Chapter 17
Draco thinks the bike might be growing on him. Yes, it’s abhorrently fast and most definitely dangerous, but it does give Draco an excuse to press into Harry's body as close as he pleases.
Harry skids to a stop outside of Grimmauld Place and keeps the bike stable as Draco gets off. The two head into the house and Draco can’t help but take the changes in again.
It’s a whole new place, one that Draco wouldn’t mind staying at for a while.
“Take a seat wherever,” Harry says pulling Draco from his thoughts.
Draco peels the motorcycle gear away and hands them to Harry who waves them away to who knows where. After Draco sits, Harry throws himself into the seat next to him and grins.
“Draco she’s brilliant,”
He gestures animatedly speaking wildly about what a wonderful Slytherin she’ll make and how smart she already is while Draco watches. It’s beautiful- watching Harry talk. Draco doesn’t think there’s something he could want more than to sit in this warm house and watch Harry smile and bask in his presence and…
Holy shit.
The realization hits him like a hippogriff. Draco thinks he may be a little in love.
His face must have visibly changed because Harry nudged him slightly.
“Are you okay?” Harry's tone is concerned but Draco can’t do anything but blink, “Draco?”
And it’s so tempting to say no, Draco’s not okay, he’s fallen in love with the sun.
“Sorry, I’m fine just was wondering if we could stay here for the night,” Harry beamed and it physically hurt him.
He’s so fucked.
***
Draco likes his house. His big empty house that he worked so hard to make pleasant. Draco likes it.
“Yeah of course,” Harry thinks for a moment, “Should I make dinner, we could eat in the garden,”
Draco gives him a strange look and he nods as if under trance.
Raiding the cabinets Harry settles on curry, he turns his head in the direction of the living room where Dracos trailing his fingers over the spines of the books on his shelf.
“Do you like spicy food,” Draco nods slightly.
Harry doesn’t believe him so he makes sure to grab plenty of naan to go with it.
***
After a while, Harry asks Draco to go set up a picnic in the garden, telling him where the picnic blanket is and shooing him out the back door.
Stepping into the backyard makes Draco’s jaw drop. He can’t help but stand in awe for a few moments. Draco can’t recall Harry ever being particularly sufficient in herbology but the garden has to be the work of a professional.
Flowers are everywhere in neat patterns, leaving only designated paths for walking. Massive trees border the garden, allowing only small bursts of sunlight to sneak through their branches. The main source of light is provided by string lights strung from the trees' branches and it’s just gorgeous.
Harry walks out and stands behind Draco with a sigh.
“I didn’t leave my house much after the war,” Draco turns around.
“Harry, it’s beautiful…”
Harry chuckles sheepishly, “It doesn’t look quite like it did when I imagined it,”
Harry waves the blanket and the food to set itself up.
“How could you possibly make it better than this?” Harry guides him by the shoulders to sit on the blanket.
“Some of the flowers aren’t the right type, I couldn’t grow an Aetherpetal for the life of me.”
And somehow Harry looks genuinely upset about this little imperfection in his garden.
“Harry it’s the most beautiful garden I’ve ever seen.”
“Alright, alright, just eat your curry.”
Draco takes a bite and covers his mouth with his hand trying to keep his eyes from watering. He’d never had curry before, it’s the spiciest thing he’s ever put in his mouth but at the same time, it’s wonderful.
“It’s-” He coughs, “Really good.”
“Really because you seem to be struggling,” Harry smirks raising an eyebrow.
“It’s just a little spicy that’s all,” He takes another bite, which notably does not soothe the pain.
Harry chuckles, “I thought you liked spicy food,”
Draco considers telling him the spiciest food he eats is salt. Harry must see this because he takes mercy on him handing him an interesting flatbread-looking bread. Draco takes a bite and sighs, grateful for the reprieve from the death curry.
“Try dipping it in the curry if it’s a little too spicy, if it’s still too spicy you can add a little extra coconut milk.” Draco nods and gives it a try.
It’s still spicy, spicer than anything Draco typically eats of his own accord, but slightly more bearable.
“I think I need the coconut milk,” Harry takes a can out and pours the milk into his curry, “How does one milk a coconut?”
“The wizarding world definitely has non-dairy milk, Draco, I know for a fact you know what coconut milk is,” Harry dead-pans taking a swig.
Draco shrugs, “I’m not sure I’ve ever done my own shopping.”
Harry's mouth falls open in surprise, “We are going shopping tomorrow we need food for Hogwarts anyways, I’m tired of having to summon the house elves for every little ingredient I need.”
Draco burns, he burns in a horrible and lovely blaze of love.
“Alright,”
The rest of the meal is spent with easy conversation and at some point Harry waves the plates to the kitchen and rests his head on Draco's lap.
Draco threads his hands through Harry's hair, twisting tiny braids through it half unconsciously.
***
This is wonderful. The thought starts as a whisper and slowly grows into a scream. A single sentence shouting over him, nearly all-consuming. He wants to say it, no he has to say it.
“This is wonderful,” Draco jumps underneath him, they had been quiet for quite some time now.
Draco smiles down at him, “It is.”
Harry thinks he’s going to die. How is he so pretty? How does Draco manage it? How does Harry manage it? Harry doesn’t think he can, all he can do is let it overwhelm him.
“We oughta sleep soon,” Harry points out.
Draco groans, “It’s so nice out though,”
And how is he supposed to say no.
~~~
When they finally do go to sleep it’s late and they don’t hesitate for a moment before falling into Harry’s bed together and merging into a tangle of limbs.