Harry gently pet the spider on his shoulder, feeling on guard... but trying not to be

The therapist was sitting across from him. Calmly listening to him talk about nothing. Merely prompting easy topics, to get him to open up... occasionally even diving into things like philosophy. She was determined to get him completely at ease... before opening his wounds.

She even let Harry bring his spider, and didn't bat an eye at it. She even let Merlin climb all over her, at one point, clearly loving the experience.

After a week of small talk, visiting the woman on the daily... she seemed to just know Misaki was ready to talk.

"Mind if i ask," Harry eyed her warily, "What's it like having two names? I've noticed which one you use depends on your mood."

Harry sighed. "Harry Potter was my birth name. With "Misaki" being what my brother, legally changed it to, when i got my Japanese duel citizenship. Nowadays 'Harry' is what I call myself... when I'm distressed, angry, or wallowing in self pity... so fairly often." the older teen joked. "Misaki... is for when I'm happy, or at the very least at Peace.

"It used to be, I only felt that way around my brother, or Merlin here..." Harry continued to pet his spider. "But lately..."

Misaki looked up. "I think I'm falling for my brother's best friend. Which is just ridiculous. I mean, not only is he 10 years older then me. But he's a muggle... he'll die of old age, long before i leave my prime... there is no future there." Harry sighed.

"Actually," the medi-witch smiled. "There is a modified marriage ceremony. That will make, even a muggle, age with you. It's largely illegal, around the world. As it works very similar to a familiar ritual. Many consider it 'unethical', given if you die, the muggle dies with you. But this is Japan, we realize it's a ritual of mercy."

Misaki sat there, too stunned to think.

"Don't let Muggles scare you off," The witch smiled. "There are work arounds, for the aging difference. I just suggest dating for at least a decade before marrying a muggle. As the ritual is truly a lifelong commitment."

Misaki gulped. Before Harry shook his head. He'd have to give the possibility of dating a muggle, some serious thought... but, "He's still my brother's best friend! I can't just-"

"I'm not saying it has to be with someone so much older then you," The witch insisted. "Only that you shouldn't limit yourself to dating magicals. Wizards are too imbred as it is. Marrying muggles is a good way around that.

"As Magical genes are recessive, it's important to spread them around the Muggles."

Harry was blushing, squirming in his chair. The idea the Japanese magicals promoted interbreeding with muggles... it was a truly foreign concept. Then again, Japanese wizards actually study science, and blend it with Magic all the time. Japanese wizards actually specialize in magical crafts and techno magic

Misaki gently placed Merlin the Spider, back into his luxury carrying case... and let his mind wander to Usagi.

"It could never work," Harry sighed. "He fancies my brother, whose firmly planted him in the 'friend' zone... it's just so complicated. If anything, those two should get together. If Takahiro ever gets his act together... I've... I've been debating telling him... how Usagi feels. As my brother can be kinda thick... but what if he reacts badly? Usagi would never forgive me..."

"Do you think your brother is likely to react badly?" The mind healer calmly asked.

Misaki sighed, then admitted. "I don't know if he'd return Usagi's feelings." Misaki informed. "But react badly?... no. My brother would probably hit himself for not realizing it... then let Usagi down easily... still i don't know if Usagi would forgive me." Harry fretted.

"I suppose you have to ask yourself which is more important to you," ask the mind healer. "Weigh the pros and cons and likely outcomes. I can help walk you through it, if you like."

Misaki hesitantly nodded, but was equally as firm... in the end... he decided to tell his brother... and was truly shocked by the outcome.

Usagi walked into his penthouse, happy to find Takahiro sitting on his couch... but lost his smile when he saw the stack of Yaoi manga on the table... with Takahiro... reading one.

" After each kiss, of burning passion and desire, Takahiro laid a gentler, softer, kiss... like a signature. I roughly guided him to the bed. Only for him to more gently take charge. I'm not sure how, I never am, but I found myself on my back. Takahiro over me. Laying gentle kisses on my chest, as he removed my shirt. I was stronger, more traditionally masculine in my looks... Where Takahiro may pass for a girl if he grew his hair out... yet I was content in my proper place. Where I longed to be... My gentle, always kind Takahiro mounted me yet again... as I roared out his name. As the prince was truly a slave to the whim of his whipping boy...

"Kinky," Takahiro gave a light chuckle. Not seeming offended.

"The setting was my editor's idea," Usagi didn't know what else to say.

"I'll have to thank her," Takahiro snickered. Then looked up at his best friend. "Misaki already told me."

Usagi sneered, "OF COURSE, he did!" he snapped.

"He's a good boy," Takahiro insisted.

"He's an entitled brat," Usagi waved off. "One you coddle far too much."

"... given what his early life was like... I may have over corrected." Takahiro reluctantly admitted. "In Britain, magicals are legally adults at 17. Here in Japan, it's s more sensible. Magicals start gaining 'legal privileges' at 15. Which turn into rights... at 30. Misaki's still adjusting to be regressed to 'not quite a child' status.

"I'm... not good at the discipline part of parenting.

"Grounding is far too intense for him... given it reminds him of being locked in his Cupboard... first time I tried... he was a sobbing mess for hours. Then refused to sleep in his room for a week. Preferring the couch.

"Given how malnourished he was, when i got him... I can't bring myself to deny him food... even desert. I smacked his hand once, when teaching him table manners... and he refused to even try to eat anything. Convinced I was tricking him.

"The first year was the worst, as he acted like a beaten down house elf... to the point he did every chore around the house without being asked... I didn't realize it was a problem until he left a single dish to soak and I cleaned it... I'd never seen anyone go so white... he was sure I would punish him for me having to clean a single dish.

"That boy... breaks my heart. He's got no sense of self preservation because he truly doesn't believe his life is worth anything... Thank merlin he goes to Shippo's bar, whenever he feels like offing himself... so he won't stay dead at least."

Usagi didn't know when it happened, but he just now realized he was sitting on the couch. Takahiro crying into his shirt.

Once Takahiro finally recovered, he laughed. "Sorry Sorry, I'm supposed to be talking about us, and I have a break down over Misaki."

Usagi stiffened.

"Manami was hoping you'd join us on our next date."

Usagi froze, unbelieving.

"To be honest, I was planning to propose to her then. But that should probably wait until she gets a feel for you."

"A three way date?" Usagi gulped.

"There pretty common in the Wizarding," Takahiro shrugged. "Misaki mentioned telling you about his friends, asking if he wanted to marry them. I'd insist on Manami being the head of the family. But we can talk about which of us would be the 'Husband' and which the 'consort'. Japan's magicals, are even more strict about family dynamics, then the British."

Usagi felt himself be swept away.

"Consort are in charge of child rearing, and I'm just such pants at that... would you consider..." Takahiro trailed off. "Getting ahead of myself, first we need to make sure you and Manami are compatible... could take a year or two, of proper dating. I know they recommend ten for a magical, non magical, union. But we know each other so well and Manami said so long as you two don't outright hate each other, she's more then willing to do it.

"She is a witch, after all, polyamorous relationships aren't anything new to her either. A lot of the time, 2 pairs are lovers, while 1 pair are just friends and confidants. That helps raise the children."

Usagi gulped, trying to process all this... but if it meant he could be with Takahiro...

"When is this date?"

Takahiro beamed.