Draco frantically paced back and forth. Five steps turn, five steps turn. Looking on, Theo could feel his patience evaporating.
“If you walk any faster the friction will create a fire.”
Theo knew the comment wouldn’t reach Draco’s preoccupied mind, but there was only so much a man could take. Draco didn’t miss a step at Theo’s quip, continuing his pacing. Five steps turn, five steps turn.
“She won’t show-oh what was I thinking-we’ll elope, that’s it-who decided on starry night for a bloody theme-”
“You picked the theme, if I remember correctly.”
Theo cut into Draco’s stream of consciousness, but the words fell on deaf ears.
“-the colors don’t compliment my skin tone at all-we should call it off-oh, what was I thinking-”
Theo had finally reached his breaking point; Draco’s nonsensical rambling had veered into dangerous territory. He took a deep breath, standing from his seat and reaching for Draco. He grabbed Draco’s forearm and held him in place, essentially stopping his pacing. Draco simply looked at him in confusion, clearly still in the midst of his mutterings.
“Alright, look here. This is what’s going to happen. First, you are going to sit down. As fun as it may be to wear down Narcissa’s antique Persian rugs, all your pacing is doing is giving me motion sickness. Next, you are going to shut your mouth. For the love of Gods, you are talking yourself into a spiral-stop. Finally, you are going to calm yourself down. Have a drink, take a deep breath. Everything will be okay.”
Draco only blinked back at him, and Theo feared the rambling had already consumed his mind. After another moment though, Draco heaved a sigh and took the seat Theo had vacated. He placed his head into his hands and mercifully stayed quiet. Theo took advantage of the silence and attempted to assuage Draco’s fears.
“You are in love, Draco. You are in love and I have never seen you happier. You’re out of your bloody mind, but you’re happy. The love of your life is going to walk down that aisle, and you are going to be married in front of 500 of Narciassa’s closest friends. Everything will be okay, you just have to calm down.”
To Theo’s surprise, it seemed that Draco had absorbed some of his words, as he actually responded.
“I’m scared, Theo. I am heads-over-arse in love with a woman I would do anything for, and that scares the shite out of me. If she left it wouldn’t break my heart Theo-it would break my spirit. I can’t imagine a night without her incessant snoring or a day without her hourly owls. She is the single reason I am still here. She made me the man I am today, and I can’t wait to see the man I am tomorrow beside her. I don’t know how to love someone the way she deserves to love. I love her with every fiber of my being, every beat of my heart, and yet I still feel as if it’s not enough. What if I’m never enough Theo?”
Well shite. That’s not exactly what Theo was hoping to hear. He wasn’t exactly expecting the best man role to come with the responsibility of being privy to all of Draco’s deep-seated insecurities. His instruction manual did not cover this topic. Nevertheless, he took a stab.
“Draco, you have the fiercest love I have ever encountered. You love with everything you have-and that’s what’s special about you. She could have chosen anyone, but she chose you. However, if this takes much longer she might change her mind. We’re running a tad bit late.”
The last six words seemingly started a fire under Draco, as he quickly stood and rushed to the door. Mercifully, Theo caught his attention before all hope was lost.
“Mate, you’re going to want to wear some pants when you say ‘I do.’”
Draco Malfoy married Hermione Granger in a beautiful service, under one of Malfoy Manor’s numerous pergolas. There was nary a dry eye to be seen as they recited their hand-written vows. Theo watched on as Draco placed his grandmother’s antique ring onto Hermione’s finger. While those around him wept and exclaimed over their love, Theo conjured a bottle of Firewhiskey. Gods, did he deserve it.