{Inspired by the tumblr post from @/the-modern-typewriter: "I think you need to taste this for me," the monarch said. They shoved the exquisite cake in their guard's direction."
I tried attaching the photos and I see them on my end but some of you aren't able to see them it seems.
Dedicated to bel_luv who helped me come up with this idea 2 years ago}
The Malfoy family had been in power for many years. Family relations were kept quite... close... and no one dared to overstep the royal family. Draco's father had passed sometime ago, and his mother had passed the crown onto Draco, preferring to rule quietly behind her son. With Draco's coronation came the promotion of his personal guard, Harry Potter, whose family had served the Malfoys for almost as long as they'd been ruling.
Draco had many guards doting on him and protecting him over the years, but Harry was his favorite. He'd known the other man since he was a boy, observed his training from his bedroom window, watched as he grew from a scrawny boy into a man.
The first time Harry had gone out on a mission, he came back with a bleeding forehead, a gaping injury that had scarred, and Draco hated it. Hated worrying about Harry for the weeks he was gone. No soft smiles exchanged across the corridor, no light and casual brushes against Harry's side from Draco, a coy smile on his lips.
No, when Draco personally took to Harry's care, he vowed that Harry would never be hurt ever again. That first mission was his last. Draco quickly found a new, better, safer job for hi- for Harry where Draco knew he would be protected.
It was the haunted look in Harry's eye that did it for Draco. Harry wouldn't even look at the other man until Draco held his face between his own hands.
"Harry," he had pleaded.
"The ones who killed my father did this to me."
"You're staying in my chambers tonight, you're unwell."
"But the others-"
"I don't care about the rumors they may spread. It's not an insult, I could only be so lucky as to end up with someone as kind and caring as you. Besides, it's no secret that you're my favorite."
Harry's soft chuckle had Draco continuing.
"You have been the only one to treat me as I have wished to be treated. When I asked for no titles, when I asked for a friend, you provided. Let me return the favor now."
"Okay, Draco."
"I'll keep you safe Harry, I promise you."
"I believe you."
And keep Harry safe Draco had. He always had tasks for Harry to complete so that he wasn't bored. Draco arranged for Harry's education to be furthered by his own private tutors. If Harry knew he was being set up to be Draco's personal advisor, he didn't let on to it.
That brings Draco to his current predicament, trying to figure out when and how exactly he should tell Harry that he's in love with him.
"I think you need to taste this for me," Draco said, pushing an exquisite slice of cake towards Harry.
They were seated in Draco's room at his small dining table, a delicious spread of food laid out.
"Um," Harry replied, blinking at the plate.
"What, you'd rather your monarch be poisoned?"
"Of course not!," Harry answered quickly before hesitantly taking a mouthful.
Draco watched as Harry's eyes closed, face melting in satisfaction.
"Oh my gosh. I- er- I think it's fine," Harry quickly blurted out, covering up his prior reaction and pushing the plate towards Draco.
The cake was amazing.
"You should try a sip of the wine too," Draco said demurely, "just to be safe. Sit Harry, sit."
What else was Harry meant to do? He sat there, allowing Draco to feed him delicacies off of his plate. It took Harry slightly too long to realize it was practically a date.
"Your highness- Draco," Harry corrected at the look his King was giving him, opening his mouth to continue speaking when Draco shoved a chocolate covered strawberry inside.
"Sir, why did you feed me the whole strawberry? What if it was poison?"
"Oh, I know that it's not," Draco dismissed.
"Then wh-what? Is- is this... date?"
"The date is the 31st of March, what are you on about? Have another strawberry, the chocolate on this one looks odd."
Draco watched in amusement as he gracefully ate his own chocolate covered strawberry. Harry had chocolate on the side of his face, and Draco wiped it away. With a sinful smirk, he put his finger in his mouth to taste it and Harry thought he would pass away right there.
"Messy eater hmm?," Draco teased, leaning on his elbow and gazing lovingly at Harry.
"Sir, is it getting hot in here?"
"No, I just believe that's you Harry."
Harry blushed, butterflies flooding his stomach, and he couldn't look at Draco anymore.
"You're cute when you're flustered," Draco said quietly, placing his hand on top of Harry's.
He wondered if he had misread years worth of signals.
"You're absolutely ethereal Draco," Harry replied earnestly, knowing it was now or never as he held Draco's hand properly.
"You think?"
"I know," Harry replied, placing a kiss to the top of Draco's hand.
"You've been my companion for many years now Harry," Draco said lowly. "I've come to care for you a great deal."
"I know."
"Do you?"
"After that first mission, you cared for me in a way that no one has since my mother's passing. You made sure I got an education, you got me out of a job that surely would have killed me by now. I hope you know I care for you in return, aside from giving my life for yours. I would do that for you, even if you held no rank. Please believe me."
It was Draco's turn to bring Harry's hand to his lips and press a kiss there.
"You know I'm meant to marry soon. I've postponed it as long as I can."
"Yes, I... I'm aware."
"I'm expected to propose by first harvest, as is tradition."
"Oh. That is soon. Who's the lucky person?"
Draco laughed loudly, covering his mouth quickly.
"I wish you wouldn't do that. I love your laugh."
"I love you," Draco replied simply.
"Oh Draco, I love you too. Very much so."
"I thought you might. Is our date to your liking?"
"You could have just asked me, you know."
"I had to be sure. I didn't want to ruin what we had in case I was misreading the situation."
"You could never ruin us. I'll be by your side always, just I have done my whole life."
"And I with you."
"I do have a question though."
"Yes?"
"How is this a date if I'm testing your food poisons? What if something happened?"
"Oh you didn't think you were the real food tester did you? I could never live with myself if something happened to you. I still have nightmares about that day you came back, bleeding and scarred. No, I made the food."
"You only have me taste the food you make?," Harry asked for clarification, getting up and moving next to Draco.
"Of course. Only the best for my Harry."
Harry's hands cupped Draco's face, just as Draco had done for him all those months ago.
"May I kiss you?," Draco asked, leaning into the touch.
"Kiss me whenever you want," Harry replied, leaning down to share the first of many soft kisses between the two men.