Author's Note - See chapter one for disclaimers, warnings, ratings, etc.

Chapter Four

Ron always went fishing on Saturday mornings whether he had to work or not. He enjoyed relaxing under the sun and smelling the ocean air. He left work at six, after his regular graveyard shift. He went by his house, changed clothes, and picked up his fishing gear.

He walked down the street towards the pier and thought of Draco. Ron hoped he really would come by. He wanted to apologize to him for Thursday night. He had talked to Hermione about it. He had explained his apprehension and she understood, but reminded him that he needed to get on with his life. Ron would never forget Harry, but if he wanted to be loved by someone again, he needed to let it happen.

He set up his gear at his favorite spot on the pier and started to thread his fishing rod. He looked towards the sand where it met the waves and saw that there was high surf. He dropped his rod in the water and adjusted his hat.

He stood there watching the surf and his line for quite a while, when in the distance he saw someone running towards the water with a surfboard. They had longish blond hair. He gazed while Draco caught wave after wave. The waves curled and arced beautifully, and Draco was a great surfer.

He watched for a long time, before Draco finally got out of the water and walked towards a towel left on the beach. Ron watched as he dried himself and threw the towel around his shoulders. Draco began to walk in the direction of the pier. Ron looked away and started busying himself with his tackle box. He then began checking his line and reel.

He heard footsteps come closer to him but still looked down. “Ron?” He looked up and saw Draco. Drops of water were glistening on his shoulders, and pieces of his hair were laying flat against his forehead and neck.

“Hi,” replied Ron.

“Hi,” returned Draco.

“Look, I’m-”

“Ron, I really-” They started speaking at the same time. They stopped and looked at each other and chuckled.

Draco began again. “Look, Ron, I’m sorry about the other night. I’ll give you all the space and time you need, okay?”

Ron smiled and said, “Thank you, Draco, but I’m sorry, too. I freaked a little. It’s just still hard. You’re the first man I’ve even wanted to be with since...and...and I guess I just need to go slower. I like you a lot, Draco. I mean it.”

“I’m so glad, cause I like you, too, and I want to become...closer.”

They smiled again and Ron said, “I saw you surfing.”

“You did?” asked Draco in surprise.

“Yeah, you’re really good!”

“Thank you.” Draco jutted out his chin proudly.

“So...do we do a little fishing now?”

“Yes!” said Draco.

The two men spent the morning catching fish and enjoying each other’s company.

*****

They headed back to Ron’s house for lunch just before noon. Draco again carried his surfboard and the bucket of fish. Ron led the way down the street, carrying the rest of his gear.

They arrived at the house, and similar to the Saturday before, placed the fish in the kitchen and the rod and surfboard against the living room wall. They went into the kitchen to rummage something for lunch, but found even less food than the week before.

“Why don’t I buy you lunch?” suggested Draco.

That sounded good to Ron, so he said, “Sure!”

As they left the house, Draco passed a small picture on the television that he hadn’t really noticed before. It showed many people with red hair, just like Ron's, and Draco stopped to look closer.

Ron was already out the door, waiting for him, so he could lock up. Ron poked his head back in and said, “Come on.”

Draco caught up to Ron and asked, “Is that your family?”

“Where?”

“In the picture on the T.V.”

“Oh, yeah.”

“Wow, you all have red hair.”

Ron snorted out a laugh and said, “Yeah, guess it’s obvious I belong to that group, huh?”

Draco laughed back and said, “Yeah!”

They continued down the street to a strip mall a couple of blocks away that had a sub shop.

“What about your family? You haven’t talked much about them,” said Ron. He remembered that Draco had said his parents were dead, but he hadn’t said much else.

Draco frowned slightly and said, “That’s not a very happy story.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. Forget I asked.” Ron was embarrassed. He knew from his own experience that sometimes people just didn’t feel like talking about things.

“No, I’ll tell you. I want to.”

Ron was quiet and let Draco continue. “My father wasn’t very nice. He was, well, to be perfectly honest, an asshole.”

“You don’t have to tell me,” said Ron.

“Honestly, it’s okay.”

Ron brushed Draco’s hand very quickly.

Draco continued, “He was abusive to me and my mother. My mother took it and stayed with him, but when I was eighteen, I hated him so much, I changed my name to my mother’s maiden name.”

“Wow.” Ron couldn’t fathom hating his father so much that he would give up being a Weasley.

“Yeah, so, I stopped talking to him.” Draco looked up at the clouds. “I would go see my mother when he was on a business trip.”

Ron knew he was being a little rude, but had to ask. “How did you wind up with your inheritance? I mean, wasn’t he upset you changed your name?”

Draco looked at Ron. “Yeah, but most of it was my mother’s family’s money, and he probably never changed the will because he wouldn't want a public scene. Something he hated was looking bad in public.”

“Oh.” Ron didn’t know what to say. He didn’t have a family like that. He had a loving, wonderful family.

“Enough of boring family talk!” said Draco, sounding overly cheerful. They had arrived at the door of the sub shop and Draco let Ron go in first. They stood in line, waiting to give their order.

They edged in line, slowly getting to the front. They didn't say anything to each other, but Ron stood there feeling closer to Draco than he ever had. He wanted to get his witty personality and his good sense of humor back. He knew that Draco could help make that happen. Draco could make him happy again.

He looked at Draco out of the corner of his eye. He was such a handsome man. Draco was looking up at the menu with a thoughtful expression on his face. His blond hair was dried now, and hanging in his eyes as always. As they had stood there fishing, he had put on a white t-shirt and it showed off his slight tan.

They reached the counter and gave the young man their orders, then sat at a booth and waited for their sandwiches to be prepared. Ron gave a head-splitting yawn. "Oh, sorry..."

"Are you tired?" asked Draco, giving a little amused smirk.

"Oh, when I've worked the night before, I always go to sleep after lunch on Saturday's," replied Ron.

"You mean, you worked last night? I didn't even realize that!"

"Yeah, but it's okay. I always go fishing. I'm used to it."

Their number was called and Draco said, "I'll get them." He got up and retrieved their meals. He stopped on the way back and filled up their drink cups and got some napkins. He returned to the table and placed the tray before Ron.

Ron grabbed his sandwich and took a bite. Draco did the same. They sat eating, thinking their own thoughts, occasionally looking at each other and shyly smiling. When they finished, they walked back to Ron's house.

Ron opened the door, but Draco hung back, not coming in. "Come on in," urged Ron.

"You need your sleep. I should go."

"No, no...come on in for a while."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes," replied Ron, firmly.

Draco followed Ron into the house. Ron flopped onto the couch, pulling off his hat and tossing it on the table. Draco sat next to him, not too close.

"Do you want something to drink?" asked Ron.

"No, I'm fine."

Ron reached for the remote on the table and clicked the television on. He grabbed a cushion and placed it behind his head and leaned back, with his legs outstretched on the table. Draco wanted to touch Ron so bad, but didn't want to spook him either.

Ron laid his hand out next to him, palm up. He whispered, "Hold my hand."

Draco reached for it and clasped it tightly. He looked over at Ron and saw his eyes were droopy with sleep. Ron's eyes fluttered until they finally closed and his head fell to one side in slumber. Draco kept on looking, wanting to take him in his arms.

He turned back to the television and satisfied himself for a while, just watching, until he head a loud snore. He looked over to Ron again and saw he was curling himself in Draco's direction. He decided to forget about his apprehension of upsetting Ron, and let go of his hand. He scooted close to Ron, so that their thighs were touching. He curled his arm around Ron's shoulders and pulled his head close to his chest.

Ron gave a little snort and rubbed his cheek into Draco's shirt. He pulled Ron's hand up onto his thigh and held it gently, interlocking their fingers. He looked at Ron's hands. They were large and freckled. They looked strong, though, and Draco turned, so that his chin was on top of Ron's head.

He could feel the muscles in Ron's shoulder and upper arm as he laid his arm around him. Though Ron didn't look like he exercised much, he obviously took care of himself. Draco bent his head down and kissed Ron through the dry straw hair.

They rested like that for a long time. Draco didn't ever want to leave. Ron was warm, and smelled like the ocean. Draco thought he was wonderful.

Draco caressed the back of Ron's hand with his thumb. Ron snuggled closer to Draco's chest, pressing his face further into the white material. He lifted his hand from Ron's shoulder and touched his hair, running his fingers though it, trying to tame it a bit.

He rested his chin again on Ron's head and closed his eyes for a moment.

When Draco opened his eyes, it was dark outside and Ron was still curled in his arms. He couldn't see a clock from where he was, so he flipped around the television stations, trying to figure out what time it was. He landed on a program that he knew came on at eight o'clock, so he knew it must be around that time. He wondered when Ron had to be at work, so he decided he should wake him.

He gently lifted Ron's upper body and slid away from him. He let Ron's body slowly drop onto the couch in a laying position. He was thankful that Ron must be a very sound sleeper. He stood up, and reached down to gently touch Ron's shoulder. He shook him slightly. There was no response.

Draco shook Ron harder and harder, until Ron finally fluttered his eyes open and whined, "What?"

"What time do you have to be at work?" asked Draco.

Ron's eyes popped open and he bolted upright. "What time is it?"

"Just after eight," said Draco, concerned.

Ron relaxed a little and said, "Oh, I have to be at work at ten."

Draco relaxed as well, and said, "Then you have a little bit of time."

"Yeah." Ron got up and went into the kitchen and grabbed the leftover chips from the week before on the refrigerator. As he walked back in the living room, he shoved his hand in and crammed some in his mouth. "Want some?" he mumbled.

"No, that's okay. I should go so you can get ready for work."

Ron walked over to Draco and said, "I had a good time today."

Like a flash, Ron quickly reached out and pecked Draco on the cheek.

Draco reached over and kissed Ron very gently, but slowly, on his cheek. He smiled at him. "Can we go out again?"

Ron whispered, "Yes."

Draco turned and grabbed his surfboard from the wall where it was leaning. He stood at the door, before he opened it and said, "I'll call you?"

Ron breathed out, "Please..." Ron felt such passion when he was near Draco, whether he wanted to or not. This was the first man to make him feel like that since Harry.

Draco turned again and walked out the door. He walked to his van and threw his board in the back. When he got in, he began shaking while he was trying to start the engine. He really was falling in love. He didn't know why he was secretive about when they cuddled, but he didn't want Ron to get upset again. When he was finally was able to start the van, he headed for home.

Home. He wanted to stay with Ron, not go home alone, but he knew he had to wait. Hoping it would be sooner, rather than later.