Chapter 4
Draco had gone to the bed with no resistence, something that did cause a sliver of unease to possess him, but really Tom was not one to argue with the fates that left Draco compliant. He did not want to have to wrestle the Malfoy heir into bed, after all, though he doubted that it would have been much of a fight. He longed to know what happened, but he also knew that he could not pry it out of him. He would have to ask, just not when the other was like this. Asking personal questions when his emotional state was clearly far from even remotely stable risked the other lashing out once he regained a semblance of control over himself. So, he had to settled himself. Tom held the Malfoy boy close to his body, a great dose of possessiveness washing over him. He had no idea what this feeling was, but he did not particularly care either. He inhaled Draco's scent deeply his teeth almost gnashing shut on the skin, but he pulled away at the last minute not allowing his instincts to take over himself, and sighed, the boy smelt like spearmint and pine.
Draco began to stir, and Tom's grip on the boy tightened. He did not know why, it was not really a conscious reaction. He was not sad for it, and he would not deny himself but at the same time...it was somewhat concerning. He had never acted like this before, and he was not really sure what was causing it this time.
"T-Tom?" Tom smiled down at the little child, and ran his fingers through his hair absently. It was soft, and a pale platnium. Standard Malfoy fever of course. Genetics were strong in Malfoy lines. Despite the Black genes that could have caused a vivid dark ebony hair colouring, Draco remained blonde and light haired.
"Hi, Little One." Tom felt the boy relax immediately against him once he heard the voice of the person who had a hold of him, burying his face in his chest more. Tom smiled at the sight, his body giving a slight shudder as he felt the boy's breath on his upper chest. Closing his eyes he pushed the feeling down...He had never felt like this, and he was not entirely sure what it was.
"Are you feeling better?" Tom asked, instead of dwelling on his feelings. The boy only hummed his agreement. "I am glad." Tom sighed, and paused. "Do you wish to tell me what happened?" The boy snuggled closer to him, gripping him in his own vice like grip, nails almost cutting through the fabric. Tom withheld a wince, instead continuing to stare at him.
"F-father he...got really angry the past few days. I tried to stay out of his way, not that that really works, but...he, was particularly volatile. He used the c-cruci-ciatus curse. Only for a few seconds, but it hurt so bad. I couldn't think properly. He only ever did that a few times before, and ne-never for so l-long. I-I did the only thing I could think of when I gained control over my body. I ran beyond the apperation wards, and apparated. I didn't know exactly where I was going, I just knew I had to get out of there. Then I saw you, and I was just so relieved and...and..." Tom shushed the boy calmly.
"Shhh, I've got you." The boy fell lax against him. "That was very dangerous though, apparating without knowing where you are going. Furthermore you have not even gotten your liscense for it, you could have easily harmed yourself quite severely. Do not do it again, please." Draco nodded at the subtle command, too exhausting to even continue the conversation as he allowed sleep to once more claim him. At around dawn, Draco was whimpering in his sleep. Tom shook him slightly, to wake him, which did not take that long, and Draco was gasping, and bolting upright, only to be pulled down to Tom's chest again, keeping a tight hold on him, as he nearly broke down again.
"Don't worry, you will be fine." Tom whispered sweetly in his ears. Tom really had no idea what was going on with him, but it was clear that he was having some sort of odd reaction to this young boy. And Tom had no idea what was going on, but he most certainly did not wish it to stop.
Not a few minutes later, Tom and Draco stood, Draco a little shakily, and made breakfast. Well, that is, Draco made breakfast, as Tom was totally inept when it came to cooking. He had never had to do anything like that before, so he never bothered learning anything like that. After a breakfast of amazingly good eggs and bacon, and toast, Tom dragged Draco outside for fresh air. The two sat on the back porch and just relaxed. Draco was doing some sort of homework for Severus Snape, the Hogwarts Slytherin Head of House and Potions teacher. Tom walked over to him, and leaned over to see what he was writing. Draco started a little at that, but just smiled at him, uncertainly.
"Give." was the only thing Tom said, and Draco did not hesitate to comply with the order. Tom smiled brightly at the boy, and combed his fingers through his hair subconciously as he read the essay. He hummed a little every now and again.
"It is incredibly well written, good job." Draco's eyes lit up with that now familiar joy of being praised.
"Do you really think so?" He asked. Tom doubted Draco would ever be completely rid of his insecurities. But damn it all if Tom wasn't going to make an effort. For some reason Tom seemed to care for the boy, more than normal, that is. It was not like anything he had felt before, than again, he was not exactly in tuned with most of his emotions. He just smiled down at Draco and nodded, thinking.
"Yes, it is very well done. I am proud of you." At those words the boy seemed to nearly explode in joy.
"You are...proud...of me??" The words were not meant for Tom to hear, but he heard them nonetheless. Lucius really had just about raised his son to be handed up on a silver platter to the first person who showed him kindness. Tom was glad that it was him, rather than some other random person. He could use this, even if he felt a sense of anger stirring in his veins. Tom just sighed and moved to stand in front of Draco. He knelt down, careful to keep himself slightly taller than the younger boy. Tom grabbed his hands.
"Look at me." Draco did. "I do not say things I do not mean. I am proud of you. I am proud of you for coming to me when you had nowhere else to go, I am proud of you for admitting what it is that Lucius did to you, I am proud that you feel safe enough with me, that you are willing to show your vulerable side, which is not easy for anyone, lest of all us Slytherins. You are an incredibly talented and intelligent wizard Draco, and you are doing incredibly well, alright?" Draco just nodded, tears beginning to form.
"Thank you," He whispered. Tom just smiled and kissed the younger boy's knuckles, all the while wondering: Is this what love is? I dunno, I have never felt such...protective instincts before, never cared even nearly as much...If so, Tom decided perhaps it is not so bad after all.