Fallen Star (Sequel to Shooting Star) COMPLETE
folder
Harry Potter › Slash - Male/Male › Harry/Draco
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
33
Views:
17,315
Reviews:
176
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
Harry Potter › Slash - Male/Male › Harry/Draco
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
33
Views:
17,315
Reviews:
176
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Second Chances
Chapter Number/Total: 8/32
Chapter Title: Second Chances
Words: 2891 Words
Betas: roonilwaz
David lost track of time, wandering aimlessly as his thoughts roiled. He had allowed himself to let go of the past and forget who they really were. Forget that Harry was with him because he had no choice – a slave bound to Draco by blood magic. A man who he had raped and stood by while others raped and tortured. It made him sick to remember, but he couldn’t forget.
When he finally came back to the Laundromat, the other man was gone. David made his way slowly to the flat.
David let himself into the flat, worried at first when he didn't hear anything. He smiled softly when he saw Harlan asleep in the chair. The blond sat down nearby on the futon, looking at his lover for a long time. He was completely in love with this man. But how could he know if what Harlan -- Harry -- felt for him was real or just a result of the spell?
Harlan's face scrunched up as he began to dream of his past. They were hurting him again and holding him down, and he struggled to get away, screaming for help. The worst part was that everything was dark, and he couldn't see who was doing it to him.
The minute Harlan's face changed from calm to pained, David recognised the nightmare starting. He jumped off the futon and went to his knees beside him, reaching to hold him. "It's okay, it's a dream," he said urgently.
Harlan woke up with a gasp, his eyes wide as he looked at David. "Draco..." he whispered, nearly falling off the chair in his haste to get closer to him.
David wrapped his arms around the other man, fingers plunging into his hair and lips kissing his cheeks. "Harry," he whispered.
"You came back... I missed you, you know," Harlan said, his words slurring together from being sleepy still.
"Of course I came back," the blond soothed, running fingers through his lover's hair. "Did I scare you?"
"I thought maybe you'd never come back. I don't know what I'd do without you," Harlan replied, looking at him.
David frowned, searching his lover's face. "What if we didn’t have the spell binding us?" he asked. "What if the way you feel about me is just the spell?"
"If it were just the spell, I wouldn't be here," Harlan said honestly, looking into David's eyes. "Did you not see that I held onto life because I loved you? I had so many chances to just give up."
"I wanted you so bad," David said, trembling. "I still do."
"That's how I know you've changed, Draco," Harlan said softly. "That emotion you have right there. We've all made mistakes in our lives and we all deserve second chances."
"Second chance," David whispered. "You are my chance to be whole."
"If you want to be happy, you'll stay with me forever," Harlan insisted.
"Forever," David echoed, kissing him gently. Then he pulled back to look into those green eyes. "I didn't know you were a virgin when I... I swear it."
"How could you know? It's not like everyone really knew about my personal life," Harlan replied.
David nodded, taking a deep breath. He looked over and saw that Harlan had made the bed. "Sorry we missed the park," he whispered. "Do you want to go to bed now?"
"We can go to the park tomorrow...and it'll be even better," Harlan said with a small smile. "And yes, bed. I'm sorry I ate all the ice cream, by the way."
"You are entitled," David said, getting up off his knees and helping the other man too.
Harlan got up and walked over to the bed, slowly crawling into it.
David stripped and threw his clothes over the chair before climbing in with him. "Do you want to now?" he asked, knowing they had a few hours until the spell required it.
It took Harlan a moment before he understood what he was asking. If they didn't do it now, Harlan was sure that he'd end up being woken up by the spell. "Yes," he answered. "I know you'll be careful."
David smiled, stroking the other man's hair off his face. "Suck me and ride me?" he asked.
Harlan blushed. He wondered if he would ever get used to the terms. "Of course," he murmured, beginning to move down David's body.
David smiled, aroused just by the sight of the other man preparing to use his mouth on him.
Harlan kissed both of David's hips first, smiling up at the other man. "I love you," he whispered, leaning down to take his cock into his mouth.
"Yes, love you," David said, reaching to lay his hand on Harlan's head. He could never keep his hands off the other man.
Harlan closed his eyes as he concentrated on sucking David, his head bobbing slowly.
"Yes, baby, I love your mouth on me," David crooned. "You make me feel like no one else ever did."
Harlan pulled off and licked up the length, watching David as he did. He stopped and suckled on just the head, his hand wrapping around the shaft and stroking him.
"Yes, my love," David whispered, trembling with his arousal. "So beautiful."
Harlan licked a few more times before he pulled away again, sitting up and moving to get off the bed. He pulled off the shorts he had on, exposing his own arousal to David before finding the tube of lubricant.
David gazed up in adoration and desire at his lover, reaching a hand out for him.
Harlan took his hand and slowly got back into the bed, holding the tube out for him.
"Want me to prepare you?" David asked, his voice husky.
"Please," Harlan replied, lying down on his stomach.
"On your knees, baby," David said, rolling towards him.
Harlan got up on his knees only, making sure to push his arse out for him.
David quickly squeezed the Muggle lube onto his fingers and reached for his lover's opening, sliding a finger gently inside him.
"Mm," Harlan moaned, slowly pushing back onto the single finger.
"Yes, you like that," David crooned. "Going to stretch you and then you will ride my cock. Right?"
"Yes, ride your cock," Harlan whispered, swallowing thickly.
David worked in two more fingers, twisting and stroking that bundle of nerves inside.
Harlan had begun to moan and gasp, his heart speeding up as David prepared him.
"Ready to ride me, baby?" David asked, pumping his fingers in and out of the other man.
"Ready," Harlan said, gripping his sheets as he moved to get up. He wanted to come with David inside him.
David pulled his fingers out and then reached to slick his own leaking cock now. He watched hungrily as his lover crawled on top of him.
Harlan positioned himself above David's cock before he slowly started to sit down, a low moan escaping him.
David gasped, the sensation making him shiver, and resisted the urge to thrust up, watching his lover's face as he sank onto his cock.
Harlan let out another moan as he finally sat down, clenching around David gently. "You feel so good..."
"Yes, good inside you," David managed to practically growl.
Harlan waited a few more minutes before he pulled himself up and slowly sat down again, starting a slow rhythm.
"Yes, baby, ride me, that's it," David whispered, hands on his lover's thighs.
Harlan picked up the pace after he heard David's words, his hips rocking as he moved faster.
"Oh, yes," David encouraged, eyes half-closed as he watched his lover. "Yes, good inside you."
"Can I...touch myself?" Harlan gasped, his cock bouncing as he fucked himself.
"No," David said, smiling and sliding his own hand to wrap around his lover's cock.
Harlan moaned loudly as his rhythm faltered, his hips thrusting into David's hand.
"Yes, baby," David growled, getting closer and thrusting up into Harlan now. He stroked and twisted his hand on his lover's cock.
"Gonna come," Harlan moaned, biting his lip hard. "Come with me..."
"Yes, now," David growled, arching up into his lover as he shot his seed inside him.
All it took was one more thrust and Harlan was coming hard, his back arching sharply.
"Yes, yes," David whispered as he lover's come spurted over his hand, belly and chest. He laughed in delight at the feel of it and the look of rapture on Harlan's face.
Harlan smiled when he heard the laugh, looking down at David happily. "I don't even think I want to move..."
David reached a hand down beside the bed, groping blindly for a towel they kept there to clean the mess. He wiped up his chest and stomach, then pulled the man down atop him and rolled so Harlan was on his back. Then he pulled out of him, using the towel to clean his lover.
Harlan's eyes were closed as David cleaned him, the exhaustion coming back slowly. "Sleep," he said softly.
"Yes, baby," David said, dropping the towel beside the bed again and crawling back up to lie down and take his lover into his arms. "Sweet dreams, tonight, my love," he whispered.
"Sweet dreams," Harlan whispered, yawning as he rested his hands on top of David's. He fell asleep and dreamt about Harry and Draco – finally free.
***
September in San Francisco was actually warmer than the summer had been. That, and the fact that few of the trees had leaves that changed colour, made it difficult for David to believe they had really been there for three months already.
Except that David was getting good at his job, and he found he enjoyed it. He had taken to hanging out in the kitchen during his breaks. At first, it had been to be near Harlan. And because he didn't trust Mark. But he had started talking about the menu items and how the food was made with Milo and Richard, the other cook. He was fascinated by the process and the more he learnt, the more it reminded him of potionmaking.
"You're lucky I like you, David," Richard said as he sprinkled a bit of spices into the soup he was making. "Otherwise you wouldn't even be allowed back here for long." Mark snickered from where he stood, watching them. "But you remind me of myself when I first got interested in cooking,” Richard continued.
David nodded, eyes watching carefully. "How do you know how much to add? I’ve noticed that sometimes you measure it with the little spoons, but sometimes, like now, you just add it with your fingers."
Richard shrugged, stirring the soup. "I can just tell how much it needs. Like...here, taste some." He got another spoon and dipped it in the pot, scooping up a little for him. "Blow on it first."
David blew on the spoon and then sipped it. He frowned. "Needs something more," he said.
"See, that's how you can tell," Richard said with a grin, using another spoon to get a bit for himself. "Mm, yeah, more salt, you think?"
"Maybe, and more of that," David said, picking up a bottle and sniffing it. "Dill," he read off the label.
"Good idea," Richard said, nodding. "Go ahead and put it in yourself. I think I can trust you not to overdo it."
David had already washed his hands so he took a pinch of the herb and added it to the soup, watching it disappear into the mix.
Richard stirred it, adding a bit more salt before tasting it again. "Oh, that tastes wonderful..." He smiled at David, tapping his chin thoughtfully. "Have you ever thought about going to culinary school?"
"Do they have them here?" David asked.
"Yes, of course," Richard replied, covering the pot of soup. "The one I went to. The Culinary Institute of America. Lovely school, I think you'd do great there."
"Thank you," David said, nodding and seriously thinking about it. "Oh, break’s over," he said, heading back to the dining room. He stopped and gave Harlan, who was busy with dishes, a quick kiss.
Harlan blushed, turning to wave goodbye as David walked away. He sighed softly and picked up the tray, walking back into the kitchen, a small smile on his face.
Mark stepped up behind Harlan at the sink, leaning one hand on the sink beside him. "So how are you doing?" he asked.
"I'm good," Harlan replied, washing another plate. He glanced up at Mark, smiling a bit. "Really good. How're you?"
"Not too much going on." Mark shrugged. "I was seeing a guy for a while but that didn't work out."
"Oh, I'm sorry. You'll find someone better," Harlan said, setting the plate on the side to dry.
"You two getting along any better?" Mark asked.
"We were always getting along nicely," Harlan replied.
Mark sighed, clearly not believing that. "You want to go for a drink after work?" he asked.
"That sounds good, but I'll have to ask David if we aren't doing anything," Harlan answered, reaching for a glass to wash.
"Harlan, don't you do anything without David?" Mark asked, sounding shocked.
"Not really...but he is my boyfriend, I like it," Harlan said, nodding.
"It's not healthy," Mark said. "You should have friends of your own. Didn't you have friends back in England?"
Harlan paused at the memory of his friends. "They died," he said quietly. "Accident."
"Oh, sorry," Mark said, laying a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"It's okay," Harlan said, shrugging. "They're in a better place, I hope."
Mark gave his shoulder a squeeze. "Well, I had better get my smoke now before my break is over. You taken yours yet?"
"Not yet, haven't had the chance," Harlan said. "I could join you, if you want."
"Sure, I would," Mark said, smiling.
"All right, let me just finish this," Harlan murmured, turning back to the sink and finishing the plates. He pulled off the gloves when he was done and put them away, wiping his hands on his jeans. "Okay, ready."
Mark lit up as soon as they were outside. He had grabbed a coat for the cool night and was holding it closed with the other hand. "So what do you do for fun, Harlan?" he asked.
"Uhm, well..." That was a hard question, considering the fact that Mark probably wouldn't know what he was talking about if he told him he liked to fly and play wizard's chess. "David and I go to the park sometimes, and... the Laundromat is fun." He laughed softly, rubbing his arms.
"Oh, man, you need to get out more if you think the Laundromat is fun," Mark said, half laughing. "How about the movies? Dancing? Sports?"
"We watch movies on the telly sometimes," Harlan said with a small blush. "We only danced at that party...and sports here are strange."
"I guess you two are used to rugby and things like that," Mark said.
"Yeah...and football. Which is another sport here?" Harlan asked, looking confused.
"Different," Mark said, dropping his cigarette and crushing it. "Do you like music?"
"I love music, but I can't really dance all that well," Harlan said, laughing again.
"I could show you," Mark offered.
Harlan frowned slightly. "I don't think David would like that."
Mark huffed and rolled his eyes. "Fine, but you think about what I said. You need a life that isn't always about what David wants." He opened the backdoor. "I guess we had better get back."
They went back to work. It was a busy night and late by the time cleanup was done. David was sitting at a table in the dining area, talking with a Manuel and Jennifer when Harlan finally finished.
Harlan sat down next to David once he was finished, smiling at the others. "David, are you ready to head back home?"
"Yes," David said, smiling tiredly at his lover. They said goodnight to the others and made their way home by bus.
Harlan rested his head on David's shoulder once they found seats on the bus. "Can I ask you a question?"
"Mmm?" David answered sleepily, eyes closed and feet throbbing in pain. Some days he missed magic more than others.
"Would you ever let me go out with other people? Just...I don't know, for fun. With you, too..." Harlan asked.
David frowned. "What do you mean?" he asked, voice quiet but body tense.
"Just, uhm...not like a date. Just friends," Harlan said quickly, feeling David tense.
"Mark wants more than a friend," David snapped.
"I make it clear everyday that you're my boyfriend, and I'm only interested in him as a friend," Harlan replied softly.
"Doesn't mean he is listening," David drawled.
"I don't think he'd force me to do anything, David..." Harlan said slowly.
"So what do you want to do?" David asked, warily.
"He says he wouldn't mind teaching me how to dance," Harlan said, shrugging. "But I know you could always teach me that. But...he asked today if I could go out for a drink after work. Something like that, I guess."
"I don't want him touching you," David said.
Harlan nodded. "So no dancing, I understand."
"And you don't stay out all night," David said. "Take no risks."
"I'll make sure to come back early," Harlan said firmly.
"I'll think about it then," David said with a huff, closing his eyes again.
"Thank you," Harlan replied, smiling brightly. He sat up a bit more to see where they were.
Chapter Title: Second Chances
Words: 2891 Words
Betas: roonilwaz
David lost track of time, wandering aimlessly as his thoughts roiled. He had allowed himself to let go of the past and forget who they really were. Forget that Harry was with him because he had no choice – a slave bound to Draco by blood magic. A man who he had raped and stood by while others raped and tortured. It made him sick to remember, but he couldn’t forget.
When he finally came back to the Laundromat, the other man was gone. David made his way slowly to the flat.
David let himself into the flat, worried at first when he didn't hear anything. He smiled softly when he saw Harlan asleep in the chair. The blond sat down nearby on the futon, looking at his lover for a long time. He was completely in love with this man. But how could he know if what Harlan -- Harry -- felt for him was real or just a result of the spell?
Harlan's face scrunched up as he began to dream of his past. They were hurting him again and holding him down, and he struggled to get away, screaming for help. The worst part was that everything was dark, and he couldn't see who was doing it to him.
The minute Harlan's face changed from calm to pained, David recognised the nightmare starting. He jumped off the futon and went to his knees beside him, reaching to hold him. "It's okay, it's a dream," he said urgently.
Harlan woke up with a gasp, his eyes wide as he looked at David. "Draco..." he whispered, nearly falling off the chair in his haste to get closer to him.
David wrapped his arms around the other man, fingers plunging into his hair and lips kissing his cheeks. "Harry," he whispered.
"You came back... I missed you, you know," Harlan said, his words slurring together from being sleepy still.
"Of course I came back," the blond soothed, running fingers through his lover's hair. "Did I scare you?"
"I thought maybe you'd never come back. I don't know what I'd do without you," Harlan replied, looking at him.
David frowned, searching his lover's face. "What if we didn’t have the spell binding us?" he asked. "What if the way you feel about me is just the spell?"
"If it were just the spell, I wouldn't be here," Harlan said honestly, looking into David's eyes. "Did you not see that I held onto life because I loved you? I had so many chances to just give up."
"I wanted you so bad," David said, trembling. "I still do."
"That's how I know you've changed, Draco," Harlan said softly. "That emotion you have right there. We've all made mistakes in our lives and we all deserve second chances."
"Second chance," David whispered. "You are my chance to be whole."
"If you want to be happy, you'll stay with me forever," Harlan insisted.
"Forever," David echoed, kissing him gently. Then he pulled back to look into those green eyes. "I didn't know you were a virgin when I... I swear it."
"How could you know? It's not like everyone really knew about my personal life," Harlan replied.
David nodded, taking a deep breath. He looked over and saw that Harlan had made the bed. "Sorry we missed the park," he whispered. "Do you want to go to bed now?"
"We can go to the park tomorrow...and it'll be even better," Harlan said with a small smile. "And yes, bed. I'm sorry I ate all the ice cream, by the way."
"You are entitled," David said, getting up off his knees and helping the other man too.
Harlan got up and walked over to the bed, slowly crawling into it.
David stripped and threw his clothes over the chair before climbing in with him. "Do you want to now?" he asked, knowing they had a few hours until the spell required it.
It took Harlan a moment before he understood what he was asking. If they didn't do it now, Harlan was sure that he'd end up being woken up by the spell. "Yes," he answered. "I know you'll be careful."
David smiled, stroking the other man's hair off his face. "Suck me and ride me?" he asked.
Harlan blushed. He wondered if he would ever get used to the terms. "Of course," he murmured, beginning to move down David's body.
David smiled, aroused just by the sight of the other man preparing to use his mouth on him.
Harlan kissed both of David's hips first, smiling up at the other man. "I love you," he whispered, leaning down to take his cock into his mouth.
"Yes, love you," David said, reaching to lay his hand on Harlan's head. He could never keep his hands off the other man.
Harlan closed his eyes as he concentrated on sucking David, his head bobbing slowly.
"Yes, baby, I love your mouth on me," David crooned. "You make me feel like no one else ever did."
Harlan pulled off and licked up the length, watching David as he did. He stopped and suckled on just the head, his hand wrapping around the shaft and stroking him.
"Yes, my love," David whispered, trembling with his arousal. "So beautiful."
Harlan licked a few more times before he pulled away again, sitting up and moving to get off the bed. He pulled off the shorts he had on, exposing his own arousal to David before finding the tube of lubricant.
David gazed up in adoration and desire at his lover, reaching a hand out for him.
Harlan took his hand and slowly got back into the bed, holding the tube out for him.
"Want me to prepare you?" David asked, his voice husky.
"Please," Harlan replied, lying down on his stomach.
"On your knees, baby," David said, rolling towards him.
Harlan got up on his knees only, making sure to push his arse out for him.
David quickly squeezed the Muggle lube onto his fingers and reached for his lover's opening, sliding a finger gently inside him.
"Mm," Harlan moaned, slowly pushing back onto the single finger.
"Yes, you like that," David crooned. "Going to stretch you and then you will ride my cock. Right?"
"Yes, ride your cock," Harlan whispered, swallowing thickly.
David worked in two more fingers, twisting and stroking that bundle of nerves inside.
Harlan had begun to moan and gasp, his heart speeding up as David prepared him.
"Ready to ride me, baby?" David asked, pumping his fingers in and out of the other man.
"Ready," Harlan said, gripping his sheets as he moved to get up. He wanted to come with David inside him.
David pulled his fingers out and then reached to slick his own leaking cock now. He watched hungrily as his lover crawled on top of him.
Harlan positioned himself above David's cock before he slowly started to sit down, a low moan escaping him.
David gasped, the sensation making him shiver, and resisted the urge to thrust up, watching his lover's face as he sank onto his cock.
Harlan let out another moan as he finally sat down, clenching around David gently. "You feel so good..."
"Yes, good inside you," David managed to practically growl.
Harlan waited a few more minutes before he pulled himself up and slowly sat down again, starting a slow rhythm.
"Yes, baby, ride me, that's it," David whispered, hands on his lover's thighs.
Harlan picked up the pace after he heard David's words, his hips rocking as he moved faster.
"Oh, yes," David encouraged, eyes half-closed as he watched his lover. "Yes, good inside you."
"Can I...touch myself?" Harlan gasped, his cock bouncing as he fucked himself.
"No," David said, smiling and sliding his own hand to wrap around his lover's cock.
Harlan moaned loudly as his rhythm faltered, his hips thrusting into David's hand.
"Yes, baby," David growled, getting closer and thrusting up into Harlan now. He stroked and twisted his hand on his lover's cock.
"Gonna come," Harlan moaned, biting his lip hard. "Come with me..."
"Yes, now," David growled, arching up into his lover as he shot his seed inside him.
All it took was one more thrust and Harlan was coming hard, his back arching sharply.
"Yes, yes," David whispered as he lover's come spurted over his hand, belly and chest. He laughed in delight at the feel of it and the look of rapture on Harlan's face.
Harlan smiled when he heard the laugh, looking down at David happily. "I don't even think I want to move..."
David reached a hand down beside the bed, groping blindly for a towel they kept there to clean the mess. He wiped up his chest and stomach, then pulled the man down atop him and rolled so Harlan was on his back. Then he pulled out of him, using the towel to clean his lover.
Harlan's eyes were closed as David cleaned him, the exhaustion coming back slowly. "Sleep," he said softly.
"Yes, baby," David said, dropping the towel beside the bed again and crawling back up to lie down and take his lover into his arms. "Sweet dreams, tonight, my love," he whispered.
"Sweet dreams," Harlan whispered, yawning as he rested his hands on top of David's. He fell asleep and dreamt about Harry and Draco – finally free.
***
September in San Francisco was actually warmer than the summer had been. That, and the fact that few of the trees had leaves that changed colour, made it difficult for David to believe they had really been there for three months already.
Except that David was getting good at his job, and he found he enjoyed it. He had taken to hanging out in the kitchen during his breaks. At first, it had been to be near Harlan. And because he didn't trust Mark. But he had started talking about the menu items and how the food was made with Milo and Richard, the other cook. He was fascinated by the process and the more he learnt, the more it reminded him of potionmaking.
"You're lucky I like you, David," Richard said as he sprinkled a bit of spices into the soup he was making. "Otherwise you wouldn't even be allowed back here for long." Mark snickered from where he stood, watching them. "But you remind me of myself when I first got interested in cooking,” Richard continued.
David nodded, eyes watching carefully. "How do you know how much to add? I’ve noticed that sometimes you measure it with the little spoons, but sometimes, like now, you just add it with your fingers."
Richard shrugged, stirring the soup. "I can just tell how much it needs. Like...here, taste some." He got another spoon and dipped it in the pot, scooping up a little for him. "Blow on it first."
David blew on the spoon and then sipped it. He frowned. "Needs something more," he said.
"See, that's how you can tell," Richard said with a grin, using another spoon to get a bit for himself. "Mm, yeah, more salt, you think?"
"Maybe, and more of that," David said, picking up a bottle and sniffing it. "Dill," he read off the label.
"Good idea," Richard said, nodding. "Go ahead and put it in yourself. I think I can trust you not to overdo it."
David had already washed his hands so he took a pinch of the herb and added it to the soup, watching it disappear into the mix.
Richard stirred it, adding a bit more salt before tasting it again. "Oh, that tastes wonderful..." He smiled at David, tapping his chin thoughtfully. "Have you ever thought about going to culinary school?"
"Do they have them here?" David asked.
"Yes, of course," Richard replied, covering the pot of soup. "The one I went to. The Culinary Institute of America. Lovely school, I think you'd do great there."
"Thank you," David said, nodding and seriously thinking about it. "Oh, break’s over," he said, heading back to the dining room. He stopped and gave Harlan, who was busy with dishes, a quick kiss.
Harlan blushed, turning to wave goodbye as David walked away. He sighed softly and picked up the tray, walking back into the kitchen, a small smile on his face.
Mark stepped up behind Harlan at the sink, leaning one hand on the sink beside him. "So how are you doing?" he asked.
"I'm good," Harlan replied, washing another plate. He glanced up at Mark, smiling a bit. "Really good. How're you?"
"Not too much going on." Mark shrugged. "I was seeing a guy for a while but that didn't work out."
"Oh, I'm sorry. You'll find someone better," Harlan said, setting the plate on the side to dry.
"You two getting along any better?" Mark asked.
"We were always getting along nicely," Harlan replied.
Mark sighed, clearly not believing that. "You want to go for a drink after work?" he asked.
"That sounds good, but I'll have to ask David if we aren't doing anything," Harlan answered, reaching for a glass to wash.
"Harlan, don't you do anything without David?" Mark asked, sounding shocked.
"Not really...but he is my boyfriend, I like it," Harlan said, nodding.
"It's not healthy," Mark said. "You should have friends of your own. Didn't you have friends back in England?"
Harlan paused at the memory of his friends. "They died," he said quietly. "Accident."
"Oh, sorry," Mark said, laying a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"It's okay," Harlan said, shrugging. "They're in a better place, I hope."
Mark gave his shoulder a squeeze. "Well, I had better get my smoke now before my break is over. You taken yours yet?"
"Not yet, haven't had the chance," Harlan said. "I could join you, if you want."
"Sure, I would," Mark said, smiling.
"All right, let me just finish this," Harlan murmured, turning back to the sink and finishing the plates. He pulled off the gloves when he was done and put them away, wiping his hands on his jeans. "Okay, ready."
Mark lit up as soon as they were outside. He had grabbed a coat for the cool night and was holding it closed with the other hand. "So what do you do for fun, Harlan?" he asked.
"Uhm, well..." That was a hard question, considering the fact that Mark probably wouldn't know what he was talking about if he told him he liked to fly and play wizard's chess. "David and I go to the park sometimes, and... the Laundromat is fun." He laughed softly, rubbing his arms.
"Oh, man, you need to get out more if you think the Laundromat is fun," Mark said, half laughing. "How about the movies? Dancing? Sports?"
"We watch movies on the telly sometimes," Harlan said with a small blush. "We only danced at that party...and sports here are strange."
"I guess you two are used to rugby and things like that," Mark said.
"Yeah...and football. Which is another sport here?" Harlan asked, looking confused.
"Different," Mark said, dropping his cigarette and crushing it. "Do you like music?"
"I love music, but I can't really dance all that well," Harlan said, laughing again.
"I could show you," Mark offered.
Harlan frowned slightly. "I don't think David would like that."
Mark huffed and rolled his eyes. "Fine, but you think about what I said. You need a life that isn't always about what David wants." He opened the backdoor. "I guess we had better get back."
They went back to work. It was a busy night and late by the time cleanup was done. David was sitting at a table in the dining area, talking with a Manuel and Jennifer when Harlan finally finished.
Harlan sat down next to David once he was finished, smiling at the others. "David, are you ready to head back home?"
"Yes," David said, smiling tiredly at his lover. They said goodnight to the others and made their way home by bus.
Harlan rested his head on David's shoulder once they found seats on the bus. "Can I ask you a question?"
"Mmm?" David answered sleepily, eyes closed and feet throbbing in pain. Some days he missed magic more than others.
"Would you ever let me go out with other people? Just...I don't know, for fun. With you, too..." Harlan asked.
David frowned. "What do you mean?" he asked, voice quiet but body tense.
"Just, uhm...not like a date. Just friends," Harlan said quickly, feeling David tense.
"Mark wants more than a friend," David snapped.
"I make it clear everyday that you're my boyfriend, and I'm only interested in him as a friend," Harlan replied softly.
"Doesn't mean he is listening," David drawled.
"I don't think he'd force me to do anything, David..." Harlan said slowly.
"So what do you want to do?" David asked, warily.
"He says he wouldn't mind teaching me how to dance," Harlan said, shrugging. "But I know you could always teach me that. But...he asked today if I could go out for a drink after work. Something like that, I guess."
"I don't want him touching you," David said.
Harlan nodded. "So no dancing, I understand."
"And you don't stay out all night," David said. "Take no risks."
"I'll make sure to come back early," Harlan said firmly.
"I'll think about it then," David said with a huff, closing his eyes again.
"Thank you," Harlan replied, smiling brightly. He sat up a bit more to see where they were.