How Severus Spends His Summer Hols

A/N~ Hello everyone, just wanted to take a moment to say hi and keep you all updated on what's going on. Real life is rearing it's head. My mom is having surgery next week, so things may be a little haywire for the story for a little while, but it's not been abandoned.

For everyone that has reviewed. THANK YOU! I know I don’t answer a lot of questions and at the risk of sounding stupid, if I did, then I'd have to dramatically shorten the chapter because I'm not happy if I'm not giving in depth answers. I'll analyse the crap out of anything! Hmmm… maybe there should be one whole 'chapter' just to answer questions?

But, for those of you worried about Grant, he's going to be alright. I promise. Harry will have the baby, I know things move slow in Echo, but I like to put in the details. He's having a healthy and normal (for a man) pregnancy, so is Jason.

So once again, thank you all so much for reading and taking the time to share your thoughts. Each and every review is squeed over and cherished. I have them all in a special file on my computer. Have a great day everyone and smile at someone, you'll make them nervous!


Harry watched Severus finish putting away the last of his supplies for the day and idly fidgeted with the buttons on his jacket. He could hardly wait, he was so excited about their excursion. Christmas was coming. While it wasn't his first with Severus it would be their first as a married couple and in their own home. A tree to decorate and their home, he sighed softly and thought about the things he wanted to purchase and how pretty everything would look once it was all out of the boxes and on the large home. Their home.

He smiled and looked up at Severus again, rubbing his stomach absently as he waited almost impatiently. He'd not say anything to hurry his husband though. He knew everything had to be just so before Severus would be ready to leave. His mind drifted back to the decorations as he waited. Pretty white fairy lights glittering amongst red bows and balls on the green boughs and the fresh scent of the tree spreading through out their house. Merlin, he couldn't wait!

Severus watched Harry from the corner of his eye, doing his best to not chuckle at the younger man's excitement. He had to admit that he was somewhat excited as well for the upcoming holiday. It was to be the first Christmas in their new home and country as well as the last one before they became a family with a child.

Even though he was excited as well, he couldn't help himself from toying with Harry.

"Little one, would you mind fetching me the inventory list from my desk, I really should check our stores before placing my order on Monday."

Harry jumped at the sound of Severus's voice, the words penetrating through his day dreams. "Yes Sir." He slid off his stool and padded to the office, pilfered through the stacks of invoices and found the list. Waddling back to his husband's side, he offered him the paper and his mouth. "Here you are, Husband. Is there anything else I can do to help you?"

Bending down to kiss Harry gently, Severus took the ledger from the man and smiled. "Thank you Harry. No, I think you've been patient enough, don't you?" he teased gently, tapping a finger on the tip of his husband's nose. "Where did you wish to shop?"

Harry beamed at him and nodded. "Where ever you think is best, Husband. Is there any place in town that might have what we need or are we going to have to go to Wheeling?" Even after being in Echo for almost four months, he still wasn't certain where all the shops were and had only been to a few select places.

"We can look at what is to offer here. I would imagine for the more Wizarding centric items, we'll have more luck here, but Wheeling may have a nice selection. Are you up to a drive?" Severus asked as he looked down into Harry's glowing face, still amazed at how healthy and happy the younger man looked now. On impulse, he reached out and stroked one rosy cheek.

Harry sighed, closing his eyes and leaning into Severus's fingers. "I don't mind driving, Sir. I promised to keep the decorations simple for you so whatever you'd like is fine with me."

He opened his eyes and smiled up at Severus. "I have a picture in my mind, so I think I know what I want and can pick out the decorations without having to stop at several stores if you are tired, Sir."

"I am prepared to go wherever the bearer of my child would desire me to, in search of whatever bauble his beautiful heart desires," Severus murmured as he stroked Harry's hair with one long fingered hand. "Simply tell me what you'd like and we shall endeavour to find it."

Harry smiled again, nearly purring as Severus petted his hair. He lifted a hand and began to tick items off on his fingers. "Red bows and balls, white fairy lights for the tree, big lights for the house and bells. I need wrapping paper, tape, boxes and labels. Tissue paper, bows for the gifts, tree skirt." He paused for a moment to take a breath and think. "Oh and the wreath for the door too."

Severus listened to the list and shook his head in amusement. "Then you shall have it Harry. Have you by chance asked Grant what he has that you might use?" he asked as he moved his hand and then reached for his own jacket before taking Harry's hand and leading him to the door of the shop and shutting out the lights.

"He offered to send Damon and a ladder to the house to help you put lights up." Harry laughed and looked up at Severus. "He also said I could come and look in their attic to see if there was anything I could use as well but..." He trailed off, thinking about how Grant had acted in the bar at lunch. "After today, I'm not certain I should bother him with this."

Severus sighed softly. "Today had little to do with you Harry. I don't want you to think it did. Grant was not upset with you, he was more upset at the shock of finding Doctor Montgomery at Cutty's," Severus said as he locked the door behind them and quickly set the wards on their shop before leading Harry over to where their truck was parked.

"I know, but he was so upset and Doctor Montgomery is a really nice man." Harry grinned. "He and Jason are so cute together. Did you see them, Sir?" He watched Severus unlock the truck and climbed up in the truck, not waiting for Severus to help him.

Frowning as he watched Harry, he pulled the seat belt around his husband. "Yes, I saw them. I just hope Jason is using sound judgement in what he does," Severus said as he closed Harry's door and then went around to get behind the steering wheel. "Doctor Montgomery has a bit of a reputation from what I gathered from Damon and it's set Grant on edge."

"Oh," Harry thought about that for a moment. He bit his lip then looked at Severus. "He didn't seem like he was there for anything bad. I mean, he seemed genuine to me. Would it be wrong to be happy for them if Jason is happy as well? There's something between them, Sir. I could sense it."

"I hope you are correct Harry, I'd rather not have an overly emotional clerk wreaking havoc in my establishment if Jason is spurned," Severus said dryly as he started the truck, letting it run for a moment before pulling out of the small parking lot.

As he started down the street, Severus reached over and took Harry's hand. "We're going to have to start looking for Jason's replacement soon, you know."

Harry looked up at Severus startled. "Why? You're going to fire him?"

"Harry, he will need to start his confinement soon and we shall need another person in the shop."

Harry looked down at his lap. "But I told him you wouldn't fire him once you found out he was carrying twins." He looked up at Severus. "Severus, he really needs this job, we can't put him out. What does he need to be confined for? I don't understand."

Severus sighed, hating the fact he needed to explain this to Harry. "Jason won't be able to do his work much longer Harry. Not only will it be unsafe for him, he simply won't feel well enough to perform his duties until after the children are born and he's recovered. Unfortunately, we will need someone to take his place."

"But why? He's done just fine." Harry shook his head. "Can't he sit at the counter and work the register?" He stopped and looked up at Severus, the colour draining from his face as well. "Am I... does this mean I have to stop coming to the shop too?" he asked softly. "Are you going to confine me as well?"

"No Harry, you may still come with me to the shop, but I would imagine you aren't going to feel up to doing much aside from resting in the back room and keeping me company," Severus said, trying to avoid the subject of Jason. He'd begin searching for the boy's replacement in the next few weeks.

"I don't want you to fire Jason, Husband." Harry said softly, his voice hitching. "There has to be something he can do, please. Don't put him out." He didn't know why this was so important to him but it was and he really didn't want to see Jason out on the streets. "He can do my job, please Severus."

Pulling up to the first stop sign on the way out of town, Severus took advantage of the fact there was no one waiting behind him, leaning over and wrapping an arm around Harry. "Love, what's wrong? He can always have his job back when he's ready. I'm not entirely heartless."

Harry wrapped his arms around Severus, burying his face into Severus's jacket, crying now and not understanding just why. "I know," he wailed. "But he needs this job now. You should have seen him, Sev."

He trailed off, crying harder and clenching the jacked between his fingers, still not knowing why he was crying for Jason.

Surprised, Severus carefully turned the corner and parked the truck leaving it running. "Harry, shhh, calm down," he murmured trying to sooth his small spouse. "What's happened, tell me. What's wrong with Jason?"

Harry clung to Severus, hiccupping and crying as he told him about the lotion and Jason not being able to afford it. "So I bought it with my allowance money. His back was all scratched up and he was going to go without it and not tell you cause he was afraid he would lose his job." He started crying hard again and rubbed his face on Severus's jacket.

Severus' lips were pressed into a thin line as he listened to Harry's tale. He'd known their employee was on a budget, but he'd been unaware that he was going without proper medical care. Stroking Harry's hair and back, Severus let him cry himself out, making appropriate noises to sooth the younger man as he considered what to do about the Jason situation.

"Jason may continue working for as long as Max allows him to or until he is too uncomfortable to do so, alright Harry?" Severus murmured. "I'll see to it that he has the potions he needs, he doesn't need pay for them."

Harry nodded, sniffling and wiping his face with his hands. Sitting up he looked at Severus and groaned softly. "Ugh, Merlin. I hate that." He rubbed his hands on his robes and wiped at his face again. "I'm sorry, Husband. Thank you for letting him stay on."

He looked up at Severus and smiled weakly. "I'll pay for his potions. He won't take them if he thinks we are just giving them to him. I nearly had to force him to take the robes."

"I shall replace your allowance Harry, it was thoughtful of you to purchase it for him, but you should have come to me," Severus said as he took out his handkerchief and carefully wiped Harry's face. "After all, if the phial has a chip or if the colour is off a degree, it can't be sold, now can it?"

Harry closed his eyes as Severus wiped his face, "No Husband. I guess it can't." He smiled at Severus and chuckled softly. "Thank you again, Husband. I don't know what came over me."

"It's alright Harry, Max and Damon both warned me that you may be a bit more emotional now. No harm done," Severus smiled. "Now do you feel up to shopping?"

Harry nodded. "I still want to make our home ready for Christmas. I need something cheerful."

"Very well Harry, beautiful it shall be. Let's try Grant's attic first, shall we?" Severus said, forcing a note of cheer into his voice as he put the truck back into gear and turned it around to get back on the road out of town.

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Jason stared at Richard as he drove, the lines on his brow furrowed attractively as he concentrated on something other than just driving. He looked down at their hands twined on his leg then back at Richard's face. As much as he hated to admit it, he was fast becoming to depend on the other man's quiet presence and it had only been three days. He knew he shouldn't expect much but like he told Harry, he'd grown up with knowing about his condition and he knew what was happening, only he didn't know how to prevent it or if he really wanted to. He could seriously get used to having the Texan around. He could allow himself the time to fantasize about having someone to care about him and his children, couldn't he?

He licked his lips and spoke softly, "You know, Doctor Wolffe really is a nice man. I don't know why he acted like that but if you don't want to go on Sunday we don't have to."

Shook out of his thoughts, Richard turned his head briefly and smiled at Jason. "I've actually gone to a couple of his lectures and you're right. He doesn't seem to be the way we saw today," he said as he gave Jason's hand a squeeze.

He continued to navigate the snowy streets slowly; amazed that he'd learned his way around so quickly. "I'm not certain, but there may well be a medical cause underlying his hostilities. They are your family here, aren't they?" Richard asked as he pulled up to the last stop sign before getting back to the Corrican's place.

Jason shrugged but nodded as well, recalling what the Professor had told him at Thanksgiving. "I guess you could say that. My sister works at the hardware store but that's another story for another day," he murmured softly. Looking backing back up at Richard, Jason gave him a curious look. "Can you help Doctor Wolffe?"

Richard sucked at his lip thoughtfully for a moment, thinking about what he'd read so far that day. "Maybe Jason. There's something really not right there and I haven't been able to put my finger on it just yet. It would help if Doctor Wolffe would speak to me about his files, I'm not sure if what Mister Wolffe could tell me would help."

Jason nodded and looked out the window. "So I guess this means you're taking on a new case and will stay here for a while?" He closed his eyes and wanted to bang his head against the window. 'Subtle there, Summers, real subtle.' he thought as he waited with baited breath for the answer.

Richard smiled to himself as he heard Jason's words. "Hmmm... I haven't looked at it like that really. I suppose you're right. Are you sure you want me to stick around? The case could take a long time, months," he said, looking at the young man from the corner of his eye as he pulled into the driveway of the duplex and shut the car off. "You might get sick of seeing my ugly mug."

Jason sighed out the breath he'd been holding. He turned and grinned at Richard. "Oh, yes. If you are working around here, I might get to see Doctor Wolffe take you on again. Could be entertaining. Nothing ever happens in these small towns."

Richard laughed as he undid his seat belt. "Stay put until I come around to help you out, okay?" he said, opening the door quickly and letting himself out. Jogging carefully around the car, he opened Jason's door and offered him his hand. "Let me get your bag Jason."

Jason put his bag in Richard's hand then heaved himself out of the car. "There you are." He smiled at Richard, then carefully made his way to the front door of the duplex.

Fishing the keys that Greg had given him earlier out of his pocket, Richard opened the door to let them in. "I'm not really sure what time they'll be home, but if you're hungry, we can go ahead and eat," he said as he shrugged off his coat and made to take the younger man's as well. "Do you want me to take your box into the bedroom for you?"

Jason nodded. "Thank you. I'm not much in the kitchen but I am hungry." He waddled into the kitchen looking around at the pristine counters, feeling his heart clench again at the oddly domestic situation and how comfortable it felt. He shook his head, determined once again not to get used to it. He needed to get back to his trailer and forget this fantasy. This wasn't his home and Richard wasn't really his man, he knew better than daydream. He scowled and began opening up the cabinets looking for a glass.

Richard watched Jason for a moment before carrying the cardboard box that he'd been holding into the bedroom Jason was currently staying in. Coming back out, he stepped up behind the younger man and squeezed his shoulder gently. "What's wrong Jason?" he asked softly, reaching over the smaller man's head and grasping the glass his lover had been straining for. "What is it?"

"Nothing," Jason murmured softly, leaning unconsciously into Richard's hand before he turned on the faucet and filled the glass. He took a long drink and closed his eyes as he scratched an itchy spot on his stomach. "Need to go to the bank early tomorrow and call Doctor Sorens about what you told me."

"You didn't talk to him today?" Richard asked, trying to keep his tone non-accusatory as he leaned against the counter and watched Jason. "Sorens keeps office hours on the weekend?"

Jason turned and looked at him, narrowing his eyes at him. "I was working, so, no, I didn't talk to him today. Doctor Sorens helps out on the weekend sometimes at the clinic. Not that it is really any of your business, Doctor Montgomery." He didn't tell Richard that it was a free clinic or that he'd was going to get up at the butt crack of dawn to see if he could get in to see the doctor either.

Richard's eyes widened at Jason's outburst. Taking a deep breath, he nodded tersely. "You're right Jason, it's not my business and I shouldn't have asked. My apologies. If you get hungry go ahead and order pizza or something, my wallet is in my jacket. Greg can pay me back later for getting dinner. I'm going to go get some work done," he said as he opened the refrigerator and grabbed a bottle of beer from the shelf. Picking up Grant's files, Richard made his way to Greg's office where he settled in behind the desk and powered up the man's computer.

Jason scowled and resisted the urge to throw the glass at the back Richard's head as he walked away. He looked around the kitchen and put the glass in the sink. Sighing, he walked back over to the coat tree and pulled on his jacket, he really needed to think about all this. Taking a deep breath he opened the door and stepped out. Clangman's wasn't all that far and he'd be damned if he was going to let Richard buy his dinner again. He closed the door softly and headed for the little grocers.

Hearing the front door open and then close, Richard threw the file he'd been holding down in disgust. "Dammit, why does he have to be so freaking hard-headed?" he asked the empty room, debating on whether or not to go after Jason.

Shaking his head, he let out a breath and got to his feet. "I'm going to wring his scrawny neck," Richard muttered as he headed for the door, grabbing his car keys and the house key on his way.

Jason walked slowly; his head bent against the bitter wind, and wondered if this had been such a good idea after all. His feet ached, his back hurt and now he was hungrier than ever. He knew he should have grabbed a few of the cauldrons Harry had given him but he'd been so angry at Richard, at everyone, really, for telling him what to do today he'd just snapped. Sighing, he shook his head and rubbed his stomach, quietly talking to his children. "Once of these days your dad is going to learn to get his head out of his ass but I doubt it'll be anytime soon. I certain hope neither one of you are as stubborn as I am."

Standing on the stoop, Richard peered into the growing darkness, shaking his head as he spotted Jason walking slowly through the drifts on the sidewalk. Not wanting to yell and startle the man, Richard made his way as quickly as he could down the long driveway of the duplexes until he was abreast of Jason.

"Jason come back, okay? I'm sorry I was snappish with you," Richard said offering his hand to the other man.

Jason shook his head and kept going. "I'm getting me some dinner and it's fine. I was an ass first," he said gruffly.

Falling in step next to Jason, Richard walked along silently for a moment, gritting his teeth against the cold. "What are we having to eat?"

Jason cut his eyes over at Richard and shook his head. "You are going to freeze to death out here. Go back to the house." He fingered the change in his pocket and hoped he had enough to get him a couple of ramen soup packages and maybe some crackers.

"Then I'll be in good company. So you haven't told me, where are we going?" Richard asked knowing he could be just as stubborn as the other man. "I don't know my way around completely and I don't know what's down this way."

Jason sighed. "Fine but I have a jacket and a heavy robe, at least. Clangman's is just around the corner."

"That's the grocery store, right? Do they have a deli too?" Richard asked, biting his lips to keep from shivering, mentally cursing himself for not at least grabbing his coat and mobile phone.

Jason sighed and stopped, looking at Richard for a moment. "You're an idiot, you know that. Cast a Warming Charm. It may or may not work but not all magic goes awry on the mountain." He rolled his eyes and started walking again. "Yes it's a little grocer and they have a small deli but I'm not getting anything out of it. Feel free to get salmonella all on your own though."

Richard shrugged. "I'd cast a warming spell, but my wand is in my coat. So what are we going to eat then?" he asked, shoving his hands down into the pockets of his jeans to try to keep his fingers warm. He promised himself a long hot shower once they were back at the duplex.

Jason sighed heavily. "I'm going to get me some soup. You can have whatever you like." He stopped and looked over at Richard, groaning again.
"Your wallet is in your jacket too, isn't it?"

Richard gave him a pitiful grin. "Yeah, I know, I'm an idiot. Why are you having soup? I know there is soup in the cabinet."

Jason shook his head, stepping closer to Richard and offering him hand. "Come here idiot. If we walk closer it'll help. As for the soup in the cabinet, it's not my soup."

Richard took Jason's hand, twining his nearly frozen fingers around those of the younger man. "Jason, we can replace the soup later on if soup is what you want," he said softly. "If you're out here just because you're pissed at me, then let's go back inside where you can be angry and warm. Okay?"

Jason rubbed Richard's hand and shook his head. "No, I'll get me some soup to eat tonight," he murmured as he stuck their hands in his coat pocket. "Tomorrow, it won't be a problem. After I see the doc, I'm going home." He'd already decided that in the short time he'd been walking that staying in the plush apartment with Richard could only lead to a broken heart and he certainly didn't have time for that.

Richard stopped walking, letting his weight slow Jason down where they were joined at their hands. "Please Jason... I don't want you to," he said softly, not sure how to tell the younger man how he felt that wouldn't scare him into rabbiting.

"Honestly, if the reason you're going is me, I'll go stay at the bed and breakfast. I don't think I could live with myself if you went back up there and something happened to you."

Jason grunted and looked up at Richard as they stopped. He glared at him and tugged on their hands. "It's my house and I want to go home. Besides the doc and Davy are your friends, you don't have to leave." He tugged on Richard again "And if we freeze to death out here because you keep stopping us, I'm gonna make certain they put 'Idiot froze to death' on your headstone."

"I know I have no business butting into your life, but you shouldn't be up there alone," Richard murmured as he started walking again. With the hand he had in his own pocket, he could feel the few bills he normally kept there and knew he'd be able to take care of their meal if Jason insisted on continuing.

"What about making homemade soup tonight?" he asked, thinking it might be a way to help cut down on the salt in Jason's diet. "Doesn't that sound good?"

Jason groaned; it did sound good but he knew he didn't have enough money to purchase the things to make soup like that. "I like noodles," he said sullenly.

"I have some money in my pocket that could go in for it too. What kind of soup should we make? Something with noodles to stretch it further?" Richard asked. He wasn't stupid. He'd been raised on a farm with seven brothers and sisters and most of the time it was root hog or die when it came to meal times. After watching his mother for years, making the grocery budget stretch until it cried, he did have a few tricks up his sleeve.

"I'm pretty sure Davy's got the fixin's to make homemade noodles and maybe we could get some chicken or beef for them?" he asked, trying to offer Jason a smile.

Jason stopped this time looking at Richard as he pulled away from him. "Stop. Just stop it already. I know what you are trying to do and it's not going to work because I can't let it work." He took a deep breath and held up a hand. "Rich doctors just don't fall out of the sky and take up with people like me. I don't know what's gotten into everyone around here but you people are making me crazy. First, it's shun the little outcast that got himself in trouble and now all of the sudden everyone wants to be my friend."

He swallowed hard and looked at Richard, his emotions out of hand and he swiped at his face. "I don't know why and I don't know how I'm going to do this now that I know about the babies, but I can't keep letting you people get me off track. I'm poor Richard, dirt poor and I know I'm going to lose my job, because somehow or another the Professor is going to find out and that'll be it." He huffed out a breath and wiped at his face again. "So, I need to go back to my house, where my things are, where I can take care of myself and my children." He bit his lip and turned away, waddling away from Richard as fast as he could.

Stunned by Jason's outburst, Richard stood there in the cold for a moment, forgetting about the shivering in his limbs and the wind that was picking at his body. "No," he said softly, shaking his head. "No."

He caught up with Jason, taking hold of the younger man's shoulders and pulling him to a stop. "Jason, listen to me please," Richard said as he turned the other man to face him. "I grew up dirt poor, the middle kid of seven. We didn't have a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out of. I might be a doctor, but I'm a real man, just like you and I know what life's like. Don't shut me out of your life. I don't want to be just your friend; I want to be more than that to you, Jason."

Richard stopped and hung his head for a moment. "At least come back for tonight and I'll take you home in the morning, okay?"

Jason stared at him, panting softly as he pressed a hand against his stomach. He looked down at the ground and shook his head, grunting softly as a sharp pain shot though his belly. "I don't know. You'll break me when you leave," he murmured quietly. "I can't do that again."

Looking up at the noise Jason made, Richard placed one large hand over the younger man's belly and rubbed gently. "I'm not planning to leave," he said softly. "Here, lean against me for a minute until it stops hurting, I think you've pulled a muscle."

Jason shook his head as he rubbed his stomach. He really wanted to lean against Richard and sing to the babies like he'd always done when he was in pain but he couldn't do that while the other man was watching. "I'm fine," he breathed though the pain then looked up at Richard. "You're not leaving?"

Richard carefully drew Jason towards him, pulling the man's head to his chest. "Just rest here a moment and let me hold you up so you can ease the cramp," he murmured, stroking Jason's hair back. "And no, I'm not leaving."

Jason's eyes fluttered shut as he leaned his head against Richard's chest. "Oh Merlin," he murmured and whinged softly as he inhaled the man's cologne. He swallowed and reached up, fisting his hands in Richard's shirt, resting completely against him. "You're not leaving."

Wrapping both arms around Jason, Richard bent down and kissed the top of the other man's head. "No, not until you tell me to leave Jason," he said softly. "How are you feeling?"

Jason sighed as he relaxed in Richard's arms. He rubbed his face against his strong chest and looked up at him as he calmed considerable. "As if you didn't know," he said softly and released Richard's shirt, smoothing the fabric and petting him as well. "I'm an idiot, aren't I? But it's there, isn't it?"

"I meant your cramping Jason," Richard said softly as he rubbed the younger man's upper arms. "Has it eased? And no, you aren't an idiot."

Jason flushed and snorted. He let go of Richard long enough to run a hand over his stomach, reaching out with his magic and catching hold of the two heartbeats. They brushed back against him and he smiled then nodded as he looked up at Richard. "Yeah, for now I think. Still hungry though." He pulled away, embarrassed at what he said. He couldn't believe he'd blurted that out like that.

Richard nodded. "Should we go back and get the car so we don't have to carry groceries back?" he asked as he smiled gently at his lover.

Jason shrugged. "If you like. What I was going to get isn't all that heavy." He still didn't want to look at Richard after his outburst. Merlin, being pregnant really sucked.

"I'd like to make some homemade soup. I'll make the noodles, alright?" Richard said, wrapping one arm around Jason's shoulders and turning him back in the direction of the duplex. "Let's see what we have to work with before we go to the store. What time do they close?"

Jason sighed, leaning against Richard as they walked. "Eight, I think, this being Friday. Ramens would have been fine. I like to crush up the round crackers in them." He looked up at Richard then down at the slushy icy street. "And cranberry juice. I want some cranberry juice too. I think I have enough for that as well," he added softly.

"There's cranberry juice in the freezer, I know, I saw it when I moved Greg's vodka last night," Richard said as he held onto Jason tightly, keeping him safe on the slick sidewalk. "I ate enough ramen in college to choke a horse. How about some homemade chicken soup with real noodles? I think Davy eats meat today."

Jason tightened his fingers in Richard's shirt stepping carefully as he was manoeuvered back around toward the duplex. He shrugged, scowling slightly but trying not get angry again. "Sounds good, I guess."


Richard sighed, he could feel the tensing of Jason's shoulder under the man's heavy coat and robes. "When we get back, I'll warm the car up and grab my coat, okay?" he said softly, he didn't want to argue with the man any more and if he insisted on ramen, then ramen it would be. "Are you cold?"

Jason looked up at Richard, not wanting to fight but not wanting to give in either. It seemed nothing he'd said had even sunk in even though Richard had said he'd understood. "Not really. If I'm that much of an inconvenience you didn't have to even come out of the house." he stopped. "You can go back by yourself you know. I've been doing this for six months and I'll continue to do it," by myself he added mentally.

Richard smiled down at Jason. "It's not an inconvenience; I need to know where this place is anyway. Is it the only grocery in town?" he asked, urging Jason back into moving with a gentle nudge. "I can't rely on other people to do my shopping you know."

Jason sighed, not knowing why he kept letting Richard persuade him back into moving. "There's a fish market a few streets over, a Farmer's Market but that's closed now that the snow has flown, and other than the little stop and rob gas stations, that's it. There's a bit more in Elkins but not much. You have to go out to Wheeling for everything if you want variety."

Richard nodded, his arm still around Jason's waist. "Maybe on one of your days off, if the weather's good, we could take a drive and you could show me where to go?" he asked as they got to the foot of the duplex steps. "Would you like to wait inside while I warm the car up?"

Jason's heart froze. He'd not been back to Wheeling since he'd snuck out of his parent's house the night he came home. He swallowed hard and nodded. "We'll see." He walked carefully to the door and looked back at Richard. "You will put on more clothes this time... idiot." he smiled to make the insult an endearment.

"I will, let me grab my coat and the car will be ready in a few minutes," Richard said as he unlocked the door to the place to let them both in. "Would you mind writing a note for them so they know we haven't run off to Florida or something?"

Grabbing his coat, Richard hustled back out the door and to his car, pleased with himself that they'd managed to get back to Davy and Greg's without incident.

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Harry smiled at Severus as he dialled the farmhouse waiting for someone to answer. He didn't think Grant would mind them coming by to look in the attic but after the incident in Cutty's today, he wasn't certain if Grant would be glad to see them or not, especially since he'd forgotten to tell Severus about meeting his father. He didn't want Grant mad at him too. Even though Severus hadn't said anything about being angry he knew the reminder of his father had upset Severus. He put that aside and tried to think of happier things. Christmas and their new home. As much as he wouldn't mind using Grant's decorations he wanted some of his own to have.

Groggily, Grant reached over from where he'd been lying on the bed. "Hello?" he answered, his voice a little hoarse, rubbing one hand over his face. "Wolffe residence."

Harry frowned. "Grant? It's Harry, are you all right? I''m sorry. It sounds like I woke you." He looked over at Severus and bit his lip. "Um... Damon told us to call if we wanted to come over but if you want to go back to sleep, I'll let you go back to bed."

Pushing himself up into a sitting position, Grant frowned at his disorientation for a moment. "Hold on a moment Harry," he murmured, setting the phone down and using both hands to try to rub the sleep from his face and wincing as his broken wrist throbbed from the aggrevation. Looking out the window he noted with consternation that it had grown dark at some point, turning his head he also realized Damon wasn't laying on the bed as well.

"Harry?" Grant said softly as he picked the receiver up once more. "It's Grant, I'm alright. You're coming over?"

Harry looked at Severus again, confused. "Yes, Grant, it's Harry. Damon told us earlier to come over if we wanted. Are you certain you are all right?"

Grant nodded and then grunted softly. "That's fine Harry, it'll be nice to see you and Severus. Have you had supper yet? Would you like to eat with us?" he asked, scooting to the edge of the bed and getting to his feet.

Harry shrugged and looked at Severus. "All right then, if you are certain. No, we've not yet eaten but I'll ask Severus what he'd like to do. Would you like us to bring something?" He looked over at Severus.

Closing his eyes, Grant was quiet for a moment, trying to think and becoming aggravated when he couldn't focus.

"No Harry, I've got it. Are you on your way now?" he asked finally, reaching out and flipping the light switch, wincing at the sudden brightness.

"Yes Sir, we've just left the shop and we're going to go Christmas shopping but Severus said something about checking your attic first." Harry bit his lip. "Grant... are you certain you are all right?"

"Yes, yes, by all means, come and poke through the attic, there's plenty stored away, I think there's decorations in the basement as well," Grant replied, heading for the bathroom to pull another sedative potion from the medicine cabinet. "If you have an idea as to what you want, I'll go up and start pulling things out for you."

Harry nodded to Severus. "All right, we'll be there shortly then Grant. See you soon." He hung up the phone and looked at Severus. "He doesn't sound well, Husband."

Grant ended the call and let the phone slip through his fingers to fall to the floor as he made his way from the bedroom to look for his husband.

"Damon?" he called out, swaying from side to side as he walked down the short hallway. "Damon? Where are you?"

Damon looked up as he entered the kitchen, set the bags of take-out and groceries on the table and called out to Grant. "In the kitchen, Pet. Just a minute and I'll be right there." He kicked the door shut and sighed heavily for moment then walked carefully into the living room, looking for his little husband. "What is it, baby?" He reached out and drew Grant into his arms. "Why are you out of bed?"

"Where were you? I couldn't find you," Grant mumbled, rubbing his face over Damon's chest, shivering at the cold that had come in on the man.

"I went to go get your potions and dinner, Pet." Damon leaned down and pressed a kiss to Grant's hair, taking a deep breath before speaking again as he rubbed Grant's back. "Took your file to Montgomery like you wanted," he murmured softly as well.

Grant sighed taking comfort from the other man's arms. "Harry and Severus are on their way over. I asked them to have supper with us," he said pulling back enough to squint up at Damon's face. "Was that alright?"

Damon nodded. "That's fine Pet. I talked with them at the shop and gave Severus the bracelet as well, while I was there." He turned Grant and helped him into the kitchen so he could begin dinner. "I have some news for you about Jason if you in the mood to hear it."

"Was Little Bird upset?" Grant asked as he let Damon guide him to the countertop. "Tell him that if he's angry, to be angry with me, not Bit, he had nothing to do with this."

Grant looked up at Damon and sighed. "What would you like to eat?"

He didn't like feeling like he was floating; it was disconcerting to say the least and he felt like he was missing important things that he should be aware of.

"I brought stuff to eat, but it won't take much to add to it. Sit down and let me work." Damon shook his head and sit Grant down in a chair at the table. "No, he weren't upset. Was more worried about Snape bothering you and Harry, it seemed to me."

He began to unload cartons of vegetables, gravy and a large container of roast beef from a sack. "Hannah was up at the bar when I went in to check on Tom and made her speciality so I brought that home."

"Hannah is cooking at the bar?" Grant asked softly as he sat down at the table and watched Damon. "It smells good. What is it?"

Damon smiled at him and nodded. "She made just a good old fashioned Sunday dinner. Pot roast and vegetables; green beans, carrots and new potatoes. She did up some rolls and gravy too. I stole a pie out of the freezer from the bar too."

Grant nodded, reaching out and running his fingers over the potion bottles that set on the table. "You said you got my potions from Severus? Could I have them please?"

Damon looked at him and reached out, running a hand over his head. "Are you in pain, Pet? Let's get some food in you and then you can have the medicine. Sev said to watch you to see if you have a reaction."

Grant nodded and then turned to stare out the window into the darkness. "Harry wants to look through our decorations. Do we have much downstairs still?" he asked while running his fingers through his loose hair. "I should get the things down so he doesn't have to climb the stairs."

Damon shook his head and bent to press a kiss to Grant's cheek. "No, just the big stuff. When you bought all those totes and had me rearrange the attic, I put most of it upstairs. Sev and I can play gopher for him when they get here." He turned and got a plate down and began dishing up a little bit of food for his husband. "Just get something in your stomach, a couple of bites then you can have your potions, Pet." He set the plate in front of Grant and handed him a fork as he turned back to the fridge to prepare him a glass of tea.

Grant picked up his fork and poked at the food, moving it around the plate to make it look like he'd eaten something. While Damon's back was turned, Grant pulled a piece of chocolate from the bowl of candy on the table, unwrapping it and stuffing it in his mouth.

Damon turned around and looked at the plate then looked at his husband. Arching an eyebrow, he sat the glass down in front of Grant. "Please eat something besides just the chocolate, Injun." He picked up the first potions phial, read the directions then pulled the cork and measured out the amount for his husband into a second glass. He sighed and grinned at him then handed it to him. "You're sneaky, Pet but I know you."

Grant gave Damon a half hearted smile, picking up his fork and bringing a piece of the beef to his lips. "I want to be able to eat with you as well, so I don't want to get full," he murmured trying to convince his husband that he wasn't trying to be bad.

Damon nodded and began to dish up his plate as well as one for Harry and Severus as he heard the truck doors slam outside. "Well the urchins are here so we can all eat together now."

Severus put an arm around Harry's waist, careful to hold him tight enough to keep him from slipping on the snow and ice. "Steady Harry, mind your footing," he said, breathing a sigh of relief as the porch light came on to give them plenty of light to make their way.

Harry clung to Severus as he made his way to the back porch. He smiled as they got to the porch and looked at Damon as he opened the door. "Hello Damon. How's Grant?"

Damon grinned at the two men and opened the door wider. "He's at the table, Bit. I hope you all are hungry. We're just about to eat. Tom's Hannah made us some pot roast and the fixings."

Severus took Harry's cloak, hanging it along with his own coat as they entered the warm kitchen. "Go on and sit down Harry," he said as he gently pushed the man in the direction of the table before turning to Damon.

"How are things going?" Severus asked under his breath.

Damon sighed. "Not well. He had just woken up apparently when I got in and I've only had the chance to get one potion in him. So I have no idea, what's going to happen." he shook his head. "Come on in and eat though. If Harry's anything like Grant you'll need your strength for when we are in the attic."

"If you think it would be better, I'll take Harry shopping after we eat," Severus murmured as he watched the two men sitting at the table. "If you think he'd be more comfortable without us here."

Damon shrugged. "Depends. Might distract Grant if he's not stoned out of his gourd by then. He can't do much with his arm in a sling so it also might help him to help Harry to sort through the boxes or at least tell him what's in them." He shook his head again and sighed. "I just don't know what to do anymore."

"Have you heard from Montgomery?"

"Not yet but you got to realize there's probably fifty years of history there. It's a lot to sort through. If he even finds anything." Damon nodded to the table and pulled out a chair for Severus. "Sit down. You all want some tea?"

Severus sat down next to Harry and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "Hungry?" he murmured in his ear as he draped an arm over the back of his husband's chair.

Harry nodded and leaned against Severus. He smiled at Grant and turned to look up at Severus, returning the kiss to his cheek. "Yes, it smells delicious."

Grant watched the younger men, sighing softly as he pushed his plate towards Harry. "Here you go on and finish it, I need to take my potions," he mumbled as he reached for the phials that were setting at the edge of the table.

Harry eyed Grant and shook his head. "You should eat too." He didn't like how Grant looked and he really wasn't certain about the story he'd been told about Grant's arm considering it had been his wand hand that had been broken.

However, when he took in Grant's earlier actions and what Severus had told him. He was really worried about the older man that had become his friend recently. "It helps sometimes to have something in your stomach when you take that potion. I know it made me sick once when..."

He stopped when he realized what he was doing and flushed. "Sorry," he murmured quietly.

"What made you sick, baby?" Grant asked softly, reaching out with his good hand and covering one of Harry's hands. "You've done nothing to be sorry about."

Harry shook his head. "I just got sick one time when I had to take that potion and I did it on an empty stomach." He looked over at Grant and smiled weakly as he put one hand on top of his. "I was telling you what to do and I shouldn't have done."

Grant frowned as he listened to Harry's soft voice. "Did someone make you take it?" he asked quietly, scooting closer to the young man, focusing his attention on him.

Harry chuckled softly and nodded. "Severus did for a long time. But it helped me get better and if I'd have listened to him in the first place, I wouldn't have gotten sick." He looked up at his husband then back at Grant. "If I had known he was making it for you, I would have told him to put the black current flavouring in it."

Grant wrinkled his nose up at the mention of the black current. "That stuff is worse than prune juice," he chuckled and then picked up the phial. "I don't mind the taste."

Flicking the stopper from the top, Grant brought the cool glass to his lips and swallowed quickly, not bothering to measure anything out. Shuddering slightly, he set the bottle back on the table and reached for his tea. "I'll be better soon Harry, don't worry."

Eyes wide, Harry stared at Grant, looked up at Severus then shuddered. "Ugh. If you say so, Grant."

Reaching for the next bottle, Grant waited a moment until Damon's back was turned once more before he dropped it to his lap.

Severus looked up just in time to watch the man's hand move, but wasn't sure of what he'd seen. "Damon is there anything I can help you with?" he asked, getting to his feet and going around behind Grant's chair.

Damon handed him two plates and shook his head. "All done. I just need to move it all to the table." He eyed Severus and the others at the table then arched a brow as if to ask a question. He'd only been half listening to the conversation as he'd made more tea at the stove and finished dishing up the plates from the to-go boxes.

Severus bent over Grant to set the plates on the table, letting his eyes drift over the other man for a moment. He spotted the bottle in his lap and sighed.

Going to where Damon was standing, he bent down enough to whisper in his ear. "Look in Grant's lap." Straightening back up, he moved to sit back down and waited for Damon to be seated.

Damon grunted and walked over to the table, bending down to kiss Grant's cheek. He brushed his hand down Grant's arm and reached out over the table to pull his plate closer to him. "Pet, you all right?"

Grant stared at Damon for a moment and then nodded. "I'm fine Sir, thank you for asking," he said as he laid his hand on Damon's arm, sighing at the contact. "Are you going to eat?"

Severus watched the couple, debating on whether or not to leave immediately after they ate or to stay and try to distract Grant. "Harry, please eat. Would you like a glass of milk?"

Harry watched the odd exchange then looked over at Severus. "Um, the tea's fine, Husband." He picked up his fork and stabbed a piece of the roast.

Damon nodded and wrapped his arms around Grant, bending down low and reaching into his lap to grab the bottle. "All right then. I'll eat in a minute. I want you to eat as well, Pet."

Grant watched forlornly as the bottle was taken away, turning back to his plate with a sigh. He just wanted to stop feeling anything for a little while.

Picking up his fork once more, Grant played with his food, eating a bite every now and again when Damon looked over at him. "How are the roads?" he asked as he set his fork down and reached for his drink.

Severus eyed Grant and Damon then picked up his fork. "They seem to be pretty clear on the main streets. We were thinking of going in to Wheeling. Can I pick anything up for you?"

Grant shrugged; he wasn't sure what was still in the house, not having had a chance to inventory the freezers or cupboards since he'd got home. "I suppose if something looks good. No. I'll go tomorrow," he said, pushing his plate away once more and reaching for the chocolates.

Harry paused mid-chew and watched the smaller man and then looked to Damon to see what his reaction would be. Grant was truly out of sorts. If Harry didn't know better, he'd say the small man was under the influence of something.

Damon sighed and just shook his head as he cut into his roast. "Thanks anyway, Sev. How much do I owe you for the potions?" He smirked at his son and dipped the meat in his gravy.

Severus shook his head. "Not a Knut. Your insurance picked it up," he returned, almost daring the other man to fuss with him.

"I know better than that. Our insurance wouldn't pay for a turd in a punchbowl," Grant muttered, looking at Damon. "Give him some money."

Damon snorted. "What do think I'm trying to do, Injun?" He looked over at Harry and winked at him. "So how much were they, Harry?"

Harry blinked and stuffed a roll in his mouth. "Severus has them," he murmured and looked at his plate.

Severus smirked in humour and winked at Harry. "What do I have?" he teased.

Grant watched the trio for a moment, a frown settling on his face. "Then take them back. I don't need charity," he fumed, pushing back from the table and staggering to his feet. "I'll get what I need in Wheeling."

Damon looked up. "Grant. Sit down now. We're just teasing and you know it." He looked over at Severus. "How much Sev?"

Grant turned and looked owlishly down at where Damon was sitting. "Okay," he mumbled, falling back to sit on his chair. "I'm being good now."

Damon nodded and looked at Severus. "Now you, son. I know there's a co-pay and you need the money for your time and ingredients. Don't sass me either; I ain't in the mood for it." He stabbed his green beans and shoved them in his mouth.

"I'll have Harry send you the bill tomorrow. Honestly, I never even checked the costs," Severus said with a sigh. He was certain taking Harry shopping after they finished would be in the best interests of all involved.

Grant nodded as he listened, mollified at Severus' answer. "Thank you baby," he murmured and then reached out to stroke the fingers of his good hand along Damon's arm. "You all need to eat. There's lots of boxes that will need to come down so Harry and I can look through them."

Harry nodded and went back to his supper not so certain he wanted to bother Grant anymore about decorating.

Grant leaned back in his chair and chattered on about the decorations while the others finished their meals, carefully detailing the pros and cons to each decorating theme that he had stored in the attic. Soon his eyelids began to droop and he swayed to one side in his chair.

Damon pushed his plate to the side and stood, scooping up his little husband. He looked down at Grant and pressed a kiss to his forehead as he shook his head. Turning to Severus and Harry, he sighed, "Excuse me a moment. Let me go lay him down and then I'll go get you some boxes to look through."

Harry bit his lip as he watched Damon carrying Grant out, turning to Severus; he reached out to take the man's empty plate. "Am I going to be like that as well when I'm older?" he asked softly, looking down at the table to avoid Severus' eyes.

Severus reached out and took Harry's hand. "No, My Harry. This is why I wanted you to see Doctor Montgomery. After he arrived and Damon told me about him, I decided that I would do everything in my power to help you. Grant's going to get help as well."

Harry nodded giving Severus' hand a squeeze. "I don't ever want to be like that Husband," he whispered. "Never. Just put your wand to my head and end it if I get like that."

Severus pulled Harry into his lap. "I love you too much to end it, Harry. It would kill me to do so but I promise you that you wouldn't suffer."

Looking into his husband's eyes, Harry sighed. "If you'd not end it, what would you do? Is it alright that I ask that? I mean, do I have a say?" he asked softly, hoping Damon would take his time coming back out.

"You do, my Harry. This is your body, and when and if the time ever comes, then we'll discuss any and all options with the expert." Severus met Harry's eyes. "I'd not like to think of a life without you and our children."

Harry leaned against Severus' chest for a moment, soaking up the contact and breathing in his scent. "Thank you Husband," he murmured. "If it's alright, I'll do the washing up for Grant."

Severus nodded and pressed a kiss to Harry's hair, wrapping his arms around him and holding him tightly for a moment. "Thank you Harry."

@@@@@

Across town, Richard set the last of the homemade noodles to the side to dry a bit before turning to Jason. "Doing alright babe?" he asked as he watched the younger man chop up cooked chicken breast.

Jason nodded; carefully sliding the super sharp blade through the meat slowly and making certain his fingers were out of the way. He'd been afraid to handle Davy's knives; in fact, he'd been scared to death to touch just about all the cooking utensils in Davy's kitchen. There was more money invested into this room than there had been into his college education and he was using it to cook with. He shook his head and sighed, placing one hand on his back for a second before moving to the sink. Carefully washing, rinsing and drying the knife then replacing it back in the block before turning to Richard, Jason smiled up at him, glad to have put the expensive tool away. "All right, now what?"

"Here I'll finish up if you want to sit down," Richard said as he reached over to pick up the chopping board, lifting it to the stock pot and slowly pushing the chicken chunks into the simmering stock. "We just let this cook for a little longer while the noodles dry a little. Want a snack while we wait?"

He watched Jason closely, worried that the young man was getting overly tired working in the kitchen, but Jason wouldn't hear of letting him do it on his own. He said he was going to contribute if it killed him. "Can I get you anything?"

Jason shook his head as he picked up his glass of juice, taking a long drink and licking his lips. "I have something in my room; I'll get it in a minute. But I will think I'll sit down for a minute. Will you join me?"

Giving the soup a stir, Richard laid the wooden spoon on the counter and took a seat at the table and waited for Jason. "I don't know about you, but I'm starved. It feels like lunch was days ago," he said with a laugh. "Is there anything on TV you want to watch tonight?"

Richard had called Greg when they'd returned from Clangman's only to find out that the man was taking his husband our for the evening, planning to spend the night at the bed and breakfast as a little getaway. "It's just us tonight anyhow."

"All right and I have no idea. I normally don't watch TV. Be right back though and we can watch whatever you like." Jason padded to the bedroom to retrieve one of the Chocolate Cauldrons Harry had given him. He'd been putting off getting one for sometime now, but he'd heard them calling his name softly the entire time he was cooking with Richard. He opened the package and bit into the chocolate, moaning and closing his eyes as he stood at the foot of his bed and savoured the chocolate.

Richard chuckled to himself as Jason went to the bedroom, figuring the man was going after his stash. "Bring a few in with you Jason, I promise not to take them," he called out as he thought about what he wanted to do that evening.

Well, he knew what he wanted to do. He wanted to dig into Grant Wolffe's file and find the answer to why the man was behaving so abnormally for someone with Fleymann's Syndrome.

Jason jumped, a flush creeping across his cheeks. He hastily shoved the rest of the candy in his mouth and grabbed two more before padding out to the living room again. He sat down on the sofa and sighed as the magic in the chocolate work its way through his system. He looked over the back of the sofa and smiled sheepishly. "You can have one if you want."

Richard grinned and shook his head. "Believe it or not, I'm allergic to the stuff," he chuckled. "You don't have to worry about me getting into your stash."

Jason stared at Richard horrified. "You're allergic to chocolate? What are you un-American or something?"

Richard laughed and shrugged. "No, I'm American; I just get hives if I eat chocolate. My healer growing up said it was the damnedest thing he'd ever seen."

Jason shook his head again and turned around rubbing his stomach. "You have my sympathies. Poor, poor thing."

"It's alright, I'll just get the flavouring from you," Richard teased as he leaned in to give the man a kiss. "That is, if you don't mind."

Jason tipped his face up to Richard, staring at him for a moment. "You aren't going to like break out or nothing, are you? You are not getting into the bed with me if you got shingles."

"Nah, I actually have to ingest it for it to make me sick," Richard said in reassurance as he took the younger man's chin in his hand and kissed him softly but thoroughly. "You taste good."

Jason's eyes fluttered shut and he sighed. "So do you." He opened his eyes and looked at Richard. "You gonna stand there all night or sit down here beside me?"

Sitting down, Richard toed his shoes off and leaned back against the cushions. "So do you want to read, watch TV, a movie, or what?" he asked as he glanced over to Gregory's office door.

"I don't know. How long until the soup's ready?" Jason followed his gaze over to the door then look at Richard. He leaned closer to him and snuggled against his side.

Richard looked over to the stove and contemplated for a moment. "I think we can let it simmer for about a half hour before we add the noodles. Did you have something in mind?" he asked as he ran his hand over Jason's arm.

Jason yawned. "Yeah, a nap." He drew his feet up on to the sofa and looked up at Richard, smiling at him. "Want to lie down with me?"

"Let me grab something real quick, alright?" Richard said, carefully pulling his arm from around Jason and getting to his feet. "Do you want anything while I'm up?"

Jason closed his eyes and shook his head as he leaned back against the sofa. "No but hurry back we were warm."

Richard laughed softly, going into the office where he'd left Grant's file and then grabbing one of the blankets off of the bed Jason was sleeping in at night.

"Here we are," he said as he spread the blanket over Jason and then settled back next to him. "You nap and I'll read. Sound like a plan?"

"Thank you." Jason lay down with his head in Richard's lap. "Sounds fine with me. But don't get upset if I fall asleep in the middle of the story."

"I'll do us both a favour and read to myself," Richard chuckled, dropping one hand down to play in Jason's hair while he opened the folder. "It's just medical junk anyhow."

Jason hummed and wrapped one hand around Richard's leg. "Boring. I'll be asleep even faster then."

Murmuring softly as he stroked Jason's hair, Richard began to read, frowning here and there as he read over the older man's past care. It was absolutely abominable in his opinion, but unfortunately he'd seen much neglect and apathy when reading over files of men affected by Fleymann's.

"Merlin," he murmured, "it's a wonder he ever conceived at all."

Jason sighed, slipping off into sleep as Richard's fingers threaded through his hair. He heard the other man's voice and shifted on the sofa. "I know, Todd was a creep but I thought I loved him."

"Huh?" Richard grunted. "What did you say Jason?" He looked down at the smaller man, setting the file to one side.

Jason groaned softly and shifted again. "I loved him and he left me," he murmured and snuggled against Richard's leg, pulling the blanket up higher to his chin.

"My poor baby," Richard murmured, smoothing his hand over the man's brow and hair. "I'm going to be right here by you. I promise."

Jason hummed softly. " 'S'nice dream. Some day... maybe... not for me."

"No baby, not a dream. I'm real," Richard said softly, bending awkwardly to press a kiss to the man's face. "Not going to let you go."

Jason sighed softly, clenching his fingers in the blanket then relaxing again as he smiled in his sleep. "Love you."

Sucking in his breath softly as he heard the words Jason murmured in his sleep, Richard bit his lip and shook his head. He wasn't sure if it was love on his part, but he found that he truly cared more for the small man that he'd just met than he had anyone else he'd had a relationship with in his adult life.

His ex had been quick to tell him that he could never love another man without loving the complexity of having a built in lab rat and Richard had kind of believed Trent for a long time, but this was different. For the first time, Richard was looking at a man and not seeing a problem to be solved or a subject to study. For the first time, Richard was interested in the whole person and not their physiology.

"I hope you don't run Jason, I'm not sure what I'll do if you do," Richard murmured as he stroked a thumb over Jason's lips before picking the file back up.