Walk of Shame (9/?)
Title: Walk of Shame (9/?)
Author: dracogotgame
Word Count: 1,500
Rating: PG 13
Prompt: slythindor100's 25 days of Draco and Harry: Prompt 10
Summary: A brief interlude
Warning: Nil
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. This was written for fun, not profit.
Author's Notes: Part 9 of the Walk of Shame Series. I missed posting last night! I really tried but it just wouldn't come together. Hopefully, this makes up for the slightly late posting. Cheers, all!
“I should go to work today.”
Draco threw the suggestion out idly, pretending that he wasn’t testing the waters. It had been two days since that awful night at the Yule Ball, and the incident- unnerving and frightening though it was- was slowly fading from memory.
Well, Draco’s memory at least.
Harry had yet to fully relax. He’d been by Draco’s side all weekend, easily taking charge of their strange new living situation. Without so much as a word, he’d taken over the cooking, the shopping, feeding Adelaide and making sure Draco took his Calming Potions.
Attempts to stop him had been less than useless. One time, Draco had attempted to reorganise his bookshelf, if only to stop himself from going stir-crazy. Harry had discovered him in two seconds flat and given him a look so stern, Draco hadn’t even tried to argue. He just slunk back to the bedroom in guilty defeat. When he emerged, two hours later, his books were rearranged- just the way he’d wanted them.
It was all very disorienting. Draco alternated between feeling helpless and strangely thankful. Meanwhile, Harry just kept on calmly taking care of him- like he’d been doing it all his life.
On one hand, his independent and reserved nature balked at this new dependency, this need to look to another person for help and guidance. On the other hand, he knew his limitations well enough. If it weren’t for Harry, he would still be huddled under his covers, doused to the gills with Dreamless Sleep Potions.
Yes, he had needed this. And he was grateful, he was.
But it had been two days now, and he was itching to do something. He missed the library and the comfort of his books. Work was such a big part of his life. He was used to being busy and productive, if not much else.
“Did you hear me?” Draco demanded, poking Harry as he tended to the stove. “I said I’m thinking of going back to work today.”
“Mm hm,” Harry replied noncommittally. “Good luck getting past me.”
Draco groaned and thunked his head against Harry’s shoulder. That was another thing he’d become used to in these past few days. The touching. It was pretty much inevitable, what with Harry’s constant hovering and sharing such a small living space. To be honest, it was all very innocent- they had yet to so much as kiss again. But there was no doubt that he was becoming more and more comfortable with Harry. It wasn’t his fault. The man just…radiated comfort and safety. Draco was only human, for Salazar’s sake.
Of course, it had its downsides too. Harry had an overbearing streak, even at the best of times. After the happenings at the Yule Ball, he was pretty much in Protective Overdrive. Sometimes, it was impossible to get him to see reason.
Which was why Draco had taken to whining until he got his way.
“Harry, please,” he mumbled, nudging and squirming until Harry pulled him over to rest against his chest. “I’m so bored, I can’t take it anymore. Please just let me go to work.”
He felt the rumble of laughter from Harry’s chest. It felt nice.
“I love it when you beg, sweetheart,” Harry teased, bussing a kiss to his head. “But the answer is still no.”
“But…”
“Here, taste this.”
Draco huffed but duly accepted a spoonful of whatever Harry was making.
The burst of flavour made him moan. The sauce was smooth, with a light flavouring of peanuts and honey, but he could taste accents of chilli, garlic and ginger too. It was sweet and spicy- his favourite combination- and he couldn’t help tonguing the spoon long after he was done.
When he looked up again, Harry was watching-a smile playing on his lips.
“Thai peanut sauce,” he elaborated. His thumb swiped at Draco’s lip, wiping away some of the sauce. “It goes great with noodles.”
Draco hummed and curled into him again. This felt nice. His restlessness still lingered, but it was becoming easier to ignore. Right now, standing here in his small kitchen with Harry bussing about and cooking delicious food and holding him and occasionally kissing his forehead just because he could…it felt good. Safe. If he let himself, he could probably stay like this forever.
Draco wondered if that was such an awful thing.
“Don’t think you can distract me with your cooking forever,” he grumbled out loud. Appearances had to be kept, after all.
Harry nuzzled at him. “Caught me, did you?”
“Mm hm. We need to go back to the real world some time, Harry. You know that, right?”
Harry was silent and for a moment, Draco almost felt bad about bringing it up. But they really did need to talk about it. As nice as these three days had been, they just couldn’t stay here forever.
“I know,” Harry answered after a moment of silence. “I get it, Draco. I do. But I just…”
His grip tightened, pulling Draco closer. Draco sighed and wrapped his arms around Harry’s neck in a loose embrace.
“It’s not your job to protect me,” he said quietly. “I know you’re…upset about what happened but I’m fine now. I really am.”
Harry sighed heavily. He turned the stove off. His hands slid over Draco’s shoulders, holding him gently but firmly.
“There’s just something about you,” he said softly. “I know I don’t have to protect you. But I want to. Is that such a bad thing?”
Draco mulled it over.
“A while ago,” he said finally, “you asked for two weeks. For us to get to know each other. To see if there was something here. Do you…still want that?”
Harry’s hands tightened on his shoulders. “Of course I do,” he said, without a moment’s hesitation. “I know you’re not there yet. I know we have a long way to go. We have history, and not all of it is good. But Draco, don’t think for even a second that I don’t care. Because I do. I have for a long time.”
It was an honest admission, one that sent his heart flying. He moved further into the circle of Harry’s arms, drawing from his warmth and solid presence.
“Then you have to stop seeing me as someone you need to take care of all the time,” he said firmly. “Or we don’t have anywhere to go from here.”
“I don’t,” Harry protested.
Draco raised an eyebrow.
“I don’t…do it on purpose?” Harry amended, attempting a cheeky grin.
“Stop it,” Draco scolded, even as he fought off a smile. “And listen to me. Nobody can hide away from the big, bad world forever. Believe me, I tried and look what happened.”
Harry huffed out a laugh and bussed a kiss to his cheek. “It’s not that awful,” he teased.
“Maybe not anymore,” Draco conceded with a grin. “But the point still stands. We’re going back to work tomorrow. It’s time.”
Harry was silent for a while. But then he sighed and his shoulders slumped. “Fine,” he muttered. “But I’m keeping an eye on you and nobody tells me otherwise.”
As if Draco was ever going to win that battle. He rolled his eyes and let go. Harry still looked worried and put out, though. He was frowning as he stared off into the distance, mouth tight and brow furrowed.
It was sweet, in a way, and it sent a rush of fondness through him. He huffed in amusement and pressed a kiss to Harry’s cheek. It was a blatant attempt at appeasement, and he was not ashamed.
“It’s just the Library,” he coaxed.
“Hmph.”
“And you’ll be right there the whole time. I couldn’t be safer.”
“Mm hm.”
Draco trailed his lips down that strong jawline. He smiled as he felt Harry’s faint shiver.
“Let’s go out,” he murmured. Suddenly, he wanted that more than anything. To be out in the world. With Harry by his side. No more hiding. Not from anything.
“You never want to go out,” Harry chided, but he was smiling now and that was definitely a good sign.
“Maybe I’m changing,” Draco shot back. “Now get your coat. I’m in the mood for wine.”
“Well, look at you,” Harry purred, with that damned mischievous grin again. “Asking for a second date and trying to get me drunk.”
Cocky git. Draco shook his head and tossed him his coat.
Harry wrapped an arm around him as they headed to the door. “Just so you know,” he whispered in Draco’s ear, “I’m not drinking anything but Butterbeer tonight.”
Draco laughed and shoved him out the door, feeling better than he had in ages.
For once, the worst was finally behind him and good things were yet to come.
Part 10
Author: dracogotgame
Word Count: 1,500
Rating: PG 13
Prompt: slythindor100's 25 days of Draco and Harry: Prompt 10
Summary: A brief interlude
Warning: Nil
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. This was written for fun, not profit.
Author's Notes: Part 9 of the Walk of Shame Series. I missed posting last night! I really tried but it just wouldn't come together. Hopefully, this makes up for the slightly late posting. Cheers, all!
“I should go to work today.”
Draco threw the suggestion out idly, pretending that he wasn’t testing the waters. It had been two days since that awful night at the Yule Ball, and the incident- unnerving and frightening though it was- was slowly fading from memory.
Well, Draco’s memory at least.
Harry had yet to fully relax. He’d been by Draco’s side all weekend, easily taking charge of their strange new living situation. Without so much as a word, he’d taken over the cooking, the shopping, feeding Adelaide and making sure Draco took his Calming Potions.
Attempts to stop him had been less than useless. One time, Draco had attempted to reorganise his bookshelf, if only to stop himself from going stir-crazy. Harry had discovered him in two seconds flat and given him a look so stern, Draco hadn’t even tried to argue. He just slunk back to the bedroom in guilty defeat. When he emerged, two hours later, his books were rearranged- just the way he’d wanted them.
It was all very disorienting. Draco alternated between feeling helpless and strangely thankful. Meanwhile, Harry just kept on calmly taking care of him- like he’d been doing it all his life.
On one hand, his independent and reserved nature balked at this new dependency, this need to look to another person for help and guidance. On the other hand, he knew his limitations well enough. If it weren’t for Harry, he would still be huddled under his covers, doused to the gills with Dreamless Sleep Potions.
Yes, he had needed this. And he was grateful, he was.
But it had been two days now, and he was itching to do something. He missed the library and the comfort of his books. Work was such a big part of his life. He was used to being busy and productive, if not much else.
“Did you hear me?” Draco demanded, poking Harry as he tended to the stove. “I said I’m thinking of going back to work today.”
“Mm hm,” Harry replied noncommittally. “Good luck getting past me.”
Draco groaned and thunked his head against Harry’s shoulder. That was another thing he’d become used to in these past few days. The touching. It was pretty much inevitable, what with Harry’s constant hovering and sharing such a small living space. To be honest, it was all very innocent- they had yet to so much as kiss again. But there was no doubt that he was becoming more and more comfortable with Harry. It wasn’t his fault. The man just…radiated comfort and safety. Draco was only human, for Salazar’s sake.
Of course, it had its downsides too. Harry had an overbearing streak, even at the best of times. After the happenings at the Yule Ball, he was pretty much in Protective Overdrive. Sometimes, it was impossible to get him to see reason.
Which was why Draco had taken to whining until he got his way.
“Harry, please,” he mumbled, nudging and squirming until Harry pulled him over to rest against his chest. “I’m so bored, I can’t take it anymore. Please just let me go to work.”
He felt the rumble of laughter from Harry’s chest. It felt nice.
“I love it when you beg, sweetheart,” Harry teased, bussing a kiss to his head. “But the answer is still no.”
“But…”
“Here, taste this.”
Draco huffed but duly accepted a spoonful of whatever Harry was making.
The burst of flavour made him moan. The sauce was smooth, with a light flavouring of peanuts and honey, but he could taste accents of chilli, garlic and ginger too. It was sweet and spicy- his favourite combination- and he couldn’t help tonguing the spoon long after he was done.
When he looked up again, Harry was watching-a smile playing on his lips.
“Thai peanut sauce,” he elaborated. His thumb swiped at Draco’s lip, wiping away some of the sauce. “It goes great with noodles.”
Draco hummed and curled into him again. This felt nice. His restlessness still lingered, but it was becoming easier to ignore. Right now, standing here in his small kitchen with Harry bussing about and cooking delicious food and holding him and occasionally kissing his forehead just because he could…it felt good. Safe. If he let himself, he could probably stay like this forever.
Draco wondered if that was such an awful thing.
“Don’t think you can distract me with your cooking forever,” he grumbled out loud. Appearances had to be kept, after all.
Harry nuzzled at him. “Caught me, did you?”
“Mm hm. We need to go back to the real world some time, Harry. You know that, right?”
Harry was silent and for a moment, Draco almost felt bad about bringing it up. But they really did need to talk about it. As nice as these three days had been, they just couldn’t stay here forever.
“I know,” Harry answered after a moment of silence. “I get it, Draco. I do. But I just…”
His grip tightened, pulling Draco closer. Draco sighed and wrapped his arms around Harry’s neck in a loose embrace.
“It’s not your job to protect me,” he said quietly. “I know you’re…upset about what happened but I’m fine now. I really am.”
Harry sighed heavily. He turned the stove off. His hands slid over Draco’s shoulders, holding him gently but firmly.
“There’s just something about you,” he said softly. “I know I don’t have to protect you. But I want to. Is that such a bad thing?”
Draco mulled it over.
“A while ago,” he said finally, “you asked for two weeks. For us to get to know each other. To see if there was something here. Do you…still want that?”
Harry’s hands tightened on his shoulders. “Of course I do,” he said, without a moment’s hesitation. “I know you’re not there yet. I know we have a long way to go. We have history, and not all of it is good. But Draco, don’t think for even a second that I don’t care. Because I do. I have for a long time.”
It was an honest admission, one that sent his heart flying. He moved further into the circle of Harry’s arms, drawing from his warmth and solid presence.
“Then you have to stop seeing me as someone you need to take care of all the time,” he said firmly. “Or we don’t have anywhere to go from here.”
“I don’t,” Harry protested.
Draco raised an eyebrow.
“I don’t…do it on purpose?” Harry amended, attempting a cheeky grin.
“Stop it,” Draco scolded, even as he fought off a smile. “And listen to me. Nobody can hide away from the big, bad world forever. Believe me, I tried and look what happened.”
Harry huffed out a laugh and bussed a kiss to his cheek. “It’s not that awful,” he teased.
“Maybe not anymore,” Draco conceded with a grin. “But the point still stands. We’re going back to work tomorrow. It’s time.”
Harry was silent for a while. But then he sighed and his shoulders slumped. “Fine,” he muttered. “But I’m keeping an eye on you and nobody tells me otherwise.”
As if Draco was ever going to win that battle. He rolled his eyes and let go. Harry still looked worried and put out, though. He was frowning as he stared off into the distance, mouth tight and brow furrowed.
It was sweet, in a way, and it sent a rush of fondness through him. He huffed in amusement and pressed a kiss to Harry’s cheek. It was a blatant attempt at appeasement, and he was not ashamed.
“It’s just the Library,” he coaxed.
“Hmph.”
“And you’ll be right there the whole time. I couldn’t be safer.”
“Mm hm.”
Draco trailed his lips down that strong jawline. He smiled as he felt Harry’s faint shiver.
“Let’s go out,” he murmured. Suddenly, he wanted that more than anything. To be out in the world. With Harry by his side. No more hiding. Not from anything.
“You never want to go out,” Harry chided, but he was smiling now and that was definitely a good sign.
“Maybe I’m changing,” Draco shot back. “Now get your coat. I’m in the mood for wine.”
“Well, look at you,” Harry purred, with that damned mischievous grin again. “Asking for a second date and trying to get me drunk.”
Cocky git. Draco shook his head and tossed him his coat.
Harry wrapped an arm around him as they headed to the door. “Just so you know,” he whispered in Draco’s ear, “I’m not drinking anything but Butterbeer tonight.”
Draco laughed and shoved him out the door, feeling better than he had in ages.
For once, the worst was finally behind him and good things were yet to come.
Part 10