A Civil Union

Title: A Civil Union, chapter 15

Lucius' POV

Benjamin had come with me to the office. He did so at times, just for a change. Perhaps one day in six. He was every bit as adept at handling the office as Roberts was. Perhaps he was even more gifted at handling the people.

The older men and older ladies beamed at him like he was a favored grandson. The younger men and women looked at him with something closer to prurient interest. The middle aged treated him as a son. He lavished attention on all of them. All the while managing to remain absolutely correct, and not at all overly familiar.

I heard over and over when I brought him in, "Such a handsome, caring young man, Mr. Malfoy." "Such an asset to your company." Roberts tended to get more compliments on his efficiency.

Some added the question, "Is he married?"

I'd pondered how to answer that question in the past. Because, though he wasn't married, and had not had a date in many months, neither he nor Roberts was actually free. They were stuck with me. No wife was going to put up with her husband sleeping with someone else every other night of the week, no matter if she believed he was doing so without a sexual relationship.

Since my little realization that I was a hell of a lot closer to the two men than I had previously admitted, I'd taken to simply answering, that I was terribly sorry, but yes, Benjamin was otherwise committed. I just didn't say to whom or go into detail. And I am not so approachable that anyone took the chance to grill me on my reply, no matter the reason for or depth of their interest.

This morning, the office smelled wonderfully of his rich coffee, and chocolate. I preferred tea, but the clients were in seventh heaven sipping cup after cup of Benjamin's dark, heady brew. Many a day Benjamin sent in nibbles with Roberts and I. But on the days he actually came to the office, he brought with him a literal pile of snacks. Muffins, cookies, biscuits, and sliced or dried fruits. The offices were fragrant with his many offerings.

We were preparing to walk home, the day having gone quickly by. The weather having warmed not a whit, we were in the process of bundling up, when the door opened and Potter entered.

Benjamin's instinctive move to block whoever was entering stopped. He stood aside and Potter came further in. He was trailed by an enormous suitcase that floated along behind him as he wielded his wand, like coaxing a gigantic, uncertain pet into the room.

Benjamin's hand came to rest on my shoulder just as Harry grabbed me up in a hug. Unused as I was to such public displays, I returned his embrace at once. I held him close, tight. He was covered up as if it were at least twenty degrees colder than it actually was outside, he didn't have nearly enough insulating bulk on him. Benjamin was going to have to fatten him up just a touch. Potter clung to me with just as much force as I held him.

A moment later I opened my eyes, straightening up, and eyed the suitcase. It was huge, and one of those shrinking varieties. It might have held the entire contents of a room or a small house. Or it might simply be full of clothes for a weekend away.

"Are you taking a trip?'" I asked. It suddenly occurred to me that he might be getting cold feet, what with the wedding being only a week away. Was he setting out on the run? Had he decided he could not wed me? I looked at his face with growing alarm. He looked back at me, calm enough. His eyes held a twinkle. "Harry, have you changed your mind? Are you leaving us?" I asked in a rush.

Benjamin went quiet, stiffening alongside me. I could feel how all of his attention was focused on the younger man. Mine was as well. Harry stroked his hand over my chest. My breath caught. He hadn't touched me quite like that before, with such intimate ease.

"No, Luc. I thought I'd take you up on your many hints. I thought I'd move in. It's just a week early, mind, no big deal...." He said. And that was all I let him get out.

I shouted with glee and lifted him up off his feet, swinging his small weight up high, into the air. Due to the violent suddenness of my motion, Benjamin's hand slipped from me, and the room was filled with light, with bright magic, with the tingling rush of passion and power. I gasped, feeling the essence of Harry's magic, so much of it, too much, filling me to every corner. I felt it all drive in at me, overwhelming, abrupt, I dropped Harry and we both fell to the floor. Next to us I heard the bass thump of his suitcase hitting the floor as it's source magical propulsion was instantly gone.

When I returned to my senses, Benjamin was plastered to me, having torn open my coat to get at my skin. I felt his chest, and mine, both bare. His hands were sliding over me, my chest, stomach and waist, then around to my back, he was calling my name softly, his dark, soft haired head pressed to the side of my face, murmuring into my ear. I didn't much care about any thing but one person at that moment. Heart hammering, I cast about for Potter. Merlin pray that he was unhurt.

Harry was sitting next to us, cross legged. Watching. His wand was in his hand, or at least what was left of it. The splintered thing was more a bundle of kindling than a wand now. But what was important...he looked well. Contemplative, thoughtful, but unharmed. I let out a gasp of pure relief. His eyes lifted to mine.

He turned his great, green eyes on me fully, and his mouth twitched. "Well," he said. "I have a sense of the problem now, don't I?"

Benjamin's head sagged down to rest on my shoulder, we were both limp with relief.

ne'ichan