Curfew Violations

-v-

18th Violation

-v-

His ears were ringing, echoing the last words his boy had so gut wrenchingly spoken to him upon the cessation of their intimate kiss.

Retrospectively…he should be relieved that Harry was awake at all.

It had been nearly a month…and those eyes were finally looking at him again, welling tears beading at the corners upon long lashes he wanted to press his mouth to and suck the moisture from.

That voice…hoarse as it was…unused and soft—was finally talking to him again.

But those words…stuttered so nervously around a delicate sob he wanted to swallow down his own throat and keep swallowing until there was nothing left of it within Harry—his darling, his boy…they cut him to the quick.

He felt the knife twisting deeper into his chest as Harry stared beseechingly up into his dismayed hazel eyes, weeping and distressed by Tom's own drained and fallen face.

"I—I'm….s..s..sorry...I d-don't…mean…to be…l-l-like th..is…"

Even on the verge of a facilitated breakdown, Harry was trying to apologize to Tom for being wounded…for accidentally, without even remembering who he was…wounding Tom's heart.

Even now—after everything, in spite of it all…his boy showed that he cared.

Tom gently cupped Harry's cheeks in both hands, and he stroked the damp sides of Harry's face with tender thumbs…wiping at trickling tears over and over, again and again…with a soft smile once more stretching his mouth, until the flow slowed to an infrequent drip…

Wordlessly—Tom held Harry's shimmering gaze…and he leaned in slow, giving his boy plenty of time to indicate any reluctance to touching him…a stranger…again.

Their lips met once more, in a kiss that was both an apology and a promise.

An apology for Tom allowing himself to feel hurt…when Harry was the one lying tethered to a hospital bed, unable to do anything but wait and heal.

A promise that he would not let himself falter again…not in the slightest—because too much had happened, he'd gone too far to be put off by the memories of a few priceless days being stolen away when he'd long since determined to reserve an eternity to get to know Harry…to get to feel Harry…to get to fully experience and be with Harry.

His boy was alive. His boy was conscious. His boy was kissing him back…however unsurely.

His boy was holding onto him…tugging him closer with fingers wound through his wavy dark hair as Tom's mouth moved…opening and closing and languidly pressing harder and deeper against Harry's own plush lips…until neither of them could resist the pull of fresh oxygen any longer.

Harry's head gave a twinge…and he moaned softly, panting with his chest heaving up and down as Tom's own warm breath fanned against his parted lips, whisper soft as Tom finally spoke again.

"My name is Tom Marvolo Riddle. We've been together for a while now…but your parents don't know. To them…I'm your tutor foremost and friend secondarily."

"T-Tom…Ri…riddle…" Harry spoke his name, and Tom rested his forehead against Harry's bandaged one, applying very little pressure and simply enjoying his proximity with Harry's wide, beautiful eyes…which were looking at him with such awe…caught up in fascinated wonder.

"Yes. You call me…Tom."

Tom breathed and smiled, feeling pleasantly charmed as Harry averted his eyes to the side, as if flustered…or unsure how to look him in the eye any longer without combusting.

Tom brushed the tips of their noses together, and he reached up and stroked the back of Harry's hand…which held on, still loosely burrowed within his hair. He smirked slightly—amused, as Harry made an aborted move to pull away, only to be gently thwarted by Tom's firm hand keeping him frozen in place.

Harry's Adam's apple bobbed with a swallow, and he blinked repeatedly before once more meeting Tom's warm gaze and murmuring, "H-how…?"

Tom raised a coy brow and he turned his head slightly to drop a kiss upon the underside of Harry's wrist, right above his fluttering pulse point—maintaining leveled eye contact throughout.

"How what—Harry?"

Tom's voice remained mild, casual—even as his eyes sparked knowingly…glinting in the low light of the room. Harry felt his breath catch and he pressed his lips together, frowning and struggling to parse his next words out.

Tom waited patiently for him to collect and display his thoughts.

"Us…w-we…how?" Harry offered meekly, at last—being at a loss for just everything and hoping Tom would provide an answer to all the questions his mind wanted to ask but couldn't seem to filter correctly through his stunted mouth.

Tom chuckled deeply, and didn't suppress an affectionate…guileless grin for Harry's visibly frustrated line of questioning. Of course…his boy would question it—them. It was only natural under the circumstances.

Even so, as his initial levity fizzled out—Tom found himself replying in a rather sober, slightly wistful fashion.

"We met at school. And it was destiny….from the moment we spoke. Everything after just fell into place…like the final pieces of a long incomplete puzzle."

If Harry had the energy or articulate ability at present—he would surely have objected to the stupidly vague explanation…Tom could tell this from that familiar, helplessly irritable light flashing through twin emerald orbs.

At any other time…Tom mused internally, Harry would've attacked his person by now in some small way.

"Y-you're b-b…beau…tiful…" Harry haltingly stammered aloud—and it rang like an accusation between them, far more than a simple compliment.

Tom licked his lips—listening and hearing the undertones of unspoken disbelief and disgruntlement for their imagined incongruities.

His eyes bore deeply into Harry's own, being fervently heated and settled with the essence of utmost gravity as he spoke—deliberately, so there could be no mistaking the truth in his words, "So are you."

Harry averted his eyes to the ceiling, unable to stare any longer into those too sincere hazel eyes…which were so familiar, yet so strange to him.

It was no good for his heart…which still pounded strongly in his chest from the last kiss they'd shared.

From the last kiss he'd allowed to be pressed upon his lips…by this familiar…beautiful…thoughtlessly honest in all his beliefs...stranger.

The pain in Harry's head became more pronounced as he met those hazel eyes again and stared bravely into their depths.

How on earth…had this…between them…whatever it was…

How had it really come to be?

He couldn't imagine…

"S-sense…it d-doesn't…m-make…sen..se…" Harry whispered faintly, feeling an unaccountable pang in his chest for a tremulous desperation he could feel threatening to choke him now.

Because what if this stranger…this man…this luminous being…took that to heart…?

What if Tom believed him?

What if he…what if Tom—woke up next…?

And then his eyes were blurring again, and the tears were stinging again…and he was hiccupping and crying and making an utter travesty of himself all over again in front of Tom…Tom…

"T-T-Tom…!"

Without another word or instance of hesitation—Tom carefully maneuvered his long limbed body, until he was stretched out fully upon the hospital bed beside Harry.

He cradled the sobbing boy to his chest with Harry's head tucked beneath his chin, and pressed their bodies as closely together as the cords and tubes and looming beeping medical equipment would allow.

He kissed and petted the shorter, regrown locks on Harry's head repeatedly; wiping at trails of salty wetness streaming off gently flushed cheeks, and murmuring soothing nothings into thin air to drift their way into Harry's straining heart through the channels of his delicate ears…as they both simply held on.

Eventually—Harry cried himself back to sleep, and Tom was left staring into semi-darkness…wondering if it'd be so bad to just stick around until his boy woke up again…and sighing as he thought about having to explain to the nurses why he hadn't called for them the moment Harry regained awareness.

It wasn't like he didn't know why he didn't want them to have been interrupted.

It would have been completely out of his character to not monopolize the first moments of Harry's time checked back into reality.

But now that Harry had awoken once…he knew…certain things had to be done.

So—while he would've loved to hold his boy all night long into Saturday morning, until Harry woke again naturally…it would be more prudent for him to do the responsible thing now and alert the media (so to speak) and background associates.

He certainly wouldn't be disturbing his boy and possibly rattling his brains by attempting to disrupt his natural sleep cycle…so soon again.

No matter that a small part of him had this fear…this irrational everlasting paranoia…that if he left Harry to the throes of sleep…he may not wake back up again.

But that was ridiculous.

So Tom…with a last lingering kiss to Harry's unconscious lips, slid quietly out of the hospital bed and made his way to the nurses' station.

There—he apprised them of the situation, in a less damning manner than would have painted him neglectful of their professionality and needful presences.

"Harry woke up just briefly tonight…he spoke a little…then fell asleep again. I thought you all should know."

So—maybe he varnished…a bit.

The nurses swarming into the room behind his departure to check on Harry's vitals and alert the attending doctor didn't think twice about him once they were back officially working on the clock.

Tom let them do their thing in peace, and was on the phone next calling Lily directly and then Luna.

The echoes of sobs and relieved excited exclamations were still ringing in his ears afterwards for the longest while, as he reluctantly left the hospital and returned to his apartment—to the tune of being back at the hospital bright and early Saturday morning, to join Harry's family and friend in welcoming him back to the land of the consciously living…and low-key celebrating his 15th birthday in a quaintly subdued fashion, alongside Harry's unexpected but timely awakening.

Also…he had a wrench left to properly dispose of…which was still bundled in the back of the car.

All in all…things were definitely looking up again.

He could hardly wait for morning to arrive. He was nearly too wired to imagine sleeping at all.

Because Harry—Harry was back…had come back to him.

Mostly…at last.

He was receptive to Tom…even if he didn't know why…even if he thought they didn't make sense.

When had they ever?

Tom's mouth pulled into a grin as he drove down the highway a little too fast to be safe.

Tom would be around to help Harry come to terms on the daily.

No matter what…he'd have his boy comfortable in his arms once more, leaning on him in all things…and with any luck…should the memories resurface…Harry would only be that much deeper within his influence…to the point of not wanting to let go at all.

As if Tom would allow him to…ever.

-v-

xXOXx

-v-

Saturday morning—Harry awoke a year older, to the sun streaming in his face through partially closed blinds—and the softly chatting, blurry figures of his mom and dad, one non-familiar…and one almost deeply familiar face—encircling his bedside.

The first to notice his eyes opening was inevitably…Tom…whose own eyes were staring straight at him in unconcealed relief for his reawakening.

The second to immediately notice his state of awareness was his Mom, who exclaimed his name and delicately pounced upon him, hugging him to her bosom and showering him with kisses in between words of worry and happiness.

His father's slightly choked up voice urging his mother to let him breathe a little was the next thing he registered, as well as the unfamiliar tinkling laughter of the fourth person in the room…whose voice and visage he didn't recognize at all…but nonetheless seemed as though she belonged, as oddly dressed as she was.

Harry found himself smiling and weakly squeezing his mother back before she pulled away, wiping at her eyes and allowing his father space to warmly stroke his head and say his own piece about being glad to see him alive again.

"T-tha..nks…s-sorry for w-wor—rying…you a-all…"

Harry stared down at his lap to avoid all the suspiciously bright eyes staring back at him, doubtlessly noting his messy speech patterns…but tactfully refraining from commenting.

It was just so much harder than he remembered…forming all the sounds…

"T-Tom…?"

Harry found himself calling the name and looking up in the man's direction as Tom was swift to move to the head of his bed, hovering well within arm's reach.

"Yes Harry?"

"W-who…?" Harry spoke softly, eyes darting once in the direction of the pretty blonde girl and back to Tom…beseechingly…trustingly…

He could hear his mother gasp and begin whispering frantically to his father. Words he couldn't make out.

Tom took his question gracefully and considerately replied, "That's Luna…Luna Lovegood. Your…our good friend." He amended smoothly at the last moment, looking in Luna's direction—nodding for her to introduce her own self, and smirking a bit as she immediately rallied and smiled back at the both of them in her usual dreamy way…seemingly unruffled by Harry's non-recollection of her.

"It's wonderful that you're awake, Harry. I'm Luna. We were…are…very good friends. You, me, and Tom."

"O-okay…hi…L-Luna…"

Harry was decidedly embarrassed, but he muddled on through the words. Tom reassuringly settled in a chair, slid close and grabbed his hand, lacing their fingers together and stroking the back with his thumb.

It was a rather intimate gesture, but effectively soothing…and Harry was more than thankful for it.

His parents had both quietly drifted from the room, and now it was just the three of them—Luna…Harry…and Tom.

"How do you feel?" Luna asked, in a voice both gentle and inquiring.

Harry worked his mouth open and closed as he took careful stock of himself—feeling a significant throbbing at his temples and somewhere far behind his eyes…but it wasn't nearly as pronounced as the night before, so he merely shrugged a bit and replied, "M-my…b-body…feels…w-weak…a-and m-my h-head…is a l-little…s-sore…ha…ha…"

He attempted a laugh at the end, but it came out more brokenly than lighthearted as he'd intended.

Luna only nodded in understanding and took up his other hand. Harry didn't know why, but his eyes went straight to Tom…as if expecting something…he didn't know what…to occur after Luna's touch.

Indeed…Tom was holding himself very still, and a tension radiated from his body in semi-palpable waves, as he stared unblinkingly across the bed—focusing oddly on Luna and her hand wrapped loosely around Harry's own.

After an elongated beat, the thickness brewing in the air faded away and then Tom was sighing—raising a slightly sardonic brow at the blonde, who only grinned a little back at him and tilted her head (impishly) in Harry's direction—as though sharing some exclusively transmitted joke that only Tom could appreciate.

Harry didn't know why…but the little exchange made something unpleasant lurch and knot in his stomach.

The hell…?

"Is something wrong, darling? You're pale…"

Tom's voice floated through his ears as if suddenly underwater, and Harry blinked slowly…mind fuzzy and clouding further with a thickening fog.

The world was swimming…he opened his mouth, shutting it again on a pained grimace as his head began to throb and pound riotously.

"Nnghh…" Harry tried again. Luna's hand left his own—and then a button was being pressed repeatedly for medical personnel.

Harry's heartrate was increasing. Tom was saying something, pressing his own hand to Harry's cheek and speaking slowly…deliberately…rather loudly.

"Breathe Harry…come now…inhale…exhale…inhale…exhale…that's it…"

Harry found himself obeying that voice instinctively as his hand in Tom's own grew warm and clammy, and the palm on his face migrated behind his neck as Tom propped him up further with an extra pillow and continued coaxing the breaths in and out of his lungs.

The doctor entered the room trailed by Harry's parents and a nurse just as Harry began to feel (relatively) normal again.

Tom addressed the doctor while staring Harry in the eyes…worried.

"He was panicking. His heartrate went up out of the blue…he spaced out…stopped breathing right…"

"It's good that you calmed him down. That could've been dangerous to his brain's recovery. It's not good for patients coming out of head trauma to be unnecessarily worked up."

The doctor stepped forward on Luna's side, and the girl moved over for the man to begin examining Harry's eyes, chest, and monitored brain waves on one of the machine displays.

"Your parents tell me you couldn't remember your friend. Tell me Harry…what is the last thing you recall?"

Harry's stared blankly ahead…squeezing Tom's hand unconsciously as he struggled to connect his brain to his mouth and his mouth to his thoughts in a feedback loop.

"O-orien…tation….H-hogwarts…nngh…m-moved h-here…T-Tom…m-my tu…tor…"

Tom stared at Harry unblinkingly—squeezing his hand back encouragingly, his face devoid of anything but obvious concern…even as his brain began rapid firing synapses in no little disbelief.

His boy…was being slightly disingenuous.

Making it sound as though Tom was someone he remembered naturally…rather than having been told about just the night before.

Tom got the feeling that was done purposefully…even as Harry struggled to articulate things he truly did recall.

The doctor was nodding and conversing with Lily on the side. Lily filled the doctor in briefly about the rather large gap between what Harry was describing and everything which had happened in between leading up to Tom as his tutor which she was privy to.

The doctor frowned slightly and jotted something down on his clipboard.

"The gap is strange…but not unheard of. It is likely a matter of his mind forgetting the most traumatizing aspects of his memory and holding onto the less stressful, emotionally loaded components. Namely arriving at his new school and later getting a tutor. Everything else has been blocked out, including the events leading up to the accident."

Lily's hand pressed to her throat, and she glanced at James before asking, "Should we be trying to get him to remember more right now? Would it be best if we tried filling in the gaps?"

The doctor shook his head. "I would not recommend that. The brain is a complex organ. If it has erased anything in the wake of a trauma…trying to forcibly uncover the information could do more harm than good."

"I'm not saying you should never hope for him to remember. What I would suggest is that he be allowed to recuperate physically and once in a healthier…normal state of body, focus on rebuilding his mentality. I would recommend keeping him calm throughout rehab and perhaps allowing his friend…the one he cited from memory…to spend as much time with him during this process as possible. This could be a good catalyst for his latent thoughts to resurface. And his friend (Tom was it?) has already proved capable of reaching Harry through a state of heightened distress."

All Tom could hear now was the bleating of opportunity in the back of his mind as the doctor continued supplying him with the perfect alibi to affix himself deeper into the grooves of Harry's cracked reference sphere.

His boy was a marvel.

"My professional recommendation would be to allow the natural rehabilitation of his mind to occur in a facilitated stress free environment. Once he has recovered enough strength physically, it should be safe for him to go home and be left amongst family and friends for the sake of his mental rehabilitation."

Here the doctor addressed Harry specifically.

"Would you be averse to having Tom be around more often for your personal comfort and the subtle prodding of your memories throughout your recovery? I understand if you'd like more privacy in these matters…or if you're only comfortable with your parents seeing you in your weakened state…"

Harry responded as abruptly as he was able, "N-no…I d-d-don't mind…Tom…"

Tom felt rather smug, but he did grace Luna with a slightly apologetic look to which she shook her head and said reasonably, "Harry's recovery comes first. We can reconnect more once he's stronger. I know he'll be safe with you."

Tom nodded, and both Lily and James seemed to accept the doctor's suggestion—as well as agree with Luna's estimation.

The doctor continued, "Very good. Young man," he addressed Tom, "If you will permit me to know the amount of availability in your own schedule, I would like to work around your presence and Harry's rehabilitation process. Also…should you want to be an active participant in his physical rehab, do say so and I shall walk you through the regimen with our onsite therapist."

Tom nodded and said, "I would like to be on hand to help Harry as much possible. My schedule has gaps and is rather adaptable. If you give me a chart, I can make my own adjustments and have it to you presently."

The doctor hummed in approval, "I'll have you that as soon as possible, then. Now that that's settled," he addressed Harry, "Do try and enjoy your day with all of your family and friends. Now that you're awake, I will have the hospital start you on solid foods beyond the tube. Take it easy on your system today. I know it's your birthday but you must be mindful of not straining your stomach before its ready. Broth and crackers should coast you for now. Save the cake for next week."

Harry blinked—expression mildly perplexed as the doctor said his goodbyes and left them all to it, with the unobtrusive, silent nurse trailing out behind him after unhooking the feeding tube and collecting Harry's current vital information.

"I-It's…m-my…birth..day?"

Harry looked around from face to face, finally settling on Tom. He seemed to have no problem gravitating to the man.

Tom smiled and pat Harry's knee over the top of the bed sheets. "Yes. It is."

"Oh…" Harry breathed and dropped his eyes to his hands, one clenching the sheets, and the other still being held by Tom's own…before looking up at his mom and dad—who were blurring in and out of focus.

"C-could I have…m-my g-glass…es?" Harry softly requested, hoping they were somewhere on site. He didn't trust himself to deal with contacts just now.

Lily gave a start and went over to the table where she's deposited her purse across the room. Shortly, she fished out a hard case which she then opened for Harry to retrieve his familiar round framed, silver rimmed glasses.

Harry repurposed his hand from Tom in order to carefully take the glasses up, settling them on his nose and blinking as the world gained sharper clarity.

Ah…that was better.

Automatically…his eyes travelled again from person to person, cataloguing the details he's been missing on each of their faces.

His mother looked weary—bags hanging beneath her eyes, which were so reminiscent of his own…and her fiery red hair has been collected in a messy bun at the nape of her neck, as though she'd thrown it up in a hurry before coming to see him…which she probably had.

His father looked marginally better…not quite as exhausted, but less than bushy tailed—definitely more than a little relieved and in need of rest with his own dangling shadows beneath his lined, warm brown eyes.

The girl…Luna…she appeared dreamlike, swathed in pastel colors and floaty material with her long blonde (highlighted) locks done artfully in braids and a few ribbons and curly waves.

He smiled waveringly in her direction…feeling bad that he couldn't remember someone so obviously memorable…

She did seem one of a very special kind.

And finally, heart clenching in his chest…thudding for reasons unknown…Harry turned his eyes to take in Tom…in the morning light, unobscured by shadows, staring back at him as if he was the only thing that mattered in the universe.

Huh…

How could he have missed that look…have not recognized the sheer startling amount of devotion being reflected back at him…

Harry's lips quivered, Tom was…he was even more…everything…now that he was seeing through corrective lenses.

It made him want to take his glasses back off. Because his heart would surely fail…if he kept being faced with so much undistorted, unrivaled…beauty—just complete, utter beauty…that somehow belonged…to him.

If his ears hadn't been having auditory hallucinations the previous night…Tom was his.

Tom and he…they were a thing…together…for a while now…

Secretly…covertly…like an addled Juliet and her Romeo…

He could picture it in his mind…or was starting to…and it was…a whirlwind…

"H-hello…I didn't know anybody was in here."

"Who are you?" Harry tilted his head curiously and stepped closer to the couch.

"Tom. Tom Riddle. It's a pleasure to meet you…Harry." The way Tom pronounced his name made it sound like a decadent thing being savored. Harry hadn't known his name could sound like that off someone else's tongue.

"You do this…haah…with all your friends, Tom?"

Harry gasped, finally a fully participating member of their encounter, because dammit, he was a teenager, and horny, and Tom was stupid hot and he needed…he needed.

His head was throbbing—throbbing, as he slipped in and out of recognition…falling through those eyes…those hazel eyes…boring into his soul.

"Only the ones I especially like. But Harry…I don't especially like anyone, I'll have you know…"

"Haah…nggh…" Harry gripped his head; it felt like it was splitting in two. "M-m-make it…s-slow…down…" he gasped out, eyes watering as he stared pleadingly…unfocusedly at Tom…Tom…"Tom…"

"I can't help it Harry. I am very attracted to you. I don't like to waste time." Tom's voice rolled and settled between them, trailing off towards the end like a ball coming to a slow stop.

There were hands on him, pulling him close…a chest beneath his cheek. Words being spoken on top of words, soothing rocking…his hands came away from his head to gather fistfuls of Tom's sweater from the night before in his hands.

His eyes were shut against the flooding awareness…the stream and snatches of information…stumbling through his head.

Tom pulled Harry in by the waist in front of the door to his suite. "With such a ringing endorsement, how could I possibly resist?"

He was panting like a racehorse and beginning to sweat, and Tom…Tom was rocking him, stroking his back up and down, whispering into his ear…words he didn't understand but held onto the unshakable tones of…allowing them to ground him as he slipped and slid, swinging nauseatingly back and forth between recognition…so much halved recognition…and the blanker slates of the still obscured…the still forgotten…

"I'm here Harry…darling…relax. Don't do it all at once. You have time…breathe…just breathe…I'm here."

Unaware of himself in full, Harry was murmuring Tom's name over and over…hearing nothing of his parents' worried voices beneath the cacophony of so many random snatches of thoughts being returned to his conscious mind.

Some things…a lot of things…were still well beyond his grasp. Falling through his fingers like so much sand in the desert, blowing in the wind.

But the beginning…those beginnings…they were there. They weren't gone…!

He had something left—of Tom…always of Tom…

Harry trembled and buried his face in Tom's chest, inhaling deeply in and out, ignoring everything else but the arms of the older teen…the young man…rocking him, comforting him, cradling him in his time of need…

So much need…

They were a secret. The best kept secret.

His parents may suspect by now…but they didn't know…he did not remember telling either of them anything…not that that said much right then.

He felt like he should care that he wasn't being discreet, that he was openly clinging…crying and hyperventilating in Tom's arms.

"Perhaps we should shelve the party for later this evening. Let Harry rest up a bit."

That was James, ever tactful…ever perceptive.

"You'll call us if anything dangerous happens, Tom?" Lily's voice was cautious…obviously tight and worried for Harry's welfare as she addressed the tall teen, not wanting to further provoke or upset her son in any way.

"Of course…I will be here—I won't leave Harry's side. Rest assured. I think he's just having minor flashbacks…"

Tom trailed off, situating Harry more securely against himself now sat as he was—directly on the bed, as Luna softly piped up with, "You'll hold him together—won't let him damage himself trying to recollect all the pieces too fast."

Tom only nodded, holding the girl's silvery eyes with his own and smiling slightly as she came around and squeezed his shoulder, before departing the room behind the Potters to leave Harry to recover in private from his most recent distress.

As the door to the room closed, Tom turned his attention down to Harry…who by now was much calmer, still clutching onto him and not being arsed to pull away in the slightest.

"You do know how to clear a room, darling…"

Harry snorted softly and merely snuggled further into Tom's chest, pinching Tom in the side ever so slightly as the older teen chuckled softly…relieved and amused at his expense.

"S-shaddup…you m-make…my h-head h-hurt…"

Tom hummed and smirked, "So…nothing new there then?"

Another pinch—Tom winced, utterly delighted. "I-if m-my brain…ex—plodes…it'll…b-be…your f-fault…"

Harry tried for a cross hiss at the end, but it came out sounding like the world's most watery pout.

Tom huffed a bit and squeezed his arms around Harry, stroking his hand through Harry's shorter—regrown locks, not nearly wild yet in their currently trim state, but prevalent enough to cover Harry's entire scalp beneath the partial bandages wrapped around his forehead and cranium, bisecting his skull.

"If that happens, I promise to kiss it all better."

Harry sighed shakily, and leveraged himself in Tom's arms enough to directly pin Tom with a weakly miffed glare.

"I-If…that h-happens…I'll b-be d-dead…y-you d-dumb…ass."

Tom snorted, biting back a spontaneous grin, "That would've hurt more had you not looked like an adorable kitten when you said it."

Harry's eyes fell as he emitted a feeble groan, annoyed that his heart conversely skipped a beat for Tom's overly fond expression, and blushing hotly when Tom leaned down and kissed him on the cheek.

"How I've missed your rude spark."

And before Harry could attempt to defend himself, verbally or otherwise—Tom was kissing his mouth…greedily swallowing any halfheartedly forthcoming protests.

That was all it took for any fight to leave Harry's body and have him utterly pliant within Tom's arms, moving his lips against Tom's own and moaning as Tom's tongue prodded him, before Harry sighed and allowed Tom inside to do as he pleased with the whole of the internal warm cavern of Harry's mouth.

The slip and slide of Tom's long, hot tongue against his own had Harry stirring to life slowly between his legs…and he panted as Tom stroked his stomach over the thin fabric of the hospital gown, slowly plundering his mouth as his fingers skated lower…and lower beneath the bed sheets…feeling the swell of Harry's most private member, and giving a testing squeeze to the concealed, sensitive lump of flesh…he was so intimately acquainted with.

Harry's mouth hung open, saliva slipping down the corner as he trembled and lapped at Tom's tongue with his own, running his hand up and down the hidden contours of Tom's solid chest, even as Tom returned the tactile favor languidly below.

Their lips parted and Harry spread his legs, arching into Tom's petting, elegant, long-fingered—big hand…coaxing him steadily, gently to a bubbling climax…with nowhere to come but out.

"H-haaah…nnghaa….T-T-Tom…haah.."

"Easy darling…there's no rush…." Tom's hand stilled briefly, earning him a displeased whine before he merely relocated his hand to underneath the gown…wrapping directly around the naked rod of Harry's stiffened member, pulsating and sticky already with precum dribbling down from the tip.

"Let's see if we can't relieve some of this…pressure…shall we?"

Tom's lips were stretched wide, relaxed and lazy upon his face as he sultrily crooned…and his boy began falling apart for entirely different reasons beneath the touch of his well-appointed grip.

Gods…how he'd missed this…

-v-

xXOXx

-v-

When Saturday evening rolled around, well after Tom debauched Harry and cleansed him of the evidence…cradling his utterly boneless form to himself afterwards, and allowing his boy to sleep the sleep of the naturally sated for however long his body needed to recuperate—Harry's parents, followed by Luna bringing up the rear reentered the hospital room.

Lily smiled at the sight of Tom sitting comfortably affixed on the bed with Harry leaned back against him, bright eyed and smiling—obviously in much better…stable spirits, as he waved and haltingly greeted them all.

"E-evening…t-that c-cake f-for me?"

Lily grinned and drifted over to the bed alongside James and Luna, carrying the small buttercream iced vanilla confection, with Harry's name and age spelled out in calligraphic lettering on the top, surrounded by piped yellow roses around the borders.

It was simple and elegant. Harry liked it.

"Happy Birthday, sweetheart!"

For whatever reason…Harry's eyes began to water, and as he smiled up wider at his loved ones…some of which he couldn't even properly remember anymore, but who'd thought enough of him to go to so much trouble celebrating his birthday anyhow in a hospital where he'd only just regained his consciousness…he found himself feeling humbled and warmed through and through.

With Tom's body and arms anchoring him, and his Mom and Dad…and Luna…looking so happy to be back there with him…Harry rallied his wits and began wheedling for a slice of that cake.

To which his mother unpredictably replied, "You know what the doctor said dear. But I suppose…after you've eaten something lighter from the hospital, a thin slice won't hurt. Just try not to throw up."

Harry had simply grinned and said, "C-call t-the k-k-kitchen…m'hun…gry…"

Lighthearted laughter and good natured teasing surrounded him well into the evening, and when he was sufficiently fed on a small bowl of broth, a few crackers, and the promised contraband thin slice of birthday cake…it came time for a small gift giving segment.

"I didn't have time to put together much…but here you go, Harry. I hope you like it." Luna's voice was soft and airy, her gift bagged and wrapped in tissue paper.

Harry reached inside and extracted…"O-oh…wow…"

"It's a slightly modified dream catcher. You can hang it from the bed or put it under your pillow. It should work on the pain of returning memories the way it does on nightmares."

Harry stared at the intricately woven patterns and dangling beads and colorful feathers, enjoying the way they came together and brightened up the area.

"T-Thank you…L-Luna…it's l-lovely…"

Luna's face was aglow as she smiled back at him, and Harry felt Tom's arms around his waist tighten fractionally. Next his mother handed him a small box, giftwrapped in shiny yellow paper with a silver bow.

"I had ordered it mid-month...thought it'd make you smile."

Harry tore into the paper and unveiled a palm sized box, obviously for some kind of jewelry. Opening the lid on the box, he bit his lip against a laugh.

"M-mom…"

"What? You used to love that guy!" Lily grinned unrepentantly at Harry's lightly flushed, but no less exasperatedly charmed face.

Harry fumbled to unclasp the latch on a gold charm bracelet, with dangling Big Birds hanging all along the links. It was so ridiculous…that she even remembered such a thing…

Harry glanced up at Tom behind him, and lifted the bracelet to him with a questioning blink as Tom took it into his own hand with a strange little smile…before affixing it carefully to Harry's proffered right wrist, where it rested and shone.

"T-Thanks…I a-actually do…l-like i-it…"

James smirked a bit and winked at Harry, "That's not all you're getting this year, but your mother and I wish to see you home and well into recovery before giving you the rest."

Harry made a show of huffing at that, and watched the rest of the evening slink on by until his parents and Luna were once again ready to depart.

"Take care, Harry. Daddy sent his regards. I'll see you at school, Tom." Harry waved at Luna and his parents said their own goodbyes before leaving him in Tom's vicinity alone once more.

The other teen had been rather quiet, seemingly content to be holding Harry and not doing much besides enjoying the ambiance of a family atmosphere.

Harry relaxed against him and remarked softly, "Y-you d-don't…have to…g-go?"

Tom sighed and rested his cheek against the top of Harry's head, tangling their hands together and murmuring into Harry's ear, "I don't have to do anything but be here…with you."

Harry felt a pleasant shiver crawl its way up his spine, and he swallowed against his heartbeat spiking and a low thrumming starting up in his head.

Funny…every time Tom said things like that, his body and brain started acting up…

"Okay…" Harry breathed, and feeling slightly playful said, "…y-you d-didn't…get…m-me any…th-thing?"

Tom stilled behind him, before taking Harry by the chin and tilting his head for their eyes to better meet. "What do you want from me, darling?"

That I haven't already given—was the phrase which hovered unspoken between them.

Harry stared into Tom's darkening hazel eyes and thought…if he were to ask for the world…Tom would give it to him.

If he were to request a heart…it'd be already bloodied in his lap.

This man…his man…would do anything—everything…for him.

The power rush this realization gave him was as frightening as it was heady…and endlessly seductive.

Harry swallowed, and it was a noisy thing in the suddenly loaded silence. As if the entire universe…was holding its breath for his response.

"…m-might…need a…r-rain ch-check on t-that…" he whispered.

The gap between their mouths was diminishing, and Harry felt Tom's lips ghosting against his own for the briefest of moments as Tom spoke, "No rush darling…we've got time..."

And then the remaining breath left him to travel down…into Tom's lungs, as Harry's eyes fluttered shut and allowed himself to just feel…and keep feeling until there was nothing left in his mind but the ephemeral essence of…Tom.

Tom

Tom

Tom . . . Forever . . .

God yes . . . Tom.

-v-

End Violation.

-v-

A/N: I love you ALL. Really. I do. And I hope you all still love me too! 💜

Honestly…this Violation wrote itself so well, I think. Taking so many avenues into consideration, I couldn't bring myself to leave Harry without at least SOME remembrance of the awesome that is Tom.

So there. I caved. He's having flashbacks already. #WhatIsWillpower 😏

In all seriousness though, I don't think I could've planned the reawakening better. And the last bit…I #Loved.😍

So eager am I to hear back from all you lovely readers!

Feel free to drop a line, as any and all reviews will be appreciated and loved. 😄💚

Until next time,

Signing off ~ 🌺🐍🌕

Obligatory Disclaimer: Ask me again tomorrow. Maybe it'll change. And maybe the sun won't rise either.

~ Ravenslith-FledglingMoon ~ 🌺🐍🌕