Harry was absolutely buzzing by the end of the night. He couldn't stop smiling, and it always seemed to be a little bit brighter whenever he looked at Draco. When the second night of the exhibit came to an end, Harry's confidence had soared. It was one thing to receive nice compliments and feedback online from faceless strangers, but a whole other thing to be approached by real people and hear how much his art had touched them.

When Draco found him again after everyone had left, Harry pulled him into a tight hug.

"You're amazing, did you know that?"

"Me? Harry, this is your show, I haven't even done anything."

"You're here. With me, for me. It's just... special."

"I told you, I'll always be here for you."

"People say that all the time, but they don't always mean it."

"You'll find that I have no filter and almost always mean what I say. The times where I don't are when I'm sarcastic."

Harry just laughed and smiled up at Draco.

"So, I've heard you were invited over for dinner. You must've made a good impression."

"I really hope so. Take a walk with me?"

"I should help-"

"Your friends have it, look. It'll only be for a few moments."

Remus nodded at Harry, so he allowed Draco to take him outside. Once outside, Draco was emboldened and grabbed Harry's hand, walking together until they found a bench.

"It's beautiful out here", Harry said quietly, looking up at all of the lights.

"Yes, it really is."

"Come here, let's take a picture."

"How about I take one of you instead?"

"Come on Draco. You can't tell me that someone as stunning as you doesn't like having his picture taken."

"Oh stop it."

"I'm telling the truth", Harry said seriously, brushing some hair back from Draco's forehead.

Draco learned into Harry's touch, closing his eyes.

"You really are beautiful, inside and out Draco."

"All of these compliments are starting to make me suspicious now."

"Anyone who's come into contact with you and hasn't realized how wonderful you are seriously missed out."

"Let's see if you feel that way after what I'm about to tell you."

"Is something wrong?"

"I don't know. Just promise me that you'll hear me out before responding?"

"I promise."

"I haven't been completely honest with you. It's not a direct lie, more like lying by omission. I just wanted to get to know you as me without you thinking anything else of it. My name is Draco, but it's Draco Malfoy.

Remus picked up on the fact that I wasn't giving anyone my surname. We got to talking, and he brought up your meeting with the investors. That's the family business, that is what I do. I know my father, and I know that he'll lead you on, especially with art, even though you're absolutely fantastic and everyone loves you and your work.

He'll either toy with you himself or he'll assign me to do it as some kind of twisted payback. I don't want him to use me to hurt you. I care about you too much to allow you to put yourself through that Harry.

I was going to tell you about myself soon, after we had spent some more time together. You have to understand I'm working through my own trust issues and things of that sort. You make things so much easier, and I feel like for the first time I can really be me. I don't want my father to ruin what we have, whatever this may be.

If I had known sooner, I swear I would have told you right away. I didn't even think about the possibility that you could have made an appointment there."

After a few moments of silence, Harry grabbed both of Draco's hands.

"I'm not upset Draco."

"You're not?"

"No, I'm not. You're not obligated to tell me anything that you don't want to, but I do appreciate you telling me now.

In regards to your father's business, we'll deal with that once my appointment comes. It's in two weeks, you'll know whether you're handling me then right?"

"I will but-"

"Really, it's okay. I do have a degree in business, you know. I know more than I let on and I can handle my own just fine. Trust me."

"I trust you."

"Good. I'm glad we had this talk. Things will be okay."

"I don't know how you can be so optimistic, Harry."

"I can be happy and hope for the best, or I can be miserable all of the time dreading for things to happen. If things go poorly, then I'm only sad that one time, instead of all of the time."

"That is a very good way of looking at things."

"It takes practice, but you can get there. You just need to smile more."

"You just want me to take that picture with you", Draco teased.

"Maybe I just like how I feel when you smile at me, and I want to take every opportunity to see it."

When Harry said things like that to him, so earnestly with shining eyes, it was difficult for Draco not to fall a little harder, and a little faster each time they were in each other's company.