Paint You Wings ✔️

Chapter 17

*There was a double update, please be sure to read Chapter 16 first!*

"Definitely meant to be", Harry thought a few hours later, heavily exhaling.

He didn't think this is where he would've ended up a few hours prior, but he was not complaining. It was Mr. Malfoy's fault, really. Dinner preparation had been going well until he decided to call Draco out of the blue.

"Yes Harry, I know how to bake bread! My mother swears by this recipe- hold on, my father is calling me."

With a roll of his eyes, Draco answered his phone.

"Father", Draco greeted, voice void of all emotion.

It shook Harry to the core at how quickly Draco's whole demeanor changed, just like that. His face expressionless, but his gaze had hardened. He looked almost unrecognizable, and it hurt Harry to see him that way.

"You could have called before showing up, I went to the shops to pick up some groceries."

The grip Draco had on the counter tightened, and Harry laid his hand over Draco's gently. Draco's face changed to a pained expression.

"Yes Father. Send over the paperwork and I will have the write up done before his meeting... Of course Father... I apologize Father... Yes, I will. Goodbye Father."

As soon as he hung up, Draco felt like he had taken a physical blow to the stomach.

"It was about me."

"I don't want to talk about it right now."

"That's fine. So, that bread recipe?"

Harry said nothing as Draco angrily kneaded the bread dough. Instead, he put on some music, and hugged Draco from behind, dropping his chin on Draco's shoulder.

"You're okay, I'm okay, we are okay Draco."

"How do you know?"

"Because I'm not letting anything happen to us. I care about you too much to let you go."

"I don't deserve you."

"You deserve the best, and I'm going to give it to you. Let's finish up dinner and we can go lay on the couch together hmm?"

"Okay."

Harry's heart really went out for Draco. He knew how it felt to be unwanted by your family unless they needed you to do something. That was something he knew all too well, and Draco didn't deserve that.

Singing along quietly to whatever music came on, Harry was a calming presence once again in Draco's life. He quickly found himself thinking about what it would be like to spend everyday like this with Harry. To finally have someone to come home to. The thought was promising, and Draco felt reassured in his plan.

Once dinner was in the oven, Harry set a timer before grabbing Draco's hand and leading him to the living room. As soon as Harry laid down, Draco followed suit, essentially covering him like a blanket. Harry held Draco, and to his surprise Draco's arms wrapped tightly back around him. They sat in silence, with Harry just waiting for Draco to speak.

"He said that he wants me to handle your meeting next week. Everything that I need to know about you I'll be receiving in an email. He wants my word that I'll lead you on because he wants to show me how 'useless' of a career art truly is. It's a ploy to make me think that my degrees are worth more than I think they are. He wants to completely crush any remaining hopes that I had of making a future doing something that I want.

I'm not leading you on Harry. I'll quit if I have to. I'm through being my father's plaything. You deserve a chance because you are so genuinely talented. You're incredibly kind, you're funny, and you're clumsy but in the best way possible. When I'm with you I feel like I can do anything.

I'm not having you jeopardize your future for me Harry. I think it's in your best interest if you cancel the appointment and book yours somewhere else. I know of all of the best companies, I can send you somewhere that I know you'll be properly taken care of, because you are an asset to have Harry."

"Then accept me as a client."

"It's not that easy-"

"Isn't it though?", Harry asked, sitting up and bringing Draco with him. "Crunch the numbers. My YouTube and instagram followers have been skyrocketing. My etsy page is receiving at least 10 emails a day inquiring about commissions. The numbers alone show that I'm worth the investment. That's not me being cocky, that's my business degree talking.

I'm not stupid Draco. Your father's company is said to be the best. I know what I'm getting into. If you really want me to cancel the appointment, I will. I'm not putting you into an uncomfortable spot because of my pride. Your feelings are valid here."

Oh how Draco wanted to kiss Harry. He noticed the close proximity and how he was essentially straddling Harry's lap. His fingers came up to gently trace Harry's jawline, and he relished the way that Harry's eyelashes fluttered closed.

"These feelings you have for me... they're genuine?"

"I've never felt anything more real for anyone else Draco", Harry replied, opening his eyes again, shocked at how close Draco had gotten to him.

The two men were almost nose to nose, and Harry had to work to keep his focus on Draco's eyes, and not his lips, which were oh so kissable.

"Then after reviewing the information that I receive about you, we'll come up with a plan together", Draco whispered, leaning in slowly.

"Together", Harry agreed, not daring to move.

"May I kiss you?"

"Please do", Harry agreed breathlessly.

As soon as their lips touched, Draco knew he was a goner. Harry was so inviting, and Draco couldn't get enough of the other man. Especially when one of Harry's hands travelled from Draco's waist to his hair, softly removing any tangles.

What started off as soft, unsure kisses quickly grew into something more. Harry was excitedly matching the energy that Draco gave him, thanking every god in existence that he had mistyped Draco's number into his fax machine.

After what felt like no time at all, Draco pulled away from Harry, his face slightly tinged red.

"Was that okay?"

"That was perfect Draco", Harry praised, kissing the other man on the nose.

"If it wasn't you'd tell me?"

"If there were any issues I would tell you, I promise. I've wanted to kiss you for awhile now", Harry admitted.

"Why didn't you?"

"I told you that we would move at your own pace. I'd wait forever for you because you're worth it to me. I-"

Draco cut Harry off with another kiss.

"That was all I needed to hear."

Draco's new favorite hobby was kissing Harry. He didn't know how much experience the other man had, but it didn't matter to him, not really. What mattered is that they were together now.

"Draco, dinner", Harry whispered, pulling away with a light laugh.

"I'm loving my dessert."

"I want to try that bread you were raving about", Harry retorted with one last peck to Draco's lips.

"It is really good bread", Draco conceded. "And I'm dying to try your cooking."

"Next time, I'll make your favorite meal", Harry promised.

"I love the promise of a next time."