Harry didn't even have the chance to tell Ron and Hermione that he would be going out with Draco. They mysteriously disappeared before Harry had even properly tagged all of the art pieces. It was a three day art show, and he would have to come back early in the morning to bring some new pieces in.

"Are your friends coming with us?", Draco asked, brushing some hair from his eyes.

"I think they left us alone to go out", Harry replied with a quiet chuckle. "Hermione means well, she's just a very strong personality. When she gets something into her head, it's as good as done. I think we may be her next project."

"I can live with that."

"Good. Did you drive here?"

"No, I didn't. I was dropped off."

"Brilliant. I drove here so I can take us out. Anywhere in particular you want to eat?"

"What do you enjoy?"

"I'll eat just about anything honestly, I'm not very picky. I know where we can go."

As they drove, Harry kept sneaking glances at Draco.

"What?", he finally asked, beginning to feel self-conscious.

"The moonlight has you positively glowing, and it's truly a sight to see."

"Oh", Draco replied quietly, his face heating up.

It had been a very long time, and Draco was definitely off his game. He didn't even know if this was a date, and he was too worried to ask.

"Are you coming by the art show tomorrow too?"

"Would you like me to?"

"I'd love for you to. You have a very nice energy around you, you know? Sparkling silvers, deep blues, vibrant purples, and glittering gold."

"Do you paint people?"

"I've done silhouettes with paint, but that's about it. I don't have much practice painting people. I'm better at sketching them I suppose, but I don't do that too often either. I just paint what inspires me."

"You can practice with me if you'd like?"

The words were out of Draco's mouth before he could process them, and delivered a lot more confidently than he would have thought they could have been.

"Yeah? You'd want to do that?"

"I love to watch you work over video, I think it'd be nice to see it in person."

"Maybe we can paint together one day."

"My father may just kill me at that point. If I hang any more artwork up in my office I think he'll have a proper heart attack."

"Well, you're always welcome to come and paint with me. Or we could just hang out if you'd like? If you want to?"

"You're cute when you're flustered", Draco noted as Harry pulled into the parking lot of a restaurant.

Draco relished being the overconfident one in all of his relationships. He wasn't one to enjoy being caught off guard.

Harry quickly got out of the car and opened the door for Draco, extending a hand to help him out.

"It's hard not to be flustered when you look like you've been carved out of the finest marble the world has to offer."

How do you respond to something like that? Draco didn't even notice that Harry was still holding his hand until they walked into the restaurant. He was hyper aware of all of the stares, and quickly slipped the Malfoy mask of indifference on.

"Harry! You're not working tonight are you?"

"No, I'm not on until Monday. I'm here with someone tonight. Bill, this is Draco."

"Bill Weasley. A pleasure to meet you."

"Draco. Are you Ron's brother?"

"Ah, he's already met your best mate then huh?", Bill teased. "Ron's one of my younger brothers, yes."

"It's just dinner Bill."

"Mhmm. Sit wherever you want. Have a great night you two."

"I apologize for whatever he decides to do in advance", Harry warned, pulling out the chair for Draco.

"I take it this is one of your odd jobs?"

"This, bartending, photography, art commissions. I do face painting for kids sometimes. I help my dad grade papers too if he doesn't have a teaching assistant and I'll do other work at the university like that. Whatever pays the bills when art doesn't to be honest."

"We live completely different lives, truly. I'm very used to structure, I don't know how I'd do with less semblance of control."

"Let's start with tonight then. I'll order for you."

"Harry-"

"Any food allergies or things you don't like?"

"No allergies, I hate olives though."

"I can work with that. I don't like olives either. Or pickles for that matter. Cucumbers are fine, I just don't like the brine", Harry replied as he perused the menu.

"You're serious then?"

"Very. I'll let you handle the drinks if you'd like."

"Do you know how hard it is to find the proper drink pairing when I don't know what's being eaten?"

"I'll get the drinks too then", Harry replied with a grin.

"You set me up."

"If you don't like it I'm sure I'll know. Then I'll get you something else."

"Fine, but I don't like this."

"You give me strawberry ice cream vibes."

"Harry what does that even mean?"

"Dunno, just something I'm picking up on. Am I right?"

"Well yes but-"

"Ha!"

"You look like you get one scoop of ice cream and fill the rest of your bowl with toppings."

Harry laughed and shook his head.

"You got me. I'm a bit of a mess if you hadn't noticed."

"Your car was cleaner than I expected."

"That's because I had to empty it out to transport my art. There's usually art supplies all over the back seats. I have more things to bring in tomorrow, so I have another early morning."

"Would you like some help setting up tomorrow?"

"Oh you don't have to-"

"I know I don't. I enjoy your company, believe it or not. So far anyway, the night is still young", Draco teased.

"As long as you're doing it because you want to."

"I fear you'll find me to be annoying quite quickly. You're my first friend in quite some time."

"Then I'll simply have to step up my game won't I?"

"I was thinking more along the lines of the bar being on the floor, but I suppose."

"We have some time to make up for my dear Draco."

Harry couldn't help but notice how beautiful Draco was. Anyone with eyes could see that really. He especially loved how Draco's pale skin would color whenever Harry said something kind or flirty. Harry just knew it wouldn't be long until he developed true feelings. Draco was witty and oh so sarcastic, and Harry absolutely ate it up.

Draco also couldn't help but notice how striking his friend's features are. It was quite exciting really, being out with someone you've only gotten to know first through faxes of all things, and then through text messages.

"I suppose we do, Harry."

They talked and laughed all throughout dinner. Harry had good taste in food, not that Draco should have been surprised considering he worked in the restaurant. They stayed out until late, talking and laughing.

Draco was on his way of having one too many glasses of wine, his face a constant shade of pale pink. He wasn't anywhere near drunk, just pleasantly close to the line of being tipsy where he flirted and giggled more than he normally would. Harry was absolutely taken with him.

When Harry flagged Bill down for the check, he had thought that he and Draco were in the clear. That was, until Bill came back with a chocolate heart shaped cake with sparklers on it, telling Harry the meal was on the house. He made an embarrassed Harry sit next to a laughing Draco so that he could take a picture for "marketing purposes."

Feeling emboldened by the alcohol, Draco kissed Harry on the cheek in the last photo Bill took, and Harry's blush took a few moments to go away.

"You know, I've been wondering if this was a date the whole night, and I think this is the biggest mixed signal I've received. I do recall agreeing that you would handle the food tonight, and this cake looks edible."

"My cake is probably better, but this was not my doing. I warned you that Bill would do something embarrassing. I thought he decided to behave but I guess not. Sorry."

"Then this is the best 'not date' that I've ever been on."

"Considering the bar is on the floor, I've got a lot of work to do."

Laughing, Draco cut the cake.

"So, is your cake actually better?", Draco asked after they tried it.

"I think so, but I'm biased."

"You'll have to bake me some sometime then."

"So you'd like to see me again then?"

"I really would."

"I'm glad Draco, I really am. Let's get you home, yeah?"

Draco would truly rather be anywhere but home after such a fun night, but he was consoled by the fact that he would see Harry again the next day.

"Where to?"

Draco typed his address in the GPS, and was glad to see that they had a bit more time to spend together in the car.

"I don't live too far from you. I can pick you up tomorrow if you'd like? We can get some breakfast before setup?"

"What should I wear?"

"Comfortable clothes for the morning and then you can change right after lunch? One of my parents should be there to help set up, the other should arrive after his shift. He's very unpredictable honestly."

"My dad is a bit too predictable. If he knew I went to an art show and then I went out with a boy, who just so happens to be responsible for the art in my office, I think he would finally disown me."

"Despite your home circumstances, I think you turned out pretty great."

"The same for you. My dad is too much, but your childhood didn't sound very pleasant."

"I survived, and I'm all the better for it. Somedays, just surviving until the next day is doing your best, and that's perfectly okay."

"I want to do more than survive. I want to live", Draco concluded, saying the words that had been circulating in his head for months out loud for the first time.