Built for Sin (Draco Malfoy)

22 - LEMONADE

Alora Lin

I woke up to the feeling of someone running their fingers through my hair. The person's cool rings grazed my forehead as they tried to brush the baby hairs out of my face.

I peeled my eyes open, adjusting to the daylight while someone's soft lips pressed against my forehead.

"Morning," a husky voice mumbled.

I looked up at Draco, mustered a small smile, "Hey, how are you feeling?"

He shrugged, "Okay. Not much better than last night."

I pushed myself up to a sitting position so that I could be at eye level with him. "You'll get through this. It's what she would've wanted."

He nodded his head, trying to crack a smile, but I could see the pain in his eyes. He got out of bed, helping me do the same before offering me one of his sweatshirts. I shook my head to decline it.

"You sure?" he asked. "I don't want you to be cold."

"And I don't want Theo asking questions."

"Right," he stated, putting on the sweatshirt himself before pulling me in for a kiss.

I tried to enjoy it... to close my eyes and feel that surge of pleasure rush through me like it always does... to wrap my arms around his broad shoulders and pull him closer... but I couldn't.

It felt wrong.

"I'm sorry," I said, pulling away from him and wiping my lips with the back of my hand. "I don't think we should keep doing this."

He furrowed his brows, stepping closer to cup my face in his hands, "Please, I just lost her. I can't lose you, too."

I pried his hands off, "Look, I'm sorry, but you're right. Now that you've told me what happened, I can't keep seeing you. It doesn't feel right."

"But Alora–"

"I'm just going to picture Astoria on her deathbed every time I kiss you! That's not something I want to see, Draco," I exclaimed, picking up my belongings on my way to the door.

"No, don't go," he pleaded, reaching out to grab my wrist. "I need you to help me get through this."

"Then owl me. I'll talk to you and keep you company from afar, but we can't keep seeing each other."

His hurt expression suddenly turned stern as anger took over. He scoffed, releasing his grip on my wrist and running his tongue along his cheek. "So just like that? You're not even gonna try?"

"What do you mean, Draco? I am trying," I spat back at him. "I'm trying to do the right thing for once. I've made too many mistakes since that night you visited me on Christmas. I've cheated on Theo, I've helped you cheat on Astoria... I have to start doing the right thing."

His lips turned up into a sneer as he raised his voice at me, "I thought you wanted this as badly as I do! Our relationship is this never-ending cycle of me fucking up, you pushing me away, and then us coming back together–"

"Exactly, which is why you need to break the cycle by not fucking up for once," I interrupted him. 

His narrowed eyes somewhat widened as he gaped at me, utterly broken. 

"I'm sorry. I know that's a really harsh thing to say," I continued. "But how would you feel if someone cheated on you while you were on your deathbed?"

"I-I..." he was at a loss for words.

He knew I was right.

"Draco..." I started much more calmly. "Maybe you are the one, but–"