Unexpected Domesticity
I'm back with a new chapter that will hopefully clear up some of the confusion caused in the first chapter.
I moved up the story bit more quicker because, hey. Who wouldn't want to see Harry and Tom together?
Anyways, if some of the confusions weren't addressed, it probably means that they will be mentioned in the future chapters.
But feel free to leave me any comments or confusions! And of course, review..? Maybe? Please?
Warnings: SLASH, ALTERNATIVE UNIVERSE, TR/HP, minor angst..?
Disclaimer: It's a no-no.
Chapter 2
Where to begin?
My life, that is.
I knew it for sure that it was neither fairy tale nor those happy ending stories where everything turned out to be fine. Mine was just chopped off horror stories and depressing sad stories sewn together. It was a mess.
First, the monster.
I may as well call him the devil himself, but surely, he was a human or at least an immoral animal that resembled a human. I once had an illusion that he actually loved and cared for me. I must have been so naive and delusional. I was fucking stupid enough to believe in that ridiculous lies. He nearly destroyed everything that I had, including myself. His unhealthy obsession toward me made him in to a murderer. I knew he was a murderer. He killed my parents and soon, he will be killing my friends. That's why I have been keeping distances with them, in order to protect them.
I went out with anyone to erase his filthy traces, but I was only replacing it with other's filthiness, wasn't I?
God, I am a filthy slut.
Why hadn't I report him to the police? Because I had no evidence what so fucking ever. I knew he killed my parents, but I had no evidence.
Truthfully, I had no idea how he did it.
I didn't even ask Riddle what happened to him after I passed out. He only mentioned about the monster when he asked me who inflicted those red lines across my arms. Never again, did he mention anything about him. I guess the monster was still at loose.
I normally wouldn't even think about him, but it became inevitable since he put me into this situation. In situation, I meant that I am held a captive by Tom fucking Riddle. He constantly pestered me by following around and not giving any chance of what I would do.
Although we often argued and rarely had a nice conversation, I got accustomed to his presence.
I couldn't contact any of my friends except to tell them to not worry about me. It was the only thing I could do.
I learned a lot about Tom Riddle. I found him annoying (So did he with me) but it was no doubt that he was handsome and had ambiance that controlled people. He was serious when he was working and sometimes didn't talk for few hours. I had to be in his study while he was working. I didn't have any choice but to follow him since I couldn't kill myself and I was so bored.
He lived alone but we were in his family manor which was left to him a few decades ago, even before he was born. He usually glared at me and pestered me to eat. One more. He was AN INCREDIBLE NAGGER.
He nagged as if I was his child and I shooed him off or ignored him which ended up as a fight. But I knew he was trying and I at least appreciated a bit. He was quiet although some insults were venomous.
I was constantly with him or he was constantly with me.
"I told you not to throw your clothes on the floor"
"It's my clothes"
"Which I bought them"
He offered me clothes, shelter, food, and medication. I wondered why he was doing this and asked him, but he replied with a dismaying frown and a look that made me look stupid. Honestly, I had no idea what his mind was working at.
First, I refused everything from him, embarrassed by the thoughts of my little crying incident. It was utterly terrible, but when he brought that topic up just to make me mad or annoyed, I wasn't about to deny whatever he was spending money on. Not to sound so conceited and bratty, but that was his payment for his own twisted and sick entertainment. After all, he was damn filthy rich as to live in a damn manor and be wealthy without any jobs to begin with.
He also had that derisive sarcasm that was placed upon even with his closest friends. It clearly showed when he was talking to his friends on the phone, occasionally calling them idiots indirectly as to hide it somewhere in between the lines of what he said. I think I caught most of them.
He was indeed cunning, sarcastic, and possibly ominous but mysteriously attractive in a way. Not that I cared.
"Why won't you leave me alone?"
"What, so you can frame me of murder? No thank you"
"I won't frame you."
"It's a definite and an absolute no. This is my house and I lay out the rules. Clearly, your current state of mind is foggy and insane"
"You don't know anything about me!"
I yelled at him, although I didn't intend to fight now. We were so used to these quarrels.
He suddenly pinned me to the wall and glared at me intensely. I wasn't going to flinch away but it was inevitable. His strong grip on both my wrist stung and as it hit the wall behind me, I was immobilized.
"So you say, but you yourself showed me a great deal of yourself."
"You forced me to do it"
He whispered dangerously and I gritted my teeth. We stared at each other and my wrist started to thaw.
We were very close to each other and a dangerous silence washed over us.
"Or else, you were about to die"
"Tell me, Tom. Why do you care so much?"
I sardonically emphasized his name and asked the same question I've been asking for these last 2 weeks.
His dark eyes fell on my own green eyes and I shivered at the moment. He did treat me well, he did provide me many things, he did saved me from that monster. And the best part was that he didn't ask questions of my past.
"Before I answer, you would have to answer why'd you cut yourself"
I take that back.
His voice was unshaken and firm but very intimidating. He gripped my wrists harder and I had to wince. But I still gazed up to my constrictor who took the liberty of pinning me to the wall.
Damn him. He must have detected wavers in my eyes and suddenly became smug as to smirk and released my wrists.
My wrists were swollen red with his hand prints and thawed. He walked on and I quietly walked behind him, thinking whether I should attack him or not. My glares would have been furious if he was to turn around.
We quietly sat down across from each other in the long dinner table which soon served with delicious foods by his servants. We ate in silence.
The bastard won't be talking to me tonight.
After dinner, I quietly sat down with my wrists still thawing from the strong force upon them. I stared at his vague hand prints on my wrists.
Just as I was about to go back and read the book that was on my lap, Tom stood in front of me, holding two ice packs.
I stared at him, expecting him to say something but he remained silent. He kneeled and took my resting wrists as I watched him with questioning glare. He wrapped those ice packs around my wrists and the thawing on my wrists instantly got better and I just had to sigh in relief.
What was with this guy? He's the one who inflicted these! I didn't say a word to complain but to my surprise, only quietly thanked him.
Maybe. Just maybe. It was one thing I sincerely said.
Days went by and it has been almost a month since I was rehabilitating from my suicidal aspects. I still had to follow Tom like a puppy all around and was never left alone with or without him. His servants were so devoted to him and I almost asked them what makes them devote much to Tom.
He was a tall man unlike me, and I often lacked of breath when I tried to catch up with him but these days, he slowed down his pace for me. We were so used to each other within this impossible one month. I didn't bother to make contact with anyone outside except Tom even though Tom suggested and encouraged me to.
"Next time, if I'm late, go ahead and eat without me"
"I can wait"
Surprisingly, we got rid of most of the malice and venom in our words. Life with him was boring but also full of new discoveries and surprises. It was rather overwhelming.
"Your friends seemed to be desperate to have contact with you. Why don't you go out and meet them"
I sighed and learned that they would likely report me missing. I agreed to him later on when we were sitting in the library to pass time leisurely. He stood up to get a new book and patted my head which I shrugged it off with glares but a little playfully.
Okay, life with him wasn't so bad as I would have thought.
He never asked me of that question again after the little fight we had nearly three weeks ago. With Tom Riddle, it seemed like my messed up life didn't even existed and I was having a whole different life without any relations to my horrible past. I rarely went out from the manor, which I felt incredibly safe since the monster couldn't reach me. Would he be able to reach me when I go out and meet my friends? Possible.
"Tom. What happened to him?"
It was an unexpected question, even from myself. What the hell was I thinking?
Tom was sitting across from me with his glasses under his eyes. He must have been startled by my question. Now, I don't know how much he knows, since I never told him anything, but he seemed like a smart guy who would catch up quickly.
Controversial to my thoughts, I sat there motionless, gazing into Tom's eyes. There were just too many unanswered questions.
We exchanged our gazes for some time before Tom opened up his mouth to answer.
"Do you want to see him again?"
What a funny answer. Maybe he was avoiding to answer my question for my own sake? Which, I doubted, but possible regarding the recent hospitality I received.
"Never"
I immediately answered to his question.
He dropped his eyes from mine to his book and his fingers opened up the book which allowed him to read the contents.
"You won't need to worry about him anymore"
"Why? Did something happened to him?"
But before Tom can answer, his phone rang and he had to pick it up. I stared at him, and soon dropped my gaze on the book. Did he just offer me his protection? And why was I feeling so safe with him? Such sentiments shouldn't be allowed, I must say.
Even after he ended his phone call, I didn't question again.
"I'll let one of the drivers drop you off nearby the place you are rejoicing your friends. Hopefully, you'll find your way there"
He smugly said it with a slight hint of sarcasm and I scowled at him. I admit I am terrible at finding my way and often got lost. I was totally incapable of navigating myself even in the manor which I inhabited for more than a month.
Once, I got lost in the manor trying to find my way toward the library and wandered until Tom found me. He pestered me to learn the manor so I fully memorized the manor's structure. It was such a pain in the butt.
"Stop pestering me, you jerk!"
"You stole my line right out of my mouth"
Bitter moments did exist but nothing too extreme or intense.
As promised, Tom's driver left me in the plaza and to my greatest hope, I found my way.
"HARRY POTTER! Do you have any idea how worried we were?!"
My friends found me before I did. One of my friends, Hermione Granger started her rants right after she saw me that I was okay. Hermione has been like my mother to me, after my parents passed away due to a terrible 'accident'. And there was Ron Weasley with his red hair and slightly relieved expression on his normally goofy face. He's been like a brother I never had. Such great friends, but I never told them anything about him.
I knew they were reprimanding me about how much they were worried and how much they care about me. It annoyed me a bit. I did tell them not to worry and they didn't even consider to ask what I have been through until they calmed themselves. I waited but didn't feel like answering them anyways.
"What were you thinking? Where were you?"
"...nowhere."
"Come on, Harry. Speak to us"
I would have said at least something close to the truth but now, I wasn't in the mood. I thought I would rather spend the rest with Tom. What a scary thought.
"Look, I just needed a time out from being... hectic."
"Well, you could have at least taken us with you, if you were having fun relaxing!"
I wanted to yell and scream but overwhelmed the urge with the fake smile I always put up with others. I had to calm down. They were only so worried about me and they're my dearest friends.
Friends who I can't even trust my secrets on them?
I tried to rationalize things in my head. After all, I was the one who decided to keep things from them and they didn't know a shit. Sometimes, it made me so desperate.
I watched them quietly with an occasional smile on my face until they decided to take me to Hermione's humble home where the rest of friends gathered around and had quality time. I was fond of the idea, so I agreed. But I should have been wiser.
"Harry! We were dead worried about you! No calls, no emails, no letter. No nothing!"
There we go again.
Now the numbers increased, the rants became so abundant. With the rants and all the blames about how they were forced to feel so worried and mad. Well, what about me?
"You nearly knocked us right out of our minds!"
"If you go try and do that again, we will seriously think of locking you away!"
Although they half joked and expressed how they were in concern of my well-being, I was still annoyed but could only smile and say sorry. Boring repertoire started to annoy me even more than it did before. It was crowded with people and my ears were hurting. I couldn't think straight. I actually come to a conclusion where I missed Tom's manor with him. It was quiet and serene. No one was to disturb us. It was purely isolated and remote from this overwhelming loudness. I appreciated their concerns for me, but I couldn't handle this too long.
"Hey, are you alright? You look pale"
I think I let myself express too much these days. After all, I had nothing to hide from Tom. Except few things that I'm not willing to share, but I think Tom knows most of them. I should feel angry with him for that, but I had no evidence except for the fact that Tom Riddle always got what he wanted.
I slipped out momentarily and stalled a bit before calling Tom. Maybe the bastard is enjoying himself with me gone.
-Yes?
I was startled by Tom's voice from my phone. Shit, I must have presses it by accident.
-You really should get used to think quick for a response.
He spoke when I couldn't think of any response. I quietly told him to shut up.
-There we go. Now, why would you possibly call this hateful bastard for?
"You know I don't hate you as much as I did before"
-Not so convincing since you said it so frequently, in fact you said it this morning.
I growled and was returned with only a amused chuckle. But, it was true. I didn't hate him anymore. Well, sometimes when he was being a jerk. This morning, he was making fun of me about how I came to make friends.
I glanced around and sighed when I saw no one was nearby.
-You don't seem to be having fun.
"Actually... No. I'm tired as hell and I feel so dizzy"
-Did they not feed you? It's past your lunch time.
Tom's voice was suddenly a little irked and intense. Thinking about it, he forbid me from skipping any of my meals since I was a patient. This was partly true since I was insane.
"No, mother. That's not it! … Listen. Are you busy?"
-Even if I said I was busy, that wouldn't stop you from saying anything to me.
"Um... I was wondering... Uh..."
Tom didn't say anything and waited for me patiently. That was his way to calm me down and to convince me to talk. I was trying to ask him if he could come or at least take me home back to his manor.
Home. Funny it came out so naturally. I often forgot that I had no home.
I tried to think of all the possibilities that this may be wrong, and figured I'd better drop it.
"Nothing... I... Forgot what I was about to say"
Somehow, it made me slump. Am I slumping down for the fact that I'm being a coward? Or the fact that I couldn't be as bold as I was before? Same difference.
-Where are you at the moment?
"Hermione's house... Don't worry mother. She doesn't live far away from the point where I was dropped off."
He chuckled a bit. I guess he was amused how I referred him as mother. It was ironic for both of us, since we didn't live with our mothers, in fact, my mother was dead.
-Well, I can see why you have called.
"Whatever. Oh, I have to go- I'll call you later when... Actually, I'll get by the manor by myself. Don't wait for me, Bye-"
I had to hang up quickly as I heard some of my friends calling out my name. It only has been five minutes. I guess they don't trust me that I might run off again.
"Oh, Harry! What were you doing here alone?"
"Just had to call someone..."
"Well, you're here to enjoy with us, so forget the call! Let's have some fun!"
I laughed and followed my friend back to where everyone was. Sure they were nice people but now, all I wanted was a serene silence to at least make me think clearly.
The fact that I lied to Tom was lingering in the back of my mind. I didn't know how to get there. Would the taxi driver know if I tell him to go to the Riddle Manor? Why did I even bother to lie?
'Ding dong-'
suddenly, the bell rang and Hermione seemed to be surprised as she told us that no one else was to come. She went to get the door and the rest of us were indulging into some conversation that I couldn't pay attention to. I think it's about football.
"What do you want?"
We heard Hermione's unfriendly question and all went to the door to find out what happened.
I couldn't believe it.
Tom Riddle was standing right outside Hermione's door step. His stoic and beguiling expression gave away nothing but it changed when he spotted me.
"Tom?"
"Your friends are rather like you, aren't they?"
He put up a smug and familiar smirk on his face. Yes. He was real and he was there.
"Since when did you start calling Riddle by his name?"
Ron grudgingly asked me but I was little more than surprised so I didn't have a chance to think of some response.
"What are you doing here? How did you know? I never gave you the address"
"I have my source. Of course, I won't need it anymore unless you plan to come here regularly, which I fully encourage."
"Why would Harry need your consent, Riddle?!"
"Harry- what is he talking about? Why are you guys even talking like that?"
My friends pestered me with their continuous questions and I instantly felt tired trying to answer everything. Meanwhile, Tom was looking at me with amusement.
"So I see you haven't said anything to them"
I shot him a look but I couldn't just make Tom stand there forever. I told him to come in and tried to calm my friends down. I asked Hermione courteously, and although she looked just as confused as others but kindly nodded to it.
"What's going on? Why are you letting this asshole in?"
"Look guys. First of all, he's not an asshole"
"I'm flattered."
He snorted at that and I glared at him to shut up.
"Second of all, I...I've been staying with him for the last month."
My friends suddenly broke out with deafening uproars while Tom just sat there watching us with an amused and smug smirk. He seemed to eye every one of them, but I couldn't grasp why he was doing that. The best guess is that he was just so amused of their reactions.
"Why didn't you tell us?"
"Why would you do that, Harry? You hated him!"
"You couldn't find a better company than him?!"
Everything was my fault. They blamed me of my misery. They accused me of being unreasonable without bothering to listen to what I had gone through.
Were they my true friends? Were they just appeared to care about me? Why am I always blamed of everything? I was getting so tired, angry, and resentful. Even though I knew I didn't deserve them.
"So I am to be blamed of everything?"
I said it at last and it was clear that I was upset and angry. I gritted my teeth and suddenly I snapped. I didn't wish for this.
"Do you even know what I had to go through? Do you know the pain I've suffered? What gives you the right to blame me for everything?!"
"Harry, please calm down. We didn't mean it that way-"
"Shut up! You all seem so caring but you are all self-centered! You are all fucking hypocrites!"
Horror struck in the room and silence dominated as I anxiously panted for some reason. That's when I heard Tom.
"Harry"
I was mad and I yelled at them, accusing for being hypocrites. I was about to yell and let out my anger but I halted when I heard my name from Tom.
He said it so differently from how my friends say it. It was more sophisticated and somehow serene. There was no hint of resentment but only firm tranquility. So abstruse yet calm. I came to my senses and turned around to face Tom who was sitting there and gazing at me.
"Don't say anything that you might regret it later"
His words were patronizing but I was so used to it, that it instantly pacified me. Why? I do not know.
I looked around at my friends who had the same pittance and shock. I huffed away my anxiety and stood motionless. The silence engulfed the room which was broken when Tom stood up.
"Where are you going?"
I asked him abruptly, making it sound more panicked like a child than I ever hoped for. It didn't matter.
"Home. I've seen quite enough"
"But..."
He can't leave me alone. He used to stay with me so persistently but why was he leaving so easily now?
"It's your choice whether you want to stay or not"
I looked up and saw Tom's smug smile. He wasn't mocking me. It was purely an offer where I had a choice. But the thing is, I had no choice to make.
I reached out for him when I heard Ron's voice calling me back.
I truly felt sorry for them. They didn't deserve my rants. But I'm just too sick and tired of all this. This is why I want to go back to my artificial life that Tom made for me. I wanted to be a nobody with nothing to care about.
"You can't go! Harry… We forgive you so just come back to us?"
"I'm sorry"
I left them with a silent good bye and followed Tom out through the door. He waited for me and got on the car he came with.
As I sat next to him, I had so many questions to ask, but I could only look at him.
Reality hit me hard and I tried hard to think this through. I just abandoned my friends behind me. I simply walked out with Tom Riddle, who somehow knew my troubles and thoughts.
"If you are wondering why I came, I came to fetch you from your boring friends, so you say. But honestly, I don't find them boring at all"
He said it with smugness that was always present. How did he know? Was he so observant enough to know me better than my friend did?
Probably.
"...Thanks..."
He seemed a little surprised but soon kept up with his stoic and tranquil expression that gave off a superior vibe.
He leaned to his hands with his elbow on the window sill. Indeed, even under a red and orange sunset he looked breathtakingly handsome. All this time, blinded by his foul tempers and personality, I was not aware of it. Only if he was more like this, he would have been extremely attractive.
Our eyes met and I held my breath as Tom smiled smugly at me. Why is my heart throbbing so painfully? Why can't I take my eyes off of him?
I'm deluding myself. I shouldn't give up to this guy. After all, I had no one. Everyone is bound to leave me.
"How did you know?"
A question that I would ask thousands of times, if I had to. How did he know about me? His crimson eyes penetrated my green ugly eyes, and I shivered at the intense gaze.
"I came to know your"
those words stunned me into stillness. He knew me while no one else did. Why was it always Tom who outsmarted me? Why was he always next to me?
Can Tom Riddle have a heart?
I couldn't ask anymore question as I closed my eyes in despair and let the sunset wash over me. I drifted off to sleep while I tried to focus on the sole purpose of my life which I no longer recalled.
I think I leaned against his shoulder. Just for this once. Just for now, I wanted to indulge myself to my desire.
He won't mind terribly.
I woke up with the familiar scent that surrounded my nostrils. This wasn't mine, but I was accustomed to it. Whose was it?
I opened my eyes in stun and found Tom lying against me, almost holding me against him with an embrace. What was he doing in my bed? Why was he holding me? I moved and Tom woke up with a disgruntled groan.
"What...why..!"
"You didn't let me go"
I tried to process my mind but couldn't. His voice was husky and rough from sleep.
"I moved you to your bed since you fell asleep in my car... You didn't let me go, when I tried to."
His eyes were closed when he said it. It looked like he wasn't panicked or shocked. Just a bit annoyed since I woke him up.
"Will you let me sleep now?"
"Are you lying?"
"Do I sound like I'm lying? Now go back to sleep… It's still dawn…"
His voice drifted off and I finally noticed that it was only 2'o clock in the morning.
Somehow Tom's disgruntled and reticent voice calmed me down although that probably was not his intention. I laid back down against him as his arm wrapped around me and I felt his cold body and my warmth transmitted to him. I closed my eyes as I heard Tom's regular breaths and heart beats. As I belonged to him. As I was meant to be with him. As I was his. These novel and peculiar feelings hit me. I pulled closer to him, curling up in his arms.
Back of Riddle's mind, Tom Riddle sinisterly smiled.
Harry Potter was his, and no one will dare and try to take him away.
Alright.. That's it for the second chapter and I'm sure you have noticed how fast the pace is going between those two.
I know the background is still vague, but please be patient? The history between Harry and Tom isn't that deep. Harry just hates him. But Tom... Well, Tom! is a very sophisticated and complicated young man. No one will know what goes on in his mind unless I reveal it for youXD
Please feel free to point out mistakes and address questions! Or better, review..? GOD, I feel shameless.
Anyways, thank you all for reading and I hope you have a wonderful week ahead of you! I'll improve more and will update soon!
-RubberDucky95
