DISCLAIMER: I own Alex and Nicolas…nothing more.
REVIEWS:
Puppyslut
Thank you for the review. Lots of my readers and fans have talked me out of stopping this fanfic, so I thank you for your review! And, no, sorry, I don't have a mailing list. I'm not very good with computers, so I don't have those cool online things that other people do.
Rei Magami
Does she really? That's awesome. But the way the story has been going, I'm not sure if my ending will work anymore. It's a great ending too! I would tell you what it is…but I'll make you suffer and wait instead.
potterluvva
I'm so glad you're into this so much! You're plea really helped convince me to keep this going! Thank you for the review!
From The Dark I will Rise
I think you're one of my favorite readers/fans/reviews/whatever-I-feel-like-calling-you-because-you-are-my-slave/lover…LOL! I liked the fact that you put in quotes you liked. I like to know what parts everyone likes so I know what to do with my story and what to put in it! So everyone…IF YOU THINK SOMETHING IS FUNNY, LET ME KNOW! Thank you!
JasRey
Uh…what? (LOL…just kidding!) I can only hope that you liked my story. Thanks for the review!
Gryffindor16
Yes, you will find out what happened with Harry and Alex in this chapter. This one starts funny, but it gets a lot more serious toward the end. I actually began crying when I was typing this!
Lady Slone
Okay…it lives!
Mark Train
I love kitty! And yes, you are my slaves! (and just for you…here is a deleted scene from this fanfic…and I hope everyone else likes it too!)
DELETED SCENE:
Harry calls Alex on the phone. Alex picks up.
Harry: You know, you haven't come for me in over three days. You're making it very hard for you to get into my pants.
Alex: Harry this really isn't a good time. I've got someone on top of.
silence
Alex: Harry? I was only kidding.
Harry: I knew that.
Alex: Hold on a sec. to another person in the room Why are you poking my boob? back on the phone Sorry about that.
Harry: 0.o
AND NOW…ONTO CHAPTER 12!
CHAPTER 12: PHILOSOPHY
"Like this?"
"A little harder…no, stop! Just stop, because if you hurt yourself I'm going to laugh."
"Well then help me, Alex!"
"Fine!"
Alex pushed his silvery white hair out of his eyes and walked over to where Harry was trying to open the pickle jar. He grabbed the jar, twisted it once, and handed it back to Harry. Green eyes glared at him.
"Bitch."
"But you love me." Alex laughed. "Just finish them quickly, I want to go."
Harry sauntered back into the kitchen and put some pickles in a bag with the tuna sandwiches, which were their lunch. He and Alex had been seeing each other for about a month now, and their relationship was really taking off. Harry had realized he was gay…or at least, he was when it came to his blue-eyed lover…and Alex had been helping him with everything else.
Alex had cut the raven hair of his boyfriend, and then convinced him to let it grow out, and then to get contacts. He also had rubbed off on the younger teen when it came to fashion. Harry looked best in green, but he favored black. No matter what he wore, though, he was frightfully attractive to Alex. The only thing Harry could complain about is how he didn't usually stay dressed for very long.
Today, Harry was making lunch because they were going to go to see a movie and then eat at a nearby park. Harry was really excited because it had been almost a week since the two had gone somewhere. Alex normally preferred to stay at home when Harry and he were together. He thought that they could have more fun…and they usually did.
"Come on, love. Let's go!"
"Alright, I'm coming!"
Harry grabbed the basket with the food in it and ran for the car.
"Gah, that movie was pathetic."
"Yeah," Harry agreed, "One of the worst films ever."
Alex raised an eye. "Are you just agreeing with me so that you can be top tonight?"
"Maybe."
"Not gonna work."
"Grr."
Alex laughed. The two lovers had watched the movie, a horrible American flick…Because of Winn Dixie. They were still complaining about it, but now over sandwiches and root beer rather than leftover popcorn. Just as they had begun to give each other eyes over their picnic, a car drove up in the parking lot and parked next to the silver Porsche. It was a red mustang. The side door opened and a man stepped out.
He was very slim, not particularly muscular, with midnight black hair that fell in waves past his ears. He was wearing black sunglasses, obstructing his eyes. His white T-shirt clung to his body and was tucked into tight blue jeans. Black boots clicked as he walked on the sidewalk and toward the two sitting at one of the park picnic tables.
As he came closer, Harry noticed that Alex straightened and was looking everywhere except at the man. Finally, the approaching figure stood above the couple. He raised a hand and took of the sunglasses. Harry was able to see handsome, black eyes. The man was very attractive, he noted.
"Alexander?" the guy asked, his eyes locked on Harry's boyfriend. Alex, hearing his full name, finally looked up at the dark haired stranger.
"Nicolas." He said.
"Gods, it really is you."
"You knew it was me. You have been following us all day."
Harry was confused at his lover's remark. Were they really being followed? Why hadn't Alex told him? Who was this guy anyway? Did they know each other?
Harry scrutinized the man in front of him. Nicolas must have noticed, because his eyes averted to the boy and a tense moment fell between them. Alex could hardly stand the silence.
"What do you want, then?"
Nicolas looked back at the pale man. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a card. Handing it to Alex, he said:
"I got a new number. Call me." With that the man walked away, but not before sending a glaring look at Harry. The Gryffindor watched him leave, eyes never leaving him until the car disappeared from his sight. He then glanced at Alex, who was transfixed by the card in his hand.
"Who was that?" Harry questioned.
Alex started, and then smiled in his normal way. He slipped the card into his back pocket, sitting up slightly on the bench to do so.
"My ex."
"Oh."
"Harry, don't think too much into it, alright?"
Harry didn't say anything.
"Harry? I'm with you, love, not him."
The tan boy looked at his lover, doubt in his eyes. Ocean eyes stared back at him and he felt better. Alex was right…they were together, and that was all that mattered. Ex's be damned.
"He looked like me."
"I'm attracted to your type." Alex shrugged. "It's just a thing of mine."
"Gzuwoo."
"What?" Alex raised an eye at the babble that had just exited his boyfriend.
"It's French."
"No it's not."
"It's underground French."
Alex burst into laughter. "Gods, you're wonderful Harry. If I could shrink you down and keep you in my pocket, I would!"
The two lovers laughed together, and then continued their lunch. Together.
Three days later, Harry was sitting up in his room at the Dursley's. He was thinking about Alex and how great their relationship was. He felt complete. It was first time someone had loved him…really loved him. Not just as a son, or a friend, but real love. It was something that Harry cherished so much.
'I wonder what he's doing right now.' He pondered, arms under his head as he lay on his bed. 'Probably watching TV. Or maybe he's shopping.'
Harry remembered asking Alex what he was going to eat for dinner, and then his lover's response:
"I need to go shopping. Seriously, all I have in my kitchen is like half a carton of milk and a can of corn!"
Harry laughed at the memory. Alex always was able to make him laugh, no matter what. They were so close, and it was wonderful having him there for him.
'I should go see him. I'll just call him and have him pick me up.' He sat up, and then an even better thought occurred to him. About a week ago, Alex had shown up at number 4 Privet Drive just to go for a walk with Harry. Of course, they had ended up making love in the Porsche, but that wasn't the point. Alex was so romantic and spontaneous; perhaps it was Harry's turn.
The teen made a decision. He would surprise his love by showing up on his doorstep. He would take the bus to his apartment.
Harry walked out of the elevator and down the hall to number 68. He knocked on the door. No one answered. Alex didn't come to the door. He knocked again. Nothing.
'Maybe he isn't home.' He thought, and then tried the door. It was unlocked and opened as Harry turned the knob and pushed with his hand. He stepped past the doorway and into the living room. Not finding Alex, he continued his search in the kitchen and then toward the bedroom.
Harry reached for the handle, but stopped, frozen where he was. He could hear someone in the room. He knew what that sound was. Suddenly free from his whip-lashed mind, he flung the door open and stared in horror at the scene in front of him.
His boyfriend was on the bed, on his knees, his hands grasping the headboard. Behind him, keeping up a frantic pace, was a black haired stranger. At the sound of the door opening, both men looked toward it and Harry recognized the stranger. Nicolas.
For a moment, all three didn't move, didn't speak, just stared at each other. Then Alex spoke.
"Harry."
His name falling from the lips of his love, and in the situation occurring, snapped Harry's heart. He charged from the room, hearing Alex's plea's behind him. Not wanting to wait for the elevator, he slammed open the door to the stairs. After running down two stories, he co0lappsed on the route. Lying between floors. He cried. He cried for the time he lost. Cried for his broken heart. Cried for his broken heart. Cried for the empty future.
He didn't notice the echo of being followed until a hand began running through his hair. His head snapped up and was greeted with eyes of rain. Alex was on the step above him, hair tousled and eyes wet. A single tear fell from his eyes. Harry just watched him.
Alex was wearing a blue silk bathrobe and he pulled it over his legs as he sat down.
"Harry." He began. Alex licked his lips, staring at the white walls, trying to find words. "Harry," He began again, "Sometimes, people –"
"Stop!" Harry yelled. "I don't want to hear it!" Tears fell rapidly from his eyes, his soul. "I understand. You never cared about me! You…you were just using me so you could get your real boyfriend back!"
"No, I didn't!"
"Liar!"
Harry pushed away from the comforting arms. He wanted nothing more than to believe that he was still loved. That Alex still loved him. he longed to be absorbed in the warm embrace he now fell away from. But he didn't belong there anymore.
"Harry! Please!"
"I loved you!" Harry shouted. Alex swallowed, his whole body shaking. They both were. Crying and shaking and watching each other.
"I love you, too." Alex whispered.
Harry shook his head. "No, you don't."
"Harry…"
"If you did…you wouldn't have…but I saw…I SAW! You love HIM!" Harry pointed up the stairs, toward the cursed place where he had used to love to be. The room where he had experienced an erotic kind of love. The bed where he would wake up in warm arms and tangled sheets. He hated that room now.
"I did, I did love him."
"And you still do!"
"No…I…I can't. I love you, Harry!" Alex pleaded.
"Did you just use me?"
"No."
"Is this all just a game to you?"
Alex did not answer at first. All that sounded were Harry's heavy breathing and gasps. His voice, once he spoke, was still and calm. A side of Alex, Harry had never seen.
"It's a war. Love is war."
"Well, I refuse to lose this one."
Harry stood and walked away from his ex-lover. He reached the door to the fourth floor and pushed on the bar to open it. Its loud banging echoed through the stairway. And as he walked past it, the sound as it closed seemed to surround the bent form of the bleach-haired man sitting on the stairs.
A/N: Okay, this is most definitely the longest chapter so far…and the saddest. I hope the story isn't ruined for anyone! Keep in mind, I was crying while typing this! Did any of you cry, or at least get teary-eyed? If you did, then I did a good job, eh? LOL. See you all next time! (Gods, I'm getting these out fast, aren't I?) Be sure to tell me what parts you liked! (My favorite was the very beginning with the pickle jar!)