Draco's phrasing caught Harry ill prepared; for the first time, Harry was gobsmacked enough to shift, lifting his head off the dock in order to crane his neck far enough to properly look at Draco.<br/>Harry could tell Draco was joking, both in the tone of his voice and the expression on his face, and yet it had made Harry's heart rate spike. The implication that this was a trial period echoed of the fact that -<span style="font-style: italic">well</span>, Harry thought as he once again relaxed, the back of his neck hitting the dock with a soft<span style="font-style: italic">thud</span>- it would have to be a probation for<span style="font-style: italic">something</span>. Whether that was intended as a way to air the possibility of something more sustainable, Harry couldn't tell. For all he knew, it was just as likely a way to underline that they were enjoying themselves with an expiration date.<br/>Delayed, Harry let out a laughed exhale, trying to gather himself in an easier tone. "It's hard not to."<br/>There was no hurt in his voice, and whatever hesitation might have explained the delay was softened by his touch. Fingers drawing a line across the small of Draco's back, Harry's hand barely managed to wrap around Draco's bare waist, before once again letting go to draw another pattern along Draco's spine.<br/>The pause seemed to have done wonders for the steadiness of his voice. When he continued, the smile was audible in his voice, and the tease came easily. "Do you have any immediate feedback, then? Something to keep me on my toes."