In between their kisses and lingering touches, Harry shied away, all too sudden, with a hand on Tom's chest, a flushed face, and a shiver wrecking his body.

Anger and possessiveness flashed across Tom's face, but the man did not strike out or continue. Tom stopped his ministrations, and, seeing his hovering wasn't making Harry any more comfortable, he climbed off of to the side.

By then, Harry had buried his face in the pillows. The tremors lessened until he was still in all but the slow rise and fall of his breath.

After a lapse of silence, Harry murmured, "I can't do this." There was disappointment in his voice, of himself and in failing Tom's expectations. "I-I'm not meant for this."

Not meant for coupling, Tom thought and swallow down his own disappointment. Instead of raising his voice, he traced comforting patterns over Harry's back, never letting his hand linger too long to be intimate. Tom had expected this. For all the years that they've known each other, been friends, and been something more than just friends, Tom knew that Harry never had any desire for intimacy.

"Harry," he said, brushing the bangs from his beloved's eyes, "look at me."

And Harry did look at him, with eyes and cheeks red from unshed tears and shame, but the avoidance was there.

"I'm sorry," Tom said.

Harry started, sitting up to meet Tom's gaze evenly, a look of desperation as he spoke, "No. 's my fault. I couldn't-" Tom took Harry's hand, and Harry paused.

"You didn't want it." Yes, Tom had hinted, suggested, over and over throughout time spent together that he wanted this to happen. Harry wasn't ready (and he'll never be), but if Tom had to venture a guess, Harry feared that if he didn't do this, he would lose Tom. "I shouldn't have forced you into having sex with me."

"You don't have to do this," Tom continued softly and leaned to gaze into Harry's eyes. "I'm already yours. In heart and mind I'm already wholly yours, Harry."

They embraced. Tom gently cradled Harry to his chest, and it seemed as if all tension dispersed when they fell in silence with only each other's warmth for company. It was fine to be just like this. Sacrifices had to be made, and this wasn't Harry's sacrifice to make.

"Do you hear the drumming of my heart?" Tom murmured, combing through Harry's dark hair.

"Yes."

"It beats for you."