Chapter 4 is here! Some nice Harry/Lucien friendship bonding time in this one. Incase you can't tell from reading this; I feel like Lucien needs someone who actually cares about him. Harry's going to be the best friend he ever had lol. Anyway. Enjoy

Chapter 4

When Azriel arrived for breakfast the next morning he did his best to ignore the looks of amusement on Rhys and Cassian's faces. Maybe he should tell Feyre and Nesta what they were getting for solstice… hmm better not.

He didn't say a word, instead just started piling food on his plate, pausing his eating when Rhys and Cassian looked even more delighted.

"Good breakfast?" Cassian asked casually and Azriel had the urge to spit the food back onto his plate. A shadow passed by his ear.

"Harry made this?" he asked in astonishment.

"Sure did" Cassian grinned, "apparently, he likes cooking, relaxes him. He's in there right now helping out."

Azriel thought the idea of Harry cooking, suited him. Could imagine the small green-eyed male creating delicious food for the people he cared about.

He shook his head, glaring at Rhys and Cassian who had started laughing. He pointedly went back to his food, not looking up when said green eyed male walked in the room, a tray of small delicate looking pastries balanced on his hand. He sat them on the table then took a seat.

"So, Harry, any plans for the day?" Rhys asked as he sipped his tea.

"Lucien is going to take me for a tour of the city" Harry said with a smile. "Show me some of the main sites and the places to avoid."

"That sounds like a good idea" Cassian said. "It's nice of Lucien to show you around."

Harry nodded, "I think he's lonely" he said quietly, "I know how that feels."

Azriel squirmed, as did Rhys and Cassian, none had been particularly welcoming to the Autumn Court fae.

"You will have to tell us what you enjoyed during your tour, at dinner tonight" Rhys said softly, and Harry nodded in agreement.

"I'm looking forward to exploring more. This is my new home after all" he tried to speak like he was excited by the prospect.

They fell into comfortable silence, until the door swung open, and Lucien walked in.

"Morning" Lucien greeted the room at large before his eyes settled back on Harry.

"Ready?" he asked, expression turning softer.

"Yeah" Harry grinned standing up, he paused as a few shadows flew around his face, clearly questioning where he was going.

"Just for a walk" he laughed, "did you want to come?"

Azriel tried to bite back the amused smile that pulled at his lips, of course they wanted to go with Harry and make sure he was OK. He had no problems with that whatsoever.

"Is that OK?" Harry asked, looking over at Azriel questioningly.

He nodded and the few who had been with Harry followed him out, he murmured a quick word and a few more joined them.

Feeling somewhat satisfied to Harry's safety as he explored his new home, he focused back on his breakfast.

Catching Cassian's eye as he looked down, he couldn't help but role his eyes at the shit eating grin on the others face.

Lucien led him out of the home of the inner circle, and they wandered off down the street. He couldn't help but stare at the multitude of fae they passed. Different colours, shapes and sizes but all beautiful.

They walked along the edge of a river and Lucien explained that it was called the Sidra and it wound throughout Velaris.

Lucien was actually a very good guide. They wandered along the river, taking in the sight before branching off to a line of shops where they spent an enjoyable few hours looking through everything.

"It's all courtesy of the high lord" Lucien said with a grin, holding up a sack of money. Harry, who was acutely aware that he had none cringed in embarrassment.

"Oh, that's OK, I don't need anything."

Lucien's smile dropped. "You certainly do, at least some basic things like clothes."

Lucien found great enjoyment in dressing Harry up, and Harry couldn't say he minded. It was nice seeing his friend smile and he had no idea what clothes he should buy. Without Lucien he probably would have had to ask the worker for help.

Though he did think the red head went a little overboard, he now had more clothing than he knew what to do with, all of which Lucien guaranteed him are what the locals wear. He also had numerous personal things, like a brush, toothbrush, blankets that he had chosen, shoes, books as well as a beautiful painting of the mountains he had spotted as they walked through the rainbow district.

They had had everything sent back to the River House so at least they weren't lugging it around with them, but Harry felt embarrassed and had no idea how he was going to pay Rhys back.

"The house itself has a credit line" Lucien was explaining, "so if you're out and you need something you can always just charge it back to the house."

Harry nodded, though privately thought he would avoid doing that if he could.

He took another small bite of his lunch as they strolled. He wasn't exactly sure what it was but reminded him of a kebab. It was delicious, but he could only eat small bites, his stomach struggling to process too much food at the moment.

Everywhere they went people stared, he wasn't sure if it was something about him, something about Lucien or the shadows flying around him, but eyes trailed their every movement. He did his best to ignore it all, focusing instead on everything Lucien was telling him.

They finished their day with some delicious cakes at Restaurant.

"So how long have you lived in Velaris?" Harry asked curiously as he sipped his drink.

"Oh, not too long" Lucien said softly, his expression turning sadder and Harry cursed himself for ruining the happy mood.

"Where did you live before Velaris? Maybe we could visit there some time and you could show me around?"

Lucien's face twisted in pain.

"I lived in the Spring court for a while, though there isn't much left of that court anymore" the thought seemed to make him sad. "I'm originally from the Autumn court, but I can't return there, my father would never allow it."

Harry reached out a hand and squeezed Lucien's doing his best to try to comfort the other male.

The red head seemed to appreciate the gesture, as he gave Harry a small smile.

"A lot has happened over the last few years in Prythian."

He then went into an abridged version of the last few years, that had Harry gaping. Faeries being held hostage, killed by Amarantha. Rhy's sacrifice to protect Velaris. The Spring court and Tamlin and Feyre. The horribleness that was under the mountain. Betrayal, lies, death and war. He didn't go into the specifics of somethings, explaining that parts weren't his story to tell. He also didn't shy away from the fact that he wasn't blameless in everything that had happened.

Harry's heart broke.

"You did what you thought was best" Harry said thoughtfully. "It's easy to look back and realise that it wasn't the right thing, but at the time you can't know that."

Lucien looked so sad, that Harry moved around to sit beside him and wrapped an arm around his shoulders, pulling the much larger male into an awkward hug. Lucien went with the movement easily and Harry wondered how long he had been living with all this pain with no one to comfort him. He felt a fissure of anger at the Night court, who had clearly left him to struggle on his own.

"When I was 15" Harry began quietly. "I had a dream that the bad man from my world had kidnapped my godfather. I knew there was a possibility that it wasn't real, but I was so caught up in saving him, my last family, that I didn't see reason. I went with a group of friends to try to rescue him, but he wasn't there" Harry's voiced dropped lower and he could tell Lucien was listening to every word. "When he came to save me from my own foolishness, he was killed."

He sniffled.

"I think about that moment every day. What would have happened if I hadn't gone to save him. But I did what I thought was right at the time, I can't change that."

Lucien stared at him, nodding slowly. They sat there, holding each other close until Lucien was able to pull himself together a bit and sit back up.

"Thank you" he said quietly, and Harry smiled.

Returning to his drink and lighter subjects.

They stayed until dark, as Lucien explained that the city was best viewed at night. And Harry couldn't disagree, he was left breathless at the sight. A thousand tiny lights shining like stars in the night. It was beautiful.

"Are there boat tours you can do along the river?" Harry asked as they made their way inside the River house. "It would look beautiful taking in the city from the river."

Lucien nodded, "there is. We can look into it sometime if you like?"

"Look into what?" Feyre asked as they walked into the large lounge room to find most of the inner circle sitting around watching them. The table piled high with Harry's purchases.

"Harry was just asking about a boat trip to see the city at night."

Rhys nodded, "a wonderful idea, Harry. I will look into it for us."

"Ah, thank you" Harry stammered. "Lucien said it was OK if I bought a few things, he actually insisted" Harry said with a nervous glance at the pile on the table.

Rhys looked momentarily confused, "yes, of course it's alright. Please feel free to get whatever you need or want."

Harry looked down, cheeks burning "thank you."

The shadows that had been floating around Harry all day zipped back to Azriel's side and Harry felt oddly bereft without them. He chose to ignore the weird little flip his stomach did as they obviously told Azriel about his day. Though he's sure the shadowsinger would just be making sure Harry hadn't done anything suspicious.

"I've given him a brief run down of our history" Lucien said, "but I thought it might be best if you explain about the Court of Nightmares."

Rhys nodded slowly.

Harry sat down on one of the vacant lounges, sparing a small glance when Azriel settled beside him.

"While this is the Night Court and I am High Lord of this Court, for a long time I let the world believe that the Night Court was a place of depravity, The Court of Nightmares. It's a place in Velaris, that doesn't necessarily show our best side. The people in the Court of Nightmares don't realise there is another side to Velaris and the citizens of Velaris don't know there is a Court of Nightmares. It's a tenuous peace to keep both happy.

Harry's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "There's a whole other court within the Night Court that you rule over?"

"Correct."

"That's pretty messed up…" he muttered but there was no judgement in his voice and Cassian snorted.

"It is" the Illyrian agreed.

"I don't have to go to the Court of Nightmares for any reason, do I?"

"No" Azriel barked from beside him. "It is not a place anyone just visits."

Harry nodded, "that's good, doesn't really sound like my cup of tea."

"It won't affect you, but if you're going to be staying here it is an important fact to know."

Harry sat there, feeling a little overwhelmed. It had been a wonderful day, but a lot to take in, a lot of new information. It reminded him a little of when he'd joined the wizarding world and had struggled to adjust to how different everything was. He curled up further into the couch, several shadows fluttering around him.