Draco Malfoy Imagines

for the night is long, and I am weary

Summary: A long day runs into a longer night. It's okay though. He's got you by his side through it all.

Warnings: lots of fluff, it's very soft, draco is tired.

Word count: 1.3k

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Their home is silent as he slides the key into the lock, turning until it clicks. The very sound is music to his ears as he pushes the door open and sighs happily. The comforting, fragrant scent of sandalwood and pomegranate washes over him; your favourite candle that is burnt first thing in the morning and immediately relit upon you arriving home from work. After so long, the fragrance became one with their home – becoming their home. Now, Draco cannot smell either scent without thinking of you.

Weariness clings to his clothes, to his skin, to his bones. It makes him sluggish as he closes the door behind him, waiting for that tell-tale click of the lock before shrugging off his jacket and toeing off his shoes.

If he was smart, he would head to the bedroom, crawl under the covers and not resurface for years to come. His exhaustion grows heavier with every step, but despite having clocked off from the hospital, he still has hours of studying left to complete.

He wanders through the home; taking note of your absence before checking the clock. It would be hours until you would be home; spending your time hounding ministry officials for a centre dedicated to magical history. Draco thinks of you fondly as drops his bag onto the table, wincing at the thud it makes on the wooden surface.

The kettle all but screams to the blonde haired man. Draco gives in fairly easily, filling it up and placing it on the stove to heat before reaching for one of the many mugs you have bought in your time together.

As he leans against the kitchen counter, Draco crosses his arms and focuses his gaze to the floor. It had been a long day, and an even longer night was waiting for him. He had chosen this path; the dream of becoming a Healer too intoxicating for him to simply give up on it. His parents hadn't wanted it, but it was first time that Draco had stuck to his guns about something other than you.

The training was intense, that much could be said. He had a newfound respect for the magical medical service he was now working for; seeing their devotion to the work made the long hours and painful cases worth it. He had found the job he wanted to dedicate his life to, but even he had to admit, he was struggling with the workload.

By the time he finishes at the hospital, he has over three hours of studying left to do when he gets home. He spends his lunch (when he gets his lunch) with a textbook in his lap or quizzing one of the senior Healers about procedures, potions and spells. Draco wanted to be the best he could be, and he was going to achieve that.

But sometimes, he simply wanted to crawl into bed and sleep off the cases he had covered.

His tea is poured; the teabag steeping as he takes a seat at the small kitchen table. With a worn out sigh, Draco drags the first textbook in front of him.

Draco doesn't hear the click of the lock; he doesn't hear your tired sigh, nor does he hear your soft footsteps padding through the flat. He remains focused on the textbook in front of him, reading and rereading the spells he would need in a trauma situation.

"Darling," You call from the door of the kitchen, finding Draco once again hunched over a medical textbook. He hadn't taken a day off since starting his training

"You scared me," He whispers, a strained smile crossing his face.

"How long have you been studying?" You ask, frowning at the sight of the dark circles under his eyes.

Draco frowns; his eyebrows furrowing as he glances at the clock. "Since I got home," He murmurs, sounding far away, "A few hours at least."

"And have you slept at all?"

Draco shakes his head. He hadn't even finished drinking his tea; the liquid now stone cold in his mug. He makes a mental note to get rid of the drink; there was no greater crime on this earth than that of cold tea. "Haven't had the time," He offers in explanation, gesturing to the numerous textbooks in front of him.

All of a sudden, he's close to tears, burying his face in your stomach. Your arms wrap around his shoulders, rubbing at the tense muscles. You haven't felt him relax in weeks; the countdown to his exams surprising the both of you by arriving so quickly.

Draco shudders in your arms; inhaling the familiar smell of your floral perfume. He had watched you dab it on your pulse points this morning, it was a wonder that the scent had remained strong all day.

He was so tired; so tired that he didn't think he could sleep it off. He's passed the point of over-exhaustion.

"Get up," You command gently, tapping Draco's shoulder. "You're done for the night. You have tomorrow off right?"

Draco nods; still confused over what you're asking him to do. Reaching over the man, you close the textbooks sprawled across the kitchen table. "You're taking the night off. You can spend all of tomorrow studying if you want to, but you're having tonight off."

"I can't," Draco protests weakly, "I have to learn these spells."

"Darling," You hum softly, running a hand through the growing locks of the love of your life. Draco pushes his head further into your hand, humming happily at the feel of your fingers running over his scalp. "You need to sleep," You murmur quietly.

Draco sighs; his shoulders drooping as he accepts your words. Silently, he nods, letting you pull him from kitchen table and lead him to your shared bedroom.

Warm light fills the room as you flick the switch. The room screams comfort; the bed large enough for the both of you with a thick quilt covering it. You lead him to the bed, nudging him slightly to take a seat on the edge. Draco feels close to tears when the mattress sinks comfortably under his body; the soft blankets inviting him to slip under their covers and dream the hours away.

Draco glances up at you, finding you already watching him with a fond look on your face. Draco responds by smiling at you. He wouldn't be getting through these months without you by his side. You had accepted the hecticness of the Healer training programme, understanding perfectly how important it was for Draco. He doesn't think he could love you anymore as you brush a hand against his cheek, running your fingers through the growing stubble there, and Draco is reminded that there isn't a limit on his love for you – it's utterly endless.

"Arms," You whisper to which Draco responds by lifting his arms as much as he can. He hadn't realised how dog-tired he was; didn't think much of anything as he sat at the table with his books.

Working together, you get Draco dressed for bed. He thanks you with a slow, tired kiss, unable to manage much more. You smile, kissing his cheek lightly as he lies back against the pillows.

You turn to leave, wanting to turn the light off before you leave. At the last moment, Draco reaches out, grabbing your hand. "Stay with me," He pleads, not wanting to be separated from your just yet. Your schedules being so busy that time like this was rare; he wanted to hold you, to reacquaint himself with his love for you.

There's no argument to be had. You change for bed quickly, enjoying the feel of Draco's eyes on you. It isn't long before you're shuffling into bed next to the man, eager to feel him pressed against you – getting the sleep he so desperately needs. You're drawn to the man just as he is drawn to you, your bodies entwining together in a natural rhythm. Draco's heart beats strongly against your cheek; his breathing getting slower and slower as his hand strokes up and down your arm.

"Thank you," are his last words before he succumbs to the sleep that has hung over him since he arrived home.