The Plight- Malfoy x Reader

Picnic

I felt a shadow block the sun from my face.

"You're going to get burned."

I opened my eyes to see Lucius standing over me, holding out a bottle of sunscreen.

Sometimes it was so cold in England that when the sun was out you'd barley give it a second thought. It never seemed warm enough for a burn until later you realize your shoulders, nose and ears are tender to the touch.

Today was that kind of a mild day, the slight breeze cooling my skin from the sun's rays.

I took his offering, rubbing a good amount of sunscreen all over my face, neck, arms and bare legs. Then proceeded to toss it onto Draco's stomach were he laid a few feet away with his eyes closed.

He faked pain, rolling to his side and I shook my head at his over-exaggeration.

We all laid on a blanket next to the lake—Half of it was shaded by the trees, half exposed to the baking sun.

Earlier that day Lucius had come onto the balcony where I sat as I drank my morning coffee and listened to the birds.

I'd been startled at his arrival and even more so when he'd asked me to pick an activity to do later in the afternoon.

I'd brought the coffee cup up to my lips, humming against it as I thought.

I'd immediately thought up the idea of a picnic—but had hesitated for a few moments in order to consider throwing out the idea to the man who had constantly made a ruckus about my clothes being soiled from such outdoor hobbies.

Even looking at him then, I imagined him rigidly sitting on the ground and being extremely displeased.

I wondered how he'd react from his perfect shoes getting scuffed or, merlin forbid, a mosquito biting him. I think if either were to happen he might just change his mind about the whole ideal.

Still...he had said he'd wanted to get to know me.

I'd been right to be slightly skeptical.

His response to my picnic idea was, "Like...sitting... on the ground?"

"Just forget it," I'd said turning away from him, beginning to close myself off again.

"No. I was just—That sounds fine," he'd said and I'd flashed him an unconvinced look.

So I was taken aback to see Lucius currently laying on his side—on the ground—looking completely... natural.

He wore a white dress shirt— a color slightly questionable with the threat of dirt and grass stains—and gray dress pants with loafers. Draco kept his shoes on just the same as his father while I'd taken my own off immediately before laying down.

Draco wore a similar style to his father—but slightly less formal, involving a green button down top, that he'd rolled up at the sleeves, and khakis.

They both looked as if they were going out to a semi formal event.

I, on the other hand, laid in shorts and a tank top which felt much too casual when compared to them.

Still no one had breathed a word, to my pleasure, and I was glad to not worry about dress skirts or itchy garments.

I turned to look—with one eye shut to block the sun's rays— at Lucius lounging as he read his paper.

He had opted for laying on the part of the blanket covered by the shade of the trees while Draco had placed himself in the sun just as I had.

His eyes caught my own.