December Stories 2020

December 9th

Word Count- 838

Prompt- Nature

DRACO'S POV

"You know I come up here to be alone Potter, right?" I tell him quietly, tears silently falling down my cheeks. I lean my head up against the trunk of the tree, bark digging into the back of my skull.

"No, I didn't know that Malfoy. Why do you want to be alone?" Potter asks and my head snaps over to him. His voice was soft and...caring? No, that's not right. My brows furrow in confusion, as more tears fall down my cheeks. I see him as he starts to climb the tree up to me. His body moves quickly and I see the muscles in his arms and back tensing while he scales the tree. My eyes watch him like a hawk as he makes his way up to me. Not the time Malfoy, I think to myself as I lean my head back against the rough bark. His raven colored mess of hair is the first thing I see as he crawls up over the edge. He's now sitting in front of me, legs dangling at his sides, hands stretched out behind him. His head in angled up towards the sky and the sunlight is shining off the rim of his glasses. His dark skin looks so smooth with the sun shining perfectly on it. God, why does Potter have to look so beautiful all the time? I quickly look away from him and towards the stone pillars of the courtyard, a blush quickly rising to my cheeks. The last person I wanted to see just happens to be the person who finds me. Typical.

"Just l-leave me alone." I say, my voice cracking. I shut my eyes tightly, willing the tears not to come.

MALFOY'S DO NOT CRY!

MALFOY'S DO NOT STUTTER!

Well I guess I'm not a Malfoy then.

Tears fall down my face like waterfalls as I pull my legs up to my chest, burying my head into my knees.

"Malfoy, what's wrong?" Potter asks gently and I shake my head vigorously. Suddenly a sob escapes my lips and I can't hold anything back anymore. I'm not strong enough anymore. The perfect facade has become broken and shattered.

"I can't do this anymore. They want me to be perfect, Potter. All the time and I just can't anymore. It's too difficult." I whisper as more sobs escape my lips. I dare not look up at Potter for I may come to realize that he may not be as kind as I once thought. "I-I should g-go." I stutter out, slowly crawling towards the edge of the tree. I feel someone's arms wrap around my waist and pull me into their lap.

"It's going to be okay Draco. I've got you." He whispers softly in my ear, gently running his hand through my blond locks. I lean into his touch because no ones ever held me like this before. No ones ever treated me this gentle. More tears flood down my face as I wrap my arms around my stomach. Who knew one kind gesture could send me tumbling back into a broken, shattered world.

"I'm so sorry you had to see this." I whisper quietly, leaning my head against his chest. My ears prick up as I hear his breathing become quicker, but he still runs his hand through my hair.

"Please, don't be sorry Draco. I've wanted to hold you like this for a long time." He whispers quietly. When did I become Draco?

"Harry, when did Malfoy become Draco?" I ask him, turning my head a bit so I can see his bright emerald green eyes.

"You always were Draco to me." He says, patting my head. That's makes me smile. It's a small smile, but a smile none the less. Suddenly he lets go of me, and for a single moment, I panic. I panic because maybe I thought wrong. Maybe he doesn't care. Maybe I made another mistake. Then I see him crawl around me and lean up against the tree in the same position I was in a few minutes ago. He pats his chest and gestures for me to come over. There's a beautiful, soft smile splayed across his lips that's makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I crawl over to him and lean my back up against his chest. His arms immediately wrap around my waist and he pulls me closer to him. I hear him take a deep breath, a sigh coming from his mouth a few moments later. "Now close your eyes and listen to the sounds of nature around you." He says, and I know he's very relaxed right now. I close my eyes gently, relishing in the fact that for once, Harry and I aren't fighting. We aren't arguing. It's like we've never fought before.
Maybe life isn't as bad as I thought it would be. A grin breaks out across my face.

I was always Draco to him.