So I've seen everyone thank people for their reviews before the story starts (just as I'm doing it now). Anyways, that is what this is, a thank you for all the reviews. It truly means alot to me that people really like my story. I'll try not to disappoint you. The story starts off a little slow but it will pick up, and I'm actually excited because I think this story is going in a direction no one will predict. I won't tell you to keep reviewing, as I don't want to seem forceful, but they make me feel really good and are a big reason why I've continued with this story. Expect quicker updates, as Christmas break is coming up. I foresee this story being about twenty chapter, but it may be longer. Hope you enjoy! Thanks again. Oh! In response to two readers, this is a Felix/Harry story, but, like it said, it starts out a bit slow. It will soon pick up. Thanks.

Miss Swallow

Chapter 3

In the next coming weeks leading up to the Christmas holiday, Hale found himself becoming closer and closer to Deric, and, even though the weather became increasingly dreadful and glum, Hale's spirits, which had been always been hovering near rock bottom, had been caught up on the upsweep of some new sort of wonder, that, dare he say, seemed magical. This marvel came in the form of Hale's discovery into the first true friendship he could ever claim. What started as one or two texts a day turned into hour long conversations every night. Hale was ecstatic. He had finally found someone willing to listen to him, acknowledge him; someone he could hang out with and who would be pleased to hang out with him as well. He couldn't contain his surprise in actually meeting someone like Deric who desired his company, who wouldn't forget that Hale existed. He couldn't be more pleased.

However, while Hale happily experienced this new found feeling brought on by his and Deric's new budding friendship, his parents, while also happy for him, couldn't seem to accept the growing relationship between the two and almost seemed slightly against it.

This hurt Hale, but rather than sweeping the emotions under the proverbial carpet, so to speak, he now had someone to talk to about it. And talk he did. Always a quiet child, Hale couldn't seem to shut up now. To his profound relief, however, he found that Deric was a trusted comrade who never judged him and always listened. Therefore, in the following weeks leading up to Christmas holiday, Hale found himself hanging out more and more with Deric, who didn't seem to mind the development at all.

The only problem was that now Deric had completely moved out of his parent's house and into his own apartment in Seattle. He tried to drive down often to see Hale, but with road conditions what they were, it just wasn't possible. Hale found this disappointed him, but they still called each other often and it was almost just as perfect as being together.

Hale also found joy in this new relationship as it gave Hale the excuse to spend long periods of time away from his family and the 'Bella Situation,' as he dubbed it. He still desired the love of his family, but decided that, if he couldn't have it, then he would just find love somewhere else. Deric only seemed too willing to take on this role.

So Hale found that he and Deric's strong friendship grew. Through their conversations, Hale also found that Deric was another gay man much like himself, which the two bonded over, as it was difficult enough growing up gay, but more difficult growing up gay in a small town where you were already bullied and less likely to be accepted at all. It was therefore no surprise as slowly their relationship started to become more.

After awhile, their meetings started to mean more. When they went to the moves, it suddenly seemed like a date. When they parked somewhere after getting takeout, the car's atmosphere seemed thick and warm, and when Deric finally grabbed Hale's hand while driving him back home, Hale felt some kind of emotion overtake his body. Everything felt electrified. The grin Hale sported that night was the widest anyone had ever known.

And so Hale found himself with, well, a boyfriend, sort of, but he didn't know quite what they were. Closer than close friends? Partners? Hale decided not to think on it too hard, but he had someone, finally, who would listen to him, would comfort him, and who, could, with time, perhaps love him as much as Hale wished someone would love him. Hale started to think that he had finally found a place he could belong. Because, with Deric, Hale finally had someone who cared.

And while the relationship between Hale and Deric grew stronger, the relationship Hale held with the other members of his family grew weaker. When he got home from school, he was faced with the tension, which only made him rely and fly back to Deric more. Hale suddenly found the relationship he had with his parents was wrought with tensity.

They didn't like that Deric didn't live at home. They also didn't like that Deric was in college. He was too old, Hale too young, they said. Hale's grades were dropping, it wasn't healthy. But at the same time, they didn't try to bring him back into the family. He was still as left out as before. No one was telling him what was going on with Bella and Edward, and while he cared for Deric, thinking about Edward still hurt him, and he locked him from his mind often. It seemed the only way to push away the issues his family and Edward represented from his mind was to focus all his attention on Deric. So focus he did.

Hard.

Things came to a head over the Christmas break. Forks received the most snowfall in history, which stopped Deric from coming to visit. Hale was extremely disappointed about this but understood. He wouldn't want anything bad to happen to Deric. No point in risking a crash for a couple hours of visiting. Hale couldn't deny that he would have really liked to see him, though. The whole family was downstairs, including Bella, and Hale felt as alone as ever. He wished Deric was here to focus on.

But because he was not, Hale decided to stick to his room. The rest of the family didn't usually give out Christmas presents anymore, although they all did get Hale a couple presents. His parents had been trying a little more these past few days to include him, but whenever they would come upstairs and ask him to come downstairs to have some family time, he would arrive downstairs and wind up sitting alone and in silence. The customary knock came, just as it did every night to ask him to come downstairs, came before Carlisle poked his head around.

"Hey, kiddo." He started. "Want to come down? We're going to pop in The Grinch? Esme made some appetizers and we have some sugar cookies fresh out of the oven."

Hale looked up from examining the last text Deric had sent him from his bed. "Sure. I like The Grinch. The cartoon version or the Jim Carey version?" He would try to include himself. Olive branch and all that.

Carlisle appeared to be listening for a moment before answering. He had probably got the answer from someone downstairs. "Ah, the Jim Carey version, I think."

"Cool. That's Deric's favorite, too."

Carlisle's face contorted quickly, as though he had swallowed a lemon, before evening out again just as quickly. But Hale caught it and it caused his breathe to catch before evening out again.

"I see. Things still going well between the two of you? His job going well?"

Hale tried to smile back, he really enjoyed talking about Deric, and he knew his father was trying.

"It's going well," Hale started, a much more real grin stretching his features and lighting his eyes. "He got me tickets to go to this smaller underground band. We're going in the beginning of January. I've never heard of them before, but from what Deric tells me they're super great."

"Not like Tchaikovsky, though?"

"Er, no. Deric doesn't really like Tchaikovsky, or Mozart, but, hey, I don't like some of his bands. We usually just listen to his music. It's good for some co- er, some friends to have differences. And the bands he likes are… they are pretty good. Really interesting."

Carlisle hummed before giving a slightly downhearted smile and again opening his mouth, a concerned look flashing across his yellowed eyes, "Son, don't you think you and Deric are a little… well, a little close? For being friends, I mean?"

Hale froze and swallowed. What was he supposed to say back to that? Hale suddenly became very uncomfortable as well. With his family's advanced hearing abilities, he knew that everyone downstairs would also be privy to what was going on. Hale shuffled a bit in his spot.

"We're just friends, dad," Hale tried, the lie making his voice a little higher than normal and tense as a bow string.

Carlisle nodded slowly, staring right at him for a moment before coming further into the room, shutting the door, and sitting down on the bed where Hale was leaning against his headboard, reading a book on the greatest musicians of the 18th and 19th centuries. For awhile no one spoke, although Hale cursed the fact that his heart was flying around in his chest, knocking into his lungs and chest plate. He knew Carlisle would be able to hear it. He cursed the fact that it gave him away.

"You know, Hale, that it's, well, it's fine if you're… gay. We would still love you, your mother and I."

Hale felt water gather in his eyes. He was a little shocked and grateful, as he had not been expecting that response at all. It almost felt as though something heavy that he had been carrying around with him on his back for ages was lifted up and away from his small person.

Hale took a deep, shuddering breath, "Er," he tried to begin, "that's, um, thanks. Cause, you know, I'm probably, um, gay." The last ended in a whisper. Hale glanced up and through his hanging bangs to see how his father would react to the news and if he was really okay with it like he had said he would be. It then therefore, to Hale's astonishment, that he saw a small smile playing across his father's lips, and his eyes, which seemed tired before, brightened a bit. Hale allowed some of the tension still residing in his body to leave him as his father reached out a hand and grabbed Hale's hand in his cold grasp.

"That a good book?" Carlisle suddenly asked, that same smile still playing about on his face.

Hale looked down, confused, before glancing back up at his father. "Yes," he answered tentatively. "I love musicians from this time period."

"I know you do." Carlisle cleared his throat. "Are you in a, ah, relationship with this Deric, then?"

Hale felt tension gather again before letting it go at the look of calm on his father's face.

"Er, I think so. I, um, really like him." Hale whispered. "He's really great, and he's funny, and he does this thing with his nose when he's confused. It's, um, cute. He's really smart, too. And he's got a great job, where he makes really good money. I'm sort of proud of him." Hale cut himself off before he embarrassed himself further and glanced back to his father. His was still smiling, but now it seemed a touch concerned.

"What is it?" Hale questioned, feeling truly connected to his father for the first time in months.

"I'm, how to put this, a touch concerned." Hale felt his eyebrows furrow in confusion.

"What are you concerned about? He's been really great to me. We have a lot in common. He, well, he really… seems… to care about me. A lot. It's really… it's really nice."

"Yes, and I understand that," Carlisle began, although Hale sensed a but, "I'm just concerned that you're getting a little too serious too quickly. He's very… attentive towards you…"

"What's wrong with that? Edward watches Bella all the time. I mean, if Deric's attentive he's still got nothing on Edward. I don't understand why none of you seem to like him. He's been nothing but respectful towards everyone here."

"It's not just that, son," Carlisle broke in, looking very concerned. "I'm also concerned because he's quite a bit older than you and he's, ah, also more experienced."

Hale felt his cheeks heat up.

"Dad!" Hale groaned out, terribly embarrassed. "Honestly, we haven't even been going out that long. Besides, I've read all about…." Hale abruptly stopped as he realized what he had said. He ended it by adding "I know what to expect, and, quite frankly, I think that's sort of my decision."

Carlisle looked very uncomfortable as well, but he also looked even more concerned. "I just want to say that, because you are perhaps not aware, physical intimacy carries along other emotions and feelings. And," Carlisle let out an unneeded sign before clasping Hale's hand tighter, "I worry, because I love you. I would like you to wait until you are older because I believe it is an experience that is worth the wait, but also, an experience that should not be carried out carelessly. Giving yourself to someone like that is a, well, it is a large step. It conveys things you may not yet be aware of, and establish bonds that you may not know to exist. I just want you to be safe."

Hale swallowed hard before biting his lip. "Thanks, dad," he croaked out. "I really appreciate it. And I will be, careful, that is. I promise."

Carlisle nodded, looking down onto Hale's bowed head before unclasping the hand that held Hales and instead placed it on the side of Hale's face. He lifted up Hale's face towards his before lightly kissing Hale on the forehead.

"That's enough serious business for one day, I think." Hale cracked a smile at that as Carlisle continued, "Let's go downstairs now and watch that movie Deric is so fond of."

Hale felt his heart lift at Carlisle's small joke and smiled back.

"Okay. That sounds good to me."

"For me as well." That said, Hale got up, bookmarked his place in his book before laying it upon his made bed, and walkied out with his father. On the way, Carlisle threw an arm around him and hugged him to his body. Hale grinned larger and huddled close. He didn't mind the cold when he was so warm.

The Christmas break passed by quickly after that night, and Hale was surprised to say that he actually enjoyed the break with his family. He and his father had had a couple more heart to heart talks that ended on the same light notes as the 'Embarrassing Night' as he dubbed it, and his brothers and sisters had started to tentatively start conversations with him that, although they dwindled away rather quickly, further emphasizing their poor relationships, gave Hale hope that his family's love was something he could hopefully gain in time.

Everything in his life seemed to be going well. His family was fine with the fact that he was gay, he had a wonderful boyfriend, and the love he had once felt for Edward had begun to dwindle away, although never gone, Hale figured that it would always be there, a little bit like a scar.

But with all good things there has to be end, which stumbled and crashed into his life, taking the gangly form of Bella Swan. The situation with James, which had caused small parts of the holiday to be tense and uncomfortable, had worsened. Hale didn't know how it had gotten so bad so fast, but the catalyst was the deaths of two hikers who been killed while out camping the last weekend, and on their property, so to speak.

This normally wouldn't have bothered them, but the hikers' throats appeared to have been scratched open, and their blood mysteriously gone. It was a wonderful basis for any horror movie. The rumors as to the causes of their deaths ranged from bear attack to mad scientist psycho murderer, to vampires, but was only said jokingly to diffuse the horror of the situation. It was not, however, a laughing matter to Carlisle, Esme, and the rest of their coven.

It seemed as though James was stirring up trouble. For whatever reason, they couldn't predict. Edward grasped to the idea that he was trying to get to their coven and cause some sort of interaction like deadly glue, while Alice didn't necessarily disagree, but she didn't agree wholeheartedly either. She did state that she sensed more deaths to come, which she had foreseen happening. Alice told them to wait it out for a couple days before their answers would arrive in the form of James's other coven member, Laurent.

True to form and Alice's visions, Laurent showed up in all his cowardly glory late Sunday night of New Year's. Hale was busy texting Deric and watching a documentary on Mozart on the downstairs TV when he hear the doorbell. Quickly muting the TV before getting up and making his way to the door, he was passed by Edward, who proceeded to open the door. Before he could see who it was, Hale found himself looking at the back of Esme, who seemed to have also moved quickly to protect him. Hale felt a warm glow heat his insides at that action, but still tried to poke his head around the back of her head to catch a glimpse of their mysterious visitor.

"Come in," Edward growled out. "But know that you are being watched, and one wrong move will result in your death."

Laurent, for his part, didn't appear too fazed by the threat, but still held up his hands and moved very slowly into the house, his eyes continually moved about the room quickly, never resting on one specific thing. Hale also looked around and tried to see what Laurent was seeing from his point of view.

Hale looked behind him to see the rest of his brothers and sisters were standing at full attention, ready to spring at the first sign of trouble if they had to. Bella sat a little ways away from them, but still behind them, looking more curious than anything. Hale wondered if she truly comprehended how easily a vampire could snap her little human head, and quietly blamed her for this mess before proceeding to answer the text from Deric.

"Now, I'm under the impression that you have some information or us involving James," Edward started in a no nonsense voice.

Laurent nodded once before seemingly getting himself together and starting, "James, he wants her," there he nodded towards Bella before continuing, ignoring Edward's frozen position and growl, "I don't know why. I do know that he sees dangerous situations as games to be won, and that he will not give up. He's not quite right in the head, if you know what I mean."

"Do you know why he killed those hikers, He had to have known that that would be cause for full out attack from our coven," Carlisle asked, ostensibly unperturbed. Edward sent him a look, to which Carlisle raised an elegant brow.

Laurent gave a careless shrug. "Last I knew, that was just a plan. I only came back when I heard about the hikers dieing. I didn't want to get blamed for something I had no control over. At most, I believe that he is trying to get you to act first. He sees this all as a game."

"And so we are backed into a wall-" Carlisle stated heavily. Edward did not appear to be too concerned about that, however. He instead bit out, "So you are not associated with James and Victoria anymore?"

Laurent gave him a startled look. "Associated? No, we were barely friends. I only stuck with them because I did not know what else to do, or where else to go. I do get lonely from time to time, you know."

Edward had to have read the truth in the matter because he gave a short nod in response, though he looked angry to do so.

"We thank you for your time, and for coming here to warm us," Carlisle started. "Do you know what else James may have planned?"

By this time Laurent had taken down his raised arms. "I'm not sure. All I know is that he is a great tracker, and he will not stop until he gets what he wants, or is stopped." Here he gave Carlisle a heavy look lidded with meaning. "Do not underestimate him. Also, the redhead with him, Victoria, is his mate. I do not know if they will work together in this. She usually does not like it when he goes after the females. But if she feels particularly loving…" Here Laurent broke off and gave a human-like shrug. Edward nodded again, face much more serious.

Carlisle and Edward began to talk in fast voices, and Hale watched as Laurent looked around the home in amazement before his eyes landed on Hale himself. Hale looked down quickly, back to his text with Deric.

"He's part of our coven," Carlisle stated, his voice icy. Hale shivered before looking back up to Laurent.

"Duly noted," Laurent murmured, and looked away again.

"I think that is all we have to discuss," Carlisle stated after another couple of seconds of discussion with Edward, "unless you have something, anything else to add?"

Laurent shook his head.

"Very well, let me show you out." They both walked to the door, where Carlisle let him out, telling him to have a pleasant evening. The vampires then stood still and quiet, all obviously waiting for something, which Hale assumed was the indication that Laurent was completely gone, before they started talking. Hale didn't draw attention to himself as Esme finally moved away from her position in front of Hale, already sensing that he wasn't supposed to know what was going on, but wanting to stay for however long he could.

"That was a little bit worthless. We already knew that James killing the hikers was a way to draw us out. However, this thing about him being a tracker is rather startling. I do not know what his ability all involves, especially since Laurent claims that we should beware of it." Alice started. "I can't even see anything coming up in my visions."

"His mind didn't yield anything new either." Edward stated, a frown distorting his features.

"I may have to contact an ally, especially if James is committing these sorts of crimes. This is exactly what the Volturi does not want." Carlisle began heavily.

"Do you think that wise," Edward questioned. "We do have Bella. I do not foresee them being very happy with a human knowing about us."

"You're right, Edward, but I do not know who else to go to. If this gets too far out of hand, the Volturi may be forced to come anyways. But I suppose we could wait awhile, see if something else will happen."

"I think that would be best," Jasper inserted. "James's emotions were a bit chaotic, and he seemed slightly unhinged, just like Laurent mentioned. I honestly don't believe that he knows what he himself will do next, which explains the lack of visions Alice has been having regarding James."

Alice nodded to that, showing her agreement.

Jasper continued, "He may slip up without interference and then we can attack. I think it is safe to say that at this point, we will end up killing him on sight."

Alice nodded again to that, before grabbing Jasper's hand and leaning against him.

"Alright," Carlisle murmured. "We keep a look out. If he gets close enough to the town we go in and take him out. At this point, however, chasing after him could lead us on a wild chase, especially if we do not know what kind of a factor the redhead will have in all of this. That may be the exact thing he wants us to do. We will tread carefully here."

Silence reigned before Bella coughed lightly, and then everyone was moving back to their spots, with Edward leading Bella upstairs. Hale moved back to his position on the couch and proceeded to un-mute the sound before continuing the documentary. The only thing that Hale didn't tell Deric about was the vampire business, but Hale wished he could. It was getting so much more dangerous now. Hale shivered and almost felt bad for Bella. Almost.

The winter freeze ended abruptly, and with it, Deric's access into Forks continued, although the cold rigidity that permeated Hale's house continued to make it's presence know. After Laurent's talk, it seemed as though everyone in the house was on high alert. Hale metaphorically felt as though he had to walk on eggshells, which, at times, felt comparable to his heart, because with the pressure of James and Victoria, all talks and interaction between Hale and his family appeared to end. Carlisle still tried to include him, and Esme still attempted to make him feel loved and give him their time, but everybody was far too distracted by the threat James represented to pay much attention. And like that, Hale's hope was snuffed out like a puny match in the middle of the ocean. There was too much working against him.

Hale found himself once again turning more and more to Deric, until Deric was the only one he talked to at all. Their texting, which had been continuous before and consisted of all day conversations, had now become much more ferocious in their speed and accuracy. Hale found himself continually distracted by all things Deric at home and at school. Hale couldn't seem to care, though. At the end of the day, he was the only thing he thought about, the only thing he wanted, and the only one he wanted to talk to. Deric was an obsession, and Hale a junkie. He just couldn't get enough.

And it appeared as though Deric needed him just as much. He received multiple texts from him all the time, always wondering as to what he was doing, who he was with, asking to hang out, or when they could next be together. Hale found the questions loving rather than constricting, as no one had ever cared or wanted to know so much about what he was doing, or how he was doing. It made Hale feel silly and giddy all at once.

It was on January fifth, however, that things blew up out of anyone's control. Deric had shown up at Hale's strained house to pick him up for the concert. Hale met him at the door just as Deric was about to ring the doorbell, ignoring Esme's hovering presence near the kitchen.

Hale laughed out loud when he saw him, his face shining. "You brought flowers!" Hale exclaimed.

Deric blushed and grinned sheepishly before handing Hale the yellow roses. He looked particularly handsome in his dark green t-shirt, with his brown coat thrown over, and his dark brown scarf, and light washed jeans. "Yeah, I remembered you saying that no one had ever given you flowers before. And, well, I 'spose guys can enjoy flowers, too."

Hale felt his heart burst. "They're really pretty."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah." Hale gave him another smile before turning around and asking Esme to put them in a vase for her, which she silently did, all the while holding an indescribable face. Grabbing Deric's hand, he and Hale quickly walked towards the pick up. He blushed again as Deric opened the door for him and helped him in, closed Hale's door, and ran around to his own door.

He gunned the engine and they were off. Hale felt his excitement and joy consume him. The first couple of moments were spent in comfortable silence before they started to talk. Hale found he always enjoyed talking with Deric, and, although they had some things they differed on, Hale decided to ignore that and focus on all the other things they did have in common.

They chatted about this and that, the talk lighthearted and flowing. Hale couldn't be happier. He laughed and flirted, and both enjoyed each others company greatly.

"Oh!" Deric tried to begin, still laughing over a joke the two had just shared. "You still have to meet my two best friends! Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. Ron's a bit of a hothead, but he's got a good a good heart, and Hermione's a bit of a bookworm but she's awesome. Got a good heart, too. Both have stuck by me through everything."

"That's really nice. It must have been great to have had friends." Hale stated, smiling.

"Yeah, it was." Deric turned to look at Hale, giving him a heart melting grin, before turning into a parking lot filled with other cars. He quickly found a spot near the back and hopped out, hurrying to Hale's side to let him out as well. He helped him out, and together they walked, hand and hand towards the building where the concert was supposed to be.

"They aren't exactly famous," Deric started, "But they are dead awesome. Fall Out Boy started small too before they became famous." Hale nodded in agreement, although he did not know who Fall Out Boy was, as they picked their way to the front doors, where a large, bald man stood taking tickets. He had a long scar down the right side of his face, and one of his eyebrows was half gone. Hale huddled a bit closer to Deric, who allowed it by slipping an arm around him. The buff man took the tickets without a word, and they both headed inside, maneuvering their way around other groups or lone people standing about.

Hale was surprised at how busy it actually was, but was very excited all the same. Deric smelled and felt nice next to him. Hale glanced around, feeling a bit blissful before he realized that there were other gay couples much like himself. A tiny bit of tension that he had held inside was let loose as he felt like he belonged.

The lights were low, but it was still rather bright thanks to the candles all situated around the room. It was a little bit romantic, too. It reminded Hale of the time Edward had caught a hundred fireflies for him and put them in multiple jars around the yard. They had sat up and watched the fireflies light up the backyard like a magical fairy tale far into the night. The memory still struck him as one of his most peaceful, back when Hale still felt as though he belonged. Hale felt his chest tighten.

Deric interrupted his thoughts by leaning down, kissing his cheek, and whispering in his ear, "What do you think?"

Hale smiled back at him and whispered back, blushing, "I think this is neat. I like the candles."

Deric looked up at the candles and smiled, "They do that at every performance. I'm convinced the lead singer is a pyromaniac, though." Hale laughed in response and was hugged closer for it. As the remaining minutes passed by, one worker would come along and blow out a candle until all the candles were gone. When that happened, all talking ceased as the room was left in darkness. From the side in front of Hale where he knew the stage was, five candles seemingly floated out of the darkness until they stopped in prearranged places. A low hum began, and went on and on until Hale thought it would never end before, what seemed like a miniature firework, went off, and a guitar started up with the pounding of drums and all the lights came on.

Hale was actually impressed and turned to smile at Deric who was cheering with the rest of the fans. Hale smiled again before turning back to watch the performance. It lasted about two hours and, while Hale preferred orchestral music, he certainly enjoyed the performance. They left with the rest of the excitedly babbling bunch.

On the way out, Hale looked again for the buff man, but couldn't see him. He found that odd for some reason, instead focused on the feelings coursing through his body. He breathed in deeply, looking up into the clear, dark sky of beautiful January. The moon was particularly bright and full, and light up parking lot and the hundreds of people also stumbling around. While walking back, Deric quietly sang the songs from the performance under his breath, his arm tightly wrapped around Hale.

Hale breathed out a fogged breathe in response to the chilly air, enjoying the bite in his lungs and the slightly wind in his face while he helped Deric search for his truck. It was while Hale was looking beyond all the passing faces of the fans that his eyes passed by a familiar face. Confused and a little startled, he did a double take and froze.

It was James, and he was staring right at Hale.