Author's Note: In honor of Cassius's birthday (December 22) here is a chapter - it was written many years ago and doesn't quite fit into the story anymore - mainly because of how the character of Owen changed. But I really love it. So...

It's set during the summer and Harry has been living with Cassius and Corbin for one year.

Interlude

I'm going to put Harry down for a nap." Corbin called from the porch. Cassius waved in answer.

"Do you know I've never heard you say you love each other?" Owen said thoughtfully. "And you've been together five years."

"What's the big deal about saying it? I could say it and not mean it."

"I suppose." Owen frowned. "Be a shame to be married to someone and not love them, though."

"Yes, it would." Cassius agreed. as he picked up Corbin's half-full juice glass and took a drink

"It's been a big adjustment this past year. Are you happy?"

Cassius watched as Corbin came out of the house, picking some scattered toys up and putting them away. "I came home late one night, a few months ago, and Corbin must have fallen asleep after reading Harry a story. They were laying in Harry's bed. They looked…like they belonged together. And I thought…I'd kill anyone who tried to hurt them."

He was aware of Owen staring at him, "Uh…so that's Malfoy for happy, right?"

"Deliriously happy," Cassius answered as Corbin came over and sat down.

"What are you so happy about?" Corbin asked.

"You," Cassius answered, aware of Owen still watching him. "You've got jam on your face."

"I thought Harry's kiss was stickier than usual," Corbin grimaced and grabbed a napkin.

(Much) Later that evening...

"Cory. Corbin. You awake? Cory?"

"Mmph."

"You know I love you, don't you?"

Corbin muttered something unintelligible.

"Mama."

"Wha'? What's wrong?" Corbin asked sleepily, rubbing his eyes.

"I love you."

"Oh. Good." Corbin rolled back over and burrowed his face into his pillow.

"Good? I've laid here for hours waiting to tell you I love you and you just say 'good'?" Silence answered him. "Cory, you better not have fallen back asleep."

"Cassie," Corbin protested as he was shaken roughly.

"I've never told you I love you before."

"You have."

"When?"

"Seventh year, after NEWTS, we had Fire Whiskey and you told me you loved me more than anything on Earth."

"I did?"

"Yes."

"And you love me?"

"For Christ's sake, I married you, didn't I? I drank some God-awful amount of your blood so I can speak that gibberish language. I put up with you adding five spoonfuls of sugar to your tea, and your propensity for colorful swearing while you do the dishes."

"They fight back."

"So you say."

"Will you just tell me?"

"I love you."

"I love you too. See, I said it back."

"I said it back the first time you said it to me!"

"Why don't you ever say it?"

"I do say it! Sometimes. I don't know - I figure you know I love you and saying it all the time...it's a bit mushy, isn't it?"

"And we're not mushy. I remember that. What else is in that category?"

"Unnecessary anniversaries, public displays of affection, Valentine's Day, terms of endearment that compare a person to food," Corbin yawned.

"Did we have discussions about all that?"

"Yes. It's in our relationship manifesto." Corbin closed his eyes.

"Oh." Cassius thought for a moment, "Well, I don't feel any different now."

"What did you think was going to happen?" Corbin opened his eyes to look at Cassius.

"I don't know. People make such a big deal of saying 'I love you' that I thought I might feel different after I said it."

Corbin smiled, "The saying it isn't the important part, at least that's what I think."

"Me too." Cassius closed the small distance between them and kissed Corbin.

Corbin snuggled in close, "Now go back to sleep."