snowgall

I've done so many 8th year fic recs this month, but I haven't yet recced one of my absolute favorite 8th year fics.

This one doesn't involve any magical bonds or creatures, it doesn't rely on party games or love potions or bets or almost any other standard trope other than their simply being roommates. And as much as I adore all of those other tropes, sometimes it's nice to see the boys figure things out organically, without anything or anyone forcing them to be together :)

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Something I Don't Want to Stop by traintracks
Originally published June 7, 2013 on Livejournal as part of hd_smoochfest

Rated: NC-17
Word Count: 16,300
Summary: It's Harry and Draco's eighth year, the Houses have been all but demolished in favor of unity, and they're being forced to room together. How ever will they cope?

Why I love it:
This story just gets better every time I read it - and I've read it many times now :) It's become one of my favorite 8th year fics.

There's a lovely bit of developing friendship in the beginning, when Harry and Draco are learning how to co-exist together. Then there's dawning sexual attraction on both sides, which culminates in some terrific sex scenes. And it's all so very hot without losing sight of the fact that they are inexperienced and figuring this out as they go. The author does such a wonderful job developing both their physical and emotional relationship throughout the story.

I love that Harry knows he has no idea what he's doing, but consciously charges on anyway, refusing to let Draco pretend like nothing is happening. And I love how he doesn't know what he wants from the relationship at first, just that he doesn't want it to stop. Neither of them know how to admit what they're really feeling to the other until things come to a head and they can't hide it anymore.

The whole thing is an excellent exploration of the intensity and eagerness of two teenage boys who can't keep their hands off each other, and are trying to figure out if there's more to it than that. And I didn't want it to stop :)

Excerpt:
Draco had suffered three months of the obnoxious arse, and there simply didn't seem to be an end to it in sight.

And the Quidditch advice wasn't the only thing. Potter, himself, was frustrating, sitting there in a tight t-shirt and denims. The worst was when he'd clean his damned glasses, using his shirt to rub the lenses, revealing that little bit of pale skin, the dark trail of hair, the denims barely covering his hipbones. Like he was doing now.

"Watch the game," Potter warned. "Higgs just missed the Bludger by a mile."

Draco swung around. "Hey!" he yelled. "Watch your aim, Charles!"

"You're welcome," Potter said, smirking.

"Sod off. Don't you need to get your team together?"

"You trying to get rid of me?"

"Always."

The bastard smiled then. He smiled. With all his damned teeth. The git looked so bloody pleased. "No, you're not, Malfoy. You adore me." Then he threw a crumpled up parchment at Draco's head and stood to leave.

Draco tried not to watch him walk away. He tried. But it was so bloody lovely watching Potter walk away.

For so many reasons.

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