8th year cuddling in the common room late at night? yes please
The common room was empty when Harry woke up. The fireplace was the only source of light and it was cold enough that Harry didnât want to leave the immediate warmth the fire offered.  He did not bother to look up when he heard someone coming down the stairs.
âOf course, youâre still down here,â Draco said, his voice still gravelly with sleep.
âHey, love,â Harry said.
Instead of sitting next to Harry on the sofa, Draco took a seat in the armchair just out of armâs reach. Harry reached out a hand to him. Draco, barely able to reach him, took it for a few seconds before brushing his thumb over Harryâs knuckles and pulling away. Harry sighed.
âItâs fine,â Harry said.
âSomethingâs not fine.â
âI donât want to make things awkward.â
âYouâve made many things very awkward for a very long time.â
âYouâre one to talk.â
âReally, though,â Draco said, returning the conversation to a more serious tone.
Harry thought for a minute, considering how to explain himself without doing so at the expense of Dracoâs feelings. âYou pull away from me, sometimes almost immediately. Sometimes I miss you and youâre right there. I donât want to push you into anything that isnât okay with you, butâŚwell, I touch Ron more than I touch you.â
âNow youâre just trying to make me jealous,â Draco said. He said it with a smile but not a convincing one.
âTell me to stop and Iâll stop.â
âI donât want you to stop. Itâs not that I donât want you to touch me,â Draco paused, then mumbled something Harry could not make out.
Draco sighed and looked away. He seemed to shrink into the chair.  âI donât want you to think Iâm clingy. Pansy said people hate that.â
âSo, youâre secretly a snuggle-bug? Iâm into it,â Harry said.
âStop being stupid and come here,â Harry said. After an uncomfortable silence, Harry realized Draco wasnât going to move. He settled back into the sofa. âItâs okay,â he whispered. When he heard Draco get up, Harry sighed again expecting Draco to leave him alone in the common room.
âYouâre sure youâre into it?â Draco asked, standing next to the sofa.
âYou wouldnât, I donât know, you wouldnât mind ifâŚwell, I wouldnât call it snuggling.â
Harry reached out to Draco again. Draco all but fell onto Harry. By the time they stopped moving, rearranging, adjusting, Draco was settled between Harryâs legs and laying on him. Harry held him tightly to his chest, convinced Draco would change his mind and pull away. With Dracoâs head on his shoulder, arms wrapped around each other, Harry feltâŚsafe. Happy.
Harry tucked Dracoâs hair behind his ear and continued to run his fingers through his hair. It was so soft. Harry leaned in and rested his mouth against Dracoâs hair, not in a kiss, just indulging the impulse of feeling that soft hair against his lips. He took a deep breath and allowed himself to relax.
âDid you just sniff my hair?â
âI didnât make a conscious decision to do so if thatâs what youâre asking,â he said, self-consciously returning both hands to Dracoâs back.
Harry felt more than heard when Draco laughed.Â
He didnât notice when he started rubbing Dracoâs back in a lazy repetitive motion. The motion became as much a comfort to him as he hoped it was for Draco. The fabric of Dracoâs shirt had long since given the palm of his hand a tingly feeling that anchored him in that moment. Harry could not imagine stopping. He smiled when Draco nuzzled his cheek onto his shoulder, a sleepy moan escaped Draco. With that, Harry knew heâd fallen.
âHey,â someone whispered. âHey. Harry.â
âHarry, wake up,â Draco said.
Harry, forgetting where he was, looked around fighting off panic.
âYouâre fine. We fell asleep,â Draco said. âItâs three in the morning. Maybe we should go to bed.âÂ
Harry nodded in agreement but, with some reluctance, let go of Draco. As Draco sat up, Harry felt his absence, his body feeling the cold most acutely where Draco had been.
âHow big is your bed?â Draco asked.
âCome on, weâll get better sleep in a bed. Iâll even let you be the little spoon,â Draco said, getting to his feet.
âYouâll let me?â Harry said, trying to hide a smile.
Draco reached a hand out for him, âCome on. Iâm tired.â
Of course, Harry took Dracoâs hand. How could he not?