind, and called for his son. "Gabe!" he hollered, a small smile appeared when he heard Gabe call back "What?" and then head down the stairs feet thumping rapidly, followed by the telltale click of Angus following.
Gabe came into the room, his attention going to Hermione first. "Hi, aunt Hermione!" He ran over and hugged her legs, looking up at his favorite aunt. "What are you doing here?" He gave Angus a scritch with one hand and his eyes went wide with excitement. "Are you gonna watch us?" He looked at daddy and didn't know why he looked sad if aunt Hermione was here. Daddy usually went on dates with Mr. Malfoy and looked lots happier. His eyebrows scrunched together in confusion before his attention was drawn back to aunt Hermione.
Hermione smiled down at Gabe and nodded. "I am." She said simply and gently pried Gabe off her legs and squatted down, giving Angus a hearty scratching behind his ears before running her fingers down his knobbly spine to scritch at his rump near the top of his tail. The dog went into spasms of joy, his back foot slapping the floor slightly. "Hi, Angus," she said quietly. Angus was happy to see her, if the nuzzle and softly wagging tail was any indicator.
She stood back up, looking at Harry pointedly. "Well, I'm going to make some tea." She left the room without another word, not noticing Angus following her until the kitchen door almost smacked him in the face.
Gabe watched Angus follow aunt Hermione and hoped she didn't give him any biscuits. That was his job.
"Gabe, c'mere" Harry said and gave his son a small smile when he looked at him. He patted his lap and Gabe climbed up without pause. "I need to ask you something, and I won't get mad okay?"
Gabe gave him a strange look, possibly thinking his daddy was a little strange. "Okay, daddy." Daddy looked sad, not mad.
Harry took a deep breath and waited until he felt calmer. "Why did you call Mister Malfoy papa?" He regretted his abruptness when Gabe's face fell and his son started to fidget, little fingers twisted together and he stared at his lap.
"Oh," Gabe said quietly and his little chubby cheeks turned pink. He hadn't meant to say that earlier, it just came out. Now daddy was sad, which confused him. Didn't he want Mr. Malfoy to be his papa, too? "Er, well, me and Teddy was talking and I said 'Wouldn't Mister Malfoy make a good papa?' and Teddy said, 'Well, yeah, but he'd only be your papa cause I had a mum' and then I said 'He even kinda looks like me'."
He looked up and gave daddy a big watery smile, hoping he wasn't in trouble or made Mr. Malfoy mad. "I mean, we got the same eyes, daddy." He never met anyone with the same color eyes as him before and Teddy didn't count since he could change them whenever he wanted.
Gabe fidgeted and played with his fingers, sure daddy was mad since he hadn't said anything yet. "Are you and Mister Malfoy mad at me?" he whispered, sounding miserable. His chest hitched and he wanted to bury his face in daddy's chest and just cry. Babies cried, and he wasn't a baby anymore so he tried to breathe to keep his tears away.
"No, love." Harry looked down into Gabe's shining big grey eyes and felt like a failure when he saw tears start to pool in the corners. "You just surprised us," he said softly, hopefully sounding reassuring. He closed his eyes and sighed, shifting Gabe closer so he could wrap him tightly against his chest. "We're not mad, okay?" Gabe nodded and sniffed wetly.
He quietly added, "I think you're right; Draco would make a good papa." He smiled when he felt Gabe nodding vigorously against his chest, his sniffles already tapering off. He silently hoped Gabe wouldn't be mad when he later confessed Draco was his papa. His real papa.
Hermione cleared her throat and stepped closer, laying a hand on Gabe's messy hair. "Can you go give Angus a biscuit? I let him out and he told me he gets a biscuit and that it's your job."
Gabe nodded with a sniffle, running the back of his hand over his drippy nose, and jumped off Harry's lap and ran into the kitchen. He didn't even stop to think it weird that Angus talked to aunt Hermione. If he did, he'd probably only be jealous Angus didn't talk to him.
"Harry," Hermione said as she sat down on the edge of the table in front of him. "I think you should let him know." She didn't need to specify who needed to know what.
Harry sighed and flopped back into the chair, rubbing his eyes with the heel of his hands until he saw an explosion of lights behind his lids. "I know," he muttered when he dropped his hands. "I was going to, just not so soon."
"Well, what were you waiting for?" she asked and blew on her tea, mostly to keep from yelling at her best friend. He looked so miserable, she really didn't need to add to it. Yet. But leaving the matter unresolved would be bad. And it would only get worse with more time.
"I don't know," Harry said with a huff. "I guess I was expecting the right moment to just jump out." He snorted softly. "I guess it just did." He leaned forward, looking intently at Hermione. "What do you think?" Merlin, he was never so glad for her brilliant mind and ability to think rationally as he was right then.
Hermione paused a moment, letting him squirm as she thought it over. "I think you should tell him and Teddy. I think you already know how things with Draco are going this time around and you're probably freaking out slightly. Over-reacting a bit. You know, how you do."
Harry gaped at her. "I am not. I want it to work."
"Yes, I know that. That doesn't stop you from fearing, deep down, that he's going to walk out again." She gave him a small, understanding smile when his eyes widen but his head drooped slightly when he knew she was right. She leaned forward and put her hand on his gently. "But you can't worry everyday that he's going to leave. It'll never work if you do. You have to trust him when he says he wants what you want." She leaned back and sipped her tea. "You know he does, even I've seen it in his eyes when he thinks no one is looking." She grinned. "He's much easier to read these days and I think that's got a lot to do with you." And the boys, she thinks with a inward smile.
Harry huffed. "Alright, you're right. I know," he held up a hand and smiled when she went to gloat. "My next question is should I rush over there now to talk with him or let it wait until morning, hoping he's calmed down?" He wanted to flinch at the thought of being met with a hex or two if he rushed over to the Manor now.
"Now," was her simple answer. Her tone left no room for argument.
Harry nodded and stood. "I didn't make dinner yet," he admitted sheepishly, he didn't want to have to say it out loud that he'd been sitting and brooding instead. "So, if you just want to call for a pizza, that's fine. The boys will adore you even more. Oh, and no crusts for Angus." He waved a hand in front of his nose to demonstrate his reasoning. The boys found the smell and noises quite humorous but Angus always chose those times to sleep in his room and he was not amused in the slightest.
"Wish me luck," he said quietly and disappeared with a soft crack.
"Good luck," Hermione said to the empty room. "You're going to need it," she added with a smirk.
~*O*~
Harry appeared at the front gate of Malfoy Manor a moment later. He could feel his throat tighten with fear and anticipation. He squared his shoulders, digging down deep for some left-over Gryffindor courage, and poked a finger towards the wards he knew to start right at the ornate gate. It didn't take long to get a response, which was fortunate because he had nearly Apparated away twice in the 30 seconds it took.
He felt a slight tingle just before Draco appeared a few yards away from the front gate. He could see the wary expression on Draco's face even from where he was and he cringed. He barely resisted the urge to grab the gate and press his face against it to get closer to the blonde.
"I'm sorry," Harry said, not sure if he was loud enough to be heard or not. Draco moved closer and he wasn't sure if it was in response to his apology or because he hadn't heard properly. Draco still hadn't said anything, but he felt a small surge of hope since he didn't have his wand out, his beautiful face twisted in a sneer or that he had turned around and to go back inside.
"For what?" Draco finally asked, still standing a few meters away. He had let the silence stretch out as he thought and looked at Harry as closely as he could at this distance. He no longer looked angry but an odd mix of apprehensive and sheepish. And a little scared, Draco noted with surprise. Good. He didn't exactly want to make Harry squirm (more than necessary) but he did kick him out, the impulsive bastard.
Harry could easily hear Draco and see him. Draco still looked wary, but it was easy to see his face soften with what he hoped was relief. He shifted awkwardly wondering how to phrase what he was sorry for. He was sorry to reacting how he did. He was sorry he assumed the worst. He was sorry he had kicked Draco out of his home without giving him a chance to even say a word.
"I'm sorry I kicked you out," he finally settled on, but he was fully prepared to expand on his apology if need be. Knowing Draco, he just might have to. He swallowed past a painful lump in his throat and looked beseechingly at Draco.
"Before I could even say a word," Draco added with a raised eyebrow.
He stepped even closer to Harry, his chest loosening its final feeling of tightness. He had nearly collapsed with relief when Harry apparated in and didn't immediately raise his wand to hex him. He felt further relief as soon as Harry opened his mouth, his face sincere and pinched with fear and apprehension. Did Harry expect him to be angry? He almost considered acting upset to make Harry feel worse but one look told him it wouldn't be hard to make the man feel worse and would possibly set back any reconciliation.
"Yes," Harry swallowed heavily. "For not letting you say a word." He paused and looked over the large, ornate gate. "Erm, can I come in or can you come out? It's really awkward to talk through this thing." He pointed a finger at the large gate separating them.
Draco pursed his lips in thought. "I suppose I can come out," he said and opened the gate easily, leaving it to swing open further as he stepped in front of Harry. He had to resist the impulse to cross his arms protectively, knowing Harry would interpret it wrongly as him being resistant.
Harry looked at the open gate with raised eyebrows before looking back to Draco. "Did you change your wards?"
"Yes," Draco answered simply.
"Why?"
"Long story short, this isn't my home anymore."
Harry started and looked at Draco with wide eyes. "What?" he murmured softly. Had Draco finally found someone to buy the Manor? He felt a wave of shame squirm slickly through him and he closed his eyes. It had to have been what Draco was so happy about earlier. Before he had kicked him out and plopped him in front of a house that wasn't even his. He felt like a colossal arse.
"Come on," Draco said, carefully folding his arm through Harry's. "I think we need to talk." He didn't even wait for an answer before he apparated them to an alley near a small Muggle pub. He had been there a few times and enjoyed the quiet atmosphere and the way people left him alone.
He tugged gently on Harry's arm and lead them inside to a dimly lit booth in the back and slid in the seat. Harry stared at the empty seat across from Draco before he shook his head slightly and slid in across from him.
"We do," Harry said in answer to what Draco said before he had found himself in a booth, in a pub, sitting across from the blonde. He reached out, quickly grabbing one pale, slender hand before Draco could react and held it tightly. He wasn't shaken off and he took that as encouragement. "I really am sorry, Draco. I didn't think."
Draco smiled softly and squeezed the hand holding his, his thumb slowly running over Harry's knuckles. "I should be used to that, yeah?"
Harry let a smile bloom on his own face. If Draco was teasing him, maybe things weren't completely fucked. "Yeah," he agreed before his face got serious again. "I was just so shocked. Surprised. I talked to Gabe—" he started and swallowed thickly, running his free hand through his hair.
He didn't get to finish when a waitress came over to ask what they wanted to drink. He remembered this was a Muggle pub just before he nearly ordered a Firewhiskey. Luckily, Draco answered before he could and asked the woman for two pints, smiling his thanks before the woman walked away with a bland smile.
Draco waited patiently for Harry to finish. The woman had come back with their pints and he still hadn't said another word. "And?" He prompted, taking a long sip from his glass, absently licking the foam from his top lip.
"And he said no one had told him. He said it was something he wanted." Harry's throat felt blocked as he said the last part. He blinked rapidly, trying to clear the prickly feeling in his eyes. He didn't think now was the time to start blubbering. He took a few deep breaths and focused on draining his glass. It was a bit too bitter for his personal taste but it was better than nothing.
Draco swallowed his mouthful with a bit of difficulty. "I see," he murmured and dropped his gaze to his glass.
He wasn't sure how to take the information. He felt thrilled by it, naturally. He looked at their still clasped hands, fingers interwoven together with familiarity and he felt his chest clench pleasantly. He felt the fear creep back in; did Harry change his mind about Gabe knowing Draco was his other father? Was he upset earlier because he didn't want Gabe to know?
"Does that upset you?" Draco finally asked, looking up. He stared intently at Harry, feeling light and a little dizzy with happiness and relief when Harry beamed at him and shook his head a moment later.
"No, not at all," Harry said with a smile before he paused and his eyes went wide before he blurted "Oh shit!"
"What?"
"I was going to tell him. But I was so focused on seeing you I forgot," Harry said sounding agitated for a moment before he snorted a laugh. "Though, I didn't really have much say in it." Draco raised an eyebrow and he could only say "Hermione" in answer. Apparently, it was all that was needed when Draco only smiled and nodded his understanding. "She stopped by."
Draco nodded. "Yes, I'd asked her if she could," he admitted when Harry looked confused. "I wanted to take you out tonight. So I could tell you about selling the Manor." At Harry's contrite expression, he just squeezed Harry's hand again. He didn't add the 'And celebrate' part, not willing to make Harry feel any worse about the situation.
"And I go and fuck it up by being a complete prat and kick you out."
"Well, being as we're here now, let's not dwell on that, yeah?" Draco squeezed the hand in his gently. "So what did Gabe say exactly? As explanation?"
Harry laughed softly, his fingers playing with the faded decal on the pint glass. "He said he was talking to Teddy, they agreed you'd be a good papa." He quickly took a long sip of his ale, needing to wet his throat. "He even noticed you've got the same eyes." He snorted and shook his head slightly when said matching silvery grey eyes widened in shock. "I told you he's smart. He had only ever seen Teddy mimic the color before." He didn't think it important to note that it took Teddy over a year to get the color just right.
Draco nodded slowly. Yes, he was aware of the rarity of his eye color. He shared it with his father alone. He had seen others with a grey coloring, or a light blue, or even a bluish-grey. But never the silvery grey he possessed. Well, his father, himself and now Gabe.
"So, it's just a child's wish, not that he actually knows I'm his other father?" he finally clarified after a moment of silence. He was mostly content to just watch Harry's mouth and throat work as he drank his ale, but they came here to talk so they might as well get it done.
"Yeah, basically," Harry agreed with a nod. "But I wasn't upset about that, just so you know. I was upset when I thought you'd told him the truth without telling me you had." He raised a hand when Draco's mouth opened. "I know you didn't. Which is why I explained." He fidgeted slightly, his other hand coming up to play with the manicured nails on Draco's hand. "I also spoke to Hermione. About us."
After a long moment of silence, Draco wiggled their joined hands and tried to get Harry's attention. The dark haired man stubbornly refused to look up. "What specifically?" he asked to the dark hair he was still presented with.
"She thinks I overreacted because I'm scared." Harry slowly looked up now, his eyes looking far off and sad. It made Draco's gut clench uncomfortably. He didn't want Harry to doubt and fear, especially not him. "She said I was afraid you'd leave. Again." His eyes focused only to pin Draco with an intense verdant gaze, his hand squeezing Draco's almost uncomfortably tight a moment. "I had to admit, it's something that's always in the back of my mind."
Draco was speechless. He didn't know how to convince Harry he had no intention of leaving. He had already promised to never leave. Did Harry think him insincere? He really couldn't blame Harry for having doubts. There was a lot more at stake here than just a fling. "I see."
Harry caught something in his tone and his face softened. "Draco, love, I know you said you wouldn't leave. I know it here," he pointed to his chest. "But up here," he pointed to his head, "is taking longer to process it as undeniable truth." He sighed and rubbed his eyes with his free hand. Draco was surprised at how much it pleased him that Harry still hadn't let go of his hand. "I don't want you to think I don't believe you, alright? It's so fucking complicated, I can't even explain it!" He huffed with frustration and rubbed his eyes again.
"No, really, Harry. I do see," Draco said. He wet his lips, feeling nervous. "I really can't blame you for having doubts, even if they're only subconscious." He smiled when Harry nodded with a relieved smile. Oh, he understood and it twisted inside. "It hurts, but I understand," he quietly admitted. "Please don't apologize or think it's your problem to deal with." He sighed and stroked Harry's thumb with his, his eyes dropping to focus on the movement. "I've no one to blame but myself. However," he looked up, pleased his gaze was intense enough to make Harry eyes widen. "I intend to make sure you never doubt that again."
Harry blinked at Draco a long moment, nodding the entire time. "Alright." He checked his watch, ignoring Draco's annoyed expression. "The boys should still be up. Feel like having a long, awkward talk with some little boys?" He didn't add there would be pizza; he didn't think he should have to bribe the man with food.
Draco smiled and slid out of the booth, merely lifting their still joined hands up over the glasses as they slid out, tossing some muggle money on the table, not even waiting for change. "Certainly," he answered with a soft chuckle. He finally let go of Harry's hand only so he could wrap an arm around his waist and pull him close.
As soon as they entered the alley, Draco found himself shoved against the rough brick wall. He nearly reached for his wand before he realized it was Harry pressing him against the bricks, his hands cupping his face a moment later. Harry's warm, soft lips covered his and he didn't care about his back being pressed against a hard brick wall.
Draco let Harry have his way, keeping his lips and mouth passive to Harry's near frantic kiss. His head craned forward when Harry abruptly tore his lips away and he nearly went cross-eyed as Harry's face loomed close to his, his eyes intent and flicking back and forth as he looked in his own slightly widened eyes. He didn't know what Harry was looking for.
"You sold the Manor?" Draco nodded slowly, feeling certain there was now only confusion for Harry to see. "How long before you have to find somewhere else to go?"
Oh. Draco mentally smirked. "The end of the week," he said, trying to keep his voice sad. It came out more as cautious, but he could work with that he decided when he saw Harry's brows draw together with concern.
Harry closed his eyes with a muttered oath and leaned his forehead against Draco's. "Well, fuck." He muttered another curse as his hands tightened their grip on Draco's face slightly. "OK, now I want to ask you something. And before you answer, I want you to think about it first. Alright?" Draco nodded, keeping his face as blank as possible. "Alright."
He was still pressing his forehead to Draco's and he intended to keep it there for as long as he could. He needed the contact but he was a little afraid to actually look Draco in the eye right now. He felt like one massive nerve and he took a deep breath, hoping to calm his breathing and halt the numerous panicky thoughts banging around in his head.
"Do you want to move in with me and the boys?" Harry asked in a rush.
Draco took a moment to clamp his teeth over his bottom lip, mostly to keep from shouting with triumph or laughing. He already knew the answer but he counted to 15, mostly to make Harry fidget and squirm. It was the least he could do since he didn't get to earlier. "Certainly," he said.
He didn't have time to take a breath or say anything else before he was being kissed thoroughly by a very happy Harry Potter. How could the git think he would refuse? They practically lived together now. Eventually Harry pulled back a bit, his eyes sparkling as he panted and grinned nearly ear to ear.
"Now we've got an even longer, more awkward talk with some little boys," Draco said with a smile and enjoyed the warmth that burst through him when Harry beamed at him and nodded happily.
He felt giddy and had to focus when he hugged Harry to him and Apparated them home.