Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

The game and love	By : Kaspjo Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Draco Views: 41603 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 56
- 57
- 58
57
Draco was really upset today. Even though his rehab had gone ok and he had the go ahead from his doctors, the hand just wouldn't grip the ball right. He'd fumbled almost 15 consecitive snaps, before the team sat him down in favor of the other QBs. He looked at the light pink scar that had lightened considerably since may and June. He hated it, he didn't understand how this little thing might effect his entire career. He had the urge to rip the finger off, but Harry's ring would go back on it after practice, he didn't want to explain his sudden disfigurement either.

Harry could tell something was up from the noises he heard while in the nursery. He sighed as he continued feeding Lucius, knowing full well that he would have to deal with Draco soon. Their vacation had only lasted a week, though it had been very nice and relaxing, it was a culture shock to be thrown right back into the fire that was their life together. Harry watched as Lucius signaled he'd had enough and gave a tough cry to make his point.

"Ok sweetie, you're done, I know." Harry smiled softly and and began the slow process of burping his son before laying him down. Once he was satisfied that the little blonde was comfortable he walked out to the livingroom and sat down next to his husband. Who looked very upset considering it was just a practice day. Draco sighed and pulled Harry to him with one arm so that Harry now laid against his shoulder.

"It wasn't a good day I take it?" Harry said after a moment.

"It was awful love. I didn't hold on to one ball. My finger just wouldn't cooperate with me." Draco was depressed. Harry knew how hard Draco worked to get back the use of his hand, how many rehabs. It was confusing Harry in some ways because part of him wanted Draco to be finished playing football, but he hated that about himself. He knew how passionate Draco was, how driven and determined. He placed his hand on Draco's.

"You'll get throught it Dray." Harry said trying to sound comforting, but feeling ill-equipped. He heard Draco's breathing softened, he had closed his eyes. Harry was also used to this. Draco had sometime ago developed sleeping problems and had been trying some different medications for it. He was able to work through it, but he didn't drive because of his own fear of falling asleep. Harry decided he would let him rest for now, he needed to make dinner and make some calls anyway. He covered his husband with a blanket and kissed him on the cheek.

The next day came pretty fast for both men as they woke up and got ready for the weekend. Draco had called in to skip practice to go get his finger looked at and Harry had prepared a way to help Draco with his finger problem. He made breakfast for them both and had Tim come over to watch Lucius while He and Draco both worked in the back yard. Harry smiled as he led Draco back into the yard where there was usually several things Draco used to practice his Qauterback skills. Draco's eyes widened as he saw that all that stuff had been moved out of view and now there was just a JUGS machine and a bag of footballs in a large open area of about 75 yards.

"What the hell?" Draco said in shock.

"Well, I thought of a really great idea to help you, so I called Ron over and we did this while you took a nap." Harry said rather proud of that accomplishment.

"How is a JUGS machine going to help me?" Draco asked confused. He wasn't a reciever like Harry or Ron were. He had no clue how this could benefit a QB at all.

"It's going to teach you not to be afraid of the..."

"I'm not afraid!" Draco was offended.

"If there's nothing wrong with you physically, it's mental sweetie. Come on, trust me." Harry looked into his loves eyes, who tried to avoid him at first, but relented once they connected.

"Ok, fine, how do we start?" Draco conceded with sigh. Soon after Harry demonstrated how the JUGS machine launched tha ball into the air so that Draco could catch it. After about ten balls being dropped Harry turned off the machine and tried hard not to burst out in a fit of laughter. Draco hadn't caught a single ball and he looked completely crossed up whenever a ball would come at him. Harry helped him compose himself.

"You're trying too hard love," Harry lectured. "They're just footballs, not missles." Harry's grin was unavoidable now. "Anyway, I think we need a few more hands out here." Harry said as Draco made to slug him for smiling. After about twenty minutes or so, Ron and Cruz arrived, eager to help, or atleast mock. Harry had Ron fire up the machine again. He then started having Ron launch balls at him.

Draco stood there shocked as Harry stood still and caught each ball with two hands and then flipped them away from himself with little effort. He was instantly brought back to when they played in highschool. Harry hand such natural hands. It was beautiful to watch him make catches. He always did it with smoothness and grace, as if it was just beneath his skills to do it. Draco was pulled from his thoughts when Harry called to him.

"Are you watching me?" Harry said in a serious tone. "Look at my eyes. They'll never move from the point of the ball until I have both hands on the ball." Another catch. "It's simple if you keep a rhythm." Harry lectured, not moving an inch from the spot where footballs continued to be blasted at him and he caught them without so much as a wince. Draco shook his head and wondered why Harry had never persued football as a career.

It was Draco's turn to try and catch the ball again. This time however, he followed Harry's instruction and faired a bit better. He caught two of the five balls that Ron launched at him. Harry tried to stay quiet as he watched, part of him wanted to be there to help Draco through it all, but he knew there were just times to step back and let Draco work. As time went on into the late morning Draco had started to catch the ball better and soon he wanted to try and take snaps again.

Cruz acted as the center and hiked Draco the ball so he could throw to Ron and Harry, who ran different distances to get Draco to use his whole arm. He smiled as he got under center. He was ready.

"Hey listen, I know I'm a hot piece of ass, but don't get any ideas Draco, we're both married." Cruz laughed as Draco pushed his hands in under cruz's backside to grab the ball.

"Meh, I'm not into fat." Draco retorted not missing a beat and grabbing the ball perfectly as he felt it hit his hands. He was in triumph as he threw a perfect ball to Harry, who caught it just like old times. Draco's smile was huge seemed to lift the last weights from his heart.

The three friends worked for another hour until Cruz and Ron had to go home to spend the rest of the afternoon with their wives. Harry played catch with Draco for another half hour before signaling he was tired and wanted to go inside. Draco pulled him into a hug as Harry handed him the ball. He was in such a great mood.

"Hey listen, I want you to try something." Draco said without breaking the hug yet. "I played your position, why don't you try mine?" Draco asked smiling micheiviously. His expression didn't change when Harry eyed him. Harry accepted the challenge.

"Ok now, just set up the way I do." Draco demonstrated and simulated a throw. Harry tried to take it all in. Harry took a few practice phantom throws before he nodded to Draco who called hike. On Draco's bark, Harry snapped into action the best he remembered, when he let the ball go however, it only traveled through the air about 10 yards and skidded across the ground. Draco burst into laughter.

"Hey, I didn't laugh at you." Harry was insulted and Draco attempted to contain himself. He pulled Harry into another hug. He felt Harry mold into him, the way he seemed to do when they first met.

"You're right love, you didn't. You had a brilliant idea though. Thank you Harry." He kissed his husband's messy hair. They spent the rest of the day hanging out when Tim seemed to have his nephew under control and insisted they spend time together.

"Harry, why did you just give up football?" Draco asked as they walked along the fish market in down town Seattle.

"It just wasn't my dream Drake. I didn't have your drive. I could have been good at it, but I don't love it the way you do." Harry walked in step with Draco as people continued to leave them in peace. It was definitely something they both liked about this city, they never bothered either man even though they definitely knew what Draco did for a living.

"I've been thinking about when I will retire Harry." Draco stopped as he felt the man's eyes on him.

"Listen Drake, there is no rush for that. You'll regret it if you leave too soon. Plus, listen, in our lives together I have always come after the game, it's been the game and me. In that order. If you gave it up now, I'm not sure I'd be enough for you." Harry had started to regret the words as he was saying them, but for some reason they wouldn't stop coming.

Draco looked at him, a deep sense of shock and hurt on his face. "Have I been that bad?" Draco was clearly upset feeling as though he'd been a horrible person. Harry smiled as a knot of guilt formed on his heart.

"No, you're fine, I was just saying that you love the game alot, but listen baby, I accepted that the game has a big place in your heart. I knew what I was getting into, I never would have stayed if I didn't know that. I love you ok? I don't want you to quit before you're ready alright? And I damn sure don't want you to quit what makes you happy just because I might be a selfish twit."

Harry smiled and they returned to walking. "I've waited 11 years already, I can wait a while longer." He said to the air more than to Draco. Draco didn't know what to think right now. He didn't know what he felt like doing now, but he knew he would only let it bother him for a few days until team practice came again and the life he lived would repeat the cycle he'd come to know as Seasonal downturn, when every player would go through points where they were ready to quit. He was at the top of his game though and even if his heart wasn't there, his mind would never wander far from the game.

"I love you Harry." He said to the air. He didn't know if this life would ever be normal, but he hoped they could both be happy.

End Chapter 57
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A/N We skip ahead 10 years and see the lives that our two loves have built and Lucius grows up in his father's famous shadow. At 10, what will he do? Things don't get any easier when the door seems to be ready to close on Draco's football career wether he wants it to or not.

Please Review! You keep me going.
- 56
- 57
- 58
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

The game and love