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Hermione loved her quiet evenings at home reading with her men. She was curled up in her favorite armchair by the fireplace. It always reminded her of the comfy seats in Gryffindor tower during her Hogwarts days and she relished in the warmth and contentment such a spot could bring her.
Theo was sprawled across the chair diagonally across from her, one leg draped over the armrest of the furniture. One hand held his own book while the other propped his head up, elbow on the opposing armrest. Theo was a creature of comfort and always found the strangest positions in which to relax. Tonight was one of the more normal contortions Hermione had seen. He had already changed into a pair of plaid pajama pants and a t-shirt to further enhance his coziness.
Draco sat across from Hermione on the Slytherin green couch they had convinced her they had to purchase. Besides being Theo’s visual opposite in coloring, he was also his opposite in posture and apparel. Draco sat up straight, one foot resting on the opposing knee, his only concession to informality being his arm resting across the back of the couch as he read one of the most recent potion publications. He remained in the waistcoat and slacks he had worn to work that morning, though he had relaxed enough to unbutton the top two buttons of his shirt and roll back the sleeves upon returning home.
These nights were spent together but separate, each one of them content to be physically present together while mentally decompressing from their days in peace. Tonight, however, Hermione felt a sense of tension in the air.
Theo, usually the picture of laid back ease, was bouncing his foot to a dizzying rhythm. His eyes kept darting back and forth between his book and his partners, more often on Draco but still frequently glancing at Hermione as well. Hermione knew it had been nearly ten minutes since he had turned the page of his novel, but she didn’t point it out.
For her own part, she knew something was off. Something was different, but not necessarily in a bad way. The fire seemed warmer tonight and Hermione was nearly ready to tug off the baggy cardigan she wore over her blouse to try and cool down. She was finding it difficult to stay focused on her own reading material as well.
Draco seemed oblivious to either of his partners’ agitation, flipping the pages in the potions journal without an upwards glance.
“Okay, are we going to address the elephant in the room or not?” Theo finally demanded, drawing the others’ attention.
“What are you talking about, Theo?” Draco asked with genuine confusion.
“You!” Theo sputtered. “Can either of you explain why Draco looks extra attractive tonight?” He looked back and forth between a bewildered Malfoy and a flushed Hermione.
“Oh thank Merlin. You think so too?” Hermione asked. “I thought maybe I was just going crazy or something.” She let out a short giggle somewhere between embarrassment and hysteria.
“I still have no idea what the fuck either of you are talking about,” Draco said, setting both feet on the floor and leaning forward to set his magazine on the coffee table in front of him. Theo sat up straighter in his own seat and studied Draco.
“Your arms look really good with your sleeves rolled up like that, but then they always do, so that’s not it,” he mused aloud.
Hermione nodded in agreement. “Yes, hot, but normal.” Draco propped his elbows on his knees and rested his chin on his clasped hands, waiting patiently. Sometimes his lovers got caught up in unusual conversations, Theo especially. He’d found it best to often just try and wait them out until things started to make more sense.
“Ugh,” Hermione groaned. “We just said the arms are attractive. Are you baiting us now or something?” Draco chuckled at her but said nothing.
“Focus, Granger,” Theo said, tapping his chin with his finger. “Clothes, smart but normal. He generally looks expensive, but again he always does.” Theo trailed off, deep in thought.
“Did you get a haircut?” Hermione asked. Draco rolled his eyes and shook his head at the same time that Theo waved a hand at her.
“That’s obviously not it. It’ s like you’re not even fucking trying, Hermione.” Theo said, raking a hand through his hair.
“Excuse me,” she responded sharply, holding out the vowels of the first word. “Perhaps I’m just a bit distracted by Mr. Tall, Blond, and Sexy over there.”
“You both are ridiculous,” Draco finally said, leaning back against the couch again. “Maybe you’re just horny.” He shrugged. “It happens.”
“True, but not it,” Theo continued. Then he snapped his fingers. “I’ve got it. When the fuck did you get glasses?”
Hermione looked back at Draco and suddenly realized that he was indeed wearing a pair of black browline glasses that she had never seen before. Her stomach lurched as she took in the achingly handsome man before her.
“He’s like a sexy librarian,” she murmured quietly, eyes never leaving his face.
“I picked these up yesterday but I didn’t want to make a big deal about them. I don’t really care to be reminded of my own aging and mortality.” He shrugged again, still not grasping how his eye correction had created quite such a stir this evening, but not wanting to fight it given the circumstances.
“Not old. Hot. Smart. Uh...hot.” Hermione said eloquently, biting her lip.
“Bedroom now, both of you,” Theo commanded suddenly. “Strip. And you,” he added, pointing at Draco. “Leave the glasses on.”
Draco grinned all the way to their bedroom. Maybe, he thought to himself, getting older wouldn’t be so bad if they could grow old together.