(full draco centered chapter...the Theo girlies are about to be real mad at me....
—everyone ignore the fact that Draco quotes Emily Henry in the 90's
—on a real note this chapter is very long but also beautiful and has some key points about our people so take your time with it<3)

third person pov

' But the monsters turned out to be just trees,
When the sun came up you were looking at me '

When Rose arrived home from Hogwarts she only got one night before having to pack and scramble out of Grimmauld place around noon the next day. She had dragged Kreacher along to carry her suitcase which had to be ten times his size, needless to say the elf was struggling.

Upon arriving at the Ministry of Magic Rose was swarmed with media attention, flashes from chunky cameras going off in her face, reporters yelling questions about meeting her father, and more.

This wasn't unusual but there were much more than she was used to. Despite all of that, Rose kept her chin lifted and carried on walking with the reporters following until reaching the gate to all the traveling floos, grateful as an Auror helped her through and slammed the shimmer gate close to prevent anyone following her.

Luckily since it was so early in the summer there was no lines at any of the glowing green fires, Rose moving ahead of creature as she pulled out a sleek black card filled full of magic, an Auror with a thick beard standing by the third floo she came to, watching her oddly as she turned around annoyed at the elf wobbling behind.

"Kreacher! Get a move on it!"

"Rose, please!" Kreacher pleaded breathlessly as he crashed into her, "Let me use magic!"

"No, this good for your health!" says Rose, patting his head and making him wobble some more before looking back at the Auror with an annoyed look. "Stubborn elves—what can you do?"

The Auror stammered in worry as Rose adjusted her loose white blouse over the pleated leather skirt, paying no mind to Kreacher. "Miss Black, correct? I need to see your identification card"

Her eyes snapped up, eyeing the all too familiar name tag that read 'Karl' in glowing gold. She remembered him clearly after Theo spent thirty minutes last summer drunkenly laughing about it. "Oh spare me the bullshit Karl"

Karl straightens his posture, "I need the card Miss Black"

Annoyedly, Rose hands over the shiny ebony card, tapping her foot impatiently as he pulls out a wand and suddenly her name and picture appears.

"There you go"

Rose smiles sarcastically, gesturing to the fire. "Can I go now?"

"Actually Lucius asked me to give you a portkey instead, feared you would get lost at the ministry in Venezuela and have trouble getting to the island." Karl pulls a small golden chalice from his robe pocket, covering it in a silky cloth.

Lucius was always doing anything he could to irk and belittle her.

"That's his way of saying he doubts my intelligence and my ability to speak Spanish" she grunts while yanking the chalice from the cloth, latching her chipped black nails around Kreacher shoulder.

In an instant the two were moving through time and space.

Back in Abraxas's self-proclaimed 'glory days' he got too drunk with Nicholas Avery, lost a bet and had to buy an island in Venezuela. Oddly enough things turned in his favor as most things do for men of his stature, the place becoming a complete wizarding destination full of casinos, hotels, and vacation homes.

Think Vegas, but on a private island and full of magical beings only—wizards and witches from all over the world partying.

Sometimes Rose forgot how much money the Malfoy's had, given she also had a lot but there was no denying they had way more.

Rose and Kreacher land on the door step of the massive beachfront mansion, surrounded by sandy colored columns which had to be at least fifteen feet tall, faint sounds of birds, thick tropical air hitting their noses, and the night sky above littered with glistening stars—time zone much different from that of England.

The double arched doors swung open, Narcissa Malfoy stepping out with her hair completely down for once, rosy cheeks from all the alcohol she consumed.

"By Salazar! You're here!" The mother grins before throwing her arms around Rose tightly, pulling back to cup her cheeks. "We are just about to head out but I need to inform you on something"

Rose eases a smile, forever happy to be in the presence of Narcissa. "What is it?"

"All the extra rooms are being worked on until everyone arrives so you and Draco will have to share one"

Rose looses her ability to breath, receiving the best and worst news.

The best being she was going to be forced into close proximity with the boy she is madly in love with.

The worst being she was going to be forced into close proximity with the boy she is madly in love with.

Rose spots the twinkle in Narcissa's eyes, "Cissa," she warns.

The mother giggles mischievously, letting one hand fall from Rose's cheek and onto the young's girls diamond necklace. "I decided to renovate—I do love your necklace"

"You arrived literally less than twenty four hours ago! Stop trying to change the subject!"

"Yes but they just so happened to start a week ago upon my request," Narcissa winks and Rose knows this was all her plan, "Hopefully you and Draco will make up during the time forced in a room together"

Rose is sure her mouth cannot fall open any wider and her cheeks cannot flush any further, "But—but...." she trails off, at a complete loss of words.

Lucius steps out, appearing much more relaxed than usual in a loose button down and holds a cigarette in between his lips. "Cissa dear when is—" he pauses upon spotting Rose with wide eyes, a smirk forming as he brings the cigarette out of his mouth. "Did you enjoy your portkey?"

"Yes actually, thank you for shortening my journey" Rose smiles sarcastically, grateful for the break from her racing thoughts. "I'll be sure to tell your son about it in bed tonight"

Lucius chokes on air, scandalized by the idea. "You're sharing a room? That will not do"

Narcissa slams her heel down onto his foot with a smile, "We best get going love! It's already going to be a late dinner"

"They are not sharing a room—"

"Lucius!"

The man huffs with an eye roll, "Do go say hello to my father in the main hall Rosalie...he's been drunkenly asking about you all day"

"I'll have to give Abraxas a big fat smooch!"

Lucius blinks in horror, "Excuse me?"

"You can call me mum, Lucius" Rose smirks, drawing a chuckle from Narcissa.

"Oh darling, she's messing with you" Narcissa pulls on his arm, plucking the cigarette from his frozen fingers and passing it over as he grimaces. "Merlin, Rose! I think you've broken him"

The Black happily takes the cigarette as she watches the two tread down the grand staircase, Narcissa tugging Lucius along. Suddenly, her attention snaps back to Kreacher who she had long forgotten about, his hand pressed against the suitcase as he stares at the doorway.

She follows his eye-line to see Elva, the main house-elf to the Malfoy's, slowly walking up with a smile without realizing Kreacher's presence.

Surely enough Elva spots the murderous elf, gasping and eyes growing round with horror.

"Elva" Kreacher snarls.

"Hi....Hi Kreacher" Elva's voice wobbles, painfully smiling in hopes to change his mood.

Rose has to cover her mouth from laughing so hard before struggling out words in between, "He's not going to hurt you Elva, right Kreach?"

"I don't like her Rose" he barks defensively, "Too happy of an elf"

Elva gasps, "Elva only wants to make Kreacher smile but he threatens her with knifes, Miss Black!"

"Oh I'll show you knives" Kreacher grunts, pulling one from behind his back and pointing it over fiercely.

"Kreacher!" Rose scolds, putting a hand on her hip and speaking slowly. "Put..the..knife..down!"

For a moment the blade stays pointed until being retracted with a grumble. Rose smiles and bends down to his level, placing a big kiss to his head as he stays scowling.

"Love you bubs—I'll see you soon. Take care of Whit for me"

"Love you" Kreacher mumbles so Elva doesn't hear, Rose giggling and retracting away, putting the cigarette back in her mouth as she leaves the two elves to move the luggage in.

Rose would never get over this home, the high ceilings were indeed massive but a little shorter than the thirty-foot ones at Malfoy manor. That wasn't what amazed her though, she had been surrounded by wealth her whole life.

There were a million plants in the home, little mystical ponds of sorts spread around, the roof replaced with clear glass so one would be able to see the sky above.

It felt like a fever dream every time she came.

She walks through the foyer and into the main hall where Abraxas Malfoy sits around a rowdy table with six other drunken men, glasses of whiskey laid out and cards in their hands, poker chips in piles against the red cloth spread over the wooden circle.

Rose smiles at the Venezuelan girl with long mocha hair who is busy refilling the whiskey glass of the man seated across from Abraxas, finishing the greeting she places a hand on the eldest Malfoy's shoulder.

Abraxas jerks slightly before grinning like a maddened joker, "Rosalie! You're here!"

"And you're drunk," she teases before pressing a chaste kiss to the man's head, giggling when he smiles with closed eyes. "Missed you"

"Missed you too dear," Abraxas winks, gesturing around the table with a slurred voice. "You probably remember these fools, don't you?"

"Sadly enough, yes"

"She's still got that fire Brax" The burly man next to Rose proclaims as he sets his cards face down, "Like her grandmother in that sense"

Carter Torres.

Spanish diplomat and top-dog at the Venezuelan Ministry of Magic. Rose didn't really know much about what he did and she didn't want to either. Men like him and her friends fathers had jobs no one could quite comprehend, controlling the world in ways not a soul would guess about—just like Orion once did.

Money, power, glory—they had it all.

Rose rolls her eyes, tossing the burned cigarette the into the ashtray on the center of the table, looking over at the brown-eyed girl moving around to the careless men tapping their glasses. "Hope they're paying you good to deal with all this shit"

The girl pauses, her voice holding a thick accent. "Oh they've been a delight"

"Doubtful" Rose laughs and pulls a smile in return as she pats Abraxas's shoulder, "You tell me if they give you any trouble and I'll set them straight"

Carter laughs dryly, "And you're what? Sixteen now?" He goes to touch her arm with fake sympathy but never makes contact as Nyx's head pops out of the white blouse sleeve, jaws snapping defensively, Rose grinning as he jerks away.

"Oh Nyx" Abraxas tips his head back with laughter, nodding toward the doorway after. "Some of that wine you like should be on the first back patio. Make sure to go there"

Rose hums as she turns on her heel, ignoring the grandfather as he calls for her to stay and help him, claiming 'I didn't mean leave now!'

After going through door after door, hall after hall, Rose reaches the back first back patio. A more intimate affair spot if you will, a square space guarded by mesh screens, a perfect view of the ocean which appears dark blue from the sky reflecting down upon the waves.

There's Draco sitting at a round table in the right corner, a plain white tee across his body, an unusual outfit for him. He's alone as he picks at a bowl of pasta and his fingers toy with a glass of whiskey, eyes transfixed at the water.

It made her heart drop.

He looked like a movie.

Salty air hits her nose and wind smacks her as she steps out, avoiding his eyes that snap over to follow her every move across the patio, stopping by a skinny table pressed up by the part of the screen that is closest to the ocean, decorated with bottles. Rose doesn't know what to do, she's angry at him still, upset that he happily set an animal up for execution. Despite how Draco was the night Sirius came to Hogwarts, she couldn't forget what he did.

Letting people get away with things meant they'd do it again.

The silence between them is thick and filled with tension as she glanced at the ocean before picking up a corkscrew, sticking it into the wooden cork of a crimson bottle.

His fork clatters against the ceramic bowl, voice gruff. "Rosie,"

She doesn't listen, only pulls the cork from the wine and let's him stare at her back.

"Rosie, I need to tell you about Buckbeak"

She grabs a glass, slowly pouring the red liquid in and attempts to tune him out.

"Just listen to me. I never planned on anything happened to that bloody chicken" Draco pleads, hands shaking slightly as his ring clad fingers tap the wood nervously. "I never told my father about what happened"

Chicken, really?

She brings the wine to her lips, taking a long sip and Draco gets a glimpse of her shoulders rolling back.

A sign, she was listening now.

"Dumbledore reported it all to him" says Draco with annoyance, "I never wanted to get some creature murdered but that's not to say it's not my fault in some way. I shouldn't have ever tried running up to it but—"

He stops.

Rose turns around, fingers tight around the glass as she stares at him with relief taking her over.

He didn't do this, he didn't want this.

"But what Draco?"

He runs his hands through his hair frustratedly, "I always felt like I had to compete with Harry, do something to make sure you never peaked interest in the bloody chosen one. It's stupid and it's childish I know that but—but ever since that sorting hat called out Gryffindor after being placed on your head and I watched you stir a friendship up with him and Weasley and Granger...I've been so scared of them taking you away"

Draco was never one to speak so honestly.

"You can't...it's impossible to have your feet in both worlds Rosie and I knew they wanted to take you away from me after finding out I had spent my whole life by your side" His eyes avoid hers as he breathes heavily, "I think I have this thing where I have to be the greatest, better than anyone and I want everyone to be aware of how much better I am. Suddenly I'm thirteen and self-sabotaging everything with you because I simply couldn't handle you walking by Harry Potter's side into the great hall"

Draco takes another breath and finally looks at Rose as she nears the table, brows furrowed as his stoic face melts. "Because what am I compared to someone whose the 'savior' of the damn Wizarding World? I'm self-destructive, I'm shitty, narcissistic at times and so fucking jealous—jealous of every person who meets your eyes, gets to touch your hand...." he trails off with a shake of his head.

She sets the glass onto the table and almost swears she could cry, the words falling from her lips with zero walls built around them.

"All I ever wanted was you, Draco."

His eyes snap to hers, shuddering as his lips part.

"But I care about them," Rose continues unsteadily as Nyx slides from out of her sleeve and onto the shiny wood, "I care about Harry, I care about Hermione, and I care about Ron. I can't accept your treatment of them and others alike"

Draco lips form a frown and suddenly his anger issues show.

"You want me to change? I will! You want me to back off Harry? Fine. You want me to stop calling Hermione slurs? Fine. You want me to try to ignore the fact Ron is disgustingly poor and a disgrace to his pureblood line? Fine. I'll do and learn whatever you want me to but I'm never going to respect them."

Rose scoffs, "Why?!" she yells, "Why can't you respect people that I have love for?!"

Draco's palm slams down onto the table, "Because Harry put his hands on you, Hermione treats you like shit and you let her every single time because you have some complex telling you she's this glorious friend and she's not! Maybe someone like her can't understand what you've been dealing with but she could be understanding! Instead though, she chooses to judge every single thing you do!"

He takes a moment as Rose lifts her chin with pursed lips before resuming his rant furiously, "Ron is a blubbering idiot who trails along to anything Harry says and he might not have touched you but he sure did try to save his friend from getting his arse beat after shoving a woman who has been nothing but undeservingly kind to him" Draco scoffs, "You like to make everyone believe you're some heartless human and you're not! You, Rosie, have the biggest heart in this god forsaken world for the people you love and those three shitty humans do not deserve you in any way"

Rose cuts in, "But—"

"Don't even get me started on Dumbledore because he uses and abuses you like some power tool" he spat, rising up from his seat and not thinking clearly as his defenses collapse. "I am so sick of these people taking the pieces of you they need for themselves—you're everything to me and I can't sit back and watch it happen for another second"

"I'm meant to help people" she whispers back, stomach sinking to know he was right but also her heart flips, he called her everything. "Maybe none of them deserve me but it's my job to protect them and give everything I can. Dumbledore told me he believes that is my purpose"

"You don't owe anyone in this universe altruism!" says Draco exasperated as he leans on the table, "Tell me this—when have any of our friends asked you for anything other than taking care of yourself?"

She tries to think of something, of anything.

"Never"

"Exactly because friends don't push other friends under water knowingly! All moments we've helped eachother from bandging up Theo, getting Whitman through full moons since we were nine, comforting Blaise about the countless men his mother brings around, you all coming for me when my dad gets too much and every single time we've been there for you—none of us had to ask for it or spell anything out. Blaise's issues might be much smaller but we've never, ever made him feel that way."

She stammers, swallowing thickly as she whispers upon realization. "And that's real love"

Draco let's out a breath of relief, nodding curtly at her as if proud. "That's real love"

The words that roll off her tongue next are not what he suspected after such a talk, "Can I sit with you?"

"Rosie," he says in shock before a smile tugs at his face and he sits down, "Come here"

Rose picks the wine glass back up, circling around the table and pulling the chair out from next to him before following suit, angling herself so they could face each other, an elbow relaxing on the wood as she studies his features.

"Why didn't you just tell me that you had nothing to do with it?"

Draco opens then closes his mouth, sighing while he lounges back, bringing a ring-clad fist to his lips as he looks at her. "Sometimes I think you're life would be easier without me in it"

"That's not true," she immediately quips, biting down on her lip in concentration. "But I find myself thinking the same. You're father doesn't approve of me, I challenge you too much—the list goes on"

He appears offended that she could even think such thoughts, the fist falling down. "There's not a reality where you're not next to me....I couldn't handle that. Not to mention how boring life would be if you didn't challenge me every waking hour"

"You're Draco Malfoy," Rose laughs sadly, tipping her wine glass at him. "You'd be fine"

His fingers graze her wrist, stormy grey eyes piercing her own. "I'm not Draco Malfoy without you"

She stops.

The wine glass hits the table and the next thing Draco knows her arms are flinging around his neck. He has to take a second, let the shock sink in and let his soul cheer to have her touching him once more.

But then she's sliding out of her chair for closer proximity and instinctively Draco's hands find her waist, guiding her hips into his lap as his own arms wrap around her body.

"I—" her words run off as she buries her face in his neck, fingers twisting up into the snowy locks, unbeknownst to the chill she sends down his spine as her nose runs over by the pulse point of his throat.

"What Rosie?" he breaths out into her hair, a hand reaching down to pull her thighs fully over his lap.

"I missed you" she whispers.

"Toujours"

Always.

She smiles against his neck with a happy sigh, "Bring me closer"

"Closer?" He asks with a grunt as she squeezes him, "How much closer can we get?"

Her head snaps up so quickly he raises his brows as her lips form a pout, "Are you not enjoying me hugging you?"

"What?" He splutters in confusion, "Where did you possibly garner that idea?"

"Then why'd you grunt?!

He blinks, tightening his arms around her waist subconsciously. "You were choking me Rosie!"

A smile tugs at her lips, hands sliding over his shoulders slowly before she grasps his face, he almost lets out a content sound until she begins practically squishing his cheeks together.

Draco scowls with a grumble, looking like the grumpiest man on earth.

Rose on the other hand starts giggling, her head lulling back and he can feel the sound in his soul.

He rolls his eyes and let's her have at it, "Yeah yeah"

She glanced at him to squish the skin together again before once more giggling, Draco's lips twitching against his will to see her bubbling with happiness.

He forced himself to huff, "I'm taking you to bed" One arm stays around her waist and the other scoops under her thighs, instantly lifting Rose up as he rises out of the chair, her arms wrapping around his neck for support.

"No—" she manages out between laughs and kicks her legs while Draco carries her with ease, "No!"

"Nyx," he nods at the snake as he circles the table, heading for the entry way, completely ignoring Rose. "Come on"

The whole way through the home Draco carried her, lifting his chin with twitching lips as she laughed and laughed as they passed through hallway after hallway, up three flights up stairs and into a room she could only grin about.

First thing that she took note of was how open the area felt. Barely an inch of square footage didn't have a window letting in the beautiful Venezuelan air, intoxicating to the senses and a obscene view of the ocean from the wide balcony across the doorway. The room was by no means large, but the ceiling was tall enough to make it seem so. Draco usually would pick the grandest room possible anywhere he went, but as kids their little group had chosen this one for countless sleepovers as their families left them alone.

Along the wall, to the right, was a canopy bed. The bottoms of the curtains covered in the soot and dirt that lain across the black and white tiled floors. Save for a few items, there was also tall candles, each almost burnt to there ends as the used waxed seeped on the pristine paint of the window sills, the wicks ready to break off at any given moment.

Draco laid her down on the bed with an eyebrow raise as she lifted her feet holding the heeled boots, signaling him to take them off.

"Help me!"

He huffs and drops down onto the edge, grumbling as he places her legs in his lap and begins unzipping the shoes.

Rose sighs happily with eyes closing as he slides them off, placing them neatly in the floor, goosebumps spreading over her skin as his warm fingers press down upon her ankles—his lips twitching one again.

She presses up onto her elbows, "Give me your shirt"

"My shirt? Why may I ask?"

"Because it looks comfy and I'm not tearing open my suitcase right now"

Draco leans toward her teasingly, "You're a mess Black"

"And you Malfoy"

He smirks almost wickedly and she feels it in her chest, eyes staying glued to him like a picture as he stands and lays her legs down. His fingers tug as the back of the white cotton shirt, sliding it over his head with ease and holding it out.

But Rose doesn't notice that.

Her eyes fall from his face to his lips, trailing over his chest which holds much less scars than the backside. Rose's throat runs dry as her gaze keeps falling over down the muscles over his stomach, down to the v-line and then—

Her thoughts are interrupted by him calling her name, dangling the shirt out.

"Rosie,"

She licks her lips and with the slowest pace ever her eyes come back to his, "Hm?"

"Are you....checking me out?"

Rose yelps and falls down onto her back, covering her face up.

And Draco smiles, tossing the shirt at her head, voice holding undeniable cockiness. "Good to know"

"Shut up you cocky bastard!" Rose yells without moving, physically feeling the heat across her face and hearing him laugh as his footsteps head toward the closet meanwhile she stays flustered, shoving the shirt off her face as the closet door closes behind him.

When Draco returns in much more comfortable pants all the candles are blown out, Nyx clearly has made her way into the room and is curled up into a ball by the edge. And then there's Rose, tucked under the thick comforter, laying on her side to face the view of the ocean.

He passed by Nyx, rubbing her scaly head gently before circling around to find Rose smiling up tiredly at him, eyes staying transfixed on his face.

"Thought you'd be busy for the next fifteen minutes doing that skin stuff" he teases, lifting up the comforter and dropping down onto his back.

"I get too tired sometimes"

"Tired?" His brows furrow, turning to face her, jerking slightly as her ice cold feet touch his. "But the time difference? Probably only five in England"

"Didn't sleep last night" she murmurs, "Walburga was in a mood"

Draco feels his entire body tense and Rose sees it happens, the boy's face tightening as he wishes summer to sped up so he could get rid of Walburga Black forever.

"I'm fine Draco," she smiles and once again convinces him she's the strongest person he'll ever meet. "She just was dealing with a mood swing and I caught her at the wrong time. It wasn't like usual, just one curse. Although I feel bad for Whit and Theo, spent all night fixing me up"

"Stop worrying about everyone else" his voice comes out strained, scanning her for a flicker of pain but she's still smiling tiredly, and it's genuine.

"You know...." Rose trails on, "This bed used to be more comfy—think we must've ruined it when Whitman tackled you and Theo for stealing his cotton candy"

She doesn't want to talk about and he understands that.

"Oh I'm sorry my majesty," Draco speaks with fake seriousness, "Would you like it be built from feathers?"

She smiled sarcastically, "Yes actually—could you pluck them for me then craft a new mattress?"

"I'll make sure to do that" he rolls his eyes, draping arm over her waist and pulling her closer. "You're such a smart arse"

"You have three seconds to take your arm off—no cuddling"

He pulls his arm away, leaning forward whisper surely. "You know what Rosie.....okay"

Rose hums and closed her eyes, Draco flipping onto his back with frustration. Although he felt lulled by her presence and for once didn't seem restless, something that always happened to the both of them when laying together, Draco needed her to sleep first—needed to assure she would be fine.

When five minutes passed Rose peaks open one eye to look at him confusedly, "Why are you not holding me?"

Draco's head snaps over in disbelief, shifting onto his side. "But—but you just...." he runs off, huffing as he grabs her waist and pulls her to be flush against him. He directs his head down at Rose as she lifts her chin and her own arm comes over his waist, "Happy?"

Rose's lips twitch at their proximity and his attitude, hooking her leg around him. "Very much so"

She seemed relaxed, dare he say happy.

There was a sudden shift in the air as his fingers found her thigh, spreading a burning fire as he trailed down toward her hip and his breath hitched upon the realization she in fact—did not have pants on.

Her nails dug into his scarred back as he hesitantly pushed under the shirt and moved closer to her hip.

"Careful" she warns breathily.

His lips formed a smirk, hiding his own breathlessness as she pulled him impossibly closer. "Whatever do you mean?"

Oh.

Oh.

Game on.

She pushed her hips against him slowly and he stilled, breath getting caught in his throat. She leans up after, her lips brushing over the chiseled jaw as his fingers dig into her skin.

"Night Draco"

Yeah, he was done for.

*

The next morning Draco woke up alone to a cold bed, hand out-stretching for a body that was long gone. He faintly remembered waking hours ago in a mess of limbs with her before he was lulled back to sleep.

Where did she go?

He pushes up on his elbows, hair messy and eyes hazy, spotting a note on the side table with the purposeful messy cursive—something Rose had done from a young age to piss off her grandmother.

Beach with Cissa.

Found turtle habitat.

Must play savior.

From, Mysterious lady you slept with

Draco rolls his eyes with a smile at her antics, falling back down onto his back for a moment. He almost hates himself for feeling like one of those giddy school-girls but Rose was here and she didn't hate him. Maybe she didn't love him like he wanted but he could pretend she did, for now at least.

After a long shower and changing Draco moved through the home, past the back patio and into the blazing heat that he could physically feel hit his bare chest. Walking around the pool area and out of the extravagant metal gate that led to the wooden steps, landing on the sandy beach where he spotted his mother lounging in a chair near the shore.

As he neared he realized Rose was also there in a bikini that made him do a double take. She stood right where the water meet the shore, waving a racket around as his grandfather tiredly existed beside her with a cane. Quickly, he came to the conclusion she was attempting to hit the birds away that kept swooping down.

Draco breathed in the warm salty air and halted beside Narcissa who had her hair pinned up perfectly, pointy sunglasses across her nose as she read a familiar appearing book.

"What are you reading?"

Narcissa jumped slightly in surprise before smiling up at her son, "Oh—" she chuckles, "Rose suggested I read it...don't tell your father because we fooled him into believing it was written by a witch but this Sylvia person is just amazing...really understands raw womanhood"

"Let me guess," Draco laughed in a way his mother hadn't heard since Christmas, "The Bell Jar?"

"Yes!" Narcissa states enthusiastically, "You know, usually I wouldn't dabble in such disgusting things or dare touch something from a muggle but Rose was very convincing—relentless I tell you"

"I'm sure she was...." He smirks proudly, knowing damn well Rose could probably convince Salazar Slytherin to read a muggle book. His eyes leave Narcissa as Rose yelps in the distance, watching as she jumps up and hit's a bird before high-fiving Abraxas. "What in the name of Merlin is Rosie doing with grandfather?"

Narcissa raised her sunglasses up with a squint from the forceful sun, "Oh she found a turtle habitat—a bunch of babies are trying to make it to the ocean but the birds kept swooping for them" she pauses with a sigh, "Almost put her to tears until your grandfather decided it would be funny to conjure her one of those silly tennis rackets and now they are busy keeping score"

Draco chokes on a laugh as she jumps up again and Abraxas cheers as if he's at a Quidditch match, "Fuck sake"

"Draco!" Narcissa gawks at his language before rolling her eyes and gesturing to the chair on the right with an umbrella above, "You can have your father's seat—need that umbrella"

"I'm fine mother" he subconsciously mimics her action of rolling his eyes as he crashes down into the chair, content to have his feet out of the cold contrasting sand and to escape the blistering sun.

"You need some sunblock"

"Mother," he warns.

Narcissa sighs as she puts the sunglasses back on and shoves her bag across the sand, "You Malfoy men burn quicker than filet—put some on"

Draco deadpans, "You're laying out for this blistering sun just fine"

"I'm lucky to have been a Lestrange before marrying your father, I used to have a Spanish bloodline for your information!" Narcissa shoots back as she picks up the cold margarita from the little table between them, "You lot have always been as pasty as you are now....you have your fathers genetics"

"Yeah yeah" he grumbles, "But I do not need that sunblock"

"Okay...." Narcissa drags on in a sing-song tone.

Content with the subject dropped, Draco finally is given the chance to look back at Rose when suddenly his mother speaks mischievously as she focuses on the book pages.

"You already put some on, didn't you?"

Yeah, he definitely did.

"Shut up"

Narcissa giggles, stopping when Draco gives her a glare before slowly but surely both their lips move up at one another.

Draco shook his head and turned his attention onto Rose as she laughed at something Abraxas says, he finds himself jealous that he missed the melodic sound coming out of her.

But then his eyes transfix on Rose specifically, smiling subconsciously at her cascading raven hair that glimmered with shades of mocha—something one would only catch in the brightest of light. Her honey skin already reddening from the suns rays, and lastly the little white triangles over her body. Everything about her is so contrasting he finds himself reeling mentally in the beauty that is Rosalie Black.

His breath catches for what feels like the millionth time as his eyes fall down her body and maybe it's wrong to recall but he remembers every centimeter underneath the material, the way she felt, the way she looked, the way she breathed. He gulps at the droplets of sweat running down her chest where she's practically spilling out of the top, the water running down her stomach.

Torture, this was torture.

And he's sure if she could hear his thoughts she would be pleased to know he felt like a starved man or an addict—an addict who was utterly obsessed beyond his own control.

All of these thoughts are broken when a hand smacks the back of his head roughly. He looks up and behind himself to see Lucius staring down disapprovingly.

"Stop watching her as if she's a piece of meat!"

Draco opens and closes his mouth, unable to formulate a sentence in response. Instead he blinks and turns his attention back on the girl to see her smiling upon realizing he was there, running up from the shore as Abraxas starts darting toward the house for an escape.

"I'll be off to eat lunch" Lucius huffs, quickly turning toward the steps to the house to avoid Rose but for a different reason than his tired father.

"The birds Draco! The birds are trying to murder!" Rose yells as she starts to reach him, his eyes fixing on her face to be able to coherently hear her words.

His eyebrows raise, "The birds?"

"Yes!" she states exasperated, throwing sand all over his legs as she drops cross-cross between them on the chair. "They're trying to murder all the turtles Draco!"

He only gets a second to blink in shock at the itchy sand before she's breathlessly rambling, speaking a mile a minute.

"And then— And then—,"

Draco eyes grow wide at her state as Narcissa stifles a laugh at him dealing with the hyped up girl.

Rose starts frantically tapping his knees, "Are you listening, Draco? Draco, Listen!"

He grabs her arms to keep her still with eyes just as wide, "I'm listening Rosie"

"The birds started swooping and almost took one but then I hit it with my racket! But they just kept coming and coming! It was like a bloody massacre and Abraxas wouldn't stop laughing—"

She continues rambling, her hands moving along to the story and breathing heavily as she recalls every detail to him and Draco finds himself relaxing as her fingers slip into his own frantically, his head falling back against the chair with a soft smile at the energy she holds.

Even though it is a silly story about protecting turtles, Narcissa looks over at her son and swears to see the hearts in his eyes, such a tender look across his features as Rose holds every bit of his attention.

Eventually Rose starts to finish off the story, only more breathless than before. "And that—that's why I need you to promise me that when we're older and we steal this house away you'll build something for them to safely get in the water! Promise me Draco! This is the third year they've almost died in a blood bath!"

He subconsciously intertwined their fingers once more, speaking without an edge. "I promise Rosie"

Rose grins and lets out a sound of happiness alwhile attempting to catch her breath. After, titling her head at him curiously, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Despite her calling him out Draco stays smiling softly, "Hm?"

Her brows furrow in confusion, unable to keep from giggling at how love-stricken he is watching her.

Suddenly an owl swoops down with amber feathers and neon orange eyes, a pristine letter in his beak, landing on the arm of Draco's chair and stealing both their attentions.

Theo's owl.

Merlin.

Theo thought it would be hilarious to name his owl after most famous wizard in history.

"Merlin?" Rose asked in shock, already scolding Theo in her head for making the owl travel so incredibly far. "Salazar," she took a hand away from Draco to pet the owls head, "How dare he make you travel this far baby?"

Merlin let the letter fall into Draco's lap, hooting loudly as he pressed up against her soothing palm.

"I'm going to kill that boy," Narcissa huffs as she closes her book and stands, holding out an arm. "Come on Merlin, I'll feed you well"

Draco went to pick up the letter but was stopped by Merlin flapping his wings and pecking the boys fingers. He pulled his hand away with a scowl, wiping the blood off on Rose's knee—she wouldn't care—hell she'd probably smile about the blood on her.

Merlin hooted one last time toward Rose before flying up onto Narcissa's awaiting arm, letting out another pleased sound as the Black picked up the letter.

Rose shook her head as Narcissa started walking away, Draco speaking with a grumble.

"Bloody bird always hated me"

"He loves me" Rose smirks before her face shifts into a smile at the perfect cursive with her name written across the front of the envelope. She runs her fingers overtop, wishing to delude herself into thinking it would bring Theo closer.

Draco grunts as she quickly turns around, throwing more sand over him as she forces herself fully in between his legs, crashing back against his toned chest.

"Go on then" he mutters while sliding his arms around her waist, gaining a shudder from her at the feeling.

It seems as if he's purposely distracting her as his fingers run across her stomach, igniting her bones in an incomparable way that only one other person was capable of.

Rose clears her throat, "I knew Theo couldn't make it a day without reaching out"

Draco tucks his chin onto her shoulder, "He's obsessive"

"I find that attractive"

As soon as the words roll off her tongue his fingers dig into her skin, the hold becoming possessive.

"Careful," Rose warns as her breath hitches, "You seem a bit territorial"

He presses his lips to the shell of her ear, burning the skin there. "Nothing to be territorial about"

Hm.

Rose drops the letter down, tipping her head back onto his shoulder as her fingers find his thigh. "Are you sure?"

"Very much so—do you wanna know why?," his lips stay against her ear, content about her unsteady breathing. "There's ministry documents that say Rosalie Malfoy, if you can recall"

Her hand tightens around his skin, "But we aren't married"

"Do you want to be?" The words come out flirty as ever, and she can feel the devilish grin against her.

"Horrible proposal Malfoy," Rose scoffs the best she possibly can.

His fingers trail dangerously low on her stomach and Rose completely stops breathing as he toys with the top of bikini bottom, "Are you referring to yourself?"

"Draco," her chest rises and falls, eyes directing down the empty beach, "We're in public"

"Hm?" He murmurs in her ear, "I'm not doing anything darling"

"But the house—" she struggles out, "They're all up there"

Draco shushes her, letting one hand stay low while the other moves teasingly slow up her stomach. He hums pleased as her eyes roll back and she fully relaxes against him, head tipping further back and too distracted to open the letter.

And oddly enough, Rose lets him tease her for as long as he wants, marking her skin with his touch but never going where she wants him.

*

The day rushed by in a blur, Rose ended up reading the letter before dinner and almost cried. Call it unhealthy all one wishes, but there was no denying she despised being apart from Theodore Nott for even an hour.

But Rose didn't feel too guilty for being happy where she was, being in love with two men happened to have perks but also put an awful sense of yearning her bones.

On the third floor balcony Narcissa stood with a wine glass in hand, smiling at the sun which is almost fully disappeared when Lucius settles beside her, "Hello love"

Lucius sighs as his hands wrap around the railing, "What in the name of Salazar are those two doing?"

"For Merlin's sake Lucius" she huffs in annoyance, "What has Rose done to you that makes her so awful?"

Lucius blinks at his wife in shock, "She's a disgrace to her family name and you very well know it. Running around with half-breeds and mudbloods alike. Obnoxious, loud, arrogant—the list goes on Cissa. She's never believed in our values from a young age and she's not fit for my son, doomed to ruin Draco's life with her ideals on society"

"Do you ever stop and think about anything that has to do with your sons life?" she snaps while setting the glass down, "I may not agree with Rose's ideology but I'll tell you what I very well know—every time he has needed someone, whether they were in a tiff or not, Rose has always been the first one there. So what if they challenge each other? Isn't that what love is supposed to make you do? Question things? Question yourself?"

"Yes very well but not the beliefs we instilled—"

"I'm not done!" Narcissa spat angrily and Lucius recoiled back, "Draco lives his life in shackle chains and she's the only one whose capable of opening them. You knew when they were kids he loved her and you'd be a fool, Lucius, to not see it has only consumed him as he's grown, to deny him of such is simply cruel! This isn't some playground love you're taking about, he comes to life in a way I haven't seen when she's near and I will not let you torment him into believing he is unworthy of such!"

"He is Malfoy!" Lucius spits back, "That means something!"

Narcissa lifts her chin, flipping her tone to be even. "We were denied too or have you forgotten that my father did not approve of you? That he wished for me to marry young Regulus? I could've very well done so"

For a second she spots the hurt flash through his always hardened gaze.

"But you took me to the forest and we made an unbreakable vow to get married, assuring no soul could stop us from being together and Regulus got to go on with that filthy James Potter" her lips purse together and she reaches a hand out onto his arm, "You were free-spirited with me once and then your father shoved you into being a deatheater and I will never know what you witnessed but it changed you—I beg you to not torment our son into hating his own father because do you want to know something?"

Lucius clenched his jaw together, "What?"

"Draco is going to end up with her and they will have a happy life and he'll refuse you for disapproving or he will end up alone and miserable and blame you forever because I know my son and I know he is irrevocably in love—that doesn't go away so therefore I ask you, are you going to doom him or will you let him seek happiness?"

The father says nothing in response and Narcissa raises a challenging brow as she picks her wine glass back up, patting his chest before turning on her heel and exiting the balcony.

Lucius exhales loudly and places his hand back along the railing, focusing on the sight of the two teenagers before him in heavy thought. The sun is almost fully disappeared, orange illuminating the water as the midnight sky begins to take form and then there's them.

Rose is stepping off the wooden path with her hand in Draco's, tugging the boy down along the sandy shore, back in their bathing suits and into the beginning of the water. Lucius sighs as he watches Rose try to escape from the boy just before Draco wraps his arms around her waist and lifts her up against his chest, both with wide smiles and loud laughter as her head tips back, fighting his hold with him carrying her into the ocean.

"Okay! Okay!" Rose laughs as they reach thigh deep water, still attempting to get loose. "I'll swim with you!"

Draco freezes and so do her movements as his laughter ceases, a wave crashing into them but he stays steady. "Promise?"

"I swear it!" she chuckles, resuming her squirming.

"Good" he nods and sets her down into the salty ocean, laughing under his breath as she stumbles for a second. "Unsteady, love?"

Oh, that damn name would be her end.

"Oi!" Rose scoffs playfully before splashing him as she catches her balance, "Fuck off Malfoy!"

Draco raised a brow, lifting up one hand and barely shoving her shoulder, making her topple over and under the water. He laughs victoriously until suddenly his ankles are being pulled on and he's also under the waves.

When Draco resurfaces he finds Rose a few feet away, the rippling water up to her chest as she smiles with a sarcastic wave, he almost forgets his purpose as the orange disappearing sun casts behind her in a way that makes the girl appear angelic.

"Oh...." he says in a voice that Rose knows means he's coming for her neck, slowly moving closer. "I'm going to get you now, Rosie"

She squeals and quickly turns away, rushedly moving deeper as he taunts from behind her, nearing too quick for comfort.

"Now now darling...I'm much taller than you....you won't make it far"

Rose yelps as his hands reach for her and almost make contact. With amazing instinct she turns back to Draco, shooting a wordless spell at his chest that makes him stumble back and grunt.

"Oof..." Draco clutches his chest in pain, head rising up to smirk at her regardless. "Are you flirting with me Black?"

She wiped the water droplets from her left cheek with a matching smirk, "I thought you were busy making me a Malfoy?"

Draco bites down on his lip in an attempt to conceal a smile that fails miserably, a full one breaking out onto his features with a shake of his head and despite the pain he's supposed to feel from her spell the boy only finds himself experiencing euphoria as he crosses over, hands grasping her hips and pulling her in.

Rose giggles as their limbs brush and he wonders if he could ask her to make that sound a million times over, fingers sliding down as he bends to make himself shorter for a moment only to wrap his hands around her thighs and tug them over his waist.

Her hands grasp Draco's face, thumbs sliding underneath his eyes before she brings their foreheads together with matching mirrors of happiness.

Draco lifts up to press a long kiss to her forehead as a hand leaves her thigh to hold her head close. He does it because it's natural, it feels right and despite being so very touch-starved it feels like second nature to be this gentle and loving with her.

"Do you want to go deeper?" he murmurs against her skin as another warm wave crashes into them.

Her arms wrap around his neck, tilting her chin up to look at him. "If you promise not to let me go"

"Only a fool would let you go"

"Are you a fool?"

The question holds a deeper undertone.

Are you going to let me go again?

"Never" he whispers back, lips forming the most pure smile that makes her chest ache.

And his response holds a deeper undertone.

I never let you go to begin with.

"Do whatever you wish with me then,"

And he does, Draco moves further into the ocean until the water is pooling around his shoulders and she laughs as his nails dig into her hips.

But as the sun shows it's last sliver of light Draco finds himself entranced, orange illuminating her bright smile and hazy blue eyes from the salt of the ocean, the slight hint of freckles appearing across her nose like a band-aid from the blistering day in the sun, and little dark strands of wet hair sticking to her cheeks.

Her eyes met his and his stomach drops, her fingers moving through the hair at the nape of his neck and the rest of the world doesn't exist anymore as he watches her with intent.

"What is it?" she whispers as if glass is incasing them.

"Sometimes I look at you and I—" he has to visibly swallow the slump in his throat, something unrecognizable in his gaze. "I get so overwhelmed that you exist"

She feels the words in every fiber of her being.

Rose almost kisses him, says screw everything and puts her lips to his—but she doesn't. Too afraid once she starts she'll never be able to stop because behind every touch, every word, every head tilt, they exchange a million emotions.

Instead she quotes something he understands as their chest brush and her legs tighten around his waist, hand slipping from his neck to brush his sharp jaw.

"Beauty is terror. Whatever we call beautiful—"

"—We quiver before it" Draco finishes breathlessly as the sun leaves her face and the midnight sky takes control. He thinks there isn't a more perfectly fitting quote to describe how he feels for her, for how she makes him feel.

Rose smiles before grasping onto his cheeks once more, too overwhelmed to do anything other than start pressing kisses all over his face. And he lets her because he wants to be deavoured by their all-consuming fire, because this is all he ever wanted—Rose is all he ever wanted and all he ever will.

Not his fathers approval, not to be outstanding, not a different life, but her. A world where Rose exits with her hand interlocked with his own, a world where no one tells him it's wrong to love her, a world where no force tries to tear them apart.

He realizes something as she smiles against his temple before resuming her mission to drown him with love that doesn't need words, Draco Malfoy is not heartless nor will he ever be as long as Rose is still breathing somewhere in this plane of existence.

The amount of time spent with her wrapped around him in the midnight ocean with the moon high above was uncountable, spent asking questions only a philosopher would know the answer for and so much laughter that Rose joked the stars must've envied them.

It wasn't until warm rain started to pour did they finally run out of the water with finger tips wrinkled from being there so long. Draco wrapped her up in a towel with him and they ran and ran, skipping the outdoor showers and going straight up to their rooms with laughter bouncing off the stone walls of the home.

Rose slipped away upon entering their shared room, pushing him away and going to the bathroom. After showering and scrubbing her skin furiously Rose exited, opening the door as she finished tying the silky robe around her body with wet hair that left little droplets running down her collarbones.

Her eyes found Draco sitting on the edge of the bed, facing the crashing waves from beyond the balcony, back muscles flexing as he slumped his head down with hands spread over his knees.

"Whit sent a letter," he says without looking at her, always able to feel when Rose was close. "Claims Walburga has been taking more of those pills recently—he tried to hide the bottles but doesn't know where you usually put them so she can't find them"

"Oh..." Rose halts in the doorway, feet staying against the cold marble of the bathroom, letting out a heavy breath. "I'll write to him when you shower but—well I hope he's been tucking her into bed"

Walburga has always had a little ways of self-medicating throughout the entirety of Rose's life but ever since Orion took his life, the habit had only increased. Rose found herself getting drugged up letters while at school or finding her grandmother passed out on the couch, always she would sigh and tuck the woman under a blanket.

Draco sighs as if annoyed with her response, his shoulder tensing with a head shake, little strands of white painting his forehead. The mattress dips behind him and the hairs on his arms seem to stand at attention from being back in close proximity with her.

The first thing he feels is the renowned icy touch of her soft hands soothe his shoulders as she settles on her knees behind him, "How do you do it?" he asks with a ragged breath, leaning into the hold that sets him ablaze.

"Do what, Draco?"

"So strong all the time," Draco breaths out as her fingers slid down the muscles over his arms increasingly slow, "You fall down a lot but you always stand back up I—I don't understand how one person can live with so much"

At least he's honest.

And she decides to be honest right back, something she wouldn't usually do with him.

"Sometimes I close my eyes and imagine none of this life is real, pretend I'm eleven and laying in bed and my parents are downstairs laughing happily" her fingers wrap around the creases where his elbow are before trailing back up, focusing on his shuddering body. "Or I open a book and escape reality, imagine myself as some character floating through life as the bubbly girl who steals the heart of a lost soul. But reality always has a way of coming back to us, doesn't it? My parents aren't here and I'm not some cheerful girl from a book."

"Yeah it does" he answers simply because he doesn't want her to stop talking, he needs to hear every thought deeply imbedded into her brain.

The part of her he admires the most.

"I can't afford to make mistakes. You won't believe me when I say this but sometimes I find myself so envious of girls like Pansy or Cho or Luna or even Hermione. I'm not disputing their issues because to them they feel like the entire world but they get to bustle around with heads tipped back full of laughter at parties or cry over the stress of school and so on—I could only wish my problems to be so trivial" her hands stop as she reaches his shoulders once more, "One wrong move from my end and the world knows. My life has never truly been my own, I never get to simply worry about boys or what assignment is due next because I'm too busy being trained for a war that might not ever happen, used for power I never asked for and fighting to keep living as I battle mental issues bestowed upon my genetics from family."

Draco reaches up, moving on instinct because he doesn't know how to be the grand comforter. His fingers slide into her own, keeping her hand over his shoulder.

"That's not fair Rosie,"

"No but neither is life." she smiles and he knows it's real as his chin turns to look back at her, "My grandmother has her vices Draco, everyone has them in different forms and that's okay. Maybe existing gets too overwhelming but as humans we have to make a decision at some point, you either stand back up or let the darkness eat you. How you do it, well, that's no one's right to judge."

His lips part and gaze transfixes on her own gentle one, fingers subconsciously gliding over her knuckles as he keeps their hands intertwined.

"But what happens if one day....you don't feel like getting back up?" The question comes out nervous because he fears that day, the one when Rose looks at him and tells him she can't do it anymore, that the world has taken all the fight she has to give. And the conversation stirs up a million thought inside his mind at the realization she mentioned war. What would happen if Voldemort comes back? He knows the answer to that question, Rose would undoubtedly stand by the dark wizard's side but not because she believes in what the overlord stands for—never.

But because it doesn't matter how much training Albus Dumbledore pumps into her veins or how much she disagrees with blood supremacy, Rose has no bounds when it comes to those she loves. All it would take is one threat from Voldemort to someone she holds closely to send her down that path and Draco knows she would make no apologies, spare no innocents in the name of love.

Despite what the world may see Draco Malfoy knows her like he knows himself and the one thing that truly drives Rose to keep living, to keep breathing—is love.

It is her only motivator.

The smile spread over Rose's face never leaves as she squeezes his hand, lifting the other off his shoulder, brushing her fingers through his hair. "Then you'll pick me up, won't you?"

He shrugs slightly, "Perhaps"

Rose look of glee fades, pulling her hands away from at once. "I hate you"

Draco's lips curl up and in an instant he turns, snatching her waist and pulling Rose into his lap, ignoring the yelp she let's out as her arms wrap around his neck for balance.

His knuckles brush her cheek as she breathes heavily and settles down, "Foolish of you to ask such a question when you know my answer"

Her brow raises, "Toujours?"

"Toujours," he whispers before gripping her chin with an eye roll, "You just wanted to hear that, didn't you?"

"Maybe...." Rose drags our slowly before realizing the sand all over his legs is rubbing onto her robe, squirming immediately. "Draco, you're dirty! Let me go!"

Like a featherweight Draco tosses her behind him and onto the bed, getting scowl in return as he chuckles and stands up. "Don't miss me too much darling"

"Oh fuck off," she grumbled, pushing up onto her elbows before smiling sarcastically. "I'll be sure to leave this sand here so you can sleep in it"

Draco crosses his arms over his chest that she refused to look at and be distracted by, "Do I still get to have you near?"

Rose shrugs, "Possibly"

"Then I'll manage" he finishes the sentence with a wink that makes her grumble again, dropping down onto her back as he smirks in victory and dips off to the shower.

Twenty minutes pass before the bathroom door reopens by Draco kicking it lazily, still pulling the simple black tee on as he walks out with warm air smacking him in the face. Eyes turn to the side to find the balcony doors open, letting in the sound and smell of tropical rain falling down along with the waves crashing before focusing on Rose with a book in her hand, robe long gone—only dark matching shorts and a silky top left across her body, resting against fluffed pillows.

Draco eyes zoom in on the cover that reads 'The Secret History' as he saunters toward her, "Reading already?"

"I find myself refusing to be behind on schedule for finishing it" she retorts without looking up, slightly frowning at the pages as she catches a glimpse at the material draped across his waist, "No shirts allowed Mister Malfoy"

"Oh how dare I, my majesty" Draco states sarcastically before tossing the shirt over his head and pressing a knee into the mattress, garnering a satisfied hum from her as she continues reading.

He finds himself annoyed by Rose giving so little attention, hands gripping her knees and pulling her temptingly tan legs apart—smiling like the devil as she stills and looks up from the pages to him.

His lips find her right knee as he leans further into the mattress, one hand sliding over her left thigh as his lips move down the right. Rose drops the book onto her chest with a sharp intake of breath as his mouth reaches the middle of her thigh, his hand gripping the other.

"Draco," she breathed out, threading her fingers through his hair.

"Hm?" The sound vibrated against her and relentlessly he continued on, pressing kisses down and down until he reached the cuff of her shorts, leaving a trail of tingling skin in his wake.

He paused, staying there for a moment before he pulled her legs furthers apart, hands switching to the hem of her shirt which he slid underneath.

As the material glided up his mouth found her skin once more, pressing down upon her stomach twice before he fully situated himself in between her thighs, weight and head dropping onto her stomach with his own flushed cheeks.

"Let me die here," he mumbled, eyes closing as he adjusts himself comfortably, fingers lightly  grazing the sides of her ribcage beneath the shirt.

Rose smiles breathlessly, pink tinting her face as she brushes the white hair off his forehead, uncaring about how heavy he was laying on her. "You'll be the death of me"

"Gladly" he mumbled again, lips curving up on one side as his eyes stayed closed.

She giggled to herself and his lips pulled up on one side at the sound. Rose moved her hand from the blonde locks onto the top of his scarred back, connecting the marks with the peaceful sounds outside blowing in with the wind.

"I can almost make the Hydrus constellation"

He breathed raggedly from the touch that most would avoid nearing, hands tightening around her body, deciding he quite liked the fact she was turning the scars into stars.

"Does it....repulse you?" he spoke nervously, quieter than usual. "My back"

"Half of these are from defending my actions to your father...." She trailed on, "Cissa told me. You might not want to admit it but you and Theo having matching marks from standing up for me. And other reasons of course, things due to a man's rage."

He nodded slightly against her, "Theo's is different through, maybe worse markings but neat. My father does things in anger, Theo's sets scheduled times for him—makes him count the slashing in the view it'll give strength."

Theo.

How she misses him.

And Gods—how her soul aches to have him back.

Sometimes it seem like she can feel the pain in her chest when he's not near.

"They only make me—" Rose halted the sentence at once.

He lifted his head slightly, grazing her skin with his nose before resting his chin on Rose's stomach with softened eyes and a furrowed brow, "Make you what?"

—love you both more.

"—Adore you both more." She finished, smiling gently despite her gut twisting at the words she feared to truly speak. "I could never be repulsed by you, in any matter Draco"

He eyed Rose for a moment with a head tilt before pressing his lips back to her stomach, pulling her impossibly closer. "Read to me?"

She nodded and he collapsed back against her stomach as she lifted the book up, contemplating her next words. "But tell me who you're favorite character is so far or I refuse"

"Henry Winter, of course"

Rose tipped back with laughter against the pillows, "You would. Both of you are pompous, pretentious men in a circle of elitist"

"Oh yeah?" He laughed back, playful digging his fingers in. "Let me guess—Camilla's you're favorite and Richard is second...too many similarities with both characters"

"Oi!" She wacked his head with the book, "What makes you assume such?!"

Draco laughed breathily, unfazed and unmoving as he closed his heavy eyes. "A morbid longing for the picturesque at all costs" he quotes the book, "If that is not you then I do not know what is but I do not believe that is the one you resonate with the most. Camilla by a landslide, she's the true mastermind in the story. A beautiful villian crafted under the gaze of beauty"

"Camilla is everything to me," she rolled her eyes behind the pages, trying to find where she left off. "I am in love with Henry Winter though....he writes his little journal in Latin like Theo"

"Murder and all? I hate the bookshop owner for spoiling that detail"

"I can excuse him being a murderer. By chapter five I was ready to go to war for that man."

Draco laughed and she could feel his smile against her stomach, "You can excuse him murdering his friend?"

"He did what he had to do" Rose says in defense of the the character, pursing her lips to keep from sighing dreamily. "And he looked good doing it"

"Romanticizing Henry Winter—very Richard Papen and Camilla Macaulay of you"

"Fuck..." Rose muttered, realizing he was indeed correct. Draco laughed again and lifted up, pulling the book down from her face as he sequenced her sides.

"Read—I can't let Whit or Theo get ahead of us"

Rose grinned, dropping the book onto her chest. "Tell me I'm your Camilla...'the only one you are particularly fond of'"

Draco raises a brow, "Wouldn't be very Henry Winter of me to admit"

"Not very Camilla of me to ask either,"

"Fine then," His lips curl up, "Yeah"

Yeah, you are.

"Yeah" she responds with a matching look.

Yeah, I know.

*

Along the balcony Rose stood, peering up at the moon with gentle eyes, adjusting the straps of the thin night gown. They'd been here for a week and although she was happy there was a familiar ache in her chest, a gaping whole only Theo could fill. The two didn't get to write much, letters traveling overseas by owl was exhausting for any bird put up to the task and she wasn't quite used to this—going so long without him.

She felt a some guilt too, here she was having all this happiness and fun with Draco. How was she ever to choose? Was that even an option? The idea that it wouldn't be was too grave to think about, a world where neither loved her back. They stirred up a storm in her and it was so very confusing.

Although Walburga had just recently began hating Draco, the woman never ever approved of Theo. He was too blunt, challenging, demanding, protective, and on and on. Theo was uncaring about the rules set in place and always seemed to fill Rose with a happiness Walburga despised, encouraging her to break the chains of her life.

And Theo was good, really good.

Rose never quite understood why he focused all of his attention onto her, he could have anyone he ever wanted. She was moody, a handful, mean, and sometimes plainly cruel.

But he put her first in every single aspect.

She could recall last year when she practically confessed her love without actually saying the three words. The next day she went to his manor but stopped as him and his father fought, listening in to hear Theo relentless defend whatever was occurring between them.

'In a room of millions—hell even the entire universe and the ones beyond, she would chose me. I think it rare any one else in history has been capable of saying such with confidence'

He was right, she did say all of that to him and she meant it too.

It wasn't that she loved Draco less in any form but Theo might as well crafted the sun, moon, and stars in her eyes. He was the ball of radiating light in her life and handled her with the most gentle touch but he was also something else. He had a darkness to him that people knew not mess with and he had protected her his whole life and let the gods be with anyone who hurt her because he would hurt them ten times worse. But never her, no, he wouldn't harm her.

She had been reaching for him for as long as she could remember, body aware when he was near and when he wasn't. Searching crowded rooms for his face and times when she would have to force herself to look at the ground or sky so it wasn't so obvious he captivated her the entirety of her attention. And frankly she couldn't remember a moment when she had felt fully alive unless he was close. From the smell of palm trees to the street dancer she had passed earlier, every single thing on this planet she found a piece of him in.

And she knew it didn't matter who she met or what she did, there was no way she could stay away from him.

Did he know how much power he had over her?

Did he know she would vow to never love anyone if he didn't love her back in the way she wanted?

Because deep down Rose knew, there was never a moment where they were just friends and no one could compare to him.

No one could manage to be so comforting and brighten her while also being so dark and thrilling.

Maybe it pissed the boys off how there's was a imbalance, Rose and Theo always being closer but he was the air she breathed and she sure as hell was his too.

Not to mention she was quite literally his, whether he wanted her not. Her mind, body, soul, everything—he owned her.

Theo. Theo. Theo. Theo. Theo.

There was never a boring moment with either of the boys, and she wondered if they did love her back would they understand how she felt? To be consumed by not one but two loves?

Why can't I just have both?

And there were other things that Theo—

Her thoughts are interrupted when a hand brushes her hair onto the right shoulder, lips pressing down on the bare skin. Rose shudders and wraps her fingers around the balcony railing tightly, days upon days of her and Draco tormenting each other like this—never breaking the tension as they wished.

"You okay?" he murmurs, running his fingers down her arm as his lips move away.

"I'm fine now," she smiles back at him, "Wondered how long Lucius would keep you though"

Draco rolls his eyes, running his hand down her spine as he shifts to stand beside her. "Wanted to talk about buisness, forcing me into some bullshit at the end of summer"

"Shouldn't even be a discussion on vacation"

He makes a sound of agreement, tiredly hanging his head as he latches onto the railing as well with a million worries about what he had just agreed to for his father. "It's fine. I'm back here, with you."

"That sounds perfect, Hm?"

"Truly"

She turns to him, a familiar gentleness in her gaze as she places a hand over his. "You know...spending all those years hating me was pointless. I've been so happy these past few days"

Draco gaze snaps over, "You think I hated you?"

Rose recoils slightly at the bite in his tone, "Well you sure as hell acted like it...wouldn't you say?"

"You're fucking ignorant,"

She fights the urge to slap him across the face, who was he to call her ignorant? Talk about being bipolar, maybe he's the one who needed to take some of her medicine.

"Excuse you?"

"Who do you think you're fooling, huh?" he practically barked at her, "You're a fucking genius—stop acting so damn clueless all the time."

She straightened up, pursing her lips as he moved to his full height and despite the fact her head was level with his shoulders she tipped her chin up defiantly. "I don't know what your father said to you but you do not get to take it out on me—"

"He didn't say shit to me!" Draco spat, "I—well I just don't get how you can be so blind! Tell me, does it hurt pretending like you've hit your head?"

"Clearly he said something," she bit back with just as much force, eyes narrowing in. "So let me give you a refresher since he clogged your head. You are not your father and I am not your mother, you do not get to take any type of wayward tone with me now or ever."

His jaw ticks and he looks off toward the ocean, shoulders rolling back in clear anger.

"You understand me?" Rose pressed on, "I am not a doormat and if you think for one second I'll put up with you disrespecting me then you are sorely mistaken. I'm not running in circles with you any longer Draco, speak plainly or don't speak at all."

The silence and his casted away gaze stays.

"Figures," she scoffs and steps to go inside where the balcony doors are thrown open.

But a hand catches her wrist, tugging Rose back in front of the towering blonde. "What?!" She snaps at him, "We can speak when some respect has returned to your voice."

"You seriously think I don't respect you?!"

"Sure didn't sound like it."

He runs a frustrated hand through his hair as he releases her, backing up slightly as the sharp edge to his voice leaves. "I just don't get how after all this time you can think I hated you"

"Are you messing with me?" She blinks, confused more than ever at the way his shoulders sag in defeat. "You told me a million times! Said awful things and went out of your way to make it known to everyone you were not on my side!"

Suddenly he was back in her face, on the verge of growling. "You know what Rosie?"

She stayed still, "What?!"

"I do hate you," He sneered, "I hate you so fucking much"

"Oh you hate me now?" she laughed humorlessly, "Do explain how I invoke such hatred in you"

"I have many many reasons." He jeered, stepping away and reeling deeply before snapping. "But most of all Rosie, I hate you because I look at the moon and I'm reminded of you! I go to the ocean and all I can see are you damn eyes staring back at me! I turn my lights off and try to sit in the dark for a semblance of sanity and suddenly I'm thinking about your stupid raven hair! I open a book that's pristine and the only thing on my mind is picturing what it would like when you were done with it—filled full of tabs and little cursive letters!"

The anger is long gone from her body as she sits with her mouth parted, heart-rate licking up rapidly. "Draco—" she whispers breathlessly.

"I'm not done!" He snaps like a maddened man, "I go to mess with some kid and think for a minute how much joy it'll bring me but then I'm reminded by your voice in my head telling me to stop! Every single damn thing in my universe is a mirror of you and it drives me crazy how deeply imbedded into my skin you are because you're right—I don't like you and if I could make you the enemy I would!"

Rose steps forward with a rare case of shaking hands, grasping onto his cheeks. He tries to twist away weakly, fingers going to pull hers down but fails.

"What...what are you doing?" He asks, short of breath. "I know—"

She cuts him off, pressing up on her toes and covering his mouth with her own. He doesn't kiss her, too shocked and relieved all at once to make any move.

In return Rose pulls back slightly, centimeters between them as his hands tighten over the ones she held around his cheeks.

"Please," she whispered, licking her lips, voice full of want. "Kiss me"

Draco rounded an arm over her waist and before she knew what was happening his lips were coming down on her own, a hand sliding onto her neck as he pulled her impossibly closer.

There under the moon and the waves crashing far off, he was kissing her again.

It was deep, hard and there was nothing gentle about about the way his mouth moved. If he couldn't tell Rose that he loved her, he would show her.

His thumb pulled on her chin, opening her mouth as his tongue slid inside and her knees buckled, feeling the kiss through every inch of her body.

He needed her closer, he needed more and without a second thought he lifted her by her thighs, letting Rose grab his shoulders as he guided her legs around his waist and started crossing the threshold of the room.

She gasped as he pushed her against a wooden column inside by the glass door but Draco didn't let her lips leave his, he couldn't handle loosing the feeling or her second guessing him because his body was ignited and every part of his skin was buzzing with warmth.

There were too many times he yearned to be close to her, watched her hold onto someone else, smile at another, and right now she was with him—in his arms and he wasn't letting go.

Draco caught her bottom lip between his teeth, pulling it into his mouth before groaning as her head rolled back and she tugged on the roots of his hair. The small piece of control he had left snapped, hands gliding under the hem of the gown and digging in as he started to leave a trail from her lips, to her jaw, and to her ear before gliding over her neck.

But then she grinded down, the lace underwear rubbing on his hips where she could feel exactly how she made him feel. Rose groaned and jerked his head up before kissing him like he was the only human left.

Draco yanked her tightly against him and Rose let out a small gasp into his mouth, wrapping her arms around his neck as he peeled them away from the wall with fingers digging into her bottom.

His knee hit the mattress first before he laid her down, breaking thier lips apart as she started to desperately tug on the hem of his shirt. He hovered up, helping her toss it off into the abyss before she attempt to kiss him again but he pushed her down, sitting back on his knees.

Her chest rised and fell quickly as his hands circled the tops of her thighs, pushing the gown to her hips but he paused as the silk pooled, his throat bobbing at the lace underneath.

"Do you really want this?"

She nodded quickly, gaining a slap against her thigh in return.

"Speak"

"I want it to be you," she murmured breathlessly.

With the utmost torture, he slowly began pulling the gown off her body, Rose lifting up slightly to help him. Draco didn't get a second to look at her before she was reaching for the top of his pants, him grasping her hands just as she undid the button.

"No—this is about you and you only."

He pushes her back onto the bed again, grasping her legs and pulling them further apart as his lips open with lust, internally groaning at the sight of only lace covering the bottom of her body.

She went to cover her chest when he forces her arms away with a reprimanding look, slowly—so slowly he placed his hand flat onto her stomach and glided it up, running it in between her breasts as he breathed heavily.

"So beautiful," he whispered as if talking to himself, lost in a daze as her body pushed up into his touch, aching for more. It felt like his hand was on fire as it spread warmth onto her skin, wrapping around her neck gently—making Rose gasp as he used the grip to suddenly tug her up and this time kissed her stronger than ever, desperate as if she was all he ever needed.

He tasted like desire and mint and it was sending her down a deep spiral, groaning as he kept her throat in a hold and slid a hand down her stomach, leaving Rose gasping for air as his lips started feverishly moving onto her neck.

His hand slid under the lace without warning, lips quirking up against her collar bone at how wet she was and the whimper she let out as he moved over her clit.

"How long has this been building up?" he groaned against her skin, voice dripping in his own lust.

A week there in Venezuela had been filled with nothing but them going back and forth teasing each other, fingers and lips touching everywhere but where they wanted.

"Too long," she moaned, back arching up as he pressed two fingers inside of her.

"I wonder what you taste like," Draco rasped before taking the skin underneath her collarbones into his mouth, marking her like he did that day in the showers. She whined as his thumb circled around her clit and Draco peered up at her, the hand he held around her throat turning possessive. "I'll take care of you love"

With that promises he dragged his fingers out before pumping them back in, letting every sound she made send blood rushing through his veins as he moved down, thumb brushing against her neck softly as his tongue circled around her breast before taking it into his mouth.

"Oh my—Draco," she panted, weaving her fingers through his hair tightly as he dragged the pebbled flesh through his teeth before switching to the left side.

He smiled against her stomach as she whimpered when his fingers curled at the perfect spot before trailing his lips downward, doing so in a way that had her unashamedly repeating his name.

When he reached her thighs, Draco pushed them further apart with slowness, mouth coming in between them and latching onto the left one—kissing an inch from where she needed him.

In between sliding the lace off he kept kissing and kissing, fucking and fucking her with his fingers until she was a complete mess with the underwear finally gone.

Draco settled down, watching her face because he needed it memorized. He pulled his two fingers all the way out and made Rose whine at the loss, ready to open her mouth to retort. But then his fingers pressed back in and he took her bare cunt into his mouth, hooking her legs over his shoulders as he began eating her out like a starved man—groaning at finally getting to truly taste her.

She tried twisting up, lost in how amazing everything felt but his hand came down onto her stomach, pinning her against the mattress as his fingers left her cunt and arm rounded over her left thigh tightly—moving instead onto her clit.

"Draco—" she gasped, tugging on his hair. "I'm going to—" he didn't let her finish the words, his tongue sliding inside of her, fucking Rose in a different way.

She could feel her muscles tingling and tightening, feeling it coming.

Draco felt her clench as well, but instead of letting up he grasped her hips and tugged her impossibly closer. She cried out, body taking control as grounded against him with her clit beating like a drum as she started to cum.

Rose heaved, attempting to catch her breath as the bursts of pleasure inside her stomach spread and slowly dissipated. Her chest shook with aftershocks, and Draco's mouth slowed, licking her softly.

Then, he kissed her overstimulated clit before looking up at Rose with a proud curl to his lips. "You know..." he teased, kissing his way up her stomach. "A little warning next time would be nice, nearly drowned"

She smiled in a fucked-out way, fingers tiredly grazing his sharp cheekbones. "A noble death I think"

"The best damn way to go out," he licked his lips, eyes rolling back and made a split decision, pushing her head up as he started moving back down—fully planning to eat her out again—desperate to experience how she tasted and felt all over.

"Draco," she begged, pulling his head back up from her chest, their eyes meeting. "Please"

His tone turned serious, groaning under his breath as his hips pressed in between her thighs. "Are you sure?" he murmured, fingers touching under her chin. But then she rolled her hips into his, pulling a loud groan from the blonde.

"Fuck," he whispers before bringing their lips together, "I don't want to push you too far."

Rose reached in between their pressed bodies, grabbing onto his dick that was straining through the pants, lifting up and catching his bottom lip with her teeth. She spoke over his moan, "I want you to feel every part of me—right now"

The only thing she saw in his eyes was hunger.

One of his arms dropped by her head, hips rolling against her on his own now. "I'll be gentle and good to you—" his toungue flicked over her lips with a groan as she tightened her legs around him, "Fuck, I'll be so good to you"

Deja Vu.

Her eyes rolled back from how he spoke, how he touched her, how he felt. Breathlessly, "Take everything off Draco,"

He pushed back up onto his knees, looking down to undo his pants.

"Now." she demanded at his slow place, he bit his lips with a twisted smile at her bossiness never leaving. As if purposely torturing her again, he contained slowly undressing until Rose's mouth fell open at his size—seemingly forgetting just how big he was and wondering how anything like that was going to fit inside of her.

He leaned down overtop of her as the clothes discard into the floor, one hand coming to rest by her head while the other guided her legs around his waist—taking a moment to simply look at each other with adoration.

"Rosie," he breathed out, wrapping a hand around himself and guiding the tip to her clit. "Tell me how bad you want me"

Her nails dragged down his back, eyes screwing shut. "Very badly"

He swirled his dick around her clit, letting the precum gather there. "Yeah?" He groaned, "Badly?"

"Gods, yes!" She gasped as he pushed toward her entrance but made no effort to push through, "I want you!"

He leaned down and captured her lips hungrily, pushing the tip through but freezing as she winced. "You're okay," he choked out against her lips, leaning down onto his elbow so their faces stayed centimeters apart. "I'll be gentle"

But then he saw the panic in her eyes, reality setting in that this was indeed going to hurt.

"You can take it, I promise." He ran a hand over her face, clearing away stray pieces of hair. "But if it's too much, I'll stop. Alright?"

"Okay," she murmured, grateful as he cupped her cheek firmly, thumb grazing down in comfort.

But then he thrusted his hips up, whispering praises against her lips as she cried out with him sliding his dick inch by inch inside of her, burying himself all the way to the hilt with an arm sliding under her back as it arched up.

"Rosie," he gasped, dropping his forehead to her own with words jumbling together from how tight she was squeezing him. "Gods—fuck—you're squeezing me so tight" he pulled her head up so their lips brushed, eyes searching her own. "Are....you okay?"

"More than okay," she whimpered as he slightly moved his hips before suddenly she found herself grasping his face, pushing their lips together in a mix of fiery passion to ease the pain.

Draco slowly started to pull back and this time it didn't feel as painful. Instead feeling like their bodies were meant to be intertwined, just like their souls had been since they day they met.

"You feel—" he panted against her lips, "Like fucking ecstasy"

Rose moaned back, pleading for him to keep moving. "Draco please"

When his tip almost came out he stilled himself before pushing all the way in at once, Rose's head falling as he lifted her back to keep their chest brushing.

His lips fell onto her neck, sucking and biting in a way that had her moaning his name—turning on something possessive in him as his hand wrapped back around her throat. Slowly, he moved in and out—by now Rose felt like she could actually him being inside of her as his mouth trailed up and hit the spot she needed him to.

"You belong to me," he rasped in her ear, taking the lobe between his teeth. "At least for tonight"

"Tonight, tomorrow—" she choked on a moan as he thrusted hard, deep. "—And everyday after that"

"Say it then," he growled against her temple before hovering his face above her own, grabbing her thigh and pushing it down—hitting from a different angle. "I need to hear it fall from your lips—I need to hear it so bad"

"I'm yours!" she whimpered as slid back in, nails digging into his back because it hurt and it stung but it also felt so good.

"Yeah?" He panted against her lips, weaving his hands into her hair.

"Yeah" she nodded, flicking her tongue over his lip this time. He pushed their lips back together, moaning into her mouth as she clenched around his dick.

Like something had possessed him, his own nails started pressing into her skin, fucking her harder and faster before he slowed, somehow knowing how to move so perfectly.

And Rose took that moment to grab his shoulders, using her legs that were hooked around him to start flipping them over and Draco caught on, grasping her thighs as he pulled her on top of him—his head falling back with breathy moans at the new position.

Then he felt a hand wrap around his throat this time, forcing him to look at her and his heart almost stopped at how she look. Messed up hair, flushed cheeks, and skin reflecting in the mix of candles and moon light.

"Now..." she began breathlessly as his hands slid up her hips and she slowly lifted up off his dick, "Will you tell me what I want?"

"Anything," he breathed out, groaning as her hand tightened and she she stilled atop him, leaving only the tip in.

"That you're mine"

His fingers wove through through her hair, breathing and looking at Rose like she hung the moon up. "I've always been yours"

"Always?" she mumbled, rolling her hips in a circle.

"Always." He promised against her lips.

She gasped quietly before slamming herself down, head tipping back as Draco whimpered from being fully inside of her once again.

He dipped down, taking one of her breast into his mouth as she started moving up and down, one hand digging into her ass and starting to guide her roughly.

"Draco I'm going to—" her words ran out, fingers twisting his hair as she felt that high coming back.

With so much ease Draco flipped her back down onto the mattress, collecting her wrist in one hand—pinning them above her head as his teeth nipped her bottom lip.

"Wait for me," moaned Draco, uncaring about how pleading he sounded, pinning her hip down with a free hand.

She nodded desperately, lifting up and smashing their lips together as he started thrusting into her, egged on by the sounds she kept making.

And when her body started shaking, his did too and he tried to pull out quickly but she tightened her legs around him—making it impossible.

"Rosie—" he choked out, trying to restrain himself.

"No." She grasped his face, pulling him back to her and Draco moaned loudly, giving in and exploring every inch of her mouth with his tongue as her high washed over at the same time as his own—spilling everything in her.

His whole body shuddered as he started to come down and he realized he was already too far, starting to fuck his cum into her as their mouths parted breathlessly.

"Mine," he groaned, grasping her hip tighter as he felt every fiber of his being ready to go again.

"Yours."

_________________________________

A/N: omg i missed you guys so much. i had to go to the jungle and fight a polar bear for my laptop back so i could post this.....

—anyways on a real note I was terrified to post this chapter it's been done for so long except the ending smut so I've been holding it hostage for like two days🫣

—i cannot explain how much the title fits, all the convos with her and Draco and also narcissa and Lucius confronting things!! UGH IT WAS PERFECT

—also the lyrics "but the monsters turned out to be just trees" doesn't just fit rose and Draco but also her and Theo:(

—i miss Theo so much and my heart hurts for him and for rose in a way because she doesn't rlly think things through and this is going to kill him

—THERE IS A ANOTHER CHAPTER AFTER THIS!! IT WAS A DOUBKE UPDATE!
^^ remember how Draco mentioned what he agreed to do for his father?? yeah well that's explained in the next chapter<3

MEMES BECAUSE YEAH:

everyone go bake this for our babies:

Lucius when he stepped out into the balcony:

rose when the others arrive and she tries explaining herself:

realizing Draco literally never hated her for a second:

me when they kiss because that's more important than smut:

^ that's all the memes i have for you because i refuse to make you all wait another minute

xx bri <3