Y/N has always been Draco’s best friend, and he’s always allowed her to be exactly who she is: reckless, flirtatious, and completely unattached. She plays with boys, hexes people for fun, and never takes romance seriously. Draco used to find it amusing. Until he didn’t. As they grow older, Draco begins seeing her differently. Every boy who flirts with her irritates him. Every touch makes his blood boil. Every time she disappears with someone else, he has to remind himself that she isn’t his to control. So he does nothing. He lets it happen. He smiles when she tells him about other boys. Pretends not to care when they flirt with her. Swallows every jealous thought and buries every possessive instinct. Because she trusts him, and he refuses to risk losing her. But the longer Draco keeps everything bottled up, the darker his feelings become. He tells himself he can handle watching her choose everyone but him. He just has to keep pretending he doesn’t want her. And keep shoving everything down.