Blah. Writing a chapter that doesn't just become a run-on sentence, or rushed is nearly impossible. I believe I did better than ever. I hope you all enjoy this. It feels like it took forever to write close to 4k per chapter so far.
SLASH WARNING-I'm probably going to lose many people for this fact. Unfortunately for all you homophobic people, I believe Harry's character in the books could pass as gay. I've felt like that since OotP, and was so disappointed when he got with Ginny. As for Marc and Nathaniel? Marc is confirmed bisexual and gender fluid people. As for Nathaniel, he's a good pair for Marc, and not because they are so close because of the comic. They understand social anxieties, and the fear of rejection for posting their works.
TIGGER WARNING: I didn't even think about adding this before now. However, this story involves the popular Harry is abused mentally, sexually, physically, and emotionally. If this triggers you, please turn back now. This isn't graphic, but it does mention some of the difficulties that many victims suffer upon finally getting away from their abusers.
PLEASE don't review if it's just to insult me for writing a gay/slash/yaoi/boy's love story. I'm pan-sexual, non-binary. If you choose to insult me for writing about it, you'll also insult me for being myself. Just lose the link for my story, remove it from your favorite, and leave it be. I think I get those type of insults enough in real life, don't you agree?
Enjoy, to all the others continuing this story! I thank you for sticking with me even now!
Word Count: 3,005
Chapter Three
Cobra flinched away from the next attack that was barely blocked. His hands lay glowing against Chat Noir's chest, where blood was flowing. Ladybug was furious, and had to be constantly reminded it was Hawkmoth's doing. Queen B was helping Ladybug fiercely. Rena Rouge was distracting the Akuma. Finally, Carapace was protecting the downed hero and their healer.
Slingshot was dangerous. As implied by his name, he used projectiles for attacks. From pebbles to glass, metal to dirt, his options were endless. He'd sent glass hurtling into Chat Noir, coming within inches of piercing his heart. Cobra was forced to slowly heal the wound as the glass was gently pushed out. Cobra felt like he was about to loose his lunch from all the blood. The Akumas were becoming more dangerous as the days went on. They needed to find Hawkmoth before someone killed. Before Ladybug was killed. Slingshot was going to be the first of many, the boy knew.
"Miraculous Ladybug!" Cobra paled as the glass disappeared but the wound stayed. Blood gushed as he poured more magic into his healing, speeding up the process. Chat Noir sat up just in time for Ladybug to tackle him in a hug and kissing him. The crowds appeared, cheering for the heroes sharing a kiss. When she pulled back, it was unsurprising to see her chop his head much like her mother did when someone misbehaved during practice. "You idiot!"
"Lovebug, Bug of my eye, Buginette-"
"No!" Ladybug snapped, eyes glowing in her anger. She grabbed his shoulders and shook him. "The next time you even think about taking a hit for me, I'm going to remove your Miraculous myself! Do you understand me?"
"Yes mi'lady." Chat sighed, slumping his shoulders.
"I cannot lose you, Chat Noir! You're everything to me!"
"I'm sorry I scared you."
Beeps from all of their Miraculous had them leaving the area after a few words with the Akuma victim to assure him that what he would see later on video was not his fault. Almost the second they landed in an unused, anonymously rented, room in the Le Grand Paris. It wasn't actually rented, but Chloé and Alya had managed to sneak into the lobby one night during a 'sleepover' for the girls with Marinette on watch, and say it was rented and paid for indefinitely by a man named James Evans. Of course, Harry had given the money so the money was really there. James Evans just didn't exist.
It was the perfect headquarters to retreat to, because no one could see the balcony. Computers and televisions filled the main part of the room. It also held three suites with full bathrooms. Harry was the only one on his own when they crashed there, seeing as he was the one paying for the room.
"So, now we know." Harry murmured as they sat down at the table. The group looked at him in confusion. "That the Miraculous Cure doesn't heal wounds. It'll fix objects, and cure an Akuma, but not heal a person." Tikki whimpered, nodding.
"A Ladybug may only save one person from death." The Kwami explained softly. "To do so, would exchange her, or his, life force for the other person's."
"In other words, a life for a life." Harry closed his eyes sadly. "This is getting dangerous. We need to confront Hawkmoth, and soon." His friends nodded. "Hey Adrien, can I meet with your father somehow?"
"What? Why?" Adrien looked so confused. So much so, that Harry thought more dog than cat.
"Something Marinette said, about you both suspecting him, and only dismissing him because he was Akumatized."
"But-"
"Adrien, if it's your father, don't you want to try and get him to hand over his miraculous peacefully?" Harry's question caused Adrien to sigh and nod.
"It's just, what if it is my dad? He hurt my friends, and me, so many times, even if he didn't know it." Harry felt his heart hurt for his cousin's boyfriend. Marinette moved to hug him, and Harry backed off, saying he was going to go see if Luka could hang out, and no it wasn't a date. "I really don't want it to be my dad."
"You know, I was abused and neglected growing up." Harry started, startling Luka from fiddling with his guitar.
The boy with blue tipped hair looked closely at his friend in worry and confusion. Harry never talked about his childhood, so to go from just laying on his back on the bed beside Luka, to laying on his side and staring up at him, and mentioning it was odd. Luka set his guitar down to lean against the bed. Harry watched him, eyes not completely aware. It worried the older boy.
"Is that why you're so clingy with Marinette?" Harry shook his head.
"No." Harry curled up a bit to hold his legs. Luka hesitantly reached out to run his hand through Harry's hair. "I'm clingy to her, because she's so kind. When I first met her, I was so unsure of myself. I'd doubt everything, never talking in worry that I'd seem weird to her. Then, one day, she started ranting about school. By the end, she was crying, and I didn't know what to do. When she latched onto me, all I could do was freeze. The only time I'd gotten touched growing up, was to be hit or...touched." Luka flinched, eyes wide, and hand freezing in black locks.
"Harry-"
"I was so scared I'd get my dad angry. I told you I'm adopted, right? Dad wasn't, isn't, the nicest man around, but once he realized his way of teaching was hurting me, he did a complete 180°."
"Harry, while I appreciate that you feel comfortable telling me this, why are you?" Luka asked, confusion clear in his eyes.
"I think Adrien is neglected. I wouldn't say he's abused, at least not like I was, but he's definitely neglected. He's the most tactile person I know." Luke nodded, reaching out to gently pull Harry closer to him, so he could wrap an arm around his waist as he laid down beside him. "Is it gross that I'm still gay after what's happened to me?"
"Don't say that. It isn't your fault. It's amazing how well adjusted you are to things. How kind, and tactile, you are. So many people would break going through what you did." Harry looked up, lip trembling.
"I don't want to be hurt again." Luka pulled him closer, and the two laid there, quiet.
It felt more intimate than a kiss to Harry.
Harry hummed to himself as he nearly skipped into school Monday morning. Luka was going to be taking him to lunch, and he couldn't wait. He was hoping, praying, that he was reading the signs right. That Luka liked him, just as much as Harry liked Luka. The other had been so kind when Harry had told him everything that had happened to him at the hands of his so called uncle. Held him through his tears, not even questioning if it was okay to hold him.
"Someone's in a good mood." Marinette teased, grinning. "Did something happen on your date?" Harry stuck out his tongue at her.
"It wasn't a date, and you know that...I told Luka about the Dursleys." Marinette froze, eyes widening.
Harry had only just told the Dupains and Adrien what had caused Severus to adopt him a week ago.
"How'd he take it?"
"He was really sweet about it. Didn't treat me any differently than what he has been." Harry frowned a bit. "What if I scared him off of a relationship by telling him?"
"You won't know until you ask." They entered the classroom.
Harry went to sit beside Nathaniel, where he'd been assigned last week, because of laughing at something Adrien said. Nathaniel was working on his comic, once again. Harry tilted his head, eyes wide, at the sight of him as Cobra. He leaned closer, notice the attention to detail. Nathaniel inhaling sharply told Harry he got too close.
"Sorry...can I have a copy of this once it's finished?" Having pleading green eyes that reminded him of Marc had Nathaniel nodding shyly. "Thanks, Nate. You really are and amazing artist, you know." Harry grinned, "almost magical in how life-like they are." The redhead paled dramatically. Harry frowned at him before decided to test him. "Hogwarts."
"Oh." Nathaniel sagged gratefully. "Don't do that. I thought that you were hinting at that you found out, not that you were in the know!"
"So is Marinette, Adrien, Nino, Alya, and Chloé." Harry tilted his head at his cousin's friend. He was just starting to draw again, when Harry brought up his thoughts. "How...how did your family react?"
"React to what?" The confusion was cute on the older boy, making Harry smile as he turned to his questionnaire.
"You and Marc." The choking inhale had hair scrunching up in his seat.
"We-I-how did you know? Only our parents know-"
"Nate, I have these things called eyes that I use to watch the world around me." Harry said, amusement coloring his voice. At the other's panicked look, Harry frowned. "I notice more than other people because of how I was raised."
"So no one else knows?" The relief was palpable.
"Well, Marinette thinks you're thinking about it, so are Juleka and Rose, but they're normally very perspective on things like this. It's okay to be openly gay."
"It isn't that I'm ashamed." Nathaniel protested quietly. "I'm not gay, though, I'm bisexual." Harry nodded, shrugging. "The reason I don't want anyone to know, is because my parents are well known at Church. If word got out that their underage son, who still lives with them, likes another boy, then they would be badgered into 'fixing' me by the...enthusiasts."
"I think you're safe with your friends, Nate." Harry bumped shoulders with him. "I'll tell the others to keep it on the downlow, though. Do you mind if I tell them why?"
"Not at all." Nathaniel tilted his own head. "Why are you asking about that, anyways?"
"I haven't told my dad that I like someone, and wasn't sure how to bring up that it's a guy." Harry shook his head. "I don't even know why I'm nervous about telling him. He knows just about everything about me, and hasn't ever turned me away."
"It's normal, Harry. It's a very private part of yourself, and most people never come out to their families. Mostly because they don't feel safe. If you don't think your dad will react poorly, you should be fine."
"Thanks. Also, Nate, if you ever want to talk, I'm all about being friends with people."
Harry snickered as Luka and himself walked into a café for lunch. They were joking back and forth about different types of people. From Juleka to Rose, Marinette to Chloé, and Adrien to Nino.
"Ooh, Max and Kim!" Harry giggled, grinning up into blue eyes. "It's so funny to see them interact together! Like, Max's this high-tech geek who is going to be the next Bill Gates or something, and Kim's going to be someone like Micheal Phelps." Harry caught his breath, "but they also remind me of this web comic I was reading the other day. One is the typical jock, with slightly below average intelligence, and a nerd so scrawny, that you'd think they'd not be friends, like the jock would bully the nerd, but they're actually best friends!" Harry paused, before pulling out his phone to text Max and Kim a link to the app he'd used to read the webtoon.
"You just sent them the link, didn't you?" Luka asked, grinning.
"Of course I did. I think they'll enjoy the ironic quality it has." Harry grinned behind his hot chocolate. Luka just shook his head with a chuckle. Harry blushed when he looked back at him, a soft look in his eyes. "Who would you pair me with?"
"Hm." He eyed Harry closely, looking him up and down. "Alix." Harry flushed, feeling weird at the thought he was compared to a girl, yet it also fit. "She's very...abrasive, and you're always trying your best to calm down a situation, like Marinette. Most people stop to listen to you when you're talking, not because you're loud, or demanding their attention, but because the know what you're saying is true, and they want to listen. Then there is the fact you're completely different in looks. She's a punk skater who doesn't care about others think of her, and you're the perfect student who is adorable-" Luka's eyes widened and he blushed. "Er, well, I mean-"
"You think I'm adorable?" Harry parroted back, smiling. Luka groaned, hiding his face in his hands. "I personally think you're handsome yourself, so don't worry about it."
"You think I'm handsome?" Luka's lip twitched as he peaked out at the boy in front of him. Harry had a hint of red to his cheeks, but was nodding.
"Of course I do. It helps that you're sweet, too." Luka smiled softly, eyes gazing at Harry as if he was the best thing ever. "I like you." Luka's eyes widened, and Harry hid his face in his hands like the other had been doing. "Is that okay?"
"I like you too, Harry." Luka smiled, "we'll take things at your pace, though, okay?"
Harry hummed as he walked into Chloé's room unannounced, as he normally did. He was holding a bag full of goodies from the Bakery, and had already given most of his friends a treat. They were meeting in the other room, but Chloé was late. So he had offered to go get her. He took the bag so Nino and Adrien wouldn't eat it all.
"Potter?" Looking up, Harry's eyes widened.
Draco Malfoy sat in Chloé's desk chair. Said girl was wrapped around his shoulders.
"Hi Harry! Meet my boyfriend! His family moved in over winter break!"
"You're dating Malfoy?" Harry groaned, spinning around to leave. "I'll tell the others you're busy. Just message the next time you're busy with your boyfriend."
"But Hariberry-"
"Nope." Chloé whined as her friend reached for the door.
"Hariberry?" Snickered Draco.
"Oh? And Pansy's Drakipoo wasn't bad?" Harry turned around, eye brow lifted in an imitation of his adoptive father. "I'll take you to see Severus later. Chloé, while I'm glad you found someone who likes you back, good luck with him." With that, Harry left the two spluttering.
"Is she coming?" Adrien asked as soon as Harry entered.
"No. Her boyfriend is over." The blond went to move. "Let them be. Chloé can handle herself." Harry snickered, "trust me, I know the guy. She's going to walk all over him."
"Enough about that!" Marinette burst, leaning forward. "How did things go with Luka? You told him, right?" Harry blushed, nodding.
"I did. He likes me too. We're going to take things at my pace." Marinette squealed, hugging Harry tightly. "Marinette, need air!"
"Oops! I'm just so happy for you! When is your first date?"
"We're going to André's tomorrow, after going to lunch and the zoo." Harry grinned happily. "I feel stupidly happy."
"You should be!" Marinette assured, Alya was nodding along. "You told him everything, and he's going to let you dictate your relationship, basically, right?"
"Well, not dictate perse. I'm positive I won't react bad to a kiss or hug being sprung on me." Alya and Nino looked to Adrien, who shook his head dismissively. "Oh, right, you guys don't know."
"Harry, you don't need to tell them." Marinette told him sternly.
"Yeah dude, if it has something to do with the walrus, giraffe, and baby whale, that's all you got to say. Promise." Nino waved off. Harry nodded, relaxing shoulders that had tensed. "We're your friends. We can wait until you trust us enough to tell us."
"Thanks Nino."
"Hey, dad, can we talk?" Harry asked shyly as he stood just inside the man's office. Severus looked up, putting his book down.
"What is it, Harry?"
"I...I have a date tomorrow." Harry admitted sheepishly. Severus motioned to the chair across from his desk.
"With who?"
"Luka." The man blinked.
"That kid obsessed with his music?"
"Yeah." Harry eyed the man in suspicion.
"Okay. Thank you for telling me. How long will you be out?"
"That's it?" Harry sagged into the chair, making Severus smirk.
"Harry, gay or straight, I adopted you. I chose to take you in. You are still the same child as always." Harry moved, going around to hug the man.
"Thank you!"
"Now, how long will you be out, and where are you going?"
"André's, lunch, and the zoo. Not necessarily in that order. I should be home before four. Five at the latest."
"Very well. You will keep your phone on at all times. If you are going to be late, you will message me. Whether it's because you both decide to go to the park as well, or if you meet up with your friends later."
"I can do that." Harry mumbled into the black shirt under his cheek. "Thank you, dad."
"Of course."