#my hands werent cooperating with me for a bit so it took me a hot minute to get to danny as the rudolf

[theresamouseinmyhouse]

mayerling ballet au pt 2 electric boogaloo

[queenshelby]

Foreigner – Peaky Blinder Fanfic

PART TWO – GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS

Featuring: Tommy Shelby x Reader

Warning: SMUT

Words: 5093

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Business Meeting

It was a long night for Tommy. But, as usual, he woke up early to attend business matters and liaise with Arthur and Polly about how to handle the recent interference by agent Cooper, an investigator of the Crown, with the latest shipment of heroin from the Chinese.

Abrahama Gold was arrested in the process and Tommy had to plan his next move. It was unclear to Tommy how agent Cooper got wind of the shipment. Someone must have informed him, but who? Police in Birmingham are on Tommy’s payroll and Tommy has recently taken out his competitor. There was no one Tommy could think of who had a vested interest in informing agent Cooper of the shipment.

Of course, shipments often got interfered with but generally the interferers were gangs or business men who wanted to take the profits from the sale of the products themselves. Being ratted out to the Crown as unusual.

As Tommy and Polly were arguing on how to deal with the situation, there was a knock on the door of Tommy’s office.

‘Finn, come in’ Tommy said as he saw Finn glancing through the small glass window beside his office door.

‘You wanted to see me Tommy’ Finn said.

‘Yes’ Tommy said as he lit himself a cigarette. ‘Sit down’ he added.

Finn sat down without speaking a word, waiting for Tommy to continue.

‘The woman you drove back to her residence last night…where was she staying?’ Tommy asked, following which Finn told him that you were staying at the Renaissance Hotel.

‘Tommy, I don’t think now is the right time to discuss your fancy for yet another woman who you will get bored off in a few weeks’ Polly said angrily as she already heard from the barmaid at the Garrison about the mysterious young woman who Tommy had bandaged up last night.

‘Are you talking about the girl you sat with last night?’ Arthur asked as a slight chuckle escaped him. ‘You don’t think she is a bit young for you brother? She is 25 at the most’ Arthur added with laughter.

‘Fuck off Arthur’ Tommy said firmly, before carrying on.

‘Something seemed off about her. I believe that she is looking for connections to export alcohol and drugs to America which, I think, is interesting considering that Esme Bortelli’s men are also staying at the Renaissance Hotel and are in town to discuss business of some sort. I did my research on Esme and it turns out that Esme’s affiliate is Manfred Conner, the father of Lucas Conner.’ Tommy added.

‘The 16-year-old boy who Arthur shot 8 years ago? Do you think that there is connection between that woman at the Garrison last night and the tip off?’ Polly asked.

‘I don’t think she made the tip off Polly. But, I also don’t think that our friend Manfred is here to advance Esme’s business interests. Something seems off.’ Tommy said.

‘Also, there were two men at the Garrison last night asking questions. I believe that they were after Arthur and I think that Manfred sent them’ Tommy added.

‘Where are the men now?’ Arthur asked

‘They are held by Abrahama’s men at the old steel factory. Go and make them talk and send them back to Conner with a message’ Tommy instructed.

‘Do you think we set up a meeting with Giovanni Sabini first? He might have some sort of connection’ Polly asked.

‘Not yet’ Tommy responded. ‘I will talk to the girl first. She must be an affiliate of Bortelli or Conner. I might be able to get to her and see what Conner’s plan is and whether he is looking after Esme’s business interests or not’ Tommy said, causing Polly to roll her eyes.

‘Of course…Thomas Shelby. You will talk to her…’ Polly said with laughter.

‘I am willing to go further than talking if it benefits our operations Polly’ Tommy said.

‘I see your tactics have not changed when it comes to dealing with women in this business’ Polly said. ‘So, your plan is to manipulate her into trusting you to get your way?’ Polly added.

‘I might try, depending on the circumstances’ Tommy responded.

‘That may have worked with Jesse Eden, but with this woman, it may be a much more dangerous game that you are playing Tommy. If she is related to Bortelli and you screw with her, you may find yourself at war with the West Coast Mafia’ Polly said concerned.

‘Not if we struck the right deal with Bortelli’ Tommy said before taking a pause. ‘Unfortunately, we will need her for this as I do not trust Manfred Conner and his men’ Tommy said.

‘Be careful Tommy’ Polly said.

‘Always’ Tommy grinned before ending the business meeting and engaging Lizzy to track you down in order to get more information about what he might be dealing with.

Meeting Again

Fortunately, it wasn’t difficult for Lizzy to find you as your father got the hotel staff to keep close tabs on you after last night’s adventure.

Thus, just after you sat down and ordered dinner at the hotel’s bar, you heard a familiar voice from behind you.

‘Good evening Y/N’ the voice said.

‘Good evening sir, what a pleasant surprise’ you responded as you turned around and noticed the same man you met last night standing behind you.

Without asking for your approval and with great confidence and a touch of arrogance, the man sat down across from you.

‘How is your knee?’ he asked as the waitress brought him a glass of whiskey.

‘It’s much better, thank you…Did you just order this?’ you asked surprised as you did not notice him speak with the waitress.

‘I don’t have to, I am regular’ the man responded.

‘Right’ you smiled. ‘So, you are here to have dinner, on your own?’ you asked.

‘No, I already ate. I am here to help you Y/N’ the man said as he lit himself a cigarette.

‘Help me? With what?’ you asked surprised.

‘Alcohol, cocaine, heroin, whatever you need. Of course, it comes at a price’ the man said calmly but yet determined.

You werent sure whether he was fishing for information after last night or whether he knew that you were here on behalf of your aunt to struck a deal with Thomas Shelby.

‘Listen, Mr…?’ you responded as you did not know his name and, before you could continue with your sentence, the man responded ‘Shelby’.

‘Shelby? As in Thomas Shelby?’ you asked surprised. You heard of Thomas Shelby on many occasions but never imagined him to be anything like the man sitting right in front of you. You had always imagined him to be an old man who smelled like cigar smoke and who looked somewhat scary, almost rough and aggressive.

‘Yes, Thomas Shelby’ Tommy said. ‘So, either you really didn’t know who I was or you have something to hide. Which one is it Y/N?’ Tommy added.

‘I really had no idea. I am so sorry’ you responded.

‘Alright, I believe you. You seem like a trustworthy young woman’ Tommy said.

‘Well thank you Mr Shelby, but I have to go’ you said with a haste as you grabbed your bag. You were intimidated by Tommy and worried that you might find yourself in trouble real soon if you continue talking to him without first speaking to your aunt.

‘Y/N’ Tommy said as he stood up from his chair just as you were about to leave the table.

‘Yes, Mr Shelby?’ you responded while turning around briefly.

‘Let me know when you are ready talk business and give my regards to Esme when you speak to her’ Tommy said as he gave you a card with his office address and telephone connection.

You knew exactly that he was playing you. It was obvious. But you didn’t know why and what his end game was. Your father and aunt Esme had warned you about him on numerous occasions. He was a gambling man and he was calculated and dangerous.

Important Call

As you returned to your hotel room, you were looking for your father to discuss what had just happened. But, he wasn’t there.

He left you a note saying that he had business to attend to. This was rather frustrating for you as he had not discussed any business matters with you since you had arrived in Birmingham. This was contrary to aunt Esme’s instructions. After all, you are the one looking after the finances and laundering of the profits.

Since your father was preoccupied with what appeared to be his own matters, you didn’t waste any time and called aunt Esme to tell her who you had met and to seek further instructions.

Her instructions were simple. She told you to see Thomas Shelby as he had suggested. She also became suspicious about your father’s behaviour after you explained the situation and told you not to get your father involved until the deal is done.

You didn’t like going behind your father’s back but yet you felt as though you had to protect him. He has been hot headed lately and not has not been smart when it came to business matters.

You, on the other hand, took after your mother. You were level headed. You despised violence and believed that all conflicts could be negotiated. Your aunt always used to tell you that you should become a politician as you had excellent negotiation skills. In the same vein, she believed that you can stand up against Thomas Shelby and negotiate the deal with him on her behalf. She trusted you and you respected her wishes.

Business Negotiations

Just as aunt Esme had instructed you, the following day, you attended Thomas Shelby’s office to discuss a deal between his family and yours.

‘Mr Shelby, there is a woman here for you. She said she wants to talk about a business opportunity with you’ Tommy’s receptionist said.

‘Send her in Amy, thank you’ Tommy said, knowing that it would be you.

‘I didn’t expect to see you so soon Y/N. Please sit’ Tommy said as he poured a glass of whisky and handed it to you.

You were nervous and intimidated. Your hands were shaking as you held onto the glass of whiskey. He was handsome and kind but yet you were afraid of him in a way.

‘Now what do you need Y/N?’ Tommy asked.

‘Distribution of alcohol, cocaine and heroin to Atlanta’ you said.

‘I already have a supply chain to Atlanta. But you already know this’ Tommy said. ‘So, what is in it for me other than trouble with my current supplier?’ he asked.

‘15% of the profits and we take the losses for any product ceased’ you said, causing Tommy to laugh.

‘No’ Tommy said firmly as he starred into your eyes. He was standing right in front of you. So close and so intimidating.

‘You are in the wrong business Love’ he added with a chuckle since you didn’t respond to his firm ‘no’. He clearly did not take you seriously.

You built up all of your courage and stood up, right in front of Tommy, and firmly put your glass onto his desk.

‘With all due respect Mr Shelby, I know for a fact that this is more than Sabini offers you’ you said as you looked into his hypnotising blue eyes.

A strange sensation overcame Tommy. Something he hadn’t felt before. It was a feeling of warmth and coldness at the same time as you stood in front of him with all that confidence you had inside of you. He certainly did not expect this.

‘You would know that Sabini is paying more than you just offered me. Unless, of course, you have been sloppy when doing research’ Tommy said as he gently moved some of your hair out of your face and behind your ear.

‘Yes, but how many shipments did you lose in Atlanta since taking over. I count two so far and the losses were excessive’ you said nervously as you could feel Tommy’s warm breath on your neck.

‘40%, you take the losses in Atlanta and I will deal with Sabini’ Tommy whispered into your ear while his hand was still running over your neck gently. His warm breath besides your ear sent shivers down your neck and you wanted nothing more than for him to kiss you.

But Tommy knew exactly what he was doing and it became clear to you that he wasn’t going to give you what you wanted. What you didn’t know was that he was still playing you and his strategy was working.

‘I cannot agree to this Mr Shelby’ you answered nervously as you moved your head, hoping to catch Tommy’s lips with yours.

‘Well, that is too bad’ Tommy said just before he pulled away from you. ‘You will need to come back with a better offer’ he said as he walked around the table and sat down on his chair.

‘Thank you for your time Mr Shelby’ you said nervously as you grabbed your bag from the desk. You bit your lip as your legs were still shaking nervously before walking towards the door.

‘I hope to see you soon Y/N’ Tommy said as you left his office.

It took you some time to collect your thoughts after the meeting. It was intense and your mind was racing with all sorts of things, not just business. ‘What was this man doing to you?’ you thought to yourself.

The Charity Gala

The following day, your father was invited by Thomas Shelby to attend a charity event. It was obvious that Thomas wanted to talk business and he wanted to do so in a public place.

The invitation was sent days ago, just as you arrived at the Renaissance Hotel. Tommy knew Esme’s men were in town and he had a good guess about what they wanted. But, Thomas Shelby doesn’t take any risks. Him and your father had history.

You were concerned that Tommy would speak with your father about having met you and the deal on the table. Therefore, you decided to attend the event as well, despite your father’s wishes against it.

As you walked down the stairs in the lobby, you saw Tommy greeting your father.

‘Mr Conner, it is a pleasure to meet you again’ Tommy said as he shook your father’s hand.

‘I can’t say that the pleasure is on my side’ your father responded without any attempt to introduce you to Tommy. It was rather awkward and you could not help yourself but stare at Tommy.

Fortunately for you, Tommy could sense the awkwardness and was determined to end it.

‘Is this your business partner?’ Tommy asked your father as he gazed over to you.

‘She is my daughter’ your father said, just as you interrupted.

‘I am representing my aunt Esme’s business interests. I am in charge of finances’ you explained as you shook Tommy’s hand, pretending that you haven’t met him before.

‘Pleasure to meet you Miss or Mrs…?’ Tommy played along.

‘Miss. Y/N Conner’ you responded before you went on to ask ‘Do you dance Mr Shelby?’

‘I do’ Tommy said as he offered you his hand and guided you towards the dancefloor, leaving your father speechless.

You imagined that your father would have been rather annoyed to see you walk off with Thomas Shelby, but you really needed to speak with Tommy, alone.

‘Thank you for playing along’ you whispered into Tommy’s ear as you began to dance.

‘Pleasure’ Tommy responded as he was leading the dance.

‘You did not mention that Manfred Connor is your father’ Tommy said as the dancefloor began to fill up.

‘I didn’t think that it was relevant. My aunt authorised me to negotiate with you. My father will only be involved when the deal is being put in action’ you responded, causing Tommy to chuckle.

‘I think that your father has a mind of his own. You and your aunt should be careful’ Tommy said.

‘What do you mean?’ you asked concerned.

‘You do not need to concern yourself with this tonight Y/N’ Tommy said in response.

‘Well, I have spoken to my aunt, she is agreeable to 25%’ you said, causing Tommy to laugh.

‘You know I will not agree to 25%’ Tommy said.

‘I told her that but I have an offer you cannot refuse Mr Shelby’ you whispered back just as the music stopped.

‘Meet me at Room 1801 in 30 minutes and we can discuss’ Tommy said as he walked you back to your father.

‘Thank you for the dance, Miss Conner. Please excuse me’ Tommy said as your father requested a meeting with Tommy.

You were still unsure whether Tommy was still playing you or whether he was genuinely interested in making a deal. Or perhaps, was he interested in something else you wondered.  

A Business Meeting of a different kind

Half an hour later, just as agreed, you walked up to Room 1801.

The door to the room was open. You entered but Tommy was not there. ‘He must not be known to be punctual’ you thought.

It was rather awkward, discussing business matters on your own with a man like this.

The room you were in was quite obviously designated for meetings of this kind. Unlike other hotel rooms, this room had a large table and a drink cart with an assortment of top shelf whiskeys and snacks.

There were stacks of papers on one of the side boards and, most interestingly, there was no bed in this room.

You poured yourself a glass of whiskey and sat down at the table until, not long, Tommy entered the room.

‘My apologies Y/N, I was held up’ Tommy said.

‘With my father?’ you asked.

‘He desperately wanted to know where I am holding the men he sent after me a few days ago’ Tommy said.

‘Sent after you, why?’ you asked.

‘I am yet to figure this out’ Tommy said.

‘You aren’t going to take me hostage, are you?’ you chuckled.

‘You have nothing to worry about Y/N’ Tommy said with some laughter. ‘I am here to talk business. I respect you and your aunt but, unfortunately, I wasn’t left with much of a choice other than to deal with Sabini a few months ago’ Tommy said as he poured himself a drink.

When you looked at him sip on his whiskey, your lips tingled and your mind wandered to delicious places.

While you hardly knew him, you knew that kissing him would be like heaven and sin combined. You wanted to kiss those lips and feel his body pressed against yours, and the closer he got as you spoke, you thought it may happen.

‘So, what is this offer I cannot refuse?’ Tommy said as he stood right in front of you.

‘We can offer you exclusive distribution to the West Coast, not just Atlanta’ you said as you bit your lip.

‘At 40%?’ Tommy asked, causing you to shake your head nervously.

‘That’s a shame. What else can you offer me?’ he asked.

‘Uhm’ you said quietly as you were lost for words.

Within moments, the space between you closed as Tommy leaned in and pressed his body against yours.

‘That is my offer Mr Shelby, exclusive distribution at 25%’ you said with a shaky voice.

‘I will think about it’ Tommy whispered into your ear just before he gently kissed your neck while sliding a hand between the buttons on your shirt. You loved the way he made you feel…sexy, powerful and desired.

As Tommy continued to kiss your neck, you gasped as his hand brushed your skin.

‘You have 24 hours to consider this offer Mrs Shelby’ you said with a gasp as you tilted your head back into him, reaching a hand up, grabbing the back of his neck to pull his mouth down onto your skin once more.

‘Call me Tommy’ he chuckled as he could feel how much you wanted him.

He unbuttoned your blouse skillfully, reaching under your bra to run his finger along the smooth skin of your breast, and gripping a nipple between his thumb and forefinger. He rubbed it gently, stimulating your desire.

You haven’t been with any man like him before and moaned as he teased you.

Tommy’s mouth left a trail of fire as he brushed your hair aside, and moved his lips to your shoulder, while reaching down to the hem of your skirt.

After hiking the skirt up around your waist, Tommy slid his hand down your thigh. His touch sent your pulse into overdrive.

‘Tommy’ you said quietly as you were overpowered by his touch. You knew this was a terrible idea and Tommy could sense your concerns in the tone of your voice.

‘Do you want me to stop Y/N?’ Tommy asked as his hand paused, causing you to bite your lips and shake your head.

You have only been with one man before and Tommy was sensing your lack of experience and slowed down.

His lips slowly moved from your neck and shoulders to your mouth while his hand was still beneath your skirt on the outside of your thigh.

His lips tasted like sweet whiskey and his kisses were gentle and slow.

Your heart was pounding and Tommy could feel your sense of apprehension.

‘Are you sure you don’t want me to stop?’ he asked again quietly, causing you take shake your head again and respond with a quite ‘no’.

‘Alright’ he said gently as he slipped his hand to the inside of your thigh. With a gentle moan you arched your back as he slid a finger under your panty and into the soft folds of your skin.

‘Tommy’ you moaned as your spread your legs wider and grabbed his hand, pressing his finger deeper into you.

‘You are so wet’ Tommy whispered into your ear as his fingers went in and out of your entrance slowly.

‘God, I want you Tommy’ you whispered as his erection was pushing against you.

Tommy slid in another finger, opening you up. His rhythm was skilled and your legs were beginning to weaken in anticipation.

‘Don’t…not yet’ Tommy whispered as he could feel your walls tightening around his fingers. You were so close.

Tommy removed his fingers from your entrance and pushed down your panties until they dropped to the floor.

When Tommy looked at you the way he did in that moment, you felt wanted and confident.

You skillfully lifted the toe of your heel and kicked your panties aside, while unbuckling Tommy’s belt.

But in that moment, Tommy backed off. It was like he was in a trance and had changed his mind all of a sudden.

‘What’s wrong?’ you asked surprised.

‘Y/N, perhaps this is a bad idea’ Tommy said with guilt. He knew that what he was doing was calculated, but he felt an attraction towards you which made him uncomfortable. This attraction changed the entire dynamic of this game for him. He had an intense desire to be with you and this was something he didn’t expect. It was almost like he was losing control in the moment.

‘Are you not attracted to me?’ you asked as an uncomfortable hot flush rushed over your neck and spine.

‘I am, but it doesn’t make it right Y/N, you are like what, 23, 24 at the most, and we may soon be in business together’ Tommy said.

’22 actually and, so what? You have never slept with any of your female acquaintances before? I find this hard to believe’ you laughed.

‘Not with an acquaintance 15 years younger than me, no’ Tommy said.

‘It’s sex Tommy, not marriage…’ you laughed before pulling him closer towards you.

‘I want you, please, just this once’ you whispered into his ear while your hands returned to his belt and trousers. ‘Despite, this may relieve some of the tension between us, don’t you think?’ you continued.

‘Fuck’ Tommy said with a deep voice and, without any warning, Tommy lifted your leg around him and leaned in, pressing your back against the wall. After pulling your bra down, he leaned down and sucked the taut skin of your nipple, flicking it with his tongue, as you reached for his cock greedily, wrapping your hand around its shaft.

At the same time, Tommy returned his fingers to your inside, pumping them in and out gently.

‘Are you sure this is what you want Y/N?’ Tommy asked in between quiet moans.

‘I am sure’ you whispered as you were stroking his hard cock.

Tommy removed his fingers from inside you, brought them up to your mouth, and ran them along your lower lip, watching with lustful eyes as you licked his fingers, tasting yourself.

‘I need you inside of me’ you begged with your hand still around him, running the tip of his cock against the inside of your thigh.

Tommy’s eyes burned as your moist heat made him grow harder in your grasp, and you began to ache, waiting for the moment you dreamed about since the night you met him.

Finally, Tommy lined himself up with your entrance.

As he entered you, a bolt of electricity shot through your body which erased all rational thought, filling your head with visions of only of them.

Locking eyes, he guided himself into you, filling you completely with his first penetration. The desire you felt at that moment was overpowering, and you opened your legs as wide as they would go, taking him in hungrily.

‘How does that feel?’ Tommy asked with one hand on your hip and the other reaching for your hand, pinning it above your head.

But, you couldn’t speak and only responded with a nod. He took your breath away and you were too caught up in the exquisite pleasure of finally having him.

As he began to move, your bodies fell into sync. It felt insanely good.

His movements started of gently, giving you plenty of time to adjust. After all, he could tell that you hadn’t had much experience.

As he was thrusting into you, his lips wandered down your neck while quiet moans escaped him. You tried hard to stay quiet yourself but the sensations you were experiencing were way to intense.

‘Tommy, fuck’ you moaned loudly, causing Tommy to grin. He didn’t seem to be bothered by the loudness of the sounds that you were making.

Removing his hand that had held yours firm above your head, Tommy reached for your other leg and pulled it around him, cupping your round buttocks in his hands, bringing you down onto him faster.

As he was thrusting into you harder, you closed your eyes, feeling him fill you and enjoying the warmth that was building as he hit your pleasure spot over and over.

‘God, you feel good’ Tommy huffed as his breath was growing labored and beads of sweat formed on his temples.

At this moment, you could tell that his desire for you was real. He enjoyed every moment of being inside of you.

It wasn’t long until you begged Tommy to go even harder before reaching for his lower lip with your mouth, pulling it between your teeth.

Tommy complied, bending his knees, slamming into you with more force.

‘Oh god Tommy’ you moaned loudly as your body was tensing up.

Tommy could tell that you were trying to hold back on your orgasm. The sensation was quite unfamiliar to you and you did not know what to expect. Your ex never got you to this point and you were completely overwhelmed by the pleasure running through your body.

‘Let go’ Tommy whispered into your ear while pushing into you as your sweat covered bodies stuck together.  

‘No’ you responded in between laboured breaths as you bit your lip.

‘Do it for me’ Tommy ordered, after which you leaned in for his mouth with your own, and kissed him deeply while you swiveled your hips in coordination with his while your tongues dancing with one another.

Once your mouths parted, Tommy looked deep into your eyes. His eyes were full of fire as he slid his finger between the slick slit between your legs, encouraging your building orgasm with his fingers.

His thrusts became harder and deeper while his fingers began to move faster.

You knew that the exquisite moment of your climax was seconds away and closed your eyes.

As you turned your head to the side, your lips parted and you cried out Tommy’s name louder than before while your body began to shake with each powerful release.

As your orgasm washed over you, Tommy was getting closer to his own release. Hearing the sounds you were making were sending him over the edge within seconds. With one loud moan, Tommy released and his body was shaking as he filled you with his warm cum.

Just as he came inside of you, you exchanged more passionate kisses before your lips slowly drifted apart.

‘Are you alright?’ Tommy asked softly once his breathing slowed.

‘Never been better’ you responded as you leaned your forehead to his, breathing him in one last time, before sliding one leg down, placing a foot gingerly on the floor, and then the other.

’24 hours Tommy’ you said as grabbed your panties from the floor. You could feel his warm cum dripping out of you as you put them back on, but it didn’t bother you. To the contrary, you loved the feeling of it.

‘You better get back downstairs before someone really thinks that I kidnapped you’ Tommy said as he handed you your blouse.

‘Good idea’ you responded as you pressed your lips onto Tommy’s quickly one more time.

‘This was a once off Y/N’ Tommy said.

‘I know, that’s why I stole this last kiss’ you responded with a smile. ‘Give me five-minute head start, would you?’ you added as you pinned up your hair and walked towards the door.

Tommy nodded. He was left speechless, which wasn’t something that had happened often.

Was it him who had a hold of you, or was it you who had a hold of him?

To be continued….

[stargazing-enby]

Drarry prompt: "Well, that's a creative way to say hello..."

Thanks love!

Drarry, past Hinny | Teen and up | 1.2k words | Post-Hogwarts, Anxious Harry Potter, Smug Draco Malfoy | Read on AO3 | Read part 1 on Tumblr

This is a continuation of my one-shot An Enlightening Session.

***

It all happened in a flash. One second Harry was shouting Draco’s name across Diagon Alley, earning all kinds of looks from the people who were enjoying the sunny day in the streets, and the next he was tripping and crashing against Draco with a gasp.

He wanted to check what the heck he’d tripped over, but was distracted by a cold, slimy feeling spreading all over his chest. “Ew, what…?” He tried to put some space between Draco and him, but his legs were not cooperating. Luckily, Draco grasped his forearms and steadied them both.

“My ice cream, that’s what,” Draco deadpanned, looking far too composed for a man whose robes were all covered in blue goo. “That was a creative way to say hello, I’ll give you that. Do try not to ruin my dessert next time, though. It was my favourite flavour.”

Harry took a step back, pulling his soaked shirt away from his chest.

“Sorry,” he muttered. “The Ministry should really start fining people for littering…”

Draco arched an eyebrow at Harry’s lame excuse, then reached for his wand and cleaned both their clothes with a swish, saying, “So what did you want? I hope it was worth the ice cream.”

“Uh… well, not really,” Harry mumbled. “Just — you know, to catch up.”

“Harry Potter catching up? Please. You wouldn’t do that if we hadn’t seen each other in months, and we had coffee together just last Saturday.”

Harry clenched his fists to keep his hands from playing with the hems of his shirt. “Yeah, coffee,” he quickly corrected himself. “That’s what I meant. We should have coffee.”

“Right now?” Draco chuckled.

“If you’re free.”

Draco shook his head. “Whatever it is just spit it, Potter. Preferably while walking — I’d like to buy a few books before Flourish and Blotts closes today. And yes, silly, we can have coffee afterwards.”

“Okay. Cool.” Everything is cool. Just tell him already. As they started walking, Harry braced himself. He took a deep breath, clenched his fists and said,  "Do you… do you know that feeling of not wanting to get into the shower? But when you finally do, you’d do anything to stay there forever? Like, you just feel so warm and calm that even though you’re wasting water and it’s probably a bad idea to stay five more minutes you just do it, because how the hell are you supposed to make sensible decisions when you’re feeling so fucking good?”

“Potter,” Draco said, a small, curious smirk playing at the corners of his lips, “What are you trying to tell me, you babbling nincompoop?”

“That… um.” Fuck. All the courage, all the ache and desperation that had been consuming him since his conversation with Jane, were rapidly abandoning him, and he swallowed. “That you’re — you’re sort of like… like a warm shower. Like finally taking that warm shower when I was too tired to move from my bed. I guess. If that makes sense.”

It doesn’t. Harry, you idiot, what are you even sa—

“Of course it does.” Draco raised his chin with a grin. “But you didn’t need that many words just to tell me I’m hot. I already knew that.”

Harry spluttered, his skin suddenly burning. “That was not—”

“Relax, you idiot,” Draco said lightly, “I know.”

Harry huffed. “Arsehole.”

They walked in silence for a few seconds, then Draco asked, “So, I’m like a warm shower, right? Does that mean I’m a guilty pleasure or that I’m an annoying necessity then?”

“Ugh, can’t we just forget I said all that?”

Draco huffed. “You wish.”

“Oi, stop throwing my own words at me!” Harry pinched him, and Draco giggled and elbowed him in the ribs.

“It’s not my fault you were such a drama queen as a kid!”

“Oh, I was the drama queen?”

“Absolutely,” Draco said solemnly. “Though I must admit, it was quite charming at times.”

“Shut up, you twat.” Harry suddenly felt like his heart was on fire. They’d stopped walking, and he realised they were at Flourish and Blott’s — except right behind the shop, in a narrow alley that was deserted except for a tabby cat that was eyeing them suspiciously.

“Okay,” Draco said, his voice soft but confident. “I’ll shut up if you really want me to.”

Harry’s breath caught when warm fingers brushed his. The touch was tender, but it felt piercing, and like a hot wave of something crashing against him.

“Draco.” The name fell from his lips, breathless, panicky. “You don’t want to do that,” he urged, pulling away from the caress. “The reason I wanted to talk to you today—”

“I know.”

That cut Harry’s verbal incontinence short.

“You — know.”

“Duh.” Even though Harry couldn’t move — couldn’t face Draco as his mind reeled trying to gather the meaning of those words — Draco reached for his hand and intertwined their fingers with a strong grasp. “You’ve never been particularly good at hiding your feelings toward me, whatever their nature,” Draco said, so casually Harry almost wanted to laugh. “Pining suits you, by the way. You’re really cute when you’re flustered.”

Harry stared at nothing, his eyes fixated on the shape of a rock on the wall beside them. His hand felt sweaty, but he didn’t have it in him to pull away. “Why… why didn’t you—”

“Don’t be an idiot. How long has it been since you and Ginny broke up?”

“Uh… about two months now?”

“Exactly,” Draco said. “I didn’t want you… I didn’t want us to rush into anything, Harry. I didn’t want to be that person to you.”

“Then — then why are you holding my hand?”

Draco finally faced him, looking oddly relaxed. And smug, the little shit. “Because you wouldn’t come mumbling and stuttering about it if you weren’t ready to take a step.”

“Oh.” Harry felt a grin pull at his lips. “So... You like me.”

Draco let out a breathless laugh. “I do. Don’t ask me why. I happen to have a very embarrassing weakness for charming idiots.”

Harry bit his lip. Hesitantly, he took a step forward. Draco seemed completely unfazed by the invasion of his personal space, and in fact smiled a little bit wider when Harry gently rested his hands around his arms.

Could he kiss Draco? Could that actually happen? After everything he’d gone through, after almost convincing himself Draco would always remain out of reach, could he really…?

His body leaned forward on his own accord. His heart jumped, his eyes fell closed, and then—

And then there was a hand on his chest, holding him back.

He opened his eyes to a slightly flustered, yet still way too smug Draco.

“I don’t kiss before first dates,” he declared.

“What? What did you bring me to a deserted alley for, then?” Draco smirked, and Harry pushed him playfully on the chest. “You bloody tease!”

“Books, Potter. Then coffee. Then we can go somewhere nice and comfy that doesn’t smell like cat pee and you can show me exactly how much you love me.”

Before Harry could protest, Draco took his hand and walked them back to the busy street.