Title: Love Is Just A Game
Author: scarletladyy
Pairing: Lucius/Narcissa
Word Count: 421
Rating: PG
Summary: Lucius would rather upset Narcissa than offend the Dark Lord
Author's notes: Written for deatheaterdrabs' first challenge, with the prompt "Men shrink less from offending one who inspires love than one who inspires fear." Thanks to my beta myownmuggle.

"Please, Lucius, please!"

Lucius sat in his favourite armchair, watching his wife plead her case in front of him. He didn't avert his eyes from her gaze, despite the fact they were making him soften inside. He didn't want to show her how he was really feeling, so he glazed them over and stared at her.

"You can't possibly expect me to put up with this," she sobbed, a solitary tear running down her left cheek. "This is our family home, Lucius. I don't want it tainted by the war."

As much as Lucius agreed, and didn't want this to happen as much as his wife, he knew there was simply no other option. His family needed to be in favour with the Dark Lord again, and if that meant housing him then so be it. "That is enough," he said coldly, standing up abruptly and tearing straight towards her. "You are a Pureblood wife, my Pureblood wife, and you will comply with my wishes."

Narcissa looked heartbroken. "Do you really wish him to live here, Lucius? Because I don't think you do. Surely our family being safe is more important than how far up we are in Voldemort's ranks?"

"Yes," he said, making sure not to blink as he spoke, "I do want him here. I am pleased to offer our home to the Dark Lord, and you should be too."

"But --"

Lucius waved his hands. "No but's. Think of your sister -- she would be proud to house him, Cissy, you know that. Why can't you be more like her?"

Narcissa gasped, taken aback by his words. He knew he should have regretted what he said; Narcissa had always had insecurities when it came to her sister, but the simple fact of the matter was that he didn't. There was no possible way he was going to put up with her wailing for the duration of the Dark Lord's stay, particularly not when it could get them into grave trouble.

"Now," he said firmly, in a tone he used only when he was annoyed and didn't want to be argued with, "I want to hear no more about it. We are welcoming Voldemort into our home together. My girl, if you so much as put one foot wrong --"

"I won't," Narcissa interupted, affected by his words about her sister. "I'll... I'll be the good Pureblood wife, Lucius."

"Good," Lucius nodded, a curt smile crossing his lips. "Make sure you are. There won't be a second chance, Cissy."