I've returned from the past

Part 2: Chapter 2

"You do not know that."

"If you are so interested in muggles, perhaps I should take you to a muggle therapist."

"I would only go if you went too, but your pride wouldn't allow it," Hadrian snapped, yanking his arm from Tom's hand.

It takes a moment for Tom to slam his lover against his wall, his breathing heavy, his anger palpable. He takes a long, calming breath and leans on his arms that cage Hadrian in.

"You are being stupid."

"Do not tell me that-" Tom covered Hadrian's mouth and stared at green eyes that burned with anger. A hand gripped his wrist, warning him- Tom hardly heeded it.

"You are being stupid," he repeats. "If you will not tell me about this thing that worries you so, I cannot help you." He waits for a beat, but Hadrian makes no move to reveal anything. "For all my greatness, Hades, I cannot see all the problems in the world and locate the single thing that is causing you to sequester yourself away from everyone for days at a time every few weeks. You are driving your father and brother mad and Nott has asked me far too many questions today. So I will be merciful and give you one more chance to explain yourself." He removed his hand and waited.

Half of him expected Hadrian to relent, to give his answer- for it to be so terribly dull and the other half knew that the only other thing that Hadrian would be worried about, would be on such a scale that everyone should be concerned- and it would be something he'd take on alone.

Just like that time they'd taken on Grindelwald together, albeit temporarily.

He still remembers that moment, it's likely engraved into his bones somewhere close to his heart. He hasn't seen magic on that scale from Hadrian in a long time, a part of him aches greatly for it.

Hadrians head thunks against the wall in defeat, his gaze pinned on the ceiling.

"It's nothing," Hadrian says at last, his voice flat. "It's just an obsession I can't get rid of."

This is one of those moments Tom wanted to break their agreement and use Legilimency to find out what the real truth was.

After Hadrians outburst with his mother at the table a few days ago, Tom had expected something big to come up but nothing had. Even when Tom had patiently waited.

Ekkathion had not been forthcoming either, despite the fact he knows Hadrian and the dragon speak.

Tom considers this lover of his, who seemed so adamant in not trusting his skills and knowledge. Who came only when someone else needed something and never when he needed help. Tom does wonder where the Hogwarts boy who had challenged him to the heavens and back had gone. Where the lover who had made everyone run in circles in his hand, had gone.

Was it something he had done? Or had that boy been an act?

He sighs and leans forward, running a hand down the wall to encircle Hadrian's waist and he settled his head on Hadrian's shoulder, his ear against the mans neck.

He listened to the steady heartbeat beneath the skin and considered another plan of approach.

"Do you not trust me?" Hadrian's fingers twitched, Tom eyed the stone wall, listening to the heartbeat as it picked up.

"Are you an idiot?" Hadrian demanded instead, his voice reverberating through his chest and through Toms head.

"I'm quite sure I've heard myself called a genius here or there. I believe you may have called me so once or thrice too." Hadrian grumbled something Greek and Tom rolls his eyes. "If you've managed to pick up the language from reading alone then I think that proves my point more than anything."