Choices Without Regrets

Chapter XIV: Shocking Talks and News

(West Wing, Master Bathroom, Peverell Mansion)

"She's asleep and her breathing seems normal; we shall see if this lasts through the rest of the night. For now, I am going to shower and then I'll join you. Tomorrow, I really hope that Remus will be...reasonable. I don't want to cut him out of my life because he can't handle certain things."

Tom paused to this before he nodded silently, "And when do you want to go to the dungeons? To visit the vampire and/or check in on Fenrir? We could also check in those oh-so loving family members that I had apprehended? The two whales must be thinning by now; what with being denied their normal meals and us not being here to regulate them from the elves?" He grinned nastily

Harry smirked to that, "Oh, I think that maybe we might go tomorrow. After I speak to Remus, of course. I am eager to see the looks on their faces when they realize that they are being held prisoner by me in my home."

Harry then went and showered as he said he would. He changed and slid into the bed before he sidled himself next to Tom; who had closed his book and left it on the side table. He curled Harry to him tightly as Harry gently waved a hand and the lights went out. Then Harry heard his small sounds.

"Thank you, Harry. Thank you so very much for this today. For being you and for doing so much for me. For giving me the chance to be me again and returning to me some of the life I hadn't believed I wanted or needed. Somewhere deep down inside of me; I was a just a helpless, bitter, and very lonely child still inside. One who had always wanted more than the mere existence I was living, but I didn't know how to obtain it and then always pushed it away."

"Thank you for showing me how to truly live again and for giving me more reason to want to live this life." He whispered as he kissed the indent of his neck.

Harry smiled now and leaned into the touch, "You are most welcome, Tom. I needed you as much you would have sooner or later needed me. I might not have wanted it at first after my initial discoveries; but...I changed after more parts became clear to me and then I decided to try to see if it was possible. I expected to die that day in the Ministry; I didn't believe there was an alternative you would take.

I made a very large gamble and used all I had to try and convince you. It has proven worthwhile and not something I would ever change or do differently. It is also fortunate that we are so compatible, otherwise this transition might've taken longer."

Tom hummed to that as Harry felt him drift off; exhausted from all of the happenings that day. Harry's eyes then shined with water in the darkened room with only the moon as a guiding light as he smiled; Tom must truly have been tired out, as he rarely fell asleep before Harry. And Harry was glad that Tom trusted him enough to let himself rest like this.

But then again; both of them trusted the other more than a lot of other people did to someone else their entire life.

Tom's soft breathing lulled Harry's senses into drowsiness and then sleep as warmth encircled him from the arms that held him. He sometimes couldn't believe how this was his life; it all seemed so surreal. But he would never regret it; he had made this choice for himself, so there was no room for regret.

--

Harry woke roughly at seven in the morning to loud crying and instantly rose. He walked briskly while he magicked his robe on as he passed through the door as if Death was hunting him; which he quirked his lips to after he had thought that, and down the hall to the nursery; where Ananya laid and slowly slowed her fussiness as he entered.

Harry's breath calmed as his eyes softened; wondering if she was crying out because she thought they had left her here alone. As he had after the Dursleys often left him in the cupboard...He then noted that she might also need her nappy changed and probably was hungry. Though Talifa likely had fed her sometime in the middle of the night if she woke up.