Beginning

"If I don't go soon, Ron is going to come looking for me."

"Yeah, I suppose you should head back."

Neither boy moved from their sitting position on the stairs. The stairwell corridor was narrow and dark, save for a few candles burning in their sconces on the walls. Harry turned to look at Draco, and was not surprised to find himself savouring the way the shadows brushed against the pale skin. The reflection of the candlelight had given the translucent grey eyes a fiery amber hue, warm and inviting.

"You're staring again," Draco looked sideways at Harry, a small smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.

"I know," Harry said matter-of-factly.

"Your subtlety astounds me, Potter," the other boy laughed softly, turning to fully meet Harry's gaze.

"It's a gift," Harry shrugged, not breaking eye contact.

Draco's playful smirk slowly faded as he stared back into the gentle green depths, feeling oddly exposed. He had come to terms with his changing feelings for Harry long ago, and it was a constant exercise in self-control not to touch his friend at every available moment. He allowed himself to give in to the luxury every now and then - brushing off a piece of non-existent lint from those wonderfully strong shoulders, or smoothing his perfectly disheveled fringe off his forehead and out of his eyes. Each touch never failed to deliver that addictive and heady rush. Even now, with their thighs pressed flush against one another as they sat side by side, Draco felt off-balance, as if on the edge of a cliff where the slightest movement would push him into a glorious free-fall.

It wasn't that Draco minded being stared at. He was used to it. He inherited his mother's striking Veela-esque features, which caused people to stop for a second glance all the time. And he was used to the incessant glares from Weasley (though those had tempered lately). When Harry stared at him, however, it was altogether different.

Harry had a way of looking right through to Draco's soul. He could feel Harry looking past all the sarcasm and faux indifference, through the exaggerated arrogance and Malfoy charm. He made Draco feel naked and raw, completely exposed. It unnerved him, yet always made him feel safer than he'd ever felt in his life.

Harry found himself slowly reaching his hand up to Draco's face. The desire to touch was overwhelming. He watched Draco blink slowly, as if steeling himself for this personal invasion, and stopped. He swallowed hard, nervous from the awkwardness he'd just created, and began to lower his hand.

"It's alright. You can touch me," Draco said softly, then reached up to grab hold of Harry's hand, guiding it to his face, and letting Harry's palm cradle his jaw.

Draco felt Harry's thumb make a small circle against his cheek, and closed his eyes. His wanting to touch Harry was something he was used to, but Harry wanting to touch him was an entirely different sensation altogether. Something far more addictive. He took a deep breath as he felt Harry's fingers awkwardly move up to his brow, tracing the shape and moving back down his cheek, stopping at the pulse point on his neck.

"God, you're...so..." Harry lowered his hand and looked down to the steps below, a blush kissing his cheeks. He glanced up again to see the now wide-eyed expression on Draco's face, instantly regretting his near-admission.

"I'm sorry," he said quietly, and stood up to go. He felt a hand wrap around his forearm, halting his retreat. Draco rose to meet his gaze once again, and Harry could see his brow furrow slightly, as if confused. Before Harry could try and explain, he felt himself being pulled into Draco's arms.

Draco felt his legs start to tremble, and stumbled back against the wall bringing Harry with him in his refusal to let the other boy go. He shut his eyes, trying to memorize the feel of Harry pressed against his body. He felt Harry's arms tighten around his waist as he lowered his own arm to the small of Harry's back, letting his fingertips skirt along the edge of his jumper and inside to make contact with the warm skin underneath. Draco felt Harry's sharp intake of breath at the touch, and allowed his palm to stretch out against the glorious skin being offered to him.

Harry tilted his head down to nestle his chin against the slightly smaller boy's shoulder and sighed. He could feel Draco's cheek pressed against his neck, warm and oh so soft. He shut his eyes, letting himself get lost, drowning in this whirlpool of emotion and sensation within Draco's arms.

"I'm not," he heard Draco say.

Draco turned his face towards Harry's neck, his breath quickening as he felt the other boy's leg slide between his own, melding their bodies together in a closeness that Draco had never felt before. His mouth was against Harry's neck, skin begging to be tasted and devoured, and he just couldn't hold back anymore. He moved slowly up Harry's neck to his jaw, letting his tongue flicker against the flushed and heated skin. He heard a low, strangled moan escape Harry's throat as he felt himself being pulled tighter into the embrace. He placed small and gentle kisses on Harry's cheek, and then Harry turned his face towards him, their mouths achingly close.

The moment that their lips finally met was a moment that Harry would never forget for the rest of his life. Something began to flood all the empty and broken places within his soul, and that something was Draco. He knew he was finally where he belonged. Everything good and bad that had ever happened in his life was simply the path leading him to this moment, right here and right now. His lips moving slowly against Draco's, his tongue caressing and being caressed tentatively. This...this was his destiny...Draco.

Draco suddenly felt Harry pulling back, the abrupt loss of that perfect touch making him sway slightly where he stood, grateful for the wall behind him which was the only thing holding him up. He forced his eyes open to see Harry looking up the stairs to the doorway above, seeing the light that had suddenly filled the corridor as a shadowed figure stood in the entranceway.

Ron.

Draco and Harry stole a quick glance at each other, both fighting the embarrassment of being caught by the one person they never wanted to be caught by. Draco tried not to stare at the lips made swollen by his own, trying instead to concentrate on staying upright. Harry shuffled his feet, then mumbled a quick 'goodbye' and headed up the stairs. Draco watched as he departed, never wanting anything more in his life like he wanted Harry's touch right now.

Harry reached the top of the stairs, avoiding Ron's glare, and looked back down the stairs - back to the one person from whom he would never let himself be separated. He gave Draco a quick smile and a shrug in Ron's direction. Draco smiled back, giving a small wave goodnight.

He watched Harry turn away, Ron slamming the door shut behind them, and he was plunged into the near-darkness again. After having hoped for so long, wanting for so long, Draco only had one thought on his mind: tomorrow is going to be an entirely different day. Tomorrow is the beginning.