I'll Be There For You

IBTFY Five

Chapter Five: Unexpected Discovery

“Papa, where Fopsie?”

Draco froze at his son’s innocent question. He had known these questions would be coming, but he’d hoped that his son would wait for a little while longer. He took in a deep breath and turned to face the inevitable.

“Son, Flopsy couldn’t come with us.”

“But why?” Aiden looked pleadingly at him.

“Because it would be dangerous. She needs to stay at the manor.”

“But…”

“Aiden, I know you miss home, but we can’t go back. I’m sorry son but it’s not possible.”

Aiden bit his lower lip as his papa’s words sunk in. He glanced hesitantly up at his papa, “It’s ‘cause of Da?”

Draco stared at his son in shock. How did Aiden know? He was sure that he’d kept knowledge of Blaise’s beatings from the boy.

“I know papa. Da hits you. I saw…”

Draco saw tears gather in his son’s eyes and he rushed forward to gather the boy into his arms.

“We’re safe here from him. He won’t hit me anymore.” He whispered into the boys shoulder as the tears began to fall. “We’ll protect each other.”

***

Draco sighed as he lay back on his bed. He’d just put Aiden to bed after the small boy fell asleep on his lap. Aiden must have been hiding a few times that Blaise had laid into him. He was surprised that the boy had not cried out and alerted his sire of his presence. Now more than ever he wanted to keep that kind of situations away from his boy.

He rolled over and curled up under the covers nearly asleep when he heard a knock at his door.

Startled he sat up the sheet falling around his waist as the door opened. A black haired head peeked around the door.

“Did I wake you?” Harry asked, then his eyes widened as he took in the state of dress the other was in.

Draco blushed and pulled the sheet up to his chin, “No… um… it’s fine. Come in…”

Harry stepped through the door and closed it behind him. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes at the enticing sight of his ex-rival. It really didn’t help, the image was burned into his retina’s. He opened his eyes and glanced at the other.

“We are having a problem finding a place for you. I know that you don’t want to leave the country, but it may not be possible for you to stay. Your… husband… is looking for a Private Investigator to track you down and with the backing of the Zabini fortunes he’s gonna find a competent one soon.”

Draco froze and stared at Harry. “Oh merlin, what if he finds out where…” he couldn’t breathe. He began to hyperventilate.

Harry noticed the panic and rushed to Draco’s side and took the blond’s face in his hands forcing the other to look in his eyes.

“Calm down Draco, he can’t get you here. Draco, look at me. Look at me!”

Draco took a deep breath and focused on Harry’s face, his green eyes intense and bright, looking into his own haunted grey.

“That’s it, breathe. You’re safe, OK? He’s not here, he can’t find you here.”

Draco’s eyes filled with tears at Harry’s words and collapsed against the solid comfort of his chest. He clung to Harry as if he was a lifeline sobbing uncontrollably. He felt Harry’s hand card through his hair, the other on his back, making soothing circles.

After a few minutes he got himself under control still clutching the front of Harry’s shirt. He pulled back to look into the other’s face. Harry gently lifted a hand and wiped the tears away. His hand lingered on the blond’s cheek, then suddenly he swooped down and captured his lips in a gentle kiss.

Draco gasped which allowed Harry to deepen the kiss, thrusting his tounge into Draco’s open mouth. A moan filled the room and Draco pulled away from the Gryffindor in shock.

Harry stood and backed away lest he give into his baser instincts and finish. “I’m sorry, that won’t happen again.” And he turned at walked out.

Draco placed a shaking hand to his lips as his mind tried to process what just happened.

TBC...