Always

Chapter Three

Seventeen years ago...

The firelight danced on the ceiling as Harry gazed up at it. He could feel the small kisses Draco was leaving in a trail across his stomach as they both lay nude on the soft rug in their sitting room. Harry liked these quiet times the best when they both could just be themselves, no pretences, no facades. Just them as they were.

He heard Draco growl low in his throat and then felt the small sting as Draco bit a small spot of flesh on Harry's chest. Harry whimpered and his back arched as Draco marked him. The kisses continued on and Harry settled back down on the rug.

He didn't think he could ever have the courage to tell Draco, but when they were at home and allowed themselves to be who, or namely, what they were, Harry gained a sense of calm and understanding. Perhaps it was the little Subicio in him, but Harry liked when Draco became puffed up and dominant. It made Harry feel safe and relaxed, not having to worry about anything while letting Draco make all the decisions for him. A lot of the time, Draco's arrogance made Harry angry, but when they were alone like this, it made him feel good and cared for, content and... ready.

"Draco," Harry murmured as he used the back of his hand against Draco's bare arm in a bid for attention.

Draco licked a path up Harry's sternum. "Yes?"

"Lustrum is coming up."

"Have it marked on my calendar for the next two decades, pet," Draco replied and bent back down to his kissing and licking. Harry caught him with both hands to the sides of his face.

"I don't want to take the potion."

Draco stopped his dive down and his eyes locked on Harry's. "What?"

"I don't want to take the potion, Draco. I don't want the contraceptive." Harry's voice was calm and clear.

Draco stared at him for a moment. "Well, that's unfortunate, but you will be taking it."

Harry frowned. "But I don't want to. I.... I want a baby."

"Have you forgotten so soon what happened before?" Draco snapped before sitting up and glaring. Harry followed him up.

"So soon? Draco, that was five years ago! We were just kids!"

"Yes, and you nearly didn't make it to adulthood because of it. The answer is final, Potter. No." Without another word, Draco stood up and left the sitting room.

Harry took a gulp of his tea then looked at Draco across the breakfast table from him. "I got a letter from Molly Weasley yesterday," he remarked casually.

"Sorry to hear it." Draco didn't stop reading the paper in front of him.

Harry wasn't daunted. "Fleur just had her and Bill's second baby. That's brilliant, don't you think?"

The paper was shut and the tea service rattled as Draco stood up quickly. "No, Potter." He strode angrily out of the room. Harry sighed and drank the rest of his tea.

After a Saturday of watching a Quidditch game and having dinner out, Draco and Harry were spending some time in the sitting room. Harry had grumbled at Draco doing anything work related on the weekend, so they had compromised and Draco was now surrounded by paperwork in the sitting room and not secluded in his study, while Harry read a book he had been meaning to.

"Draco, did you know that the Garble snake actually carries its young in a sack in its mouth for up to a month?"

"Fascinating," Draco murmured.

They both went back to their activities.

"The Tassel-Tail rabbit produces twelve babies at a time and does so on a regular six month rotation," Harry commented a few minutes later.