Lucius decided it was perhaps time to take another step with Harry. As he helped plan a birthday, he remembered the spa date. Two comments had made Harry blush. He knew Harry wasn't ready for breakfast in bed and what went with it. But he thought about the vacation part. He knew Harry had not traveled other than to France. It was one of those things he had given up while in mourning. Playing quidditch, travel, love, so much. It was too late for him to return to quidditch, but never too late to travel. And Lucius hoped with time Harry would come to love him.

Harry had refused to have a party. There was a baby shower for Penny the day after and Molly was allowed to have a dinner after it for him. But he had been a fool to think his boyfriend or his loved ones would settle for that. They did keep a promise of sorts.

Harry was surprised when he woke up. "I smell French toast."

A voice came from nearby. "And bacon."

Harry saw Lucius near the windows. "What are you doing?"

Lucius smiled. "Breakfast."

Harry slipped into a robe and came over to the window. "A table."

Lucius shrugged. "You weren't ready for in bed."

Harry agreed. "Still in my bedroom."

"If you'd like to move to the den we can. Or I can leave while you change."

Harry kissed him. "No."

Lucius pulled out a chair. "Will have to see how I did."

"You made it alone? Should I worry?"

Lucius promised him. "An elf supervised."

Harry took a bite. "Pretty good."

"Does that mean you'd let me cook for you again?"

Harry reached and kissed him. "I may have to insist."

Harry had been at the coast the past week or so and his suite certainly had the room for the extra furniture. He was surprised to find Lucius made good French toast. He was surprised Lucius had come into his room but he could admit he was touched by it. He definitely couldn't complain about his favorite breakfast brought to him in his room. If his birthday started liked this more often, he may not complain about birthdays as much. He wondered what Lucius and his family had up their sleeves. He didn't buy for a second that they had agreed to his no birthday order.

Remus and Teddy were happy when he came down. He was surprised but happy for a quiet morning with them and Lucius on the beach. He smiled when Lucius actually helped him and Teddy make a sand castle. It actually was a group activity in the end. They went to London for lunch though where they were joined by Draco and George. He was happy when Hermione and Ron also joined.

After lunch Lucius whisked him off. "We have plans."

"Plans?"

Lucius smiled. "Plans."

Remus kissed his cheek. "I will see you later."

George agreed. "Some of us have to work."

Harry smirked. "It's a weekend."

Draco laughed. "He means me."

Harry looked at Lucius. "What do you have up your sleeve?"

Lucius went to do side by side. "You will have to wait and see."

Harry took his arm. "I assume I will have to trust you."

Lucius kissed him. "Haven't disappointed yet."

Harry was surprised when they arrived. "A bakery?"

Lucius reminded him. "You wouldn't let Molly make you a cake."

"So you decided to bring me to pick one up?"

"Not exactly."

Lucius seemed to have made food the theme for the day. He took inspiration from their chocolate making date Harry had planned for him. He found a class where the two of them got to learn how to decorate some cupcakes. Harry always smiled at the site of Lucius in an apron. After Lucius actually made him breakfast, he hadn't thought to see him in an apron again. But they not only decorated the cupcakes but they started by baking them as well. There were a few options on what flavor to make and Lucius allowed the birthday boy the choice. As they left later with a dozen cupcakes, Harry joked Lucius better like cupcakes, because it seemed a lot for two. Lucius kissed him and assured him it was no issue.

Harry found himself at the last stop of the day. It was an amazing rooftop restaurant in London he realized. He wasn't surprised to find his friends and others there. But it wasn't a family birthday like Molly would have done. It was a night out for him and his adult friends. The kids were home with sitters or Molly. Oliver and Katie, Alicia and Angie Neville and Luna, George and Draco, and all the other Weasley kids with their partners. His dad had come and he was surprised to see Severus as well. Teddy was home with his grandmother, Andromeda would come tomorrow.

Harry reminded Lucius. "I said no party. Dinner tomorrow was enough."

Lucius shook his head. "Not a party."

Harry smirked. "It seems like one."

"Cocktails and tapas with friends."

Harry laughed. "I guess I can't complain."

Lucius kissed him. "You could, but then you'd not get your gifts."

He was enjoying himself but he went over to Severus an hour later. "I am surprised."

"Your father extended the invitation."

Harry smiled a little. "I am happy you came."

"I am as well."

Remus went over to Severus when Harry joined Ron and Hermione. "I wasn't sure you would come."

"Trying to work on this being 'friend's' thing."

Remus handed him a drink. "It seems to be working on more than one person."

Severus turned to him. "I may have to take you and Teddy for dragon fingers in the fall."

Remus smiled a little. "They offer them in London as well."

Lucius saw Harry watching his dad and Severus. "They seem to be getting close again. Are you okay?"

Harry assured him. "Good for both."

Harry didn't mind. He wanted both men to be happy and he thought they could both use a friend. He wouldn't be opposed if it became more later. Harry found a few gifts though most would wait until the next day/ He was touched by the gifts but shocked by Lucius'. It was a portkey ticket for a weekend in Italy. He knew they had spoken but he was surprised still. Lucius assured him there was a double suite, their own rooms.

Harry smiled when Lucius said he could refund if Harry was not ready. "I'd like to go."

The birthday in London had been a great night for Harry. He didn't even complain about the family event the next day after the baby shower. He was surprised by Lucius' gift but he could admit he was looking forward to it. He was relieved to know it was two bedrooms though. Italy may have been a bit far for a long weekend but he wanted something special. He knew Harry had been to Paris when he had been to France before. Lucius had chosen not to do Rome but take Harry to the island of Capris instead. Italy and Greece had been favorites of his for many years.

Just over a week before school returned, Lucius whisked Harry away on the vacation. Harry was still a bit nervous but he was looking forward to it. He knew it was another step with Lucius and one he was ready to take with him. Remus and George were so happy that Harry was.

Lucius smiled when Harry met him at the terminal. "Ready to go?"

Harry nodded. "I can't wait to see what you have planned."

Lucius took him to the portkey. "I hope I don't disappoint."

"I highly doubt you could with Italy."

Lucius laughed "Only Italy? What happens if I had taken you to a fishing village in Ireland instead?"

"As long as it was with you, I could put up with fish."

"Well Capri is a bit of a fishing area."

"Little more upscale then an Irish one I bet."

Lucius nodded. "A tad. We won't get there until tomorrow though."

Harry was confused. "Why?"

"We are going to spend a night on the Amalfi coast and then take a ferry to Capri for the last 2 nights."

Harry felt the tug. "Sounds amazing."

Lucius had thought long and hard about the plans and decided this was the best option for a short trip. He hoped to bring Harry back one day for an extended trip. Perhaps a honeymoon he thought with a smile. He saw Harry's amazement when they arrived in Italy. They would be spending the evening at a small hotel with amazing views of the water. He arranged a taxi and made sure it took its time taking them to the hotel. Harry couldn't believe how beautiful it all was. He had been given a camera for his birthday and he took some photos. The hotel was an old Italian villa and they checked into their rooms before heading out again. They spent the rest of the day exploring the town, and down along the water. They found a great little restaurant along the water for some pasta for dinner. Lucius insisted he try limoncello, which came from the region.

In the morning they were set to take a boat trip. It seemed that it was not simply a ferry boat ride out to Capri for them. They were going to do some snorkeling along the way. Lucius had told him about the Blue grotto, which he planned to take Harry to see the next day.

Harry was amazed when they stopped at the first snorkel location but worried. "Is that a shark?"

Lucius kissed him. "Worried I plan to feed you to one?"

Harry elbowed him. "Maybe I was thinking of feeding you."

Lucius handed him a mask. "I believe those are dolphins."

The guide nodded. "One of the best areas for dolphins here."

Harry was amazed as they went into the water. "I have never seen them up close."

Lucius reminded him. "They are wild, not like an aquarium."

Harry shrugged. "Still incredible."

"May have to take you snorkeling in Sardinia one day if you like it."

Harry smiled before he put his mask on to swim. "Perhaps."

Lucius watched as Harry disappeared with his mask on. "So many places to show you."

Perhaps not as tropical as some places, Italy had some incredible snorkeling, both here and in Sardinia. Lucius had always enjoyed it, and it seemed Harry soon was a fan. They did get to interact with some of the dolphins who came close and were friendly. There was a stop for lunch along the way and another snorkel spot. This time there was no dolphins but some incredible rock formations and the fish were amazing. Harry seemed quite a natural. The closest he had come before had been the second task during the tri-wizard, when he was in the lake.

They eventually did make it to Capri, where they were booked into another older hotel, for two nights. They would go to the grotto tomorrow, it was nearly dinner when they checked in, snorkeling having been almost a full day experience.

Lucius laughed when Harry joined him in the sitting room between their rooms. "Someone is hungry."

Harry blushed as his stomach had indeed been rumbling. "Worked up an appetite."

Lucius motioned. "I have dinner plans for us."

Harry played coy. "I was planning on hitting the town and finding a hot Italian guy."

Lucius growled. "Let me find a shark."

Harry kissed him. "I think I will settle for my British bloke."

Lucius led him out. "Keep that up and maybe I will be looking for a new man."

"So where are we going?"

"This little restaurant in a lemon grove. The fish is amazing."

Harry winced. "No more lemoncello."

Lucius laughed, reminded Harry hadn't liked. "Wine, I promise."

Harry found the restaurant quite pretty and quaint. "Not what I expected from you."

"This is my second favorite. But the other is near the grotto so better for tomorrow."

Wine and some amazing sea food in a beautiful restaurant was a great end to their first full day in Italy. They had tomorrow and then a half day. Their portkey was set to take them back to London late afternoon two days from now. Lucius had made some plans but it would be pretty laid back. He wanted Harry just to relax and enjoy his first real experience away. He hoped Harry approved of his birthday gift.

Harry smiled as he and Lucius walked back under the stars, when Lucius asked. "I am not crazy."

Lucius smiled. "I could see doing this again."

Harry kissed him. "Do I have to wait for my birthday again?"

Lucius shook his head. "Could always be a Christmas gift."

"I like the sounds of that."

Lucius drew him in. "I like the sounds of you."

Harry blushed. "I would hope so."

Lucius brushed a hand across Harry's lips. "I love you."

Harry was surprised. "I…."

"Not in love, but I love you and falling fast."

Harry was speechless. "Luc."

"You don't need to be ready to say it. Or feel it yet. I just wanted you to know."

Harry admitted. "I think I…. no I know, I am falling as well."

Lucius drew him into his arms. "You have no idea how happy you make me."

Harry drew him into a kiss. "Or you me. I love you Luc, and I want to be in love."

It was the first time they had admitted it to each other and felt amazing. They weren't madly in love yet, but certainly was a huge step for both. Lucius had not been sure whether it was the right time to tell Harry. He had been scared he was rushing Harry if he told him now. But in Italy, surrounded by all the beauty there, he had been inspired. He could admit Harry returning the words to him, meant so much.

Lucius left Harry at his bedroom door that night with a long passionate kiss. "Sweet dreams my love."

An: So a few steps, breakfast in bed of sorts and a trip, for Harry and Lucius. Admitting they love each other, and coming close to in love, as well. Slowly but surely their relationship is developing as Harry heals from the past.

As for Severus and Remus there seems to be support for seeing them together. I will be exploring their bond and how it develops in the future. Severus deserves his own happy ending, even if not with Harry.

Hope you continue to read and review.