8th year cuddling in the common room late at night? yes please
The common room was empty when Harry woke up.Ā The fireplace was the only source of light and it was cold enough that Harry didnāt want to leave the immediate warmth the fire offered.Ā Ā He did not bother to look up when he heard someone coming down the stairs.
āOf course, youāre still down here,ā Draco said, his voice still gravelly with sleep.
āHey, love,ā Harry said.
Instead of sitting next to Harry on the sofa, Draco took a seat in the armchair just out of armās reach.Ā Harry reached out a hand to him.Ā Draco, barely able to reach him, took it for a few seconds before brushing his thumb over Harryās knuckles and pulling away.Ā Harry sighed.
āItās fine,ā Harry said.
āSomethingās not fine.ā
āI donāt want to make things awkward.ā
āYouāve made many things very awkward for a very long time.ā
āYouāre one to talk.ā
āReally, though,ā 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 Dracoās feelings.Ā āYou pull away from me, sometimes almost immediately. Sometimes I miss you and youāre right there. I donāt want to push you into anything that isnāt okay with you, butā¦well, I touch Ron more than I touch you.ā
āNow youāre just trying to make me jealous,ā Draco said.Ā He said it with a smile but not a convincing one.
āTell me to stop and Iāll stop.ā
āI donāt want you to stop. Itās not that I donāt want you to touch me,ā Draco paused, then mumbled something Harry could not make out.
Draco sighed and looked away.Ā He seemed to shrink into the chair.Ā Ā āI donāt want you to think Iām clingy.Ā Pansy said people hate that.ā
āSo, youāre secretly a snuggle-bug? Iām into it,ā Harry said.
āStop being stupid and come here,ā Harry said. After an uncomfortable silence, Harry realized Draco wasnāt going to move.Ā He settled back into the sofa.Ā āItās okay,ā he whispered.Ā When he heard Draco get up, Harry sighed again expecting Draco to leave him alone in the common room.
āYouāre sure youāre into it?ā Draco asked, standing next to the sofa.
āYou wouldnāt, I donāt know, you wouldnāt mind ifā¦well, I wouldnāt call it snuggling.ā
Harry reached out to Draco again. Draco all but fell onto Harry.Ā By the time they stopped moving, rearranging, adjusting, Draco was settled between Harryās legs and laying on him.Ā Harry held him tightly to his chest, convinced Draco would change his mind and pull away.Ā With Dracoās head on his shoulder, arms wrapped around each other, Harry feltā¦safe. Happy.
Harry tucked Dracoās hair behind his ear and continued to run his fingers through his hair.Ā It was so soft.Ā Harry leaned in and rested his mouth against Dracoās hair, not in a kiss, just indulging the impulse of feeling that soft hair against his lips.Ā He took a deep breath and allowed himself to relax.
āDid you just sniff my hair?ā
āI didnāt make a conscious decision to do so if thatās what youāre asking,ā he said, self-consciously returning both hands to Dracoās back.
Harry felt more than heard when Draco laughed.Ā
He didnāt notice when he started rubbing Dracoās back in a lazy repetitive motion.Ā The motion became as much a comfort to him as he hoped it was for Draco.Ā The fabric of Dracoās shirt had long since given the palm of his hand a tingly feeling that anchored him in that moment.Ā Harry could not imagine stopping.Ā He smiled when Draco nuzzled his cheek onto his shoulder, a sleepy moan escaped Draco.Ā With that, Harry knew heād fallen.
āHey,ā someone whispered.Ā āHey. Harry.ā
āHarry, wake up,ā Draco said.
Harry, forgetting where he was, looked around fighting off panic.
āYouāre fine. We fell asleep,ā Draco said.Ā āItās three in the morning. Maybe we should go to bed.āĀ
Harry nodded in agreement but, with some reluctance, let go of Draco.Ā As Draco sat up, Harry felt his absence, his body feeling the cold most acutely where Draco had been.
āHow big is your bed?ā Draco asked.
āCome on, weāll get better sleep in a bed.Ā Iāll even let you be the little spoon,ā Draco said, getting to his feet.
āYouāll let me?ā Harry said, trying to hide a smile.
Draco reached a hand out for him,Ā āCome on. Iām tired.ā
Of course, Harry took Dracoās hand.Ā How could he not?