Chapter Text
Waking up in a fucking pod on a fucking Mindflayer ship with a worm dangling in front of his eye was one of the weirder experiences Harry had during his short life.
Twenty-one years of absolute fuckery made him immune to most of the bullshit happening around him, but this must have made it into the top five immediately, making it into the top three the second the Mindflayer attempted to put a parasite into his eyes.
Seconds after the worm had buried itself into Harry's brain the Nautiloid shook.
Explosions sounded from somewhere in the distance and the tentacled monster floated away in a hurry, ignoring the fact that Harry's pod remained open, allowing Harry to flee.
This had to be a trap, surely?
Why would the abomination be this careless?
Contemplating all the choices he had, which weren't many, to be fair, Harry decided to take his chance.
With a Mindflayer parasite planted into his brain, he was doomed anyway.
A day was all he had left before turning into one of them, and he'd be damned if he spent it in a fucking pod if he could just as well try and end his life before that happened.
Climbing out of his strange prison, Harry fell to the ground, his knees shaking too much to keep him upright.
Reaching for his magic, Harry furrowed his brows. Most of it was gone, just vanished.
“Fucking parasite…”
Scrambling to his legs, Harry looked around.
The entire ship was built out of flesh, at least that's what it looked like. A living, breathing organism. Absolutely revolting. The floor under his feet was solid, but somehow also not. It felt like walking on a muddy road, but without the squelching sound of his boots getting stuck in puddles.
Annoyed by the entire situation, Harry ducked and snuck out of the room.
Maybe, if the ship was under attack, he could find a way out of it without the monsters noticing.
The next room proved to be full of even more pods, but all of them were empty, waiting for inhabitants. Good. Harry hoped the ship would explode before they could get their hands on even more victims.
More doors led out of this room, Harry counted three, but it was hard to tell with all the fleshy walls. There could easily be more.
Deciding for the one to his left, Harry waited for the flesh-wrought door to open and slipped through it.
More pods, but also a pile of discarded things in one corner that immediately caught his attention.
These must have been things the abducted people were carrying around as they got snatched up. Maybe he could find a few gold coins, or literally anything helpful so he could find his way back to Baldur's Gate once he managed to get off of this ship.
He knew he had to die, but that didn't mean he couldn't attempt telling the Weasleys what had happened. They'd be distraught if he just vanished.
And if he only found someone to carry a message, that'd be fine too. But they would request money. So he needed whatever was in this pile. Plus the people this belonged to wouldn't be missing their belongings, given that they were probably already dead.
Rummaging through the pile, Harry checked what must have been fifty bags and pouches.
Grabbing a sturdy backpack, Harry shoved everything useful into it.
In the end, he had found fifty-three gold coins, a bit of food, and two daggers he didn't know how to use. But it was good to have them, right?
“So not only a wanker, but also a thief? My, my, my, Saint Potter, killer of evil Lords and most sought-after bachelor, a common criminal. Wait till the press hears about that.”
The voice was dampened and came from somewhere behind him.
Turning around, Harry scanned the pods and discovered that one of them was in fact not empty.
Groaning annoyed, Harry walked over to where he had spotted the person. He didn't even need to look to know who was there. He'd know that voice anywhere. Still, he couldn't pass up the opportunity to glare at Malfoy trapped in the pod, arms crossed and pouting at Harry.
“Your attitude isn't helpful, given that you're the one trapped, and I'm the free one, Malfoy.”
Malfoy only glared at him. “I'm going to die anyway, the bastards put one of their worms in my brain. I'll not spend my last minutes begging you to get me out of here.”
“I have one too,” Harry shrugged. “I'll still try and get off of this ship and at least send a message home. If you want to be a wanker about this situation, fine.”
Turning around, Harry walked two steps, waiting for what he knew would come.
“Fine!” Malfoy screamed, sounding extremely pissed off. “Fine! Stop walking away and try to find a way to get me out of this stupid thing. My magic is mostly gone for some fucking reason, so I'm of no help here.”
Turning around, Harry stared at him, amusement making space for curiosity. “Oh, yours too? Must be the fucking parasites then. Let me go see if I can find a lever or something. And stop screaming, you're drawing attention to us, which we should try to avoid for the time being.”
“Don't tell me we're defenceless, trapped on a spaceship, with the magical abilities of children only starting their studies.”
“Looks like it, now shut up, I'll have a look around.”
Of course, out of all people, it had to be Malfoy who was stuck on the ship with him. Harry had hated him since school. He was nothing but a bully and a posh git who had made Harry's life a living hell. A visit to Avernus would be more fun than having to deal with that guy.
Malfoy's father was rich and influential, and even though everyone knew that he had been a supporter of the Lord that had tried to take over Baldur's Gate, he somehow still walked free.
Meanwhile, Harry had been orphaned as a baby, and raised by people who were not living in the upper city. A fact Harry changed once he had come into his inheritance and cast the killing blow to the Lord.
Something he could never do now given that he was stripped of all his magical abilities.
A scan of the room showed nothing much besides a console near the pod. So this must probably be the key to success. Or the literal key.
It was made of the same fleshy material the rest of the ship was, and after further inspection showed only a few runes that Harry could decipher.
Only one thing left to try.
Closing his eyes while pressing his hand against the console, Harry flinched. The feeling was absolutely disgusting.
Nevertheless, the thing immediately reacted to the presence of the worm inside Harry's brain. Instinctively, he knew how to will the pod to open.
Once he heard the satisfying thud of Malfoy hitting the ground, just as Harry had, Harry pulled his hand away, wiping it on his linen trousers.
Turning around. Harry watched as Malfoy got on his feet, glowering at him as if Harry had thrown him to the ground himself.
Rolling his eyes, Harry crossed his arms in front of his chest and stared at Malfoy waiting for him to finally move so they could get off of this damn ship. “Don't worry, I don't expect a thank you. But you should really get yourself moving before this bloody ship explodes.”
As if to underline Harry's words the ship shook violently and started to tilt over ever so slightly.
“Great idea, Potter,” Malfoy spat. “But where the fuck would we even go? Do you know how to get out of here?”
“No. But not knowing what to do or where to go has never stopped me from trying! Let's go.”
Taking the lead, Harry discarded all sense of calm. He set off for a sprint to the next flesh door.
It took them three more doors filled with pods and dead bodies until they found something akin to a corridor that had the entire wall ripped open, oozing onto the floor beneath them.
The ship was getting closer and closer to the ground. It would clearly crash into it soon.
“I say we jump once we are at a safe distance,” Harry said, looking back at a concerned looking Malfoy.
“You didn't find a scroll of Feather Fall by any chance?”
“Nope.”
“Well damn. Waiting for your command then, Saint Potter.”
Rolling his eyes, Harry looked back outside, watching as the trees grew closer and closer. Two minutes later he spotted a body of water right where they were heading towards.
“We'll jump into the water. Let's hope it's deep enough. Ready?”
Not waiting for a reply, Harry readied himself to jump, leaping forward as the ship passed over the water.
The fall was deeper than he had expected, the crash on the surface way harder than anticipated, but he was alive. For now.
Paddling upwards, Harry stuck his head out of the water and looked around. Seconds later Malfoy's head shot up out of the depths as well.
Spitting out a mouth full of water Malfoy gasped for air. “Your plans suck, Potter.”
“We're alive, aren't we? Let's get out of here and find a place where we can dry up.”
The place where they could dry up ended up being the first piece of dry land they reached. Malfoy simply refused to move any further than that.
Harry managed to make a small fire out of some wood he gathered. The spot didn't look too bad. It was hidden away, shielding them from the crash site and any possible survivors, friend or fiend. It'd do until the next day, and after that they'd find out where they were, and find a way back to Baldur's Gate.
Throwing two apples from his backpack towards Malfoy, Harry fished a third one out for himself.
Somewhere in the far distance Harry could hear the unmistakable sound of someone fighting against something, but he had no interest in getting involved. Not this time. He had done his fair share of fighting.
“Do you know where we are?” Malfoy asked between crunchy bites.
Looking around, Harry shrugged. “I've never been here. Could be anywhere seeing that these fucking ships can jump planes. Pretty sure I smelled Avernus at some point. But the trees and plants don't look too alien or hellish so here's hoping that we're still at the Sword Coast.”
“I really hope so. We don't have much time to get anywhere, and if we die before that, I'd like for my parents to get my body. That's hardly possible if we're somewhere else entirely. You'll kill me before I turn, right Potter?”
“I can do it now and spare you the troubles of waiting?” Harry suggested with a wide grin.
“Funny, Potter. Very funny. I may not be a big fan of my life, but I'm not that desperate to die either.”
Harry snorted. “Of course. Because you had such a hard life growing up rich and influential, and still being in said position, even after everything that happened.”
“You have no fucking idea what it was like from my perspective, Potter,” Malfoy said his voice dangerously quiet. “So shut your damn mouth, or I'll do you the favour of ending you right here and now. All for the greater good of sparing you the worry of when it's going to happen, of course.”
Rolling his eyes, Harry got up to collect some more wood for the fire. It was nearly dark now, and if they wanted to spend the night at their makeshift camp, they had to find a way to stay warm.
He wouldn't say no to a bedroll now, but the chances of finding one were very slim out here in the wilds.
Tomorrow they'd find a better place to stay.
Harry woke with the first rays of the sun.
Sitting up, Harry looked around, finding Malfoy still asleep close to the dead fireplace Harry had made for them.
In his sleep he still looked like the boy Harry had gone to school with.
Sighing, Harry rummaged through his backpack, hoping to retrieve some more of the fruit he had found yesterday.
They'd have to leave soon, head North as it was the only way they could leave their makeshift camp, and see where they ended up.
After further inspection, Harry realised that the body of water they had landed in was a river, and where there was a river, there was always a settlement.
Malfoy woke up an hour later, looking sour and dishevelled.
It took another while until they finally got themselves moving.
They had to be slow and careful, both of them unwilling to walk into any danger. The sound of the fighting from the previous evening all too present in Harry's mind.
They reached the crash site of the Nautiloid, its destroyed and smouldering remnants pathetic compared to its impressive size and power of the day before.
“Do you think more people than us survived?” Malfoy asked quietly.
“I saw footprints earlier, could have been survivors, or people who live here that saw the crash happen. The Squids float, so it wasn't them. Though I wouldn't ignore the possibility of a few of them also being alive. So let's stay as quiet as possible.”
Ducking behind a few rocks, Harry snuck around an opening of the ship.
He spotted ruins in the distance, a closed door in the middle of the wall.
Speeding up, Harry reached the door before Malfoy and gave it a strong pull. To his disappointment it didn't budge.
“Well, that's depressing,” Draco said, kneeling down beside Harry while keeping watch on the path they had come from. “Do we need to walk through the ship? I swear I saw a trail of blood there.”
“We'll find a different way.”
Turning around, they walked back to the opening of the ship, taking cover behind the rocks again, observing the situation at hand.
It was only a few minutes later that Malfoy nudged him. “There, look.”
Malfoy pointed at a rocky slope that looked like they could manage to climb it just outside the Nautiloid. As it was their only option besides going through the death trap they had escaped the day before, Harry nodded.
“Let's try it. Still better than the ship.”
Harry had no clue when he had become this unfit, but his state was undeniable by the time they had made it up the slope.
He was breathing hard, barely able to stand upright. His only comfort was that Malfoy wasn't much better off.
“Let's never do that again,” Malfoy huffed out, leaning forward while trying to catch his breath.
“Agreed. Let's keep moving. I want to get away from this thing as fast as humanly possible.”
“For once we agree on something, Potter.”
They made their way further down a path, now surrounded by trees. An earthy smell was slowly overtaking the scent of the burning flesh of the Nautiloid.
Their surroundings were inviting them to let down their guard, and Harry really was tempted to do so. But years of experience had taught him better.
Even though it did feel like a regular hike, this wasn't even close to it.
“I think I hear something. Can you hear it?” Malfoy asked, ripping Harry away from his thoughts.
Halting his steps, Harry listened.
There were birds and the buzzing of insects. The leaves of the trees rustling above them in a light breeze and — voices in the distance.
Alarmed, Harry grabbed Malfoy's arm and pulled him into the bushes between the trees. He put his finger on his lips to motion him to stay silent.
A group of four people walked past them. One of them clearly not from around here. They didn't look like they were any danger to them, but still Harry refused to come out of his hiding space.
In times like these one clearly couldn't trust a group of strangers nonchalantly strolling through a forest as if there wasn't a worry in the world.
Though one of them looked like they could be related to Malfoy. If it weren't for the elven ears. Malfoy was many things, but he was the same as Harry, a hundred percent human.
The group was bickering about a Druid Grove as they walked past, and Harry tried to make out its whereabouts. The pale Elf made it easy for him, pointing at the direction they were coming from while animatedly complaining that finding someone wasn't their business and pondering why they were doing this.
Once they were out of sight, Harry got back onto the path, waiting for Malfoy to join him.
“Heard the part about the Grove?” Harry asked as Malfoy joined him.
“Yes. Sounds better than sleeping in the dirt tonight, don't you think?”
“Absolutely.”
They both headed toward the direction the Elf had pointed at, soon arriving at a closed gate. The ground outside was drenched in blood.
“Who are you and what do you want?” A voice called from somewhere above the gate. Surely it must be someone who was keeping watch.
“Travellers surprised by the shipwreck, looking for a place to stay for a night or two, until the road is clear again if possible,” Draco called out before Harry could answer.
“I'll send someone down to you! Don't move!” the voice answered.
So Harry and Malfoy stayed put, waiting for whoever would greet them.
It was only a moment until the gate opened and a Tiefling stepped out, looking left and right to make sure there was nobody else waiting for them.
Once the situation was clear, the Tiefling walked up to them.
“I'm Zevlor, and you are…?”
Harry nodded in greeting. “I'm Harry and this is M—Draco. We were surprised by the Nautiloid and are looking for a place to stay until the road is clear and we can head to Baldur's Gate.”
“Well, you're not alone in that at least. We don't have much space, but you're welcome to stay for a few days. The Druids aren't too happy about visitors, they want us out too, so what's two more? You can have a tent, and two bedrolls. There's a few traders in the Grove.”
“Thank you.” Malfoy smiled. “We appreciate the help.”
The tent was really just that. A simple tent, and two bedrolls. Harry and Malfoy were instructed to find a spot where they'd stay out of the Druids eyes, but felt free to have a chat with anyone else they met.
So they settled for a place above the gate. They could still see what was going on, and be alerted if something big happened, but otherwise they were out of sight and earshot of most people.
Setting up the tent was easy, even without magic or the necessary experience. They also built a small fireplace for later, and spread out their bedrolls.
It'd be uncomfortable, but manageable. And it wouldn't be forever.
“You know, I thought we'd feel something from the parasites by now,” Malfoy said nonchalantly.
“I had the same thought.” Harry furrowed his brows and looked over his shoulder to make sure nobody listened into their conversation. “But I feel nothing. Maybe we should see if we can find someone to deliver a message home, just in case.”
Malfoy scoffed. “I hardly think anyone cares about where I've vanished to. All they care about is getting my body back so they can put me in the family crypt. It's important that we all end up in there.”
“Ancestral blood magic, or necromancy?” Harry asked before he could stop himself. He wasn't really that interested in Malfoy's family. It was well known that half of them went insane at a young age. Even the small fraction that left the family and became outcasts had their run-ins with insanity. Harry's godfather was not fully insane, but had been close enough, by the time he was killed.
“I don't know, and I honestly don't want to either.”
“Fine by me. Let's go and see what this Grove has to offer. Maybe we'll find a merchant who has some scrolls for us, or actual food. I have gold, and a few gems we can trade.”
Leaving their camp behind, Harry made sure to make it obvious that someone lived there.
They took a turn left, away from the main path where they could hear the sound of metal against metal, and found themselves in a centre place with a makeshift smithy and, to Harry's delight, an old lady selling health potions.
The old lady waved them closer before Harry could even make the decision to go over there. “You look terrible, petal! Truly terrible! I've seen that look before. Come closer, let's see if Auntie Ethel can do something for you.”
Surprised, Harry looked over his shoulder to Malfoy who only shrugged. So they stepped closer.
“Worms,” Auntie Ethel said matter of factly, the second they were close enough. “You're the second one now. The others that were here yesterday also have them. I have something that might help you, but not here. You have to come to my home.”
Harry wanted to ask where they had to go to find it, but Malfoy interrupted him rudely.
“We'll only take a few health potions for now, thank you.”
The smile on Malfoy's face was cutting, he didn't even try to hide the coldness in his eyes with it. Harry was absolutely speechless.
Turning around, he wanted to apologise to Auntie Ethel, just to find her look at Malfoy grinning widely. “Smart pet. Good decision. I like you, you have your wits together. Take a few of them, they're my treat. Seeing that you're so smart I won't need to remind you to keep your mouth shut, or I'll have to seal it for you.”
Malfoy nodded and held out his hand just for Auntie Ethel to thrust a bag into it before she shooed them away.
Turning away, Malfoy pulled on Harry's sleeve, wanting to make him follow.
They had only walked a few steps when Malfoy leaned in close and started to whisper into Harry's ear. “Give me your bag. Bring this one to the camp and wait for me there, yes? Don't speak to anyone, pretend you're asleep if necessary.”
Nodding, Harry switched his bag against Malfoy's and walked back towards the camp. He obviously missed something in the conversation, and Harry didn't deem it wise to ask questions now.
Once back in their tent, Harry closed it and buried himself in a bedroll.
Eyes closed, he listened to his surroundings, anything that'd alarm him about unwelcome visitors of any sort. But he only heard the sounds of the Grove. The sound of the Tieflings chatting, and the Druids chanting. He hadn't figured out what they were attempting, but Malfoy surely would find that out and report back to him.
So Harry waited.
The tent flap suddenly opened, and Harry was about to pass out from the shock when he heard Malfoy snicker.
“How the fuck do you walk silent? I haven't heard even a single step you took!”
“Not everyone has to trample like an ox, Potter. Has anyone been here?”
Sitting up, Harry crawled out of the tent. “Not that I've heard, no. What was that with the old lady?”
Malfoy's face darkened as he sat down on a log just next to the fireplace. “She's a hag. And not in a mean way, she's an actual hag. Going to her home would have had us both killed.”
“What the—?”
“She has a sister. Her sister frequented my home when I was younger. Mother fought with her sister once because she tried to buy me.”
“That's even worse than I thought it'd be, I'm sorry.”
Harry now finally sat down on the second log, watching Malfoy closely. He was clearly lost in memory before he violently shook his head and plastered a smile back on his face.
“I got a good deal for the gems, and also managed to buy us some supplies. Coming here was a good idea. The Tiefling kids have an underground trade ring, they'll be very helpful to our case.”
“We have a case? And how the fuck did you find out about the kids?”
Harry thought he knew Malfoy. They had spent many years loathing each other. But right now Harry felt like he didn't know the other wizard at all, and also felt rather stupid. There was no chance in the nine hells he'd have found out about the kids, and he'd probably gotten himself killed at Auntie Ethel's place.
“Surprised, Potter?” Malfoy snickered. “And yes, we have a case. Return back to Baldur's Gate, in one piece and exactly the way we look now.”
Anger filled Harry's chest, bubbling up like acid. “And how are a bunch of kids going to help us with that?” He felt like he was missing an important piece of information. It was a sensation that wasn't new to him, though it made him feel more enraged by the minute.
People had always held back important information around him. Information that would have helped him get done a lot sooner with what everyone was expecting of him.
“Calm your tits, Potter. I'll answer your questions without you getting irritated with me. Nobody pays attention to kids, they hear and see everything. And they have a network that allows them to act faster and more discreetly than most of the people here. Having them on our side is helpful as we'll know what's going on most likely before anyone else does.”
Chewing on his cheek, Harry contemplated Malfoy's words. It sounded logical. A plan. Better than nothing, at least. “Okay. Yes. Sorry for—” Harry waved his hands through the air, trying to find the correct words.
It was all a lot to take in. Their situation, the fact Malfoy was good with people, and Harry's own feelings of being lost and not knowing what to do.
He had always known what to do, or at least an idea of where to go. But now? Harry felt entirely helpless.
“It's okay, Potter. I get it. And while we're already at it, thank you for freeing me from that pod. Now onto the important matters. I got a few scrolls for us, most of them are double, don't ask how, and new spell books for us. We should study before going to bed so we're less useless in case shit goes south. And I also kept one of the daggers from your backpack, just in case.”
Harry was surprised what Malfoy called a few, as Harry suddenly found himself buried under at least twenty scrolls for himself, Malfoy had another pile just as big. Knowing better by now he didn't ask where Malfoy got them from, even though Harry was dying to know. He was a hundred percent sure they weren't legally acquired.
Biting his tongue, Harry opened the first one. Fire Bolt. Fantastic. Something useful at least. Opening his new empty spellbook, Harry started to write.
They only stopped studying once it had gotten too dark to comfortably study the scrolls.
The Grove was quiet at night if one could ignore the rhythmic chanting of the Druids in the distance. It felt nearly homely.
“Were you able to figure out what the Druids are up to?” Harry asked, stretching his stiff body.
“They're locking up the Grove on command of their leader. They don't want visitors, and there's been a bunch of Goblin attacks too. They deemed it too dangerous. But we should be fine for another few days.”
Rolling his eyes, Harry poked a stick into the flames of their camp fire. It was close to dead at this point, which meant they had to go to bed soon. But Harry didn't want to be the first one to suggest it.
It was one thing to sit in front of a tent together. But it was entirely different to share one at night.
The space was crammed, and neither of them would have any wiggle room. They'd have to sleep nose to nose every single night until they reached the city.
If they could sleep at the same time. Harry wasn't too sure about that. Once they left the Grove, they might have to sleep in shifts just to make sure nobody snuck up on them in the middle of the night.
They could always go back. Down by the river they had been rather protected. Though there was only one way out of their makeshift camp, which would make a great trap.
“We have to sleep, Potter,” Malfoy said, as if he was reading Harry's mind. “I don't know how many nights we have left. If we even have any. And even if there are plenty, we'll be on the road again soon enough. There won't be much rest there.”
Harry nodded and stood, holding the tent flap open for Malfoy to go in first.
“Always the noble hero. Letting me sleep in the back so I won't get attacked in our sleep,” Malfoy chuckled before getting up and crawling into the tent. “How exceptionally heroic of you, Potter.”
Rolling his eyes, Harry crawled into the tent as well. “It's just in case you fart the entire night. I can stick my nose out of the flap and not die from your gasses.”
Malfoy answered by whacking Harry over the head with something soft.
The darkness didn't allow Harry to see what it was. But by the movements in the dark next to him Harry soon had an idea exactly what it was.
“You're not undressing, are you?” Harry was happy for the lack of light because only the thought of it made him blush for whatever reason.
“And sleep in my filthy clothes? No thank you. And if you had any kind of modestum you'd do the same. Tomorrow we can look for spare clothes.” Malfoy took a deep breath and then clicked his tongue. “And soap. Mostly for you.”
“We smell the same, you wanker,” Harry huffed annoyedly but he got out of his shirt as well. Malfoy was right. Their clothes had seen better days, as had the two of them. “But if you insist that I undress, who am I to say no?”
“That's not what—you know what, I don't care. Good night, Potter.”
Chuckling, Harry closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep.
The next morning could have stayed away for longer.
Harry hadn't been a good sleeper in recent months. He was usually haunted by nightmares or general restless sleep. But when he woke up this time, he felt like a new person.
At first he was afraid that he had sprouted tentacles overnight and turned into a Mindflayer, but a quick wiggle check of his extremities showed him that he had all parts that should be attached to him, no more, no less.
Only then he noticed that Malfoy was lying half on top of him. One leg and arm sprawled over Harry, quietly snoring into Harry's neck.
They were, by all definitions of the word, cuddled up together.
Harry's heart started racing so fast he felt like he was about to pass out. He couldn't stay like this. Malfoy would surely blame Harry for their position once he woke up, and Harry couldn't handle the thought.
Slowly, and very carefully, Harry peeled himself away from Malfoy and slipped out of the tent, remaining on the ground. Only once he was outside did he roll over and get onto his feet, still shirtless and without his belongings.
But going back in was not an option.
Still lightheaded he sat down on one of the logs and watched the road in front of the gate through the bushes.
The group they had seen earlier had just returned, speaking of a Blighted Village and a Goblin Camp.
Harry decided they'd sit out on that one.
Today he'd find Zevlor and ask him if he had a map. Maybe he could show them where they are, and how to get back home. He wasn't too keen on staying until the Druids finished their ritual to close the Grove.
By the time the group left the Grove again, Malfoy finally woke up and crawled out of the tent, immediately coming to a stop to gawk at Harry.
“Where's your shirt Potter?”
Lifting one of his eyebrows, Harry looked down on his naked chest that was covered in ink. “Don't like my tattoos?”
The dragon sitting there was one of Harry's favourite pieces of body art. The artist had managed to work Harry's scars into the artwork, not hiding them, but instead making them a piece of something better. Not that he disliked any of his tattoos, but the dragon was by far the biggest and prettiest, working its way all the way over Harry's body, the tail curling around his ankle.
“I didn't even know you had any.”
“Well now you know.” Harry grinned. “You were sleeping, I didn't want to disturb you by looking for my shirt.”
Malfoy didn't answer. Turning his back to Harry he rummaged through the tent to retrieve their bags and Harry's shirt, which he threw over his shoulder without looking back at him. “Any plans for today?”
“Ask Zevlor for a map and an explanation where the fuck we are and how we get back home,” Harry said, whilst pulling the shirt over his head.
“I approve of that idea.”
“Great. Will we eat breakfast here, or while walking?”
“Walking!” Malfoy finally crawled out of the tent again. Not looking at Harry he turned to move. “I know where Zevlor should be.”
Rolling his eyes, Harry got up to follow him.
Malfoy knew exactly where they'd find Zevlor, which Harry truly appreciated. The Grove seemed large, and he wasn't keen on exploring everything with the Druids being this opposed to visitors.
Zevlor had a map. And he had good and bad news alike.
The Tiefling confirmed that they were indeed still at the Sword Coast. But that was already the end of the good news.
The bad news was that they had to find their way to Baldur's Gate either by crossing the Underdark and the Shadow-Cursed Lands, or taking the Mountain Pass and then the Shadow-Cursed Lands. Which both sucked as an option, but there was no other way.
“You'll not leave us so soon?” Zevlor asked, sounding clearly worried.
Harry looked at Malfoy to know what he should answer. Which Malfoy then did for him instead.
“We probably won't stick around for long. We wouldn't be of any help and we'd only slow you down. I'd still like to have a chat or two with some people I met so we'll stay for another night but then it's time for us to leave and try our luck on the road.”
“I understand. We wish you the best of luck, Draco, and Harry of course. Maybe we'll meet again on the road. Or in Baldur's Gate.”
“If we arrive there first, we'll make sure to bring your people into the city and to a safer place. I know someone who'll be of help,” Malfoy said, extending his hand towards Zevlor.
The Tiefling grinned before reaching out and shaking Malfoy's hand. “I have no doubt about that. Until then, friends.”
Harry and Malfoy left the cave Zevlor was residing in, not saying a single word until they stood outside.
“I'll take you with me this time so the kids know your face. But you won't say a single word without me telling you to, understood?”
Harry nodded and gestured zipping his mouth shut, which earned him an annoyed look from Malfoy.
Meeting the kids was nothing like Harry had imagined.
Their tone was rough and vulgar, but it was clear within the first few seconds that they looked out for each other. Their leader, Mol, was a clever girl, maybe a bit too clever. One of her eyes was covered by an eye-patch, and with the other one she looked right into Harry's soul. She judged him within seconds.
“Your friend here,” she said to Malfoy with a nod at Harry. “He's not one of us. You trust him?”
“Yes,” Draco said, grinning. “He's a bit stupid, maybe a bit slow sometimes. But he's fierce and protective. If I had to pick a random idiot to be stranded with, as much as I hate to admit it, it would be him.”
Mol scoffed. “I see what you mean.”
Harry felt offended which he announced by glaring daggers at Malfoy who laughed at him.
“So what do you need? Make it quick, we're packing up right now, just to be safe.”
“Information and a deal. But I'll come back for that later. For now I wanted to introduce Potter, so you know he's trustworthy and to pass on information if you can't find me.”
“Fine. It's not a face that's easy to forget, that's for sure. He'd be no good in our business.”
Malfoy laughed again and started to shove Harry down the path they had taken into their hide-out. “He has an ugly mug, right?”
“One of the ugliest I've seen so far,” Mol agreed, and her tone made it clear that she meant it.
The second they were outside Harry elbowed Malfoy into his ribs. “I'd like to let you know that I'm neither stupid nor ugly, you bastard! Way to make someone self-conscious about their looks and abilities!”
“Of course you're not ugly. Just to them. You radiate do-gooder energy, you're always on the side of the law. That alone would make you an enemy of the kids. They only have themselves, and what they do isn't something you look like you'd support.”
“They're orphans. Or most of them. You know I had a life before the Weasleys adopted me, right?”
“Are you telling me that you were a wretched little pickpocket in your younger years, Potter?” Malfoy asked amused, walking towards their camp.
“Not a good one,” Harry laughed. “That's how the Weasleys got me. I was pickpocketing one of their friends at The Blushing Mermaid, massive guy, must have been some sort of giant. He snatched me up and dragged me to the Weasleys instead of the City Watch.”
Malfoy had the audacity to snicker. “How old were you then?”
“Must have been around five, maybe six years old then, give or take. Arthur marched to the Guild and bought me out of their services. Dirt cheap, he told me. I wasn't exactly one of their most promising thieves in training.”
What he didn't tell Malfoy was that he had never stopped visiting. Not even after he had secured his place in the upper city. Harry was one of their biggest sponsors. Money for information. Help for their wounded in exchange for help for his friends in need. They had given a child that they hadn't seen any hope for on the streets to a family who cared, and in return they had made a lifelong ally in Harry himself. He was young when he had left them. But they had been his family before he ever had the Weasleys. He was alive thanks to them. And he was more than willing to repay them.
“My my, Potter. I'm nearly impressed.”
Harry rolled his eyes at Malfoy. He could spot the bushes that marked the entrance to their little camp in the distance so he stopped in his tracks, deciding he'd manage the rest of the way alone. “Go back to the kids. Send them my greetings and tell them Fafhrd is welcoming them in Baldur's Gate.”
Malfoy gawked at him as Harry turned and walked to their camp. Malfoy's reaction told Harry enough to know that he too must know the password to the guild. But how, Harry had no idea. Mol had called Malfoy one of them, but Harry had put that down to Malfoy having charmed his way into their hideout. Now he wasn't so sure anymore.
When Malfoy returned, Harry was busy transcribing his last scroll into his Spell Book. Once he was done, he finally looked up, watching as Malfoy sat down on the ground and unpacked whatever the little thieves had handed him today.
“Got clothes for us. And soap. Though I wouldn't recommend going down to the beach. There's Harpies waiting to drown you and nearby a sobbing Bard clamping away on a lute with little to no progress. No idea which of those two was worse to witness.”
Harry snorted and reached out to take the clothes Malfoy had gotten him.
“Have the decency to spare my eyes the sight of your nakedness, Potter. I don't think I can handle it without burning them out this time.”
Chuckling, Harry retorted by undressing right in front of Malfoy. He had found a bucket and had filled it with water earlier, so Harry happily shoved a piece of cloth and the soap into the bucket and started scrubbing himself down, ignoring the sharp breath and annoyed noises Malfoy was making. They got only worse when Harry stripped down all the way to his underpants for some more thorough scrubbing.
“Fucking hell, Potter.”
Laughing, Harry turned around to see if Malfoy looked as annoyed as he sounded, only to find him gawking at Harry, his mouth half open, his eyes rushing up and down Harry's semi naked body.
“Like what you see?” Harry asked, thinking of the semi heart attack he had had earlier that day when he woke up with Malfoy cuddled up next to him. Maybe Malfoy had done that on purpose? These were, after all, their last days on this planet.
Malfoy, upon being caught ogling Harry, didn't react the way Harry had imagined he would.
Instead, Malfoy smiled as he leaned back, watching Harry intently as his clothes stretched over his body, presenting the fact that he indeed liked what he saw.
Gulping, Harry felt his own cock grow at the sight of Malfoy's arousal.
This wasn't fair. He hadn't expected to see this. He had hoped to maybe make Malfoy blush, or rile him up so he'd complain some more. But this? This was something Harry hadn’t planned for.
Well fine. Two could play this game, and they were hidden away enough for people not to stumble into them.
Holding eye contact with Malfoy, Harry dropped his pants as well, marvelling at the sight of Malfoy's hungry eyes following Harry's every move.
Dunking the cloth into the water, Harry let the droplets run down his legs before reaching for his now fully hard cock and stroking its length a few times. Malfoy let out a tiny gasp at that.
Harry couldn't help but step closer, kneeling down right in front of Malfoy. “You know it's rude to stare, right?”
“What would you like me to do, Potter?”
Feeling daring, Harry grinned and leaned forward, pushing Malfoy back to lie flat on the ground so Harry could settle between his legs. He felt the tip of his cock grace Malfoy's body, and Malfoy shuddering underneath him. It took all of Harry's willpower to not ravish him right then and there.
Malfoy was fit, he had always been fit. And Harry had stared more often than not during their years at school. Having him in this position was the dream of his youth come true.
Malfoy's hips bucked up, whether on purpose or not, Harry didn't know. His brain blanked the second he felt Malfoy pressed up against himself, and Harry let go of all decorum.
Rolling his hip into Malfoy, he felt his cock slide against Malfoy's as Harry leaned down to bite into Malfoy's lip which made him moan in return.
“Get out of your trousers, I want to feel your cock against mine,” Harry said, his voice hoarse from arousal.
Not waiting for a reply, Harry caught Malfoy's lips with his own while Malfoy fumbled to open his trousers and let his cock spring free.
The kissing turned into a sloppy mess the second Harry reached down and closed his fist around both of them, stroking them at once in a somewhat steady pace until he lost control of himself.
He needed more, faster. Harry needed all of Malfoy at once and not even that would be enough.
Malfoy didn't seem to mind, gasping into Harry's mouth before pulling away for a second to spit into his own hand.
Harry realised what he was doing and made way for Malfoy's hand to take Harry's cock. The second Malfoy's fist tightened around Harry, Harry saw stars. But he refused to close his eyes.
He had to see him come undone, had to see his pretty face come undone, see the blush spreading and darkening.
Malfoy looked as hungry for him as Harry felt for Malfoy. A moan escaped Malfoy as Harry added a little twist to his movement, and Harry leaned down to stifle it with his own lips, panting hard as Malfoy's cock grew even stiffer in his hand.
Tipping over the edge, Harry finally closed his eyes, releasing himself into Malfoy's hand and onto his shirt. He had to let go of Malfoy's cock to balance himself with two arms and not crash down on him.
Malfoy bucked up his hips, demanding Harry get back to work immediately the second he regained control of himself.
Harry chuckled and gave Malfoy a long, teasing kiss before sliding lower and taking as much of Malfoy's throbbing cock into his mouth as possible to suck him off.
Malfoy came almost immediately, his hips bucking up as his body shook, filling Harry's mouth.
Letting himself fall to the ground next to Malfoy, Harry tried to catch his breath.
“I need to wash myself again now.”
Malfoy only chuckled weakly while pulling his trousers back up to hide his now spent cock.
They had indeed picked the position of their camp wisely.
It didn't seem like anyone had noticed their activities.
Harry's knees were still shaking when he got up to clean himself anew. But he surely wouldn't complain about having to do the work all over again.
“After all these years,” Malfoy said weakly, “I finally found a good use for that big mouth of yours. Who would have thought?”
Harry laughed and threw the washcloth at Malfoy's face.
They left the Grove early the next morning. The Tiefling kids had informed Malfoy about a place called Waukeen's Rest, which was located close to the Mountain Pass. It was about a day away by foot.
They had to pass the Blighted Village, which Harry had refused to pass through so they had to find a way around it. Which in hindsight was a good idea as they both spotted Goblins watching over the place as they snuck past.
The bloody bridge they had to pass had also partially collapsed and neither Harry nor Malfoy were happy about the jump they had to manage. One wrong step and they'd tumble into a certain death.
At least their newfound activities had made them act rather civil towards each other. Harry even felt rather upbeat and happy about their entire situation.
Of course the potential ‘death by worm in brain’ thing was still rather unfortunate. But Malfoy nearly made up for it with the way he managed to suck Harry's dick in the perfect way every chance they got.
At one point they would have to speak about what they were doing, but for now Harry was fine with how things were going.
“Look, I think that's it. What do you say?” Malfoy asked, pointing ahead of them.
Squinting, Harry managed to make out the top of a building in between the green that surrounded them. “Looks about right, there shouldn't be anything else but Waukeen's Rest here.”
“According to the kids the City Watch has been spotted there, I hope you're on good terms with them, Potter. They're not my biggest fans ever since the fiasco with my father being on the side of the big bad guys.”
Malfoy looked worried, maybe even a tad frightened, and Harry realised to his own shock that he couldn't have that.
Pulling him to the side of the road and into some bushes that'd hide them from view, Harry reached out to take the other man's hand, stroking Malfoy's knuckles with his thumb to calm him down.
“If you're too worried we can turn around and stay with the Tieflings.”
“That entirely depends on what they think of you,” Malfoy said, chewing on his lower lip. “I know you won't have them take me prisoner. But to make that happen, they have to be your fans like half of the bloody city is.”
“You should be safe. And if they try to take you, I'll take them out myself.”
Malfoy laughed at that. “Be careful, Potter, or I'll think you actually like me as a person and not just for my cock.”
“Keep that behaviour up, and I won't even like that anymore.”
“You could never. Let's go to the bloody City Watch and hope that they can return us safely to where we belong.”
They reached Waukeen's Rest as the sun began to set, and Harry instinctively stepped in front of Malfoy as he saw the shimmering armour of the City Watch.
“Who walks there? Name and purpose of your visit!” a woman shouted as she spotted them.
“Harry Potter, with Draco Malfoy as his company. We request help and safe travels back to Baldur's Gate!” It was a game, Harry told himself. One he had played a million times with the City Watch already. Every time they stopped him from entering the upper city from the lower city. All of them must know him by now, but still they asked, nevertheless.
But never had it been in a situation like this one. Everyone including himself were on high alert due to the massive fucking Nautiloid that crashed into the Wilderness.
“Potter? What are you doing out here? And with company like that?” The woman from the Watch asked sceptically.
Deciding it was safe to walk closer, Harry rolled his eyes at her question about Malfoy. “The fucking Nautiloid snatched us up just minutes before crashing here. Now we're stranded. And Draco is under my protection until further notice, he saved my life.” Not really the truth, but they didn't need to know that.
“We're on a mission, so I can't promise you anything, but I'll ask the Duke what he wants us to do with you. We can hardly leave the city's hero stranded out here.”
“I'd agree to that,” Harry answered, his head held high and his tone presenting the authority he held nowadays. “We won't get in the way of your mission, just follow along until we get back home.”
“Wait here, I'll go and ask.”
The woman hurried away and left them standing just outside the gate, waiting for her return.
“You know,” Draco said, leaning in to whisper into Harry's ear, “authority suits you, Potter. Keep that act up and I might beg you to fuck me later.”
Taking a tiny step back, Harry reached behind himself to better tease Draco's cock through his trousers, eyes held firm on the gate waiting for the Guard return. “Darling, you know it's not an act. I have that authority by law. Besides the Duke I'm the most powerful man in the city.”
“Fucking tease,” Draco hissed while taking a sharp breath.
The Guard appeared again, standing upright and beckoning Harry inside. “The Duke welcomes you, Sir. The building to your left will be yours for the duration of our stay. It has beds and a washing trough with a big kettle for a warm bath. They have already brought fresh clothes.”
“Are there servants left?” Harry asked the guard.
“Yes, Mr Potter.”
“Tell them to bring us food and wine. Good wine, not the Goblin piss you find around here. And don't disturb us tonight. We need rest. The road hasn't been kind to us.”
“I will order them to drop everything off at your door, Sir.”
“Thank you.”
Walking inside, Harry turned left to the building the Guard had told him would be theirs. Harry was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't just a shed but an actual house that was probably designed for more than just two people.
Looking around the inside on the first floor, Harry found the washing trough with the fire already burning next to it. Letting out a contented sigh, he waited for Malfoy to come in and closed the door behind him.
“This will do nicely, what do you think?”
“I think you're a fucking cock tease, Potter. And that we should go back to the Grove where you weren't the one who was in charge as I'm not sure I can take this.”
“Noted. But declined. Let's take a bath. Gods know when we'll get the chance again.”
Before Harry could get started in filling the trough with water, a knock sounded at the door.
Opening it, he found a servant smiling at him, carrying not only a bottle of wine but a massive tablet loaded with all sorts of cheese, bread, and sweets. Taking the things, Harry thanked him and closed the door.
Malfoy had taken it upon himself to start filling their bath. He was already half undressed when Harry joined him behind the wooden room divider that shielded the bath from the door.
Stepping into Malfoy's space, Harry reached out to open the cords that held his trousers close. With a small tug they opened and the entire thing fell around Malfoy's ankles, leaving him in his pants only.
“You know,” Harry mused as he shoved his fingers into Malfoy's pants to wiggle them lower, “for someone who has grown up in the highest circles you react very strongly to authority. If I had to have guessed, I'd have said you'd prefer competency over authority.”
“The problem with you, Potter, is that you have both to a degree,” Malfoy said in a low whisper.
“Get out of this thing,” Harry said, giving the pants a tug, “and then get into the bath. I'll pour us wine once you're settled.”
Harry watched closely as Malfoy did as he was told. Enjoying the view he got as Malfoy climbed into the trough.
Filling up two glasses of wine, Harry handed them to Malfoy before undressing himself and climbing into the bath as well.
Leaning back, Harry let the hot water slosh around him, relaxing every muscle he had in his body. This could almost feel like home. Malfoy on the other side looked equally blissful. Relaxing even more as Harry used his free hand to stroke up and down one of his legs underneath the water.
At some point Malfoy changed position, coming over to lean his back against Harry's chest and his head against Harry's shoulder and closing his eyes with a content sigh. “You know, I could get used to this.”
Wrapping his arm around him, Harry pulled him closer for the only purpose of kissing a trail up and down Malfoy's neck. “Don't get used to it until we arrive back home. I fear this is only a short break during a long journey without washing troughs. And it could be over any second if one of us suddenly sprouts tentacles.”
Malfoy shivered at the thought so Harry carefully bit down on his neck wanting to distract him from that dreadful thought.
Successfully it seemed, because Malfoy let out a tiny delighted noise.
Their wine empty, Harry placed the glasses on the small table beside the trough. Both his hands were free now, so he could finally put his thoughts into action.
Pulling Malfoy closer again, Harry wrapped one hand around his half stiff cock and started stroking him lazily while holding onto him with his free arm to keep him from slipping away in the soapy water.
Malfoy tried to reach for Harry's cock a few times, but Harry always stopped him, knowing that he'd have to last a bit longer for what he had planned. And if Malfoy got to touch him he could forget about that.
Draco was already breathing hard when Harry stopped his stroking and carefully pushed Draco forwards so he was resting on his knees and leaning against the rim of the trough with only his arms, arse just above the water for Harry to see.
“Do you think you can stay like this for me?” Harry asked.
Malfoy nodded, looking over his shoulder to see what Harry was up to.
“You have to be quiet, otherwise the Watch will come in to check what's going on.”
“What are you—”
But Draco couldn't finish his sentence before Harry had leaned in to lick across his hole, spreading Draco's cheeks with his hands.
Harry wished he could reach out to stroke Draco's cock, to draw more of the delightful little noises out of him that Draco was trying to suppress with all his might, but he had other plans, and for those he had to focus.
It wasn't long until he was darting his tongue inside and out of Draco, holding him in place to stop him from moving too much, sometimes using his fingers to replace his tongue, letting them slip in and out with ease. Over and over again until Draco begged Harry to touch him.
Biting down onto Draco's arse cheek, Harry pulled him back down into the water and asked him to turn around to face him.
He wanted to see Draco's face, see what Harry himself had done to him. Pulling him into his lap, Harry kissed him. Draco's cock rubbing against his stomach, making both of them moan.
Draco didn't wait for Harry to do anything else. Reaching down, he held Harry's cock and lined it with his hole before lowering himself onto it ever so slowly.
Harry braced himself against the trough, nearly passing out from the sensation of feeling Draco all around him.
Once Draco was settled, Harry started to move, slowly at first but gaining speed very quickly until he was riding Harry fast enough to make water pour over the rim of the trough and onto the floor.
Staying quiet right now was the hardest thing Harry had ever had to do.
Feeling himself getting closer and closer to his orgasm, Harry reached for Draco's cock. Stroking it in the same rhythm that Draco rode him in.
Draco started clenching his arse around Harry's cock, so Harry slowed down, forcing Draco to slow down his own pace as well.
They both wouldn't last long anymore, but Harry wanted to drag this out for as long as possible.
He pulled Draco closer, holding him there with his free arm, kissing him while angling his hips to hit Draco's sweet spot over and over again.
Draco moaned as he started to come, clenching his arse around Harry tipping him over the edge as well.
It felt like forever until they were able to move again.
Dinner forgotten, they dried up and went straight to bed.
Harry woke up to screaming outside their room.
Bolting out of bed, Harry ran to grab their clothes and bags from downstairs before running back up and hurrying Draco to get dressed.
“What's going on?” Draco asked, keeping his head low so he couldn't be spotted from outside the window.
“I don't know, but whatever it is, we really have to get out of here! We haven't even covered enough spells to protect ourselves, let alone all those people from the watch.”
The door downstairs crashed open and Harry froze. There was no way out without being seen.
“Take this, hurry!”
Draco tossed him a vial, holding another similar one to his own lips. A second later Draco vanished.
Understanding what this was, Harry gulped down the Potion of Invisibility and stood still. He was just in time to see a Goblin appear at the top of the stairs.
“Nobody ‘ere, boss!”
“They all were looking at this building, something has to be here!” A deep voice answered from downstairs.
Footsteps on the stairs made Harry's breath hitch. He didn't know how long the potion would last, but it couldn't be much longer.
A warm but invisible hand found Harry, gliding down his arm and taking him by the hand, pulling him towards the window just as a Drow appeared next to the Goblin.
Following Draco, Harry spotted a ladder reaching all the way to the top of the roof just outside their window.
Knowing that this was the only chance they had, Harry nudged Draco to go first while the Drow and the Goblin still discussed what they should think of the behaviour of the City Watch outside.
The window was tiny, but one of the gods must have taken a liking to them as they both managed to get out and onto the roof without being discovered.
The view from the rooftop was even worse than Harry had imagined.
There was a fight going on that had cost lives on both sides already, and half the place was covered in flames.
Now visible again, Draco pulled him along, all the way over the roof until they were at a seemingly safe distance. Even so, Harry couldn't stop himself from constantly looking over his shoulder at where the noises came from.
“Potter, stop gawking and cast Feather Fall to get us off of this fucking rooftop before they kill us all!”
Doing as he was told, Harry cast, and they both jumped off of the roof and landed near a barn.
“There!” Draco pointed at a door someone had stacked a bunch of wooden boxes in front.
Blindly trusting him, Harry followed as Draco ran at them.
They both crashed inside, throwing the door shut behind them.
“HOLD!”
Harry and Draco both jumped at the unexpected voice.
“You don't belong here! Turn and leave!”
Peering through the boxes and flammable reeking barrels stacked everywhere, Harry could make out a young man standing behind the shelves, a small flame dancing in his hand.
He was just about to inform the guy that holding an open flame in this room was a not so bright idea, seeing that it'd have the same effect as a Fireball cast in a broom closet, but Draco quickly beat him to it.
“‘Little serpent, long shadow.’ Put that flame away, boy! You'll get us all killed! We're just here to trade, that's all.”
The young man furrowed his brows, giving Draco a quick once over before nodding and extinguishing the flame in his hand. “Very well. There's a basement right behind me, if you know what you're looking for, you'll find it.”
Pulling Harry along, Draco started to walk to the back of the room where they found a hatch they could climb through to get underneath the building.
Just to find themselves in yet another room stuffed with seemingly useless things.
“What was that about?” Harry asked, slightly annoyed about how Draco was able to just chat his way out of situations like these.
“A few of the barrels are carrying a Zhentarim branding. This must be one of their hideouts. They use the same pass-phrase everywhere”
Harry must have looked rather clueless at that so Draco sighed loudly while rummaging through a broken closet, pocketing a few things as he did so.
“Smugglers, Potter.”
“I know who they are! Stop stealing their shit!”
Draco cackled. “Those are decoys, they put them there to distract people who are looking for things, they won't be missed. Let me speak when we get to their actual hideout, yes?”
Crossing his arms in front of his chest, Harry swallowed his words and just watched.
The room was big enough for a lot of things, but certainly not for a hideout. And it was also entirely closed. The only way out was back up the ladder.
Meanwhile, Draco stepped in front of the next closet and shoved a key into one of its door locks.
Harry was just about to ask where he got the bloody key from when the closet opened and revealed a secret passage.
Only once they'd stepped through the hidden path did Harry decide to trust Draco and indeed let him speak for them.
An hour later Draco had deeply offended a captured artist by deathly insulting his works, traded multiple useful things, and made a deal with the Zhentarim leader to take them to an Inn in the Shadow-Cursed Lands.
They had seemingly made it just in time to join their group of smugglers. Another group of them had gone missing just the day before, and the leftover smugglers were adamant on waiting for them before joining as well.
Harry had the feeling that they wouldn't meet each other again, but he stayed silent all while Draco happily chatted with everyone that'd listen until it was time to leave.