Title: The Middle of The Night
Rating: pg13
Fandom: Harry Potter
Disclaimer: All characters and recognizable themes belong to J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros., and others. I am in no way earning money or other profit from this fanfic.
Char/Pair: Arthur Weasley/Lucius Malfoy
Prompt: From hpfanfic10x10 on livejournal(dot)com
Spoilers: Not unless you've never read the series, in which case, why are you reading this?
W/C: 369
Warnings: A sexual relationship between two men.
Summary: The spot of mattress has gone cold and you shiver against the feel of starch cotton instead of smooth skin, your brain registering Gone before your eyes even open.

The spot of mattress has gone cold and you shiver against the feel of starch cotton instead of smooth skin, your brain registering Gone before your eyes even open.

"Lucius?"

Blinking blearily through the sleep that refuses to leave, you see him. The jeans you made him wear 'to look more Muggle' are slung low on his hips and the urge to wrap your arms across the expanse of his waist is overpowering as you step up behind him.

He stares through the cracked window of the tiny shack you found when the sun was still high. The middle of no where. The filmy curtains blow in a soft breeze that his body catches before it reaches you.

"You should come back to bed."

"I am afraid for you."

You can't see his face, there is no moon tonight and neither of you had bothered with a charm before falling asleep. But you know his voice, his everything, and something is wrong. You can tell, not by what he says, but by how he says it.

"What do you mean, Lucius? Is there something outside?"

You place a hand on his shoulder, unable to keep yourself from touching him any longer, and he simultaneously shudders and tenses at your hand.

"Nothing outside, Weasley. In here."

You think he means the room until he turns to face you and you see he has a finger pointed at his temple.

"And here."

He jabs at his chest and suddenly you are afraid because Lucius Malfoy does not show weakness.

"I don't --"

"He will be back. It's a matter of time, you know that as well as I do. And when he calls I must go to him. Even if you're in the way."

"But the Ministry, Lucius, they'll help you!"

"The Ministry will use me as bait."

"So what are you doing? Why are you telling me this?"

He doesn't answer you, just turns to stare through the window again. There's so much raging inside your head, you don't know where to start.

"Lucius --"

"I'm afraid you'll kill me, Arthur."