Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or the Suikoden series. I am simply twisting them to meet my sadistic needs.

Warnings: I must apologize, but unless you have played the Suikoden series of games, you will most likely not understand most of this story. The theme of the story was stuck in my head as I was playing through Suikoden III again and would not leave until I started writing this story. This story will contain male/male pairings. If this offends anyone then do not read.

Summary: Someone sent six-year-old Harry Potter to Lucia, chief of the Karaya Clan, and told her to raise him as her own. However, nothing is simple in concern to Harry Potter. How would having Harry Potter on your side affect the outcome of the Second Fire Bringer War?

Love Him

Chapter 10

Several days had passed since his marvelous, manly breakdown in front of Harry, and he tried his best to avoid the older teen like the plague. Hugo hated the fact that he had seen him acting so weak. He was ashamed, to be honest. He was the strong one, the one that had more control over his emotions. However, Harry had been the one to who comforted him. The older teen had not teased him or anything, but he still felt too vulnerable. Worse, Harry was leaving in a few days, and refused to let anyone besides Jeane, the mysterious rune mistress, accompany him. They had argued for hours when Harry told him the news. He did not want him to go, but understood why he needed to.

Someone was enticing this war for his or her own sick pleasures. It made him sick just thinking about it. People were not pawns in a chess game. Even the Zexen people fought with honor, no matter how little they possessed. Why did Harry have to be the one who stopped everything? It was not fair. He knew he was acting like a whiny brat, but he did not want to lose Harry.

Hugo was currently sulking as he walked around the Great Hollow. Sure, people had tried talking with him, but they quickly gave up when he either ignored them, or bit their heads off. Despite their reputation as clan of warriors, the Lizard and Karaya people did not have a death wish. They valued their lives, so smartly chose to avoid him. His mother was no exception. Honestly, though, he was just upset. He had just seen his brother after nearly three weeks, and now he was leaving for an undetermined amount of time. His life officially sucked.

The moody teen stopped and stared the fountain. It was a beautiful sight. Too bad, he never had the chance to admire it before. 'I bet Harry would love this' he found himself thinking, and then mentally slapped his forehead. He should not be thinking of Harry now. He was supposed to be sulking because of the jerk, not wondering whether he would like something or not. 'But you can't help it' inner Hugo claimed. 'You're in love with him. Of course you'd think of him'. Outwardly, he scowled and mumbled incoherently about his traitorous thoughts. Even when he tried not to think of him, his brain managed to rope the gorgeous teen into his thoughts.

Hugo suddenly kicked the stone fountain, yelped in pain and hoped around on one foot.

"Damn… stupid… stone…" he mumbled aloud, ignoring the sniggering Lizard Clan Fighters who had gathered to enjoy the fountain themselves.

Now he was doing stupid shit just because he was mad at Harry. If this was love, then he was not sure if he liked it or not. "Love…? I've been using that word a lot," he thought. When had his crush turned into love? Hugo shook his head, frowning slightly. Just a week ago, it had been a simple crush. When did it become love? Well, he had always loved Harry. He thought he was his brother, until a few weeks ago. However, this, this was different. It was not the type of love one brother should feel for another.

Had it always been there? Did it just develop recently?

Hugo sunk down onto the fountain's base and rested his head in his hands. If his mother had just sent someone else as a messenger, then his life probably would not have become so complicated. It all started on that day he learned of his real relationship to Harry. That is when the feelings started. Scratch that, they had always been there, in some form or another. He wanted to tell Harry everything, to lay it all bare. Would Harry accept it, though, or push him away? He did not know if he could handle not having Harry in his life.

Was losing him worth the chance, though?

… … …

"Harry, you seem preoccupied lately." Jeane commented. The teen glanced up at her, confusion written on his face. "I mean, you haven't been yourself since your talk with Hugo."

Harry made a small 'ah' noise. "He didn't take the news very well," he said bitterly. "He wanted to go with us, and fought when I told him he couldn't." he explained.

"Well, he does love you." she said flippantly and tossed her hair over her shoulder. She wore her hair down today, instead of in its usual ponytail. "He just doesn't want you to get hurt."

"I know, Jeane, but I have to do this." he said with a sigh and ran his fingers through his already messy hair. "I just wish he could understand that." he whined.

Jeane rolled her eyes at the teen. "Well, have you tried talking to him?" she asked and held up her hand when he opened his mouth. "Have you talked to him…not argued, but talked?"

Harry's mouth snapped shut with an audible click. Now that he thought about it, they really had not discussed it in length. Hugo had heard he was leaving and flipped out. The sentiment of his brother's worry was touching, but he could do without it. He needed his family to support him in this, not nag him endlessly. He could understand Hugo's point of view, though. He was leaving and had no clue when he would return. Anyone in his or her right mind would be worried. Hells, if Hugo had dropped something like this on him unexpectedly, he would have screamed, cried, and tie him up just to keep him home.

"I know, Jeane. He probably didn't mean half of what he said," he conceded. "He's just worried and doesn't want me in danger." he continued, but held up his hand to silence to woman. "But, still, he needs to see things from my point of view. I have a chance to stop this war from becoming bloodier than it already is."

The rune mistress nodded in agreement. "True, but all he can see is the danger aspect of it. Have you really explained everything in detail?" she asked. Harry cocked his head in confusion, so she continued. "Maybe he wouldn't be so combative if you explained everything. Sure, you told him it's to stop a war, but…"

"I never explained what would happen if I didn't succeed." he finished for her and cursed his own stupidity. "Damn! Why did I not think of this before? I'm such an idiot!" he all but screamed.

"Harry, I'm sure you eventually would've, but you were just being too emotional." she said softly. She hated the way Harry tended to blame himself for everything. "Besides, he's your little brother. You probably didn't want to scare him." Now that earned her a nasty look.

"Hugo doesn't get scared," he snapped in his brother's defense. "He's the bravest person I know."

"Brave he may be, but I bet he's terrified of losing you."

"Huh?" He probably could have come up with a better response, but he was confused as hell. "What do you mean?"

"Nothing." she replied and giggled. "Nothing at all, Harry my dear."

The teen could feel the twitch starting in his brow. Sometimes, she confused him and pissed him off at the same time. It was a very difficult feat to accomplish. After all, look at who his family is.

"I don't like you."

… … …

Hugo was still sulking at the fountain when Harry him a few hours later. Honestly, he looked like hell. If he were not mistaken, he would almost say that Hugo had been crying. His eyes were slightly red and puffy, which were usually the signs of tears. Now he felt even worse than he did before. He had not meant to hurt him that bad. As much as he dreaded the coming talk, it had to happen. He could not put it off.

"Hugo?" Hugo's head snapped up in surprise. "Can we talk…privately?" Harry asked hesitantly. The blonde boy started at him for several minutes before nodding and standing up to follow.

Harry led him to his room. They would not be overheard there. Harry entered his room with a nervous Hugo following close behind, and motioned for him to have a seat. Since there were not any chairs in the room, both boys sat on Harry's bed. Harry waited for Hugo to get comfortable before he started.

"I'm sorry for yelling at you earlier." he started. "You just made me so angry with all your molly-coddling. But I do understand that you're worried." he added at Hugo's piercing glare. "But please, please don't try and stop me. I have to do this or a lot of people will suffer," he begged.

Hugo stared into Harry's emerald orbs and felt his earlier agitation melt away. He could not stay mad at Harry. "I do understand. I just don't like it." he admitted quietly. "And I don't want you in danger."

The older teen sighed softly. "Hugo, I know you want to protect me, but you can't. That's why I'm not letting you come with us," he needless reminded him. "Jeane taught Dumbledore everything he knows. We'll be fine."

"But what if you're not?" Hugo snapped heatedly. "What happens if there's something you can't handle?"

Harry stared wide-eyed at Hugo's outburst, before lowering his eyes to his clasped hands in his lap. "I know it'll be dangerous, but I have to go. Nothing you say will change my mind." he replied stubbornly.

"Why? Why can't I change your mind?" Hugo asked desperately, his fight deflating completely. "Are thousands of unnamed people more important than your family? Are they more important than me?"

Harry's head snapped up at his words. "W-What?" he stuttered slightly.

"I love you, Harry. I don't want to lose you." Hugo whispered.

"I love you too, Hugo." Harry said, but Hugo shook his head at him.

"No, Harry. I…" Hugo paused, trying to find the courage to continue. "I-I'm in love with you." he finished barely above a whisper.

Harry sat in stunned silence. Had he heard correctly? Surely, he was hearing things. Hugo could not be in love with him. Glancing at the blonde boy, all of his denials flew out the window. Hugo was staring at him with wide, hopeful eyes. 'Hugo's in love with me!' his mind screeched. How was he supposed to respond to that? 'Tell him you love him, idiot!' he snapped to himself.

Hugo must have misread his silence, though. "Never mind…I shouldn't have said anything." Hugo snapped and ran from the room before Harry could say anything else.

Author's Note: I am such an evil, little jerk! There is another cliffhanger. I hope you are not plotting my death yet; I have too much more to write. Anyway, they are getting closer to revealing their true feelings. I hope you are not too mad at me. Well, cheers!