Salvation

Truths

An uncomfortable week passed with the boys not speaking to each other. It wasn't that they were angry with each other and that was why they weren't speaking. The most straightforward way to put it is that they were both scared out of their minds. So they simply stayed on their side of the world and waited for the other one to make the first move. Both hoped the other would start the conversing again. Yet at the same time, neither was ready for it.

Harry didn't want to talk to Draco and have the same feelings over take him like they had before. Because he knew (well thought) that those feelings weren't actually his fault, it was just his complete lack of self control. He didn't want to lose control of himself. That was something Draco was so good at – stripping Harry of his control without realizing he was doing it.

Draco decided talking to Harry first wouldn't be a good idea. He didn't want to come off as desperate and needy. It was very important to Draco to prove that he didn't need any one; Harry wasn't necessary for to Draco survive. But Draco wasn't sure if he was trying to prove this to the world or prove it to himself. And he really hated that feeling.

It didn't help that he totally felt like a little school girl or something. He would blush at the thought of Harry and slightly giggle, even to himself. Draco could only imagine what it would be like to actually be near the savior of the wizarding world. Why not just walk out of the house without any pants on? It would be just as embarrassing! Well, maybe not because walking out without pants for Draco wouldn't quite as bad as that, he was an attractive guy with nothing to hide. But the whole point is: he would be embarrassed to be around Harry.

Draco was quite relieved when Harry finally sent him an owl a week and a day (and three hours – not that Draco was counting) after he had left his house the morning after.

Draco,
So I've been thinking. And I think it's stupid that we haven't seen each other in this long. I'm over this entire mess between us and we should just move on. We both agreed that it meant nothing at all and it really was just the alcohol, so there shouldn't be anything stopping us from seeing each other.

Hermione and Ron are still on their honeymoon and I've been totally bored out of my mind. I'm not like you; I can't just sit at home all day by myself. I get bored way too quickly and I get lonely. It's not the same without someone here or me going somewhere to see someone – anyone – to keep me company. Plus I can't remember the last time I ate an actual meal...

Anyway, I say we just put the past behind us and get over it. It's weird not seeing you every day any more. So just owl me back and tell me how you feel.

Harry

Draco slapped his forehead when he had finished reading the letter. Merlin, Harry was terrible with his words. Draco would have to teach him how to be a bit more eloquent and how to say what he meant without making a total ass of himself. After that thought, he responded telling Harry he agreed and should probably come to Draco's house as soon as possible to get some real food in him.

When Harry knocked, Draco quickly ran to the door. He didn't expect Harry to get there so quickly. "Hey," Draco greeted softly.

"Hey," Harry answered back.

"Come in to the kitchen with me. I'm making something for us to eat right now," Draco said while leading the way. He didn't really have to show Harry where it was any more, though. By now, Harry knew Draco's kitchen better than he knew his own.

While Draco was finishing the lunch there was silence. While they ate there was silence. While Draco and Harry cleared the table there was silence. Every corner they turned, there was a new onset of silence that was driving Draco absolutely batty but didn't seem to be having an effect on Harry at all.

No matter how often Draco tried to stir up a conversation with something like Quidditch, Harry would answer with a "yes" or a "no". Sometimes he answered like that to questions that didn't even accept a "yes" or "no" as answers. He obviously wasn't paying attention and that was frustrating Draco even more.

"Maybe this wasn't a good idea..." Draco finally sighed.

This caught Harry's attention. "Why?" he asked a little more forcefully than he actually meant to ask.

"Because you're obviously still uncomfortable around me and that's making me uncomfortable. I don’t want to just sit here in this awkwardness." Draco did have a very good point.

"But I'm perfectly fine," Harry insisted. Draco would also have to teach him how to lie properly when he taught him eloquence.

"Oh bull shit! You can sit here and act like everything is perfectly normal, but I'm not going to trick myself like that. I refuse to twiddle my thumbs with you while you act all strange. Does that sound fun to you, because it sure as hell doesn't to me." Merlin that felt good for Draco to finally get out.

"Well how do you want me to act?" Harry finally asked with attitude and a smirk that was supposed to Draco's and only Draco's.

There was a huffing noise in Draco's head as soon as Harry finished talking. It bothered him to no end that he had to tell him how to act. Why couldn't he just figure it out for himself? Was he that incapable to think for his own damn self? Fuck he was so...rrrr! And then Draco was upset because he was sounding an awful lot like Hermione. No wonder she was always so upset with Harry if he always acted like that. He was worse than a five year old.

After a bit of calming, Draco finally answered. "I just want you to be honest with me. That's all I want."

Harry sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "Okay, then yes, this is really strange to me and slightly uncomfortable."

"Then why did you want to come here?" Draco demanded while throwing his hands in the air like there was no help for Harry. In Draco's mind, there really wasn't any help for him.

"I don't know. I was just really bored and didn't have anyone to hang out with," Harry finally answered.

A noise came from Draco that clearly meant he wasn't pleased with the answer. "So now I'm just someone to kill time with until your best friends, the rest of your little trio comes back?" No one likes hearing he's only second best.

"That's not what I meant. I just mean, I miss hanging out with people in general. But I do specifically miss hanging out with you. I liked being with you. And now I'm just really lonely again."

"Look, I'm sorry you feel that way. But I won't stay here with you looking at me like I'm going to pounce on you any minute and ravish you," Draco answered while crossing his arms.

"That's not what I think!" Harry shouted, scandalized. But he totally thought that and Draco knew it. Harry was really that bad of a liar.

"You are sitting as far away from me as possible. Ever since I opened the door you have been eight feet away from me, it seems," Draco pointed out. With that, Harry scooted a little closer to them. By this time, the two had made it to a couch in a sitting room.

"No! That doesn't count!" Draco yelled in a slightly crazed way. "You're only moving now because I'm telling you to move. You aren't doing it because it's what you want to do!"

"Well why doesn't all of this bother you?" Harry finally demanded.

"Because I'm already gay..." Draco mumbled.

"No you aren't," Harry answered quickly.

"Um, yes I am," Draco responded while giving a look that showed he thought Harry was obviously crazy.

"No, you really aren't."

"Yes I am, Harry."

"No."

"Yes."

"No!" Harry finally shouted.

"Just deal with the fact that you kissed a gay man. You're going to have to accept it at some point or another," Draco finally said calmly.

Harry turned red and Draco wasn't sure if it was a blush red or an angry red. Maybe it was both. All he knew was that it made things slightly worse. Whatever, if he wanted Harry to be honest then he knew that he would have to be honest with Harry. Fair was fair.

"So wait," Harry said, as his blush started to recede, "if you're gay and you kissed me..."

"You finally have gotten it, Harry," Draco said, tempted to clap him on the shoulder for a job well done. "Yes, I am attracted to you." This was oddly bold for Draco, to admit something such as that. But he knew there was no way around it and he would never forgive himself if didn't at least tell Harry how he felt.

His answer, however, had Harry scooting back to where he was before Draco pointed out how far away he was. This relly didn't help the whole uncomfortable situation. Then Harry thought of a solution in his mind. "You just like me for my body," he responded proudly.
It wasn't something selfish. He didn't think he was the most attractive man roaming the earth. But he didn't mind if Draco was gay and if he was attracted to his body, then so be it. He could live with that. Then Draco's answered put all of his theory out to shame.

"No, Harry, I like you."


Reviews

arealdeal - To be honest, I don't think Harry ever just gets it hehe.

thrnbrooke - Yeah, Draco isn't having too great of a time.

wizli - You hit the nail right on the head about a million times. That is exactly what this entire story
is about. I'm so glad you got it because it means I explained it clearly as an author. Sweet!!

krista_shadow - I totally love those two together - I could just imagine this all happeneing.

Cortney - I'm glad you like it! I promise I won't leave without finishing!