Full Summary: Harry has always been touch-starved. His friends have always been open to providing support. When he goes for help after an episode, he's finds only Percy there. A person who doesn't seem to enjoy being touched very much. On top of everything, Harry Potter is secretly in love with Percy Weasley.

A/N:

I fully believe, given how he grew up, this is a medical condition he could have had. Also, there are minor side pairings in this. This is complete. I'll post more if there is interest! 3

Falling out of the fireplace, Harry grinned when he saw Ron, who had his back to him. Harry walked through the open door that led to the kitchen and tapped Ron on the shoulder.

He had come here with a purpose, and knowing his friends were so openly affectionate with him, he felt confident Ron wouldn't find his request strange. In fact, knowing Ron, he would likely turn it into a game.

Ron spun around and smiled at Harry, instantly giving him a hearty hug, which Harry appreciated.

"You okay?" Ron asked. "Need…?"

"I'm okay," Harry interrupted. "I came to ask you something." He felt heat rise to his cheeks. "Ron, I need to confess something to you. I mean, will you let me practice confessing my love?"

"Ah…" Ron raised an eyebrow, then grinned cheekily. Dramatically, he threw his arms around Harry, causing Harry to burst into laughter as he caught him, nearly falling over from the sudden weight of his taller friend.

"Oh! Harry!" Ron gushed, swooning in Harry's arms. Harry had to hold him more firmly to prevent him from actually falling to the floor. He loved how silly they could be together.

"Yes," Harry nodded. "It is true, Ron." He struggled to keep his tone serious as Ron gave him huge, theatrical puppy dog eyes. Harry was about to lose it; this was meant to be proper practice, and it helped that Ron resembled the person he wanted to confess to, eventually, when he found the nerve.

"Tell me, love," Ron said, snorting.

"I love you, Ronald Weasley."

Ron nestled in Harry's arms, and Harry grinned as he ruffled his hair. The comfort he felt from being close to his friends was immense.

"My dream has come true! Of course, I return your feelings. When can we get married, and who is going to carry the babies?" Ron pulled back and pretended to count on his fingers how many children he wanted.

Harry grimaced, pushing Ron back. "Now that is taking it too far," he groaned. He didn't know how many times people had told him, "Hey Harry, did you know male wizards can become pregnant?"

No, they could not, but it was fun to tease the poor half-blood wizard who knew so little about the magical world.

"This is a difference we can't overlook, Harry. I'm sorry, but I have to break up with you," Ron said, crossing his arms and huffing.

"Fine, because I like your brother anyway," Harry smirked, flushing as his first real confession came out.

Ron's eyes widened. "Um… Harry, which brother? I have like a million of those."

Harry laughed. "The one with red hair."

"That really narrows it down, Harry. Please tell me you are not going to try to be a homewrecker. Everyone wants Bill."

"I'm not sure I can handle his hot pants," Harry said, wiggling his eyebrows and laughing when Ron gagged.

"Ew, Harry, don't put images of my own brother in my mind. Okay, so not Bill. Good, at least you are decent enough not to break up a marriage, even though you did break my heart by denying me a baby," Ron huffed again.

"Not twins."

"Okay… well, that leaves Charlie and Percy," Ron said, raising an eyebrow.

"Ron… never mind. Maybe I'm stupid. I wouldn't have a shot anyway." It was easy for self-doubt to creep in. Harry bit his lower lip and looked away from Ron.

"Tell me something. Is it just attraction or something more?" Ron rubbed the back of his neck.

"More," Harry replied.

"I'll support you, but Charlie is kind of a player these days."

Harry's cheeks became more flushed. Of course, Ron assumed he was talking about Charlie.

"Ron, I'm going to have to ask you to sit down." Harry pushed Ron over into a kitchen chair and leaned over him, putting his face near Ron's ear.

"Ever think I was being serious about my confession?" He was joking, but he wanted to see Ron squirm for not giving Percy enough credit.

"Harry… uh… look, mate… huh?" Ron blinked up at him, his cheeks flushed, which was cute, but he was still no Percy. "I'm married… and huh?"

"You are so cute, and we've known each other for a very long time. Not to mention, we do cuddle a lot. Hermione can share, can't she?" Harry pouted and nuzzled against Ron's neck.

"Because you're touch-starved, and I'm a good friend!" Ron shouted. It was true; Harry was touch-starved, and all his close friends would give him hugs and cuddles whenever he needed them. He never received such affection as a child. No love at all.

"Let's cuddle? You'd still cuddle with me even if you didn't return my feelings?" Harry asked, trying hard to appear genuine.

"Uh… yeah, sure, because I… well, I trust you…" Ron blinked rapidly as Harry sat on his lap and wrapped his arms around him, resting his head against Ron's neck.

"Relax, Ron. I'm just giving you a hard time."

"Oh, Merlin! Thank… fuck you, Harry!" Ron half-shouted, half-laughed. "Why did you do that? I was starting to feel shit for not feeling the same way! And saying Hermione would share me? She'd kill us both!"

Harry nuzzled Ron's neck and smiled when Ron wrapped his arms around him. It wasn't intimate, but it was loving and consensual.

"Because, Ronald Weasley, I was angry at you for assuming I meant Charlie."

"Say what?" Ron asked, sounding comical. "Nah, man, that one is going to be much harder than locking down player Charlie."

"Don't you think I know that?"

"Why Percy? I mean, he's a good person and a good brother. He isn't bad looking either; we all look similar, so it would be silly…" Ron trailed off, realizing he was rambling.

"I don't know. It just happened."

Ron frowned, tapping his fingers on Harry's back and then moving up to play with his soft hair. Harry liked that. It helped him calm down, and right now, he could tell Harry was stressing out.

"It's just that Percy doesn't like being touched much, other than quick hugs with family, and he's not fond of surprises. Harry, you can't keep your hands to yourself."

"I don't do anything without consent, Ron," Harry mumbled against his neck.

"I know, but if you try to confess to him… he knows how cuddly you are with people," Ron chuckled. "Everyone knows."

"Because I'm a pathetic orphan who never knew what a hug was until I came to Hogwarts… I didn't know what love was until I met you and Hermione."

"So it's normal that you're so adorably cuddly." Ron grinned. "Hermione said it's because in your early developmental years, you were deprived of physical affection."

Harry sighed. "Hermione knows everything."

Ron kissed his forehead near his scar. Harry wouldn't tell Ron that he imagined gestures like that were motherly or what he thought motherly gestures would be like. It meant a lot that Ron was so loving.

"Help. What can I do to get his attention?"

"He does like blokes. I saw the magazines that proved it when I was fifteen. So that's one point for you."

"That's good, at least," Harry murmured.

"Facts! He likes learning things, muggle, magic, anything."

"So, I win him over by spouting off random facts?" Harry asked, chuckling.

"He's very caring and protective over the people he loves, and you've been part of our family since you were eleven. I imagine he feels protective over you as well."

Harry stumbled out of Hermione and Ron's fireplace, nearly falling. At twenty years old, it was embarrassing that he still couldn't manage graceful wizard traveling.

He stood up, anxiously looking for Ron or Hermione. His hands were shaking, and he felt like he would faint if he didn't get support soon. Living alone wasn't the best for someone who craved touch, but Ron and Hermione had an open-door policy with him. Ever since Hermione figured out what he was suffering from in their second year, they had been there for him. Of course, she was the one who had figured it out; neither Muggle doctors nor magical healers found out, but a twelve-year-old Muggle-born witch could.

To be fair, his Muggle family never took him to the doctor, and the Wizarding World was behind in mental health care.

"Ron, Hermione, are you here? I feel like I'm about to di-" He trailed off when the last person he expected walked into the living room.

Percy, looking so good in Muggle clothing. Of all people, it had to be him.

Harry's shaking intensified. He wasn't usually this bad, but stress had really triggered a severe reaction.

"Oh, sorry," Harry said, his voice wavering uncontrollably.

"They got called into the office and said I could stick around… Harry?" Percy approached him. "Are you okay? Did someone hurt you?" He asked, his voice high-pitched in worry. Before Harry could protest, Percy cast a diagnostic spell on him.

Percy's eyes widened, and Harry felt shame wash over him. He knew what Percy's spell revealed: increased heart rate, high blood pressure, muscle tension, and rapid breathing. Not to mention the feelings that triggered all of this: stress, feeling unloved and unneeded, and moodiness. A lot going on.

"Harry, I'm sorry," Percy frowned. "I should have asked first. I realize I've seen private things." He hung his head in regret.

"It… it's fine…" Harry managed, chewing on his lower lip until it started to hurt.

Percy shook his head. "Not fine. It's inappropriate to do things without asking first. I didn't even…" He trailed off and walked closer to Harry, reaching out hesitantly. He gently touched Harry's back and guided him to the couch.

"Sit down," Percy said. Harry nearly collapsed onto the couch.

Hugging himself, trying to imagine his arms belonged to Ron or Hermione, Harry couldn't look up at Percy. He hardly ever got this bad around someone random. Of course, Percy wasn't a random person; Harry had known him for nearly half his life.

Panicked, Percy left the room but soon returned with a blanket.

"May I?" Percy asked.

"Huh, oh…" Harry blinked, somewhat confused about what Percy meant. "Yeah."

Percy wrapped the blanket around Harry, taking great care to avoid direct contact. Even so, he managed to wrap the blanket tightly around Harry.

Harry relaxed slightly, but a blanket couldn't replace the love and care of human touch.

"Thank you," Harry whispered.

He glanced at Percy from his blanket cocoon and felt his face flush at how openly Percy was studying him, trying to understand and figure something out.

Sitting down next to Harry but not touching him, Percy bit his lip. His hand trembled as he placed it on Harry's shoulder.

"Once again, I am sorry for…"

Harry let out a humorless laugh. "Percy, you've known me since I was a child. Surely, you've noticed how I am, so it isn't a stretch to believe you would already have an inkling of what's going on. The fact that you've seen proof with the diagnostic spell doesn't change much." Despite his shaking, Harry managed a small smile.

"Besides, you're the smartest person I know."

That comment made Percy blush. "It would have been presumptuously rude of me to assume anything." He pulled his hand back. "So this…?"

"It doesn't get so bad as long as I…" Harry flushed. Percy nodded, aware of how affectionate Harry was with everyone.

"Sometimes I get triggered into… well, this." Harry tried to wiggle his face more into the blanket to hide his shame, but he was wrapped so tightly that he could hardly move. It was a good thing, as it helped with his shaking, at least.

"I see. And so Ron or Hermione…?"

"Or whoever… well, people I'm close with. Ron and Hermione let me come over whenever I need to, and it's really nice because I'm sure I cramp their wedded bliss." He tried to laugh, but it came out more like a sob.

Percy reached out and touched Harry's shoulder again. Harry was surprised at how often Percy offered contact, but he understood it was his way of trying to help. That made Harry feel grateful and only made his feelings for Percy grow.

"Does it matter who the person is, Harry?" Percy asked quietly.

"Eh… well, a little. Of course, I wouldn't expect a complete stranger or someone I disliked…" Harry knew he was babbling, but he didn't feel stable at the moment; it felt like he was starting to lose his mind.

"Do you like me?" Percy asked. Harry needed to make sure Percy hadn't suddenly gone insane himself. Percy couldn't possibly be offering to hold Harry, could he? Harry knew how much Percy avoided being touched by others more than necessary.

"Who couldn't like you, Percy? Of course, I do." He meant that in more ways than one.

"If it's agreeable to you, Harry, you may rest against my side," Percy said, his cheeks slightly pink.

Harry wondered if his state was affecting his hearing. He glanced at Percy and saw that he was rigid and looked uncomfortable, but he had a small, friendly smile on his face. Harry blinked in confusion.

"But… Percy, that is okay! I know you don't like being touched much and… well, I can't put my needs above others…" Harry was babbling again, but it was to be expected.

Remarkably, Percy moved closer on the couch, and now their thighs were touching. Harry could even feel Percy's body heat through the blanket. Now Harry's heart was racing for more than one reason.

"It isn't so much that I hate it, Harry, but rather, I dislike the unexpectedness of things," Percy mused. "It also depends on the person."

Harry knew that was true. Percy allowed his family to hug him, albeit briefly. There were even times during greetings and goodbyes when Harry was allowed a hug from Percy.

"Okay," Harry said in a soft voice that was almost breaking. He may have been a grown man, but he suddenly felt like an eleven-year-old again, recalling the first show of affection he received from his two best friends.

Awkwardly, Percy put his arm around Harry's shoulders, and Harry leaned against him. It wasn't the same as Ron or Hermione, who would have curled around him, rubbed his back, or played with his hair, but it meant almost more, considering Percy wasn't used to such things.

Percy accio'd a book from the coffee table. "Shall I read to you, Harry?"

Harry could only nod as his tears finally fell.