rmoherentsentenes.yoursormine?merlin,hiskneesweregettingweak.thiswasit,wasn’tit?he’dfinallyhavepottertohimself.desirefredupinsidehim,minglingwithanundeniablerushofnervousness.potterwasexperiened,atleastfarmoreexperienedthandrao.maybeitwouldatleasthelptobeinthefamiliarityofhisownhome?

“mine,”hefinallysaid,swallowingaroundthelumpinhisthroat.potternoddedanddraofelthisfingersonhisarms.brainghimselffortheunomfortablesutionofapparition,hesquaredhisshouldersandballedhishandsintofists.hestartledwhenwarmfingerssuddenlylosedaroundhisrightfist.instintively,hismuslesloosened.potterlostnotimeiwiningtheirfingers.

“beforewego…”

draolethimselfbeleadintothehouse,intothehallway,wherepotterstoppedandpulledhimlose.

“thisisyourhogetoutofthis,”hemurmured,hiseyessearhingdrao’s.

“what?”draobreathed.hewastoodizzyforaleverresponse.

“tellmeifyouwantmetostop,”potterwhispered,hisgazeflikingdowntodrao’smouth.merlin,whywouldhewanthimtostop?“drao,doyouwantmeto—”

“don’tstop,”draoroaked,feelinglikehewasmeltinginpotter’sarms.howlonghadhewantedthis?howoftenhadhedreamedaboutthis?howlonghadheyearnedforpotter,wantinghimsobadlyithaddrivenhiminsane?

everyfiberofhimseemedtobeprikling,hisheartjiggingaroundinhishestinantiipation.wouldrealitybeabletokeepupwithhisdreams?wouldpotterbereallyasgoodasdraohadimagined?wouldhebegentle?rough?wouldhe—sweetmotherofeverythingthatisholy!

ifpotterhadn’theldhimseurelyinhisarms,draowassurehewouldhavefloatedaway.thepressofpotter’slipsagainsthis,thesoftsrapeofhisbeardagainstdrao’sskin,hisintoxiatingsmell,thewayhishandswered