draco malfoy x fem!reader
Your roommate had decided to go home for the weekend, which meant you had two much-needed, uninterrupted nights with your boyfriend. Lately, you'd been increasingly busy, and though Draco wouldn't admit it, he wasn't happy. His love language, aside from his expensive gift-giving habit, is quality time.
Which translates to: he's clingy.
You were reminded of that when you tried to leave the Great Hall early to finish an essay. Draco had trailed after you under the guise of "stretching his legs." When you called him out on it, he acted as innocent as could be.
"Don't flatter yourself. I simply felt like a walk."
Shortly after, he was carrying your books, muttering about how you were ruining your posture by lugging them around. And when you teased him about being overprotective, his facade slipped a little.
"Maybe I just didn't want you to disappear on me again," he said, voice softer than usual. Then quickly, like he was embarrassed by his own honesty, he added, "Besides, if you trip and crush yourself under all these books, I'd have to write your essay. Tragic, really."
The memory came to you again tonight, as you shifted in bed and realized Draco wasn't lying next to you anymore. Heart lurching, you sat up quickly. Spotting him across the room, seated at your desk. Curtains drawn enough for the moonlight to slip in, painting his face handsomely.
It was unfair how gorgeous he was like thatโlike something out of a dream.
"How long are you going to stare?" he asked, not turning his focus from the window. "Until you come back to bed" you shot back, eyes narrowing though warmth tugged at your chest.
He ignored you, gaze locked intensely on the scene outside. With a quick sigh, you padded over and slipped your arms around his shoulders, pressing your lips against the curve of his neck before resting your head there.
"What are you doing up?" you murmured.
"Looking at the stars." his voice softened, dropping the sarcastic tone he had only seconds ago. "Couldn't sleep"
You hummed softly against his skin, but he turned to you with that mischievous glint in those grey eyes. A look, it'd become a habit to accept. "Come with me."
"Draco it's the middle of the nightโ"
"Yes, I noticed," he said dryly, already tugging you toward the door.
Just minutes later, the two of you are outside. The air was sharp and cool, and Draco seemed unfairly alive in it. Eyes bright as he fetched a broom from behind the Quidditch shed.
"You've done this before," you accuse. "Do you really want the answer to that?" He arched his brow, helping you onto the broom. "Hold on tight" he said warily.
The broom rose smoothly, the Black Lake gleaming below like polished obsidian, the moon doubled in its waters. Stars glittered above you in interesting patterns.
"See that cluster?" Draco murmured against your ear, his chin brushing your shoulder. "Orion's Belt. My mother used to point it out to me. It's the only thing that looks the same, no matter where I am." You tilted your head toward him, catching the faintest blush in the pale moonlight. His arm tightened around you, and he started pointing out more stars. Mocking the constellations with "unimaginative" names, making you laugh when he described them in his clipped tone. And yet beneath it was a softness, he was letting you in on a piece of himself.
Eventually, he guided the broom back down. The two of you lying on the damp ground, shoulders brushing.
You turned your head toward him. "So... why couldn't you sleep?"
For a moment, he was quiet. The sound of water lapping the shore filled the silence before he finally exhaled. "Because lying next to you in bed feels...dangerous," he said at last. You frowned at the choice of words.
His mouth quirked, but there was no edge to it. "I meanโwhen I'm with you, I forget half the things I tell myself to remember. I forget to be careful, to keep my guard up." He swallowed, steadying himself. "I was lying there thinking about how little time I've spent with you....I missed you. I missed my girlfriend." The last confession came out softer than anything he said to you before.
You felt your chest tightening. Reaching out for his hand, he laced his fingers into yours like you were anchoring him.
"I don't want to keep that guard up with you," he admitted, voice soft and steady. "I'm tired of pretending nothing matters. Because you matter to me, impossibly." He let out a humorless laugh that sounded almost like disbelief. "I couldn't sleep because I was thinking about how much I love you. And how bloody frightening that is."
The words hung between the two of youโ vulnerable and honest. Your smile trembled into place. "You love me?" you whispered, wanting to make sure you heard right.
"Hopelessly. Pathetically. More than I ever thought I couldโmore than I deserve, probably."
You leaned forward until your forehead brushed his. "I love you too, Malfoy."
He closed his eyes before smiling. "Good," he breathed. "Besides, you're stuck with me now."
