"And yet you kissed me"
The room was bathed in a soft, flickering glow from the fire, but it wasn’t just the flames casting the light. The faint, golden luminescence beneath their skin—where Draco’s arm pressed against Orion’s—was growing brighter. Draco could feel the warmth of it pulsing gently against his body, could feel the steadiness of Orion’s breathing returning.
Orion rested against Draco’s chest, his head tilted slightly as he glanced up at the Slytherin with a faint smile. He looked better—less pale, more grounded—but still far from his usual sharp and confident self.
“Better?” Draco asked, his voice low.
“Much,” Orion murmured, his glowing eyes catching Draco’s in the dim light. “You’re good for me, Malfoy. Whether you like it or not.”
Draco rolled his eyes, though his chest tightened at the sincerity in Orion’s tone. “Don’t let it go to your head.”
Orion chuckled softly, but the sound was cut short as Draco shifted slightly, his free hand brushing against Orion’s jaw. It was meant to be casual—a small, meaningless movement—but the softness of Orion’s skin beneath his fingers sent an unexpected jolt through Draco.
The air between them seemed to shift. The glow under their skin brightened subtly, and Draco could feel Orion’s eyes on him, studying him carefully.
Before he could second-guess himself, Draco leaned in.
The kiss was quick—almost hesitant—but it carried a heat that startled both of them. Draco pulled back just enough to see Orion’s expression, his cheeks burning.
Orion blinked, his glowing eyes wide with surprise. “What was that?” he asked softly, his voice unsteady.
Draco felt his stomach twist, his mind scrambling for an explanation. “I—” He faltered, looking anywhere but at Orion. “It just… felt right.”
Orion stared at him for a moment longer before a slow, genuine smile spread across his lips. “Felt right, huh?”
Draco huffed, his embarrassment mounting. “Don’t make it a thing.”
But Orion didn’t tease him. Instead, he reached up, his hand brushing lightly against Draco’s cheek. The glow beneath their skin pulsed again, warmer this time, as though it was responding to the moment.
“You surprised me,” Orion admitted, his voice soft but steady. “In a good way.”
Draco finally forced himself to meet Orion’s gaze, his own expression guarded. “So you’re not… upset?”
“Upset?” Orion chuckled, his thumb grazing Draco’s jaw. “Hardly.”
Draco’s breath hitched, his chest tight as Orion leaned in this time, closing the distance between them. Their lips met again, slower this time, deeper. The glow beneath their skin flared, filling the room with a soft, golden light.
When they finally broke apart, Draco’s heart was pounding, but he didn’t pull away. He let Orion rest against him once more, the warmth of their connection grounding them both.
“Still insufferable,” Draco muttered, his voice quieter now.
Orion laughed softly, his eyes slipping closed. “And yet, you kissed me.”
Draco didn’t argue. For once, he didn’t feel the need to.
~
Orions first day back:
The bustling Auror department was alive with its usual chaos. Quills scratched furiously over parchment, memos zoomed overhead, and a handful of junior Aurors were being berated by a senior officer for some botched paperwork.
Draco Malfoy stood at his desk, sifting through a pile of reports with his usual air of disinterest. It was just another day at the Ministry—or so he thought.
The room fell noticeably quieter as the heavy oak doors creaked open, and Orion stepped in. He was dressed impeccably, as always, his tailored black robes fitting him perfectly, but there was still a lingering trace of exhaustion in the way he carried himself. Despite that, his presence commanded attention.
Draco glanced up from his reports, his heart skipping a beat at the sight of him.
“Back already?” he asked, trying to keep his voice even as Orion approached.
Orion smirked, his glowing eyes catching Draco’s in the morning light. “What, did you miss me?”
Draco scoffed, returning his attention to the papers in his hands. “Hardly. The peace and quiet was refreshing.”
Orion chuckled, dropping his bag onto the desk beside Draco’s. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
Before Draco could respond, a cluster of Aurors across the room began whispering loudly enough to be heard.
“Didn’t think he’d be back so soon.”
“Is it true his magic overloads his body? That’s why he disappeared?”
“I heard he’s dangerous to be around when he’s like that.”
Draco’s jaw tightened as he glared in their direction, but before he could snap, Orion placed a hand on his arm.
“Let it go,” Orion said softly, his tone calm but firm.
Draco glanced at him, his irritation clear. “They don’t know what they’re talking about.”
“And they don’t matter,” Orion replied, giving Draco a reassuring look.
Reluctantly, Draco sighed and returned to his work.
As the morning wore on, Orion settled into his tasks, greeting colleagues and catching up on what he’d missed. Despite the occasional whispers and stares, he handled everything with his usual charm and composure.
It wasn’t until they were both alone in the break room, nursing cups of tea, that Draco spoke again.
“You’re too patient with them,” he said, his tone sharper than he intended.
Orion raised an eyebrow, leaning casually against the counter. “And you’re too impatient, Malfoy.”
Draco scowled, his fingers tightening around his cup. “They don’t deserve your restraint.”
Orion smiled faintly, his glowing eyes softening as he studied Draco. “And you’re too quick to defend me, even when I don’t need it.”
Draco blinked, caught off guard by the quiet gratitude in Orion’s voice. “I just…” He faltered, looking away. “I don’t like hearing them talk about you like that.”
Orion stepped closer, his voice low and warm. “I know. And I appreciate it more than you realize.”
Draco swallowed hard, the tension between them palpable. But before he could respond, the door to the break room swung open, and Harry Potter stepped in, breaking the moment.
“Orion,” Harry said with a nod, glancing between the two of them. “Good to see you back.”
Orion smiled easily, stepping away from Draco. “Good to be back. Ready to deal with more chaos, I assume?”
Harry smirked. “Always. Malfoy keeping you on your toes?”
Orion chuckled, throwing Draco a quick glance. “You have no idea.”
Draco rolled his eyes, muttering something about insufferable Gryffindors under his breath, but his chest felt strangely lighter.
As they left the break room and headed back to their desks, Draco couldn’t help but feel that the department seemed a little brighter with Orion in it.
~
That afternoon, Orion himself craving peace. No paperwork, no whispering aurors. The break room was relatively empty, save for Harry Potter leaning casually against the counter, sipping his tea, and Orion seated at the table, a half-eaten sandwich before him. The room was quiet, the noise of the bustling Auror department muffled behind the heavy oak door.
Harry glanced at Orion, who was flipping through a report with his usual ease, his glowing eyes dimmer than usual but no less striking.
“So,” Harry started, breaking the silence. “First day back. How’s it treating you?”
Orion smirked without looking up. “Could be worse. Could be better. Same as always, really.”
Harry chuckled. “You’ve got people talking, you know. They don’t see someone like you come through the ranks every day.”
Orion finally looked up, arching an eyebrow. “Someone like me?”
Harry shrugged, a faint smile on his lips. “You’re not exactly subtle, Thorne. The glowing eyes, the magic that seems to hum in the air around you—it’s hard not to notice. Not to mention, you’re damn good at what you do.”
Orion leaned back in his chair, his smirk widening. “Is that a compliment, Potter?”
Harry grinned. “Don’t let it go to your head.”
Orion chuckled, shaking his head. “I’ve heard worse. But let’s not pretend you’re not part of the reason people stare. The Boy Who Lived and the Australian transfer with glowing eyes? We’re a pair of walking curiosities.”
Harry took another sip of his tea, his expression thoughtful. “You know, you remind me of someone.”
“Oh?” Orion asked, tilting his head.
“Dumbledore,” Harry said simply, watching Orion’s reaction.
Orion’s smirk faltered for a fraction of a second before returning. “That’s a big name to throw around.”
“It’s not about the name,” Harry said, his tone serious now. “It’s about the way you carry yourself. You’ve got this… air about you. Like you’ve seen more than you let on. Like you’re constantly calculating, but there’s something bigger driving you.”
Orion didn’t respond immediately, his glowing eyes narrowing slightly as he studied Harry.
“And what do you think is driving me, Potter?”
Harry set his cup down, meeting Orion’s gaze evenly. “That’s what I’m trying to figure out.”
Orion chuckled softly, though there was no humor in the sound. “You’re a curious one, aren’t you?”
“Always,” Harry said, his smile returning. “But I’m not prying. If you’ve got your secrets, that’s fine. I just… get the sense that you’re here for more than just the job.”
Orion’s smirk softened into something more genuine, though his eyes were guarded. “Maybe I am. Or maybe I just like the challenge.”
Harry laughed. “Fair enough.”
The door opened suddenly, and Draco stepped in, his eyes narrowing when he saw Harry and Orion talking. “Interrupting something?” he asked, his tone clipped.
“Just chatting,” Orion said smoothly, standing and picking up his plate. “Potter here was reminding me of my mysterious allure.”
Draco rolled his eyes. “Don’t let it inflate your ego.”
Orion grinned, his glowing eyes flicking between Harry and Draco. “Too late.”
Harry shook his head, a small laugh escaping him. “Good luck dealing with him, Malfoy.”
As Harry left the room, Draco turned to Orion, crossing his arms. “What was that about?”
Orion shrugged, a faint smirk playing on his lips. “Just two legends exchanging notes.”
Draco snorted. “You’re insufferable.”
“And yet, here you are,” Orion replied, brushing past him with a wink as he left the break room.