Chapter Text
Harry closed his eyes for a second and concentrated on his breathing. In. Out. In. Out. The crippling anxiety that he had felt at the beginning of his eighth year had become easier and easier to deal with until it was just a dull ache that made him feel exhausted sometimes.
He was standing in the doorway to a flat. His flat. The flat he had bought with his parents money after he successfully graduating from Hogwarts. Somehow, he couldn't go in. This was new, this was different. It felt overwhelming for Harry and he just stood and breathed. In. Out. In. Out.
Suddenly, thoughts of uncertainty made their way into his brain. Was he supposed to be an adult now? What if he couldn't find a job? The Ministry had offered him every job he could possibly want but he wanted out of the spotlight. He needed to be somewhere where nobody knew him.
His thoughts were spiraling down and he didn't know how to stop it.
In. Out. In. Out.
Until a hand took hold of his. A thumb softly stroked the back of his hand and then squeezed it.
“Are you alright?”
It was not more than a whisper but the invisible rope around Harry tightening and tightening with every breath loosened. Until it disappeared and he squeezed back. He nodded and turned his head to look at the boy next to him. He took in his sharp features, the bags under his eyes from planning their new home together and the reassuring smile that would always save him when he was in danger of drowning in his thoughts.
“Good,” Draco said and stepped into the flat, pulling Harry with him.
“Because I have a present for you”. He smirked.
“It's not Christmas, yet,” Harry said because he couldn't think of anything better to say and he knew that Draco is not overly fond of 'Thank you's'.
The blonde reached into one of his bags and pulled a book out. He handed it over to Harry who actually had to laugh out loud upon looking at the title.
“You brought me the new Buchsnop book?” he asked and eagerly turned the book to read the synopsis on the back.
Draco nodded solemnly. “Do I get the best boyfriend of the year award?”
Boyfriend. Harry was still filled with warmth whenever Draco used that word. It sounded posh coming from him. Harry loved it.
“Best boyfriend of the century award,” he looked up from the book and beamed at Draco who simply stood there and smiled back.
He then walked over to Harry and pushed a strand of the still-messy hair out of Harry's face before kissing him softly.
When they parted, Draco looked at Harry like he was searching for something in his eyes.
“You know, you are the best thing that ever happened to me Harry Potter.”
Draco rarely got sentimental and when he was, it was so intense that Harry almost forgot how to breathe.
“And I love you endlessly.”
Now, Harry definitely forgot to breathe. He just stared at Draco, his mouth agape, trying to figure out how to reply.
Before he could, however, Draco squeezed his hand firmly in his and smiled a little smile that Harry always felt belonged just to him.
“Happy anniversary,” Draco's voice was nothing more than a whisper before he turned around and walked out of the door probably to get more of their stuff. Harry had never really understood how Draco stayed with him. He felt so weird, so broken. With all of his panic attacks and newfound shyness. But Draco had stayed. Was still here. Holding Harry's hand whenever he needed his hand to be held.
When Harry could finally shake himself out of his trance, he sprung to action and raced down the three flights of stairs and out the door of their new home.
Slightly out of breath and feeling a bit dizzy he tried to hold himself upright while clutching the doorframe.
“I love you, too!” he shouted in Draco's general direction who was busy unloading a huge Christmas Tree out of the Weasley's car.
Draco paused for a minute and just looked at Harry who was still standing in the doorway, panting.
“Endlessly,” Harry added much quieter.
The small smile appeared on Draco's face. He nodded.
“I know,” he simply said.
When Harry didn't feel as light-headed anymore, he slowly walked over.
“I never tell you,” he murmured feeling a bit guilty.
“But you show me everyday,” Draco replied and gave Harry a chaste kiss.
“Now, help me get this tree inside, Potter. There is some decorating to be done.”
Harry grinned and felt like he would overflow with happiness any moment before helping his boyfriend getting the tree inside. Their tree. In their flat. Suddenly, the uneasiness that had captured Harry before was nowhere to be found and he knew that he was going to be okay.