Summary: Set after book 7, disregarding the epilogue. After the war Harry breaks from the expectations placed upon him and starts a life with his lover. Two years later, they move to Forks, Washington with their son, and find more than they could ever expect.
Warnings: Slash, Mpreg, harry/multi, non epilogue compliant, AU
Disclaimer: I do not now, nor will I ever make profit from this story. Everything belongs to J. and Stephanie Myer.
AN: Thank you everyone for your kind reviews, you have no idea the wonders they have on my confidence.
Chapter Two
Harry had made a quick retreat after that, his cell phone conveniently ringing and offering the perfect escape. As he'd been walking away, arguing with the tinny voiced man that insisted their cars would be unavailable for another week, he'd been overwhelmed with the clashing sensations of relief and loss when the forest cut off the intense gazes that had followed him. Since then, he'd gone out of his way to avoid any overly tall teens that he may glimpse on his walks through La Push. Despite the tugging that he felt on his magic, Harry was unwilling to see the boys again, only wishing for Draco's arrival to come sooner. He didn't understand what was happening! He was with Draco. He loved Draco! His magic was going haywire.
It's because of this avoidance that Harry now finds himself standing at his front door in sweat pants and an old t-shirt, facing an unimpressed Jacob. Harry had texted Jacob earlier in the week to say that he wouldn't be able to go to the barbeque. What had followed had been three days of constant text-argument, Harry insisting that he wasn't much for socializing, and didn't want to intrude. But Jacob had been persistent, stating that it couldn't be healthy to spend so much time alone (not including Jayden).
The loud sound of a throat clearing brings Harry out of his thoughts, and he looks back up at Jacob to see his eyes narrowed and lips pursed in annoyance.
'Why are you not ready.' Turning on his heel, Harry leaves Jacob's expectant form behind as he makes his way back to the kitchen. Sensing that he's been followed, he pays no attention to the tall man, instead crossing the room to lift a dirty toddler from his high chair. It's only as he uses a warm cloth to wipe sticky fruit juice from the tiny hands and face that he speaks absently.
'Because we're not going.'
'Yes you are. You haven't spoken to anyone for three days! That's just not healthy!'
'I've spoken to you.' An annoyed snort meets Harry's defense.
'Yeah. By text. You're coming. Even if I have to tie you up and present you giftwrapped to my cousin when he arrives.' At the mention of his husband, a small smile pulls at Harry's lips and Jacob grins, knowing victory is close. 'Just come for a bit, and then Draco will be here and you can leave if you still want to.'
Harry bites his lip, considering the russet skinned man before him. With a defeated huff, he carries Jayden upstairs to get both of them changed into warm and presentable (by his standards, not Draco's) clothes. Reappearing in the entrance hall with a wriggling toddler in one arm, and a cartoon elephant patterned baby bag in the other, Harry directs Jacob to grab the six pack of beer from the fridge. Jacob hesitates only long enough to cast a bemused glance at the oversized blue hoodie that drowns Harry's petite 5'4" form, before he's in the fridge and then back with the beer.
'Let's go then.' Harry says with a sigh. 'Do you mind locking up for me? The keys are just there, on the table.'
Jacob parks his car behind an old, banged up red truck. Harry doesn't know what make it is, he's never had any interest in cars other than to get from point A to point B. Jacob is the first out, reaching into the back seat for the beer and nappy bag. When he notices the smaller man still seated and staring out the windscreen, he rounds the bonnet to open the passenger door.
'Out. Now.' Receiving a glare for the order, he raises an eyebrow, daring Harry to disobey. 'I will carry you in if I need to.'
Harry is out of the car before he can finish speaking, a kick aimed at a russet shin and glare growing heated at the responding chuckle. With a huff, he lifts his son from his car seat, holding him close for comfort.
'C'mon, how bad can it be?' In response Harry casts a wary glance at Jake before gesturing him to lead the way.
Loud conversation greets the two as they bypass the front door, instead heading around the side, guided by the smells of cooking meat. They pass the group from the beach on their way to greet the host, and Harry hears a fierce snarl. Turning in surprise, the only suggestion of such anger is the glare Paul is sending at Harry's jumper, seemingly hoping to set it aflame with his eyes. After being introduced to the Chief and placing the six pack in the fridge, Harry finds an empty seat off to the side, settling down with a curious toddler and a can of coke. Looking around the garden and seeing Jake madly texting whilst talking to a group of tall boys, all bare chested in cut-offs, Harry abandons any thoughts that may have inclined him to socialize. After further inspection, he notices for the first time that all of the boys from the reservation are dressed in this manner, only old Billy Black and Charlie Swan being fully clothed. He distracts himself from the surrounding group, and the intense stares upon him, by watching Jayden's small hands play with his larger fingers.
A hotdog appears close to his face. Harry jerks backwards in surprise, flicking startled green eyes up to connect with warm brown. Seth, from the beach. His magic begins to pulse playfully beneath his skin, and Harry only manages to pull it back within the confines of his core with hard earned control.
'I, ah… thought you might be hungry. You haven't eaten anything yet…' Harry can't help the soft smile that forms as he watches the six foot boy stammer and blush, looking away.
'Thank you Seth.' Accepting the food, he chuckles when a moment later the boy throws himself to the grass at his feet. Jayden whines, pressing his face into his daddy's chest as the big boy is suddenly at his level and much closer than before. 'It's alright baby, that's just Seth. He seems alright, hmm?' Jay peeks a look at the boy, appearing to consider before he offers a shy smile. 'Seth, meet Jayden.'
Seth grins at the child, giving a wave and receiving a giggle in return. Harry grins at him before remembering the food and beginning to eat. They sit in companionable silence, Seth slowly shifting so that he's leaning lightly against Harry's chair. Harry tenses, glancing down at the boy, still ridiculously tall despite sitting on the ground. After a moment, and seeing Seth tense in response, he relaxes. Jayden wriggles and babbles pleas of 'down. Down, down, down!', causing Harry to almost drop his hotdog.
'Can I…? Ah, would you mind…?' Seeing Seth gesture to the toddler Harry nods, gratefully handing the blond boy off and watching carefully until the child is safely on the ground within the circle of Seth's legs. Seeing him clapping his hands and giggling, Harry returns his attention to the food.
Content to watch his son play, Harry next looks up when someone pulls a chair over, placing it next to his. Seeing the smiling face of Charlie Swan, Harry offers a returning smile before his eyes drift over the man's shoulder to see Paul alternately staring at him and glaring at Seth. The police chief clears his throat and Harry immediately focuses his attention back on him, trying to ignore the eyes burning into him.
'So, how are you liking Forks then Harry?'
'Ah, well we've only been here a few days… but so far it's lovely. Jayden and I especially like the beach, we've never been before.' Charlie nods, smiling kindly.
'So will you be attending Forks High Harry? I've got a daughter attending in her senior year, but you'd probably be a junior…?' Harry sighs, reaching to run a hand through his hair before realizing that it's up in a loose top knot today. Glancing down, he realizes that Seth is listening intently, Jayden copying the boy in staring between his daddy and the chief.
'You'd think so, right? I'm actually nineteen next month, and my husband is twenty, so neither of us will be attending the school. I'm just extremely short…' Harry trails off, images of Madam Pomfrey playing before his eyes, followed by Vernon and Petunia Dursley. Shaking his head to clear the pained memories, he focuses back on the conversation. 'Actually, I'll be teaching history at the school this year coming.'
Charlie raises his eyebrows at this, only looking away at a childish voice demanding 'up Da, up! Up!' Harry chuckles, taking the boy from Seth. Noticing the chief's attention on the boy, Harry waits for the inevitable question.
'So ah-'
'Jayden.'
'Jayden. Is he yours then?' Harry takes a deep breath, preparing to recite the prepared cover story.
'Biologically, he's my brother's. When he and his wife passed just after Jayden was born, Jay was sent to me and I gained custody as his godfather and only living relative. Draco and I were married soon after, and he is now our son. Aren't you love?' Harry finishes, lifting the toddler to rub their noses together in an eskimo kiss. A happy giggle sounds as small hands grasp locks of hair that have fallen loose from of the bun.
'How old were you?' Charlie watches the young father and son with a sad smile.
'Almost seventeen, just finished school and heading into college.' This is met by silence in their corner, conversations from around the garden still heard in the background as his audience, including the eavesdroppers (everyone present) take in the new information.
'That would make Jay two, right?' Harry nods at Seth, holding up two fingers for Jayden and cooing praise when the boy copies the action.
'We do make one smart child, don't we Hadrian love?' All eyes turn to the path at the side of the house, where a tall, white blond haired male stands, his arms crossed as he leans against the wall.
'Draco.'
'Pa!' The toddler leans out of Harry's arms, towards the newcomer, hands making grabbing motions. Then Harry is up and moving swiftly towards the man with a grin. They meet half way, the taller man wrapping his arms around father and child. There is silence as the small family simply indulge in each other's presence, their magics brushing against each other in recognition and welcome.
'When I asked if you'd seen my blue jumper, and you said no, which one did you think I meant?' Draco sounds amused as he rubs a large hand down Harry's back, coming to rest at the small of his back, just above the curve of his arse.
'Well you didn't mention that it was uber warm, and soft and smelt like you, so I assumed you meant another one.' Harry rubs his face against the chest at eye level as a deep chuckle vibrates through the warm body around his own.
'I assumed that 'my blue jumper' would be enough to identify it.' Harry murmurs unintelligibly before raising his face to answer.
'This jumper is practically mine.'
'It doesn't fit you.'
'It does so.' To demonstrate his point, Harry removes the arm not holding Jayden from where it rests around Draco's neck. Shaking back the sleeve so that it rests at his wrist. He sends his husband a smug smile, as though this has proven his point. The shorter man then puts his arm back, snuggling in again.
'Fine. It's your blue jumper.'
'I know. That's why I said I hadn't seen yours.' Draco snorts, pressing a kiss to his lover's black nest of hair. Harry pulls away suddenly, wide green eyes tracing aristocratic features before meeting warm mercury eyes.
'Weren't we supposed to come pick you up?' His husband chuckles, smirking.
'Yes, but then a rather eager man called me just before I boarded. He told me that our cars were ready and he'd have someone drop one at the airport for my convenience, the other will be delivered home sometime this afternoon I believe… So I contacted my uncle to say I would no longer require a lift. He mentioned that you would be attending this gathering, so we decided to surprise you.' He raises an eyebrow at the shorter man in an expression that screams 'Malfoy!', before he continues, 'I was met at the airport by a rather sweaty and apparently intimidated man who gave me the keys, and asked that I convey his apologies to my spouse for the lateness, before he fell over himself running away.' Draco then made a show of wiping his hand, assumedly tainted by a sweaty handshake with said man, onto Harry's jumper.
'S'your jumper.' Harry gave a shrug, grinning cheekily.
With a laugh of pure happiness, Draco pulled him close again, once again kissing first Harry's and then Jayden's head. A low whine, and a deeper growl had Draco opening his eyes, meeting first the soft and pleading gaze of Seth, and then the angry glare of Paul.
'What have you gotten yourself into now love? I leave you alone for a week…' Harry meets that same 'Malfoy!' expression with a guilty one of his own, teeth gnawing on his lower lip. With a sigh, Draco uses a thumb to pull the abused lip free. He releases Harry from their embrace, instead pulling him into his side, Jayden cuddled between them. Met with the combined stares of everyone present, Harry feels his face heating before Draco's arm tightens around his waist in comfort.
'My apologies. Draco Lucius Malfoy, pleased to make your acquaintance.' He tilts his head forward in somewhat of a bow.
