Author's Notes: Thanks so much for continuing to review my stories! I love the encouragement. Peegchica, I think you will like this chapter. MoonyPadfootJr, I think you'll find the answer to the question ofchildren in this chapter. And that's all I'm saying for now. :-) Special thanks to XaveriiJade for the beta! The next chapter might be up in the next few days. Oh, and this chapter is a bit long - but I know you will like it a lot - lots of stuff happens! I'd love to hear what everyone's favorite bit is!

Chapter 14

"What's this?" Jack looked at the wrapped gift quizzically. He'd been delayed in Moscow for two days after the conference and had come directly to work.

"It's a six month, one week and three day anniversary present." Corbin answered softly, sitting down in the chair next to Jack's desk.

"I told you, you didn't need to get me anything."

"I know. I just happened to see it when I was out…shopping for something you would like, and there it was, so I bought it. Just open the damn thing."

Jack tore off the wrapping paper and opened the box. Inside was a lovely picture frame. Corbin had placed a picture of the two of them taken at Tabby and Moody's wedding in the frame.

"I thought…you have pictures of your family on your desk." Corbin mumbled.

"You're right, I don't have any of you." Jack looked over at Corbin with a smile. "Thank you."

"I'm sorry I got angry, before you left. About…you know."

"He didn't make you who you are, I just meant people we know influence us."

"He made me confront something in myself that I hated." Corbin looked down at his hands. "It's stupid that I hate him for that, isn't it."

"It's not. I still hate Snape for telling me I'd never be a master potions maker even though it's true."

Corbin laughed quietly. He laid his hand on Jack's knee for a moment. "I've got to get back to work." He stood up. Jack looked up and was about to say something when Corbin bent down and kissed him. Whatever Jack had been going to say was completely forgotten.

"I missed you." Corbin whispered against his mouth before pressing another kiss to Jack's mouth.

Jack's answer sounded something like 'gah'

Corbin smiled and walked towards the cubicle opening.

"Come over tonight." Jack said quickly. Corbin nodded and waved without looking back.

"Sweet Merlin, I missed you too." Jack murmured between kisses. He'd yanked Corbin in as soon as he'd opened the door. He was pressed against Corbin who was pressed against the wall. Corbin's strong arms were around Jack's waist, the heat from him was making Jack dizzy.

Jack pulled back abruptly, he'd been dying to ask Corbin something since their conversation that morning.

"So…when you said Malfoy made you confront something you hated…that was that you're gay, right?"

"What?" Corbin asked, trying to catch his breath. Jack repeated his question. "Oh, well…yes."

"You said 'hated', so you don't hate being gay anymore?"

"Jack." Corbin's hands clenched in Jack's robes before moving away. "It's…I don't want to be gay, it's just…it doesn't matter if I hate it or not, I am."

"You don't want to be gay." Jack said slowly, taking a step back. "So, what are we doing?"

"We're dating?"

"Why are we dating if you don't want to be with me?"

"I never said I didn't want to be with you. I said I didn't want to be gay. There's a huge difference."

"I don't see it."

"Wouldn't you rather be straight?"

"Why would I? Is it better?"

"It's normal!" Corbin shouted.

"In the muggle world!" Jack yelled back. "Why don't you just be straight again then? And while you're at it, why don't you go live like a muggle?"

"I tried! I can't!" Corbin exclaimed angrily.

"Well, I'm sorry you hate your life so much." Jack crossed his arms tightly across his chest. He could feel his heart pounding, hurting at the thought of not being with Corbin.

"I didn't say that!" Corbin growled. "Aren't there things you'd rather be than what you are? Things that would make you happier – or…better or something? But you can't change yourself? Even after you've tried? No. Of course not, because you're bloody perfect." Corbin finished quietly, sounding defeated. He leaned his head back against the wall and closed his eyes. After a moment he shook his head and opened his eyes. "I'm sorry. I understand if you don't want to keep dating. I'll see you tomorrow at work." He started to move towards the door.

"Corbin, " Jack reached out and grabbed his arm, "I'm not perfect. You know I'm not. And if you think all this acting like a ruddy great bastard is going to get me to break up with you, you have another thing coming. I know it isn't really you, so you can just stop it, right now. Stop it, understand me?"

Corbin nodded, gazing down at the floor. Jack sighed and brushed his hand through Corbin's hair.

"You just talked about your feelings, how did that feel?" He asked gently.

"Painful."

"But, amazingly, you're still alive. See? It didn't kill you. So you can do it more often, right?"

"Sure." Corbin agreed reluctantly.

Jack rolled his eyes and pulled Corbin close. "You're going to drive me to drink, " he murmured, before pressing a kiss to Corbin's mouth.

"I'm sorry."

"I know."

"I do want to be with you."

"I know." Jack kissed Corbin's nose.

"You're wrong, you know."

"About what?"

"I am a bastard, it's not an act."

"So you say." Jack answered lightly. "I, however, have a different opinion, one formed over many years of studying you. And that, my friend, is why I am not giving up on you. You'd like me to, wouldn't you."

"No." Corbin's voice was so hoarse Jack had to strain to hear his answer.

Corbin's birthday party in mid-October was a small but raucous affair. Stevens and Clara were there along with a few friends from school and some friends from work. Jack watched Corbin interact with his friends, realizing that he and Corbin rarely socialized together. Most of their time together was spent just the two of them. He liked seeing Corbin happy and laughing with other people.

At last, after midnight, all the guests had left and they were alone. Corbin was sprawled on the floor. Jack moved to lay next to him. He placed one hand firmly on Corbin's hipbone and moved the other one to cup the back of Corbin's head. "Happy birthday." He placed a firm kiss to Corbin's mouth. "I love you." Jack kissed him again, feeling Corbin's hand grab on to his shoulder as their mouths moved against one another. He wanted Corbin so much that his arousal was almost painful. He could feel the exact moment when Corbin noticed it: tension crept into the long limbs that had been so gracefully relaxed just a moment before. Jack placed another kiss against Corbin's mouth before sitting up.

"I should get home." He levered himself off the floor with the help of the nearby coffee table. He headed over towards the fireplace. When he turned around, Corbin was standing a few feet away looking at the floor. He walked back over and kissed Corbin again. "I'll see you tomorrow. Make sure you take a sobering potion or you'll have a hangover at work."

"I will." Corbin said, his hands on Jack's waist. "Thank you for my present, Jack."

"You're very welcome."

They were in Diagon Alley after work, shopping for a Christmas present for Stevens and then going to have dinner. As they walked down the crowded street, a blonde man bumped into Jack's shoulder. As he turned to apologize, he saw Corbin.

"Oh, Merlin! Hello!"

Jack watched as a muscle in Corbin's jaw twitched.

"It's been –, I've missed." The man stopped and looked at Jack and then noticed Jack's hand held firmly in Corbin's.

"Hello." Jack said politely into the lengthening silence.

"Well, I just - sorry." The man nodded to Jack and walked away.

Corbin started walking quickly in the opposite direction the man had gone.

"Who was that?"

"No one." Corbin held the door open to Flourish and Blotts.

"Seems like he's a friend. Is he a friend from school? I didn't recognize him."

"No. He's not a friend at all." Corbin's hands were in his pockets now as he walked down the aisle behind Jack.

"It's fine if he is. I think it's important to have friends, people you can talk to." Jack stopped talking with some effort.

"He's not a friend, Jack." Corbin repeated, looking at a selection of quills.

"All right." Jack said, feeling uneasy, like he always did when he could sense Corbin withholding something.

"He's just…someone…Christ." Corbin pinched the bridge of his nose, taking a couple deep breaths. "He's someone I used to have sex with."

"Oh." Jack nodded. He hadn't known Corbin had dated any men other than Cassius. "An ex-boyfriend, then."

"No." Corbin grimaced. "It wasn't like that. I don't even know his name."

"Oh," Jack smiled, "I know how that is. I spent summer vacation on Crete after we left Hogwarts and there was this festival the second night I was there and…" Jack stopped himself as he noticed Corbin staring at him.

"What was his name?"

"Alexis."

"Alexis. Wasn't that the name of your boyfriend when we started auror training?"

"Yes."

"Jack, it's not anonymous sex if you know the man's name."

"But I barely knew him!"

"And then you dated! For seven months!"

"Fine!" Jack said huffily, "I've never had anonymous sex."

Corbin was glaring at the quills.

"Anyway, it seemed like that was more than a one time thing, even if you didn't know his name. Did you see him often?"

"Yeah." Corbin took another deep breath.

"And you don't sleep with him anymore?"

"No! Of course, I don't. Jesus, Jack."

"It's all right if you were." Jack said, picking up a quill set, and making a supreme effort to sound casual. "We've never said we're exclusive. How about this one?"

"We're not exclusive?" Corbin stared at Jack as he took the quill set in his hand without looking at it.

"I assumed we were, but we've never actually talked about it."

"Oh. I…well, I thought we were, too."

"Good. Then it's settled." Jack smiled.

"That we're exclusive."

"Mmm….I think that one is the best." Jack tapped the set still in Corbin's hand.

"You think so?" Corbin looked down at it for the first time.

"Yes, and I know you could look at quills for hours so just buy it and let's go have dinner."

"Quills are important, the right – "

"Spare me the Ravenclaw Quill Manifesto, please. I'm starving." Jack grinned.

"Where do you want to eat? " Corbin started towards the counter to pay.

"Anywhere's fine. Someplace off Diagon Alley would be best, not so crowded." Jack followed, standing next to Corbin at the counter.

"'Ello, Jack." The man behind the counter said, ringing up the purchase.

"Hello, Trevor." Jack smiled. "How've you been?"

"Can't complain. That'll be 5 galleons and 2 sickles. The husband's pregnant with another, due in spring." Trevor glanced over at Corbin. "When are you two going to have kids? You've been together for years, you should get a move on. I can recommend a great medi-witch."

"Oh, we've not even been dating a year." Jack said, as Corbin counted out his coins.

"Go on!" Trevor looked amazed. "I thought…" He looked over at Corbin and stared for a moment before turning back to Jack. "Must have been mistaken." He smiled at Jack apologetically.

"It's all right." Jack smiled. "I'll get the name of the medi-witch from you when we're ready. Not getting any younger, you know."

"That's the truth, ain't it." Trevor agreed as Corbin handed over the coins. "See you two later." He handed the bag to Corbin who nodded.

"Bye, Trevor." Jack said, following Corbin out of the store. Corbin reached for Jack's hand as they entered the crowded street. Jack loved the small things Corbin did that showed how much he cared, like holding his hand so they wouldn't get separated in the crush of people. It almost made up for the fact Corbin wasn't good at talking about his feelings.

"You still want to have a baby?" Corbin asked, as they sat down at a small table in a Thai restaurant off of Diagon Alley.

"Yes. I've always wanted a baby, maybe several babies." Jack answered, "Don't you?"

"I just…it's not really normal, is it?" Corbin grimaced.

"It might not be for muggles, but it is in our world." Jack snapped. "Corbin, if it were normal," Jack put the word in imaginary quotations, "would you want to have children? I mean, I thought, I was thinking we'd get married…" Jack watched the muscle in Corbin's jaw twitch, "Eventually…and then we'd." Jack couldn't continue in the presence of Corbin's formidable silence.

Jack sighed inwardly as he looked at the menu. How was one supposed to talk about things when one's boyfriend did not want to talk? Jack wondered if he could get some Veritaserum from work…only there were forms in quintuplicate that had to be approved before you were allowed to requisition any from the Potions Supplier.

"Here's that book I borrowed." Cassius put the heavy book on Corbin's desk at work.

"I'm surprised you remembered to return it." Corbin said dryly, not looking up from the book he was reading.

"Remus likes it when I kiss his neck and tell him I love him when we're having sex." Cassius said quickly, before he lost his nerve.

Corbin looked over at Cassius and raised an eyebrow. "While that's a fascinating fact, it's very disturbing that you felt the need to share it with me."

"Just thought I'd tell you because Jack might like that too." Cassius shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant.

Corbin snorted scornfully. "Forgive me if I find it ironic to get romantic advice from you."

"I know we…" Cassius waved his hand dismissively, the conversation was going well so far and he needed to maintain the momentum. "I like you, I've always liked you, I mean, well, not right after you broke up with me, but I want you to be happy. Jack loves you and you're messing it up."

"I'm messing it up? He said that?" Corbin asked sharply.

"He didn't have to say it. Yesterday he came to talk to Remus about you because he's so frustrated! Doesn't that say anything to you?"

Corbin didn't say a word. Cassius fought to keep from chewing his fingers. He was in it now, he might as well keep talking. Stevens would be impressed if he was able to finish the conversation, the thought gave him renewed courage.

"Jack also said something about wanting marriage and babies and that you're an emotionless brick wall who refuses to have sex with him. Has he said anything to you?"

"It's none of your business." Corbin's expression was unreadable. He would have made an excellent Malfoy, Cassius thought to himself, although his coloring was more like the Blacks.

"Maybe not, but you should have a talk with him." Cassius said firmly. "Tonight. Take him to a romantic restaurant. Have sex. That's what he wants. I can't believe you've dated this long and haven't had sex. You were always gagging for it at school." Cassius had to try hard not to flinch as Corbin suddenly glared at him. Belatedly, he remembered they weren't really friends and he had probably overstepped some boundary. He needed to move quickly in order to keep his nose unbroken. "Fuck, is that the time? I have a meeting with…someone." Cassius strode towards the cubicle opening and was stopped by a barrier spell. At least, he reflected with relief, it hadn't been a fist.

"We are going to finish this little bonding session right now or I will hex you." Corbin said icily. "What else did he say?"

"Jack wants you to tell him you love him…if you love him, that is, he doesn't know if you do." Cassius answered, carefully staying out of arm's reach. "You really do need to talk to him, he loves you very much. He has for ages." He finished, his voice betraying more warmth than he would have liked. Damn it, he was being out-Malfoy-ed by a Muggle born. His father was probably spinning in his grave.

"Thank you. I'll keep your words of wisdom in mind."

Corbin didn't sound especially appreciative, but he'd always been hard for Cassius to read. Maybe he really meant it. The problem, Cassius reflected, with talking without emotion was that it really didn't give the listener anything to go on. He wondered wildly how Remus had felt when they were first dating. Maybe, as a show of gratitude for putting up with him, he should buy Remus flowers – or chocolates…did Remus like chocolates? He couldn't remember. Maybe they'd just have sex. Harry and Draco were home from school, but Cassius could give them the car keys in order to get a few hours alone with Remus. Thinking of Remus reminded him of the second to last thing Remus had said to him that morning.

"Remus also – "

"If you tell me another thing Remus likes in bed I will have to gouge out my eardrums with my wand and then I'll think of something more horrible to do to you." Corbin said through gritted teeth.

"No, he wanted me to remind you that you and Jack are invited over for Christmas dinner."

"Right. If Jack hasn't dumped me before then, we'll be there."

"Good. All right. Um…I'll just…go then."

Corbin nodded. Cassius felt almost lightheaded as he walked back towards his desk. Matchmaking was hard work. He needed a drink. Or maybe he just needed to go home early. The second option, since it included Remus, was the better one.

"I'd love to live in a house like Windy Corner." Jack said as he and Corbin sat on the sofa in Corbin's living room. They had just returned from Christmas dinner at Windy Corner with Remus, Cassius and their family.

"How's this house different from Windy Corner?" Corbin asked slowly as he threw another log on the fire.

"I don't know. It's just…Windy Corner seems…lived in, full of love, cozy. Like a home. I don't know. A family lives there, you know? Holly House was like that…until my parents died. I miss that."

"Huh." Corbin looked into the fire, watching the flames grow higher. Jack couldn't see the expression on his face.

"That's all you're going to say?"

"What do you want me to say?" Corbin snapped angrily. "I've never lived in a house like that."

"Oh."

"That's all you're going to say?" Corbin mocked, his hand touching his abdomen. Over the years, Jack had learned to recognize that as a sign that Corbin's stomach was bothering him – it happened when he was upset.

"I'm sorry. You hardly ever talk about your family, and I -"

"I don't want to talk about them." Corbin snapped.

Jack lowered his head into his hands and gritted his teeth. He took a deep breath, trying to relax. He knew Corbin had issues. He knew Corbin was trying to work through them. But if he only knew if Corbin really loved him and wanted to be with him…he was so tired of being shut out or pushed away. Jack wasn't a Gryffindor for nothing. They were going to hash this out tonight if it killed – no, too strong – if it hurt both of them. He felt hands on his shoulders, pushing him back on the sofa.

He looked up and Corbin's mouth was on his and hips were pushing into his. Corbin deepened the kiss, his tongue stroking over Jack's tongue and teeth. Jack felt arousal sweep through his body as Corbin rocked against him. Jack mumbled in surprise as fingers were suddenly in his robes, circling him, stroking him. Corbin never initiated physical intimacy beyond kissing and this was the very first time he had ever touched Jack so intimately.

Merlin, Jack thought, his head falling back against the cushion. He was growing dizzy from the passionate assault. Corbin's mouth moved to Jack's neck, sucking and licking. Oh, it was too much, too fast. There was an almost frantic quality to the kisses and strokes. The friction between them, as Corbin moved against him, was driving Jack closer to his climax. Jack reached for Corbin, trying to pull him away, to slow down the pace. As his fingers enclosed Corbin's wrist in a tight hold, Corbin muffled a sharp groan against Jack's neck, and bucked hard against Jack causing them both to go over the edge.

Jack struggled to get his breathing under control, feeling sticky and dazed.

"What…what was that?"

"Kissing…and…stuff." Corbin answered slowly, moving off Jack's lap.

"I mean…why…you haven't…and then."

"I thought you wanted-"

"I don't want to just get off. I could do that with anyone. I want it to mean something."

"Like it meant something with Sirius." Corbin said dully, his eyes downcast.

"Yes! Exactly. When you're in love, it's not just about sex." Jack reached out to touch Corbin's arm, but he stood up and ran out of the room. A moment later, he could hear Corbin throwing up in the bathroom. "Damn it." Jack swore, "We're in love, you bloody fool."