Chapter Text
Unable to support himself any longer, Draco slipped to the floor. With his athlete's reflexes, Harry caught him easily. He's holding me, Draco thought dimly, Finally...
If not now, when? There won't be another chance...
"Harry..." Harry's face showed fear for the first time. Draco never called him Harry. Draco could see now he understood it was the end. "I should have told you. I couldn't bear it. I should have told you, I never wanted to be enemies..."
"We're not enemies anymore—"
"Please, I don't have enough time. I just need to tell you... I always wanted you, but I was too afraid. I was afraid to love you. And you're so brave...
"Harry..."
Harry could see his face reflected in Draco's dark eyes. This couldn't be the end. He didn't have time to think. There had to be more time. Something he could do...
Harry leaned over Draco and pressed a single kiss to his already cold lips.
BAZ
I don't hear from Simon— internet Simon— for two days. It's Sunday... we were supposed to exchange pictures last night. I'm starting to panic that maybe I scared him off by asking him to meet. But, if I did, that's just proof he was catfishing me, I think. What kind of person has no pictures of themselves at all?
It's just as well. It was getting too real anyway. I was starting to... I don't know. Hope. Hope that maybe I didn't have to be completely and stupidly in love with Snow forever. And that is hopeless.
Snow's been moping around lately. Won't leave the room. I keep catching him looking at me and I'm afraid he's going to start following me around again like last year. He hasn't, though. Not yet.
I post the final chapter and then sit around refreshing Tumblr. It's hard to let it go. I'm worried the fans are going to be upset. I try not to keep refreshing for comments. Try not to look at the chat window. Try not to look at Snow, sitting on his bed, ransacking his curls...
Around midnight, I finally hear from Simon. My Simon. I almost shout, I can't believe it.
SSPuffPride: hey...
BlackPrince: Long time, no talk. Been busy working on that picture for me?
SSPuffPride: honestly? I completely forgot about it
BlackPrince: What?! Are you kidding me?
Then I quickly add, Is everything alright?
SSPuffPride: ...I think so. Ty? can I ask you something?
BlackPrince: Of course.
SSPuffPride: can I hold your hand?
SSPuffPride: (that's not what I wanted to ask)
BlackPrince: Of course. <3
SSPuffPride: ok. I do
SSPuffPride: why can’t you be with your crush? the person you wrote the fics about?
BlackPrince: It’s complicated.
SSPuffPride: why?
BlackPrince: It just is.
SSPuffPride: because I think you really care about him
BlackPrince: Don’t think about him. I want you.
SSPuffPride: ok, but...
SSPuffPride: do you think you'd still want me in person? even if... I don't know
SSPuffPride: even if you would have hated me otherwise?
BlackPrince: I could never hate you.
SSPuffPride: merlin, I hope that's true
Merlin. Merlin?
BlackPrince: Simon...? Where is this going?
SSPuffPride: because I think I know you
SSPuffPride: and I want you to know, I still like you
What the hell? It can't... It can't be him...
SSPuffPride: can I kiss you now?
BlackPrince: Simon, you don't have to ask. I always want you to kiss me.
SSPuffPride: promise?
BlackPrince: I promise.
SSPuffPride: ok
Snow closes his laptop with a loud snap. I don't look up at him. I'm still staring at the screen. Willing Simon to respond. Trying to ignore that Snow has stood up. Is crossing the room. Is on my side of the room... Because it can't be. How would that even be possible? The internet is too big a place. Simon isn't... Simon.
"Baz," Snow says softly.
I finally look up at him. He pulls my laptop off my lap and sets it on my desk a little clumsily. His hands are shaking. I know because he's lifting them up to my face...
My mind goes completely blank. I don't think any words at all. I just feel his hot mouth on mine. Awkward, but certain. Soft and urgent at the same time. I don't know what the hell I'm doing, but I grab him by the shirt collar and pull him onto my bed. I want to keep kissing him until the world ends. Or the war. Whichever comes first. But first—
SIMON
Baz pulls away and I think for a second he's come to his senses. (I haven't.)
"Baz." I reach for him again but he pushes his forehead into mine and holds my chest in place.
"I hoped it was you," he whispers, and I feel my breath catch in my chest. "Now can you take that bloody cross off?"
I smile and reach into my shirt, ripping it off. I've probably snapped the chain, but I don't care. I throw it in the direction of the window, and it hits the far wall with a thud.
When I turn back to Baz, his mouth is already half open and he's pulling me toward him.
"Wait," I say, breathless. "You can't kill Draco."
He nods. "Alright. Draco lives."
"And you realize now I have to read that vampire fanfic, right?"
Baz gives a wicked half-smile and answers, "Not if I never let you leave this bed."