Chapter Text
Draco couldn’t believe his luck. He had landed himself the cushiest part-time job he could imagine at a hole-in-the wall ice cream parlor at the center of London. University was a fifteen minute walk and his manager allowed him to study during his down-time.
The red haired woman who appeared to own the shop seemed around Draco’s age, but she acted much older and motherly except when her brother came in, or when she was with him. He came by nearly every day around the same time and got one scoop of vanilla ice cream. She always gave it to him for free and would sit with him if they didn’t have any customers— which they rarely did during the week. Draco assumed that he was her husband by how they would talk to each other, and there was a picture hanging on the wall with a large number of red-haired people and this man all standing together, so he had to be married into the family. However, Draco wasn’t one to ask questions and bring attention to himself, so he barely even knew her first name.
He called her ‘Gin’, but Draco kept his nose in his book and only spoke when spoken too. The man would generally come in and sit down on his own, maybe read the newspaper while he waited for Ginny, so he had never properly spoken to Draco except a quick hello or a wave. He seemed friendly enough, but Draco was content with watching him from the sidelines. He was— after all— very handsome and Draco couldn’t help but feel jealous that Ginny had snagged such a guy. Occasionally Draco would find the man gazing at him, but it always seemed more accidental than anything.
About seven months into working there, Draco noticed that Ginny appeared to be pregnant. Either that, or she had been sneaking loads of ice cream when he wasn’t looking. He was a bit concerned about what would happen when she had her baby, since there didn’t seem to be anyone else who worked here other than them two and occasionally her brother. Draco had begun working overtime in case he was about to lose his job, and eventually Ginny came up to him— very pregnant at this point— and Draco held his breath as he waited for the bad news.
‘Hi Draco,’ she said kindly.
Draco smiled at her and shut his book.
‘I’m due in a few weeks and will be out of work for a while. I’ll drop by when I can, but you’ll mainly be working with Harry from here on out.’
Draco nodded, thinking to himself that he could have sworn her brother’s name was Ron.
‘I want you to know that even though I’ll be gone, you can always call or e-mail me if there’s any trouble.’ She handed him her business card and Draco tucked it away in his book. ‘And don’t worry about your job, we know how important it is for you to have work, and we won’t be cutting back on your hours any. Just send us your schedule like usual.’
Draco sighed in relief and nodded thankfully.
‘Also, my mum might be stopping by now and then… I’ll apologize in advance for that.’
They laughed and Ginny patted his arm sweetly. ‘Don’t let my brother push you around. He’s only three months your senior after all. He acts all haughty cause his name is on the sign out front, but he’s really just an idiot.’
Draco laughed harder, thinking to himself that he would miss her while she’s gone. She was distracted by something over his shoulder and Draco turned to see him walking through the door.
‘Harry— there you are.’ Draco’s eyes went wide and he whipped his head back round to look at her. He let out a little squeak, but she didn’t hear him over the racket of scooping ice cream from the barrel. ‘I was just telling Draco that about how you’ll be stepping in for me.’
Draco swallowed and watched as the man— Harry — approached the counter. He was more handsome up close, even with the long jagged scar across the left side of his face. His skin was dark and his eyes were bright green behind his wildly curly hair. He glanced at Draco with a smile and Draco ducked his head as quickly as he could, hiding his burning face.
‘Draco, why don’t you and Harry have a seat— get to know each other a little?’ Ginny handed him Harry’s single scoop of vanilla ice cream and he looked at her in alarm. ‘It’s okay, he really is very nice.’
He found himself shoved out from behind the counter and Harry was still standing there waiting for him. On wobbly legs he walked forward and they sat at a nearby table. Draco realized he was still clinging to Harry’s ice cream and shoved it towards him as quickly as he could, gripping his hands in his lap and wishing that he had brought his book over.
Draco watched Ginny cut strawberries behind the counter, feeling Harry’s gaze on the side of his face. He swallowed, but didn’t look back at him even when he pulled out a newspaper from inside his jacket. Draco was squeezing his hands so tightly together that his fingernails left indents in his skin. He eventually chanced a glance at Harry, but he wasn’t paying him any attention and Draco’s shoulders relaxed fractionally.
When a guest walked through the door he bolted from his chair to make their order, taking an extra long time to scoop their ice cream and have them pay. Instead of returning to Harry’s table immediately, he grabbed his book and a single scoop of chocolate fudge, dropping some money from the tip jar into the register. He then walked over slowly and sat down as quietly as he could. Harry smiled at him and he tried to smile back, lifting his book a little to show him.
Harry returned to his paper and Draco propped his book open, examining the business card that Ginny had given him and wondered why she hadn’t taken her husband’s last name. As conspicuously as he could he glanced at Harry’s left hand and noticed the absence of a wedding ring. He frowned as he thought of the ring he had seen on Ginny’s finger several times, and wondered if Harry had another job that prevented him from wearing his ring— or if they were even married in the first place.
He stared down at his book without reading, thinking to himself that he should probably say something, but he couldn’t come up with anything worth saying. He worried the inside of his lip and poked at his ice cream in silence. He supposed if Harry really wanted to talk, he could say something himself, so he ate his ice cream and flipped Ginny’s business card over and over in his fingers as he began to read.
He wasn’t sure how long he had been sitting there before he heard Harry’s spoon scrape the bottom of his cup. Ginny came over with her hands on her hips and looked back and forth between them.
‘Have either of you even said a word?’
Draco shook his head and looked over to see Harry do the same and then smile at him. Draco looked back up at Ginny pleadingly and she laughed sympathetically.
‘Alright— at least I can say I tried.’ She said exasperatedly and then took Harry’s ice cream cup. ‘I don’t know what I was expecting.’ She walked away and Draco looked timidly back at Harry who was still watching him fondly.
Draco swallowed and glanced around before looking at him again, feeling the heat rise in his cheeks as he met Harry’s gaze. His mouth went dry and he cleared his throat, shifting uncomfortably as he looked away and back again. He felt pinned there, even though Harry looked nothing but friendly— kind, even. His eyes gave him an intense type of appearance, and he supposed that the scar along the left side of his face was intimidating even if he wasn’t. He wondered where the scar had come from, and met Harry’s gaze again with a steadying breath.
Harry smiled wider for a moment and then looked away, folding up his newspaper. Draco scrambled out of his chair as Harry stood and Draco clenched his hands nervously at his sides. Harry threw on his coat and patted Draco’s arm briefly before picking up his paper and leaving without a word.
Draco was frozen in place as he watched Harry’s retreating back, and he felt Ginny come to stand beside him.
‘That was… interesting.’ She said, and Draco nodded and they both stared at the door.
It wasn’t until a week later that Harry turned up again. Draco had arrived at his regular time and knocked on Ginny’s door to let her know he was there, only to be startled when Harry’s face appeared around the corner.
‘Good morning.’ He said, and Draco busied himself by tying his apron.
‘I’ll open the bar.’ Draco said shortly, clearing his throat. ‘M-may I please have my cash drawer?’
Harry turned and retrieved the drawer for Draco, who took it and stalked away quickly toward the front of the store. He wasn’t sure how Harry would be as a manager, so he spent most of his shift cleaning things that were already spotless and staring at the front door. Harry came out a few times to restock the drink machine and organize the merchandise that was on display. He even came over and stood next to Draco for a moment and they both stared at the front door together without speaking.
Draco glanced at him from the corner of his eye, clearing his throat. Harry smelled sweet and Draco liked when he would walk past and leave his scent behind. It was subtle and pleasant, but enough that Draco could notice it over the smell of the ice cream and candies. He was a soft-built person, but seemed very strong, and Draco liked how comfortable he seemed in his own skin.
They barely spoke to each other except in greeting, but Draco grew to like Harry’s company. He was friendly and let Draco study in his downtime like Ginny did. Draco was allowed to work extra hours to cover his rent, and he didn’t mind when Draco left for his class early on Wednesdays. He missed Harry when Ron would fill in for him, but Draco couldn’t help wondering why Harry wasn’t at home with Ginny and the baby. It was becoming more and more difficult to keep from asking, but one day when they were restocking the soft-serve machine together, he built up the courage.
‘Are you and Ginny married?’ Draco blurted out, and this apparently took Harry off guard because a second later Draco was covered in liquid chocolate ice cream.
‘Oh my god!’ Harry exclaimed, and Draco rubbed at his face to be able to see through the sticky mess that was covering him. He blinked to clear his vision and saw Harry slip and fall when he came down from the ladder.
‘Damn.’ Harry swore, but Draco’s eyes were burning with ice cream and he doubled over. He heard water running and then Harry was next to him again, pulling him to stand straight. Draco gasped when ice cold water poured down his face and the front of his shirt.
‘I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry—‘ Harry repeated as a mantra, now wiping Draco's face with a damp rag.
Draco could feel the burn of embarrassment in his cheeks and took the rag from Harry’s hand. Without looking at him he turned and found his way to the bathroom. He looked a mess and knew he wouldn’t do any good trying to clean up without a shower and fresh change of clothes. He cleaned his face, got the melted ice cream out of his ear, and was trying to decide whether riding the train or walking five kilometers covered in muck would be the better of two evils.
His ears were still burning with embarrassment and he took a few deep breaths to calm himself before having to face Harry outside. He walked into one of the stalls, shut the lid and sat on the toilet with his head in his hands. Ice cream dripped from his hair onto his shoulder and he groaned.
There was a light knocking on the door and Draco jumped, his voice in his throat. He heard the door creak open the door a tiny bit.
‘Draco? Are you okay?’
‘I’m fine.’ His voice sounded unsteady and he bit his lip.
‘I’m so sorry, Draco.’ He took a step into the bathroom and Draco didn’t bother shutting the door to his stall. He waited quietly as Harry rounded the door and pushed it aside, an apologetic expression on his face.
Draco’s cheeks flamed and he stared at his knees.
‘Listen… I live just a block away. Can I make this up to you and get you cleaned up? I don’t want you to have to go home like this.’
Draco swallowed the lump in his throat and sighed, weighing the three terrible options in front of him. He could hear the ice cream dripping onto the floor and eventually he glanced at Harry and nodded once in acquiescence.
‘Come on. I’ll close the shop for the day.’ Harry spoke calmly and it made Draco feel better, even though he wished more than anything that this wasn’t happening. ‘Take my coat.’
Harry had placed the jacket on his shoulders before Draco could protest about getting it dirty. He mumbled something about dry cleaning but Harry didn’t listen while he locked the door behind himself and led Draco to his flat. Mercifully it was very close to the parlor, and they only had to go up one flight of steps before they had reached his front door. Draco was shivering beneath Harry’s jacket as they walked into the kitchen.
‘Sorry for the mess.’ Harry said as he gestured Draco towards the washroom. ‘It’s just here. You can leave your clothes on the floor— I’ll find something for you.’
Harry shut the door as Draco shed his jacket and apron. He had to peel himself out of his clothes, and he was shaking with cold by the time the water warmed up.
He stood there with his arms wrapped around himself, letting the hot water remove the stickiness from his hair. The longer he was in there the better he felt, and subsequently he was becoming more and more embarrassed. Not only because he was an absolute wreck but because he was showering in this guy’s apartment. They had hardly spoken after all, even if they had seen each other distantly for a little over half a year. He groaned and leaned on the wall, thinking that it would have been better to just get the train and suffer the gaze of strangers rather than going back out there to face Harry.
Somewhere in the back of his mind he realized that Ginny had always spoken of living in a house— not an apartment, so he supposed that they weren’t married after all. He shut off the water and it wasn’t until he had dried himself off that he realized he didn’t have any clothes. Holding the towel in a death grip around his waist, he silently opened the bathroom door.
‘Harry?’ Draco called quietly, clinging to his towel.
‘Here!’ He heard a call, and then Harry rounded the corner with a hand over his eyes. He pointed in the general direction of a chair. ‘I set some clothes aside— I think they’ll fit. I swear the pants are clean— I’ve never worn them actually— I didn’t know if you’d need them.’
Draco nodded and then realized Harry was still covering his eyes. ‘Thanks,’ he said, and couldn’t help smiling a little as he collected the clothes and retreated to the bathroom.
He quickly dressed in Harry’s clothes and felt flushed as he looked in the mirror. The clothes were too big for him, but it made up for the length of the trousers and sleeves. He was a fair bit taller than Harry, and a few sizes smaller, but he was comfortable enough.
He eventually came out of the washroom with his wet, sticky clothes and Harry’s jacket. Harry was sitting at the breakfast bar and leapt from his seat when he saw Draco. He hurried to take his clothes and handed Draco some tea before running off somewhere in his apartment. Draco stood and waited, hearing a washing machine start cycling.
He looked around Harry’s apartment— there were little knickknacks everywhere, and his salt and pepper shakers were shaped like chickens. The place was cozy and small, covered in blankets and plush looking furniture. He heard footsteps and then Harry returned looking a little breathless.
‘Sorry about this.’ Draco said eventually, and Harry quickly dismissed him.
‘No— I’m so sorry, Draco. I’ll bring your clothes to the parlor tomorrow— I mean if you even still want to work there. I’d completely understand if you wanted to leave— of course there will be severance pay—‘
He caught sight of Draco’s expression and stopped talking at once, wringing his hands together.
‘I don’t want to leave.’
‘Oh!’ Harry exclaimed. ‘Well— that’s great then!’ Draco must have still looked worried because Harry stepped a little closer and made his voice more reassuring. ‘We love having you work with us, I just thought— I don’t know— I was so careless—‘
‘It’s fine.’ Draco insisted, and he felt his ears go warm again.
Harry seemed to bite back his words and settled with wringing his hands again.
‘Won’t you get in trouble for closing the shop?’ Draco asked, as a way of distraction.
Harry looked confused. ‘In trouble? From who?’
Draco shrugged. ‘Customers… Ginny… won’t someone get mad?’
‘Well— I mean—‘ Harry was stumbling over his words. ‘I mean I-I own it— it’s my shop.’
Draco blanched and felt his face go white.
‘I mean, I inherited it from my parents when I was just a kid. My godfather owned it and then when he— I-it’s a long story— Draco, are you okay?’
Draco let out a harsh laugh and leaned back on the arm of a chair nearby. Suddenly this situation felt ten times worse than it had before. The weight that he was the owner of the company made him feel like a piece of gum on the bottom of this guy’s shoe.
‘Thank you for the clothes.’ Draco choked out, and then he stood and walked through the door. He felt a little lightheaded, but hurried down the stairs as quickly as he could and started toward his train stop. If there was any mercy in this world, Harry would pretend that none of this ever happened.
Apparently the world was cruel, because he had not even gotten a block away before he heard running footsteps and a hand on his arm.
‘Draco, please wait—‘ Harry panted, and Draco realized suddenly that he was still holding the tea that Harry had given him. ‘L-let me at least buy you lunch or something.’
Draco shook his head and started to turn but Harry’s hand was still on his arm and he still had Harry’s mug. Draco held his breath and turned to look at Harry who had the most endearingly concerned expression on his face. His heart raced and he looked away again, his face warm.
‘Please. Let me do something nice for you.’ Harry insisted, his breath coming out in a white puff. ‘If you really don’t want too then that’s okay, but I’d be happy to buy you some lunch.’
Draco was quite hungry after all and had learned not to turn down free food no matter where it came from. He felt himself nod and then Harry was walking next to him— leading him somewhere. He didn’t pay attention until they were sitting at a booth looking at menus. Draco ordered the first thing he saw and stared at the table while they waited. Harry was quiet, too, but it felt more comfortable than it did before. He heard a rustle of clothes and then Harry slid Draco’s book from the parlor across the table toward him.
‘Thank you.’ Draco said meaningfully as Harry pulled a newspaper off a nearby vacated table.
He felt relieved when Harry lay down the paper and started reading through the crossword clues, and he opened his book with a small sigh. This book wasn’t very interesting to Draco, but he was glad that Harry had stopped apologizing and was content with reading.
When their food came they ate in silence, and Draco occasionally caught Harry looking at him. He felt calm now, aside from when he would remember that he was wearing Harry’s clothes, or got a whiff of his sweet smelling shampoo. He did like being around Harry, even though he had just been in one of the most embarrassing situations of his life.
Harry paid and they left, but Draco was feeling better now that some time had passed.
‘We should probably go clean up the kitchen,’ he suggested to Harry.
‘No— I’ll clean it myself. Why don’t you head home and have the rest of the day off?’
Draco chewed his cheek and thought of his rent check, but also didn’t want Harry to have to do all that work alone— he was Harry’s employee after all.
‘You’ll be compensated for your full shift, don’t worry.’ He patted Draco’s arm comfortingly.
Draco nodded, but still felt embarrassed and guilty for the whole situation.
‘It’s okay.’ Harry insisted with a smile. ‘Go.’
Draco sighed warily and turned a little. Harry waved and started walking in the direction of the parlor without another glance.