Chapter Two
Gibbs walked out of the bathroom and leant against the door drinking in the sight in front of him. Harry was sprawled out on the bed on his front, the sheet was lying low over his hips revealing the top of his bum. His golden shin was glowing in the early morning sunlight, and Gibbs felt his mouth water at the sight of all that flesh on view to him.
Ducky was staying over at Jorden's for the weekend, so he had Harry all to himself for the long weekend, they had one more day to themselves and he was looking forward to it. He had enjoyed having Harry here, and to his slight shock he had not tired of his company at all. Normally he was possessive of his own space and peace, but Harry also enjoyed that, so while they had spent a lot of time together there had been a few hours where they had wandered off to do their own thing, or Harry had sat reading in he basement with him as he worked on the boat.
They had been together for five months now and Gibbs was finding himself aching for Harry of evenings when the younger man wasn't with him, the house felt empty and quiet, and he longed to hear his voice when they weren't together.
"Jethro?" Harry yawned lifting his head sleepily from the pillow.
"Morning," Gibbs walked over to the bed and sat down on what had become Harry's side, leaning forwards to brush kisses up his shoulder.
"Mmmm, What were you doing?" Harry hummed arching a little into his mouth.
"Watching you, thinking," Gibbs answered simply. Harry rolled a little to look at him piercingly, those sleepy green eyes suddenly sharp and looking through him. He huffed a laugh when he found himself gripped, tugged and rolled under Harry with the younger man settling down on top of him and wriggling to get comfy.
"Looks like you were thinking serious thoughts, care to share?" It was an offer and not a demand, something else that attracted Gibbs more and more to this man.
"I was thinking..." Gibbs started to say and then paused trying to think how to phrase what he wanted to say. He waited long enough that Harry wriggled a little impatiently.
"Did it hurt that much?" He asked cheekly before squeaking when Gibbs smacked him firmly on the bum. "Oi!"
"Want me to kiss it better?" Gibbs smirked rubbing the bare flesh teasingly.
"Maybe in a little bit, after you have told me what is bothering you," At Gibbs' huff he chuckled. "Sorry not that easily distracted!"
"I've been thinking about us, a lot lately," Gibbs said slowly.
"Ok, that's sounding very interesting," Harry lost all traces of playfulness, but he didn't jump to conclusions either.
"Yes...I was thinking maybe we should tell Ducky, and maybe you could spend more time here?" Gibbs waited as Harry blinked a few times processing what had just been said
"What brought this on?"
"Well if you're not ready we can just..." Gibbs started to try and sit up only to find himself shoved back down.
"Cool it, didn't say I wasn't ready, I would just like to know where your mind is at," Harry said firmly, managing to make Gibbs feel like he were the younger being told off as he sometimes could.
"I like having you here, I miss you when you're not, I would like to move forwards, and part of that is not sneaking around like teenagers. I feel sure enough of what I feel for you, and where I hope we are going that telling Duck is the right thing to do,"
Gibbs lay there and looked back at Harry as looked closely at him, he knew that look, it was an investigators look, searching for any hidden meanings or double answers. It was a look he knew he himself gave frequently.
"I miss not being with you either, and I like being here with you, being with you. You are right, its time the sneaking around stops," Harry nodded.
"Ducky is due back tonight, we could speak to him there," Gibbs offered.
"Are you ready to do it now? We could wait a few weeks if you needed a little longer,"
"If we're making that decision I would rather do it now, I don't really do well dwelling on things," Harry snorted amused at Gibbs' answer.
"Tomorrow then," Harry nodded. Something crossed his face making Gibbs pause in pulling Harry close for a kiss.
"What is it?" He asked with a faint frown.
"Jethro..." Harry started to say before his throat seized. Gibbs watched concerned as Harry's green eyes filled slightly, before he dropped his head down onto Gibbs' chest, his arms wrapped tightly around the older man.
"Harry what is it?" Gibbs asked concerned.
"Jethro...I haven't been completely honest with you. Before we tell anyone...I...you need to know," Harry said hesitantly.
"What is it?" Gibbs could feel a chill setting through his veins at Harry's words, worry kicking in, his normal pessimism kicking in as he expected all the good that he had had in the last few months to be washed away, the hope that he had had for them to be washed away.
But he could feel Harry's warm and naked skin against his own, only the towel that he was wearing separating them, and he could feel how tight Harry was holding onto him as though scared that he would disappear. He could feel he slightly panicked breaths against his chest, and he could feel the way Harry was trembling. He was scared that whatever he was about to say would make Gibbs leave him. Reaching down he combed his fingers through Harry's hair and held him tightly.
"Harry, whatever you tell me, I will listen and I will let you explain before I make any judgement,"
"You aren't going to promise that it won't change what you think about me?" Harry laughed weakly.
"You know that I don't say things that I don't mean. Unfortunately secrets and information change opinions on people, its inevitable. But I do know that it will take a lot for me to change my opinion towards you badly. You're a good man Harry, and I care for you a lot, enough to take a chance at this between us when I sworn myself from another relationship,"
Harry lifted his head and looked down at Gibbs before smiling softly, some of those nerves fading away slightly as he looked into Jethro's calm blue eyes.
"I'm...different Jethro..."
"How do you mean different?" Gibbs frowned completely confused now by the direction this was going.
"You promised you would listen and hear this all the way through right?" Harry said softly.
"Of course Harry, I will listen to whatever you have to say," Gibbs said honestly.
"Jethro, what I am about to tell you...my family couldn't accept it. My mum's family. My mum and dad they were like me, they were...different too. And while my mum's mum and dad accepting her for who she was, her sister couldn't. My mum and dad were murdered by the leader of a group called Death Eaters, Voldemort believed that I would be the one to defeat him, so he came to our home and he killed my parents and he tried to kill me. I was sent to live with my aunty, her husband and their son who was the same age as me. Of course they knew about my... difference and they could never accept or love me because of it," Harry turned his eyes away as Gibbs soaked up everything that Harry had just said.
"You're worried that I won't be able to accept you?"
"Yes. Its a difficult thing to try and accept, my own family could not love me because of it,"
"What about Ducky? Does he know?" Gibbs asked calmly, he wriggled to sit up propped against the headboard, but he kept his arms wrapped around Harry and ensured that he was kept sitting on his lap.
"Yes, I told him before we made the decision for me to try living over here," Harry blinked at him.
"Then your family could love you even with this difference," Gibbs said simply. Harry froze in his hold as his brain caught up with what he had just said, Gibbs could see his mind spinning as he realised the truth in is words, taking in the new angle that he had not considering before. Nodding his head he looked up and licked his lips before reaching for Gibbs' hands.
"Jethro...I'm a wizard," Harry said firmly. Gibbs blinked at the younger man looking for any type of lye or sign that this was a joke, he felt the argument and annoyed growl forming set to snap at Harry for getting him worried and concerned about this. But then he looked at Harry's green eyes and saw the truth there. Harry really believed it.
"Harry...magic...its not..."
"Jethro please don't finish that sentence! or I won't be able to finish this conversation. Jethro, magic exists, I'm a wizard. There is a whole world out there that is magic based, but it is kept secret from none magical being due to worrys for wars and the damage that it could do. There are exceptions to none magical beings being informed of the wizarding world, none magical beings can have magical children, should they adopt a magical child, and for relationships are the most common ones. I had to ask for permission to tell you and Uncle Ducky. 40% of the worlds population is estimated to be magical, we use magic to hide our cities, our schools, our buildings to stop us from being discovered,"
"Show me," Gibbs said tightly.
Harry shut his eyes before he slid off of Gibbs and moved to pull his trousers on. Gibbs stared a little harder when Harry pulled out a long stick from the pocket of his jeans and held it like it was an extension of his arm. A wand his brain supplied. Harry glanced at him nervously before he held the wand out.
"Wingardium leviosa," Harry breathed out, and Gibbs watched with wide eyes as the ottoman in the corner of the room levitated off of the floor.
"Jesus," Gibbs slid off of the bed away from Harry keeping his eyes on him the whole time. "What else can you do?"
"There are various things, magic can be used to heal, the transfigure, the make things bigger than they look, to make potions..."
"To kill?"
"Are you asking because you want to know the extent of magic, or because you want to know what I have done," Harry asked blankly. Gibbs knew what he was about to say could be damaging. But he could not stop himself.
"Both," He breathed out and watched with a sinking heart as Harry nodded, and then he face became closed off.
"Magic can pretty much do anything but within limits, and power comes at a cost. Magic can be used to torture and to kill, and to answer your question, yes I have used magic to kill before, I have killed to protect those I care about and love and to protect those that would have been hurt by Death Eaters and Voldemort," Harry's tone was efficient and professional.
"The task force you belong to?"
"Was set on brining down Voldemort and his people. I have been hunting down the remaining Death Eaters since I killed Voldemort, and I quit the task force when the last one was arrested, but I have been helping the American government while I am here, I was supposed to only be an initial diplomatic envoy,"
"I see," Gibbs pulled on his trousers which were sitting over the chair next to him keeping his eyes on Harry, and the wand, the whole time.
"What are you thinking?" Harry asked nervously.
"I...Harry this is...this is a lot to...no I don't..." Gibbs closed his eyes when Harry took a few steps back, his eyes flashing with pain. "I need time,"
"Of course you do," Harry's jaw tightened, and then with a pop he was gone from the room. Gibbs reached out a second too late to stop him regretting the words already, but the space was empty.
Gibbs walked up to the house with a feeling of dread, Ducky's car was in the driveway and he had no idea how the hell to explain to him why he needed to speak to Harry alone, but damn it he was going to come up with something. It had only been a few hours but he was already aching for the other man.
"You! You have some cheek showing up here after what you have done! If you are not here to apologise then I suggest that you get as far away from here as possible! Mexico might be nice! Though that still may be a little too close!"
Gibbs eyes widened and he looked up at the sound of the voice, stepping back as Ducky stormed towards him looking completely furious.
"He told you?!" Gibbs would deny that he squeaked the question.
"He didn't need to! You think that I am a fool? You think I haven't been able to see what has been going on between the two of you from the very start?! Do you think I am blind! Just as I can see my nephew is up there breaking his heart muttering about those wretched beasts that are unfortunately also related to me, and telling! So I can only presume that he has told you about what he is, and you have managed to insert your size 12's into your mouth again! That boy has been through so much and you, you seemed to be helping him heal and helping him settle into the hope of having a future and a life here, you seemed to be helping him, so that made me push aside my worries and concerns for your relationship, because for the first time since I met you there is something in your eyes that I have never seen before, and some of the hurt that has always lingered from Shannon and Kelly seems to have a balm on for once. You seemed to be good for each other so I chose to wait and see where this went! And it has resulted in him up there crying! So you had better be here to fix this Jethro or so help me I will make your life a living hell!" Ducky snarled.
"I'm here to apologise. It was a shock, and I was entitled to be shocked, but I did not handle it well, and I am here to assure him that while this is...completely different and a whole world away from my comfort zone and what I thought I knew, I'm not going to let Harry go if I can help it. He is the best thing that has ever happened to me since Shannon and Kelly, I'm not going to screw that up. If being with Harry means adjusting my world view a little, then that is what I will do!"
"And if you are too late?" Harry's voice was shaky, and Gibbs swayed slightly towards him when he saw the pale face with puffy red eyes and tear tracks. He was standing on the porch, his arms wrapped tightly around himself as though trying to hold himself together.
"Its never too late, I will prove myself to you," Gibbs growled stepping closer, sighing when Ducky placed a hand to his chest to stop him.
"I...did you honestly think, even for a second, that I could hurt someone without reason?" Harry asked shakily, making Gibbs grimace at the implication of his own words and the look of pure anger that Ducky shot him.
"Never," He answered honestly meeting Harry's hurt green eyes. Harry hesitated for a second before he dropped his arms from around himself. Gibbs glanced nervously at Ducky as he stepped forward but aside from the threatening glare that spoke of finding Ducky's autopsy tools sticking out of him if he cocked this up, he didn't move to stop him.
He moved quickly across the space between them, jumping the three steps in one go and wrapping Harry in his arms.
"I'm so so sorry Harry, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you, I'm so sorry," Gibbs said between pressing kisses to Harry's face.
"I knew that it was going to be a shock to you, but I wasn't expecting you to ask me that," Harry sniffed as his eyes welled up again, but his arms wrapped around Gibbs and he held tightly onto his tshirt.
"I'm sorry, I didn't think that of you honestly. I'm a marine, and while that comes with a ingrained way of thinking that is good, it has ingrained a couple of bad things, we don't deal well with our view on things being changed so drastically," Gibbs said a little dryly.
"Are you going to be able to cope with this, because magic is a part of my life and who I am. After the Dursleys I can't live or be with someone who doesn't completely accept me with magic," Harry said so sadly that Gibbs had to pull him in for a kiss.
Harry groaned into his mouth and held on tightly, he could taste the acceptance in Gibbs' kiss, and it released the fear in him that had built steadily over the hours since he had left Gibbs' house. He slid his hand into Gibbs' hair and gripped it tightly as he went onto his tip toes and kissed back as hard as he could.
"Hem," Ducky cleared his throat reminding him that he was there as Gibbs' hand crept down to lift Harry. They parted and blinked confused at him before Harry blushed brightly and dropped down from Gibbs. "Maybe we should go in?" Ducky suggested.
"Duck I..." Gibbs started to say as soon as they were in the house and the front door was closed behind them.
"I think perhaps we should talk in the morning, it had been a long evening, and we all should have some sleep in peace before we talk," Ducky shook his head.
"Are you angry Uncle Ducky?" Harry asked in a small voice making Gibbs reach down to take his hand.
"I am not angry Harry no," Ducky smiled reaching out to hug Harry and kiss his forehead gently. "Now bed and we will speak in the morning,"
"Ah Duck..." Gibbs started to say lookin at Harry and tightening his hand. He wasn't sure if Ducky was happy with him staying over as well, but he did not want to leave Harry's side either.
"You may stay, but no funny business under this roof!" He warned before turning and leaving them with a small blush on his cheeks.
"Come on," Harry tugged gently on Gibbs' hand leading him up the stairs as well.
"The lights?" Gibbs asked looking back to the lit up downstairs.
"I have them," Harry paused halfway up the stairs and let his wand drop into his hand. He carefully met Gibbs' eyes as he pointed his wand back down the stairs and muttered "Nox,"
Gibbs blinked when all the lights downstairs turned out in one small flash, and then he turned back to Harry who was watching him with so much fear in his green eyes that it made Gibbs' heart clench.
"Well that could come in handy," He said softly.
"Uncle Ducky said we weren't allowed to do anything here," Harry said a little confused.
"I was thinking more when taking down a suspect," Gibbs admitted sheepishly. Harry looked at him for a second before he burst out laughing, Gibbs looking torn between smiling too and still looking sheepish.
"For a muggle case maybe, not when your wizarding suspects can turn the lights back on with a wave of their wand," Harry smiled carrying on leading Gibbs up the stairs.
"Would you tell me a little more please? About day to day life with magic, what you can do with it, some of the cases you have taken on...and more about Volde...tort?" Gibbs tried.
"Voldemort," Harry smiled slightly. "Yes, that would be ok,"
"We aren't going to disturb Ducky are we?" Gibbs asked concerned as he shut the bedroom door behind himself.
"No, I set a silencing charm around my room and his when I moved in to provide us both with a little privacy," Harry explained as he sat on his bed.
"Silencing spells, that could come in handy," Gibbs nodded.
"For a case? I guess when you're sneaking up on someone sure," Harry hummed.
"I was thinking more for other things," Gibbs smirked.
"Jethro," Ducky paused and nodded when they both stepped out into the hallway at practically the same time.
"Ducky," Gibbs grimaced more than smiled. "Ah...Harry will be making breakfast,"
"Oh yes, his early morning routine," Ducky smiled and then shot Gibbs a piercing look. "You seem to know it quite well,"
"Uncle Ducky! Jethro I can hear you, stop being awkward and come downstairs," Harry called from the kitchen.
When they walked in Jethro missed a step before he carried on walking in. Three plates were floating down from the cabinet and with a careless motion a coffee pot and tea pot poured the beverage into their respective cups, which then floated over to where Jethro and Ducky sat at the table.
"Breakfast is nearly ready," Harry said cracking a few eggs and then vanishing the shells.
"It smells wonderful," Ducky smiled.
"Coffee is perfect," Gibbs groaned contently.
"So, how long have you known?" Harry asked glancing to Ducky before he put a few slices of bread in the toaster.
"I knew there was something from the beginning, I could see it in the way that you looked at each other. I'm no fool," He looked between them causing both men to look sheepish. "Honestly I noticed the change in you both as well. Harry was more carefree and less like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders as he had had since I met him. And Jethro...you had something in your eyes that I have never seen before, a light and happiness to you that I haven't seen in all our friendship, and in any of your last three marriages. I have had time to think about this and consider the situation, and as long as you are good to each other and care for each other, who am I to stand in your way? I care greatly for you both, and I want you both to be happy. Besides that, Jethro may be able to help me convince you to sign these,"
Harry wandered over after waving his wand to ensure the breakfast was finished off behind him. He pulled the papers that Ducky had laid out towards him and quickly read them over.
"Dual citizenship papers?" Harry asked looking up.
"Yes, your visa runs out soon, and dual citizenship means that you will be able to stay here," Ducky explained.
"Would you be interested in it?" Gibbs asked softly.
"Don't give me the puppy dog eyes, this is something that I need to think about, there are political implications for this," Harry huffed at Gibbs. They both blinked and turned to Ducky when he snorted in suppressed laughter.
"I am sorry, I just never thought that I would hear anyone refer to Leroy Jethro Gibbs as having puppy dog eyes," Ducky snickered. Harry huffed while Gibbs looked completely offended, but then he turned back to Harry.
"What do you mean political?"
"There has been uproar among the public because I chose to leave the Aurors, there has been an even bigger uproar because I have been living over here. It will get out that I have filed for dual citizenship, and it will make them think that I plan on staying here,"
"Do you?" Ducky and Gibbs said at exactly the same time.
"Of course he does," The woman's voice made Gibbs and Ducky start, Gibbs reaching for the weapon that was not at his hip.
"You're early," Harry smiled holding out two more plates.
"Not if we are in time for breakfast," The red haired man grinned stepping forwards to take the plate.
"Ron? Hermione?" Ducky asked hesitantly.
"That's us," Hermione smiled dipping to kiss Ducky's cheek.
"I recognise you from the pictures and the stories. It is lovely to meet you both,"
"Its nice to finally get to come over here to meet you," Ron smiled.
"Even if it is under these circumstances," Hermione looked straight at Gibbs as she said this, and his blood ran a little cold at the threat in her stare.
"Mione, we have sorted it out," Harry smiled.
"Oh ok, I won't have to hex his balls off then," Hermione said cheerfully pulling her own plate towards herself.
"Can she do that?" Gibbs asked wide eyed looking to Harry.
"Knowing Hermione, she probably could yes, and would," Harry admitted. "Don't worry though, I am very attached to those parts, I wouldn't let anything happen to them," Harry patted his hand reassuringly.
"Huh," Gibbs grabbed his coffee and took a few fortifying sips as Harry leant against him. "If I hurt him again, I will come find you,"
"Hmm, I like him," Hermione nodded before digging into the breakfast.
Gibbs sat and listened throughout the meal as Harry chatted away to his friends and caught up with them face to face. e had overheard more than one conversation between Harry and his friends during their time together, but it was good to see the friendship and the bond that they had together. And he learnt some new stories and things about Harry.
Ducky met his eyes and after a brief consideration he nodded his head to Gibbs letting him know tat he truly did accept this, Harry and he, exactly as they were. He could read the slight worry in his friends eyes, and he knew it was a worry that Gibbs' past relationships would be mirrored in this one with Harry. He knew that only time would prove to both himself and Ducky that he wasn't going to mess this up. That Harry was it.
He smiled when Harry slid their hands together underneath the table even as he laughed a story Ron was telling him about something that had happened at the Ministry of Magic. God a bloody Ministry of Magic, magic, and wizards and witches, dark Lords, prophecies and unicorns! It was going to take a long time to get is head around this, and he wasn't as ok with it all as he was trying to make out for Harry. It was a lot to take in, and it needed him to shift nearly his entire world perspective for this. But for Harry, it was worth it. He was worth it.
And to prove it to Harry he would take the next step in all of this. He would tell the team about them.
