Hello everyone, first of all I hope that you and your loved ones are all well and as safe as possible right now!
And big, big thank you to all of you who are still working to keep things going in those turbulent times!

This chapter plays about 18 months after the last one ^^
It contains a lot of things I had mapped out for a long time and I'm glad managed to fit them now into the story.
I hope you like the chapter. ^^
sexy scenes are marked so you can skip them, if you don't like to read them :)

Chapter 35

With a happy hum Harry enjoyed warm spring sun tickling over his skin. It was one of those rare, lazy afternoons were everyone could spare a few hours just to spend time with their friends and family. Daryl and Paul had jumped on the chance to go on a little hunting trip with Aaron and Rick. While Harry had promised to help out Michonne and Eric with Gracie and Judith, so the two fathers could go in good conscience.

Especially since Michonne was eight months pregnant right now. Not that it made the samurai any less fierce. Nonetheless Harry had offered her and Eric to take the two very active two girls out of their hair for most of the day. Together with Carl, Noah and Beth, he had entertained a lot of Alexandria's smaller kids today.

Harry's foster brother had welcomed this as a distraction from his own heartache. A month ago, Enid had finished her training with Carson. Carl had confined in to the British youth that things between him and his girlfriend had become rocky for some time now… He had always hoped that she would come back to Alexandria with him when she was done with her apprenticeship. But now… she had apparently chosen to stay at the Hilltop permanently and even more importantly… she had fallen in love with someone else. Alden, who had been one of the Saviours, having gone to live at the Oceanside community. Through visits and trade between the settlements he and Enid had grown closer. Harry knew the young man. He was nice and very thoughtful. An architect and had struck a friendship with Noah over the topic.

Carl had cultivated his broken heart a lot in the last month, driving Rick and Michonne up the wall with his sulking. So, it had been nice to see his foster brother in a better mood today. Children at that age surely didn't care if you were a moody teenager, when there was a chance to play catch and to colour a very big parts of pavement and street. It had been incredible fun to run around with the little rascals.

But now that all parents had collected their offspring again, the four of them had crashed in the beautiful garden Eugene had cultivated behind the house, he shared with Siddiq, Tara and Rosita.

Their resident genius, as well as Siddiq and Tara had joined them in cooling down and the brunette had given out beverages out to all of them. She had even roped the shy doctor into trying some of Harry's firewhiskey.

"Hermione called yesterday. She sends her love." Harry informed them, as Siddiq was coughing and fighting for a breath, while a sniggering Tara patted his back.

"Is she doing alright?" Beth asked with a soft smile.

"Oh yes! Things at Hogwarts seemed to go well enough. They settled a few troublesome points. Like teaching the kids how to fight. Handling Muggle weapons. Building a proper defence without solely relying on magic." Tara and Eugene winced a little.

There had been some… hitches in the beginning. Assimilating a bunch of isolated Professors and teenage wizards with twenty hardened women, who had lost their entire world and then rebuild it in blood and sweat... Well, some trouble had been inevitable.

But Harry was very proud to say that Hermione had done an incredible job to make the transition as smooth as possible. The weeks she had spend with the Oceanside women on the ship had changed something in his friend. It was hard to say what exactly, because she was still Hermione…

But ever since Harry had a hard time seeing that small bushy-haired, know-it-all girl, he had met almost 10 years ago. In her place was now a grown woman, someone ready to be a leader.

"And apparently Natania would have made a great Potion Mistress and is giving Snape a run for his money." Harry smirked at Tara, who laughed heartily.

"Damn, I miss that old hag! I'm glad to hear, she's having some fun. It's been so calm and relaxing since she moved to Hogwarts. I loved the way she could make Rick sweat by just raising her eyebrow at him." The brunette grinned fondly.

"Then you might want to visit the Hilltop again." Noah sniggered a little. "Since little Hershel got the hang of walking, he having the exactly same effect on Glenn. He gives you these innocent, clueless looks and then he's suddenly gone to wreak havoc on the place. Glenn's this close to becoming a twitchy, nervous wreck."

"Yeah, I know what you mean!" Harry laughed. "We were there two weeks ago. Paul and Glenn swore that Hershel was peacefully playing with his cars and when they looked away for a just second, he had toddled of. Daryl had to literally tracked him down. Found him in the kitchen, charming the cook to give him a cookie. For a not even two-year old, he's pretty stealthy."

Their little godson was certainly working hard to prove Harry's prediction right. The kid was a marauder in the making.

"But he's very well behaved when he's with Maggie and you. He's an angle with you two, everyone else seems to be free game to be driven mad." Beth accused playfully.

"Children learn exceptional fast who's more inclined to be lenient towards their bad behaviour. So, they can show superb behaviour with one guardian but will test their boundaries with another." Eugene supplied in his usual monotone staccato.

"So, you're saying, Hershel knows, he gets away with being naughty, when he's with Glenn and basically anyone else… But not with his momma or Harry?" Tara asked, looking a little impressed.

"Yep, that would be an adequate conclusion." The man with the mullet nodded seriously. Then he looked at Beth and Noah before adding dryly: "You're push overs to him."

"But he's just so damn cute!" The young architect groaned in dismay, while everyone else broke out in good-naturedly, teasing laughter.

"Say Harry, there's something I wanted to ask you for ages." Siddiq commented, having caught his breath again, a small blush adorning his cheeks. "When I borrowed all those books on healing from you… I found something. Just a short notice and well…"

The young doctor's obvious embarrassment had Harry cocking his head to the side in curiosity. Siddiq had already grilled him and Hermione endlessly about magical medizing and healing, when he had first gotten his hands on the books. Hermione had found his perspective utterly fascinating and together with Eugene had spend whole nights discussing theories. There wasn't much left he hadn't asked…

"Is it… true that wizards can… you know,… get pregnant?" Siddiq stuttered out with glowing cheeks.

"WHAT?!" The collective outcry was deafening.

Harry choked on his drink. What in the name of Merlin!?

Everyone turned to stare wide eyed at the green-eyed wizard. Carl even directed a very critical look at his midsection as if to discern whether his foster brother was already up the duff or not. Feeling somewhat naked under their inquisitive eyes the slender wizard covered himself a little more with his arms, throwing a glare at Siddiq.

"Merlin! You're never getting firewhiskey again!" Harry grumbled darkly at the bashful doctor.

"So, it's fake news?" Tara asked, looking a little too interested.

"Yes and no…" Harry huffed. "As far as I know, it's possible. Theoretical. But it needs two magical strong parents and a bunch of potions… and the risks of failure are said to be very high."

All men stared at him with flabbergast expressions. Apparently, the idea of men getting pregnant was a little too much for them to process.

"I think you broke their brains." Tara remarked drily. "But this means that there won't be any Potter-Rovia-Dixon babies crawling all over Alexandria, right? With Paul and Daryl having no magic and all that…"

Was it just Harry or did she sound disappointed? He certainly couldn't deny the way his heart clenched with a familiar longing at the thought of raising a child with his lovers.

But the stability their relationship had gained in the last one and a half years been hard won and had needed a lot of work and patience between them all… Still did to be honest. There had been quite a few setbacks even without the whole Dolohov incident.

Raising a child of their own… they hadn't been ready for something like that.

"Dad might be relieved to hear that." Carl mumbled wryly.

"Merlin! Don't you dare to say anything about wizard pregnancies to Rick!" Harry yelped in alarm. "Or Daryl and Paul for that matter! Can you imagine how freaked out they would be?"

They all shuddered. Nobody wanted to deal with that.

Daryl was tinkering in Aaron's garage on his bike, the owner of said garage assisting him every now and then, or rather just simply keeping him company.

Although it would be better said that they had worked on the bike, because right now, they had switched the wrenches for bottles of home brewed beer. A relative new pet project of Eugene's, that Daryl appreciated quite a bit. Not necessarily because of the alcohol but the taste brought back memories of an easier time. Especially on occasions like this.

It was nice, calm and relaxing like in the beginning, when Daryl and Aaron had first struck their tentative friendship. The only thing missing was Harry's bright presence, peeking over their shoulders as they worked on the bike.

Right now, the young wizard was inside playing with Gracie, while Paul helped Eric with the dinner.

"… and then her diaper just exploded all over Eric. You can't image what that was like. God, I swear I never heard Eric shrieking like that." Aaron sniggered.

"Sounds like a real blast." Daryl smirked at the story.

He loved how happy his friend was with his little family. Carefully he snipped on his beer, savouring the taste… not the best he ever had but damn, he hadn't thought he would ever have one again, so he would enjoy it.

"Eric and I talked about that by the way. We think, you three would make great dads, too, you know?"

Daryl choked on the beer, he had just been sipping.

"WHAT?!" The hunter stared flabbergast at his friend.

"Oh, come on! Don't tell me you haven't thought about that!?" Aaron wiggled his eyebrows at him. There was a small teasing smile on his lips but his friend's brown eyes were shining with warm kindness and earnest curiosity.

Daryl just sputtered like an idiot. "Naah… I mean… Naah…"

"The three of you are little Hershel's godparents and you've been doing an amazing job with it." Aaron patted his back. "Don't forget that I've seen you with Judith and Hershel, Daryl, you would be a great dad. Harry and Jesus are so good with kids. Heck, Harry helped us so much with Gracie. I think there were times she was convinced Harry was her third dad. And well, I thought, it was a given that you would want a child someday…"

"Nah… we… we haven't talked 'bout it. And since we ain't in danger of having our own… like you know… just never came up…" Daryl stomach did a little somersault at the thought of raising a child.

He could see it, too, that vision Aaron had… Harry and Paul would be great, no doubt. The picture of a little boy on Paul's arm tugging on his father's long hair, while demanding a goodnight kiss from his green-eyed daddy…

Fuck, yeah!

That image made Daryl heart soar with so much love and at the same time he could feel sweat starting to form on his upper lip in a sudden bout of angst.

God, he was going to be sick…!

What did he, Daryl Dixon, born and raised in White Trash dump, know about raising a child? Huh?

What were his role models? Will Dixon and Merle?!

Babysitting was one thing… But raising a child as their own… Shit!

How long would it take until Daryl would fuck up?

There was so much you could do wrong on such a little person…

Yes, they had found some kind of stability… but still… there was so much that could happen to child now a days…

"Daryl!" Aaron was waving frantically a hand in front of his eyes, until the hunter could focus on his friend again. "Shit, man! I'm sorry. I didn't mean to freak you out."

Daryl just shook his head, trying desperately to clear his head.

"You know, it's ok if you don't want kids, right?" Aaron asked carefully, still looking worried. "I mean if you haven't spoken about it now, that's ok. You've been only together for two years. No need to rush things."

Daryl mutely nodded, a bit of the anxiety in his chest loosening. That was right. There was still time…

But even as the evening progressed, he couldn't help but feel a still lingering sensation of longing and panic, whenever he looked at Gracie. The little girl toddled freely around the living room, seeking the attention of her dads and their guests alike.

Evenings like this had become quite a regular thing between them. Harry, Paul and Daryl would spend at least one evening in the week at a friend's house. If not here, then at Rick's or at the strange house-sharing community Tara had established with Rosita, Eugene and Siddiq.

So yeah, Gracie was quite comfortable with them being here and treated them a bit like extended furniture. The hunter thought his heart might jump out of his chest, when she demanded to sit of his lap for dinner. His talk with Aaron still very fresh in his memory. But it was kind of hard to keep freaking out, when Gracie cuddled close without a worry in the world, while she nicked some of his spaghetti.

Littl' Thief!

Harry and Paul were just silently laughing at him, two pairs of very bright eyes regarding him with gazes full of adoration and love. When they looked at him that, he still would duck his head, in a usually unsuccessful attempt to hide his burning cheeks.

Being loved back like this, filled Daryl up with so much happiness that it felt almost unbearable.

After they had eaten, Aaron tried to collect his little daughter to put her to bed.

"No, Papa!" She swatted him away with a cute scowl. "'ry, 'ong!"

Swift as a little weasel, Gracie ran back to Harry, pulling on the fabric of his trousers.

"You don't want me to bring you into bed?" Aaron asked, looking a little affronted by his daughter's behaviour.

"'Ry! 'Ong!" She confirmed with a serious little nod, before she turned impossible big, puppy dog eyes at Harry.

"If it's alright for you, Aaron, I can bring her to bed." The lithe wizard smiled kindly.

"Yeah, if you don't mind?" The curly haired man sighed defeated, as a humming Harry carried off a smug little girl.

"My baby!" Aaron sniffed a little sadly, as he watched them go, causing Eric to snigger at his dramatics.

"Oh honey, don't worry. She still loves you, but Harry just sings best lullabies." The auburn hair man pressed a loving kiss against Aaron's temple, trying to sooth his partner's busted ego.

There were times like these when their life, their family and relationship felt so unbelievable normal, that Daryl would sometimes start, fearing that all of it was just a beautiful daydream…

… that he would wake up to realize that all of his friends and family had simply died in the fall of the prison.

Or even worse that he would find himself back in that old tiny cabin, he had shared with Merle and his old man. Lying face first in a puddle of his own puke, reeking of stale beer and moonshine. The person, he had been back then… that idiot would have wasted the chances his current life so freely offered him on a silver plate.

Friends like Aaron and Eric, Tara, Rosita, Sasha, Glenn and Maggie. They would have never given each other the time of the day. Damn, he had found a brother in Rick. The kind of brother, Merle could never have been.

Hell, the person Daryl had been back then would have picked a fight with Paul, just because he would have liked his pretty face a little too much. He would have been too afraid of Merle's reaction and of his own feelings to do anything else but lash out.

Harry…

That was probably the worst. Daryl's old self would have taken one look at the fragile and beautiful teen… and then would have run as fast as he could. From Harry and himself, maybe with a harsh parting insult on his lips.

There would be no Harry in his life and no Paul.

Carol had said once that Daryl had been still a child, until the fucking end of the world had forced him to grow into a man and her to develop a backbone made of steel.

The peace they had found now had been hard won and couldn't be taken for granted anymore. The world had calmed down around them for sure, but shit was certainly not settled. Harry had renewed the blessing on their territory just a few months ago for the third time. And while it had certainly protected the peace it had brought them, neither Daryl nor Paul looked forward to repeating the damn ritual again, since the second and third time had only been somewhat less frightening than the first.

But every now and then, they would come across rather fresh walkers pierced by roots or showing signs of animal attacks…

People, Paul or someone else would later recognize as former Saviours. It always reminded Daryl that despite their blissful happiness the world was full of dangers. It would be foolish to let their guard down… or to give the blessing up just yet.

Paul sighed, filled with a deep kind of content, as he walked back home with Harry and Daryl on either side of him. The evening had been fun. A welcome change after his freak out just three weeks ago, which had been draining to say at least.

He had turned 34.

His birthday itself had been brilliant both of his lovers had made sure that.

But the next morning when Paul had opened his eyes, it had occurred to him that he was now older than his parents ever managed to be. His parents had been young just 23, when they had him and Tom. And they had been just 33 when they had died in that car crash…

++++Flashback++++

It wasn't as devastating as Paul's eleventh birthday… the first without Tom and his parents. But it was such a surreal feeling… so disconnecting

He hadn't felt so out of control, with anxiety crawling all over him, in years… maybe decades. The tension filling him, made his muscles strain with nervous energy.

In the end it had been impossible to stay in bed with his lovers and before the sun had even risen, Paul sneaked out of the bedroom. On autopilot he swiped Daryl's last pack of smokes and if he hadn't been so out of it, he might have felt guilty for it…

But as it was, he was barely able to control his shaking fingers enough to light the cigarette…

With bouncing legs, he sat on the porch, greedily inhaling smoke.

Not that it changed anything…

Pictures of his parents and the accident were flashing in front of his eyes. And for a minute, Paul was back in their old, broken car staring uncomprehendingly into Tom's sightless cyan eyes, trying to understand, just how this had happened…

What was happening?

Why wasn't Tom moving?

Why was his brother dead?

How had Tom managed to shield Paul, when they had been both strapped in?

Why? Why? WHY?

Not sure if it was a scream or bile rising in his throat Paul clapped both hands over his mouth, determined to keep both in.

Although looking back… smoking half a pack of cigarettes on an empty stomach might have added to the nausea.

He didn't know what to do, with all clear thoughts running away from his brain. In a desperate attempt to ground himself again, Paul all but ran out of Alexandria's gates at the first light, leaving Harry and Daryl only a short note that he would be back… hoping that a spontaneous run would clear his head…

Well, it didn't.

Instead Paul came back grimy with dirt and walker blood, physically exhausted but still reeling under his emotional baggage.

Stumbling home, he found his stone-faced partners sitting in their kitchen upon his return. He cringed, when they just stared at him, their expressions unreadable. In that moment Paul almost whished that they would have shouted at him, berated him... Like they used to do when he had been a reckless idiot.

Anything but this strange calmness.

Their silence was beyond terrifying. Leaving him paralyse with another kind of fear.

"I… I…" He started to stutter, his throat suddenly parched and his tongue so heavy that it refused to cooperate with him. "I…"

It felt like all air had been sucked out of his lungs and just like that the cumulated pressure of the day crashed in on him, causing his vision to swim dangerously. His breath was coming in short, quick rasps, his lungs burning like he had run for miles.

Why didn't I call them? Asked for their company?

A note wasn't enough…

They're going to dump me.

I'm gonna lose them, too.

They're sick of me.

I… I'll be alone again.

Blinded by his overwhelming emotions, he flinched when a gentle, cool hand came in contact with his overheated skin, brushing the tears away that had started to spill against his will. Paul blinked, desperately trying to clear his vision.

"Oh love." Harry sighed gently. "Take a deep breath."

The slender wizard carefully brushed a few sweaty strands of hair out of Paul's face.

"Come." Daryl's grumbled softly at them both. The hunter's big calloused hands guided them firmly up to their bathroom.

Unable to think and still sniffling pathetically Paul let himself fall into Harry's and Daryl's hands. He couldn't tell, who was undressing him. There were no words spoken, just gentle touches, lingering caresses and small kisses, as his dirty clothes landed on the floor, one after another. Somehow their gentleness grounded Paul more than any run through the woods had achieved. A breathless sigh escaped the long-hair man when he felt Daryl's hot, naked skin against his back. With a soft poke the hunter nudged Paul to the shower stall, where an equally naked Harry had already turned the water on.

With a soft smile the green-eyed young man held his hand out to them, wordlessly beckoning them closer.

At other times the situation might have been sensual and Paul would have been burning with desire, but now there was nothing sexual in the way Harry layered his body with soap in gentle strokes or in the way Daryl massaged his favourite lavender and vanilla scented shampoo into his long hair. Under their tender ministration the tight knot of anxiety inside Paul's chest finally loosened. With a bone weary sigh, he sagged against Daryl's broad chest, the hunter's impressive arms circling around his waist, holding him tight and securely. He could feel the effects the contact of wet, naked skin had on all of them but neither of them did anything about it. His boyfriends were satisfied with the occasional lazy kiss, placed on his collarbone or shoulder.

Harry rinsed them all off, before summoning three big towels, that had been magically preheated and fluffed up. While Daryl just slung towel around his hips, Harry bundled Paul up from head to toe. The bright eyed ninja felt like a small kid, sitting on the toilet letting as his two lovers care for him.

His small wizard was just using another towel to dry Paul's hair, causing the terry fabric to hide most of Paul's face and obscuring his vision.

"I am sorry." He final managed to whisper against the lump in his throat, his voice raspy and raw.

He could feel, Harry suddenly stilling all his movements and the distinct sounds of Daryl moving through the room had also stopped. Paul's heart was beating like a drum, when the towel on his head was carefully pulled away, revealing his tussled long hair. His head still lowered in shame and nervousness. He couldn't see his lover's expressions until Harry crouched down before him. Brilliant green eyes peered up at him and a gentle but firm hand kept him from avoiding eye contact again.

"You're ok enough to talk to us now?" Harry asked softly, his expression so full of patience and love that Paul felt new tears gathering in his eyes. Willing himself not start blubbering, he blinked the wetness away and nodded, feeling shy and guilty at once.

"Good, ya had us worried, ya know." Daryl grumbled, a frown marring his handsome face but the softness in his eyes and around his mouth, showed the same kind of warmth and affection, he had just seen in Harry's expression. It had the butterflies in Paul's stomach fluttering.

Placing another kiss against his forehead, the green-eyed wizard snatched a hair brush and then ushered them all into their bedroom.

A look outside confirmed that it was indeed growing dark already… Just how long had Paul been gone… how long had they been in the shower…?!

It seemed that he had lost all track of time.

All dressed in their boxer they huddled together on the bed, with the small Brit working the brush through the tangled mess of Paul's long dark blond hair.

"I… I'm now older than my parents ever had the chance to be…" The cyan eyed man managed to reveal in the light of Harry's and Daryl's loving acceptance. Saying it out loud it sounded so stupid… trivial really…

But why did his heart feel, like it was breaking all over again, when he heard himself?!

"I feel so dumb… so fucking stupid! But I thought that I needed to get out. Thought it would ground me. Anything."

Daryl made a soft grunting sound and Harry hummed in understanding.

"Did it?" Daryl asked wryly.

"No. No, it definitive didn't." Paul chuckled bitterly. "I never stopped falling out there."

"But you did stop falling?" Along with his question Harry kissed the back of his uncovered neck, making Paul shiver.

"Yeah." He rasped out a little breathless, eyes closing. "I stopped falling here. With you."

"Good." Daryl muttered, his voice a deep rumbling sound that vibrated through Paul's body. The hunter then pulled him close, claiming his mouth in deep, toe-curling kiss, that seemed to suck all breath out of Paul's lungs.

"Glad yer back." Daryl mumbled against his lips, when he pulled back again. "Harry had said, it might be somethin' like that when I was 'bout ta look for ya."

Stunned Paul turned wide cyan eyes at the slender Brit.

"You did? It's been 25 years. Shouldn't I be over it by now? Or at least be able to handle that they're gone a little better? Hell, it hasn't been that bad in years. There were suddenly so many questions… I…" Paul sighed, frustrated himself.

"Remember last Halloween? When I couldn't go over to Rick's or Aaron's because I couldn't stand to look at Gracie or Judith? Or when Daryl couldn't stand me singing that one Dolly Parton song?" Harry asked instead of a clear answer.

"Yeah, you wanted to hole up at home, listening to records all day. I never thought I could get sick of hearing the White Album…" Paul nodded still a little confused what the wizard meant.

"Well, we all grieve, love. Some days, just more than others. I know what you mean… And it isn't stupid. It feels so surreal to think of your own parents like that… to realize how young they were." Harry told him, understanding and acceptance clear in his expression.

"Yeah, to think that we're still alive with all the shit goin' on… Ma mam was 39 when… when she died in that fire. Was strange when I was suddenly older than her… I remember Merle taking me drinking that day." Daryl mumbled softly.

It wasn't often that the hunter shared those kinds of information with them. But they knew why the archer never smoked indoors. He would always go on the porch to have a cigarette.

"Our grief doesn't hit us so hard all the time. But sometimes we remember how much we have already lost. Those thoughts are usually pushed into the back of our heads, because we have had the luck to have found happiness again, because we have found the will to move forward. But every once in a while, we're allowed to look back… to remember, to grieve. There are people we'll probably mourn for rest of our lives." Harry said quietly.

Paul felt a great wave of sadness rolling through him.

Yeah, that sounded about right.

"God, why are you putting up with me? I'm so fucked up." He chuckled wetly.

Daryl just punched playfully against his shoulder. "Haven't ya listened? We're all fucked up."

Harry sniggered at that, rolling on top of Paul, green eyes glowing with adoration Paul felt entirely unworthy of right now.

"That's not a problem. Not Really. Because then we can be fucked-up together." The young man told him with all the genuineness in the world, giving him a bright and easy smile.

"Yeah, that's it, isn't it?!" Daryl barked a hearty laugh.

God, how he loved those two men!

How had he ever gotten so lucky?

Not knowing what to say, Paul impulsively pulled the green-eyed young man down for a longing kiss, hoping that his lips would convey how much he appreciated his little wizard.

+++Flashback end ++++

He had calmed down after that night. But he couldn't deny that aftermath of his little freak-out had left him pretty clingy for a few days, not that Harry or Daryl had complained about it.

There had been a few more shared showers that had certainly been a lot less innocent. Something Paul still marvelled at to be honest. There had always been the chance that they would never go all the way in their sex life, at least not with Harry. And to be honest the thought of doing something with Daryl that Harry couldn't do… well, both the hunter and the ninja had been hesitant to go there, too.

True at the start of their relationship they had made considerable progress and Harry had been beyond determined. But the whole Dolohov had thrown them way back.

Looking back, they should have anticipated that, but the three of them had been so worried and tense after Dolohov's death, the fall of the Sanctuary… hell, all of Harry's injuries… that they hadn't really thought about sex until much later.

They had thought everything was over and done with, that everything was back to normal… well they couldn't have miscalculated more.

The first time they had tried to move beyond exhausted cuddling and soft kisses… had been quite dramatic. After losing their clothes they had started to make out and when things had just become a little heated…

++++ Flashback+++++

Daryl was pressing light kisses along their slender wizard's lips, while Paul used the opportunity to lick along Harry's collarbone, teasing a pleasured shudder out of the slightly trembling young man…

Or so he had thought…

Because all of a sudden, there was an all too familiar sensation of Harry's upset magic crawling over Paul's skin. He had just enough time to catch an alarmed look out of slated blue eyes, before they both felt the tell-tale tucking in their bellies.

Fuck!

And just like that Paul stood in their hallway… butt-naked… and alone!

The fuck?!

"Paul?!" Daryl was calling from the living room.

"I'm here." The ninja answered. The hunter hurried to him, equally naked and just equally relieved to see him. For a moment they both looked at each other with an air of resignation and shared wariness. They had messed up. They used to be better at reading Harry's signs of discomfort. They had learned to read Harry better than this… to have triggered a reaction like that out of the teen and so fucking early.

Paul's stomach churned with guilt and he could see that Daryl was also beating himself up. Surely feeling just as responsible for overwhelming their slender wizard.

Finally, Daryl cleared his throat, looking around in the hallway and at the front door behind Paul… whistling nervously through his teeth.

"That's damn close to tha door, man."

"Yeah…" Paul sighed, as he ran his fingers through his long hair, feeling frustrated with himself. "I must have startled him very badly if his magic felt the need to nearly banish me butt-naked into our garden."

Daryl just pressed his lips into a thin line, looking increasingly worried and upset with the situation.

"We. Not just ya. We're in this togeth', aren't we?" Was all the hunter said, before he motioned his head in the direction of the stairs and their bedroom.

The bedroom door was still firmly closed, causing them to knock lightly waiting for a reaction from Harry… which didn't come.

Deeply unsettled they shared a troubled look, concerned by the lack of response.

"Harry, sweetheart. Can you hear me?" Paul called through the closed door, holding his breath.

Nothing.

And then a small, barely audible sob could be hear, causing Paul's heart to clench painfully in his chest. Beside him Daryl dropped his head against the wood of the door.

"Darlin', we're coming in, 'kay? We just wanna make sure yer goin' ta be alrigh', yeah?" The hunter's rumbled in his deep southern drawl, motioning at Paul to open the door.

Inside the room they found Harry sitting naked in a pool of sheets, tears streaming freely over his face. But what nearly caused Paul's heart to shatter was the look of deep despair on the small wizard's beautiful face.

"Hey, darlin'." Daryl approached Harry carefully, Paul keeping behind the hunter, not wanting to crowd him in any way.

Emerald eyes looked up at them and a new wave of tears welled up, when he took in their naked and rumbled appearances.

"I'm sorry." The young Brit mumbled sounding utterly dejected.

He dropped his head on his knees and his thin arms sneaked around himself, as if he could only hold himself together like this.

"Oh, sweetheart. You have nothing to be sorry about. We did too much… we should have been more careful… more slowly… Should have known…" Paul tried to calm him, but Harry was shaking his head widely.

"NO! Damn it! No! I was already better! We had made progress! I… I don't want to be that broken again. I want to be normal! I refuse to let Dolohov take that from me, take you from me!" Harry was practically shaking with bone deep frustration over his own reaction. Anger and self-hatred were burning in those incredible eyes.

Daryl hissed softly, closing his eyes as if in pain, looking unsure what to do now.

Yeah, it hurt. It hurt to see, someone you loved in so much despair, to watch how much they were fighting against themselves.

"We can work on getting there again, love." Paul tried to reassured Harry, plopping down next to the slender wizard. "We did it once. We can do it again, hm?"

"You think so?" The green eyed youth mumbled, apparently torn between resignation and a tender hope.

"Yeah, but only if you want to." Paul wanted to make it clear that Harry had an out if he needed one.

"I want to! Of course, I do." Harry glared vehemently at him, scolding him for even suggesting otherwise.

"Okay." Paul held his hands up in surrender. "Okay. Then we'll get there again."

And with that, all fight drained out of the small youth and he slumped against their bed. "I'm just so tried of fighting all the time. Why can't it be easy for once?"

"It'll get better with time. Easier. There ain't no need ta rush or pressure yerself so much. We love ya." Daryl sated simply, giving a little awkward shrug, as brushed a wayward lock out of Harry's eyes.

Paul dropped a soft kiss against the green-eyed teen's temple. The ninja felt, Harry shuddering yet again and pulled promptly back. He really didn't fancy showing his private parts on the streets of Alexandria.

"Harry? Do you want to be touched right now? I mean at all?" The former scout asked seriously. He could already see the stubborn glint in his lover's eyes, a denial already on his lips, when suddenly one of Daryl's shirts was thrust unceremoniously between them.

"It's alrigh'. Take it, if ya need ta. Like I said 'fore, no sense in rushin' yerself with this." The hunter grumbled gruffly at the young wizard.

After a moment of silent battle Harry's shoulders dropped and he took the shirt from Daryl with a sigh. Even if he had tried to deny it, Paul could see that some of the tension finally left the wizard when he was clothed again. He took the boxer shorts, Daryl held also out to him, without further fussing.

"Thanks." Harry mumbled, still looking somewhat ashamed and disappointed with himself.

"Don't overthink it now." Paul say lightly, giving Harry's shoulder a soft nudge. "One step a time, hm."

The raven-haired Brit sighed again but nodded.

"Good. So, is there something you want or need us to do, right now?" Paul smiled, feeling relived.

A small blush graced Harry's pale cheeks, as the teen cast shy looks at them. "Can we go to bed? To cuddle?"

"Sure, no problem. Shall we dress as well?" Paul asked, but Daryl had already donned his boxers as well. But Harry shook his head, letting his eyes wander over his boyfriends naked skins.

"No, you can stay like this… if you want. I really feel better now… with the shirt." Raven locks danced adorably around flushed cheeks, as the wizard peered at them.

Grinning playfully Paul decided to forgo dressing again, as the three of them cuddled down in their bed. When they had found a comfortable position, Harry was still fidgeting a little.

"Darlin'?" Daryl mumbled questioningly.

"Can I have a kiss? Just well two kisses, nothing further… but yeah, kissing would be nice…" The slender young man stuttered awkwardly, causing Paul to chuckle in delight.

"I think that can be easily done."

Daryl beckoned the wizard closer with a tender smile tucking at his lips. The hunter was very careful to keep both of his hands strictly above the waist. Using one hand to stroke his thumb over Harry's jaw line.

The kiss was tender and loving, clearly meant to reassure and sooth the beautiful, green-eyed Brit, who sighed sweetly and all but melted into the contact.

A truly beautiful sight.

And sure, Paul's body tingled in response, but it didn't matter all that much when right now his heart was just so full of love for those two men.

Harry sought him out as well, mouth needy and hungry for comfort and seeking safety and stability in their closeness. It was humbling to feel his small lover relax so fully with them after he had been so distraught before.

It spoke of the trust Harry had in them.

A little breathless Paul pulled back, enjoying the flushed and slightly dazed expression on his love's face.

"Better?" He asked with a smile.

"Yeah, perfect." Harry whispered dreamily.

"Good." Daryl drawled, sounding somewhat hoarsely. His slated blue eyes were hooded and still intendedly fixed on Paul and Harry. The long haired man felt a flare of heat at the intense stare.

Damn! He swallowed hard.

"You know, you can make out, right?" Harry said… sounding a little strange. Looking a little startled at the young Brit, Paul's mouth went a little dry at the sight of desire in Harry's eyes.

"Really?" Paul's voice sounded embarrassingly squeaky even to his own ears, while Daryl's face was all but burning at the suggestion.

"If you want." Harry just hummed in agreement, licking his lips.

"Ya wanna… Ya wanna watch? When we…?" Daryl rasped breathlessly.

"If that's alright?" Harry swallowed nervously, looking at them for permission.

Paul didn't think, he or Daryl had ever nodded this fast.

"Fuck, yeah. I mean, yeah…" The hunter groaned lowly, eyes darkened with lust. Obviously enjoying the thought of their little wizard watching them.

"Are you're sure it's not too much?" Paul asked for confirmation. He needed it after everything that had happened earlier.

"Hmmhmm, I think I'll be able to handle this. Being dressed helps and you're not touching me… so yes, I want to watch." Harry's pupils were blown wide and his magic was reaching out to them, caressing over already heated skin.

Fuck! That was kinky as hell!

+ sexy scene+

Harry scrambled out of their way, so they could touch each other a little easier and he had a better view of them. Paul then reached out to Daryl pulling himself flushed against his broader lover, fusing their mouths together in a heated kiss that had his toes curling in the most pleasant way. They both could hear and even feel Harry's breath hitching a little, as his magic dance in the most intimate way over their… and fucking hell! between their bodies.

Daryl groaned in response to the feeling of their tongues touching and exploring each other and the onslaught of tingling sensations.

Paul arched into his lover, seeking friction on the hard plains of the hunter's body. His straining erection found the archer's clothed one just all too easy.

"Oh god!" A somewhat wanton moan left his lips, when Daryl suck a trail down his neck to his chest, giving his left nipple a teasing nip.

A soft whimpering sound and increasing pressure of magic, had both of them looking at Harry, who was staring open-mouthed at them, looking flushed and aroused by their display. The oversized shirt almost hiding the tent the young man was sporting right now.

Damn, that was so hot!

Making sure to hold Harry's feverish gaze, Paul couldn't help but make a show of grinding against Daryl again wit a teasing grin, earning a low groan from Daryl and a moan from Harry. In turn their little wizard rewarded them with a new spark of magic, that had all of their nerve endings singing with mind-blowing pleasure.

"Holy shit!" Paul rasped, needing to hold on to Daryl's broad shoulders to ground himself against the intense sensation of a thousand featherlight caresses exploring his body all over. Daryl in turn had his eyes closed, mouth slightly agape, looking totally blissed out. Driven by a desperate need, Paul surged up for another hungry kiss, that was met with just the same burning desire by Daryl. Lips and tongues were chasing each other in a maddening dance, as their pelvises found a delicious rhyme.

Soft breathless noises caused them both to focus on Harry again, who was biting his fuller bottom lip now, looking forbiddingly debauched, being so flushed and his expression so full of wonder and lust. Paul could see that one of his hands was grasping the sheet and the other the hem of his shirt like a lifeline. There was something desperate but uncertain in his eyes… As if he wasn't sure what he should do…

OH!

Grinning like a Cheshire Cat Paul deliberately arched against Daryl, making sure Harry could see what was going on. And Daryl seemed to have caught on as well and was holding their little love's gaze in an intense stare was well, even as he met Paul's thrusting movements. The cyan eyed man could see Harry's Adam's apple moving as he swallowed heavily, his hands spasming a little, itching to move.

Yeah, that was good. They were getting there.

Letting one of his own hands trail between his and Daryl's body, so he could grab both of their straining erections, Paul made sure to move one of his legs so that Harry could still watch what was going on.

"Ah!" All of them moaned nearly simultaneously, when he took hold of the heated flesh. Wetting his lips, Paul looked at both of his magnificent lovers. When he saw Harry's hand twitching in the direction of his crotch again, he smiled invitingly at him.

"Go on, love... Oh, fuck! Do what feels right to you. Mhhhh! It's alright. " The long-haired man encouraged in between light gaps building a slow rhyme for himself and Daryl.

Transfixed both of them watched on as Harry hesitated for another moment before he tentatively reached under his shirt. With dry mouths they observed him, carefully moving his hand under the baggy fabric.

Fucking hell! This felt way kinkier than it probably was.

But damn is was so nice to see Harry taking control of his own body again, feeling safe enough now to enjoy himself like that with them.

It was intimate on a whole other level.

"Ya good?" Daryl's raspy voice made both, Paul and Harry, shiver. Their hunter looked so damn hot, right now.

Kiss swollen lips, tussled hair and hooded eyes. Fuck!

"Mhhh. Hmmmhmmm." Harry's answer was a sweet mixture of hum and moan.

He looked so fucking beautiful, so glorious. Emerald green orbs still firmly fixed on them, as the movements hand became surer and more rhythmic. Soft sound spilling from his lips as the heat increased between them. Paul could feel it. Daryl, too. Harry's magic was taking them along for the ride, adding to their own pleasure.

After that everything turn into a blur of tingling sparks, skin on skin, feverish kisses. Pressure building in their bellies.

Cyan eyes gazing into slated blue, gazing into otherworldly green ones.

When Harry orgasmed with a drawn out moan, his magic slammed into them like a fucking truck. They reached the peak almost together, falling apart as they bathed in each other's presence.

White spots were dancing in front of Paul's eyes, as he came undone in heavy spurts. Just as he felt Daryl stiffening as well, Harry's and Paul's names on his lips as he did so.

"Holy shit!" Paul wasn't really sure who had spoken… It felt like his brain had short- circuited.

"Harry?"

"Hmm."

"Yer ok?"

"Hmmhmm. Yeah… that was… wow."

Someone chuckled.

+end sexy scene+

+++ End Flashback +++

After that it had gotten better. Slowly… they had worked their way up from watching, to touching and being touched. Of course, there had been little setbacks, but fortunately nothing that had gotten Paul or Daryl send into the front garden by accident.

It had taken a lot of patience, especially on Harry's part, who had gotten frustrated by his own limitations time and time again.

In fact, it had almost taken them a year to get all of them comfortable with penetrative sex. Understandably it had been the hardest part for Harry. Not just receiving but also doing it himself. Daryl and Paul had been about to drop the matter altogether, after witnessing how much distress the whole idea had caused their little lover. But again, Harry had been determined… so they had moved in baby steps. All of them had known that there was no sense in forcing something Harry wasn't comfortable with. They had learned from experience that they made the most progress when they focused on the things that felt good right now and worked from there. Harry's fears and insecurities about getting hurt and apparently even more important, Paul or Daryl getting hurt during sex, had led to something Paul had never experienced in any relationship before… Aftercare.

The green-eyed youth had established quite a routine to make sure they were alright. The long-haired ninja was quite sure that their little wizard had gotten some information from Eric again. The auburn-haired man hadn't been able to look at him or Daryl for weeks without gaining the colour of a tomato.

Hard as the way had been, Paul had to honestly admit that there was something exciting about it. In his old relationships, it had been all about fucking.

Hard. Forceful. Fast. Seldom slow or gentle. Almost never loving.

Aftercare hadn't been a topic at all.

This was different.

This was about trust.

About loving each other.

Exploring.

About seeing each other.

Harry had never the chance to develop a healthy relationship with his own body and Daryl hadn't that much experience in the field either. Paul had the feeling that the whole Aftercare routine had helped a lot to develop a better body image and physical feeling. There was something so loving and appreciative in the way they took care of each other… it had been exactly what Harry had needed to move forward. Reassurance that nobody was hurt or exploited for sex. It had calmed the young man's guilt, shame and fear immensely.

For Paul there was something beautiful and arousing in going along with Harry and Daryl as they discovered themselves. For the first time in their lives free enough to do so.

Paul loved every second of it.

Sharing their wonder and excitement over all the big and little things they learned about themselves and each other in the progress.

That Daryl left side was more ticklish that the right. That the hunter like to be kissed on the neck the most. That Harry liked sitting in their laps better than lying under them. Daryl liked to top but on occasion he could enjoy being on the bottom. Harry could give head but couldn't stand the taste of sperm.

So, what did it matter that it took time to learn all those things?

They were together. So much closer than Paul had ever thought he could be with anyone.

With a happy and a skip in his step the hippie ninja pulled Harry close, enjoying the way his slender lover let out a startled laugh.

When Daryl opened their front door, Tilly was already there. Their tabby cat stared them intendedly with imploring green eyes, greeting them with a series of insistent meows. The small feline seemed very miffed about something. When Daryl tried to pet her head, she just huffed at him and moved in the direction of the kitchen, stopping half way to look back at them, meowing again. Paul got the impression that their cat was rolling her eyes at them… what a furry little drama queen.

And wasn't it saying a lot that they all humoured their pet and followed dutifully?

Well indeed, a surprise awaited them, when they entered their kitchen and a pair of every big, yellow eyes glared grumpily at them. A pretty large barn owl had made itself home on their kitchen table and was now staring at them over its shoulder.

Beside Paul, Harry groaned. "That's, what you call a private delivery?" The slender young man muttered under his breath and only then the former scout noticed the large parcel the bird was perched on.

The owl just seemed to sniff at the wizard, turning her head pointedly away, looking very disgruntled, as if to tell him that this wasn't her problem.

"How is it that all ya messenger birds seem ta have such a bitchy attitude?" Daryl grumbled dryly. "Is that a requirement, or what?" His rude question promptly earned him a shrill screech and another sour glare from their feathery intruder.

Harry raised his hands in an appeasing fashion. "Post owls are very intelligent and hardworking animals. They were in essence the one of the most important pieces that held the magical world together and connected. They take great pride in their work and most of them do it in a very dignified way. They expect appreciation for their hard work." The green-eyed Brit explained placating, soothing some ruffled feathers.

Paul had to bite back a snigger, when the owl seemed to nod at the young man, puffing up her chest a bit. The long-haired ninja was sure that if she could, the bird would have poked its tongue out at Daryl. The hunter just glared back at the bird through slated blue eyes.

"I see ya." The archer groused. "I used ta eat big, meaty birds, like yerself. Tone that attitude down or I might start craving the taste of roasted owl again."

That caused the big feather ball to hoot in alarm and to seek refuge on Harry's shoulder, probably deeming the wizard the safest person in the room.

"Oh, stop antagonizing her." The raven haired Brit swatted at Daryl's arm, mirth dancing in his green eyes over the hunter's argument with an owl.

In an attempt to diffuse the situation a bit - and to keep himself from laughing out loud at the ridiculous situation, which probably neither Daryl nor the owl would have liked every much - Paul cleared his throat, gaining everyone's attention (and hiding his sniggering) and pointed to the parcel on the table.

"What is this then? I didn't realise that you asked Hermione to send you something..." The bushy haired witch was the only one Paul could think of, who might send them something by owl and usually Harry would warn them if a bird was due to arrive.

"Uhm…" Harry squirmed, looking a little warry now.

Daryl and the owl simultaneously raised their eyebrows at the wizard's hesitant response. Under all this scrutiny Harry was raking his fingers through his hair, messing up his raven locks even more than usual. It was obvious that something was up, their young lover looked pretty nervous and a little guilty right now. Apparently, he hadn't joke earlier when he had reprimanded the owl about the public delivery.

"Harry?" Paul asked, feeling a little unsettled about his lover's strange behaviour.

"Uhm… damn." The green-eyed young man dragged a hand over his face, peering unsure between fingers back at Paul, before coming to a decision.

"Blimey, please don't freak out… but this is a Gringotts' packet." Harry licked nervously his lips.

"Okay…? And why would a Gringotts' packet freak me out?" The long-haired martial arts fighter asked calmly, but internally he started to feel uneasy about the delivery.

What could have Harry ordered from the international wizard bank, that he hadn't told them about. Wanted to be delivered subtlety and was worried about freaking out Paul especially… because his British lover was sure as hell not looking at Daryl in blatant concern.

Harry's teeth were now torturing his fuller bottom lip.

"A few weeks ago,… after your birthday, when you were so upset…" Harry faltered, when Paul flinched a little. "When you talked to us about the accident and … and about Tom. There was something that just made me think, ok? I can't really say what I was but something seemed strange about the way everything happened…" Harry told him nervously.

"Ya had a hunch?" Daryl asked. His voice deep with gruff understanding and a hint of surprise.

"Yes. I didn't know what to make of it… but I couldn't let go of it either." Harry admitted softly. "I wrote the goblins and asked them to look into the accident and the Monroe family. And now they've sent this."

With wide cyan eyes the former scout stared at the parcel and suddenly the unassuming little thing couldn't have been more intimidating if it had been a ticking time bomb.

Harry sighed dejectedly. In a few quick steps the wizard was at Paul's side, gently taking his hand, carefully giving the long haired man the time to pull back if he had wanted to.

"Fuck… This is what I didn't want. I am sorry for going behind your back but I wasn't sure if the goblins would even do it… This is why I didn't say anything. I wanted to see first if or what they would find."

"Why were ya unsure if the goblins would help?" Daryl asked, poking the parcel with a suspicious look.

"I wasn't sure if the fee I offered them for the work would be enough. There wasn't that much left in my vault I could give them. And they had to infiltrate the Walker infested ministry to get the documents." Harry shrugged.

"So, you don't know what's in there?" Paul swallowed nervously, feeling a little silly now that he knew that Harry had probably given away the last of his heritage to get him some answers.

"No, I don't. I didn't want to put all that pressure on you when you just started to feel a little better." Harry said, looking very worried.

"I think I understand, sweetheart. Nonetheless I wish you would have told me about your hunch…" Paul shakily sighed and he did, really.

That Harry felt it necessary to go behind his back with this, was a testament how much he had scared his lovers with his freak-out.

Squaring his shoulders Paul tried to find a little courage to open, what could turn out to be Pandora's box…

"How about you get us some of that hellfire you call whiskey and we tackle this thing together, huh?" The long-haired ninja squeezed Harry small hand in his own, feeling warmth spread through him when relief smoothed out the worry-lines on the wizard's beautiful face.

"You're sure?"

"Yeah, I learned to trust your instincts a long time ago, Harry. And if you think this might hold some answers and I can face this. As long as you two are with me, I can do this." Paul placed a kiss on his boyfriend's temple.

Well, Pandora's box might have contained sickness and death but also hope. And maybe Paul would finally find some closure.

For himself, his parents, Tom… maybe even for his Gran.

He couldn't deny that under all that shock and angst was a spark of excitement to learn more about the Monroe part of his family.

His Gran's birth family.

Three shots of Firewhiskey later, all three of them opened the packet, bringing to light a few thick files.

With shaking fingers Paul picked up the first one. It was obviously the oldest one, its paper slightly darker than the other ones. It held a bunch of really old family trees, showing the family history back to the 16th century long before the family had come to America. Sometimes there were photos of men and women, with the same cyan eyes as him. Fascinated Paul read through birth records and marriage contracts, entranced and more than a few times horrified by the laws and acts of the foreign wizarding world. Harry's and Daryl's company helped him to distracted him enough to keep himself grounded.

The hunter was looking into a file of school records and apprenticeships and interrupted Paul's musing by asking every now and again what certain subjects or occupations meant.

Things like:

"The hell's Muggle studies? Sounds creepy. Like Terminus." The hunter grumbled, looking uncomfortable.

"Oh no, don't worry!" Harry laughed sweetly. "Wizards were mostly so out of touch with anything non-magical that they needed lessons how Muggles live. The father of a friend was utterly fascinated about the function of a rubber duck for example."

"You're kiddin', right?" Daryl and Paul both stared perplexed at the wizard. It just sounded so… stupid.

"No, I swear, I am not! I never took it but Hermione did. She thought it was interesting to see the Muggle world from the wizards' point of view but she dropped it later, because the teacher got so many things wrong." Harry sniggered.

Or:

"What's an … Arithmancer "- "Someone who specialised in arithmancy and studied the art of predictions using numbers. They study the magical properties of certain numbers. Mione is really good with that. I never really got it."

In turn Paul would laughingly point out the stories or people his Gran used to tell him about to Daryl and Harry.

This was really his family. It was mind boggling!

But more importantly than learning things about a family he had never met, was that it brought Paul memories of his real family - his Gran, his father and mother, Tom - back, he had had already forgotten. He even found a family picture that showed his Grandmother as a young girl, sitting on her own Grandfathers lap – both of them sharing the same eyes, like Paul's. Whoever had created and structured the file had made a longer side note here.

"Society gossip claims, Eve Monroe, borne 1927, to be Elarzar Monroe's favourite grandchild, could be made heiress. Needs further observation."

And a little further down, dated a few months later:

"Checked Ilvermorny invitation list. Eve Monroe not listed. Squib. Girl might disappear soon."

Paul felt ill. Whoever had written those short, careless comments had anticipated that his grandmother would be killed for her lack of magic by her own family, nonetheless. It was like Natania had said, a squib life had been essentially worthless… a person, who's fate had been of no consequence.

Blinking away tears of frustration, he drowned another whiskey, earning a worried look from Daryl and a knowing one from Harry. The sympathy in those green eyes had him taking a calming breath before turning another page.

There was another photo of his gran, a little older (maybe eleven), with Elarzar. The old man had put an arm around his granddaughter in a protective embrace and the young girl would turn her head in an endless loop to look from the camera up to her grandfather with a loving and trusting smile. After reading those cold comments, seeing the obvious adoration between these two, the deep warmth of a family bond was balm for Paul's poor soul. Knowing that his gran had at least one person to love her unconditionally.

On the back of the photo was yet another comment. This time in a different handwriting.

"Lou told me, that old Monroe has held a protective hand over little Eve. Apparently, he has made preparations for his squib granddaughter with the No-Majs. Everyone is talking about it. This is going to be the first Monroe squib to be allowed to leave the family and to live with the No-Majs! Talk is that this decision has caused discontent and resentment in the family."

So, his great-great-grandfather really had protected his favourite grandchild. The Monroe patriarch had obviously broken with family traditions to do this. It was mindboggling. Maybe this was the reason his gran still loved to talk about magic…

Tom hadn't liked hearing about it, resenting the people, who had made an outcast of their beloved granny. But to their grandmother this must have been the greatest gift.

Elarzar Monroe had given her the chance to live past the age of a preteen.

"Everything alrigh'?" Daryl mumbled, slated blue eyes peering at him questioningly.

The lump in Paul's throat made it impossible to form words in that moment. There were just too many emotions battling inside him right now. Instead he just skittered closer to the hunter, seeking his silent warmth and comfort. Wordlessly he showed Daryl the pictures and the comments.

"Fuckers!" His lover cursed gruffly, his face set into a deep scowl.

"Yeah." Paul agreed hoarsely. "But her grandpa loved her. In the end I might be only alive because she was his favourite grandchild."

"Thank god then! Wouldn't want our hippie ninja missing, would we Harry?" ! Daryl grumbled, pressing a kiss onto Paul's head.

Only silence answered them.

Feeling a little put out, both of them looked up to where Harry was sitting with the third file. The British youth hadn't even taken notice of them… deathly pale he was staring at the papers in front of him.

Their little wizard had found something.

"Harry?!" Paul asked carefully, startling his lover finally out of his stupor. The look in those wide, green eyes had his stomach dropping.

Shock, anger, pity, fear, concern… sympathy…

Fuck!

Paul couldn't even name all of the emotions running over Harry's face. This had to be bad.

"Harry, what is it?" The former scout tried to keep his voice even, but couldn't quite curb the quivering in his voice. Whatever Harry had reacting like this… it had to be heavy stuff.

The young man had pressed his lips into a thin line.

"Harry, you're scaring me a little here." Paul laughed nervously.

"Sorry!" His young lover apologized. "It's just… Are you sure, you want to look into this further? I know, I was the one who ordered the files… but…" The raven haired Brit looked solemnly regretful.

"I am sure, sweetheart. I… I think that major freak-out showed that I need some kind of closure. Whatever you have found will shed a new light on my family?" A hesitant nod was his response.

"Ok, then I want to look into it! I am sure." Paul announced, sounding more determined, than he really felt. But that didn't make it any less true. That freak-out had been a harsh wake-up call. He didn't want to lose his shit like that, running away from his lovers like a headless chicken, making them worry… being so fucking scared himself… With so many questions in his head. He didn't want to feel like that again. He didn't want Harry and Daryl to feel like that again.

So yeah… he would man up and face whatever Harry had found. Nodding at the slender wizard with a gentle smile, Paul held his hand out for the file.

"Walk me through the things you found?"

"Of course." Harry sighed, his eyes warm and tender, as he handed the stack of papers to his long-haired boyfriend.

MACUSA – F.B.C.V.N.O. was written in bold letters over on the first page.

"What does F.B.C.V.N.O mean?" Daryl asked, peering at the papers with raised eyebrows.

"Federal Bureau of Covert Vigilance and No-Maj Obliviation… This agency was tasked with detecting and dealing with magical contraventions in the U.S, using spells of concealment, protection, and memory charms in order to hide the magical community from the non-magical population. " Harry supplied and Paul felt another bout of uneasiness.

"They worked closely with the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, didn't they? These are files of the magical police?!" A little unsure he looked at Harry, who nodded solemnly at him.

"Yes. In there is… the paper trail of a closed investigation the Aurors did on an accident in 1990. November 9th 1990 to be exact." It was obvious that the young wizard tried to choose his words very carefully.

Paul swallowed heavily nonetheless. "The day of our accident… So, the Aurors investigated my family's deaths?! Why?" He asked hoarsely.

"Magical children, especially in their younger years, are prone to bouts of accidental magic, to maintain the Statue of Secrecy all magical acts around Muggles were closely monitored. Apparently, that day the trace of a wizard child was detected in a Muggle area and brought the F.B.C.V.N.O. and the Aurors to the scene of a car accident." Beautiful green-eyes had darkened with grief and deep sympathy, while Paul's heart missed at least three beats.

A child… accidental magic…

Tom's sightless eyes…

Tom, who had suddenly shielded his younger twin brother…

Although they had been strapped in…

Something Paul had never really understood…

Tom…

"Tom used accidental magic, didn't he? He used accidental magic to save me..."Paul whispered, feeling absolutely overwhelmed.

"Yes. They checked the Ilvermorny invitation lists. Tom Clemence Rovia was listed as a possible student for year of 1991." Harry confirmed softly.

There were a thousand little things, that Paul suddenly remembered. Instances and events, he had forgotten or dismissed as a vivid childish imagination.

Fuck! Tom had been a wizard!

Tom had to have known! Paul was sure of it. Looking back, it had been there in the way his older brother had dismissed their gran's stories about magic. Tom had always made sure to let them all know that he didn't want anything to do with wizards or magic…

Even after all these years Paul could still quite easily guess how his brother's head had worked. But only now he had all the clues to see the whole picture.

Tom hadn't wanted to be a wizard. He had not wanted to be a wizard, because wizards had cast out their gran… Because Paul wasn't one. His twin hadn't wanted to leave him behind.

Fuck, Paul had never whished more that Tom was still alive than right now…

Just to tell the idiot, that it was alright! Damnit! To let him know that he could be a wizard and that his clueless little brother would be alright, even if he went away to learn about magic.

A choked little sob escaped Paul's painfully tight throat and tears were starting to obscure his vision.

He missed Tom so much! His brave, selfless, big brother!

With a soft, soothing grumble Daryl pulled his hippie ninja against his broad chest. Yeah, the hunter could probably relate… even if Merle Dixon had certainly another kind of big brother. But he had been Daryl's.

A soft rustling of clothes and a second pair of more slender arms was circling around them. Harry magic settled around them like a protective cloak. There was something sad still laying underneath its soft and calming humming sensation of the wizard's magic, that had Paul lifting his head to look up into worried green eyes.

"There is more isn't there?"

"Yeah…" Harry offered, sounding quite grave and warry.

"What the hell else coul' there be?" Daryl cursed lowly, as Harry was visibly gathering himself.

"When the F.B.C.V.N.O. looked a little closer at the accident… they noticed something was off with the other driver…" Harry's voice trailed of for a moment, looking through the papers before him. Finally, he pulled a small report out.

"Special Auror and Oblivator C. Stevens put on record: Source of accidental magic that alerted the office seemed to be a male child (10 years old) protecting his sibling. Scans on the area for any residual magic were supposed to reveal any further output from the child, but showed clear traces of magical misuse against the No-Maj driver in the other car…"

Blood rushed in Paul's ears making it impossible to understand anything else Harry was saying.

He had thought… for years (!) that the other driver had been high on some weird shit. He had read it in the police report… The man had died a year later, drinking himself into an early grave. But apparently that had been a lie…

The driver hadn't been high!

The accident wasn't probably not even his fault…

The other driver… had been cursed!

Good god! Paul had spent decades hating him, condemning him…

when he was just another victim of the accident.

A sparkling warmth settle around Paul's shoulders, soothing and fully of compassion, like a comforting blanket. When he looked up, Daryl and Harry were staring back at him with eyes fully of matching sorrow.

"Who?" Paul croaked out. His throat so tight that could barely form that one word.

Who had done this to all of them?

Who had taken his family away from him?

Who had used another human being so carelessly to cause such a terrible accident?

And even more importantly… WHY? Why all of this?

Instead of answering, Harry slid another longer report to him.

This time it was an Auror file from the Department of Law Enforcement. On top of it was a photo. It showed a man, maybe around forty, with stern aristocratic face and unsmiling thin lips. But what really rattled Paul were those bright cyan eyes, that starred back at him with a cool haughtiness, as if their owner was just a second away from sneering at him in distain.

Monore eyes… That's what Natania had called them.

Fuck!

Delicate fingers plucked the file back out of his hands, as strong arms pulled him securely against a broad chest.

"Marvin Casius Monroe." Harry's solemn voice confirmed Paul's worst assumption. "Lord Monroe's second son, at that time he was 47."

"My fathers uncle?!" Anger, sadness… but most of it all disappointment coursed through the bearded man.

"No, not your father's uncle, his cousin." Harry corrected gently.

"But…"

"Elazar Monroe had died maybe six months before the accident. His eldest son Johnathan was the head of the house back in 1990." There was something else lingering in Harry's soft voice. But while Paul had problems to connect the dots right now, Daryl was far quicker to detect what the young man hadn't said out loud.

"Ain't no coincidence, huh? That tha old man dies and then suddenly them goin' after the Squibs of the family?" The hunter growled darkly.

Paul sucked in a sharp breath, remembering what he had read...

"Lou told me, that old Monroe has held a protective hand over little Eve."

"… the first Monroe squib to be allowed to leave the family and to live with the No-Majs!"

"Talk is that this decision has caused discontent and resentment in the family."

Elazar had given his granddaughter a gift… but with his death his protection had ended. And the hand that had not only protected Paul's grandmother but also the rest of his family had vanished. Without them noticing… Without them even knowing that it had even been there at all.

"When they arrested Marvin, he confessed under a truth serum. Someone in the ministry had broken confidential and told them about Tom being listed for Ilvermorny. The plan was to pull him back into the main family. They had spied on you all for months, deciding that your parents wouldn't hand him over…" Harry explained his findings carefully.

"Let me guess. Adopting an orphan, after his family had died in tragic accident, seemed a lot easier suddenly." Paul laughed hollowly.

"And gracefully accepting a squib descendance in need back, was considered a good PR." The green eyed wizard added bitterly.

This was all so fucked up!

With a decisive huff and a flick of his wand, Harry suddenly packed all the files up. Without words the green eyed wizard and Daryl communicated above his head. Paul squeaked, when the hunter easily gathered him fully into his arms and carried him bridal style to the big couch in the living room, where Harry had already readied a few pillows and blankets. His lovers took the utter most care to bundle up their beloved ninja.

Too emotionally exhausted and drained, Paul just let himself fall into their caring hands. Feeling numb and overwhelmed at once, he felt one tear after another run down his cheeks.

But a small part of Paul could even now acknowledge, that this time it wasn't so difficult accept his boyfriends' comfort. In deep even breaths, he allowed his wrought-up feelings to crash through him. Like waves of a troubled sea Paul felt them rise inside him to frightening hights, but where he had tried to run away from them before, he braved through them with Harry and Daryl anchoring him until each wave passed.

And pass, they did.

Slowly, but steadily.

Steady. like Daryl's hands stroking his neck or the soothing tune Harry hummed.

And as the minutes passed the waves subsided… they didn't vanish, not really but…

"It will never not hurt." Harry whispered, solemn green eyes gazing at him with deep understanding. "But if you stop fighting it, it won't feel like its weight is going to crush you. It's ok to be upset, my love. We understand."

Daryl rumbled in agreement, never stopping his gentle ministrations.

"Tom really saved me, didn't he?" Paul finally mumbled out loud. "They wanted my parents dead… and me. He could have lived. They would have taken him in…"

"… but he wouldna have been free." Daryl interrupted his grief stricken thoughts.

"Wha…"

"Ya showed me the notes. And I know what Natania and Harry told us 'bout them pureblood pricks. Ya think them assholes would have treated ya brother, right?" The hunter muttered darkly.

Paul stilled completely at that, before turning his head swiftly to look at Harry with wide eyes. Asking silently for his opinion.

"What I gather from the files and what I know about British purebloods… I don't think they would have abused him. But I don't think they would have loved him either. There are rules in such families, schemes… politics… powerplays. There would have been a lot of pressure to perform well in his studies. They would have made sure to remind him that he had to make up for… for his 'flawed' heritage. I don't doubt that it would have been a hard life, full of struggles and fights in a golden cage." Harry offered honestly.

Paul shivered. The image his young lover painted, was a daunting one. The cyan-eyed man could hardly picture his bright, brave twin in such a lonely and harsh home. Surrounded by strangers Tom had already disliked before for casting their grandmother out. Being belittled and put under immense pressure to conform to something he didn't want to be.

Could headstrong brother have endured this kind of treatment?

Would he have become like the murderers of his family?

Or would he have broken, turning dark and bitter?

Would Tom have survived this?

Or had Tom unknowingly saved them both?

The next morning found Paul sitting very early on their porch. The picture not so unlike from the one after his birthday and yet totally different. There were no bouncing legs this time. No chain smoking through Daryl's stash.

After a somewhat fitful night in his lovers' arms, he had stood up and to read through all the files again. Marvin Monroe had been executed for his crimes. For endangering the Statue of Secrecy. Not for killing Paul's family.

An hour after he had gone down, Harry had come into the kitchen. Just silently looking at him, before the young man had given him a tender kiss and brewed him a cup of tea. Daryl had done the same some time after, adding a sandwich to the tea.

Strengthened by their silent support Paul had worked until the sunrise. Already knowing what was in the files had helped to look at it all again with clearer head. He had taken a few breaks, whenever his emotions had threatened to overwhelm him.

And now he sat on the porch looking at Alexandria's streets in the soft morning light. It was oddly peaceful.

Harry was right, it would never stop to hurt. And to look into his family's past had sure hurt like hell. Those files had cut wounds open that were even older than himself. And at the same time…

It had brought back so many good memories. Things, Paul had almost forgotten in his attempt to shield himself from his grief. Good moments he had spent with Tom, with his parents and his gran.

What he had learned yesterday had changed everything he had ever thought he knew about his family… about the accident. It was like all he had ever been able to see, had been only a small part of an unfinished puzzle. There had been always so many questions…

All those little details he hadn't been able to make sense of over the years. All the small missing pieces that had prevented him from really processing what had happened.

But now he could see it all.

It wasn't a pretty picture… but it seemed… less jumbled, less fragmented. And maybe that was the best way to describe himself in this moment.

Because he felt more whole now. More settled. As if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders that he had carried way too long. For the first time since he had lost his parents and Tom, he couldn't hear that terrified child in the back of his head.

Someone cleared their throat beside him, causing him to look up into slated blue eyes. Daryl sat down beside him when Paul gave him a crooked little smile, shoulders touching and Paul sighed happily into the contact.

A second later Harry appeared with three steaming cups of nice smelling herbal tea.

Together they watched as Alexandria slowly roused to meet the new day.