Work Text
I can hear Pansy's laugh echo across the rocks, and roll along with the tide."Careful Draco!" She calls to me as my feet bury into the sand along the shore."You don't want anyone stealing that coat of yours!"I scowl, and I can faintly hear Blaise behind me, chastising her for her tone.I walk along the slippery rocks painted with shells, the tide whispering along my ankles. I change quickly into the worn jeans and shirt I've hidden and wrap the edges of my coat around me, covering my skin from the biting cold.I never have found it very relaxing in this form.I never know why I continuously venture out from the sea. I'd like to think that something - someone is calling for me. That he is my one and only.The hesitation I constantly feel deep within my bones exceedingly halts my curiosity.The others have all had their fun; their play time. Their furs either having been stashed away under a hidden alcove, or given to their mate for hopeful safe keeping.There's stories of the humans taking the furs and hiding them. Hiding them, and keeping their coats hostage so they cannot return to the sea.My father, along with a few others, have been lost to one of evil intent.Luna is one of the lucky ones. Her human treasures her, and wraps her in safety always. I can feel my frown deepen at the thought.I know I'm jealous, but I'm also terrified. I've never let my coat leave my side. I've never willingly had other hands hold it with affection against their chest.I hurry along the shore with the morning sun at my back and my drying hair whipping around my face. My walk is always closer to town, and I hope he's still here on this dreary morning.I can see him from this distance already. Stretched out over sand, running his hands through the grains. He's probably already waded into the water to help it calm him.I've never seen a human with such sadness radiating from their being. I've also, never encountered one that loves the ocean as much as I.He's sitting up now and as I walk closer he turns, hearing my footfalls. I've decided, in my heart that it's him that I want - to spend my forever.His hair is the color of the darkest night, and his eyes match the green of the stone mother gave me decades ago. I know his sadness radiates from deep within, and the scars on his face tell the story openly.He waves an easy good morning as I stop in front of him, my heart racing."Pearls this morning then?" His smile is so bright, and my hand reaches up to my ear.I'd forgotten about my pearls."I love to be sparkling - even in the early morning."He stands easily, and I can see the sand twisted in his dark curls."They look rather fetching," he grins, and I match it with my own. His compliments always hug me fierce.He sighs heavily and turns his head to the sea. He never has asked me where I live, has only accepted my early walks on the beach. Where I first encountered him weeks ago.He turns back to me and I can see the sleep is heavy in his eyes."Breakfast? Or have you already eaten?"I shake my head and he motions with his hand in the direction to walk. I follow him, and catch up to his stride.I glance at him from the corner of my eye and think how beautiful he is. How, maybe, I can push my fear and cowardice aside for him.He turns and sees me watching, his eyes moving across my face and settling on my lips. He looks away, and his cheeks turn rosy.I love the color."Did you sleep well?" He asks in almost a whisper, but I can still hear it above the crash of the waves.I smile, and tell him that my night was fine. That I didn't do much sleeping, but it was still restful.I know in my heart, even with the fear clutching painfully, that I'll give him everything. That I'll hand him part of myself, and that he'll hold it against his own heart forever.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
The waves are crashing against my ankles as the tide rolls in. The salt in the air is thick, the wind picking up and kissing my skin lovingly. I sink into the sand as it makes a small cocoon around me and I spread my arms wide by my sides.The sun is setting, casting pinks, purples and bright beams across the waves as they crest.I sink my palms into the shell ridden grains of sand and rub them between my fingers.I never knew I would find a place of pure peace such as the water cresting onto the shore.The waves continue to lap against my heels as I feel something curl around my ankle, softly tugging. Panic settles quickly, and dissolves into fondness as I hear his laughter."Harry, what ever are you doing out here this late?"I roll my eyes and push my glasses up the bridge of my nose, sitting up on my elbows to answer him with my quick wit and — loose my ability to speak, breathe, think.Seashells are braided in his hair today, and his coat isn't on those lithe shoulders, his skin, visibly sparkling with the sun behind him. All I can see is skin. So, so much skin.I've no idea where he was swimming at this hour.I'm staring. I know I am, and he grins at me. This grin is different than his others, more predatory. His gaze wanders up and down my body and makes me painfully aware of my own awkwardness.He doesn't seem human, and I'm still fighting for air to enter my lungs."Are you alright?" He whispers and his fingers are running circles on my leg."Fine," I swallow hard and move myself away from him. The clear crystal water makes his eyes shine, and I can't bring myself to look away.He smiles again and tugs at my calf, bringing me closer to him and the waves surrounding us."You're an awful liar."I could swear he's purring at me and I'm still having the bloody most difficult time breathing."I'm not," my voice cracks at the end.He's grabbed both my legs now, pulling me closer to him and into the shallow waters.I'm staring at his hands as they move up from my calves, to behind my knee, to the outside of my hips.I'm not sure how he does it, I've known him for just a short while, but he leaves me incoherent at each meeting.He settles himself in between my legs, and rests his chin on folded hands over my stomach. His eyes are a startling blue-gray today, comparable to the sea at first light. I swallow thickly again, staring at him, speechless."Come swimming with me," he says and crawls up closer to my chest, "it'll help that deep ache you have here." He lays a hand on my heart and rubs in an agonizingly slow circle.I like to think he knows what he's done to me — what he is currently doing to me.This is one of the first times I've seen him in the water. He looks beautiful and dangerous all at once, and I still have so many questions about him.I know, that deep within myself that he's my one and only. That something about him calls to the innermost workings of my being.I'm tired of this game we have been playing. Skirting around each other with simple touches and furtive glances.I guess — I have to make a move. I need this game to be finished.