Fic: "Promises Kept" [H/D]
This story is set in the Precipice verse, and more specifically is the sequel to At night.
Pairing: Harry/Draco
Rating: R
Category: Futurefic, Established Relationship, mpreg
Disclaimer: Don't own the boys!
Summary: After a turbulent night, a quiet day follows, filled with contemplation and...other things.
Many thanks to snottygrrl for the speedy beta!
~*~*~
"How much farther, Harry?"
"Not much. We'll make a left turn at the end of the road, and then it's about three houses down that way, so...ten minutes, maybe?"
Draco nodded, and after a quick glance in the direction Harry had pointed out, his eyes returned to the pavement, as if it was easier to see only a small part of the way. While he wasn't shuffling his feet, each step was careful and deliberate, and aside from the question, he hadn't said anything in the last hour.
Harry wanted to wrap his arm around Draco, or at least take his hand. Anything more than silently walk beside him. But this was a small town, and Draco had to look odd enough with the cloak he was wearing. It had taken them most of the morning to get this far; the snow that had fallen overnight had slowed them down considerably. Harry had pondered Apparating them to the B&B they were headed towards, but the risks were too high. They didn't know if it might hurt the baby, or possibly trigger one of the Illegal Apparition Charms set randomly across the country. At least they knew where to stay now, thanks to the helpful woman in the small shop they had stopped in earlier to warm up for a few minutes.
"Will you be all right until then?" Harry asked softly.
"Yes."
"We can make another stop."
"No. Let's just...let's get there and then rest."
The frown on Draco's face made Harry reach out without a second thought, but he only allowed his hand to linger on Draco's back for a moment. "Okay."
~*~*~
Maybe it shouldn't be so easy to memory-charm Muggles into believing they had reservations for two nights, Harry thought as they stepped into their room, which looked comfortable, if a little too whimsical in décor. The large bed was piled high with pillows and a thick down duvet, an armchair sat invitingly by the window, and a basket with wood stood next to the fireplace.
Harry dropped his jacket and backpack on the floor before toeing off his trainers while Draco was doing much the same thing. Padding over to the window, Harry looked out on the garden. Two birds were fighting in the branches of a tree, setting off cascades of snow that slowly drifted to the ground.
"Oh, sod it!" Draco griped tiredly.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked and walked over to where Draco was sitting on the bed.
"My boots. I can't reach down far enough to undo the lacing."
The scowl on Draco's face was rather endearing, a notion that Harry kept to himself. "That's what you get for wearing such fancy shoes, love."
Draco shot him a pointed glance, but mumbled a quick thanks when Harry knelt down. After making speedy work of the boots, he looked up to see Draco unbuttoning his shirt. His jumper lay discarded on the bed.
Pushing himself up on his knees, Harry closed his hands over Draco's fingers, stilling their movement. "Let me?"
"Can do it myself."
Harry's thumb swiped over the back of Draco's hand. "I know, but...I want to."
With a slightly exaggerated sigh, Draco let his hands fall away.
Harry took his time, carefully sliding each button out of its hole. The first three were easy, but on the fourth, the curve of Draco's belly made the fabric stretch tight, and Harry had to push both sides of the shirt closer together to continue. "You need to charm it larger again."
"Hate those charms," Draco muttered. "They make it itchy."
"We'll get you a new one, then."
"But--"
"I know. No money. But there are other ways, aren't there? You need a new shirt, Draco."
"I don't want to get caught just because we go around Obliviating Muggles for something as stupid as a shirt."
"It's not stupid, it's one small and easy thing to make you more comfortable. And we'll be careful. "
Once he was done with the last button, Harry let his hands linger against the thin T-shirt Draco wore underneath. "I wish you wouldn't always put on that glamour. You're not that big, and the cloak hides a lot."
Draco snorted. "I'm afraid the cloak doesn't hide the fact the I look like a beached whale."
Harry didn't look up at him, but rather studied the way Draco's belly-button formed a small peak in an otherwise smooth surface. "You don't." He paused, and considered what he was about to say. It had been going around his mind for a while now, but he had held it back because Draco wouldn't want to hear about it. "Actually, I...I sometimes wonder if...well, if you maybe should be bigger."
"I'm bursting out of my clothes left and right and you think I should be bigger? You've clearly gone insane."
Harry sighed. "You're supposed to gain weight, Draco, aren't you? And you're seven months along--"
"Or so we think," Draco interrupted.
"Yes. Fine. Seven months, give or take, and...I thought--" Harry halted, suddenly feeling ridiculous. What did he know about pregnancy? Oh right, nothing, basically. "Never mind."
His hands moved further down, to the waistband of Draco's trousers. "I wish we could go to a healer."
Draco shifted backwards, planting his hands on the bed to prop himself up. "You know we can't," he said, his voice softer now.
"I know. Maybe we can...acquire a book when we get your shirt."
"I doubt you'll find anything about male pregnancy in a Muggle book."
The trouser button had wedged itself under Draco's belly, and it took all of Harry's focus to undo it. "Well, no...but it can't be that different, can it?"
Draco exhaled as Harry freed him of his trousers. "I have no idea."
There was a red mark where the button had imprinted itself on Draco's skin. "Doesn't this hurt? How long has it been tight like that?"
Draco shrugged. "'s not that bad."
Harry busied himself with folding Draco's trousers to prevent himself from making a biting remark about how yes, it was that bad, and why the fuck was he always trying to keep things like this from Harry.
After taking a few deep breaths, Harry replied sternly, "It is. You're going to pick out new trousers, too, and that's that."
"Fine." Draco climbed under the covers and turned away from Harry.
Leaving Draco to sulk, Harry crossed the room to the fireplace. After having made fire with half-damp twigs, it seemed like such a luxury to use proper logs and strips of old newspaper. Out of habit, he watched the flames for a minute to reassure himself that they wouldn't die down the moment he turned away.
Draco's eyelids were already drooping when Harry sat down on the edge of the bed. "Hey," he whispered.
"Hmm."
"You're not angry with me, are you? Because of what I said just now. And because of last night."
"'m not."
"I worry. A lot."
Draco patted his hand. "You do. Nap now, talk later, yeah?"
"Yeah, okay."
Harry kissed Draco's cheek, and, after gathering up the blanket that lay folded over the foot of the bed,
sat down in the armchair to once again look out at the garden.
~*~*~
It was snowing again when Harry woke up. It was still light outside, so he couldn't have slept for too long. Not more than a few hours. The same thoughts that had meandered through his mind before he nodded off surfaced again. Having time for contemplation was one of the disadvantages of having found a safe place to stay. Usually, his mind was occupied with where they'd be sleeping that night, how they could find something to eat, and how to remain as inconspicuous as possible.
Harry pulled the blanket tighter around himself and glanced over to the bed. To his surprise, Draco was looking back at him. Their eyes locked for a few moments before Harry's gaze drifted away.
"Had a good nap?" he asked, watching the flakes twirl in front of the window.
"Yeah."
Harry nodded. One part of him wanted to get up and slip under the covers next to Draco, but he found it impossible to move.
"Harry."
"What?"
When Draco didn't reply, Harry turned towards him and saw fingers uncurling into an outstretched hand. Somewhat sluggishly, Harry walked over to the bed, the blanket still around his shoulders. He sat down on the floor, leaning against the mattress, his head on the same height as Draco's chest.
"Don't you want to lie down?" Draco asked quietly. The hand that had beckoned Harry over was now winding into his hair.
Shaking his head, Harry replied, "'s making me too sleepy."
"So?"
"I don't want to go to sleep yet. Too early."
"Something's bothering you."
Harry drew up his knees and rested his head on top of them. Draco's hand settled at his nape, just under the collar of his sweatshirt. Warmth radiated down his back from the point where Draco touched him. It was all Harry wanted to think about.
Nevertheless, he said, "It's Christmas soon."
"It is." A silent And? was clearly implied in the tone of Draco's voice.
"There isn't going to be any sort of Christmas for us this year," Harry whispered.
"You don't know that."
Last year, they had spent Christmas at the Burrow. It was the first time Draco had been invited as well, and Harry knew he'd had a good time, no matter how much Draco would deny that if asked. It had been one of Harry's favourite Christmas celebrations ever, despite the war still raging on. This year, they could be glad if they had a roof over their heads on that day.
When Harry remained silent, Draco went on to say, "Do you know what I liked best about Christmas when I was growing up?"
Harry shifted a bit so he could meet Draco's eyes. "No."
"Watching my parents arrange everyone's presents under the tree. You'd think they'd use the elves to do that chore for them, but they always did it themselves. I'd stay up until I could hear footsteps in the corridor, and then I'd follow them downstairs and hide behind a cabinet so I could watch them."
"Did they ever realise you were there?"
"I don't think so."
"Hmm." Draco so seldom talked about his parents that Harry wasn't quite sure what else to say. "I don't think there will be any gifts this year."
"Well," Draco begun, "One could argue that I've been carrying a rather big gift around for you for quite some time now."
"I--" Harry's breath hitched, and he couldn't speak for a moment. "I think that's a very good argument."
"I always make good arguments."
Draco sounded smug, but Harry knew he was just teasing him in an effort to lighten his mood. And it did, at least a little.
Draco's fingers slid over Harry's cheek to the corner of his mouth. "There's almost a smile there."
Harry couldn't help but laugh at that, which led Draco to say, "There we go."
When Draco's hand left his face and retreated back under the duvet, Harry's fingers dove after it.
"Playing catch-the-snitch, are we?" Draco asked fondly and pressed their palms together.
"Maybe," Harry replied, and after one more squeeze, let got of Draco's hand to feel along the mattress until it dipped. The edge of Draco's T-shirt had ridden up; the skin under Harry's fingers felt warm and a bit rough when he fitted them along the curve of Draco's belly.
He waited for Draco to make a sarcastic remark about not being able to keep his hands to himself, but it didn't come. Rather, the fondness that he'd heard in Draco's voice before was now also visible in his eyes. When Harry gently raked his nails back and forth, that expression turned to one of utter delight.
"More?" he asked.
Draco nodded.
Harry drew wider circles across Draco's skin, pressing harder against it at times. When he stopped, Draco made a few protesting, if slightly incoherent, noises that made Harry smile again. "This really isn't the best way to make your itching skin better," he offered as an explanation.
"Feels good, though," Draco countered.
"Only for so long," Harry replied, and stood up. "Let's see if there's something more suitable in here," he said as he headed towards the adjoining bathroom. A quick look around revealed what he'd been looking for. "I hope you like lavender, Draco."
"What?" came from the other room.
Holding out the bottle of lotion as he walked back, Harry repeated, "I hope you like lavender. That's all there is."
Draco wrinkled his nose. "It'll do."
"Will you be too cold without the duvet?" Harry asked when he sat down on the edge of the bed.
Draco shook his head and flipped it back himself.
Harry spread the lotion between his hands and began to rub it into Draco's skin with broad strokes, from one side to of his belly over the top to the other side. On the third time across, he could feel the baby roll under his palm.
"You woke her up," Draco observed.
"Yeah?"
"Yes."
A sigh accompanied that affirmation. Harry listened carefully and decided it wasn't a sign of discontent or discomfort. He eased the firmness of his touches nevertheless because he remembered that Draco had told him that he harder he pressed, the more forceful the baby's response would be. The movements under his hands became lighter and seemed to cease, but Harry knew that that didn't necessarily mean Draco couldn't still feel her. He was however very certain that Draco was becoming increasingly relaxed under his ministrations; his breathing had deepened and he'd flung one arm straight across the bed.
Harry turned his attention to Draco's side, tracing upwards. It bothered him that he could feel Draco's ribs under his thumbs, but pushed that thought away. For now. On the way down, he kneaded his fingertips into the always-tense muscles low on Draco's back, earning a grateful whimper. When his fingers slid back over, along the line that used to be the crease of Draco's hips, and then lower, just inside his pants, Harry received a soft moan.
Disentangling his hands, he reached for the lotion again.
"Harry..." Draco pleaded softly and let his legs fall open. Offering himself.
Swallowing, Harry mumbled, "No worries, I'm not done yet." After a moment of consideration, he pulled his legs under him, kneeling on the mattress.
Harry pushed the T-shirt further up on Draco's chest and noticed that his nipples had already hardened. He couldn't wait to swipe his hands over them. While Harry previously had never paid much attention to that particular part of Draco's body, the pregnancy had changed that, and he'd learned to elicit the most impressive reactions with a flick of his tongue or the light caress of his finger.
He purposefully let his palms catch on Draco's nipples, rubbing in small circles, and watched with fascination as grey eyes were nearly swallowed up by black and pale lips were tinted red. Harry didn't need to look down Draco's body to see how aroused he was when it was so clearly written on his face.
Draco licked his lips, but before he had a chance to speak, Harry's fingers had hooked into his pants and he asked, "Want these off?"
"Yes." The 's' was drawn out into a long hissing sound when Harry slid the offending garment down and off Draco's legs.
As Harry loved to see Draco squirm, he trailed the pads of fingers slowly up his calves and thighs, delighted by the way muscles jumped under his touch.
"Merlin," Draco panted, "If you're trying to kill me, you're doing an exce-excellent job."
"I know," Harry answered. When he had reached the very top of Draco's thighs, he whispered, "Look at me."
Draco's eyes locked with his own. Harry felt the catch-trip of Draco's breath when his fingers moved to where they were most desired, skimming up and down a few times before closing firmly around Draco's cock.
Harry lowered himself onto his elbow so as to better study Draco's face. A slight flush had already spread across it, but he knew it would intensify once he upped the pace of his strokes. For now, he maintained a rhythm that would carry Draco almost to the edge, but not over it. He loved Draco like this, open and unguarded, handing himself over.
"Please." Draco sounded rather desperate, but Harry didn't relent.
What he didn't expect was Draco's foot nudging between his knees, pushing them apart to make room for his leg, which Harry ended up straddling. The contact of Draco's strained muscles against his very hard cock made his hand jerk and falter in its pacing.
Draco's eyes fluttered close and he mumbled, "Like that. Please. Like that."
Finding it impossible to resist such a plea, Harry threw his carefully crafted plan to the wind and let his hand twist and squeeze in response to the cues Draco's body was sending him, fully intent on bringing him off as fast as possible.
When Draco's cheeks turned pink and his mouth fell open-tell-tale signs that he was close, so very very close--Harry came. Completely overwhelmed by his reaction and by the shivers that coursed through him, he stilled completely, his hand only loosely wrapped around Draco now. But it didn't matter, as only a few seconds later, warmth splashed over his fingers, accompanied by a low groan.
Quickly wiping his hand on the sheet and dropping his glasses to the carpet, Harry stretched out next to Draco, who immediately curled against him. They arranged arms and legs and belly in a way that allowed them to fit against one another as tightly as possible. Harry rested his cheek against Draco's hair and waited for his breathing to even out. When Draco stretched up to lick and nip along his jaw to his lips, he eagerly responded to the kiss, which turned out to be very lazy and maybe a bit sloppy.
"First time today," Draco whispered, still nose-to-nose with Harry.
"Really? Hmmm. No, I kissed you this morning. I know I did."
Draco made a disapproving sound. "Wasn't a real kiss, just a quick peck. But....I think you just made up for it."
"Did I?"
"Mmhmm." Draco tugged on Harry's sweatshirt. "Can you take this off?"
"'course." In one quick movement, Harry had pulled it over his head and let it fall on the floor. "Better?"
"Well...actually, can you take it all off?" There was a shyness to Draco's voice that was completely endearing. "It's just that...we usually keep all of our clothes on to sleep because it's warmer, but I like it much better when we don't."
"So do I." Harry got up and divested himself of the remainder of his clothing as fast as he could. When he climbed back into bed he saw that Draco had taken off his T-shirt as well. Harry allowed his eyes to linger over his body while reaching for the duvet, finding himself once again enthralled by its changed form.
"It's not polite to stare, you know," Draco remarked.
"I'm not staring, I'm admiring," Harry retorted as he lay down.
Draco tucked his head under Harry's chin. "Whatever you say."
Drawing random patterns on Draco's back, Harry asked. "D'you want me to set the alarm so we won't sleep through dinner?"
"No. It's more fun to sneak into the kitchen after hours."
Harry laughed. "So first we sleep, then we eat?"
"Yeah. And then--"
"Then we shag?"
Draco hesitated for a moment before he very softly said, "Then we make love."
The end.
Feedback is welcome and appreciated!
.
Pairing: Harry/Draco
Rating: R
Category: Futurefic, Established Relationship, mpreg
Disclaimer: Don't own the boys!
Summary: After a turbulent night, a quiet day follows, filled with contemplation and...other things.
Many thanks to snottygrrl for the speedy beta!
~*~*~
"How much farther, Harry?"
"Not much. We'll make a left turn at the end of the road, and then it's about three houses down that way, so...ten minutes, maybe?"
Draco nodded, and after a quick glance in the direction Harry had pointed out, his eyes returned to the pavement, as if it was easier to see only a small part of the way. While he wasn't shuffling his feet, each step was careful and deliberate, and aside from the question, he hadn't said anything in the last hour.
Harry wanted to wrap his arm around Draco, or at least take his hand. Anything more than silently walk beside him. But this was a small town, and Draco had to look odd enough with the cloak he was wearing. It had taken them most of the morning to get this far; the snow that had fallen overnight had slowed them down considerably. Harry had pondered Apparating them to the B&B they were headed towards, but the risks were too high. They didn't know if it might hurt the baby, or possibly trigger one of the Illegal Apparition Charms set randomly across the country. At least they knew where to stay now, thanks to the helpful woman in the small shop they had stopped in earlier to warm up for a few minutes.
"Will you be all right until then?" Harry asked softly.
"Yes."
"We can make another stop."
"No. Let's just...let's get there and then rest."
The frown on Draco's face made Harry reach out without a second thought, but he only allowed his hand to linger on Draco's back for a moment. "Okay."
~*~*~
Maybe it shouldn't be so easy to memory-charm Muggles into believing they had reservations for two nights, Harry thought as they stepped into their room, which looked comfortable, if a little too whimsical in décor. The large bed was piled high with pillows and a thick down duvet, an armchair sat invitingly by the window, and a basket with wood stood next to the fireplace.
Harry dropped his jacket and backpack on the floor before toeing off his trainers while Draco was doing much the same thing. Padding over to the window, Harry looked out on the garden. Two birds were fighting in the branches of a tree, setting off cascades of snow that slowly drifted to the ground.
"Oh, sod it!" Draco griped tiredly.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked and walked over to where Draco was sitting on the bed.
"My boots. I can't reach down far enough to undo the lacing."
The scowl on Draco's face was rather endearing, a notion that Harry kept to himself. "That's what you get for wearing such fancy shoes, love."
Draco shot him a pointed glance, but mumbled a quick thanks when Harry knelt down. After making speedy work of the boots, he looked up to see Draco unbuttoning his shirt. His jumper lay discarded on the bed.
Pushing himself up on his knees, Harry closed his hands over Draco's fingers, stilling their movement. "Let me?"
"Can do it myself."
Harry's thumb swiped over the back of Draco's hand. "I know, but...I want to."
With a slightly exaggerated sigh, Draco let his hands fall away.
Harry took his time, carefully sliding each button out of its hole. The first three were easy, but on the fourth, the curve of Draco's belly made the fabric stretch tight, and Harry had to push both sides of the shirt closer together to continue. "You need to charm it larger again."
"Hate those charms," Draco muttered. "They make it itchy."
"We'll get you a new one, then."
"But--"
"I know. No money. But there are other ways, aren't there? You need a new shirt, Draco."
"I don't want to get caught just because we go around Obliviating Muggles for something as stupid as a shirt."
"It's not stupid, it's one small and easy thing to make you more comfortable. And we'll be careful. "
Once he was done with the last button, Harry let his hands linger against the thin T-shirt Draco wore underneath. "I wish you wouldn't always put on that glamour. You're not that big, and the cloak hides a lot."
Draco snorted. "I'm afraid the cloak doesn't hide the fact the I look like a beached whale."
Harry didn't look up at him, but rather studied the way Draco's belly-button formed a small peak in an otherwise smooth surface. "You don't." He paused, and considered what he was about to say. It had been going around his mind for a while now, but he had held it back because Draco wouldn't want to hear about it. "Actually, I...I sometimes wonder if...well, if you maybe should be bigger."
"I'm bursting out of my clothes left and right and you think I should be bigger? You've clearly gone insane."
Harry sighed. "You're supposed to gain weight, Draco, aren't you? And you're seven months along--"
"Or so we think," Draco interrupted.
"Yes. Fine. Seven months, give or take, and...I thought--" Harry halted, suddenly feeling ridiculous. What did he know about pregnancy? Oh right, nothing, basically. "Never mind."
His hands moved further down, to the waistband of Draco's trousers. "I wish we could go to a healer."
Draco shifted backwards, planting his hands on the bed to prop himself up. "You know we can't," he said, his voice softer now.
"I know. Maybe we can...acquire a book when we get your shirt."
"I doubt you'll find anything about male pregnancy in a Muggle book."
The trouser button had wedged itself under Draco's belly, and it took all of Harry's focus to undo it. "Well, no...but it can't be that different, can it?"
Draco exhaled as Harry freed him of his trousers. "I have no idea."
There was a red mark where the button had imprinted itself on Draco's skin. "Doesn't this hurt? How long has it been tight like that?"
Draco shrugged. "'s not that bad."
Harry busied himself with folding Draco's trousers to prevent himself from making a biting remark about how yes, it was that bad, and why the fuck was he always trying to keep things like this from Harry.
After taking a few deep breaths, Harry replied sternly, "It is. You're going to pick out new trousers, too, and that's that."
"Fine." Draco climbed under the covers and turned away from Harry.
Leaving Draco to sulk, Harry crossed the room to the fireplace. After having made fire with half-damp twigs, it seemed like such a luxury to use proper logs and strips of old newspaper. Out of habit, he watched the flames for a minute to reassure himself that they wouldn't die down the moment he turned away.
Draco's eyelids were already drooping when Harry sat down on the edge of the bed. "Hey," he whispered.
"Hmm."
"You're not angry with me, are you? Because of what I said just now. And because of last night."
"'m not."
"I worry. A lot."
Draco patted his hand. "You do. Nap now, talk later, yeah?"
"Yeah, okay."
Harry kissed Draco's cheek, and, after gathering up the blanket that lay folded over the foot of the bed,
sat down in the armchair to once again look out at the garden.
~*~*~
It was snowing again when Harry woke up. It was still light outside, so he couldn't have slept for too long. Not more than a few hours. The same thoughts that had meandered through his mind before he nodded off surfaced again. Having time for contemplation was one of the disadvantages of having found a safe place to stay. Usually, his mind was occupied with where they'd be sleeping that night, how they could find something to eat, and how to remain as inconspicuous as possible.
Harry pulled the blanket tighter around himself and glanced over to the bed. To his surprise, Draco was looking back at him. Their eyes locked for a few moments before Harry's gaze drifted away.
"Had a good nap?" he asked, watching the flakes twirl in front of the window.
"Yeah."
Harry nodded. One part of him wanted to get up and slip under the covers next to Draco, but he found it impossible to move.
"Harry."
"What?"
When Draco didn't reply, Harry turned towards him and saw fingers uncurling into an outstretched hand. Somewhat sluggishly, Harry walked over to the bed, the blanket still around his shoulders. He sat down on the floor, leaning against the mattress, his head on the same height as Draco's chest.
"Don't you want to lie down?" Draco asked quietly. The hand that had beckoned Harry over was now winding into his hair.
Shaking his head, Harry replied, "'s making me too sleepy."
"So?"
"I don't want to go to sleep yet. Too early."
"Something's bothering you."
Harry drew up his knees and rested his head on top of them. Draco's hand settled at his nape, just under the collar of his sweatshirt. Warmth radiated down his back from the point where Draco touched him. It was all Harry wanted to think about.
Nevertheless, he said, "It's Christmas soon."
"It is." A silent And? was clearly implied in the tone of Draco's voice.
"There isn't going to be any sort of Christmas for us this year," Harry whispered.
"You don't know that."
Last year, they had spent Christmas at the Burrow. It was the first time Draco had been invited as well, and Harry knew he'd had a good time, no matter how much Draco would deny that if asked. It had been one of Harry's favourite Christmas celebrations ever, despite the war still raging on. This year, they could be glad if they had a roof over their heads on that day.
When Harry remained silent, Draco went on to say, "Do you know what I liked best about Christmas when I was growing up?"
Harry shifted a bit so he could meet Draco's eyes. "No."
"Watching my parents arrange everyone's presents under the tree. You'd think they'd use the elves to do that chore for them, but they always did it themselves. I'd stay up until I could hear footsteps in the corridor, and then I'd follow them downstairs and hide behind a cabinet so I could watch them."
"Did they ever realise you were there?"
"I don't think so."
"Hmm." Draco so seldom talked about his parents that Harry wasn't quite sure what else to say. "I don't think there will be any gifts this year."
"Well," Draco begun, "One could argue that I've been carrying a rather big gift around for you for quite some time now."
"I--" Harry's breath hitched, and he couldn't speak for a moment. "I think that's a very good argument."
"I always make good arguments."
Draco sounded smug, but Harry knew he was just teasing him in an effort to lighten his mood. And it did, at least a little.
Draco's fingers slid over Harry's cheek to the corner of his mouth. "There's almost a smile there."
Harry couldn't help but laugh at that, which led Draco to say, "There we go."
When Draco's hand left his face and retreated back under the duvet, Harry's fingers dove after it.
"Playing catch-the-snitch, are we?" Draco asked fondly and pressed their palms together.
"Maybe," Harry replied, and after one more squeeze, let got of Draco's hand to feel along the mattress until it dipped. The edge of Draco's T-shirt had ridden up; the skin under Harry's fingers felt warm and a bit rough when he fitted them along the curve of Draco's belly.
He waited for Draco to make a sarcastic remark about not being able to keep his hands to himself, but it didn't come. Rather, the fondness that he'd heard in Draco's voice before was now also visible in his eyes. When Harry gently raked his nails back and forth, that expression turned to one of utter delight.
"More?" he asked.
Draco nodded.
Harry drew wider circles across Draco's skin, pressing harder against it at times. When he stopped, Draco made a few protesting, if slightly incoherent, noises that made Harry smile again. "This really isn't the best way to make your itching skin better," he offered as an explanation.
"Feels good, though," Draco countered.
"Only for so long," Harry replied, and stood up. "Let's see if there's something more suitable in here," he said as he headed towards the adjoining bathroom. A quick look around revealed what he'd been looking for. "I hope you like lavender, Draco."
"What?" came from the other room.
Holding out the bottle of lotion as he walked back, Harry repeated, "I hope you like lavender. That's all there is."
Draco wrinkled his nose. "It'll do."
"Will you be too cold without the duvet?" Harry asked when he sat down on the edge of the bed.
Draco shook his head and flipped it back himself.
Harry spread the lotion between his hands and began to rub it into Draco's skin with broad strokes, from one side to of his belly over the top to the other side. On the third time across, he could feel the baby roll under his palm.
"You woke her up," Draco observed.
"Yeah?"
"Yes."
A sigh accompanied that affirmation. Harry listened carefully and decided it wasn't a sign of discontent or discomfort. He eased the firmness of his touches nevertheless because he remembered that Draco had told him that he harder he pressed, the more forceful the baby's response would be. The movements under his hands became lighter and seemed to cease, but Harry knew that that didn't necessarily mean Draco couldn't still feel her. He was however very certain that Draco was becoming increasingly relaxed under his ministrations; his breathing had deepened and he'd flung one arm straight across the bed.
Harry turned his attention to Draco's side, tracing upwards. It bothered him that he could feel Draco's ribs under his thumbs, but pushed that thought away. For now. On the way down, he kneaded his fingertips into the always-tense muscles low on Draco's back, earning a grateful whimper. When his fingers slid back over, along the line that used to be the crease of Draco's hips, and then lower, just inside his pants, Harry received a soft moan.
Disentangling his hands, he reached for the lotion again.
"Harry..." Draco pleaded softly and let his legs fall open. Offering himself.
Swallowing, Harry mumbled, "No worries, I'm not done yet." After a moment of consideration, he pulled his legs under him, kneeling on the mattress.
Harry pushed the T-shirt further up on Draco's chest and noticed that his nipples had already hardened. He couldn't wait to swipe his hands over them. While Harry previously had never paid much attention to that particular part of Draco's body, the pregnancy had changed that, and he'd learned to elicit the most impressive reactions with a flick of his tongue or the light caress of his finger.
He purposefully let his palms catch on Draco's nipples, rubbing in small circles, and watched with fascination as grey eyes were nearly swallowed up by black and pale lips were tinted red. Harry didn't need to look down Draco's body to see how aroused he was when it was so clearly written on his face.
Draco licked his lips, but before he had a chance to speak, Harry's fingers had hooked into his pants and he asked, "Want these off?"
"Yes." The 's' was drawn out into a long hissing sound when Harry slid the offending garment down and off Draco's legs.
As Harry loved to see Draco squirm, he trailed the pads of fingers slowly up his calves and thighs, delighted by the way muscles jumped under his touch.
"Merlin," Draco panted, "If you're trying to kill me, you're doing an exce-excellent job."
"I know," Harry answered. When he had reached the very top of Draco's thighs, he whispered, "Look at me."
Draco's eyes locked with his own. Harry felt the catch-trip of Draco's breath when his fingers moved to where they were most desired, skimming up and down a few times before closing firmly around Draco's cock.
Harry lowered himself onto his elbow so as to better study Draco's face. A slight flush had already spread across it, but he knew it would intensify once he upped the pace of his strokes. For now, he maintained a rhythm that would carry Draco almost to the edge, but not over it. He loved Draco like this, open and unguarded, handing himself over.
"Please." Draco sounded rather desperate, but Harry didn't relent.
What he didn't expect was Draco's foot nudging between his knees, pushing them apart to make room for his leg, which Harry ended up straddling. The contact of Draco's strained muscles against his very hard cock made his hand jerk and falter in its pacing.
Draco's eyes fluttered close and he mumbled, "Like that. Please. Like that."
Finding it impossible to resist such a plea, Harry threw his carefully crafted plan to the wind and let his hand twist and squeeze in response to the cues Draco's body was sending him, fully intent on bringing him off as fast as possible.
When Draco's cheeks turned pink and his mouth fell open-tell-tale signs that he was close, so very very close--Harry came. Completely overwhelmed by his reaction and by the shivers that coursed through him, he stilled completely, his hand only loosely wrapped around Draco now. But it didn't matter, as only a few seconds later, warmth splashed over his fingers, accompanied by a low groan.
Quickly wiping his hand on the sheet and dropping his glasses to the carpet, Harry stretched out next to Draco, who immediately curled against him. They arranged arms and legs and belly in a way that allowed them to fit against one another as tightly as possible. Harry rested his cheek against Draco's hair and waited for his breathing to even out. When Draco stretched up to lick and nip along his jaw to his lips, he eagerly responded to the kiss, which turned out to be very lazy and maybe a bit sloppy.
"First time today," Draco whispered, still nose-to-nose with Harry.
"Really? Hmmm. No, I kissed you this morning. I know I did."
Draco made a disapproving sound. "Wasn't a real kiss, just a quick peck. But....I think you just made up for it."
"Did I?"
"Mmhmm." Draco tugged on Harry's sweatshirt. "Can you take this off?"
"'course." In one quick movement, Harry had pulled it over his head and let it fall on the floor. "Better?"
"Well...actually, can you take it all off?" There was a shyness to Draco's voice that was completely endearing. "It's just that...we usually keep all of our clothes on to sleep because it's warmer, but I like it much better when we don't."
"So do I." Harry got up and divested himself of the remainder of his clothing as fast as he could. When he climbed back into bed he saw that Draco had taken off his T-shirt as well. Harry allowed his eyes to linger over his body while reaching for the duvet, finding himself once again enthralled by its changed form.
"It's not polite to stare, you know," Draco remarked.
"I'm not staring, I'm admiring," Harry retorted as he lay down.
Draco tucked his head under Harry's chin. "Whatever you say."
Drawing random patterns on Draco's back, Harry asked. "D'you want me to set the alarm so we won't sleep through dinner?"
"No. It's more fun to sneak into the kitchen after hours."
Harry laughed. "So first we sleep, then we eat?"
"Yeah. And then--"
"Then we shag?"
Draco hesitated for a moment before he very softly said, "Then we make love."
The end.
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