His fridge was stocked, which was surprising. I was expecting typical male food like microwave meals and maybe a bag of mixed fruits-- modern sexism in full function-- but I was wrong. There were leafy greens in the vegetable drawer, about ten different cheeses in the cheese compartment, and an array of products everywhere else. I wanted to go stand by the fridge, to take in the vast amount of luxury foods, but I didn't.

Instead, I sat across the white marble counter and watched Harry's shoulder muscles bunch and contract beneath his skin as he made dinner, which was some kind of fancy pasta dish. I would've been fine with takeout, but he insisted.

Quite frankly, I was glad I had time to just examine him without him knowing. He was wearing black jeans and black socks-- which I noticed weren't matching but didn't comment on-- and there were patches of black ink scattered around his body. There were no tattoos in color, which intrigued me.

Earlier, when we were both laying in his gigantic bed, my fingers traced idly over two birds-- sparrows or wrens, something small and fleeting-- intricately designed just beneath his collarbones. I didn't ask him anything, but he began speaking anyways. I'd noticed he liked to fill silences. I didn't mind.

He told me more about Aleska and Rou, about how they secretly saw each other in high school. He told me he hadn't known until after graduation when they all got together and he caught them kissing. He explained Ben, who had been on the basketball team with Harry senior year, and how a leg injury changed his outlook from carefree to bitter, also explaining the slight limp I noticed when Ben left. He explained that Aleska's parents were, while loving, very strict, which was why Aleska was so worried about her feelings for Rou.

With every word he said, I'd become more and more entranced by him, by how easy it felt to be around him. He had begun to explain their senior prom and how fun it had been when I put my hands on his face and brought him to me, kissing him.

He glanced over his shoulder at me, smiling, knocking me out of my daydreams. "You're gonna love this," He said as he took the largest pot off the stove, walking it carefully to the sink where a strainer was waiting. Steam billowed up around him, making his skin slightly damp, his tattoos looking bright and shiny.

"You sure?" I asked, unable to contain my own smile, surprised at just how easy it was to tease and talk with him.

"Yeah," He caught my stare and grinned, features boyish and happy and beautiful. "I promise."

//

I know it's been a long time and I'm not good with timed updates, even when everything is prewritten, so I apologize for that. I'd love to hear what you're thinking and whether or not this is any good. There are only nine chapters left, one of which is the epilogue, so I would start preparing now.

A moment of shameless self-promotion: I have another story up (The Malady Cure) and while it isn't fanficiton it's something I'm very excited about. If you think it might be your thing, or you simply want to make my day, click on it and tell me what you think.

All right, all the love,

jadexx