Disclaimer - I own nothing you recognise.
Challenges listed at the bottom.
Word Count: 2114
Little Lies (Lotta Happiness)
The last thing Kingsley was expecting when he opened the door to leave his office was Harry sitting in the corner of the reception area, his head resting on his knees, half hidden by a large plant pot.
"Harry?"
Harry looked over at him, and Kingsley frowned at the lack of the usually ever-present cheerfulness on his face.
"What happened?"
"I thought it was fine," Harry said, pushing himself onto his feet. "I really did. Just, you know, a crush. But it's not, and now they're locking me in cupboards and trying to dose me with love potions, and I just—"
"Hey, hey," Kingsley said in a calming tone. "Who is?"
Harry scoffed. "Half of the reception team on the MLE. They're going too far, Kingsley. I tried speaking to Robards about it, but he told me to just play it off, and that was fine before I realised that I can't even eat at work without being worried someone is going to dose me."
Kingsley shook his head. "Nor should you have too. I'll speak to Robards about it, okay?"
"Thanks," Harry said, running a hand through his hair. "I know I'm an adult and should be able to deal with this kinda thing on my own but—"
"Hey, no. You know I'm always here for you, especially when people are making you feel like this, and especially when the Head Auror is quite happy to let people breaking the law pass him by on his own floor."
"He doesn't know about the potions," Harry admitted. "I spoke to him before they stepped up to that particular level of, uh, enthusiasm."
Kingsley just shook his head. "People are idiots. We know this, right?"
Harry smiled slightly. "We do. Thanks, Kingsley."
…
"It's all a bit of fun," Robards said, rolling his eyes. "I should have known Potter would come—"
"They tried to dose him with a love potion!" Kingsley thundered, his irritation with Robards rising to the same levels of anger he was currently feeling for the people they were discussing. "Love Potions being illegal, in case you've forgotten, Robards!"
"It's the Weasley ones," Robards pointed out, albeit weakly. "They're not of the grade that, say, Amortentia—"
"Love potions are illegal. Coercion is illegal," Kinglsey replied, taking no prisoners. "What would you say if I came to you about someone that wasn't an Auror? About my partner, for instance?"
"Of course I'd give it my full attention, but—"
Kingsley waited for the knut to drop and arched his eyebrow when he saw it had. "I trust that you'll deal with the situation immediately and appropriately, Robards. If you don't, I will, and you won't like how that ends for you. Am I understood?"
"Completely, Sir. Why didn't Potter just say that you and he were—"
"He shouldn't have had too."
Kingsley slammed from the Auror Head's office, and made his way to the cubicles of the Aurors. He found Harry's easily—it was a mess, and had a pack of open blueberries on it—and though Harry wasn't there, Kingsley quickly quilled a message and left it on the desk, spelled to Harry's eyes only.
He really needed to talk to him.
…
"I can't believe you told Robards we were dating," Harry said, shaking his head and laughing. He was lounging in the guest chair in Kingsley's office, grinning wildly as Kingsley explained what had happened earlier in the day.
"It just… slipped out," Kingsley admitted. "I want you to be protected and if that's what I have to do to make it so, then I will."
"But Kingsley," Harry said, and Kingsley knew what was coming, "we're not dating."
"I know. I know, and I'm sorry, Harry. I shouldn't have just—"
"Hey, no, if we were dating, I'd definitely be punching, but… I don't want you to be missing out on anything because you're fake dating me."
Kingsley scowled across the desk. "Okay, first thing's first, you absolutely would not be punching if you were dating me, you're a catch and anyone that says otherwise will be chewing on the wrong end of my wand. Second of all… Harry, I have no intentions of dating anyone else. So, you don't need to worry about that, either."
"Is this still because of what happened with Rosmerta? Because you know there are more fish in the sea and all that, right?"
Kingsley rolled his eyes. Nothing 'happened' with Rosmerta, Harry. We just realised that we didn't really fit together well. And yes, I'm aware of the fish in the sea. As it happens, I'm not particularly interested in meeting any of them."
Harry wrinkled his nose. "If you're sure. But when it's time to break up, you've gotta break up with me, because I can't cope with being 'The Man Who Broke The Minister's Heart' on top of all the other bullshit names the papers call me."
Kingsley snorted. "It's not going to be a problem. Okay?"
"Okay. I want ice-cream. Do you want ice-cream?"
Laughing, Kingsley stood from the desk and gestured to the door. "Let's go and get ice-cream."
…
It turned out that fake dating Harry Potter was very much the same as being friends with Harry Potter. He was just so affectionate with the people he considered his friends, that they didn't even have to act any differently to make it believable.
As word spread that Harry Potter was dating the Minister, people began watching them more carefully. It took a mere three days to hit the headlines, and suddenly, Kingsley found himself unable to move without a photographer following him.
Of course, one glare from Kingsly and they quickly disappeared, but it was still aggravating. Harry had been full of apologies that Kingsley waved off. It wasn't his fault that the media were still obsessed with him, years after he'd saved the world.
Still, by the time he got home, he was tense and agitated. The moment he stepped into the apartment, he knew someone was there. It only took a few moments for him to realise it was Harry. The smell permeating the air was wonderful, and there was a familiar pair of jade green boots by the door.
"Harry?"
"Hey," Harry said, popping his head around the doorway to the kitchen. "Sorry for letting myself in, but I wanted to do something nice for you, and you weren't in your office when I finished work."
Kingsley smiled. "You know you're always welcome. What smells so good?"
"Beef wellington," Harry replied with a grin. "And cake and ice-cream for afters."
"Sounds amazing," Kingsley complimented.
"You've time to grab a shower and change if you want," Harry said with a smile. "Food won't be ready for about half an hour yet."
Smiling gratefully, Kingsley did as Harry suggested and washed the grime and stresses of the day away, before he changed into comfortable sweatpants and a t-shirt. By the time he returned to the kitchen, Harry was dishing their food up.
"I was gonna set the table, but it seemed a bit pointless for just us two," Harry admitted, when he passed Kingsley a plate. There was an open bottle of wine on the living room coffee table, and Kingsley set his plate down on the table to pour them both a glass of wine before they settled on the sofa, corner to corner.
They talked while they ate, about their days at work, about the antics of Ron and Hermione's crazy cat, Snoopy, and about the day's headlines. Harry almost snorted wine out of his nose when Kingsley told him about the photographer that had dared try to follow him into the bathroom that morning.
"We should go on a date," Kingsley suggested, when they'd finished their meal and were relaxing with their wine. "Maybe if they see us on an unmistakable date, they'll take pictures and then lose interest?"
Harry shrugged, and then took the plates into the kitchen, setting them to wash themselves as he dished out their cake and ice-cream. When he handed Kingsley a bowl, he said, "If you want to go out, we can, but I don't think it's going to make them relax. They haven't relaxed since I was eleven."
Kingsley snorted. "True. Still, it's worth a try. This cake is delicious, by the way."
Harry laughed. "I can't take credit for the cake, I bought it from that bakery down the road."
…
"You look great," Kingsley said, bending slightly to kiss Harry's cheek after admiring the navy jacket and dark wash jeans he was wearing. The hat perched on his head somewhat managed to hide his perpetually messy hair. In Harry's ear, he murmured, "hold my hand."
Kingsley watched a smile bloom on Harry's face as he slid their hands together, interlocking their fingers. There was a flash in the dim dusk light that told them both they weren't alone. "Your wish is my command. Where are we going?"
"Cibo Magico," Kingsley replied, smiling when Harry's smile widened. It was his favourite Italian restaurant. "And we have a table in full view of these assholes, instead of the private booth in the back we usually get."
"Ew," Harry muttered. "That's heinous."
"Is that your word of the day?"
"You're an asshole."
…
Despite multiple 'dates' the media didn't get tired of them, and neither did Harry's admirers. Immediately following Kingsley's meeting with Robards, the attempts to lock Harry in cupboards, or dose him with love potions had stopped, but the perpetrators were beginning to annoy him again.
It was nothing Kingsley could pull them up for—or fire them—but it was starting to bother Harry and Kingsley could tell. They had been 'fake-dating' for a few months by now, and as far as Kingsley was concerned, that was certainly long enough that it held a certain expectation of respect from others.
It was actually quite extraordinary how focused they were on Harry, even if it was to his detriment.
Pondering what to do about the situation, Kingsley tapped his chin thoughtfully. He had an idea; it would either be the best decision of his life, or it would go down like a lead balloon.
…
"I got you some of that fancy chocolate you like from Muggle London," Kingsley said, dropping the package in Harry's lap. He'd had to meet with the Muggle Prime Minister, and had made a little detour on his way home.
"I was practising meditation then, you asshole," Harry said, but he opened his eyes and grinned at him. "But thanks."
"Uh huh. Still trying to find that balance, huh?"
Harry groaned. "Why do you hate me? Also, why does whoever gives people balance hate me?"
"So, I had a thought," Kingsley said, sitting down beside Harry.
"Why do I feel like I'm in trouble? Or about to be in trouble?"
Rolling his eyes, Kingsley nudged his shoulder. "I think we should get married."
Harry blinked at him. "That was a fucking terrible proposal, friend."
Laughing, Kingsley shoved him a little harder. "I'm being serious. I think we should—"
"I heard you. I just. Why?"
"Because… because people will back off if we're married. Maybe. And because I can't think of anyone else I'd rather spend the rest of my life with. And because you—"
"Kingsley."
"Harry."
"You know I'm Ace, right?"
"You know I know that, I was the first person you told. I love you, Harry, and I have a hand, if I feel the need to, uh, release. But sex isn't the be all and end all, and what we have… Harry, it's everything I could possibly want in my life."
"And you want to get married?"
"Nothing would make me happier than to see my ring on your finger."
"I… am not going to make a very obvious joke, you're welcome. So, uh. You love me?"
"Very much."
"I love you too. That's… fun, right?"
Kingsley grinned. "You're the most charmingly awkward person I've ever met."
"Uh. thanks? I think. So no more fake dating?"
"Nope. Real dating. Real wedding. Real marriage."
Harry tilted his head and stared at Kingsley for a long moment. "I want a real proposal, I'm not a cheap date."
Kingsley grinned and leant over to kiss Harry's cheek. "No you are not."
Kingsley would propose properly, down on one knee and all, and he'd marry Harry and he'd love him forever. And if people continued to barrage him with romantic attempts, well. Kingsley would be well within his rights if he eviscerated people for annoying his husband.
Probably, anyway. And if he wasn't within his rights, well, he was the Minister for Magic.
Maybe he could change the laws.
Written for:
Character Appreciation: 4. Hat
Film Festival: 16. Chocolate
Games Corner: Brown: Whitechapel Road: Cheap
Showtime: 3. Dusk
Trope of the Month: 12. Tense
TV Spree: 6. Bloom
Amber's Anime: 15. Ice Cream
Elizabeth's Empire: 15. Revealing the truth
Ari's AU Armoury: 8. Romance
Pucker Up: Percy Weasley: Fake Dating
Treat Yourself: Sugar Scrub: Expectation
Puzzle Club: Puzzle 5: Cake
Cupid HQ: Kingsley Shacklebolt / Significant Impact: Navy / Like most about yourself: Blueberries / Soundtrack: Extraordinary
Play God Day: 2. Cheerful
Appreciate A Dragon Day: 16. 16. Paarthurnax (Skyrim): (word) Meditation
Hot Tea Month: 27. Hibiscus: Kingsley Shacklebolt
Colours: 4. Jade Green
Crystals and Gemstones: 13. Blue Obsidian: Balance
Slytherin OTP's: 8. HarryKingsley
Alphabetti: M: "more fish in the sea."
NeonFae's Nibbles: Bread Pudding: Friends to Lovers (5) / "Hold my hand." (2) / Trouble (1)
365: 60. Heinous
Musical Yearly: 70's: You To Me Are Everything: Your wish is my command.
Character Collection: 309. Kingsley Shacklebolt
Insane Challenge: 477. HarryKingsley