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Harry gets back from his Auror mission, exhausted beyond belief. There’s nothing more he wants to do then take a hot shower, curl up next to the person he loves, and sleep for the next three days straight; but he knows there are quite a few things standing between him and his desires.
The mission was only supposed to last a few days but ended up being over a fortnight with minimal contact to the outside world. He knows his friends and family will be worrying. As soon as he gets to his desk, he sends off two owls. One to Ron and Hermione and the other to Draco.
He lets Ron and Hermione know that he’s going to go home and take a shower, change and then head over to their place. It’s a tradition that started ever since he joined the Aurors and Ron didn’t; a tradition borne from the remains of the trauma they all suffered during the war. He knows they hate to let him go on the missions alone – well not alone – but without them. They’ve been fighting their own operations together since they were eleven and he knows Hermione can’t sleep and Ron is more jumpy than usual when he’s away.
Despite the toll it takes on them, they are the most supportive people in his life. Every time he returns home from a mission, Hermione is adamant he comes to their place for a hot meal and tries her best to convince him to spend the night. He knows she does it because she can’t bear to be away from either of them knowing they could be in danger, especially Harry given the nature of his job. She’s his family and so he indulges her, both of them do. The first and only time Harry and Ron tried to talk her out of it, she dressed them down so thoroughly that neither ever tried again.
There are times when he returns home from his missions dead on his feet, but he musters up all the strength he has left and makes his way over to their place. There’s always a hot meal and warm bed ready for him. He knows that all three of them feel the safest, at home, under the same roof when he comes back from doing the dangerous things his job requires of him.
But lately things have changed.
There’s someone else who he knows is also waiting for him. Someone else that he feels equally as safe with. Someone who is similarly desperate to see him when he gets home; to make sure Harry has returned to him safe and sound. This wouldn’t be a problem, except that Ron and Hermione don’t know about him and Draco yet.
They’ve only been together a few months, but Harry is bursting at the seams to tell his friends about his newfound happiness. They know well enough that they know something is going on. They tell him he’s been lighter lately, freer and more joyous and it’s true. Draco makes him feel buoyant, like he’s flying without ever having left the ground.
He respects Draco and their relationship; understands the fragile bonds they are weaving together and the weight of the world on Draco’s shoulders which allows Harry to keep the secret from everyone including the two people that love him most in this world.
Ron and Hermine understand him in a way no one else does. They give him time and space and know that he will tell them what is going on when he is ready. Despite being in the dark, they never fail to tell him how much happier he has been lately. He loves them for it. Loves them for supporting him endlessly and allowing him the space and freedom to come to them at his own pace.
He appreciates that Draco understands the nature of his connection to Ron and Hermione and has never expressed any issue with Harry going to their place first after a mission then coming to find Draco after. It’s his own bonds with the other Slytherins, Harry thinks that allow the two of them to understand the true depth of their love for others while remaining true to each other.
He has tried to approach the subject about telling their friends multiple times, but Draco hasn’t been ready to invite the world into what they are creating between them. He knows in the last few years since the war, Draco and the other Slytherins have worked hard to make a genuine name for themselves; one separate from what has been passed down by their ancestors.
In fact, Draco only came into his life again via Theodore Nott.
When Harry entered Auror training, no one was more surprised to see Theo there than him. Quickly, he realized that they both were the odd men out because all the other recruits were too nervous around the Boy Who Lived and too hesitant around the son of a known Death Eater to properly train with either of them. By default, the two started to train together. To Harry’s surprise, Theo was not only competent, but resourceful and had a voracious appetite to prove himself in the aftermath of the war. They worked well together, and Theo always treated him as Harry, not the Boy Who Lived, a refreshing change since Voldemort’s defeat.
Once out of the training program, it seemed natural that they would be partners. Their easy camaraderie quickly extended outside of the workplace and into their personal lives sharing meals and drinks together after work. With the extension of their friendship into their personal lives, along came the rest of their friends and soon the friend groups were forced to integrate.
What started off as awkward, tense interactions, slowly with time and apologies, melted into friendships and love. It was quite a shock the day Neville and Blaise showed up to a pub night holding hands but less so when a few months later Pansy and Ginny did the same.
As for Draco and Harry, well there was a lot there to untangle. But they did, slowly and carefully so that the bitterness and anger gave way to a sweet friendship. Though both longed for more, they were hesitant to disrupt the fragile bonds that they had weaved together, afraid they would unravel if scrutinized too much.
Ultimately, neither could resist and under the guise of disinhibition from too much firewhiskey, they stumbled to Harry’s home, lips pressed together, their bodies communicating the words that neither were able to say out loud.
The next morning, Harry was worried it would be awkward, that Draco would misunderstand what the night had meant to him.
They must have been on the same page, because that morning, over breakfast, they actually talked and that small bud of hope that had lodge itself in Harry’s chest grew until it had a life of its own.
Ever since then, they’ve been secluded away in their little oasis, just the two of them. It’s been some of the happiest months of Harry’s life. They’ve spent nearly every waking moment together since then. Often, extending their days into nights. He’s been away on a few short missions, the longest of which was two days. Each time he was gone, he missed Draco fiercely with a voracity he still hasn’t quite understood yet.
He’s wanted nothing more than to rush home after he gets back and collapse into Draco’s arms, but he can’t. He knows Ron and Hermione would understand if they knew. After all, they have each other in a way that Harry doesn’t have either of them. They would be happy for him. They might even worry less, but they don’t know.
So each time he returns, he goes to their place first. He’s never upset about it. They are the two people in the world he loves the most and he knows what it does to them when he’s away. He checks in, scarfs down a warm meal, re-establishes their connection and preens under Hermione’s touch and Ron’s fond glances.
But he no longer stays the night. Insisting he wants to sleep in his own bed, making up whatever lame excuse he can and instead rushes to Draco who is always waiting for him.
This is the longest he’s been away since they’ve started this thing. Just over a fortnight.
He’s tired and weary, wants nothing more than to curl up with Draco and sleep in his own bed, but first Theo and he need to debrief with their boss and finish their paperwork. Then a shower is in order; followed by a warm and hearty meal at Ron and Hermione’s. Once Hermione is satisfied he’s returned to them safely, he can make his excuses and head to Draco’s for the night. He’s hoping that Draco hasn’t made any other plans for the night.
He and Theo debrief quickly and are saved by Robards who insists they head home and finish the paperwork later.
After a quick hug and a few parting words, Harry and Theo go their separate ways.
Theo disappears into the Floo and Harry steps out into the night. He takes in a deep inhale. It feels good to be back home, he thinks.
And then he apparates away.
He lands on the drive up to his cottage, tucked into a small corner of the world, on a sizeable area of land, where he has made his home. It’s his sanctuary. His peace in this world away from society and noise. Here he can see the stars at night. Hear the crickets as they come to life and experience the silence of the world right before dawn breaks.
He’s home. He can feel all the tension in his body relax.
As he approaches the house, he notices the lights appear to be on. He groans to himself. It wouldn’t be the first time he’s left the lights on when he’s left in haste to go on a mission.
He reaches the door and presses his palm out to activate the lock and then steps inside.
He expects silence, what he gets is the complete opposite.
Something smells delicious, is the first thing his mind registers. The second is the noise – voices murmuring to each other, laughter.
The place feels warm – lived in – full of life. Not what he expects when he comes home after being gone. He still expects home and the comfort that comes with that, but it’s usually dark, quiet, cold and sterile. Empty. He wonders if he is dreaming. The smells are spicy and rich. The sounds are lovely and filled with warmth and sincerity. There is some giggling, a few snorts, and a lot of loud laughter that reaches him and warms his heart.
He’s so shocked that he can’t move. He truly thinks he’s entered the wrong home if not for the photos that line the hallway showcasing the faces of his loved ones smiling down at him.
A roar of laughter startles him out of his trance.
He follows the voices and smells to the kitchen.
He comes to a completely standstill in the doorway.
There around the island in the center of his kitchen are the three people in the world most important to him. They’re laughing and smiling at each other and appear to be cooking something divine if the smells emanating from the oven are anything to go by.
He must be hallucinating. Maybe he is more tired than he thought. His greatest desire is in front of him; he’s either dreaming or has been captured and is being emotionally manipulated on the mission.
“Harry! You’re back!” Hermione exclaims as she crosses the kitchen to approach him.
She reaches him and lifts a hand to stroke his cheek. Her touch feels real, and he blinks out of his stupor.
“Hi honey, it’s good to see you. Welcome home,” she tells him looking him over and already starting the ritual of spells she does each time he returns to ensure he is back in one piece. He looks beyond her, accustomed to her wand movements and the colorful spells, to see Ron standing behind the counter with an indulgent smile on his face, the relief evident in his eyes as he soaks Harry in.
That part of the scene in front of him is familiar, a routine the three of them have gone through many times. He is still under her ministrations and he takes in the part of the scene that is unfamiliar as the warmth of her magic washes over him. His eyes devour the blond standing against the sink, the relief in Draco’s body evident now that Harry is home.
The routine continues. Sure enough, as soon as she’s satisfied with her evaluation, Hermione wraps her arms around him. This prompts Ron to come over and join the embrace.
“Good to have you back home mate,” Ron says as he wraps them both up in his arms.
This is the feeling he lives for. Warmth, home and safety. Usually, his eyes close involuntarily as he soaks in the feelings. Today, he is still disoriented, and his gaze is locked on a pair of grey eyes that stare back with him with softness and affection.
No one has explained to him what is going on. It seems obvious, but he’s suppressed the desire that it seems impossible now that it is in front of him.
Hermione and Ron pull back but remain in front of him.
“I think we’ve broken him,” Ron says laughing and looking at Draco, “I haven’t seen him this speechless in so long.”
Hermione giggles and Draco chuckles. Harry’s heart expands at the sounds.
“We’ll give you two a minute and set the table. Dinner is almost ready,” Hermione says, patting Harry on the cheek.
Ron squeezes his shoulder and whispers, “It was all Draco’s idea,” as they both exit the kitchen.
As the footsteps recede from the room, Draco slowly approaches Harry. Harry’s eyes are desperately taking in every inch of the man in front of him when he finally takes in what Draco is wearing.
“Is that my sweater?” Harry blurts out, stunned beyond disbelief. Draco looks small and vulnerable wrapped up in Harry’s oversized sweater; a far cry from how well dressed he normally looks around others. For Draco to be so comfortable and open in front of Harry’s dearest friends is a huge display of trust and vulnerability that Harry knows Draco typically shies away from.
Draco finally reaches Harry and nervously plays with the hem of the sweater. He looks shy as he glances up at Harry and down at the floor.
Harry can’t take the distance from Draco any longer and reaches out and closes the distance between them, both sighing in relief at the contact.
They stand there for a few minutes Draco tucked in underneath Harry’s chin. Harry closes his eyes and bathes in the feelings of warmth and home. He doesn’t know when it happened, but it’s the same feeling he gets when wrapped up with Ron and Hermione.
The realization is startling, he loves Draco.
He hears Draco mumble something into his chest.
“What was that?”
Draco mumbles again.
Harry pulls away slightly and chuckles when he feels Draco’s arms wrap around him tighter in protest. He extricates one of his hands free from the embrace and uses it to lift Draco’s chin up.
Their eyes connect, grey meeting green.
“Baby,” Harry croons, “What did you say?”
“I missed you,” Draco whispers into the space between them. Harry can hear the sincerity in his voice, can see it in his eyes.
“I missed you too Draco.” Harry says, just as earnestly, then he follows it up with a teasing grin, “Is that why you’re in my clothes?”
Harry expects a teasing remark back, but instead he gets solemness. Draco replies with a serious intensity, “It made me feel closer to you while you were gone. Like I was surrounded in your warmth and magic.”
Harry’s eyes widen in disbelief. He didn’t expect such an honest response. He realizes in that moment what his absence during his missions does to Draco. He’s only ever seen it to this degree with Ron and Hermione. Maybe they are on the same page. The feelings of home that Harry feels around Draco are equal to the longing Draco feels when Harry is away. Something Harry has only experienced with two other people in the world… now three.
He is overcome by his feelings for Draco and pulls him in as close as he possibly can. He doesn’t hesitate or wait another moment pressing their lips together with a desperation.
Harry loses himself in the feel of Draco until he hears a cough from behind him.
They pull apart but remain pressed together, both breathing heavily as they hear Ron laughing behind them.
“Don’t mind me, just here to grab the food.” Ron says with laughter in his voice and a hand covering his eyes as he moves around them towards the oven.
He takes the roast out of the oven and moves towards the dining room. “If you two are done eating each other’s faces, we’ve got dinner ready to eat,” Ron says with a wink and laugh. Draco and Harry join in the laughter.
Harry feels so light, “We’ll be right there, just give us a second.” Ron nods in acknowledgement and leaves the room.
Harry stares at Draco in disbelief. “What? How? What is all of this?” Part of him is still thunderstruck that all of this is evening happening.
“I know how important Ron and Hermione are to you. I know how important this specific tradition is to you guys. I know much you’ve wanted to tell them about us but haven’t because of me,” Harry begins to protest, but Draco holds up his hand and Harry allows him to continue, “While you were gone this week, I realized how much I missed you when you were gone. How I didn’t want to wait to see you but wanted to be one of the first people you came home to, while stlll respecting your friends.”
Harry doesn’t think his heart could feel fuller. “Draco, baby, I think this is the nicest thing anyone has done for me. You didn’t have to tell them on your own though. We could have done it together.”
Draco shrugs away the compliment like it’s nothing. “You’re always taking care of everyone else. Always off saving the world. I know you come home to Ron and Hermione, I know what that means to all three you, but I wanted them to know there is someone else also waiting for you to come home. Someone else who worries about you and misses you just as desperately as they do when you are away. I want to take care of you like you take care of everyone else, and I just thought –”
“I love you,” Harry cuts Draco off. He doesn’t mean to, but he can’t stop the words from surfacing.
Draco’s eyes widen in surprise. “What?” He replies, his voice trembling.
Harry takes Draco’s face in his hands and presses their lips together chastely then pulls back.
“Draco, I love you so much.”
Draco looks at him with hope in his eyes and Harry is sure his eyes respond with the confidence he feels.
“I love you too.”
Harry hears a sniffle and looks to the doorway to see Ron holding Hermione who is silently crying. Harry knows Ron well enough to recognize the sheen in his eyes as well.
Hermione looks embarrassed at being caught but neither she nor Ron can hide the matching grins on their faces or the happiness that is exuding from them in the moment.
“Sorry,” Hermione says sheepishly, “we didn’t mean to interrupt. We were just coming to tell you everything was ready to eat.”
Harry goes to say something, but surprisingly Draco beats him to it, “It’s alright,” Draco says gently, meaning it wholeheartedly. Harry is stunned. He knows how private Draco can be. “I don’t mind that you guys know how much Harry means to me.”
A look of understanding passes between the three of them.
The moment is broken by Harry’s stomach growling loudly. They all laugh as Harry grins sheepishly, “in my defense, I haven’t eaten since this morning.”
“Well then, let’s get you fed!”
They all move to the dining room and settle at the table.
What follows is one of the best meals Harry has ever had in his life. It’s a day he will never forget for the rest of his life. The three most important people in his life, the people he loved most in the world all seated around the table in his home sharing food, laughter, stories and love. Harry doesn’t talk as much, content to sit there and listen to the other three. The fatigue of the mission is catching up to him but the warmth from the roast in his belly and love in his heart, he has never felt more alive.
He savors each morsel of food and moment of joy. Etches it into his mind so he can watch it on repeat forever.
They sit there, content with full bellies long after the food is gone.
Eventually Harry lets out a yawn.
“I think we should get going. You look like you could use some sleep mate,” Ron says watching as Harry yawns.
“Oh,” Hermione says looking at her watch, “it is quite late. We should let you get some rest.”
They make quick work of clearing the table but Draco protests when they attempt to clean the kitchen. “It’s really alright, I’ll take care of it later. You all have helped plenty tonight and I appreciate it.” Hermione tries to protest but one look at the fatigue on Harry’s face makes them all reconsider, “plus I think this one needs some sleep and rest.”
As they walk towards the Floo, Harry starts to panic. He hopes Draco isn’t planning on leaving tonight. He doesn’t want to sleep alone. He wants to rest wrapped up in Draco’s love and embrace. He doesn't want this to ever end.
They reach the Floo and Ron turns to Harry first, gives him a hug and whispers in his ear, “So glad to have you back home, mate. I love you and I’m so glad you’ve found someone else to love you just as much.” Tears fill Harry’s eyes. From across him, he can see Hermione embracing Draco and whispering in his ear.
They trade places. Hermione wraps her arms around him. “Love you, Harry. I couldn’t have imagined anyone more perfect for you.” A tear slides down Harry’s face and Hermione wipes it away while smiling at him. He sees Ron saying something quietly to Draco as he hugs him.
Harry’s heart has never been fuller. His faith in his friends is endless. He always knew they would approve of Draco, but he couldn’t imagine the feeling he would get to see it happen in real time. For years, they have loved and cared for him with a fierceness and protectiveness that is unrivaled. To approve of Draco means that they know Draco would treat Harry the same as they do. The realization is life changing.
With one last squeeze to Harry and promises to touch base over the next few days, Ron and Hermione step into the fireplace.
With a flash of the Floo, Ron and Hermione are gone.
He draws Draco into his arms and holds him close. They stand there together; Draco’s head on Harry’s chest listening to his heartbeat, reassuring himself that Harry is back with him safe and sound;Harry’s chin resting gently on Draco’s head.
Harry is always going to look back at this night as the night he got it all. The night he laid his heart on the table and got all that and more in return.
He’s so hopelessly in love with this man in his arms.
He’s found someone who understands him – Harry – not the Boy Who Lived, not the Auror, not the Order of Merlin recipient – but just him, Harry. Someone who understands and respects the nature of his relationship with Ron and Hermione, his family in every sense of the word. Someone who knows his likes and dislikes, who goes out of his way to meet those needs simply because it makes Harry happy. He’s found someone who is as dedicated to him as he is to them. He’s known Draco could be this all along, hoped and prayed desperately that his search was over, and now, tonight he knows that it is.
Draco turns away from the embrace. Harry panics. He doesn’t want Draco to leave. More than that, he never wants Draco to leave.
“Stay.” He finds himself saying out loud, confessing his greatest wish.
Draco looks at him, soft and indulgent, “I’m just going to the kitchen to clean up. I’m not going anywhere. “
Draco misunderstood him, but Harry can’t bring himself to say what he actually meant. Not yet, not when he already had summoned up all his courage to confess his love earlier tonight.
Instead, he says, “I’ll come with you.”
“You don’t have to, darling. You must be tired. It’s really alright. I’ll be quick.”
“No, it’s okay Draco. I’ll help. It’ll be quicker that way.”
“Alright, come on then. I’ll wash, you dry?”
“Sounds like a fair deal to me baby.”
As they stand side by side washing dishes the Muggle way, something they both agree is more soothing than using magic, Harry summons up the courage to try again.
“Stay?” is all he can get out.
Draco looks at him with mild alarm, “Of course! I planned to. I brought my overnight bag with me but guess I shouldn’t have assumed. I don’t have to stay. I can go home if you just need some rest tonight.”
Harry groans internally. He’s making a mess of this whole thing. Draco has clearly missed what he’s trying to say again. He needs to come up with a better way to say what he really means.
Even though his insides are in disarray, he grins at Draco and says, “Feel free to assume anytime.”
A bright smile lights up his love’s face, once that Harry vows to try and make appear every day.
“Alright then. I’ll take the liberty to assume.”
They finish up in the kitchen and silently make their way to Harry’s bedroom, dousing out the lights along the way. They both take turns in the bathroom and then slip into the cool sheets facing each other.
Harry can’t describe the feeling of rightness that overcomes him at being back in his home, in his own bed, with Draco at his side.
Harry can’t help but reach out and trace Draco’s face with his fingertips. Featherlight touches that have Draco closing his eyes.
“I missed you.” Harry breathes quietly into the space between them.
“Mmm missed you too.” Draco replies, equally as quiet.
Harry leans across the space between them and closes it, pressing his lips to Draco. He indulges for a moment, their tongues tangling together and then pulls back.
The moonlight is streaming in through the window casting an ethereal glow on Draco’s face.
Harry’s heart lurches. He is so in love. He has never been happier.
“Baby, earlier. I didn’t say what I meant.”
Draco looks at him in confusion, “What are you talking about?”
“When I said stay.”
Draco looks alarmed now, “So you didn’t want me to stay tonight?”
“No no,” Harry hurries to reassure him. “Of course, I want you to stay…” He’s rambling now as Draco creates some distance between the two of them.
“I’m making a mess of this,” he groans. Irritated with himself and embarrassed by the whole thing. He’s frankly so exhausted from the mission and this is his third attempt at getting his point across.
He pulls on his hair in frustration.
“Hey darling,” Draco croons to him, “Please don’t rip out all those hairs. You know I love that crazy mop of yours,” he says to Harry as he gently disentangles Harry’s fingers from where they are tightly wound around his head. Once Draco has succeeded in that endeavor, he gently begins to run his hand through Harry’s head.
Harry lets out a sigh of relief at the sensation. This always makes him soft, relaxes him and offers him comfort. Draco knows this well. It’s under the pull of those fingers running through his hair that Harry has talked about his deepest fears, the horrors of his past, and nightmares that he suffers from.
Draco feels him relax. “There we go darling. Take some deep breaths and then try again. I’m listening, tell me what you want to say.”
He takes a few deep breaths.
“Draco, stay forever.” Is all he can get out.
He sees Draco’s mouth drop open and eyes widen in disbelief.
“Wait what? Stay here forever?
“Yes.”
“In your home?”
“Yes.”
“Let me clarify… you want me to stay? With you? In your home? Forever?”
“Yes.”
“That’s what you meant earlier when you told me to stay?”
“Yes.”
All Harry can get out is the one syllable word. He’s nervous. It’s early. They haven’t been together long. But he knows what he wants, and this is it. This moment is what he wants every day. He always wants to come home to Draco. Wake up in the same bed, spend all day working to get home to each other and then closing his eyes to this sight every single night for the rest of his life.
A disbelieving smile breaks out over Draco’s face and Harry finds his own face reflecting what he sees.
“Okay.”
“Okay?”
“Yes, darling. Okay. I’ll stay forever.”
“As in you will move in here and never leave?”
Draco laughs loudly. The sound warms Harry’s soul.
“That is typically what forever means.”
Harry’s heart is soaring. He asked and he actually got what he wanted. He truly didn’t believe he could have this.
“I love you Draco.”
“I love you too Harry. And I’m going to stay. Forever.”
This time, Harry feels Draco’s conviction down to his bones.