#but I do find solace in the notion that there were plenty of happy endings

[maybemanyskeletonhats]

Can you write about the elves reacting to their hero leaving for a quest one day and completely vanishing? Nobody knows what happened to them, nobody even knows if they're still alive or not. How would the elves cope with that?

This is remarkably creative, yet depressive. I like it anon. I give to you...

°~°~°~°~°~°

"𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚋𝚎𝚜𝚝 𝚎𝚗𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝚛𝚊𝚛𝚎𝚕𝚢 𝚋𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚓𝚘𝚢."

Sotha Sil will feel conflicted. Was it something he had done? Had they made the guise of going on a trip to get away from him? Was he suffocating them? Was he too neglectful? Similar thoughts would swim around Sil's head frequently as he comes to terms as time ticks by that they really arent coming back. They're never coming home. His chest lurches uncomfortable and for once he feels nauseous. He should have seen it coming, nothing lasts forever. He'll continue on, just like he needs too, but he'd never recover from this deep down in his...heart. Yeah. Maybe it will tick slower...still, he's here. The only direction to go in times of strife is...forward. Keep going forward.

Vivec can feel the world become more black and white, things are more duller. Had they gone to Akavir like they had talked about so often? Had they grown tired of him? Did he bother them that much? When his Ordinators keep coming back with no news on where they could possibly be, the more the poets stomach sinks. It's as if they disappeared. The adventurous part of Vehk's mind entertained the idea that they had found someplace. Someplace better, far far away from here. In the end, he stays vigilant, eyes centered on the door waiting for them to return. Weeks, months, years tick by and...nothing. Gone. As if they had become one with the wind amidst they came...Eventually, he follows suit, treasuring the last few inhales of crisp night air before he finds his own better place.

Almalexia tough as she may seem finds solace in their company. It wasn't...forced. It was...loving, familiar, domestic...most of all it felt like....she struggles to find the right word for a few moments. Home. She decides, feeling her throat tighten. Is this what people really felt when they were left behind? Had they meant too? She knew she should feel at least a shred of anger yet...nothing. A cruel numbness settles over her being and her heart feels cold. She had hoped they would stay with her, she wanted to see them to the end. Every grey hair, every wrinkle that would settle into their face as the years passed. She feels a bitter smile overtake her face, she supposes this is what she deserves right? She'll cope, cope to the bitter end. This wouldn't fill the hole that was left from them leaving, the piece of her that they took somewhere never to return. For once, she weeps her goodbye.

Voryn Dagoth feels his heart twinge painfully in his chest. Why had they gone? Where did they go where he couldn't follow? Why was it that whenever he had something so good, so happy, so innocent, the one thing that gave him a sense of purpose, the world snuffed it out? Voryn swallows thickly, frowning deeply. If he had known what was so important, he would have come with them. Told everyone else to kick ash...the Advisors, the Dwemer, every one.

Voryn wouldn't cry. Not because he didn't care, but because he knew that his tears would be wasted for what little relief came from them. Only to realize they still weren't here with him. Life is monotonous, but he keeps on, guiding Nerevar with what little hope he has anymore. Voryn Dagoth's fault was that he remained loyal.

Mannimarco feels angry, betrayed. Yet can't deny the way his cold black heart seemingly shatters slightly more in his chest. His resolve breaking leaving his eyes uncharacteristically lost and empty. He curses himself for getting attached but he loves them. So deeply, unconditionally. He would have raised Oblivion with the person who sent them on that quest had they ever disclosed who it was before they wandered away. They would never just leave him alone right? What point was to saving him if they were going to make him feel so much, happiness, anger, love beyond his imagination.

He carries on, doing what he wanted to do before his eyes laid on the Vestige. That small tingling hope in his chest remaining that they'd come running from the horizon. He's bitter, meaner, harsher on people. He'd never tell them it was because people like them took away someone he cared about most.

Neloth tries to ignore the numbness settling in. That eerie white noise ringing in his ears that had since become so accustomed to their voice. He reminded himself plenty of times that they were allowed to leave, decide their own path. Go where they please, gods above know they deserved it. He squeezes his eyes shut trying to curb the incessant lurching of his stomach. Is this what heartbreak felt like? He thought he'd be fine, with them being gone. He just wished they had told him where. It's not like he can send people after them, or send out a search. He was just a wizard. And that for once wasn't enough for him. He'll function just as much as he did before, but with less vigor and excitement. And he'll carry on though the feeling remains in his chest reminding him that he's had a piece of him taken that he'd never get back.

Divayth Fyr cool facade slips away as he loses all semblances of an appetite. Was all that really just something - no, he stops himself before he can finish the cruel notion. They wouldn't. They couldn't have. He is - or was in love with them. And as far as he was concerned they returned those feelings in full. They weren't incapable, not weak, most certainly not a novice at magic either. They wouldn't get themselves killed right? What was so worth the secrecy that it was possibly worth dying for? What was so difficult that they couldn't ask him for help? He'll spend some of his time pondering on this, he doesn't smile much anymore, he tries, but he can't. He absorbs himself into research to escape the grim realization.

Teldryn Sero doesn't cry. He refuses too. He wants to scream, throw things. Get violent. Anything to stop the rolling of his stomach, the pounding of his heart against his ribcage. He never had a breakdown before, is this what this was?

He clenches his teeth. He failed at the one job he was supposed to do. Follow them no matter where they went. Instead they slipped out during the night and he hasn't heard a thing of them. Weeks turn into months and that turns quickly into years. His hero, his lover, his other half. Gone. Like they had never even been there in the first place. Had it all been a dream that his lonely mind conjured up? Teldryn can try to push the feelings away, but he lets it gnaw at him till...one day the spellsword leaves. And no one knows where he ended up.

#the elder scrolls #sotha sil #elder scrolls morrowind #eso #vivec #elder scrolls #almalexia #divayth fyr #neloth #teldryn sero #mannimarco

[rationaromanceblog]

Dating 101

There is something to be said about unremarkable first dates. I tend to distrust great first dates, and luckily I rarely have disastrous ones. Whenever I happen to be in the middle of a disaster date, I take solace that the story will at least make an interesting anecdote for later rendezvous. Great first dates, I find, rarely go anywhere. I don’t quite understand the phenomena; except that maybe the people who are great at dating from the get-go do it for fun, and therefore aren’t looking for a prolonged thing. These people make great casual sex friends, if they ever do return your texts. Unremarkable first dates, however, generally turn a profit. Hence my Three Date Rule (patent pending). Three dates are my minimum requirement for any potential suitor. The only exception being if the first date was an aforementioned ‘disaster date’, I have no set definition for what characterizes these dates but they tend to be obvious, trust your gut. 

Unremarkable first dates are common. Too often people will not go on second ones, holding on to hope that the next person will be everything they want immediately, or take it to mean there was nothing to be explored further. This is a fatal flaw. It takes three solid meetings for people to get comfortable around each other. That is when you let someone know who you are, and when you will truly know anything.  Even if you have been messaging for a long time and you think you have a good idea who this person is, interacting in person is a vastly different experience. I have been on numerous first dates I presumed would go nowhere. Because I was not deterred by the first date fallacy, many led to meaningful connections I couldn’t have imagined. In the way you can’t judge a book by its movie and you shouldn’t judge a show by it’s pilot, you can’t judge a relationship by it’s first date. 

The key is to have an open mind. If you begrudge date number two because of an arbitrary rule, you will miss out on the potential in front of you. Dare to believe that there could be more here, even if they don’t meet most items on the checklist you’re keeping in your pocket. Believe that date three will be when that fuller picture comes into view. There’s a good chance you will find something about someone you like. Something that never occured to you to put on your list. 

There are plenty of dating tips I could throw out there.  Don’t judge people too harshly on their pictures, would be one. Don’t text for longer than a week before meeting each other. Vary what you do on your date; don’t just move-dinner-drink every date. Walk, do an activity, laugh. These would all be sensible advice to follow based on solid evidence. But my third date rule is the rule I am most adamant about. It is the rule I see so many of my friends ignore looking for that “spark” that will be the magic signal to their eternal happiness.  This is the rule that has led me to my most significant loves.

Personally, I love dating. Once the initial trauma of a relationship ending has subsided, I thrill at the opportunity. I think it has to do with my introversion, ironically. Being an introvert I can’t just go out and interview potential friends over the internet with obvious intentions. (I’ve tried, nobody buys it.) But I can absolutely do that with potential partners. With the added benefit that they already find some aspect of me appealing enough to be there. I become my most charming on dates. The prospect of wanting to impress someone with all that I am becomes a fun game. I find there to be great  excitement in possibility. One of these strangers could become someone important to me soon. The suspense is killing me, who might it be? Not a lot of people stuck around if we didn’t click romantically, but my favorite unforeseen outcome of this way of dating were the ones that turned into friendships. They became such pleasant additions to my world. 

 I think another crucial error people make is not enjoying dating. Dating can become a chore, and if it is for you, please stop doing it or take a break. There are ways to enjoy it, and you will be much more likely to be successful at your aim if you are. If not you will at the least stick it out longer.  I learn so much about myself when I date, every date is an opportunity to see which version of me comes out. Will I be quick and quirky? Sarcastic and challenging? Fun and flirty? Only the evening knows and I find it great fun to find out. 

When you’re on a date you have a choice. That choice is all about where your attention focuses. It is easy to approach a date listing all the ways they are not someone you can see yourself with. If you look for those reasons you will find them. Don’t date with expectations to be dazzled while you cross your arms and judge. Everyone has something to offer. Have you thrown away that list yet? I know you have it hidden somewhere. It won’t matter anyway we both know you have it memorized.  You don’t actually know what you want, because you don’t actually know what’s available. There is no perfect, there is no ideal. Everybody sucks and everybody is epic. Whatever attitude you bring to your dates is what will be proven true. 

Quick public service announcement: I understand I am quite privileged as a girl dating on the internet. Aside from callous ‘DTF?’ messages, crude pick up lines, the bombardment of messages and potential unsolicited dick pics, I personally think I have it easier compared to my male counterparts. Not to gloat, but I like being the one with the inbox full and not the one being ignored because the guy in the message above you said “How are you?” not just “Hey.”  Regardless, I always make a point to reach out to men first, the same way I make sure to ask guys to dance when I am at a club. I’ve never been one to remain passive, if I complain about gender roles I also find it my responsibility to break them. The amount of arguing I’ve had with men that will not let me pay on a date is surprising. I assume they think I am testing them, or they feel an obligation to. Even splitting it will elicit raised eyebrows, no I won't mark off points if you let me pay, but I suppose there are women out there who will. If that’s you please stop, equality is not always convenient. 

Eventually I just put it on my profile that I want to pay for dates too. I found that the degree of man I started to attract changed. Ones that shared my value systems probably. That is another crucial dating tactic, the tried and true: BE YOUR GODDAMN SELF. It’s harder than you think to be you. It’s a lot easier to be who you think they want you to be, since that will certainly elicit much less rejection ultimately. Rejection fucking sucks. It’s like we’re biologically hardwired to avoid it or something. But rejection is an inescapable part of dating for everyone, and the faster you learn not to take it personally when someone doesn’t like you, the less painful this process will be. Self esteem, I’d say, is a prerequisite to healthy dating. But since you can’t currently buy the stuff on the internet, it’s not that easy to come by if you haven’t already found some. Let me just say that, when you already like yourself, it matters a lot less that the cute girl you day dreamed about walking on a beach with stopped answering your messages because you made a hilarious yet dark joke and how could she not think it was funny. It might still be a bummer, but it won’t drive you into a dark spiral. 

Last and not least, learn to fill your every need. I struggled with this one most of all. I couldn’t wrap my mind around what a partner was for if I was just going to fill my own needs  anyway. Dating for this purpose is a doomed prospect, you will find yourself playing a game with the person. Each of you will either change who you are so that the other can be happier, turning into a stranger. Or resent each other because they cannot meet your every need just right. So you end up leaving, for the eternal search of someone who can. If you don’t believe me try it for yourself and come back when you realize I am right. At some point we all inherited the notion that partners complete us. But what if we are already complete? Now what? Being with someone is your opportunity to love. That’s it.  Loving someone feels amazing. It is fulfilling, fun, and it can add dimension to your life. Being with someone will also be stressful, terrifying and put you at a giant risk for heartache. That’s the deal. Have fun.

#dating #dating tips #love #relationships #relationship advice #lifestyle blog #rational romance

[wizardwritings]

Fatal Flaw

Overview: Draco Malfoy and Y/N Y/L/N, best friends since birth, came from two renowned, pure-blooded families. Together, they were invincible. But during their sixth year, everything changed, leaving them both to wonder if there was such thing as a happy ending. Note: For the best effect, read this only when you’re in the mood to rip your heart out.

⇢  Draco Malfoy x Reader throughout the years.

The first time Draco Malfoy laid eyes on you, you were completely naked.

Well, you had diapers on, but that was expected for a one year old. Now, looking back on it, the day was nothing more than a blur. You were in the Malfoy Manor, cheeks flushed as you and Draco underwent a water fight. Much to his family’s dismay, you were an obstreperous pair.

Still, that never stopped the play dates from happening. With just one unintelligible giggle, you snuck your way into the Malfoys’ hearts.

Draco smiled at the memory. It was a bittersweet smile, since Draco knew all it would ever be is just that.

A memory. _______

A few years later, Draco turned seven, with you following close behind. Amidst the pompous chaos of the Malfoy Manor, he found haven under the most obscure tree in the garden.

“This,” you declared, using your foot to trace a circle around the tree, “is our spot. No one is allowed in this circle but us.”

From his position against the trunk, Draco looked up from his book about Quidditch, leaning it against your astronomy one. “If anyone dares to enter, I’ll have my father cast them away.”

You were still dragging your shoe around your territory, squinting down at the matted grass. “We don’t need your father. My daddy says if you want to accomplish something, you have to do it yourself.” When the boundary was to your satisfaction, you jumped up and down, a proud look on your face. “You know what, Draco? We can do anything ourselves.”

And as Draco looked at you, with dirt and sweat framing your radiant smile, he couldn’t agree more. _______

It was a month before Draco’s first year at Hogwarts started.

He was nervous. Not that’d he’d ever admit it. You found yourselves back in your haven; Draco feeling the grass beneath his hands, and you peering at the stars through the branches.

Draco said his parents told him his job at Hogwarts would be to uphold the Malfoy name and demand it be treated with utmost respect. You told him the only thing your parents said was to enjoy your experience.

Draco cocked his head to the side. How frivolous, he thought.

You motioned for him to lie down beside you. He listened to you chatter on about the stars. His gaze followed your finger as you pointed to the planet Venus, then listened to your stories about Cassiopeia, Pegasus, and lastly Orion.

The sight was beautiful, but it was even better with you by his side.

“Perhaps Orion’s only fault,” you said, “is that he was too loved. That caused his downfall.”

Draco turned on his side to give you a curious look. In the moonlight, he noticed your eyes sparkled more than usual. When you spoke about mythology, your whole face lit up. Draco thought it was quite beautiful. Then, his eyebrows furrowed in childish revulsion.

Where did that notion come from? _______

After the second year, Draco could no longer deny his attraction toward you.

As he sat under the tree, your head on his lap with a book stretched out above you, he wondered how you read so much. And why you focused on your book when he was right in front of you.

“Reading is fun,” you simply said. Draco’s lips turned down into a pout and you laughed, putting your book to the side. “Don’t worry. It’s not as fun as being with you.”

Pleased he captured your attention, Draco began to ask what you thought of school. You said you enjoyed Hogwarts, but Draco replied that he wasn’t looking forward to a third year with Potter. You laughed when he sneered at Potter’s name, rolling your eyes at his dramatics. 

Draco decided that he quite liked the sound of your laugh.

You talked for hours and hours. The sun set and the moon rose, but you were still out there, in the haven you made for yourselves. He found that your bodies were, once again, side by side as you stared up at the stars.

“Tell me a story,” said Draco.

As you told him the story of Hercules, he noticed how your lips pursed when you were in deep thought. He thought it was rather cute. You shared his achievements in such a way that Draco found himself thinking of Hercules in admiration.

“At least,” you said, “Hercules’ hamartia was only his physical strength. His death wasn’t tragic as most stories, I’d say.”

And just like before, Draco turned on his side to face you, an eyebrow raised in curiosity. You seemed to have an odd fascination with heroic deaths and fatal flaws. _______

By the time Fourth Year came along, Draco knew he had to gather up the courage to ask you to the Yule Ball before anyone else did.

Meet me in the Astronomy Tower at 9 p.m., he wrote, sending Crabbe and Goyle to deliver the message.

Right on the dot, you showed up. Draco wiped his palms on his pants, wondering why he was so nervous. You’ve been best friends for years now, he told himself. This was simply a friend being extra friendly.

With the telescope perfectly positioned to point toward Spica, Draco motioned for you to come over.

“Do you know what star this is?” he asked you.

You tilted your head to the side. Draco thought you looked disappointed at his question. “This is why you asked me to come here?” You couldn’t stop the frown from forming on your face. “I thought you were going to ask me to the–” You cut yourself off.

“Ask you to what, Y/N?” said Draco, already knowing the answer. A soft smile played on his lips. Did you want to be his date as much as he wanted to be yours?

“Never mind,” you brushed off, peering through the telescope. Draco watched as you squinted at the sky, then back at the telescope. “Spica. It’s the brightest star in the constellation of Virgo, the Young Maiden.”

“The story reminds me of you.”

Bad choice of words.

Before he knew it, you slapped his bicep with your wand. “Are you implying something, Malfoy?”

Draco’s eyes widened as he realized the unintended implication. “No, not that you’re a virgin– No. Not that you aren’t a virgin– Wait, are you a virgin? You are, right?” You sent him a blood curdling glare. “Not that it matters, of course.”

You folded your arms as Draco continued to dig a hole deeper than he started with. By now, however, you were more amused that anything. “How about you start over?”

He rolled his bottom lip inside his mouth before giving you a sheepish grin. “Can I tell you a story?”

And so Draco told you the story of Persephone and Hades. Some said that Hades kidnapped the innocent maiden, the precious daughter of the goddess of harvest. That she never did love him. That the only reason Persephone returned was because she had to. But, Draco thought, at some point, maybe she began to fall in love with the god of earth. Maybe falling in love would be her undoing.

You sat in silence once Draco finished. “That’s why the constellation Virgo is best seen in the spring. That’s when Persephone returns.” You shared a smile with Draco, your eyes lingering on his lips before turning away with a blush. “But how does that story remind you of me?”

Because you’ve captured my heart and all I long for is a chance at yours.

Instead, he said, “Did my parents slip you pomegranate seeds as a child?”

“Sorry?” You laughed at the absurdity of his question, but Draco remained solemn. You coughed, trying to remain straight-faced. “I don’t think so, no. Why?”

Draco glanced up at the night sky, trying to find his courage, before looking back at you. “Sometimes I wonder why you’re still here–why you choose to be friends with someone whose parents are Dark Lord sympathists.” 

“Listen, Draco,” you said, putting your hand on his. “Just because my parents no longer associate with yours because of certain…loyalties, doesn’t mean I have to do the same.” Draco tried not to notice how you moved closer to him. You were close enough that he felt your body heat. “And just because your parents chose to follow You-Know-Who, doesn’t mean you’ll do the same. You don’t have to do anything.”

He let out a single laugh, shaking his head. “This is what I mean. I don’t deserve you, do I?”

You shook your head, you disagreed. But Draco knew better. 

“If we all got what we deserved, we’d all be dead and alone,” you insisted. “But life isn’t fair, so to hell with that.” Draco smiled. You’ve always had a special way with words. He quite liked that. “The point is, you’re my best friend. I…I love you.” You hastily added, “As a friend, I mean. Because you’re my best friend.”

Draco bit his lip to hid his smirk. “I love you, as well. As a friend, of course.”

You groaned, hiding your red face in your hands. “You’re making fun of me, aren’t you?” 

Draco laughed. He always had a knack for keeping a collected persona. On the inside, however, butterflies erupted. It was clear you liked him back. You, his best friend he has been crushing on since the he was thirteen, liked him back. 

And to him, that was enough.

After a plethora of teasing, blushing, and awkward laughs after even more awkward kisses, Draco asked you to go to the Yule Ball with him. As more than friends. You said yes and, before you knew it, you had plenty of time to practice making your kisses less awkward.

Draco would have said they were perfect, even. The kisses were perfect because they were with you. And in each others arms, you found another haven. You didn’t need to claim a tree to find solace. You had each other.

If Hades had a fatal flaw, neither of you knew it. _______

Fifth Year came and the only person Draco could rely on was you.

You were the light when his father was sent to Azkaban. You were the light he came back to after running amok with the Inquisitorial Squad.

In the dark vacuum of space, you were the brightest star.

You told Draco how the sun, commonly known as the brightest star in the sky, was actually not as bright as Sirius, a binary star system. Side by side, Sirius would outshine the sun in both temperature and size.

“Sirius is a part of the Canis Major,” you said. You and Draco were watching the stars near the Great Lake, fingers intertwined as you pointed up at the sky. He quite liked the feeling of your hand in his. “Canis Major: The guard dog of Orion.”

And as Draco listened to the story of Orion’s faithful hunting dog, he noticed the rise and fall of your voice. He smiled as you gripped his hand in excitement, laughed as you groaned at everyone’s stupidity.

You’ve been Draco’s girlfriend for over a year now, and every day felt like the first. The blushes, the butterflies, the secret glances across the room. To him, you were new, yet familiar, thrilling, yet calm.

In a world full of disorder and chaos, you found solace in each other.

Draco thought that would be enough.

“Perhaps his loyalty,” you finished, “was his downfall.”

As Draco would soon realize, every living thing had a fatal flaw. _______

Draco wanted nothing more than to protect you.

From the Dark Lord, from his father, from this wretched darkness. And from himself.

At least that’s what he told you. You knocked his shoulder with yours whenever he said it, laughing as you claimed he was being melodramatic.

Together, you were invincible. You thought nothing bad could possibly happen to you or Draco. Amidst the rise of the Dark Lord, you thought you could keep him from succumbing to his parents’ side. You knew Draco was a good person–his heart is the main reason you fell in love with him, after all. But you also knew he would do anything for his mother and father.

You just never knew to what extent.

Lately, you found that Draco had been distant, a stark contrast from the norm. Even as friends, you kept nothing from each other. You bit your lip, worried for him. You decided that one thing Draco needed was a day to relax. And you planned to give him just that.

On Saturday’s trip to Hogsmeade, which Draco said he wouldn’t be able to attend as he was revising for Potions, you bought him his favorite treats from Honeydukes, planning to surprise him at his dormitory.

“Draco,” you called from outside his door, knocking with the tip of your shoe, “can I come in?”

You heard some rustling before he replied with an affirmative, standing before you with the door open. He stood blocking the doorway, hair disheveled and clothing wrinkled.

“Did you get in a hustle while revising?” you asked with a laugh, smoothing his collar down. You spotted a stain on it, causing you to shake your head at his mess. “This is why we shouldn’t trust you to wear white.”

Draco pulled back at your touch, desperately tugging his sleeves down his forearm and shrugging a sweater on. “What are you doing here?”

You let out a small chortle, slightly confused. You raised the bag from Honeydukes up by your side. “You’ve seemed so stressed lately; I thought you needed a day to relax.” Draco swallowed. “You’re already amazing at Potions, babe, taking a break for one day won’t kill you.”

He looked away at your words, biting his lip to keep from telling you the truth. “I–I appreciate it, love. I do.” Draco ran a hand through his hair, avoiding eye contact with you. “But I’m really busy. You should probably go.”

You dropped the bag of sweets, disappointed. “I’ll just leave these here for you, then.” You attempted to put a smile on your face, but you couldn’t. Nothing seemed right. Draco was off. His muscles were tense, his shirt was unbuttoned, and his eyes darted around.

“Wait,” he called as you turned away. Draco’s eyes were squeezed shut, as if it pained him asking you to stay. He held you in a tight embrace and placed his lips on yours for a short second. They were awfully warm. He tucked a strand of your hair behind your ear, resting his hand on your cheek. “Maybe another day, okay?”

“Okay, Draco.”

He seemed to notice something was wrong and tried to amend the tension. “I’ll meet you at the Astronomy Tower tonight at 9?” Draco asked almost desperately, gently toying with the tips of your hands. He intertwined his icy fingers with yours, bringing it to his mouth as he kissed your knuckles.

You blushed, a smile on your face as you held his other hand. He began to act like the man you fell in love with–the man you knew Draco still was. You leaned in to give him a kiss, your lips brushing against his. You felt his mouth curve into a smile as he placed his hand on the small of your back.

“I told you I’d be quick,” a voice sang.

You glanced behind Draco to see a dark-haired witch near the doorway. Her hair was a mess, splayed over her shoulders. Her body was clad in one of Draco’s button up shirts, the collar slipping past her shoulder, exposing a dangerous amount of her breast.

You made eye contact with her, not wanting to believe what was so obvious. She was Pansy Parkinson. You two weren’t the best of friends, but you thought you got along fairly well. Apparently, she got along with your boyfriend even better. 

Her mouth dropped in surprise when she saw you there. Her freshly applied red lipstick looked a lot like the stain you saw down Draco’s shirt. With his arms still around your waist, you peered closer at his collar. You noticed a trail of dark red down his neck, standing out like blood against his pale skin.

“Draco?” She sent an almost apologetic look your way. “I need you.”

In one swift motion, Draco tore himself away from your embrace, as if your touch burned him. He turned to look at her. “Pansy, not now.”

You felt a rush of cold air against your skin, your hands falling limp at your sides. “Draco?” You bit your lip. “What’s going on?”

They exchanged glances before looking away, both of them avoiding eye contact with you. Neither of them said anything.

“Are you going to tell me what’s happening between the two of you?” you choked out, your voice wavering.

Again, there was silence.

“I’m so sorry,” Draco tried. He reached his hand out to touch you. You flinched away. How dare he act like he still loved you–kissing you, holding you, smiling at you like you were his whole world–when he was fucking another girl underneath your nose.

Pansy took a shaky breath. “Draco? I-I really need you.”

You waited for him to tell her to leave, like he told you when you first came in. But he didn’t. He looked at you, red brimming around his eyes, almost matching the shade of lipstick on his shirt. “I love you, babe. You have to believe me,” Draco insisted. But he took a step toward Pansy. Your throat tightened at your unshed tears. “I’m so sorry.”

You steeled your voice, trying not to cry. It didn’t work. Your voice wavered as you said, “Is that all you can say?” A tear escaped from the corner of your eye and you hurriedly wiped it away. But he had no response. He looked down, not knowing how to explain himself. You let out an incredulous laugh, shoving Draco out of the way and heading toward the door. “Pathetic.”

“I’m so sorry,” Draco said, his voice cracking.

You stopped in your tracks, nails digging into your palms. “You’re sorry?” You spat out a laugh. “If you think your pathetic apologies mean anything to me, fuck you.”

You slammed the door shut, running out of the Slytherin common rooms, unsure where else to go. Before becoming Draco’s girlfriend, you were his friend. His best friend. He not only threw your relationship down the drain, but he made you feel like those sixteen years together meant nothing. People said home was a person, not a place. But once they were gone, you were left with nothing.

Yet, despite how pathetic you felt, you slowed down, waiting for Draco to catch up with you–for him to give you an explanation, a reason, a decent apology. Anything. There had to be a reason Draco did this. And although you didn’t want to hear it, you needed to. Otherwise, for your whole life, you’d be left wondering what went wrong.

But he never came, and your bag filled with his favorite things was left on the floor next to the shattered remains of your heart.

Because everybody had a fatal flaw, a hamartia they wanted no one to find out.

And, perhaps, Draco Malfoy’s was cowardice.

Draco: (sobbing) I hadn’t slept in a week, I was weak, I was awake. You’ve never seen a lil’ Death Eater more in need of a break. Longing for Harry Potter, missing my wife. That’s when Miss Pansy Parkinson walked into my life.

Part 2…? Hmm, should I?

#draco malfoy #draco malfoy x reader #draco x reader #harry potter imagines