Harry Potter/Draco Malfoy - Life Inside These Four Walls - One Shot - PG-13
Title: Life Inside These Four Walls
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Draco/Harry
Summary: After spending a few nights alone in their house he finally understands why Draco hates being left behind. Sequel to The World Outside so you should read that first but could work on it own.
Warnings: Not necessarily canon.
Word Count: 1842
Authors Note: For my ever lovely beta kcstories
Harry Potter lay cocooned in several blankets and stared into the fire that crackled in the grate. The room was freezing, but instead of casting a warming spell or turning on the Muggle heating, he lay there and attempted to burrow further into the layers wrapped around him.
It was almost five o’clock in the morning, so said the little antique clock on the mantel, and it was yet to get light outside. He hadn’t been able to sleep that night; he never could when Draco was away.
He wondered how he had gotten used to sleeping in a bed with someone else, so much so that he found it impossible to sleep without Draco’s cold feet pressed against his shins, or the feeling of blonde hair tickling his nose.
Once upon a time, he would wake at Draco’s every heavy breath, or at each slight shift of his body, but now their bed was enormous without the blonde to snuggle up to and the entire house felt eerily quiet.
It seemed like Draco was always away at the moment, and Harry could finally understand why the blonde hated it so much during the Quidditch season.
When Harry was away himself, it wasn’t so bad. Normally he was so tired after a match or practice session that he fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow, but being here without his other half was torturous and he had absolutely nothing to occupy him or tire him out.
He thought back on the number of arguments they had had on the subject of Harry barely being around, and he cringed as he recalled what a hard time he had always given Draco.
As it turned out, Draco was now one of Snape’s best potions researchers and thus, over the last few months, he had been sent to wherever the older man had needed rare ingredients from. Last month he had been looking for purple flowers in the Andes and this month giant fungi were needed from the Amazon Basin.
And although Harry was immensely happy for Draco, he also wished that he were here, and the longer Draco was away, the worse Harry felt about ever fighting with him over this.
He had mistaken Draco expressing his loneliness for nagging, and although the argument at the beginning of the season earlier that year had long since been forgotten, he couldn’t help but ponder on the harshness of his words back then. He’d called Draco possessive and pathetic for being jealous of a job, but now that was exactly how he himself felt with nobody but the blankets to keep him warm.
He felt horribly insensitive now that he knew just how lonely the house was when there was nobody in it to share the night with, nobody to banish the nightmares away. He wanted to find a time-turner and to go back and advise himself to give Draco a break. He thought about the number of nights he had spent away with the team and wondered how Draco had coped.
Harry had dealt with the loneliness by moving out of their bedroom entirely and camping out in the living room, but even then he hadn’t been able to sleep. Not that he would ever admit that to Draco. No wonder Draco was always overwrought and needy when he arrived home; he obviously didn’t sleep well.
Harry tossed and turned in the dark, before settling on his back. He stared unblinking at the ceiling. His green eyes narrowed in the darkened room. He couldn’t help feeling that he had taken advantage of Draco recently. He had made his partner feel lonely and unwanted, and all because of a job. Draco was more important than any job he could possibly have, but Harry thought that maybe he didn’t put in enough effort to make that clear.
Draco would be home on the weekend and Harry thought it was time he made up for his shortcomings in their relationship. He didn’t want Draco to ever doubt him or his feelings. He never wanted Draco to feel like he was second best.
*
Late on Friday night, Draco Malfoy let himself into the house he shared with Harry Potter. He had been away for almost a week and was keen to sleep in his own bed, preferably wrapped around Harry for the rest of the weekend.
The house looked tidy enough, but it was eerily quiet and for a moment he had a sinking feeling in his stomach. Maybe Harry had been called away for a practice session and Draco would once again be left alone in the house to spend the weekend killing time instead of enjoying it with Harry.
With a resigned sigh he dropped his bag by the front door. After all, if Harry was away, he’d have plenty of time to do laundry. He kicked off his shoes, made his way to the stairs and trudged up them tiredly.
He pushed open the bedroom door and stopped in his tracks, his grey eyes widening at the sight.
The floor was covered in rose petals and there were candles floating lazily around the room just below the old house’s high ceilings. Their sheets had been changed and were crisp white sumptuous Egyptian cotton.
His astounded silence was interrupted by Harry wrapping his arms around him from behind and pressing his lips to the nape of Draco’s neck.
“You’re home early,” Harry breathed as he pressed his nose into Draco’s fine silken hair.
“You were expecting me?”
“I asked Severus to tell me when you’d be done briefing him on your trip.” Harry sighed and pulled Draco back against his body. “I missed you so much!”
Draco turned in Harry’s arms and smiled softly at Harry. The dark haired man wasn’t normally romantic; in fact, he often had trouble just expressing how he felt and for a moment Draco couldn’t stop himself from being suspicious.
“What’s all this in aid of, Harry?” he asked as he glared at Harry and stepped back away from him. He watched as Harry’s smile faltered.
“What do you mean? I missed you, so I decided to do something nice for you.” Harry sounded hurt but Draco still wasn’t convinced.
“I don’t buy it! You never do anything like this. What are you buttering me up for?” Draco crossed his arms over his chest and watched Harry fidget uncomfortably.
“I can’t believe this!” Harry pushed past the blonde man into the bedroom and picked up his wand from the bedside cabinet. He immediately pointed it to the ceiling and the many floating lights disappeared, sending the already dimly lit room into complete darkness.
“I’m not buttering you up for anything, you ungrateful git! I missed you. I lay awake every night on the fucking sofa, waiting for you to come home and I felt bad for always being away and decided I’d make it up to you! Just forget it!” Harry snarled into the darkness, glad he didn’t have to look at Draco. He was so angry. All this effort had been for nothing, Draco couldn’t even just accept a nice gesture without questioning it.
Harry pushed past Draco and trudged down the stairs, slamming the door shut behind him, before sinking into an armchair in the living room. He was exhausted and this wasn’t exactly how he had expected this evening to turn out.
With a wave of his wand, Draco lit the overhead light and sighed heavily at how wonderful the room looked. He slipped his robes from his shoulders and began hanging them up in the wardrobe. He loosened his tie and made his way into the en-suite. He gasped at the sight. The bath was almost overflowing with steaming hot foamy water and the floating lights that had adorned the bedroom still left a soft glow over the small bathroom.
He was an ungrateful git.
Draco turned on his heel and wandered downstairs in search of Harry. He slowly opened the living room door and watched Harry’s back tense as he resolutely avoided looking up at Draco.
“Harry?” Draco whispered softly. “Harry, I’m really sorry! What you did upstairs was lovely. I didn’t mean to be so... so...”
“You?”
“I...I...” Draco didn’t know what to say to that. Sure, he could be snarky and snappy at times, but he didn’t think Harry had minded.
“I feel like I can’t win with you sometimes. When I’m not here, you’re not happy. When I try and do something to make up for it, you’re not happy. Maybe it’s just me you’re not happy with!” Harry said softly and looked up at Draco for the first time since the man had entered the room.
“No, Harry!” Draco replied with an anguished cry and launched himself at Harry.
Harry tensed as Draco settled himself onto his lap. “I’m sorry!” Draco buried his hands in Harry’s hair and tilted his head up until their eyes met. “I am happy with you. I’m sorry about tonight. I’m just not used to you being so romantic.” Draco grinned tentatively and Harry managed a quirk of his lips.
“You just need to give me a break sometimes, you know? It feels like I’m damned if I do and I’m damned if I don’t with you. I don’t know what you want!” Harry sighed and leant his head against Draco’s hand as he cradled his head. He was exhausted.
“I love you. I want you, Harry; just you.” Draco pressed his lips to Harry’s and was happy when his partner’s lips opened under his. Draco sucked on Harry’s lower lip and sighed happily as the distinct taste of Harry settled on his tongue.
“I’m tired; can we talk about this in the morning?” Harry sighed and tilted his head back as Draco kissed his way down his neck.
“What about the bath and…”
“I’m really not in the mood anymore, and I haven’t really slept in the last few days; can’t we just go to bed?”
Draco smiled nervously and nodded, not sure if Harry really was tired or if he was still unforgiven.
“Okay.” Draco clambered from Harry’s lap and headed for the door, but Harry grabbed his wrist and tugged him back.
“I really am tired; we can do the romance tomorrow. I really did miss you.” Harry smiled and used Draco to pull himself up. He wrapped his arms around Draco and pulled the smaller man close.
“I’m sorry, Harry.” Draco sighed, his own tiredness catching up with him and he sagged slightly in Harry’s arms. He had, after all, taken a Portkey halfway across the world.
Harry pulled back and smiled at him softly before kissing him. “It’s forgotten, okay? We’re both tired and overwrought, let’s just go to bed.” Harry grinned tiredly and they made their way upstairs.
Maybe they weren’t perfect for one another; maybe they wouldn’t always get on and the same recurring issues would sometimes bother them, but they still seemed to find their way back to one another, and that was what was important.
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Draco/Harry
Summary: After spending a few nights alone in their house he finally understands why Draco hates being left behind. Sequel to The World Outside so you should read that first but could work on it own.
Warnings: Not necessarily canon.
Word Count: 1842
Authors Note: For my ever lovely beta kcstories
Harry Potter lay cocooned in several blankets and stared into the fire that crackled in the grate. The room was freezing, but instead of casting a warming spell or turning on the Muggle heating, he lay there and attempted to burrow further into the layers wrapped around him.
It was almost five o’clock in the morning, so said the little antique clock on the mantel, and it was yet to get light outside. He hadn’t been able to sleep that night; he never could when Draco was away.
He wondered how he had gotten used to sleeping in a bed with someone else, so much so that he found it impossible to sleep without Draco’s cold feet pressed against his shins, or the feeling of blonde hair tickling his nose.
Once upon a time, he would wake at Draco’s every heavy breath, or at each slight shift of his body, but now their bed was enormous without the blonde to snuggle up to and the entire house felt eerily quiet.
It seemed like Draco was always away at the moment, and Harry could finally understand why the blonde hated it so much during the Quidditch season.
When Harry was away himself, it wasn’t so bad. Normally he was so tired after a match or practice session that he fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow, but being here without his other half was torturous and he had absolutely nothing to occupy him or tire him out.
He thought back on the number of arguments they had had on the subject of Harry barely being around, and he cringed as he recalled what a hard time he had always given Draco.
As it turned out, Draco was now one of Snape’s best potions researchers and thus, over the last few months, he had been sent to wherever the older man had needed rare ingredients from. Last month he had been looking for purple flowers in the Andes and this month giant fungi were needed from the Amazon Basin.
And although Harry was immensely happy for Draco, he also wished that he were here, and the longer Draco was away, the worse Harry felt about ever fighting with him over this.
He had mistaken Draco expressing his loneliness for nagging, and although the argument at the beginning of the season earlier that year had long since been forgotten, he couldn’t help but ponder on the harshness of his words back then. He’d called Draco possessive and pathetic for being jealous of a job, but now that was exactly how he himself felt with nobody but the blankets to keep him warm.
He felt horribly insensitive now that he knew just how lonely the house was when there was nobody in it to share the night with, nobody to banish the nightmares away. He wanted to find a time-turner and to go back and advise himself to give Draco a break. He thought about the number of nights he had spent away with the team and wondered how Draco had coped.
Harry had dealt with the loneliness by moving out of their bedroom entirely and camping out in the living room, but even then he hadn’t been able to sleep. Not that he would ever admit that to Draco. No wonder Draco was always overwrought and needy when he arrived home; he obviously didn’t sleep well.
Harry tossed and turned in the dark, before settling on his back. He stared unblinking at the ceiling. His green eyes narrowed in the darkened room. He couldn’t help feeling that he had taken advantage of Draco recently. He had made his partner feel lonely and unwanted, and all because of a job. Draco was more important than any job he could possibly have, but Harry thought that maybe he didn’t put in enough effort to make that clear.
Draco would be home on the weekend and Harry thought it was time he made up for his shortcomings in their relationship. He didn’t want Draco to ever doubt him or his feelings. He never wanted Draco to feel like he was second best.
*
Late on Friday night, Draco Malfoy let himself into the house he shared with Harry Potter. He had been away for almost a week and was keen to sleep in his own bed, preferably wrapped around Harry for the rest of the weekend.
The house looked tidy enough, but it was eerily quiet and for a moment he had a sinking feeling in his stomach. Maybe Harry had been called away for a practice session and Draco would once again be left alone in the house to spend the weekend killing time instead of enjoying it with Harry.
With a resigned sigh he dropped his bag by the front door. After all, if Harry was away, he’d have plenty of time to do laundry. He kicked off his shoes, made his way to the stairs and trudged up them tiredly.
He pushed open the bedroom door and stopped in his tracks, his grey eyes widening at the sight.
The floor was covered in rose petals and there were candles floating lazily around the room just below the old house’s high ceilings. Their sheets had been changed and were crisp white sumptuous Egyptian cotton.
His astounded silence was interrupted by Harry wrapping his arms around him from behind and pressing his lips to the nape of Draco’s neck.
“You’re home early,” Harry breathed as he pressed his nose into Draco’s fine silken hair.
“You were expecting me?”
“I asked Severus to tell me when you’d be done briefing him on your trip.” Harry sighed and pulled Draco back against his body. “I missed you so much!”
Draco turned in Harry’s arms and smiled softly at Harry. The dark haired man wasn’t normally romantic; in fact, he often had trouble just expressing how he felt and for a moment Draco couldn’t stop himself from being suspicious.
“What’s all this in aid of, Harry?” he asked as he glared at Harry and stepped back away from him. He watched as Harry’s smile faltered.
“What do you mean? I missed you, so I decided to do something nice for you.” Harry sounded hurt but Draco still wasn’t convinced.
“I don’t buy it! You never do anything like this. What are you buttering me up for?” Draco crossed his arms over his chest and watched Harry fidget uncomfortably.
“I can’t believe this!” Harry pushed past the blonde man into the bedroom and picked up his wand from the bedside cabinet. He immediately pointed it to the ceiling and the many floating lights disappeared, sending the already dimly lit room into complete darkness.
“I’m not buttering you up for anything, you ungrateful git! I missed you. I lay awake every night on the fucking sofa, waiting for you to come home and I felt bad for always being away and decided I’d make it up to you! Just forget it!” Harry snarled into the darkness, glad he didn’t have to look at Draco. He was so angry. All this effort had been for nothing, Draco couldn’t even just accept a nice gesture without questioning it.
Harry pushed past Draco and trudged down the stairs, slamming the door shut behind him, before sinking into an armchair in the living room. He was exhausted and this wasn’t exactly how he had expected this evening to turn out.
With a wave of his wand, Draco lit the overhead light and sighed heavily at how wonderful the room looked. He slipped his robes from his shoulders and began hanging them up in the wardrobe. He loosened his tie and made his way into the en-suite. He gasped at the sight. The bath was almost overflowing with steaming hot foamy water and the floating lights that had adorned the bedroom still left a soft glow over the small bathroom.
He was an ungrateful git.
Draco turned on his heel and wandered downstairs in search of Harry. He slowly opened the living room door and watched Harry’s back tense as he resolutely avoided looking up at Draco.
“Harry?” Draco whispered softly. “Harry, I’m really sorry! What you did upstairs was lovely. I didn’t mean to be so... so...”
“You?”
“I...I...” Draco didn’t know what to say to that. Sure, he could be snarky and snappy at times, but he didn’t think Harry had minded.
“I feel like I can’t win with you sometimes. When I’m not here, you’re not happy. When I try and do something to make up for it, you’re not happy. Maybe it’s just me you’re not happy with!” Harry said softly and looked up at Draco for the first time since the man had entered the room.
“No, Harry!” Draco replied with an anguished cry and launched himself at Harry.
Harry tensed as Draco settled himself onto his lap. “I’m sorry!” Draco buried his hands in Harry’s hair and tilted his head up until their eyes met. “I am happy with you. I’m sorry about tonight. I’m just not used to you being so romantic.” Draco grinned tentatively and Harry managed a quirk of his lips.
“You just need to give me a break sometimes, you know? It feels like I’m damned if I do and I’m damned if I don’t with you. I don’t know what you want!” Harry sighed and leant his head against Draco’s hand as he cradled his head. He was exhausted.
“I love you. I want you, Harry; just you.” Draco pressed his lips to Harry’s and was happy when his partner’s lips opened under his. Draco sucked on Harry’s lower lip and sighed happily as the distinct taste of Harry settled on his tongue.
“I’m tired; can we talk about this in the morning?” Harry sighed and tilted his head back as Draco kissed his way down his neck.
“What about the bath and…”
“I’m really not in the mood anymore, and I haven’t really slept in the last few days; can’t we just go to bed?”
Draco smiled nervously and nodded, not sure if Harry really was tired or if he was still unforgiven.
“Okay.” Draco clambered from Harry’s lap and headed for the door, but Harry grabbed his wrist and tugged him back.
“I really am tired; we can do the romance tomorrow. I really did miss you.” Harry smiled and used Draco to pull himself up. He wrapped his arms around Draco and pulled the smaller man close.
“I’m sorry, Harry.” Draco sighed, his own tiredness catching up with him and he sagged slightly in Harry’s arms. He had, after all, taken a Portkey halfway across the world.
Harry pulled back and smiled at him softly before kissing him. “It’s forgotten, okay? We’re both tired and overwrought, let’s just go to bed.” Harry grinned tiredly and they made their way upstairs.
Maybe they weren’t perfect for one another; maybe they wouldn’t always get on and the same recurring issues would sometimes bother them, but they still seemed to find their way back to one another, and that was what was important.