Shatterproof Plan, Part 24
Title: Shatterproof Plan, Part 24
Author:
digthewriter
Pairing/Characters: Harry/Draco. Neville/Charlie. Teddy
Word Count: 1950
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters. This is all fun and no offence is intended.
Author's Notes: Unbetaed.
Prompt/Challenge: 1. slythindor100 early bird prompt: Muggle Christmas Suits, 2. dracoharry100 prompt: New Year’s resolutions + reindeer + snowshoeing, 3.
adventdrabbles prompt/day 24: Christmas Candy Canes
"I don't believe it." Draco heard Teddy's voice before he saw it for himself. He wasn't sure if he should have bursted out laughing or if he needed to hold his breath in because he was going to die of shock but Harry and Neville walked into the restaurant wearing two of the most ridiculously hilarious Christmas Muggle suits ever.
Draco wasn't sure if he'd seen anything like that in his life before.
"I can't believe you were worried about what I should be wearing when your godfather is dressed in that," Draco remarked to Teddy and then looked at Charlie. "Well, at least we're dressed to impress."
Charlie rolled his eyes and shook his head at Draco. "I told you there's a side of Neville you don't know about."
"Oh, but his has Harry written all over it," Teddy said. "I can bet you it was his idea." The sight could have only been more hilarious if enchanted candy canes were dancing over their heads.
When both Neville and Harry looked in their direction, Draco could see the surprise on Neville's face.
"All right, Weasley, you're on," said Draco and nudged Charlie in Neville's direction.
"Thanks for all your help, mate," Charlie mumbled and walked away from Draco without looking bad.
"I don't care what it is, but Neville looks hot in that dark suit with green Christmas trees," Teddy said to Draco and winked at him.
Draco shook his head. "Go look for your new friends before you find yourself suggesting a threesome with Neville and Charlie."
"Ooh-"
"Teddy-"
"All right. I'm going. Just trying to have fun, you know," Teddy said.
"Maybe you should go and find fun with someone your own age."
"Can I suggest the same?" Teddy said, biting his lower lip, and then looked towards Harry's direction. Draco did the same and discovered Harry was walking towards them, most likely to give Charlie and Neville their privacy.
"Red's really your colour, Potter," Draco said in a teasing tone. "Not sure about the black trainers, though."
Harry laughed nervously and Draco found himself nostalgic. Gods, he'd missed this man so much, and he'd missed that nervous laugh. He'd missed seeing the tips of Harry's ears turning red, and the bite of his lower lip.
"It's my Christmas present from Dorian. Well for both me and Neville, and he really wanted us to send him a picture of us dressed like this, and I couldn't say no."
"Ah, that explains it," Draco said.
"Explains what?" Harry asked, looking sceptical.
"Only your offspring would have such refined taste." Draco winked at Harry who looked away from him. "I wish you'd told me this was what you were going to wear. Teddy and I would have coordinated with you. Unfortunately, I left my suit with the reindeers snowshoeing pattern in the hotel suite."
Harry laughed and Teddy looked at Draco in disbelief. It was as if Teddy had never known to have Draco a sense of humour before. "So, Teddy. Your friends?"
"Right, I'm gone," Teddy said and then he sprinted away as if his feet were on fire.
()
After Teddy left, Draco turned to Harry and let out a sigh of relief. "Would you like to dance?"
Harry's eyes widened and he gave Draco a small smile. It was cute. Harry was nervous, and for some odd reason - as if it were a Christmas miracle - Draco was starting to have a bit of self-confidence again. He felt like his old self. Maybe that was Harry's doing. Without Harry, Draco was always lost.
"As friends, of course," Draco added a second later, and Harry grinned.
"Sure, that would be lovely."
Draco was glad there were other older couples on the dance floor so he didn't feel completely out of place. He took Harry's hand in his and placed his other hand on Harry's waist. "Do you want to lead?"
"Didn't I always?" Harry asked, and now it was Draco's turn to blush.
Harry's hand that'd been resting on Draco's lower back came up and he caressed Draco's cheek. Draco, unwillingly, leaned into the touch. He panicked slightly. Sure, he'd been feeling confident, and maybe he was flirting with Harry here, but he didn't want to set himself up for another heartbreak. What if this was all it was for Harry. What if this small holiday was what Harry would want and then Draco would be without Harry again.
"So, I've been thinking…" Harry drawled.
"Yeah?" Draco asked.
"Maybe after the Christmas holiday when we're back in London for New Year's…" Harry hesitated and no, this was not the time for Harry to get all shy. Draco's life was depending on it.
"Please say it. Whatever it is. Just say it, Harry."
"I'd like it if we spend New Year's together. If you don't have any plans that is-"
"I don't have any plans."
"I'd like to kiss you at midnight."
"Just then?" Draco asked in a hushed tone.
"Well, definitely then. Maybe before. And maybe even after for months to come," Harry said. "I know our situation is complicated and our past is…"
"Tragic?"
Harry laughed. "That's one word for it. And some would even say that we're rushing into things again…"
"I never had an issue with rushing into things with you," said Draco. "But I have to know one thing."
"What's that?" Harry asked, and they slowly moved to the music, all the while Draco feeling like they were the only two in the room. Draco sharply dressed in his black suit, and Harry wearing that horrible Muggle costume.
"I know you, and I know you're honest, and honourable, and wonderful, but…" He took in a deep breath. "This isn't a ploy to get back to my father. This isn't about him. Is it?"
Harry gave the softest of smiles that melted Draco's heart and he felt absolutely foolish for asking the question.
"Zoé-Uh-"
"Your second wife?"
"Yeah, right..." Harry said timidly. "She once said to me, The best revenge of all is happiness. Nothing drives people crazier than seeing someone have a good fucking life."
"Sounds like a smart woman."
"She is."
"So why did you leave her?"
Harry took in deep breath and released it slowly. "I'm going to tell you something I haven't told anyone." Draco's eyes widened and he nodded as if trying to communicate Harry could trust him. Even though he had no reason to trust Draco.
"If you think that's wise."
"Of course I don't think it's wise."
Draco smiled. "Tell me anyway." He pulled Harry a bit closer to him, and Harry came willingly.
"Zoé is Fleur's friend's daughter. She needed someone with money to raise her status so she could get into this elite school for her postgraduate studies. The fact that she was part-Veela wasn't enough, and she needed the bank for it. That's simplifying the matter-but that's the short version of it. The school, they had the best programme but they didn't accept you unless you came from money. She asked to marry me and I liked her enough to agree. We were nothing more than just husband and wife for the world. We slept in separate bedrooms and I mean… it wasn't an issue. She's a lesbian. Even Ginny doesn't know. I don't think she would have approved-"
"Why?"
"Because Ginny wanted me to find you again. Find true love like the one I had with you and if I told her-"
Then Draco kissed him. He had no idea what came over him, he wasn't impulsive at all. Thankfully, Harry kissed him back.
They'd stopped moving. The only things that moved were their hands and their lips. Draco took in a sharp breath when Harry probed his mouth open with his tongue and Draco willingly accepted it. Harry tasted like mint, and Draco was practically drunk on it.
When the broke apart, Draco didn't dare look around. He didn't want to know if they were the centre of everyone's attention.
"So, yeah…" Harry said, shaking his head, as if he were shaking off a fog. "This isn't about your father. This is about the fact that I want to try again with you because this time, you'll be honest with me, and this time, I hope you'll trust me enough to come to me first."
()
Almost at the same height, Draco had to wonder if he rested his head against Harry's shoulder, would it be weird? He wanted to nuzzle his nose in the crook of Harry's neck, take his scent in, and never let him go. He couldn't believe this Christmas miracle. He was here - in Australia, of all the places - and Harry was with him.
He'd spent seventeen years pining over the man, never being able to move on, and now Harry was generous enough to give him another chance, and all that after one conversation. It was a good feeling, Draco thought, to know you were worth it. Harry thought Draco was worth it.
He smiled to himself and when he looked at Harry, Harry was smiling at him.
"What is it?" Harry asked softly. "Where'd you go?"
Draco shook his head. "Nowhere. Just hard to imagine this is real."
"I'm wearing this ridiculous suit, Draco, it's definitely real."
Draco threw his head back and laughed. "I can't believe it's only been two days. We've been here two days and my life has changed so much. All because Teddy had suggested this holiday on a whim."
"I'll be sure to thank Teddy for having these crazy, wonderful ideas. And I suppose I'm lucky too... Neville was fighting with Charlie and I ended up here at the same time."
"Some happenstance."
"Indeed," Harry said with a grin. Then, Draco did rest his head on Harry's shoulder and they both looked in the direction where Neville and Charlie were. They weren't dancing like Harry and Draco but they were close, speaking privately, and if that smile on Neville's face was any indication, it was a good conversation.
"I'm glad he showed up here. Longbottom's a good bloke," Draco said.
"He's the best," said Harry.
"Hmm," Draco hummed but didn't say anything else. He had to wonder if Harry and Neville ever had a thing, but decided it was not his business. What Harry did in his past was Harry's business and if he wanted to share it with Draco, then it would be his decision. He wasn't going to push.
"Are you hungry?" Harry asked.
"What?"
"For food," Harry said, laughing. "Do you want to get a table and order dinner?"
"Yes, of course. Should we ask Char-" Draco turned to look in Neville and Charlie's direction and found they were leaving the room.
"I think they're going to get room service," Harry said.
Good for them, thought Draco.
They acquired a corner table and ordered their dinner. The party was nice, and Draco kept wondering if he was going to get as lucky as Charlie tonight. Was Harry going to invite him to his hotel room? It was best not to dwell on false hopes. Harry might have said he wanted to try with Draco, but Draco would have to learn to be patient. Give Harry a reason to trust him first.
The conversation between them flowed effortlessly. Not that he was surprised by this, but it was pleasant Draco was having such a good time with Harry. Teddy stopped by their table a few times to chat with them and he kept giving Draco that knowing look, and Draco had to roll his eyes. His cousin was such a handful at times.
It was, indeed, a very good Christmas.
This entry was originally posted at https://digthewriter.dreamwidth.org/560047.html. Thanks for reading
Author:
digthewriter
Pairing/Characters: Harry/Draco. Neville/Charlie. Teddy
Word Count: 1950
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters. This is all fun and no offence is intended.
Author's Notes: Unbetaed.
Prompt/Challenge: 1. slythindor100 early bird prompt: Muggle Christmas Suits, 2. dracoharry100 prompt: New Year’s resolutions + reindeer + snowshoeing, 3.
adventdrabbles prompt/day 24: Christmas Candy Canes
"I don't believe it." Draco heard Teddy's voice before he saw it for himself. He wasn't sure if he should have bursted out laughing or if he needed to hold his breath in because he was going to die of shock but Harry and Neville walked into the restaurant wearing two of the most ridiculously hilarious Christmas Muggle suits ever.
Draco wasn't sure if he'd seen anything like that in his life before.
"I can't believe you were worried about what I should be wearing when your godfather is dressed in that," Draco remarked to Teddy and then looked at Charlie. "Well, at least we're dressed to impress."
Charlie rolled his eyes and shook his head at Draco. "I told you there's a side of Neville you don't know about."
"Oh, but his has Harry written all over it," Teddy said. "I can bet you it was his idea." The sight could have only been more hilarious if enchanted candy canes were dancing over their heads.
When both Neville and Harry looked in their direction, Draco could see the surprise on Neville's face.
"All right, Weasley, you're on," said Draco and nudged Charlie in Neville's direction.
"Thanks for all your help, mate," Charlie mumbled and walked away from Draco without looking bad.
"I don't care what it is, but Neville looks hot in that dark suit with green Christmas trees," Teddy said to Draco and winked at him.
Draco shook his head. "Go look for your new friends before you find yourself suggesting a threesome with Neville and Charlie."
"Ooh-"
"Teddy-"
"All right. I'm going. Just trying to have fun, you know," Teddy said.
"Maybe you should go and find fun with someone your own age."
"Can I suggest the same?" Teddy said, biting his lower lip, and then looked towards Harry's direction. Draco did the same and discovered Harry was walking towards them, most likely to give Charlie and Neville their privacy.
"Red's really your colour, Potter," Draco said in a teasing tone. "Not sure about the black trainers, though."
Harry laughed nervously and Draco found himself nostalgic. Gods, he'd missed this man so much, and he'd missed that nervous laugh. He'd missed seeing the tips of Harry's ears turning red, and the bite of his lower lip.
"It's my Christmas present from Dorian. Well for both me and Neville, and he really wanted us to send him a picture of us dressed like this, and I couldn't say no."
"Ah, that explains it," Draco said.
"Explains what?" Harry asked, looking sceptical.
"Only your offspring would have such refined taste." Draco winked at Harry who looked away from him. "I wish you'd told me this was what you were going to wear. Teddy and I would have coordinated with you. Unfortunately, I left my suit with the reindeers snowshoeing pattern in the hotel suite."
Harry laughed and Teddy looked at Draco in disbelief. It was as if Teddy had never known to have Draco a sense of humour before. "So, Teddy. Your friends?"
"Right, I'm gone," Teddy said and then he sprinted away as if his feet were on fire.
()
After Teddy left, Draco turned to Harry and let out a sigh of relief. "Would you like to dance?"
Harry's eyes widened and he gave Draco a small smile. It was cute. Harry was nervous, and for some odd reason - as if it were a Christmas miracle - Draco was starting to have a bit of self-confidence again. He felt like his old self. Maybe that was Harry's doing. Without Harry, Draco was always lost.
"As friends, of course," Draco added a second later, and Harry grinned.
"Sure, that would be lovely."
Draco was glad there were other older couples on the dance floor so he didn't feel completely out of place. He took Harry's hand in his and placed his other hand on Harry's waist. "Do you want to lead?"
"Didn't I always?" Harry asked, and now it was Draco's turn to blush.
Harry's hand that'd been resting on Draco's lower back came up and he caressed Draco's cheek. Draco, unwillingly, leaned into the touch. He panicked slightly. Sure, he'd been feeling confident, and maybe he was flirting with Harry here, but he didn't want to set himself up for another heartbreak. What if this was all it was for Harry. What if this small holiday was what Harry would want and then Draco would be without Harry again.
"So, I've been thinking…" Harry drawled.
"Yeah?" Draco asked.
"Maybe after the Christmas holiday when we're back in London for New Year's…" Harry hesitated and no, this was not the time for Harry to get all shy. Draco's life was depending on it.
"Please say it. Whatever it is. Just say it, Harry."
"I'd like it if we spend New Year's together. If you don't have any plans that is-"
"I don't have any plans."
"I'd like to kiss you at midnight."
"Just then?" Draco asked in a hushed tone.
"Well, definitely then. Maybe before. And maybe even after for months to come," Harry said. "I know our situation is complicated and our past is…"
"Tragic?"
Harry laughed. "That's one word for it. And some would even say that we're rushing into things again…"
"I never had an issue with rushing into things with you," said Draco. "But I have to know one thing."
"What's that?" Harry asked, and they slowly moved to the music, all the while Draco feeling like they were the only two in the room. Draco sharply dressed in his black suit, and Harry wearing that horrible Muggle costume.
"I know you, and I know you're honest, and honourable, and wonderful, but…" He took in a deep breath. "This isn't a ploy to get back to my father. This isn't about him. Is it?"
Harry gave the softest of smiles that melted Draco's heart and he felt absolutely foolish for asking the question.
"Zoé-Uh-"
"Your second wife?"
"Yeah, right..." Harry said timidly. "She once said to me, The best revenge of all is happiness. Nothing drives people crazier than seeing someone have a good fucking life."
"Sounds like a smart woman."
"She is."
"So why did you leave her?"
Harry took in deep breath and released it slowly. "I'm going to tell you something I haven't told anyone." Draco's eyes widened and he nodded as if trying to communicate Harry could trust him. Even though he had no reason to trust Draco.
"If you think that's wise."
"Of course I don't think it's wise."
Draco smiled. "Tell me anyway." He pulled Harry a bit closer to him, and Harry came willingly.
"Zoé is Fleur's friend's daughter. She needed someone with money to raise her status so she could get into this elite school for her postgraduate studies. The fact that she was part-Veela wasn't enough, and she needed the bank for it. That's simplifying the matter-but that's the short version of it. The school, they had the best programme but they didn't accept you unless you came from money. She asked to marry me and I liked her enough to agree. We were nothing more than just husband and wife for the world. We slept in separate bedrooms and I mean… it wasn't an issue. She's a lesbian. Even Ginny doesn't know. I don't think she would have approved-"
"Why?"
"Because Ginny wanted me to find you again. Find true love like the one I had with you and if I told her-"
Then Draco kissed him. He had no idea what came over him, he wasn't impulsive at all. Thankfully, Harry kissed him back.
They'd stopped moving. The only things that moved were their hands and their lips. Draco took in a sharp breath when Harry probed his mouth open with his tongue and Draco willingly accepted it. Harry tasted like mint, and Draco was practically drunk on it.
When the broke apart, Draco didn't dare look around. He didn't want to know if they were the centre of everyone's attention.
"So, yeah…" Harry said, shaking his head, as if he were shaking off a fog. "This isn't about your father. This is about the fact that I want to try again with you because this time, you'll be honest with me, and this time, I hope you'll trust me enough to come to me first."
()
Almost at the same height, Draco had to wonder if he rested his head against Harry's shoulder, would it be weird? He wanted to nuzzle his nose in the crook of Harry's neck, take his scent in, and never let him go. He couldn't believe this Christmas miracle. He was here - in Australia, of all the places - and Harry was with him.
He'd spent seventeen years pining over the man, never being able to move on, and now Harry was generous enough to give him another chance, and all that after one conversation. It was a good feeling, Draco thought, to know you were worth it. Harry thought Draco was worth it.
He smiled to himself and when he looked at Harry, Harry was smiling at him.
"What is it?" Harry asked softly. "Where'd you go?"
Draco shook his head. "Nowhere. Just hard to imagine this is real."
"I'm wearing this ridiculous suit, Draco, it's definitely real."
Draco threw his head back and laughed. "I can't believe it's only been two days. We've been here two days and my life has changed so much. All because Teddy had suggested this holiday on a whim."
"I'll be sure to thank Teddy for having these crazy, wonderful ideas. And I suppose I'm lucky too... Neville was fighting with Charlie and I ended up here at the same time."
"Some happenstance."
"Indeed," Harry said with a grin. Then, Draco did rest his head on Harry's shoulder and they both looked in the direction where Neville and Charlie were. They weren't dancing like Harry and Draco but they were close, speaking privately, and if that smile on Neville's face was any indication, it was a good conversation.
"I'm glad he showed up here. Longbottom's a good bloke," Draco said.
"He's the best," said Harry.
"Hmm," Draco hummed but didn't say anything else. He had to wonder if Harry and Neville ever had a thing, but decided it was not his business. What Harry did in his past was Harry's business and if he wanted to share it with Draco, then it would be his decision. He wasn't going to push.
"Are you hungry?" Harry asked.
"What?"
"For food," Harry said, laughing. "Do you want to get a table and order dinner?"
"Yes, of course. Should we ask Char-" Draco turned to look in Neville and Charlie's direction and found they were leaving the room.
"I think they're going to get room service," Harry said.
Good for them, thought Draco.
They acquired a corner table and ordered their dinner. The party was nice, and Draco kept wondering if he was going to get as lucky as Charlie tonight. Was Harry going to invite him to his hotel room? It was best not to dwell on false hopes. Harry might have said he wanted to try with Draco, but Draco would have to learn to be patient. Give Harry a reason to trust him first.
The conversation between them flowed effortlessly. Not that he was surprised by this, but it was pleasant Draco was having such a good time with Harry. Teddy stopped by their table a few times to chat with them and he kept giving Draco that knowing look, and Draco had to roll his eyes. His cousin was such a handful at times.
It was, indeed, a very good Christmas.
This entry was originally posted at https://digthewriter.dreamwidth.org/560047.html. Thanks for reading