Chapter 6
In.
Out.
In.
Out.
Harry is carefully rolling the roasted garlic and chive mashed potatoes into a little perfect, not lumpy rugby looking ball using a technique called quenelle. He always thought mash at other places tended to be bland, so Harry did take his time to season and taste to make sure they had the right amount of salt, pepper, garlic, and that the chives weren’t overpowering. He nestled two of these little rolls next to a steak au poivre. He laid four sprigs of roasted asparagus on the plate, every portion designed to provide the exact amount someone would need for a six course dinner, and started setting plates up into the window.
“I need hands!” Harry called, wiping his hands on the towel. He looked up watching the waitstaff scurry over and start taking plates, disappearing through the swinging door. Harry let out breath he didn't even know he was holding, pulling the pack of fags from his coat pocket and heading out the back door, sitting on an abandoned fruit crate that now served its purpose as a chair.
It had been about two weeks since they went to France and Harry couldn't get Draco out of his head. The soft pale expanse of skin, the breathy noises he let escape, and those damn scars almost so light that Harry nearly missed them all together.
In.
Out.
The mid October air had a bite to it as the wind blew, colouring his cheeks a ruddy red. Harry took a puff, closing his eyes and letting the smoke fill his lungs and just feeling .
He felt so tired.
He scrubbed his face with his free hand and took another pull after flicking the ashes on to the pavement below him before watching the fag glow red as it burnt, casting a tempus to see how much longer he had to sit in the brisk night air. He slumped forward a bit, looking forward to the cheese toastie that Rich had made him that was sitting under a stasis charm before flicking the butt onto the ground and standing up. He stretched his limbs, feeling them pop in different places as he pondered if he really could pull things together in a year. He had the numerous critic reviews that glowed with praise to qualify him for the entry of the Michelin competition, but was his cooking good enough to get the star? He hadn’t even heard back from the Muggle Liaison Office and they were steadily creeping up on November soon, causing his anxiety to spiral.
Shouldn’t he have heard back by now?
Their trip for Spain was scheduled for the end of the month and Rich assured him numerous times that there would be no issues with him holding down Canis, Lupus, Et Cervum for a night so he could have pretty much the first Saturday night off he has taken in years , seeing how he had always worked the weekend while he was climbing his way through restaurants in New York. Even when he was designing his own restaurant, he worked through weekends to curate the menu and hire staffing when he did come back to England.
He let out a sigh before heading back inside, spelling his hands clean and going over to the icebox to pull out the homemade vanilla bean ice cream he made. He pulled out his lava cakes from the oven and began plating each one, focusing in as he swiped the triple berry coulis on the plate having followed Pansy’s suggestion of something sweet yet tart to break up the decadent dessert. He used the same technique from the mashed potatoes to plate the ice cream, taking his tweezers to set the delicate pieces of fresh mint that had been foiled with an edible gold into each cake. He began to set each one into the window, calling for hands again as the noises of the kitchen that he didn’t realize faded into the background began to flood him once more.
“Let’s break down quickly, yeah?” Harry said to his back of house staff before beginning to scrub down the dessert station as Rich took all the dirty saute pans to dish. His expo began breaking down and polishing the kitchen utensils, all working together like a well oiled machine to get the last bits of cleaning done before going home for their three days off.
“Oi, Rich,” he called as he began spelling away the last bits of that week's menu in preparation of the new menu that would carry them until the trip to Ibiza.
“Yes, Chef?” He asked, stopping at the back door with one hand on it, ready to push it open to leave for the night.
“I want you here on Tuesday to help me prepare for the tasting. You’ve been doing a really good job since I’ve asked you to step it up a little for me and I would like you here since I’ll be gone on the last night the next menu is live. You’ve got a copy, don’t you?” Harry asked, leaning against the standup fridge.
“No, Chef, I don’t. I think you might’ve forgotten on Wednesday during pre-shift when you handed them out to Blaise and Black,” Rich said, hand falling off the door. Harry patted his pockets before finding a piece of scrap paper, tapping his wand to his head and then to the parchment and watching the ink unfold on it. He walked over and handed it to his sous with a small grimace.
“Sorry ‘bout that. I’ve been tired recently, haven't been sleeping well,” he said. He watched as Rich read the words.
Esquites with Foie Gras Truffle - grilled corn kernels, smoky chipotle, blended foie gras mousse and shaved black truffle
Baja Halibut Crudo with Hibiscus Flower and Avocado Crema - sashimi-grade halibut cured with hibiscus flowers, served with an avocado crema and a squeeze of lime
Crema de Chiles Poblanos with Smoked Oaxacan Cheese - soup made of roasted poblanos and enriched with the cheese and a touch of cream
Grilled Red Snapper with Mole Negro and Plaintain Puree - grilled snapper with a mole sauce with plantain puree
Wagyu Beef Cheek Braised in Pasilla Chile with Bone Marrow and Corn Tortillas - braised beef cheek in pasilla chile sauce, served with bone marrow, pickled onions, cilantro, and handmade corn tortillas
Or
Pollo en Mole Verde and Corn Tortillas - braised chicken in a mole verde with pickled onions, cilantro, and handmade corn tortillas
Chocolate Tepache with Mezcal Ice Cream and Hibiscus Flower Granita - decadent chocolate dessert with mezcal ice cream and hibiscus flower grantia
“Safe to assume you went the Mexican route. I like the uniqueness of some of these dishes, Chef. Loving the black truffle?” Rich teased.
“It adds a complex flavor,” Harry defended, crossing his arms.
“Y’all need some more flavor on this side of the pond. I’ll study it and be here at ten to prep the menu with you. Glad to see you’re adding more than one main again,” Rich said in an almost fatherly tone before bidding Harry good night. Harry returned to where he was cleaning his knife, packing them away in his knife roll. He heard the door that entered the kitchen swing shut and he looked up to see Draco leaning across the expo window.
“Blaise left for the night and all the servers have been paid. Did you need anything else before I head home?” Draco asked, fiddling with his midnight blue jumper that actually fit him instead of slid off his shoulders. Harry shook his head, running a hand through his curls before rolling up the knife roll and unbuttoning his coat.
“I don’t. Just finishing up back here and going to head home to eat this cheese toastie before I go to bed. Are you bringing wine again tomorrow?” Harry asked, tracking Draco as he began to move around the pass.
“I am. Pansy is insisting we try a new chinese restaurant that opened up in Soho. I’ll probably bring a Pinot Grigio and Rosé since she hasn’t told me what she’ll be ordering,” Draco said, finally standing in front of him.
“Sounds good to me, I haven’t had good Chop Suey in a while…” Harry said, staring into those silver eyes that seemed to glint a little bit. Draco smirked before looking around the kitchen, noticing that everyone had gone home.
“Are we alone?” He asked softly, something flashing in his eyes.
“Yeah,” Harry breathed, stepping just close enough to feel Draco’s body heat radiating off of him.
“Good, I’ve been thinking about this all service,” Draco said softly before stepping forward, wrapping his arms around Harry’s neck and capturing his lips in a soft kiss. Harry exhaled through his nose, bringing his arms around Draco’s waist and pulling him flush against his body. They moved slowly, Harry bringing his hand to slip just under Draco’s jumper on the small of his back. Draco made a soft noise and pressed impossibly closer, opening his lips just slightly. He took the invitation and nipped the other’s lip before gently running his tongue along Draco’s, grinding his half hard cock against the other's thigh.
Draco made a soft noise before breaking away, bringing his hands to Harry’s cheeks, cupping them gently. “Let me… Let me blow you?” He breathed, pupils blown so wide that there were only small rings of silver visible in his eyes.
“Fuck- yeah, okay,” Harry rasped, leaning back against the counter and watching Draco unbutton his coat the rest of the way, fingers working at the draw strings that held his trousers up and push them down to about half way down his thigh. Draco sank to his knees, Harry casting a non verbal cushioning charm which Draco seemed appreciative for. His long fingers played teasingly along the seam of his Y fronts, a small smirk on his lips before pulling them down and facing Harry’s now fully hard cock head on.
“I’ve been thinking about you, darling,” Draco said, grasping Harry’s prick gently and looking up through his lashes. Harry made a strangled noise, his left hand reaching up to tangle into Draco’s hair and pull him forward, soft lips meeting the sensitive head of his prick.
“Open those pretty lips for me, love,” Harry breathed and Draco obeyed, parting them for Harry to push his cock into that lovely wet heat. Harry’s other hand gripped the counter behind him, knuckles whiting out before straightening his posture a bit and reaching down to tilt Draco’s head up slightly. “Hollow your cheeks and keep your head tilted like that,” Harry said, both hands now tugging Draco’s hair and the other hummed softly in approval.
Harry made a strangled noise before shallowly thrusting his hips. He felt his cock start to slide just ever so slightly into Draco’s throat and his head tilted forward, trying to focus on not coming too soon.
“You’re mouth. Holy fuck, Draco. Your mouth was made for me,” He grit, feeling another hum along his prick, the vibration ricocheting through his muscles. Harry felt the soft caress of Draco’s tongue along the vein on the underside of his cock and he hissed, starting to thrust into the other's mouth, feeling his cock slide just a bit more into Draco’s throat. Harry glanced down to see those nearly blackened eyes looking up at him through pale lashes, soft tears rolling down Draco’s face and ruddy red lips encasing his cock. One of Harry’s hands left the blond locks and he brushed the tears away with his thumb.
“So good for me, aren’t you?” He breathed, feeling Draco’s throat relax further and letting Harry’s cock thrust deeper into his throat. He saw Draco palming his cock through his slacks and tutted softly, “None of that, love, I- fuck I’m close,” he strained. His thrusts became sloppy as both hands gripped the fine silk that was Draco’s hair, suddenly feeling himself pulsing down the other's throat with a loud moan. Draco only pulled off once Harry began to go soft, whimpering softly.
“ Please, ” He nearly sobbed, “Can I come?” and Harry nearly fell over at the request. He dragged him up by the shoulders, making quick work of the button and zipper of Draco’s fancy trousers before reaching in and grabbing Draco’s cock. Draco whined softly, head falling forward as Harry began to stroke him, thumb smearing the precome of the already weeping prick.
“Hello? Harry, are you still here?” A voice asked and Harry stilled all his movements. Draco let out a quiet whine as Harry turned his head to see Blaise enter the kitchen.
“Blaise. I swear-”
“I just had left my suit coat, darling, I saw the lights on and wanted to check on you,” Blaise explained before his eyes landing on a white blond head and smirking. “I’ll get out of your way and finish up,” He said with a wave of his hand. Draco let out a shuddering breath as Harry tightened his grip and gave a teasing tug.
“And Draco, darling, don’t forget the wine tomorrow,” Blaise said before walking out the back door, keeping his eyes straightforward. Draco let out a mortifying noise before Harry began to stroke him in earnest, reducing the man into soft whimpers and moans.
Draco’s breath began to pick up and he bit into Harry’s chef coat to stifle the long moan he let out as he released into Harry’s hand, come dripping down the fist. Harry began to pepper Draco’s face and head with kisses, whispering how good Draco was and how beautiful he was when Draco raised his head, eyes still dazed.
“I can’t believe my best friend walked in while you were wanking me,” he breathed.
Harry let out a loud laugh and ran his fingers through Draco’s wavy hair.
“At least he didn’t stay for the whole show.”
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The next night, Pansy delivered with an array of different Chinese dishes from the new place in Soho that consisted of prawn crackers, fried rice, crispy duck, chop suey, sweet and sour fried beef, beef in black bean sauce, spring rolls, and salt and chili crisps with two containers of curry sauce and sweet and sour sauce respectively. They all dug in on plates that Harry summoned, using the wooden chopsticks so they didn’t smudge the wine glasses that Draco had filled with the Pinot Grigio first.
“So… handys in the kitchen?” Blaise asked as they were eating, trying to be conversational yet it only resulted in Draco choking on a piece of beef.
“It’s my restaurant, why not?” Harry asked, waving a fork as speared another piece of crispy duck and Draco turned absolutely red. Harry hit his back a couple of times until Draco swallowed, then resting his hand on Draco’s thigh. Pansy let out a tiny squeal, leaning forward a bit.
“Is the Golden Cock as good as they say it is, darling?” She asked, which Draco further sputtered at.
“Do we have to continue this while I'm eating ? ” Draco said, hitting his chest a couple of times and taking a small sip of wine.
“I suppose not, but I expect details,” Pansy said with a wide grin.
“Oh no you don’t,” Harry said, reaching over to flick her forehead. Pansy let out a gasp as Harry sat back in his chair, legs partially spread and ignoring the hand that started to creep across his thigh. “I would prefer any sex detail to stay between me and the one who I fuck, thank you so kindly,” Harry said, keeping his face schooled as Draco began to palm his cock through his joggers. Pansy and Blaise didn’t seem to notice as Harry continued eating, wrapping his free hand around Draco’s wrist and shooting him a look.
“Well… alright for now , but what did we think of Il Vigneto and Le C hâteau?” Blaise asked, eyes flickering between the two men.
“I think that Le Château had better taste and a more well thought out menu and wine pairings. The servers also seemed to know more and not trying to seduce their guests to get ratings,” Draco supplied with a sniff.
“Well I guess it’s a good thing Italy isn’t in the running, is it?” Pansy said with narrow eyes.
“I think that Le Château was a great inspiration on French cuisine and brought together some bold flavors that I look forward to incorporating, personally,” Harry supplied, vanishing his plate to the sink.
“Well what do we think the rest will supply?” Draco asked, hand still firmly on Harry’s thigh.
“Well I, for one, am looking forward to a night of dancing rather than focusing on food,” Pansy said with a sniff before grinning. “And Granger will be there this time. Maybe I could convince her-”
“Pans! She’s married! ” Harry exclaimed.
“So am I, but Blaise doesn’t restrict me to only sleeping with him,” She purred.
“Oh, knock it off, he doesn’t know your devious ways obviously,” Draco said with a huff.
“He should by now,” she replied, arms crossed.
“Blaise, are the hotels in Ibiza and Madrid booked? Does Ron and Hermione have a room?” Harry asked, desperately trying to change the subject.
“Of course they have rooms, but Pansy might infiltrate it and I wouldn’t mind if Ron infiltrated mine,” Blaise said with an award winning smile. Harry groaned and rubbed his hands over his face.
“You two need to fuck eachother more often,” Harry declared, pointed at the couple.
“Why do you mean? We sleep together quite frequently, ta ever so,” Pansy sniffed.
“They’re impossible,” Draco mumbled as Blaise let out a hearty laugh. They continued chatting, comparing notes, and drinking wine in Harry’s living room before the three began to tire themselves out for the night.
“I’ll see you Tuesday, mate,” Blaise said, leading a now very tired Pansy through the floo. Blaise shot Draco a look before taking a scoop of floo powder and announcing their residence before stepping into the green flames.
Draco stepped forward, grasping Harry’s cheek softly and giving a small smile.
“Don’t fret love, I’m sure an owl will come soon with the results,” He said softly, giving Harry a small peck on the cheek. Harry smiled softly and kissed the palm of Draco's hand, giving his hip a little squeeze.
“I’m sure it will, I just can’t help but be anxious about it,” He said.
“We’ll hear soon. Just get some sleep, okay?” Draco said, leaning forward slightly.
“Yeah..” Harry said, grasping his face and kissing Draco deeply. They stood like that for what felt like forever, Draco finally bidding goodbye and Harry watched him go through the floo. Harry turned away from the floo, walking towards the stairs when it roared to life again. Draco came out of it again, striding over and giving Harry one more kiss.
"Okay, now goodnight," he smiled, and Harry wanted to trap that smile in a pensive for him to look at all the time.
"Goodnight, love, go on and get some sleep," Harry urged. Draco gave him a soft look before bidding him goodnight once more and stepping back through the floo for a final time. Harry headed upstairs, stripping off his clothes and falling into the bed. He breathed a small, but happy sigh and shut his eyes, waiting for sleep to take him at any moment.
He was falling so hard for Draco Malfoy his thirteen year old self would of thought it as absurd.