An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Kiss the Joy (Until the Sun Rise)
ICMezzo @icmezzo
Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling Rating: Mature Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Draco Malfoy/Harry Potter Characters: Harry Potter, Draco Malfoy Additional Tags: Room of Requirement, Hurt/Comfort, Post-War
Summary:
The Room of Requirement was severely damaged in the war, but not so much that it could not provide for one lost student and another young hero—especially when they needed each other most of all.
Excerpt:
“I think I’m broken,” Harry confessed.
“Don’t say that,” Draco said, because he wasn’t good at fixing things—he’d been taught broken possessions were tossed in the rubbish or Banished into the space between, which was probably why he was no good now at putting his own life back together, much less able to help Potter.
Picking at a frayed thread on his blanket, Potter bit his lip. “I am, though. I died, Draco. On purpose. Had to. Alone except for the company of people I’d already lost. Ghosts. I had to go to the Forest…to die.” Harry’s voice shook. “I was so tired; I almost wanted it all to end.” He closed his eyes for a moment before continuing. “I had to come back because it wasn’t over. My job wasn’t done. But now it is and I’m still so tired and I don’t know why I’m here.”
“I do,” Draco breathed, as the realization dawned on him. “We’re in the Room of Requirement. I think you’re here because I need you.”
Harry stared at him. “You don’t need me. You might have needed that letter for your mother, but there’s no guarantee that will work.”
“I don’t think that’s the only reason.”
“Why would you need me? You don’t even like me,” Harry said.
“I’m not sure it matters. Do you need me?”
Harry frowned. “I needed help with the bandage where I was cursed.”
Draco nodded.
“I don’t think that’s all, though.” Harry added softly.
“Someone to fight with,” Draco said, damning the darkness and its tongue-loosening magic.
“Cry with,” Harry added.
“To heal with.”
They sat in silence, lost in their thoughts, until Draco saw Harry cringe. “Someone to wake me when I have nightmares.”
Draco gave him a sad smile. “Someone to forgive—”
“And ask for forgiveness from,” Harry finished.
“Someone who understands.”
“Someone to remind me that I’m human.” Harry’s lips were parted, the moonlight on his face.
He wasn’t beautiful; he was just Harry.
Draco didn’t know why he did it, but he leaned in and gently kissed Harry’s lips.
Pulling back, he took in Harry’s face. The lost look was gone from his eyes, but Draco wasn’t able to interpret what he saw in its place.
“Why…?” Harry asked, tilting his head.
“I don’t know.” Draco bit his lip. It was the truth. He didn’t know. Certainly he hadn’t ever thought of kissing Potter before, but here they were, scarred flesh and blood, and Harry was making him feel emotions other than fear and grief for once, and he just wanted to get lost in them. He’d acted on instinct more than anything.
“Do it again,” Harry said softly.
꒰˘̩̩̩⌣˘̩̩̩๑꒱♡
