At the next match on Friday, things once again came to a head. Harry felt Lucius's eyes on him during the whole match, and after congratulating Draco on another successful win, he tried but failed to sneak out before Lucius could find him.

"Mr. Potter, a word please?"

"Sir, I do have to get to work."

"Then I'll pay for you time."

"I don't need your money."

"That's become very apparent. I would like to... apologize."

Harry remained silent, waiting to see what angle Lucius was playing at.

"I want Draco to come home."

"That's between you and him. I have nothing to do with where he chooses to spend his time."

"But you do. You've offered him asylum. I wish for you to retract your offer."

"I'm not sending him back to you. He'll come when he's ready."

"You have no price?"

"Of course I don't. Draco is a human being, he's not an object. Perhaps you should be asking for the price of his return?"

"And what would that be?"

"Tell him that you're sorry, and mean it. Tell him that you're proud of him and mean it.  Tell him that you respect that he was able to make it on his own without your help. For some reason, he looks up to you. He wants to please you, and he knows that he can't do that.

You've made him doubt himself. You've taken the fun out of a sport he used to love because all you're worried about is exploiting his talent. I'm sure this is how you were raised, I can't imagine you turned out this way of your own accord. Don't get stuck in the generational loop Mr. Malfoy. Think of the own resentment you've harbored for your father that you've pushed away.

Is that how you want Draco to think of you? There's still time for you to change, but you need to sort out your priorities. He won't always be so forgiving."

"You care for my son... deeply."

"It's hard not to."

"I don't know what he thinks of me anymore Mr. Potter, but you're right. Whatever your intentions are with my son, you have my blessing. I do respect your work ethic and your ability to communicate the harsh truth eloquently. I will think upon what you've said, and try to speak to Draco another day. If I didn't believe you had his best intentions at heart, I would have come for him immediately. Have a good night Mr. Potter."

"You as well Mr. Malfoy."

Harry was about to cross the street to make his way to work when Draco caught up to him.

"Everything alright Draco? I can't stay and talk I'm going to be late."

"What did he say to you?," Draco asked panting.

"Can we talk about this at home? I can't afford to be late."

"I'll drive you right now."

"Draco-"

"Harry this is important."

"Fine. But you stink."

"That's very childish-"

"No Malfoy, you literally stink," Harry retorted, wrinkling his nose.

"Oh. Sorry I had to catch up with you before I hit the showers, and I didn't want you to be late."

They made it to the car and Harry recounted the conversation he had with Lucius.

"I appreciate you looking out for me Harry, but he'll never tell me any of those things. I need to get a job and start looking for my own place."

"We should make a video together. I'll split the proceeds with you."

"Harry you never make videos with anybody."

"I know, but you're special. I think it could be fun."

"Maybe. I dunno, I don't think I'd be very good at it."

"I do. But there was one more thing that he said to me," Harry hesitated, biting his lip as he looked out the window.

"What did he say?"

"He said that I had his blessing for whatever my erm... intentions with you are."

"No he did not."

"He did. I don't know what he thinks is going on but I obviously didn't tell him anything."

"I'm- you're..."

"Bisexual? What answer are you looking for here."

Draco gripped tightly onto the steering wheel to remain focused.

"Oh I didn't know that."

"It's not something I advertise," Harry replied with a snort. "Felt like the right time to say it though."

"We're a pair of homosexual disasters."

"Ah, but at least we can drive."

"I can't believe he said that," Draco continued on quietly. "He's never so much as even addressed it before. We just don't talk about anything that may pertain to sexuality. Ever."

"In his own way, he misses you, and he's not sure how to get you back. I guess getting in the good graces of your supposed boyfriend is a way to start. After intimidation doesn't work of course."

Harry collected himself as Draco pulled into the parking lot.

"As if anyone like you would ever go for me. I'm much too damaged, and destined to be alone."

"Don't count me out just yet," Harry replied with a wink, getting out of the car. "They're called damaged goods for a reason, and what I'm looking at? He's pretty amazing and resilient."

Harry took his time on that last sentence, watching Draco put the dots together.

"Harry-"

"I'll see you at home love."

To say Draco was flustered for the rest of the night was an understatement. He had to rush to Harry's to take a quick shower before meeting up with the team for dinner.

He wanted to talk to Harry about everything that had been said, but Harry was clearly in no place to talk when he arrived back home.

"Is everything alright Harry?"

"Tuition is going up that's all. I'm just worried about finances."

"The footie offer still stands Harry."

"I don't have the time and resources to dedicate to that right now."

"We'll figure it out, together. Tomorrow is a new day. We'll look at your schedule and see what can be moved around, if anything. No one said you have to play full time, you just have to be on the team."

"The team doesn't even like me."

"But their captain is quite fond of you I hear," Draco replied with a grin. "It'll all work out in the end."