Desired | Draco Malfoy & Theodore Nott, 18+

54

Isla stood numb in the middle of the room. Her skin was still warm from where Draco had held her. So warm. It was burning, stinging. The print of his palms yet flushed with emotion, even if he'd walked out minutes ago.

She was breaking again.

He made her break and crash and fall to the indefinite ground of not knowing what to do, what to think — even where to go.

So she stood there, still and hushed. Tears rolled down her cheeks as Theodore walked in, and marched up to her, taking her jaws in his palms and angling her face up to meet his. Her eyes leveled his. His heart ached because of it. Oh, how it hurt seeing her like this.

''Love...'' He whispered, his thumbs brushed over the sorrowful pearls that streamed, ''I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.''

Her lips parted, wishing to say something. She wanted to yell and scream at him for letting Draco in there, for saying that she was safe when she truly wasn't, but she quieted down just as fast. He loved his best friend. Theo wanted what was best for them both. She couldn't argue that. She didn't want to.

Isla loved that about him. She adored that he still, after everything, cared so much for Draco. That no matter what happened, no matter how much his best friend managed to hurt people, he was still there, looking after him.

She crashed against him. Her nose was buried in his chest as his arms wrapped around her, placing his head on top of hers. Isla cried again. She cried and cried. Not truly sure why she was crying now, but she was.

Her fingers tensed around that key in her hands, the key Draco had left her with. The key to a place he promised would be theirs, no matter how things turned out — she could always go to that house, and he'd be there.

''I think I know what you need.'' Theodore held his tone low, nodding against her. He just needed to take her away. He couldn't have her there anymore, not when she was hurting as much as she was. ''Let me take you somewhere.''

Isla didn't care where he wished to take her, only that he didn't leave her. She couldn't bear to be left behind anymore. She could stand the thought of anyone walking out on her ever again. She would go anywhere with him, for him.

Leading her across the upper floor and down the stairs, he halted at the sight of his mother.

''Theodore, where are you going?'' Placing her hands on her hips, she scowled at the two, ''No. Theodore, you can't leave again. You've been home for no more than a few days.''

He tucked Isla closer against him, holding her so steady, ''I don't care.'' He said, his tone done. He was clear about this. He didn't mind himself at this time, just her.  ''I don't care, mother. I'll be back this weekend like promised.''

''But you can stay here, both of you—'' She looked after them as he led Isla towards the front door. His arms strong across her body, his steps sure unhesitant, ''Theodore—''

''I'll be back this weekend, mother.'' He wrapped his hand around the handle before he ripped the door open, both of their wands in his hand, ''End of discussion.''

Mrs. Nott didn't dare to speak more. She knew how much that crying girl meant to her son. He'd told her all about Isla and how he adored being with her. If Theodore felt like he needed to leave, it would probably be for the best.

''Be careful at least,'' She faked a smile, nodding towards them, ''Wherever you're taking her, both of you, please be careful.''

_____

Theodore took her to an old family house of theirs, located far out in the countryside. He loved being there as a child himself when the world turned a bit too overwhelming. His mother let him stay there with Draco during the summers, playing and forgetting the real world.