They slipped out of the house into the lush yard under cover of night. An
enormous tree cast its shadow from the slope of a small incline just behind
the house, its branches providing them shelter and a measure of privacy.

"Tell me a story," Draco whispered as he lay in his favorite place - curled
against Ron's side, head resting on Ron's shoulder.

"What are you going on about now?" Ron chuckled.

"I want to hear what it was like growing up in a big family. You had
brothers, a sister, and parents who loved you. Tell me what that was like."

"Don't do this to yourself . . ."

"I'm not. Well, maybe I am, just a little. But I would really like to hear
more about you growing up."

"Okay. A story. You mean like when my brothers transfigured my teddy into a
spider?"

"You're kidding me, right?" Draco tried to muffle a laugh. "Well, now I
know where your fear of spiders comes from."

"What would you expect from the twins? Anyway, I love being at home.
Everybody has their own room, even if they are a bit small." Ron sighed
deeply. "I miss Mum's cooking."

"Hopefully this will all be over soon and you can see them again."

"Mmm hmm."

"You want to go home, don't you?"

Ron raised his head, trying to catch Draco's eye. "Why do you keep asking me
that? Of course, I'd love to go home, but I know I can't. I want to be here
with you. How many times are we going to have this conversation?" The
realization finally struck him. "Wait a minute. You're trying to get rid of
me."

"Don't be ridiculous." Draco disentangled himself from Ron and rushed into
the house.

Ron was following on his heels. "No. That's exactly it. We're trying to
get past this thing with your father. You're ready to take the next step,
but you're afraid. If you make me leave, you won't have to deal with it."

"Shut up." Draco turned his back, but didn't leave the room. He found
himself wanting to be in Ron's presence. He didn't care that they were
arguing.

"No! Come on, Draco. We both knew this was coming. At least, I hoped it
was coming. My God, I missed you so much while you were gone. And when I
found out what your father did, I promised myself I wouldn't push you into
anything you weren't ready for. It's been, what, eight months now?"

"Eight months?" Draco spat. "Is that some magical number? Am I supposed to
be all better now?"

"That's not the point. What I'm trying to say is, it's been eight months
now, and you've been steadily pushing me away the last two or three weeks. I
think you're ready to take the next step, but you're afraid."

The trademark Malfoy sneer was back in business. "Please do tell me, what is
it that I'm supposed to be afraid of?"

"Afraid to be intimate again," Ron answered simply, refusing to rise to the
bait. "Trusting someone enough not to hurt you."

"Bullshit."

"Truth, and you know it, Draco. I only ever walked away from you once, when
I found out about you and Harry, and I apologized for it. I never hurt you
when we were together. You're the only person I have ever been with. Hell,
I was even faithful to you when you were gone, for Merlin's sake!"

"Oh, right. You want me to believe you didn't even date anyone after I left
you?"

"You can believe whatever the hell you want to believe, but what I'm telling
you is the truth. If you're really not ready, just tell me, but stop playing
these games. I can't deal with it now, not with the way things are."

"Oh, are you going to cry now?" Draco asked, words dripping with
condescension.

"Why are you acting like this? Do you have any idea how difficult this is?
I could get a message any minute that someone in my family or one of my
friends is dead, and there's absolutely nothing I can do about it. And I'm
in here dealing with you, who's treating me like you did when we were eleven.
I still love you, but if you hate me that much, I'll go. At this rate, I
can probably do more good out there than I can here with you."

"You can't go." All traces of condescension gone, Draco now pleaded. "I
can't be here without you."

"Then tell me what you want. Tell me what to do, because I'm lost. I don't
know how to read you anymore." Ron shrugged, arms raised in defeat.

"I want you. Oh, God, I want you so much. And I know you've never hurt me.
I'm just . . . afraid. I know what to do. I haven't forgotten how it all
works, but I just don't know how I'm going to react. When I first thought
about sleeping with you again, it made me sick to my stomach."

"Oh, well, thanks for that," Ron laughed bitterly. "Nice to know I can make
my boyfriend feel something, even if it is only nausea."

"I want to touch you, and I want you to touch me." Draco's voice shook,
whether out of need or fear, neither could be sure. "I want it more than you
can imagine. I'm just afraid if I react badly, you won't come near me
again."

"While I certainly wouldn't relish being thrown up on, I'll just ask you to
give me more credit than that. Believe me when I say that I love you, and
that I'll stick with you through this." Ron shook his head and used the last
argument he could think of. "All things considered, I think my track record
speaks for itself." The ball was now in Draco's court. It was his choice -
continue the game or walk away.

Draco could only stare in wonder. How had Ron managed to mature so much in
the relatively short time they'd been together? Granted, he'd missed a year
of that growth, and his disappearance and subsequent absence had probably
been the impetus for much of it.

"I do trust you," Draco finally admitted. "More than I've ever trusted
anyone."

"Good," Ron nodded, taking Draco's hands in his to pull the blond closer.
"Stay with me tonight?" He felt Draco pulling away, but he held fast and
added hastily, "We don't have to do anything. Really. Just sleep with me.
And I mean sleep in the truest sense of the word. We need to get used to
each other again. I haven't had another person in my bed in almost two
years. I hope I haven't started kicking in my sleep again."

That finally got a wry smile out of Draco. "I get the right side of the bed,
remember?"

Ron whispered, "How else am I going to keep my left side warm?"

~*~*~*~*~*

"How are you doing so far?"

"Haven't slept a wink." Draco, eyes wide as saucers, was trying to enjoy his
place at Ron's side, but failing miserably. It was so much easier when they
were lying on the couch or on the back lawn. Half-naked in Ron's bed was
something entirely different. "You?"

"Considering the vise grip you have in my hair, I'm still wide awake as
well."

"Sorry," Draco said, forcing his fingers to relax. He'd found himself
enjoying the silky feel of Ron's hair again, and hadn't realized he'd grabbed
on so tightly.

"Just breathe," Ron coaxed soothingly. "You don't have to lie so close to me
if you don't want to. I rather like it, but don't let that influence you."

"It's okay. I'm okay. It's okay, really." Draco repeated the mantra,
trying to calm himself. His breathing hitched when he felt Ron's fingers
stroking his bare back.

"Do you mind?"

The sensation of Ron touching him again was almost more than he could bear.
Having lost his ability to think clearly, Draco sighed, "no" barely escaping
his lips. "Would you mind terribly . . . kiss me. Please?"

Ron turned on his side, covering half of Draco's body with his own, one arm
still cradling Draco's shoulders. His other hand cupped Draco's face, thumb
caressing his cheek. "Are you sure?" he asked, wanting to know he had
permission. When he got a nod in response, he hastily added, "I'll stop
whenever you want. Just say the word."

The second nod came, and Ron hesitated still. He smiled, shaking his head,
having difficulty fathoming his good fortune. "I'd almost forgotten how
beautiful you are. I can't believe you're really here."

Ron leaned in, placing a chaste kiss at the corner of Draco's mouth. Feeling
arms encircle his waist, he continued, his mouth capturing the full lips
under his. His tongue traced the line between those lips, gently probing for
entrance. When it was granted, his tongue found its home, warm, wet and
waiting, massaging Draco's tongue in thanks.

He withdrew to catch his breath, cursing himself when he realized he was
becoming erect. He rolled away from Draco, hoping the other boy hadn't felt
anything unusual nudging at this thigh.

"Where you are going?" Draco cried, arms still around Ron's waist.

"I'm sorry," Ron said. "I'm an idiot. You asked me to kiss you, and that's
all you asked for."

Wanting the warmth back he'd felt only seconds ago, Draco pulled Ron toward
him again, confused when he felt resistance.. "What are you . . . oh." He
looked down between them at the bulge apparent in Ron's boxers. "I still
have that effect on you, eh?"

"Damn straight. I'm sorry. I'll go sleep in the other room." Ron flung the
covers off himself.

"Don't you dare." Draco threw the covers back onto Ron, moving his own body
to cover the taller boy's.

Ron felt an erection pressed against his own and gasped. "Ahh, . . .I just .
. . oh, gods. That's . . . You don't ever have to move. If you're
comfortable, just stay there all night."

"I don't know," Draco said. He nibbled Ron's ear, whispering, "I thought you
might like to be on top." Draco felt a shudder, unsure if it was Ron or
himself.

Ron took control, his arms snaking around the Slytherin, his hands roaming
over the firm muscles along Draco's back and shoulders. He kissed him again,
this time more deeply, insistently. He rolled over, changing their positions
yet again.

Ron recalled the first time his mother let him hold his baby sister, Ginny.
"Gently," she'd told him as he was given the tiny bundle, holding her
possessively, daring anyone to harm her while he was in her care.

Now he had another fragile being to care for. Gently, he reminded himself,
as he trailed kisses down the pale neck, grateful that any marks placed there
by the elder Malfoy had long since faded. Ron wouldn't leave any marks
tonight.

But like a man on a quest, he wanted to map this territory again. While he
would never forget the time he'd spent with Draco, he felt like they were
starting over, and wanted to learn this body anew. Trailing his fingers
along the inside of Draco's arms, purposely avoiding the offending mark,
kissing the palms of his hands, the pale wrists and the soft, tender flesh
just above his elbow.

He paused, wanting to fulfill all of Draco's needs, but also be ready to stop
should things become uncomfortable. The blond gave him a lusty smile, gray
eyes half-closed, then leaned his head back, arching his chest toward Ron,
who took full advantage. Licking and nipping at the firm, pink nipples,
erect from only the briefest ministrations. When warm breath ghosted across
his sculpted chest, Draco's fingers tangled themselves in Ron's fiery locks,
urging him on.

He swirled his tongue, hot and wet, into Draco's navel, smiling as the
smaller boy writhed under him. His hands poised at the waistband of Draco's
boxers, he inched them down, over the boy's hips and off. He suckled the
newly uncovered flesh, his hands //gently// caressing Draco's thighs, tongue
making wet trails over hipbones.

Kissing his way toward Draco's stiffening cock, Ron stole a glance at his
face, hoping for affirmation. A faint smile played across the boy's lips
before he threw his head back, arching his groin toward the redhead.

With no prelude, Ron took Draco in completely, tongue playing lazily on the
underside of the shaft. His hands, still trying to soothe and calm, rubbed
circles on Draco's chest. They had never made love in such an unhurried
fashion, and while his own erection pressed persistently at the restraint of
his own boxers, Ron was determined to take his time, seeking assurance at
each turn that Draco wanted to continue.

Ron was drowning, his senses overwhelmed as he tasted and touched, his
nostrils filled with the scent that was uniquely Draco. His own eyes slipped
closed as his head moved, Draco's cock filling his mouth, his tongue dancing
over the weeping head.

He licked and swallowed, smiling as his work finally leeched a soft moan from
the blond. "I was wondering if you were enjoying yourself."

"Sorry. I'd gotten used to . . . being quiet. More. Please?"

Draco hooked his hands under his knees and pulled his legs back, opening
himself. Ron worked slowly, deliberately, tongue massaging behind Draco's
balls and down his cleft. He expected resistance when he reached Draco's
opening but, sensing none, his tongue lapped tentatively, delicately, urging
the taut muscle to relax. The tip of his tongue slipped in, but only just.

Sliding off his own boxers and rising to his knees, Ron whispered, "Accio
lube," catching the tube in his hand. Draco remained still, eyes closed. Ron
squeezed a generous amount of the slippery substance onto his shaking
fingers. His left hand stroking, soothing Draco's thigh. "Okay?" he asked.
Draco nodded his reply. Ron followed the wet trail left by his tongue, his
fingers finding the entrance. He rubbed lightly, not wanting to invade too
abruptly. Ron worried, seeing as Draco's head was now turned to the side. He
couldn't tell if the blond was grimacing at being touched, or lost in
pleasure.

Another squeeze from the tube, and Ron's index finger slipped into the
opening previously teased by his tongue. A sharp intake of breath, and the
muscle tightened around him. "Shhh," he soothed, left hand massaging Draco's
thigh, over his hip and across his belly. The muscle relaxed a fraction, and
he moved his finger slowly in and out. He could tell Draco was trying to
relax, as the blond's breathing slowed. Watching the boy's chest rise and
fall, he slipped a second finger in. Another sharp gasp, though less
distressed than the first. He added more lube and continued the slow stroking
in and out. When the third finger was added, Draco's hips began moving,
thrusting toward him.

Withdrawing his fingers, he squeezed another large dollop of lube and
liberally covered his own aching cock. He needed assurance once more that he
was doing the right thing. He covered the smaller boy's body with his own,
his lips trailing up the pale neck, over the chiseled jawline to the swollen
lips.

"Draco, I want to know you want this as much as I do. Not just *because* I
do."

"I do, Ron," Draco insisted.

"Then look at me." Gray eyes met blue, each surprised to see tears glistening
in the other. Ron placed the head of his cock against Draco's opening. Then
slowly, more slowly than he'd ever done anything in his life, he entered.
Draco groaned, his eyes slipping closed again.

Ron stopped, the boy's response making him anxious. "Are you okay?"

Draco took a few deep breaths and smiled. "I'm fine, Ron. I'm more than fine.
I'd forgotten how good this could feel. I'd forgotten how good you feel in
me, on me, all around me. Don't stop, please. Make me yours again."

His passion renewed, Ron captured Draco's mouth again, harder this time, as
he eased himself, with an aching slowness, into the tight channel. It seemed
ages before he felt himself skin to skin with Draco, the blond's erection
twitching between them.

//Gently// he moved his hips, thrusting into his lover. With a tenderness
he'd never before expressed, he wrapped his arms around Draco, holding him
close, kissing and licking every inch of exposed skin he could reach. He
nibbled teasingly at Draco's ear, tongue snaking to the tender spot just
behind it. Draco squirmed underneath him, giggled and returned the embrace,
his hands grasping Ron's ass, urging him deeper.

Ron's slow, easy rhythm was driving them both mad, their bodies developing a
delicious friction. Ron slid his hand between them, //gently// fisting Dr
aco's cock. The blond pressed his hips up into Ron's hand, sweet pressure
and talented fingers bringing him to the edge.

"Yes, Ron," Draco moaned. Hearing his name, Ron seized Draco's lips again,
sucking hungrily. His hips moving faster, hand urging Draco to his peak,
knowing his own would follow.

Draco cried out at his release, his sounds swallowed as Ron's mouth covered
his, spilling himself between their sweat-drenched bodies. Ron pushed on,
once, twice more, coming hard, pulse thundering in his ears. He collapsed,
gasping for breath, feeling Draco's own chest heaving beneath him. He tried
to pull out and roll off, to give Draco a chance to recover, but felt strong
arms preventing him from doing so.

"Don't go anywhere just yet," Draco whispered. He was enjoying the feeling
of Ron's damp, heated skin under his fingertips, the smell of his hair. The
security of Ron's body covering his, their legs entwined. Ron still inside
him. Ron, who never caused him pain. Ron, who never degraded him. Ron, who
said he loved Draco.

And Draco believed him, now more than ever.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*


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