Draco thought he would have trouble sleeping. One, because he was not used to sharing his bed. Two, because he was sharing it with Riley.
Yet, surprisingly, he slept without any hitch until the morning. He woke up feeling rested with Riley cuddled in his arms.
The boy was breathing evenly, clearly still asleep. Riley's body was half lying on Draco's.
All night, Riley had stayed nestled in his arms.
The rain had long stopped, and rays of sunlight seeped through the gaps between the curtains covering the window.
It was still early, so Draco was not in a hurry. He did not awaken Riley and instead savored the moment of having him close.
Usually, at this hour, Draco would have been up and about. However, today he felt lazy and contented to just lay in bed with the boy.
After a while, the boy stirred. Draco closed his eyes and pretended that he was still sleeping. He was curious about what the boy would do upon waking up.
He felt Riley move, groaning. His body stretched beside him. Then one hand seems to find its way into the opening of Draco's robe. Riley's palm came into contact with Draco's bare skin. Half asleep, Riley frowned, confused about what he was fumbling under his palm.
Curious, he opened his eyes to see a bare chest with his hand over it. Immediately, drowsiness left Riley. Cautiously, he lifted his hands and tilted his head to see Draco's sleeping face.
Perplexed, Riley blanched. He actually snuggled into Draco's embrace last night?!
Embarrassed, his face turning scarlet, Riley carefully got up to a sitting position moving away from Draco.
He was almost successful if not for Draco rolling towards him, his arms reaching for Riley.
Startled, Riley fell sideways in the bed facing Draco. Their face was so close that their noses were almost touching.
Riley stared at Draco's great visuals, unmoving. Soon, his pulse quickened. Just at that moment, Draco chooses to open his eyes.
Unable to withstand Draco's gaze, Riley panicked and abruptly got up. "Uhm… I'm sorry. I must have rolled over to your side last night. I hope I didn't disturb your sleep?" Riley asked and scooted away to get out of bed.
Hiding his smile, Draco languidly pushed himself up and took his time to reply.
"No. I actually had a good sleep, Little Riley." Then in the mood to tease the boy, he added, "Well except for the time you took advantage of me. You did not want to release me last night, holding on to me tightly… even attempting to kiss me. Tsk! You're a naughty boy, Little Riley. First, you stole my first kiss. Then last night…"
"Ah?!"
Riley was horrified. His head twisted sharply to stare at Draco in disbelief. Did he really do all that to Draco?! Riley was about to die of embarrassment.
Draco laughed. The boy seems to believe his every word. Even his expression was so comical, Draco just could not stop himself. His laughter rumbled around the whole room.
Later, Riley's horrified expression gradually turned to amazement as he watched Draco laugh without restraint.
It was the first time he saw Draco laugh, looking carefree and relaxed. It was quite a transformation from the usual cold and businesslike Draco.
Also, Draco was already a very attractive man as it is. However, his laughing face was something else.
Riley cannot find the exact word to describe it. But for a second there, he forgot to breathe.
The manner in which Draco laughed seemed to soften his sharp features. Especially, how his even white teeth were showing as those gorgeous lips stretched wide, creating lines along his curved eyes and cheeks.
Riley laid his hand over his chest. Why is his heart beating so fast? And he felt some fluttering in the pit of his stomach like a mixture of excitement and nervousness.
Inflected by deep emotions, Riley had yet to recover when Draco approached and ruffled his hair. A wide grin still plastered on his face, Draco then ducked to his level and touched the tip of his nose.
"Nothing like that happened. I was only teasing you, Little Riley. But you really do make me so happy." Then playfully pinching Riley on the cheek, still smiling, Draco continued, "You slept like a log last night. Even after I carried you to your side of the bed, you did not stir." And even after you almost went naked, you did not care at all, Draco added in his mind. He guessed that if Riley knew about it, Draco was sure the boy would hide from him as he did before.
He could not let that happen again.
Riley would be starting university soon. And Draco wanted to spend the remaining days before the boy left to strengthen their relationship.
It may not yet be the one he aims to have with Riley, but for now, he is content to settle as a friend and confidant to the boy.
A few moments later, when Draco noticed the boy's forlorn state, he asked, "What's the matter, Little Riley? Are you angry with me?"
Riley quickly shook his head. "No, it's not that I'm angry."
"Then, why do you look miserable?"
Sighing, Riley muttered, "I keep giving you trouble."
Confused, Draco clarified, "Trouble?"
"Hmmm," Riley replied, nodding. "I fell asleep without properly lying on the bed. You had to carry me. I'm sorry." Then Riley cried out, "Ouch!"
Draco pinched him hard on the cheek. Riley immediately rubbed the area, looking aggrieved.
"Silly. Don't tell me you're going to hide from me again because of that?" Draco asked. The meaning of his words left no doubt as to what he was referring.
Riley's cheeks turned scarlet. He did not know how to answer Draco's question. He thought the other man did not notice his odd behavior in the last few days. He never brought it up. Even when Riley came to talk to him the other day, Draco never mentioned it.
But now, Riley knew it did not escape Draco's notice. Only he chooses not to confront Riley about it.
Well, until now.
"Does your silence mean you're really going to avoid me again, Little Riley?" Draco prodded, pretending to be disappointed.
The older man could see that his ceaseless prodding made the boy uncomfortable. However, he did not want a repeat of what happened previously. And believe it's better they talk about the matter now rather than leave it to chance.
Seeing Draco getting upset, Riley quickly shook his head and made amends. "No… no. I will not avoid you. Of course, I will not."
"Good," Draco said. "We are friends. For a small matter like that, you shouldn't be apologetic. Okay?"
Riley nodded.
"Now, go freshen up. I'll order a light breakfast and have the laundry staff bring our clean clothes back," Draco told Riley.
"Okay. Thank you," Riley replied before going to the bathroom.