Title: Crystal

Rating: PG-13/R

Genre: Romance/Humor

Summary: AU; "He's as… fragile as crystal…" To wear matching rings is believed to be the ultimate expression of love… complete detail inside
Pairing(s): Harry/Tom R.

Warnings: AU Yaoi, slash, Boy/Boy
Disclaimer: Don't own fandom. Concept behind story doesn't belong to me either. Story itself does. So does Moorinto… and various cameo characters. So don't sue me or have me erased because I'm not going to lose my very first-ever paycheck to people who don't know how to read a disclaimer.

Summary: The ultimate expression of love… In the small town of Moorinto, it is believed the ultimate expression of love is to wear a matching ring with the one you love. It could also be the deepest sign of friendship, depending on which finger you wear it on. When the semi-loner Harry Potter suddenly finds his matching ring with the person he least expects, it's an up and down coaster ride to discovering if this person could be his worst enemy… or his greatest love.

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AN: Well, my internet worked long enough for me to put this up. I hope you like it.

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Harry received a lot of strange looks throughout the day. As the present was too big to fit in his locker he was forced to carry it with him to each class. By the time morning classes were done, he was wishing Nadi hadn't roped him into this.

But it was not the package that truly bothered him. It was that everyone who saw him would not only think he brought the gift for Tom – which was true – but that the gift was from him.

He didn't know which pissed him off more, that he forgot to give him the gift the first time, or that he had to see him again at all.

But… there was something else. It was not anger so much as a pain in his heart that he couldn't place. He couldn't understand what it meant, and that did not sit well with him.

'Enough,' Harry thought finally. 'I'll just give him the stupid present and leave. Hopefully never to see Tom Riddle ever again.'

With that thought repeating in his mind and giving him mixed feelings, he knocked on the door to Riddle's last class before lunch and had one of his classmates give him a note. Harry skipped his own class and went to the school roof to wait, wondering if Riddle would even show.

He did. Five minutes later, in fact.

"Oh. You came." Riddle gave him a sarcastic look.

"Well, don't sound so enthusiastic on account of me." Harry glared at him. Riddle eyed him. "So. You're still carrying that thing around? The wrapping is nice… if you were a girl." He clenched his jaw as Riddle smirked. "Don't you think flowers are going a little across the line? Although, for some reason it suits you."

"You…!"

"So, is there someone on the senior level you want to give it to? I guess I could deliver it for you." Harry stared at him. "What? Don't you know my rep? I'm a nice guy."

"Ch. I forgot all about that the moment I met you."

'I wish I'd never known… that the guy standing in front of me is kind to everyone but me. I wish that at least I could forget.'

"Here." He shoved the parcel in Riddle's direction. "It's your birthday soon, right? So accept it and be nice about it."

"It's… for me?" The expression on Riddle's face floored him. It was a look of such genuine surprise.

'But he's so… popular. Isn't he used to getting gifts? It's almost as though he doesn't know is he should express happiness… or disbelief.'

"There's a letter inside. Respond to it, would you?" Riddle looked at him.

"A letter, huh? Didn't think you were that type."

"Just read it."

"Right…"

'This feels so weird… like I'm the one giving him the gift… Wait a minute.'

"That's not from me, just so you know. I was asked to give that to you by a girl who goes to my sister's school. I'm just the delivery boy." Riddle blinked once and looked at the gift.

"I see… I get it now." He looked up. "Do you know when my birthday is?"

"Well… I… June seventh." Riddle smirked, seeming to slip back into his normal expression.

"That's right." He leaned forward suddenly causing Harry to lean back only to hit the wall. Riddle used a hand to brace himself against it, effectively trapping him. "Thanks for the delivery. You must be such a sucker, running around and wasting your lunch hour to do an errand for a girl you don't even know." Harry glared at him.

"I promised my sister I would do it."

"What's if it's really from her? Saying it's "from a friend" is one of the oldest tricks in the book." Harry ground his teeth to prevent himself from growling and leveled his dirtiest glare. "What, do you have a sister complex, kid?"

"No," he snapped, "and don't call me a kid. You're not that much older than I am, you know."

"So what should I call you?" Harry furrowed his brows.

"Well… I do have a name…"

"As you keep reminding me. So," Riddle smirked, "I can call you Harry?" He leaned forward even more. "How about it… Harry…"

Warmth rushed through his cheeks and throughout the rest of his body. 'All he did was say my name… I feel like I'm on fire or something.' Fingers brushed his cheek. He pushed them away and glared at him.

"Stop it! What do you think you're…"

"All I did was say your name and you closed up. I wanted to see what you would do. What, did you think I was going to kiss you or something?" Riddle smirked at him. Harry narrowed his eyes.

"I never said that."

"You were blushing a whole lot. Where did your attitude go, Harry?" He glared.

"Don't get familiar with me!" He was given a sardonic look.

"You were awfully familiar with me. And you complain to much, did you know?" He shrugged in indifference and shoved the gift into Harry's arms, turning to leave. "Bye."

"What… Where are you going? This is…" Riddle interrupted him.

"To bulky. I can't accept it. Return it to the girl who asked you to deliver it."

"But I can't do that!" Harry said, outraged. "I thought you accepted gifts from everyone?" Riddle shrugged.

"That's right. It's true that I don't play favorites."

"Why, then?" The look in Riddle's eyes was unreadable but powerful.

"Because you delivered it." He turned and began down the stairs. He paused a few steps down and looked back. "And since you're so strung up about names, and all… you can call me Mr. Riddle." Harry stared at him until he disappeared from view.

He stood there for a while. 'Why couldn't he just take it? What did I do wrong? Maybe he just really hates me. After all, he said strait out he wouldn't accept it because I was the one who brought it.'

"…Nadi is going to kill me."