𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐎 𝐄𝐃𝐄𝐍

Chapter 4

Four

Over the coming weeks, Draco and Harry saw each other almost every day. Harry took him on the promised movie date when Draco felt better and they spent lazy weekends along the beach or at the aquarium which Draco had loved since he was a boy. They went on picnics to the park and had a grand time fishing at the conveniently remote lake at the Malfoy's family estate.

Draco was always laughing and smiling, and though Harry was grateful that he tried his best to keep his spirits up, as the weeks flew by, there settled in his heart a never-ending ache. Draco weakened daily and lost what little weight had kept him moving. He was confined to bed at the turn of spring that year. When Harry went to visit him, it was the first time Draco failed to return his thin smile.

He looked at Harry with gaunt eyes, blank and utterly hopeless. "Draco," Harry whispered as he knelt by the bed and took his warm hand in his. "I love you."

But Draco simply shook his head and turned away, tears trailing down his cheeks.

"Don't be like that-don't shut me out now," Harry pressed, crawling on the bed beside him and leaning over to brush his wet cheeks.

"I-I can't walk, Harry," Draco whispered after a time, his voice papery thin.

"Then I'll carry you where ever you want to go," Harry readily replied, kissing his forehead and offering a tender smile.

But Draco merely frowned. "You don't understand: I can't walk! I'm stuck to this stupid bed! I'm going to die here like some helpless mummy-paralyzed and weak! I don't want to die like this Harry! I don't-don't want to!"

Harry bit his own lip, controlling his fast flowing tears as he gathered Draco carefully in his arms, propping him against his chest. Draco sobbed against his neck, his head on Harry's shoulder. Harry simply held him, not knowing how else to offer comfort to the poor man. He loved Draco more than his own life, but how could he help him when he couldn't fight death?

So he simply rocked him like a child till Draco's sobs subsided and he relaxed into Harry's embrace. "Harry?"

"Hm?" Harry drew back to look into Draco's grey eyes, still glistening with unshed tears.

"I want to go to Verona," he whispered.

"Verona?"

"My godfather's buried there. I-I wan to be buried next to him. Not here. I want to be next to him after I-after I-"

"Shh..." Harry gently cut him off and held him close, his throat tight as he spoke, "I'll take you there. If that's what you want Draco, we'll do it."

They lay in each other's arms in silence. Harry could feel Draco's breath calming as it ghosted over his neck and when he next brushed back the blonde strands, Draco had fallen asleep, tear tracks still visible on his pale cheeks.

Harry smiled sadly and kissed Draco's head, shifting his in his arms before carefully laying him back down. He stretched beside him and felt Draco curl into his side, his fingers clutching the front of his shirt as though afraid to let go.

"I'm not leaving," Harry whispered, resting his head on Draco's pillow so that their locks, light and dark, tangled together. He snaked his arm around Draco's slim waist, pulling him closer before covering them both with a blanket. Draco's feet brushed his calves.

"Harry?"

"Yes, love?"

Draco's eyes cracked open. He looked at Harry for a long time, drinking him in before giving him a timid smile. "You look like you haven't slept in a month. You're eyes are bruised."

"Are they?" Harry rubbed his eyes. "Do I look like a raccoon?"

Draco laughed weakly. "Worse."

"Well, I guess I'll just have to sleep more then," he said, wrapping his arms around Draco again.

"How about we take a long nap together? I don't think your mum'll miss us."

Draco nestled against him, giving a small nod, but Harry saw his smile fall.

"What's wrong?"

Draco bit his lip, which was trembling again. "All I do is sleep these days...I-I'm sor-"

But before he could apologize, Harry pressed his finger firmly against lips. "Don't you dare apologize to me, Draco!" he spoke none too gently, "I didn't come back just to hear your sorries. We both know you've done nothing wrong and I'm not here out of pity."

He titled Draco's chin up and brushed his lips against Draco's. "This...this is all I ever want from you-to hold you and to love you. I don't care about anything else, Draco. Just let me stay by your side. Let me love you like you deserve."

Draco couldn't help it. The tears flowed once more from his eyes. "Oh Harry," he sobbed, burning his face against his lover's chest, embarrassed at being so sentimental. But Harry merely hugged him tight, chaffing his back and kissing his neck.

"I love you," came Draco's muffled voice, "I love you, you romantic fool."

Harry chuckled, his own eyes misting over at Draco's confession. "I know, love, I know you do." And somewhere in the recesses of his heart, he knew he had known it even then.

He knew he had loved him all along.

Finished