[Fic] Untitled Draco/Neville bit Pt 2 [HP]
" Would you still like me if I wore glasses? "
The question is a bit random, and Draco looks up from his dinner with a slender brow arched. He and Neville have only had a handful of dates, and more often than not they are just long stretches of comfortable silence on evenings when the weather is nice. Courting someone is a delicate affair, Draco knows, and he wants Neville too much to leave any openings for mistakes. The outings are always his treat, and his idea. Unfortunately, the things he knows about Neville really only make up a list of things to avoid. He hopes that with enough dinners out, or strolls along the park, he'll learn what things truly pique the other mans interest, if only so he can base their dates around those things.
" I didn't know you needed them. " He says after a moment, carefully searching his dates face as he takes a sip of his wine. There's something in Neville's eyes that let's him know the question is a loaded one. A test of some sort maybe? He's been caught unprepared really, but Slytherin are known for their cunning and quick-thinking. Whatever it is that Neville's after, Draco is willing to play along. A shrug is the only answer he receives though, and soon they're back to picking at their food. The comfortable mood has been dispelled though, and Draco has yet to find out why. He doesn't press the issue though, and soon enough that proves a wise course of action.
" Some people just wear them for.. you know.. no reason. " Neville states, somewhere between shrugging and motioning at nothing in the air. He nods, still wondering what the meaning is in the strange conversation.
" Would you like me better if I wore them? " Neville asks, and Draco can only laugh, quickly hiding his smile behind a napkin. Really, if the other man is going to be funny at dinner, he's going to have to watch when he drinks. A sip of wine just before a punch-line is an embarrassment waiting to happen.
" Are you asking me for fashion advice? " He finally manages, smiling genuinely now that the worries are eased from his mind. His food is forgotten for the moment as he leans back in his seat, legs crossing easily. Conversation is rare but pleasant, and he's curious to see where it'll go. He gets another shrug for an answer, and he's quickly becoming used to the silent breaks between bits of conversation. He supposes Neville uses them to build up courage enough to speak, and wonders if it would be different if he hadn't been such a nuisance to the Gryffindors at school. It's only after a waiter stops by to ask if they need anything, that Neville speaks again.
" It was just a thought."
It's a thought he's never really had, so he takes the time to imagine a pair of spectacles on Neville, and quickly finds himself frowning at the mental picture. Too close to Potter for comfort, and suddenly he wonders if he was wrong to dismiss the odd conversation as nothing but chit-chat over dinner. The guilty look on his dates face doesn't help matters. Glancing across the table at the half-eaten dinner on Neville's plate, he notes that the man isn't even picking at it anymore, and sighs, motioning a waiter over.
" It's getting late. I should walk you home." Neville nods, and Draco pays their bill before escorting him out of the restaurant. It's the first time he leaves Neville at his door without lingering about long enough to get a kiss goodnight..