Chapter Nine

   Harry was once again kicking himself for wasting time before, and worrying stupidly that he could have lost Draco with his ridiculous hesitation. But he knew a part of him had been right as they went through the day that Draco had planned, because even though it was a lovely blur of coffee, a stroll round a new art exhibition and then drinks by the lake, Harry still caught himself occasionally slipping back into melancholy and thoughts of Mac, even though he really didn't want that.

Draco would always snap him out of it though, simply by taking his hand, or touching his back, somehow knowing to give Harry those little displays of affection he had so craved with his ex, and Harry was forced to come back into the here and now. It felt a little like two steps forward and one step back at times, but Draco was there to make sure he still managed to keep going forward, however small the amount.

As the sunny afternoon wore on, Draco suggested they rent a pedalo to take around the lake they'd been sitting beside. Harry had never done that before, and readily agreed.

Draco had insisted on paying for most of the day so far, but Harry firmly handed the cash over for the little boat they were going to borrow for the next hour. He knew he'd been hard work for Draco over the past few weeks, and he wanted to start trying to make that up.

It was peaceful over the lake, with just the sound of the water lapping at the side of the boat and their feet working the pedals through the water. But Harry found his anxiety creeping up again, and eventually he had to say something.

"Thank you," he blurted out suddenly, not quite able to look at Draco.

He felt him turn and smile at him though. "For what?" he asked, genuinely intrigued.

Harry inhaled slowly, then managed to glance over at his companion. "For this. Today, everything." He breathed in and out steadily. "For not giving up on me. I wasn't exactly very nice after that first night."

Draco sighed, and took Harry's hand again in a way he was becoming used to far too easily. "I know you were hurting, and it's okay if you still are. Broken hearts don't mend overnight."

Harry relaxed a little and looked over to him. "You're very patient," he said.

Draco tilted his head. They'd both stopped peddling and were just drifting along the waters now. "You're worth it," he said simply.

Harry felt the heat rise up his neck, and he bit his lip as he looked back into his lap. Draco, the bastard, laughed. "Oh, I like that," he teased. "You're even more gorgeous when you blush."

"Shut up," Harry mumbled, desperately hoping he wouldn't.