Work Text:
During the summer months, it’s completely expected for the sun to set later into the evening. So when he notices the darkness that’s now surrounding him, he's slightly taken aback. He’s not sure when the sun had finally fallen over the horizon, or really even of the time itself.
He hadn’t thought he’d been working so long.
All he knows now is that the walk home will be long, tedious, and annoying. Not even worth it if he were to be honest. Even so, it’s not like he can just apparate. Not anymore. His wand likely still stuck firmly in a vault somewhere intentionally left unknown to him. If the Ministry hadn’t decided to just break it after all.
A small price to pay for freedom. A disgusting price nonetheless.
The muggle flat given to him to use is only a few blocks away.
A fifteen minute walk. A quick, easy trek through London’s filthy streets.
Nothing to be afraid of.
Nothing to be worried about.
Nothing to be–
A heavy thud from his left has his head snapping towards that direction in an instant. Looking over the area and seeing nothing doesn't help calm his now racing heartbeat. Just an empty park. Clutching his work satchel closer to his chest. Fumbling with it for just a moment before deciding that trying to make a reach for the small knife he keeps in it wouldn’t be a wise decision.
Walking backwards to keep an eye on the location, Draco tries to mentally take note of the situation.
It could have been nothing. An animal. A drunkard.
Or it could be someone after him. After revenge. It wouldn’t be the first time.
The park is still dark and lifeless when he manages to pry his eyes away from it. Turning the street corner, he’s just happy he physically can’t see it anymore.
He still ends up checking behind himself every couple of minutes.
He still moves quickly, purposefully, as he makes his way back to his temporary home.
He most certainly does not scream when he walks right into a broad chest as he tries to simultaneously both turn a corner and check behind himself at the same time.
Nor did said broad chest have to catch him from falling.
“Woah, careful there. A little skittish tonight?”
Draco subtly jumped back from him. Holding himself at full height and trying to school his expression into one he has known by heart since he was little.
Indifferent.
Cold.
You are beneath me, and I want to make sure you know it.
Looking up at the man, though, he almost loses his composure immediately. Watching as he seems to almost copy him.
Standing up straighter. Head tilting up slightly. Eyes narrowed.
Looking behind Draco for only a moment before speaking again.
“Hey, did you know that someone’s behind you?”
Draco’s whipping back around before he can even consider that the man is messing with him. Turning back to face him, he’s met with the stupid muggle, because of course in his life it would be a stupid muggle, laughing at him.
“Hmph. That was quite rude, you know.” Not like Draco has any leg to stand on when it comes to that sort of thing.
“Well, I’ve never really been the nice sort.” He says it halfheartedly.
Who in their right mind would just admit that.
“Besides, I’ve seen you around the flats, and you don’t seem to be either.”
“I beg your pardon?” Draco says with a huff. Sure, it’s true, but it’s one thing to know it and another to hear it. “You—don't just say that to someone.”
“Oh– Not even going to deny it?”
Draco’s not as ashamed as he would have been in the past to admit that the cocky tone he’d taken had gone straight to—well, to his cock. Looking back over the man, Draco’s eyes are drawn to the tight fit of his shirt. Muggle or not, his strong arms were quite appealing. Or perhaps it’s just that he still feels like he’s being watched. Draco’s just desperate for the company, for the easy body to throw between him and whatever could be following him when he opens his mouth again.
“Draco.” He knows Malfoy will mean nothing to him, so he doesn’t even bother telling him.
The man looks surprised for only a moment before responding.
“Dudley.”
Nodding to him slightly, Draco continues walking. Forcing himself to only look back at him once he’s a few steps past him. Finding that the man is indeed walking with him without being asked to puts him at least a little at ease. They fell into a comfortable conversation about the numerous ways Draco had apparently snubbed him since moving in. By the time they make it back, he’s almost disappointed it had to end. He was enjoying how increasingly exasperated the man– Dudley, became.
He could do without his heart racing again when Dudley had the audacity to teasingly ask, ‘Are you going to be alright all by yourself? Not gonna see a shadow and get spooked, are you?’ Once they made it to his door, though. He did end up getting his room number out of it, at least. So now if someone tries to kill him again, he’ll have a meat shield. Or—at least somewhere unexpected to hide.