icarus | Another Drabble

This one is for

thywillbedone. The source of inspiration is obvious, if you've been reading my LJ lately. Edit: I forgot to mention this is set in the Beg Me For It universe. Ron and Draco are both captured, and work for the Death Eater's Ministry, which the rather short-handed Death Eaters run as a low-security prison.

Six Week Charade
by Icarus

Ron's arm fell weakly to his side; he'd tried. He rolled over onto his back and swallowed.

"Don't feel like it…." he coughed.

Which turned into more coughing. He opened bloodshot eyes and offered, "I could be on the bottom if you want." And grimaced.

The 'sexiness' of this offer was enhanced by his reaching for a-not-particularly-clean handkerchief. The sheets weren't all that clean, either.

"You're going to have to stop being sick, Ron," Draco complained in a deliberately light tone. "Aside from the effect on my sex life, this place is filthy. And I don't think I can eat another bite of my own cooking."

Ron coughed and simply shook his head. His skin was clammy and pale under the freckles. Draco sighed and stroked his damp hair. Dull eyes looked up at Draco. They looked sticky and hot.

"It's been weeks," Draco observed. "You're sick. Stay home."

"Don't be stupid -" Ron wheezed, but managed to breathe enough to speak. "- you think I work a regular job, just 'cause I come home to our flat? Got paid vacations -- a little Christmas bonus at the end of the year?" His voice had that loud tone of somebody struggling to speak over a whisper. "I work for Death Eaters! They don't care if I drop. I don't show up, I lose my job. And that doesn't mean what it usually does."

He fell back to the blankets, spent from this outburst. The sheet over him was soaked in sweat. He glanced at the rag in his hand. "This handkerchief's gross."

Well, that was some sign of life.

Draco turned and glowered at the wall. "That wasn't a question, Ron. You don't get to have an opinion in the matter."

~*~*~

Eunice was generally the first one in the office in Green Section, the Minister of Magic's Executive staff. Whether she realised it or not, this made her brisk and efficient by the time the staff was blearily waking up. She'd done the week's calendar, already had Mr Weasley's mail in hand, and she'd taken the time to make him a special cup of tea -- a remedy from her mother's side. She stuffed the mail under her arm as she opened his door. Which struck her as suddenly odd. He didn't usually close it.

A man was seated behind the desk, his blond head lifted as she stepped in -- she stifled a gasp and nearly dropped the teacup.

"Close the door behind you," Draco Malfoy said.

"Mr Malfoy…."

"That's Weasley. I'm Mr Weasley to you until I tell you otherwise." His eyes were intense, and he talked to her like she was a slow child.

But a few other staff members already caught wind of a 'sensation' -- it was a small office -- before she could react and close the door. They hovered, and exchanged puzzled glances. Malfoy wasn't liked by any of them, though they'd never seen him enough to have any reason for it. His chin lifted challengingly. Someone coughed.

Eunice cleared her throat. "Well. Don't stand there gawking. Mr Weasley has a very busy day ahead of him."

Finis.

Thirteen down, six more to go:

Six Week Charade - Ron/Draco for

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Primer to the Dark Arts: Morning Breath, deleted scene, NC-17 version. Harry/Snape for

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More Than One Way To Win Tom/Harry for

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Weasleys Come in Twos and Threes Fred/Harry/George for

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Deep Throat Percy/Severus for

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A '57 Vincent And A Red-Headed Boy - Ron/Sirus for

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It Was All Right Harry/Ron for

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Safeword Percy/Severus

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Rat For Dessert Peter/Severus for

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Christmas Fluff Percy/Harry for

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Not My Affair VIII: Steam Ron/Percy (muse got really out of control)
Not My Affair VII: A Toast To Misery Ron/Percy (muse got out of control)
Not My Affair VI: A Year Later Ron/Percy for

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In November Neville/Ron for

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A Little Night Music Hermion/Rita for