Striptease

Reconciliation 

Published: 6/4/2021

Draco stretched out on a public bench near a statue of a muggle he didn't know. He stared up at the sky, barely seeing any stars past the dark clouds. A few raindrops fell, but nothing Draco couldn't handle. He took the puff on his cigarette, trying to will the stress out of him. It was only one in the morning. Draco had to leave work early. He was too high-strung to do any more dancing, and his boss was understanding. Draco rarely gave him problems, and there were enough strippers on the floor.

Potter. Potter had not only showed up at his club, but had come in for a private dance. Fuck, it was like one of his fantasies had literally come true. Potter squirming in his seat. Potter watching his every move. Potter kissing him back. Draco took another hit of his cig. He had to calm down. He couldn't exactly wank in public and, more importantly, Potter was freaked out by it all. He didn't want to scare him off, again. He had practically run out of the room.

He had to believe that Potter would show up eventually, once he calmed down and fretted about what had happened long enough. He wasn't a coward... well... at least about most things. Intimacy is always different. Regardless, Draco would wait all night for him... and come to work every night for the next week, even if he wasn't on shift. Potter would come. He knew the man that much. They could never stay from each other.

He took the last drag on his cig, before he snuffed it and flicked it into a nearby bin. He put both of his hands behind his head and stared at the sky. The clouds blew past and the stars came out. Maybe the rain would hold off for the night, but it was London, after all. But his leather jacket was protected with muggle products that worked like Impervious. His flatmates had willing shown him how to acclimate to the perils living in muggle London.

He had had a few thousand galleons converted to muggle pounds when he walked out on his dad, so when he first arrived in London, he was able to pay for a flat. However, upon seeing the costs of owning one himself, he took an offer of a small room in a flat with three other guys, not far from the club. All it took to explain away his ignorance of muggles was telling them that he had servants growing up and was kicked out for being gay, and they helped him figure out everything. Apparently, muggles routinely exile their children like that.

One of his flatmates, Ethan, was gay, too, and took him to the club a few times. When he needed more income, he took his boss's offer for a job and the club even paid for a gym membership. He bulked up, danced well and learned how to be a muggle. His bank account was growing and he was living the life he always wanted, short of one thing... well, maybe two. He wanted his magic back... and a partner.

He would be on probation for a couple more years, so it was just a matter of time for that. But finding someone to spend his nights with was hard, especially living in muggle London. It wasn't like he could tell them the truth about his past. He had had a few flings, but they were always about sex. But there was some hope inside him that maybe... maybe Potter would consider him? He had certainly responded to him when they kissed... not to mention the way he had watched him.

Draco smirked at the reminder of their unexpected meeting. It felt like fate. He had always had a crush on Potter. The way he flew, his confidence... and his eyes. Those soul-searching eyes that were always watching him. Salazar, if he wasn't always worried about dying sixth year, he would have been constantly hard with the attention Potter gave him. He felt his eyes everywhere he went, which at the time, was annoying. He was supposed to kill Dumbledore.

His thoughts glowered, remembering how Severus killed the old headmaster right in front of him. Dumbledore had tried to help him, even after knowing what he had done. Potter had spoken at his trial... that he was there, too. Testified that he lowered his wand. Draco didn't know what he would have done if the Death Eaters hadn't come. He liked to think that he would have taken the offer of sanctuary, but there was really no way to know.

Potter was the only reason his entire family had escaped life in prison. Draco honestly wasn't sure if it was some kind of life debt between them. Potter saved him from the fire. Draco had saved him at the manor by refusing to identify him. His mother had helped Potter in the forest, too. But it wasn't all a wash. Potter's deeds far outstripped his family's. He was free, free from Voldemort and prison, because of Harry. No amount of compensation would cover that.

And still, after everything Draco had put Potter through in school, including the fact that he was marked, Potter had nodded for him to continue. Potter agreed to more after knowing who he was. He still wanted him to touch his body. He still stared into his eyes. He still kissed-no snogged-him back, despite everything. Draco closed his eyes, remembering the taste of Pot-Harry. Harry, who looked completely surprised by the intensity of his kiss. Harry, who moaned and pleaded with him as he sat on his lap. Harry, who so innocently stared at him, trying desperately to trust him, trust the situation.

Draco needed to show him that he was different, that Harry could trust him. It would be no easy task. They had a lot of shite to get through, and Draco wasn't sure that he wouldn't bollocks it up. But they had a connection. He could feel it. That they were meant to be together, but he wasn't sure Harry felt it, too. He might have kissed him back, but Harry also just had a striptease and his libido was up. Potter was rock hard and definitely would have needed a wank or a cold shower after their meeting.

Draco also couldn't forget that he was a stripper, and the first rule of stripping was never to fall in love with customers. They're paying for your body, not your personality. He didn't think that Harry thought like that. He was awkward even being in the building. Weasley, Girl-Weasley, had brought him there, even setting up the private striptease and Harry was nearly stuttering over his words at first. Draco could only hope that it was something more. That fate had finally worked in his... in their favor.

Call it a life debt or just pure love, but Draco wanted nothing more than to see Harry happy. To take that pain and uncertainty out of his eyes and give him the love and comfort that he deserves. The fact that Harry loved his body so much, like the last few years were spent just to make Draco perfect for him. Draco almost shivered at the thought. It would have all been worth it, if Harry accepts him.

He knew already that he would be devastated if he did reject him. Lust was a bit different than love. They had a lot to get through, and it might take time. He wanted to believe that they could work through it. His hands shook at the fear... but he took some deep breaths. He could do this. He could talk to Harry, convince him that his feelings were genuine. He considered lighting up another cig, but looked as he heard someone walking toward the statue.

It was Potter, thankfully early. He was wearing a handknit, faded jumper, now. Back to normal, Draco thought, smirking slightly. But Potter was looking around like he was walking into a trap. His wand was most likely at the ready, unlike when he was in the private room at the club. Draco sighed and should have suspected that. After all, he was a Death Eater, who had just invited the Chosen One to a dark, clandestine meeting.

He sat up, making Potter jerk back in alarm, and he said, pleasantly, "Potter, you made it."

"Malfoy... w-what do you want?" Potter asked, nervously still looking around.

Draco frowned slightly. He had to ease Potter's apprehension. "I figured we could catch up... I mean without the muggle cameras. I was wondering what I've missed these last few years."

Potter's eyes zeroed on him, and he bit his lip, as he assessed his appearance. Draco had to keep his face neutral. Potter was checking him out, again, and not just for threats.

"You're wearing... jeans," he finally stated.

Draco laughed and slowly stood up, pleased that he was still taller than Potter. Draco was wearing his well-worn leather jacket, his old biker hat and combat boots. The same things he had worn for his routine. He always felt comfortable in them. The leather trousers, however....

"They're a bit chafing walking around in them, don't you think? Especially when it cools down... or rains," he said, with a devious smirk. "I just wear them at the club, but we could always go back and get them, if you want?"

Potter blushed, shook his head and looked down. Draco took a small step forward, and Potter looked back up at him, immediately tense and ready to hex him. Draco eased back. He had to calm him down. Easy questions.

"So, what team do you play for?" he probed.

"What?" Potter said, put off by the unexpected question.

"You said you're a seeker... what team?" he asked, politely.

"I-um-the... umm... Holyhead Harpies," he mumbled, looking down, again.

Wow. Potter was different. His confidence was shattered. Getting kicked out of the Aurors and publicly shamed must have seriously broken his spirit. Draco needed to fluff him up. "You? You're playing for the Holyhead Harpies? The only all-woman team? They've never allowed a guy to play before," he gushed. "Alright... tell me how you managed that, Potter... I want the whole 온라인카지노게임." Draco gave him a big, reassuring smile.

Potter blinked and slowly smiled back. "Well... I... umm... Ginny got on first... after the war. They were strong, goal-wise... but every seeker they tried fucked-up royally. They got injured, traded or just vanished. After I... umm... flunked out of Auror school... Ginny was trying to get my spirits up and asked me to help train as one of their reserves. You know... their shadow, put pressure on her."

"That's impressive... to even make it on their reserves," Draco praised and took a casual step toward the statue, hoping Potter would follow as he took him through the square.

He did, still looking awkward. "Yeah... most shadows don't really ever make it on the team... but the girl I was training with... freaked out... saying that she couldn't handle the pressure, that I was better than her. And it was the day of the big title match, and she fled. So, they were left with the choice of putting in a chaser in as a seeker... or me. And they choose me and, by then... they knew that... I was... umm... good."

Draco chuckled. "Good? You're the only one who beat me, Potter. I remember how great you were to fly against. You flew better than Krum."

Complimenting Potter only seemed to make him more nervous as he mumbled, "I-um-I... thanks. I did... umm... play against him... last year."

"Did you? How'd it go?" Draco asked, again trying to get Potter to relax.

"I... umm... got it... first," he said, still staring at the ground.

"That's awesome, Potter. I wish I could have seen that. What'd you use against him?"

Potter blinked and stumbled as he walked, but he started explaining the match. Slowly, he started walking straighter and speaking easier. After he told him about his spectacular catch, he talked about how the season was going and his teammates. That Ginny was dating Viktor Krum. It was easier for Potter to talk about the things he knew well. They were to the boardwalk, now. They even stopped a late-night sub shop and got some food.

Potter looked out over the river as he finished eating and would keep sneaking glances at him, whenever Draco was turned. Draco could feel Harry looking at him and he reveled in it.

Draco asked, "So, what about your mates? What are they doing?"

His green eyes met his, a little suspicious, again. "They are well. Ron... umm... made it through... the program. Hermione is in the Minister's office, Junior Undersecretary to Kinsley."

Draco smiled. "I'm not surprised about that. I'll bet anything that within the next few years, she becomes Minister of Magic. She could really change a lot of things."

Potter blinked at him, as though making sure that he wasn't joking as he threw his wrapper into the rubbish bin. He didn't say anything, though.

"So, did Weasley finally man-up and ask her out?" Draco asked.

"I... umm... yeah... they're engaged."

"That's great for them. They deserve each other," he said.

"They... do?" Potter said, finally, staring at him, again, incredulously.

Draco finally broke eye contact and looked over the Thames. Potter wasn't accepting it... him. Draco sighed. "Look, I'm sorry, okay? I know I was a prick. But I'm not anymore. I swear I'm trying to be a better person if a muggle stripper can be one." He put his hands on the rock wall they were next to, trying not to cry. "I never wanted to be one of them, Harry. I never wanted to be my father. I never wanted to be a killer."

Potter was quiet, but his hand reached forward and put it on his. "I know you aren't... a killer... or one of them anymore. I'm sorry, too.... you're just so... different."

"Not really. I'm just me, now. Not pretending to be something I'm not."

Potter bit his lip, considering that and nodded. "So... will you tell me... about you? What happened since the war?"

"Nothing too exciting. Stole what galleons I could and left an F-U note to my dad, flooed to Diagon, went out into muggle London and found a flat with a room open. My mates showed me the city and even the club. Now, I can cook, clean, use the microwave... wash my clothes. Live without magic, appreciating others around me and not be an asshole," Draco whispered, enjoying the feel of Potter's hand.

"Sounds like you're living free," Potter whispered.

"Yeah, I am. Are you?" he said and meeting his eyes.

Potter hunched his shoulders. "Trying... after Roger...."

"I'm sorry that he hurt you."

Potter nodded and pulled his hand back. "I just haven't been able to trust people that aren't my friends."

"Potter... Harry... that's not a way to live. Take small steps... talk to people... and well, you did meet a convicted Death Eater in the middle of the night. So, that's a good sign," Draco murmured and looked across the channel.

"Malfoy... that's not who you are. I trust you."

Draco met his eyes, again. "Really? Your wand was at the ready when you showed up tonight."

Potter looked guilty. "I'm sorry, Malfoy. I didn't know what is going on... what you wanted."

"It's okay, Potter. I really wanted to know what is happening and about you."

"What about... what happened... in the club?" Potter said with hesitation.

Draco turned and gave him a smile. "What indeed?"

Potter tensed up, again, uncertain.

"So... what about your other friends? Longbottom? Finnegan?"

Potter seemed relieved at the topic change and slowly unclenched, again. Talking about his friends was a neutral topic. When Potter subtly probed him about his flatmates, Draco more than willingly talked about them and a few drunken stories involving pranks and near run-ins with their landlord. They started walking, again, along the river.

"So, Ethan just came out and punched me, slurring, "Wha'd ya do ta my mobile!" and it took a bit to explain that I programmed it to be in French. I mean... we were so tossed. I mean... we were so bad, we couldn't even stand up," Draco said, chuckling.

Potter laughed, too. "I can't picture you... drunk."

"Well, we go out often enough... not exactly every night, but it took a bit to learn to let loose."

"You always were so... proper... you talk right, dress right... hell, walk right. Even now. Especially now," Harry said, eyeing him, again. Draco felt a satisfying thrill flutter through his body.

"Well, being gay does make one's fashion sense better... usually," he said, eyeing Potter's jumper. Potter nodded in agreement. "I walk right because I enjoy what I'm doing and I'm good at it. You do too... when you're fighting... or happy. As far as talking properly, well, that was beaten into me by my father."

Potter jerked and looked at him. "He... beat you?"

"Yes and frequently," he said, bitterly.

Potter gasped, then he reached out and touched his shoulder. "I'm sorry."

Draco looked at him. "He was a prick... like your muggles. I'm sorry I took it out on you. It was easier to attack you than blame him."

Potter's eyebrows raised for like the tenth time that night.

"I just was lashing out to assert my pathetic need for some control and dominance."

Potter gave him another look, and Draco had to laugh.

"Just some muggle psychology books Jeffery at the club gave me. Sometimes I wish I can go back in time and beat the hell out of my obnoxious ass."

Potter snickered and mumbled, "You weren't that bad. You were smart, good-looking, and you actually made things... interesting." He was blushing, again, and staring at the cobblestone.

Draco smirked. Potter was as awkward as ever, but he had definitely tried to flirt with him. He really wondered how long he needed to ease Potter into it. But... maybe it was time to nudge him along or they would be there for hours.

"Yes... I did, didn't I? Well, Potter, eventually, one of us has to say, "Your place or mine?""

Potter flinched and took a step back. "I...."

Draco laughed at his response. "Whoa, calm down, Harry."

Potter winced, again. Apparently, his name was distressing him.

Too different, Draco guessed. "You've been staring at me all night... H-Potter. You're interested. You can't lie to me."

Harry bit his lip and his hands were trembling. "I'm sorry. You're... so... umm... nice... umm... looking."

"And you're so sweet. I already told you that I don't care if you look."

He looked more uncomfortable and was taking shaky breaths.

Draco stepped closer. "Hey... breathe. I'm sorry if that was too forward. I've been trying to get you to relax all night by telling you all my deepest darkest secrets. But if you want to keep up the idle conversation, we can, and you can calm down, again. I can tell you all about my asshole father and you can tell me more about your friends. But we are eventually going to say that. Tonight, tomorrow or next week."

Potter took a deep breath and nodded. "Yeah... I do want you, Malfoy, but I-I don't want to be... a notch in your bedpost. I mean... that's what the others wanted. What I'm afraid of. I mean, Roger wanted... and... I just can't," he said to the ground, tears brimming.

Draco's fingers hooked under his chin and lifted his head up. Harry's green, open eyes stared back at him. "You wouldn't be another notch for me, Harry. I know you're scared. You've been abused, mentally... even sexually, to a limited degree. Davies had no right to violate your privacy like that. If you don't want to do anything tonight, that's fine. We have all the time in the world for you to get comfortable. That's why I led you on this walk... to get you to calm down. To get you to trust me."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry. I know you're trying, and I know that we've had a rocky past. I didn't expect that you'd be able to get over that so quickly," Draco said, letting go and looking out over the river, again.

"I think I have," Potter said, quietly. "I know that you... that you're a good person. I know that you were trapped and you were scared... and I hurt you."

Draco turned and slowly put his fingers on his cheek, again. "As I hurt you... but I will never hurt you, again, Harry. Please believe me."

Harry shivered, and his eyes got a little watery. "I trust you... Draco."

Draco's spirit soared at the sound of his name from Harry's lips.

Harry then whispered, "But... I don't just want a... fling. I can't keep this... casual."

Draco leaned in closer and snaked one of his arms around Harry's back. He brought him closer, so they were nearly nose to nose. He stared into his eyes, and things were clicking into place. "Harry, we could never be a... fling. You do see that, right? You feel it?"

Harry was shaking as he stared back, but he nodded. "I thought maybe... I imagined it. But you don't... you're not... well... you might not be someone who wanted more."

Draco grimaced. "I realize that my occupational choice might lead you to conclude that I routinely "put out", but the club is very strict and I'm not a whore."

Potter winced and pulled back out of his arms. "No... I didn't think...."

He looked at the ground. "No... but you thought of it. I'm very selective in my partners, and it's only been six since the war ended. None were from the club. I will tell you about them if you want, but I don't usually ask out customers from the club."

"No, Draco! You don't have to explain! I wasn't trying to call you that," Harry said, touching his arm.

"Perhaps... but I'll tell you anything you want to know to make you see that I'm worthy of you," he whispered, fear taking hold that he'd lose this... lose Potter.

Harry's eyes widened. "Draco... you're worthy... of everything."

He smiled, lightly, still worried that he might not convince him to give them a try. "Thanks, I really want to court you, Harry. But it's getting late. Maybe we can meet tomorrow, in daylight hours? There are some cliff viewpoints in Dover that are rather scenic, if you wanted to go? We can go as slow as you want... and I can prove my intentions are honorable," he said, lowering his eyes, almost pleading. He didn't want this opportunity to slip away.

But Harry reached up, and as Draco had done, lifting his chin up. "You have, Draco. I'm sorry if it seemed I was questioning your... intentions. But I meant... I don't want to just be together. I want a family. It's something I've never really had. Of course, not everyone wants to jump into a relationship like that."

Draco laughed. "You don't like doing things halfway, do you? It's one of the many things I love about you, Harry."

"Love?" Harry repeated, looking at him surprised.

"Oh, yes. Love. I can't tell you how ecstatic I was when I flipped the light on and it was you. It was like my daydreams came to life. I've been in love with you for a long time. It's probably one of the reasons I... tormented you so."

Harry's mouth dropped.

"You paid attention to me, and some of the taunts were because you were straight... or so I thought. Harry... if a family is what you want, then I am more than happy to provide you one. I'll be your loving partner, who will massage your aches when you get home and reassure you when you get nervous. And I'll definitely spoil any kids we have to the point that you will yell at me."

Harry slowly closed his mouth. "You... want kids?"

Draco's smile was large. "It's always been my dream."

Harry suddenly threw his arms around him and kissed him. Draco melted in his arms, as he snogged him back. Potter was his.