Warnings: Alternate Universe, takes aspects from J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and information about Veelas and their mates, boylove, Veela!Yoshiya, clueless!mate!Neku, age difference (17/13), dom!Josh/sub!Neku

Author's Note: just read a HP veelamate fic on lj and was completely tempted to write something similar... so this is my version of it with WEWY characters. Also, it's not one world or the other, its some combination of the two... I might revisit this if I get a wave of more inspiration or if people ask for more.

10. Breathe Again

Neku felt a brief moment of fear when the veela pushed him so that he was jammed against the wall. "Josh..."

"You are mine," the veela ground out. "You are my mate."

The veela's words were unexpected. It was typically Neku questioning if the relationship was nothing but a dream.

"No one can change that fact," Neku whispered, raising his hands and fisting it in Yoshiya's shirt. "I'm your mate, dominant. But, I am my own person too and I have my own family. I'm sorry if that bothers you, but this is my stance. It doesn't mean I love you any less."

The veela did not respond immediately. Instead, he lowered his head until their foreheads were pressed together, and Neku could feel his warm breath wafting over his skin in a soft caress. The young boy flexed his fingers, the movement seeming to finally draw words from his mate. "Only I can hold you like this. You seek comfort from me, no one else."

So that was the issue, Neku finally realized. His mate was jealous, jealous of the fact that another had managed to provide peace for him, no matter how temporary it was. Members of the family were all right, but an intruder was another story.

"I'll come to you next time," Neku promised, looking up into the dark eyes mere centimeters from his.

"Why?" the veela demanded, pressing closer to him. Neku hadn't noticed until now just how much taller Yoshiya was, and how dwarfed he seemed in the creature's presence. Despite that, he could feel the comfort washing over him and relaxed into the embrace.

"You're my mate," the boy responded, shifting slightly. "I turn to you."

He had said the right thing, for all at once the veela's expression cleared considerably. However, Neku was not given long to peruse the change, for an instant later his lips were claimed. He jumped at the suddenness of the move before relaxing completely in the grip. Kissing his mate was always an experience, but this was something else entirely. His veela was pouring out his feelings to him even as their lips brushed each other, and Neku found his breath hitching as the feelings bombarded him, both through their bond and the physical contact.

The veela pulled back, allowing them to breathe and Neku opened eyes he was not even aware had been closed. His entire body was trembling from the long denied affection. It was only now that Neku felt the strain on their bond, recognizing that it had been almost a day since they had interacted with each other with anything other than anger. In his mind he knew there were still issues to be resolved, however, the emotions pouring through their bond was too great, reminding him that he belonged first to his veela and then to anyone else.

"Dominant," he mewled, his tone conveying his thoughts.

The veela growled slightly before his head bent once again, claiming Neku's lips in another kiss that was as passionate as the first. When Yoshiya pulled back this time, Neku felt as if every nerve in his body had awakened. He knew his cheeks had to be flushed, and his breathing was ragged as if he had run a mile. His dominant as well was affected. His expression was softer now, more affectionate as if he too found their previous anger at each other too cumbersome to recall at the moment.

"I love you," Neku found himself murmuring, and was rewarded with a briefer kiss.

"I know you do," the veela replied, raising a hand and stroking his cheek softly. "However, I don't think you love me in the same way that I love you... not anymore at least."

The fingers stroking his cheek were distracting him from his mate's words, and thus, Neku made a confused sound, not willing to try and figure out exactly what his mate had just stated.

"It's all right," Yoshiya cooed, pecking his slightly swollen lips gently. "You'll learn with time. For now, remember one thing for me?"

"Anything."

Yoshiya's eyes darkened at his immediate compliance. "Remember that while you love me, I am in love with you and I will protect you as such."

"You're in love with me?" Neku repeated with a hint of confusion.

"That I am Neku Sakuraba," the veela whispered, "that I am."

That said the veela withdrew completely, and suddenly the room felt several degrees cooler without his body pressed close to him. Neku felt the room close in on him, as if he was stuck inside some room with no way out. He heard his blood pump through his ears, his breath coming to him in pants.

Just as his eyesight was beginning to go dark and his heartbeat wouldn't slow down, he felt those arms wrap around his waist once more, his face pressed into the curve of a neck. Soft cooing slowing became noticeable in his ears, and the thrumming disappeared. When Neku slumped into the hold he could feel his veela chuckle. "Neku, you're supposed to help me breathe, not the other way around."

"Sorry." Neku practically wheezed, nuzzling the neck. "Didn't realize I needed you to help me breathe again."

The veela chuckled again before lifting him up, carrying him to a nearby love seat and setting him down. Yoshiya sat beside him on the ground, running his fingers through Neku's hair. With his veela by his side, Neku slipped into sleep, knowing as long as he was around, he'd be safe.