#40 – comedy of errors

Once Harry had regained his senses, he had blushed crimson and had promptly tried to suffocate himself with his pillow.

What the hell had that been about? His only excuse was that his animagus form affected him more than he had first thought. Not that that was as big a surprise as it should have been.

He had only completed his transformation a week before the final battle and both Hermione and Ron – the only two people who would even think about touching him – were too busy to do so.

They had both had just enough time to work out why he was a kitten when Hogwarts was being overrun. Then they were too busy fighting for their lives to even think about anything but trying to live through the next few minutes.

Straight after that Savitar had found him and spirited him away from the magical world to be trained on his island. And Merlin knew Savitar wasn't one for touchy feely huggy moments.

No matter how funny and terrifying the image was.

He spent a few moments imagine Savitar trying to hug him and mentally scarred himself by accident.

After the immediate embarrassment had died down, Harry had hoped that he and Ash would be able to talk about what happened. He needed to explain why he had rubbed himself all over him.

But Ash didn't return.

Harry had sat on his bed, waiting, for hours before he realised that Ash might be too freaked out by his behaviour to return.

Feeling uneasy, he had gone to sleep that night vowing to himself to find Ash as soon as he woke to explain just what had happened.

The next day Harry had woke feeling determined to find Ash and talk. The only problem was that Ash seemed to have disappeared. Harry had frequented all the usual haunts, even going so far as to make his way to Ash's bedroom – where he stood outside the door awkwardly, unable to muster the courage needed to knock.

In the end he had sighed and walked back to the throne room, consoling himself with the thought that if Ash was locked in his room then he was obviously in there for a reason. Like, maybe he'd been really busy after he'd left Harry's room last night and now he was tired out?

It didn't really console him and that night he spent the entire time restlessly tossing and turning; his brain refusing to switch off. He went from being mortified by his actions, to hurt that he hadn't been able to talk things through with Ash, to worried over Ash's state of being.

The second day wasn't much better. In fact, it could said to be worse as it had all the emotional drama of yesterday on top of no sleep. And still there was no sign of Ash.

Harry had just decided to call it a day. He was really feeling the effects of not being able to sleep and he had a headache. Then Ash walked through the door like nothing was wrong in the world.

"Ash," Harry said in shock. After all that and Ash didn't even seem to be bothered by anything? Where had he gone? Had he been avoiding him?

At the sound of his name Ash turned and stiffened. Harry could see him tense and took a step forward, "I-"

Ash didn't let him finish. He whirled around and immediately left the room, shutting the door firmly behind him. Harry stared after him, shocked.

What the hell did that mean?

Shit! He'd never been so confused in his life! Did this mean that Ash hated him? Did he feel weird being around Harry now? He'd certainly ran from the room fast enough that was for certain.

What should he do now?

Unfortunately, there was no one in his head to enlighten him, so he had to go to bed feeling even more worried than ever.

Day three had him lying in bed, emotionally and physically exhausted. He'd been unable to sleep again last night and he just couldn't take it anymore. If Ash hated him, then that was fine. He'd just have to find a way to deal with that.

But he couldn't physically last much longer. Ash was probably going to spend the day avoiding him again, so he was going to do the thing he should have done at the very beginning. He was going to go talk to Alexion.

Levering himself out of bed, he staggered to the bathroom to splash cold water on his face. Grimacing as he glanced in the mirror. Merlin, he looked like shit.

Great, he looked exactly how he felt. Perfect. But he couldn't bring himself to care all that much anyway.

Alexion was pretty easy to find as he was only really in two places. Harry had checked the throne room first, ruthlessly squashing the vain hope that Ash might be there instead.

Neither of them was so Harry had swiftly made his way to Alexion's rooms. Trying to tell himself that he wasn't disappointed that he hadn't seen Ash.

A quiet knock confirmed that Alexion was indeed in residence and Harry entered hesitantly, closing the door quietly behind him as Alexion banished the images his sfora was casting on the walls.

"Harry," Alexion said in concern as he looked over his newest friend, "are you okay?"

Harry stared at him for a moment, unable to do anything as every single emotion and worry he had felt in the last three days crashed over him all at once in the face of Alexion's kindness.

"No." He croaked out, and then promptly burst into tears.

Ash spent the next three days continuously berating himself over his actions whilst simultaneously avoiding Harry at all times.

It was a lot harder than he thought it would be. The avoiding Harry part, that is. The blaming himself part he had down pat. He would think that with a place as big as Katoteros, he could easily lose himself for a few days.

Apparently not.

Ash had lost count of the times he had walked into a room, caught sight of Harry and had to promptly duck out of the room again before Harry spotted him. It was getting old.

There'd only been the once where Harry had caught him. Ash had been so shocked that he'd frozen and immediately gone on autopilot. This meant that he ran from the room, slamming the door behind him.

Because that's how he dealt with problems apparently.

He glanced behind him as he strode down the corridor. All clear, so far that is. He hadn't seen Harry at all today so it was shaping up to be good…or at least not a stressful.

A movement in the corner of his eye had him ducking into a room on his left. A room that just so happened to be Alexion's room.

"Ah!"

At the startled exclamation, Ash jerked his head around so fast his neck wrenched. He winced at the pain, but it soon turned into a grimace at the sight of Harry standing next to Alexion with tears running down his face.

"Ash," Harry said hesitantly, his voice hoarse, taking a step forward, "I-"

Ash didn't wait to hear Harry tell him how much Ash disgusted him, how much he hated him for taking advantage of him. Instead Ash spat out a curse and disappeared to the other side of the palace ready and willing to hide for the next few days, months, years.

Or, at least that was what was supposed to happen. He didn't count on a pissed off Alexion storming after him and dragging him back.

And what was with Alexion feeling anything anyhow! Wasn't he supposed to be emotionless right about now?

He was brought out of his thoughts (and growing panic) when Alexion shoved him harshly into his room.

"There. Sort it out." He spat, slamming the door shut behind him.

Ash winced and turned to face Harry, but before he could open his mouth, Harry spoke first.

"I'm s-sorry." He hiccupped. "I'm really, really sorry, Ash."

"Er…" Ash said, blindsided. Shouldn't he be the one apologising?

"Please don't hate me." Harry sobbed, fresh tears appearing as he wrapped his arms around his middle – the sight of which had Ash's stomach clenching unpleasantly, "I didn't know that was going to happen, I swear! I-it was just m-my a-ani-nimagus form!" He brought a hand up to scrub at his face, "I promise I won't touch you ag-gain b-but d-don't hate me or run or anything please."

Ash couldn't take it anymore. It had all been a misunderstanding and he felt like a fool. He didn't know how to make it up to Harry but he knew how to start.

It took him two strides to get across the room and have Harry in his arms. Harry sobbed harder and clung to his silk formesta – his hands knotting in the material at the base of Ash's spine – as Ash ran his fingers through Harry's hair.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry." Harry repeated, over and over into his chest, and Ash felt his heart break.

He leant back, pushing Harry away slightly so he could look him in the eye. Harry didn't want to go, shaking his head and clutching harder.

"Harry," he murmured quietly, his hands framing Harry's face, "Harry look at me."

He could see Harry steeling himself for a blow.

"I'm sorry." His admission had Harry blinking up at him in shock.

"W-wh-"

"I'm sorry." Ash interrupted, closing his eyes. "It's my fault you're acting like this." He shook his head and wrapped his arms back around Harry's unmoving form, curling around him until he could bury his face in Harry's hair.

"Ash…?" Harry breathed against Ash's neck, trembling in relief that Ash didn't hate him, "Then why'd you…?"

Ash took a deep breath, the smell of Harry so familiar that it immediately soothed him. "I-I thought that you would wake up and find me disgusting." Ash confessed quietly, knowing that he owed Harry more than just an explanation, "I was…worried…that you'd…" he trailed off and gripped Harry tighter, "I didn't want you to look at me with disgust in your eyes."

The last was said so quietly that he was unsure whether Harry heard him or not. At least until Harry leaned back slightly and looked at him incredulously.

"Disgust…?" he said in disbelief, "Ash, I don't think I could find you disgusting even if I tried. What are you talking about? Who finds you disgusting? And why would you think I would find you disgusting? I was the one rubbing all over you, remember?"

Ash stared down at him in shock. "You don't?"

Harry snorted, "No!"

The relief Ash felt threatened to send him to his knees. It was only through stubbornness that he remained standing at all.

"Then would you like to go out with me again? To get a drink at Sanctuary?"

Harry's lips quirked into a small smile. "I think I need a drink. And to apologise to Alexion for crying all over him." He frowned as he looked down at himself. "I'm not looking too good though."

Ash frowned as well as he finally took full stock of Harry's appearance. His clothes were rumpled and smelled stale. His skin was almost grey, he had deep purple bruises under both bloodshot eyes from lack of sleep and his cheeks had white tear-tracks covering them. He was also swaying lightly in obvious exhaustion.

And yet Ash couldn't help the tender feeling curling in his chest. Didn't even want to, if he was going to be completely honest with himself.

So, to help, he pushed his power into Harry to heal him of his exhaustion and freshen him up so that he felt a little more like himself. He was completely unprepared for Harry's magic to twine with his own. He heard Harry gasp and was pretty sure he made some sort of noise as well, his eyes fluttering closed.

It seemed like hours later when he finally regained enough control over himself to pull his powers back; Harry's magic reluctantly drawing back as well.

Opening his eyes he was met with blown green staring straight back at him. He didn't know what to say or how to explain as he didn't know what had just happened either, so instead he just asked, "Ready?"

Sanctuary was quiet tonight, the atmosphere intimate rather than loud.

Harry and he were both sitting at the bar, turned towards each other on their stools, a tumbler of whiskey in front of each of them.

Harry was taking little sips, letting the alcohol warm his chest and stomach. He was at the stage where everything felt relaxed and was quite happy to stay there.

"So," he said, propping his chin in his palm, "you're saying that alcohol does absolutely nothing for you?"

"Nope." Ash replied.

Harry narrowed his eyes. "So if you were to down that glass, not only would you not get drunk, but you wouldn't even feel sick?"

Ash shrugged, "I enjoy the taste, and I can feel it warm me."

"But you could drink hot chocolate for that!" Harry scoffed, "It'd be cheaper too."

Ash took another sip and smiled.

Harry glanced down at his own glass as he swirled the amber liquid around. "You know," he said eventually, "there are plenty of other non-alcoholic drinks that taste nice."

"I'm sure there are." Ash agreed.

Harry shot him a look that told Ash that he knew he was being facetious. "Here, look, I'll prove it to you." He signalled for the were-bear (one of the quads) manning the bar that evening. "I'll get you my favourite drink when I was a kid."

The 'and could sneak some without my aunt noticing' went unsaid.

"What can I get you?"

Harry smiled at him. "Can I get a pint of Sprite, please?"

This chapter just wouldn't. Fucking. Die. I even re-wrote it twice and each time added another couple of pages worth of stuff to it – because it needed it (all sarcasm intended).

Argh! Though the reason behind it is probably because it's angst and I suck at angst and there's probably some pretty huge mistakes in there as well. Also, in case anyone's confused - the theme of the chapter is supposed to be both ironic (in a Shakespearian kind of way) and a portent encapsulated entirely in that last line. :D

Anyway – before I forget again – Apollymi will turn up in chapter 42! Yay!