#transdraco

It was the back of his neck that did it. The apron that was hung there, really, at the knot in his spine. Draco only had time to glimpse his bare shoulders—his messy black hair—his pointy elbow. 

“Hiya,” the man said, smiling, shifting his tongs from one hand to the other as he approached. “Peckish? Made a whole bag of stir-fry, don’t know what I was thinking. It’s got baby corn in, if you like that.” 

Draco shook his outstretched hand, distracted by his biceps.

“You are…?” Draco asked slowly, noticing his eyes were green, soft and light compared to his dark skin. 

“Harry. New flatmate. Just moved in—well—I’m in the process, but I was starved. Want some?”

“Draco. No,” Draco said, his eyes dropping toward Harry’s back as he returned to the hob, jostling the pan. 

“Suit yourself,” he said, looking over his shoulder to the book Draco was clutching onto tightly. “Had a lecture?” 

His eyes came up, lingered on Draco’s face, mouth quirked like Draco had said something funny. Draco’s heart pounded in his throat. 

“It’s the middle of the semester. I wasn’t expecting anyone new.” 

“I start next term. Took a gap year. Travelled. Anything interesting?” 

“What?” Draco asked, his eyes locked on the top of his waistband—the too-loose knot of the apron tie—it would come undone with just one tug. 

“Your book.” 

Draco looked down, saw it, couldn’t remember what it had been about. He read the cover. Pride and Prejudice—special edition. 

“Old favourite. I like to read near the river,” Draco said, lifting it briefly, allowing him to see the front. 

“Never read it. Fan of the movie, though. Matthew Macfadyen and Keira Knightly, I mean, what a blessing. Two more beautiful people, I couldn’t choose.”

“I’ve never seen the new one. Just the old series on BBC with…er…Colin, something…” Draco murmured, eyeing the dusting of hair he’d just noticed on Harry’s forearm as it twisted, flicking the pan expertly. 

“Ah, he’s fit, too,” Harry said, and Draco stared at his jaw, the curve of his cheek where a smile was hidden. “Can’t remember who plays Elizabeth in that one. We should watch it together. Flatmate bonding.” 

Harry looked over his shoulder, revealing the smile Draco had known would be there. He felt lightheaded. 

“We haven’t got a telly.” 

“Laptop, then. I’m not above a shitty bootleg version. I think I even have some popcorn. After I eat, then?”