"you do?"
Draco sat on the couch, his head leaning back against the cushions as he cradled a warm cup of tea. His injured arm rested in his lap, the bandages stark against his pale skin. The quiet hum of the room was a welcome change from the chaos of their last mission, but a tension lingered in the air that Draco couldn’t quite place.
Across the room, Orion stood by the kitchen counter, staring at an untouched glass of firewhisky. His glowing eyes flickered faintly in the dim light, reflecting emotions he wasn’t voicing.
“You’ve been staring at that glass for ages,” Draco said, breaking the silence. His voice was softer than usual, carrying a weariness he couldn’t quite shake. “What’s on your mind?”
Orion looked up, his gaze locking onto Draco’s. For a moment, he didn’t respond, as if he were weighing his words. Then, with deliberate slowness, he pushed off the counter and crossed the room.
Draco straightened slightly, his grip tightening on the tea as Orion stopped in front of him. “Orion?”
Without a word, Orion leaned down and placed his hands on Draco’s shoulders. Then, to Draco’s utter surprise, he shifted and settled himself into Draco’s lap, his weight light yet grounding.
Draco froze, his pulse spiking. “What—what are you doing?”
Orion’s glowing eyes softened as he reached out and gently took the tea from Draco’s hands, setting it aside on the coffee table. “Making sure you can’t run away from this conversation.”
“I—” Draco started, but Orion silenced him with a finger pressed lightly to his lips.
“Let me talk,” Orion murmured, his voice low and steady.
Draco swallowed hard, his heart pounding as Orion’s hands rested on his shoulders, his touch warm and grounding.
“You scared me today,” Orion said, his tone quieter now, as though the admission itself cost him something. “That curse was meant for me, Draco. You didn’t even think—you just jumped in the way.”
“That’s what partners do,” Draco said, his voice hoarse. “We protect each other.”
Orion shook his head, his expression turning more intense. “It wasn’t just about being partners. You weren’t acting out of duty. You were acting out of… something deeper.”
Draco’s breath caught, and he found himself unable to look away from Orion’s eyes. The glow seemed stronger now, brighter, casting soft light across his features.
“Draco,” Orion continued, his voice dropping to almost a whisper. “I need you to know something. I’ve been holding it in for too long.”
Draco’s hands twitched where they rested against his thighs, unsure of where to go or what to do. “What is it?” he asked, his voice barely audible.
Orion leaned in closer, his forehead almost touching Draco’s. “I’m in love with you.”
The words hit Draco like a spell, knocking the air from his lungs. His eyes widened, his chest tightening as he processed what Orion had just said.
“You…” Draco started, his voice faltering. “You’re in love with me?”
Orion nodded, his hands sliding down from Draco’s shoulders to rest lightly on his chest. “I have been for a while. But I didn’t know how to say it. And after today, I couldn’t keep it to myself anymore. I needed you to know.”
Draco stared at him, his mind racing. “Orion, I—”
Orion smiled faintly, his hands brushing against Draco’s shirt. “You don’t have to say anything right now. I just… I needed you to hear it.”
Draco’s heart was hammering in his chest, his mind a whirlwind of emotions. And yet, as he looked into Orion’s glowing eyes, so full of vulnerability and raw emotion, the words came tumbling out before he could stop them.
“You idiot,” Draco murmured, his lips curving into a shaky smile.
Orion blinked, his brows furrowing. “What?”
Draco hesitated for only a moment before his hands came up, one settling on Orion’s waist and the other brushing against his jaw. “You’re an idiot for thinking I wouldn’t feel the same way.”
Orion’s eyes widened, the glow intensifying. “You… do?”
Draco nodded, his thumb brushing lightly against Orion’s cheek. “Of course I do, you infuriating, glowing-eyed git.”
A slow, disbelieving smile spread across Orion’s face before he leaned in, capturing Draco’s lips in a kiss that was both tender and electrifying.
Draco melted into it, his hands tightening around Orion as if to anchor himself. The warmth of Orion’s body against his, the gentle press of his lips, and the faint hum of magic where their skin touched made everything else fade away.
When they finally pulled apart, Orion rested his forehead against Draco’s, his breath mingling with Draco’s own.
“You have no idea how happy that makes me,” Orion whispered, his voice trembling slightly.
Draco chuckled softly, his fingers brushing against the back of Orion’s neck. “I think I might have some idea.”
They stayed like that for a while, wrapped in each other’s warmth, the chaos of the day and the world outside forgotten. For now, there was only them.