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Mid April air was crisp and foggy. The loud music from the pub was enough to make one’s body shiver under it. Draco pushed the doors open, entering the well known place. It’s been long time since he lastly was in there, Muggle Pub in Central London. This place used to be his escaping hideout from all the pressures left by the war. Once it was over, he wasn’t intending to go back for his eight year at Hogwarts but there were people, waiting for him.
There were Parkinson and Zabini and even tho they never said it, they were looking forward for their childhood friend to reunite with them for one last school year.
There was Nott as well, even tho back then their connection was not certain, something between friends and Nott unrequited love.
There was Lovegood, even tho Malfoy rarely spoke to her but she was there and he knew it.
And of course, there was Potter. After their seventh year, Draco wasn’t sure what would happen between them. He wasn’t sure if the saviour of the Wizarding World, will be so fond of him when they cross paths again. But Potter was there and he was waiting for Draco, so Draco came back. He didn’t run away this time, he decided to face his fate and when he did, the green eyed boy made it clear he has no intention of leaving Malfoy alone. He intended to make the silver-eyed boy his friend and eventually his lover, not in the shadows, no. Their relationship was loud, fiery and wild. But at the end, it has ended in the total opposite of what is always had been. Quiet, calm, unspoken.
Draco legs were moving with ease as he walked to the bar, finding his usual place. He sit on the barstool, one leg on the footrest, while the other was slightly bent stepping on the floor.He propped one arm on his elbow on the counter, scanning the back if the bar, when he finally saw the familiar face. Draco wave his hand and the man approached him.
”Long time no see.”- the bartender said.- “I thought you vanished from the face of the world.”
”I wish I had”- Draco confessed, brushing hand through his silver locks.
”What brings you back here, after so long?”- the man asked, reaching under the countertop, pulling cristal glass from underneath it.
”Guess I needed some quiet place.”- Draco shrugged, quiet laugh escaping his mouth.
”Is that your definition of quiet place?”- The bartender asked, looking around, then returning his gaze back at the silver haired man.
”C’mon now Chris, you know I’ve always been like this.” -Malfoy said, taking the now half full glass from the other. He stirred the brownish liquid in his hand, eyes fixed on it.
“Yeah, you are or perhaps…”-Chris paused, making the slender man to look at him curiously.-“Something is bothering you again.”
Draco didn’t said anything, just gave him small, exhausted smile, almost pleading not to dig any deeper but that was Chris and he knew him well enough, to know that the bartender won’t let it go this easily. Malfoy knew Chris since his very first time in this pub, the first night he came to escape the world.
That night he came with Parkinson and Zabini, along with Weasley and Granger and of course, his boyfriend then, Potter. It was little after they passed their NEWT’s and the group decided to celebrate it, Harry suggesting the place. Chris was just three years older than them, so back then when they were eighteen, he was already twenty one.
The bartender was tall, with wide shoulders and muscular body, sun-kissed brownish skin. His hair was messy and curly, his locks in perfect shades of golden bronze. Chris was keeping it short as he said “Ladies and lads finds it more sexy that way”. His eyes were hazel with shades of greenish around his pupils.
Christian Wood was pure-blood born wizard and Draco has found out by pure coincidence. It was four years ago, the group was once again in the pub. That night they found out it was Chris birthday and Ron as the humorist he was (or at least, that was how he described himself) made innocent joke about summoning cake for the young man’s birthday. Chris of course laughed it off, then carefully looked around the bar and had actually summoned one. The group was stunned as they believed their bartender was muggle but Wood simply told them he find no use hiding it from them, as the first time they stepped into the pub, he was able to sense their magic. They asked him why they never saw him at Hogwarts if he was like them, but he simply explained he studied far away at Koldovstoretz, the Russian school of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
“How have you been?”- Chris asked, reaching under the countertop, pulling out one more glass for himself, pouring from the brownish liquid.- “Still running from the Wizarding World?”
”Not running, just—“-Draco paused, as if he wasn’t sure what he was actually doing.-“Had enough of it for quite some time now”
”Mhmm.”-The taller man hummed, taking a sip from his drink.-“And what about him? Where’s your golden saviour man?”-He asked, genuinely curious, nothing sarcastic or venomous in his voice.
”I don’t know, somewhere with someone, happier and loved, just the way he deserves.”- Malfoy shrugged, voice low.
”How comes? I thought you were madly in love, the way you looked at each other, you know, back in the time.”-Chris lift a brow.
”Well um, yeah, we were, I guess. We broke up tho, almost three years ago. I saw him—“-Draco exhaled, gathering his thoughts.-“I saw him almost year ago. With his…his new boy.”-He explained, finishing his drink in one go.
”Oh well, I guess that won’t be the last time you two see each other.”- The brunette said, nodding behind Draco’s shoulder. The silver haired man turned his head toward the entrance, his breath catching up.-“Here, you will need that.”- Chris said, poring more in Draco’s glass.-“It’s firewiskey, enjoy it.”
Harry walked up to the bar, his eyes fixed on the silver locks he noticed the moment he stepped into the pub. Once behind the man, he cleared his throat. “May I?”- He asked, nodding towards the empty barstool next to him. Draco nodded back as response, moving away just a bit, putting both his legs on the footrest now. Harry sit next to him, waving hand to Chris, who shortly reached him, passing him the glass filled with the familiar brownish liquid.
“Firewiskey mate.”-He said, chuckling a bit.-“Good your bartender is wizard, as I doubt anyone else would be able to offer you this one. Especially in muggle pub.”-Wood winked at him, then left, returning to where he came from.
”Long time no see.”-Harry turned his head slightly toward the man beside him, taking a sip from his glass.
”Yeah, looks like everybody has noticed my absence, apparently.”-Draco noted, taking sip from his own drink.
”You look good.”- The dark haired said, observing the familiar face before him. And in fact, Draco does looked good, as always. His slim shoulders were covered with slightly see-through white button-up, few of the buttons undone, tugged in pair of black jeans, with few cuts on the material, some on his knees, other just a bit lower on his thighs. Delicate necklace on his neck, silver chain with emerald green stone in the shape of drop in the middle. Few elegant, silver rings on his fingers. His hair was tied middle way up on messy bun, two small locks falling from both sides. The dimly lights falling on his pale skin, making it looks like moonlight kissed.
”Thanks. You look—“ Draco paused, observing the other on his turn.
Harry looked somewhat the same, just that his features had changed a bit, but more sharp now as if the age had settled down on his face. They broke up when they were twenty three and now, nearly three years, they were almost twenty six. Even tho it haven’t been so long to be drastically changed, the dark haired looked like he’s been through a war once more. His eyes looked bit darker from what Draco remembered, his jaw sharper as if shaped by sculptor. His dark locks even more messier, wilder, longer now, long enough to tie them up on messy bun. His skin even more darker, marked with new scars on his slightly showing chest. The black button up was mid undone, tugged in pair of balck washed jeans, combined with dark brown combat boots. Slightly thicker chain than Draco’s, layed on his neck with flat, metallic pendant in the middle. The engraving caught Malfoy sight, making his chest to burn in the familiarity. 12/01/13. It was the date they became lovers, few months after they come back for their final year at Hogwarts. Draco has gave it to him at their first anniversary, as promise to never forget about each other. Harry on his side, gave Draco the tiny necklace he was wearing now, with the emerald green stone, the same colour as his own eyes, as reminder for Draco, wherever the life takes them, he will always looks after him. No matter how long, no matter what, with whom or still together. Draco shivered by the thought.
Harry kept it.
After all, he kept piece of Draco with himself, they way Draco kept piece of him with himself.
”I look?”- Harry spoke, bit impatiently, making Draco to come back to the reality.
”You look good too, I suppose.”- Draco cleared his throat, looking away from the man. He couldn’t bring himself to look at him, even if he knew this may be once again the last time they see each other. No matter if he hoped, this may not be the last time at all.
Harry gave him small smile and looked down on their glasses. He lifted his hand once more.-“Chris, two more mate.”- Wood bring them their drinks, looking Draco in the eyes, nodding at him with what looked like reassurance.
They spent the night like that, in silence, scared if one of them spoke it may shatter the fragile comfort that had settled down. As few hours passed, Draco looked at the small watch on the wall behind the back of the bar, realising it was already past midnight. He had early shift in the morning and when he came in the pub, he had planed to stay only for a few drinks, but as Potter appeared, he lost track of time, for which he cursed himself in his mind. This shouldn’t be happening, they shouldn’t be siting together like this, like nothing happened between them, like if they were old acquaintances. But it was true, maybe not all of it but part of it. They, in fact, were once familiar with each other, to the point where they could tell, with eyes shut, the scent of the other. The familiar warmth from the other’s body. Draco finished the remaining of his drink in one sip, putting the glass back on the countertop and as he stood ready to left, he turned to the man next to him.
”You’re leaving?”- Harry asked but it sounded more like statement than question. Draco nodded, looking down to the floor. “Wait.”- Potter reached into his pocket, pulling out few muggle pounds, then raised his head toward the bartender, his voice bit louder, just enough so Chris could hear him.-“Put it on my tab, keep the change.”-The he turned back to Draco.-“Shall we?”
”You don’t have to, Potter.”- Draco lift his head, shaking it in response.
”Yeah, I don’t have to, but I want to. Now, after you.”- The dark haired gestured with his hand toward the exit, Draco stepping before him.
Their walk was as silent as their time in the pub. They were walking with decent distance from each other. Harry had insisted to sent Draco home and he said nothing, just nodded. As they reached the building were Malfoy’s flat were, he turned to face the brunette.
”Thanks. You really didn’t had to.”-Draco said, playing with his fingers.
”I know, but I wanted to.”-Harry admitted once again. They stood in silence but the green eyes broke it.-“You live far from the càfe.”-He stated
”Actually, it’s not that far. Just thirty minutes walk it is.”-and it was really not that far. Draco didn’t mind walking to the càfe, he usually used this time to think about the stuff that bothered him, before his shift started.
“You know, you could use—umm, the flat. I didn’t mind leaving it to you. It’s closer to your work.”-Harry said, rubbing the back of his neck.
And Harry was right. The flat in the question, was closer to the càfe. It was only five minutes walk from there, just around the corner of the street. Draco knew that, he knew his old home, their old home, was this close to his job. He knew it the day before he and Harry had separated their ways. The day before, he received call from the manager of the càfe, with the news he has passed the interview and the position was his if he still wanted it. And of course Draco wanted it. He applied for the job month before that call and was really happy and impatient to tell Harry the good news, but that night the brunette didn’t come back home. It was the next morning when he came back but the flat was empty, as it was Draco first day at his new job, but of course, Potter didn’t know that. That night, as the silver haired came back, he found his lover leaning against the countertop in the kitchen, his back facing the door. Draco was exited, he wanted to tell him the news but as Harry turned around, his world shattered into pieces. The green eyes that once looked at him with so much warmth and love, were now empty, tired and full with something he could name back then. This, this was the night, almost three years ago, when Harry had told him, they need a break, that he was too tired of fighting, too tired of bearing all of the post-war burden.
“It’s okay, I don’t mind the walk anyway. It’s good way of releasing stress.”- He said, looking away for a moment.-“Plus, you can make new memories there, you know, with him.”-Draco didn’t needed to say the name so Harry could know for who he’s talking.
”He’s never been there.”-Harry said, looking away.-“I’ve never been there either, since—“He stoped, looking back at the man before him.-“Since that night.”-He admitted. The blond lift his head up, his eyes slightly widened.
“Why?”-he asked
”I couldn’t. I didn’t want anyone else in there. I didn’t want to make new memories with anyone there, except you, so I couldn’t.”- The boy who lived, now a man, said. Draco stood frozen in his place, just few steps from the building door. He couldn’t move, he didn’t dare. Harry stepped forward, reaching for Draco’s wrist, holding it gently, firm, as if it was scared, the blonde will disappear once again. The stormy gray eyes met the emerald green and they stared at each other as if their lives depends on that it. The golden skinned man stepped even closer, face mare inches away from the face covered from the silver locks before his eyes.
“You smell like vanilla.”-The golden saviour whispered against Draco’s lips, looking down at them. Then he stepped just an inch away, so he can look him in the eyes again.
“And you smell like firewiskey.”- The slender man said finally, gathering his consciousness back to the moment, after the long run his thoughts went through.
“Draco”-Harry whispered. Malfoy shivered under the sound of his name coming from the man lips as soft prayer and stepped back enough to give them decent space between them.
”I should go.”-he said, twisting his wrists against the other grip. As he freed his hand, he turned around ready to push the doors open and enter the building, when Harry cached him once again, turning him to face him. The bronze skinned leaned closer and the blonde breathed hitched, closing his eyes. The pale wizard felt warm press against his temple, making him tremble under the soft lips. Harry had kissed him. Slowly, gentle, simple. Once the lips moved from his side, Draco opened his eyes, meeting the green stormy ones staring at him. The raven-haired wizard freed his hand and stepped back, clearing his throat.
“Yeah, I probably should go too.”- Potter said.
“Mmm.”-Draco mumbled quietly
“Goodnight, Draco.”
”Goodnight, Potter.”
Draco flat was on the fifth floor and he would usually use the lift to get up there faster but this time he decided to use the stairs. Once he reached his door, he quickly unlocked it and stepped inside, closing it with trembling hands. He leaned forward, pressing his forehead against the metal door, one hand on his chest. He tried to calm his breath, replying the kiss from just few moments ago. It was nothing, nothing he should react to like that but his heart refused to listen to his own thoughts. He shouldn’t be reacting like that, he shouldn’t be so vulnerably around the other man but he couldn’t help himself, he already has let it happen.
“You’re back.”- The voice came behind him, making his body to stiff, froze on its place.
Theo
Draco turned slowly to face the man behind him. “How long you’ve been here?”- He asked, his voice coming out a but shaky than he intended.
”Long enough.”-Theo said.-“I saw you.”-he continued, voice steady and calm.-“You two, you know.”
Draco breathed hitched once again, his throat burning with intensity as strong as the firewiskey he drunk at the pub. “Theo—“- he tried to say but Nott cut his words.
”I know.”-he said.
”I’m sorry.”- was the only thing, the silver haired managed to say.
“It’s okay, you don’t have to.”- The dark haired wizard said, giving Draco small smile. Then he walked past the pale skinned man, turning his head, looking behind his shoulder.-“I hope you going to be happy. Honestly, earnestly, I hope you will. That’s all I ever wanted.”- was the last thing Nott said, before leaving the flat.
Malfoy stood in the hallway, head dizzy, thoughts running wild in his head. Theodore knew, he had always knew and Draco couldn’t deny it anymore. Not when the scent of firewiskey was still lingering around, mixed with his own, vanilla. He never felt more intoxicated, never thought these two scents would mix in such a dizzying way.