The garden was alive with whispers, the elite of magical Britain gathered beneath a moonlit sky. But Tom Riddle's attention was drawn to the edge of the crowd where a daek-haired figure lingered, cloaked, and exuding an aura of high potential that piqued his interest.
As he observed the young man, Tom noted the way he watched, an unyielding curiosity mingled with an air of defiance. Though the stranger's magic flickered just beneath the surface — a slightly larger pool of power than most — Tom saw him as nothing more than a curiosity, a plaything to entertain himself with.
With a fleeting smile, the young man turned and slipped into the winding paths of the garden maze. Intrigued, Tom followed without hesitation, his long strides echoing on the gravel. This stranger had dared to engage him, and Tom intended to uncover the layers beneath that confident exterior.
As he crossed the maze, the paths shifted mysteriously, weaving in and out in a way that made it challenging to keep pace with the figure ahead. But Tom was undeterred : he could play this game.
"Running, are we?" he called out into the shadows, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Or do you think you can actually escape me?"
A light, teasing laugh floated back to him, its melody almost infuriating. "What's the fun in making it too easy?"
Tom's brow furrowed slightly, a spark of irritation igniting in his chest. He pressed on, the stranger's laughter echoing through the hedges, stirring something primal within him. Each turn revealed only fleeting glimpses of the young man, his form a blur of shadows and mystery.
"Are you just going to keep playing hide and seek?" Tom shouted, impatience creeping into his tone. "I'm growing tired of this."
But the response was a soft rustle of leaves, and then silence. For a brief moment, the air hung heavy with anticipation. Tom took a deep breath, calming himself. He was a lord; he did not chase after whims.
Then, just as he turned another corner, he saw him — a silhouette framed by the moonlight, the young man's stance relaxed yet defiant. There was a brief moment of stillness before he darted away again, his laughter trailing behind him like a promise.
Tom cursed under his breath and lunged forward, determined to close the distance. The maze twisted around them, paths shifting to thwart him, but he navigated them with practiced ease, feeling the thrill of the chase pulse through him.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Tom entered a narrow passageway that opened into a small courtyard, the hedges looming tall and thick around them. The young man stood at the far side, watching him with a mixture of amusement and something deeper, something that ignited the air between them.
"Found you," Tom declared, taking a step forward. "What will you do now?"
"I'll admit," the young man replied, the corner of his mouth twitching upward, "I didn't expect you to be so persistent."
Tom narrowed his eyes, intrigued by the audacity in the young man's voice. "And yet, here you are, trapped in the maze with me. Are you still going to pretend this is a game?"
Harry smirked, his confidence unwavering. "What's the fun in revealing all my secrets too quickly?"
Tom took another step closer, closing the space between them, his presence looming. "You're infuriating," he said, a low growl edging his words. "Tell me your name."
"Why should I?" Harry shot back, lifting his chin defiantly. "Maybe I like the mystery."
Tom leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper that resonated with a quiet intensity. "Because if you don't, I'll have to find other ways to extract it from you. And I assure you, I will."
Harry's breath hitched slightly, and there was a flicker of something his eyes — was it fear, or was it something more thrilling? "You think you can intimidate me?"
In a swift movement, Tom closed the remaining distance, pressing Harry back against the wall of the maze. Their bodies were inches apart, and Tom could feel the heat radiating from Harry's skin, the tension electrifying the air between them.
"Intimidation has nothing to do with it," Tom said, his voice low and commanding. "I'm simply giving you a choice. Tell me your name, or I'll have to make you."
Harry's smirk returned, a gleam of challenge in his eyes. "Good luck with that."
Tom's lips curled into a satisfied smile, his grip loosening just enough to let Harry breathe. "Then I suppose I'll have to change my approach."
With deliberate slowness, Tom leaned in, brushing his lips against the soft skin of Harry's neck, teasingly close to his pulse point. He could feel Harry's breath hitch, the tension between them thickening as Tom marked the spot with gentle bites, each kiss igniting a fire beneath Harry's skin.
"Such a stubborn one," Tom murmured against Harry's neck, his breath warm and tantalizing. "But I wonder how long you can keep that up."
"Maybe a bit longer than you think," Harry replied, his voice breathy but laced with defiance.
Tom's lips pressed against Harry's neck again, lingering just a moment longer before pulling back slightly, his eyes locking onto Harry's. "I'll enjoy finding out just how far I can push you."
Just as the air grew thick with anticipation, Harry's instincts kicked in. With a sudden burst of adrenaline, he twisted away and broke free, sprinting back into the maze, laughter dancing on his lips.
"Run again?" Tom called out, the thrill of the chase reigniting in his veins. "You really think you can escape me this time?"
"I thought you liked a challenge!" Harry shot back over his shoulder, taunting him as he navigated the winding paths.
Tom felt the exhilaration surge within him, a deep need to possess what was eluding him. The young man's magic flickered brightly, guiding him like a beacon, and Tom pursued with renewed vigor, weaving through the maze's twists and turns.
Just as Tom rounded a corner, he spotted Harry pausing to catch his breath, his back turned. It was a fleeting moment of vulnerability, and Tom seized it. He lunged forward, a surge of determination propelling him, and before Harry could react, Tom caught him by surprise.
With a swift motion, he gripped Harry's wrist, spinning him around and pinning him against the wall, their bodies pressed together, the heat palpable. Harry gasped, the breath leaving him as Tom's presence enveloped him completely.
"Caught you." Tom said, his voice a low, husky whisper. The shock on Harry's face only fueled Tom's desire, the thrill of dominance washing over him.
"I-" Harry stammered, his heart racing, surprised by the sudden intensity of Tom's grip. "You're quick."
"And you're daring," Tom countered, a smirk playing on his lips. "But I do like the chase."
With that, Tom leaned in closer, his breath hot against Harry's ear. "Now, let's try this again. What is your name?"
Harry's body reacted instinctively to the proximity, a wave of excitement coursing through him despite the dangerous edge of the moment. "Maybe I still don't want to tell you," he teased, his boldness returning.
Tom's lips curled into a smirk, a predator savoring the thrill of the chase. He pressed his body closer, their heat mingling as he brushed his lips against Harry's neck once more, his voice a low rumble. "You think I won't make you want to tell me? Because I can be very persuasive."
The weight of Tom's presence and the heat of his breath made Harry's resolve waver. He felt himself wanting to give in, to reveal everything, yet a part of him still thrived on the challenge. "You're infuriating," he breathed, his voice barely above a whisper.
"And you're tantalizing," Tom replied, teasingly dragging his lips along Harry's neck, eliciting a shiver from him. "But I can assure you, I'll have your name by the end of this."
With each caress, the game shifted into something deeper, something more intoxicating, pulling them both into an uncharted territory where neither could escape the magnetism of their encounter.