| INTIMACY | - HPxTMR

Chapter 39: [Conspiracy]

14th March 2000- Tuesday

Seven and a half months after her birth, Alsephina was taking solids alongside her bottles, and it made Harry sigh in both relief and regret that she was advancing so swiftly. He couldn't but think that he was perhaps subconsciously pushing her to grow up faster, due to the arrival of his twins. He knew it was detrimental to think in such a way, but he couldn't help it.

She had just finished gumming at the small amount of food he had placed in front of her, not truly having eaten anything, but she seemed to understand the concept now.

He picked her up with a groan, smiling at the giggles this elicited. She wasn't truly that heavy, but she was definitely growing, looking nothing like she had even a couple of months before.

He carried her into the living room, noting the strange lack of maids dogging his heels as he walked from the dining room to his more private living room, eyes flitting from side to side.

Entering the room, Harry shut the door with a little more pressure than needed, his eyes widening.

Thomas was sat on the sofa, and Harry startled at his unexpected presence, tucking his daughter closer to his chest.

"Your Majesty," Harry breathily exclaimed, his heart beating furiously within his chest for a number of reasons. "I was not expecting you."

The man, lounged back on the sofa and sipping from a mug of tea, looked so domestic as he flashed Harry and their daughter a fond smile that he almost physically staggered back from the shock of it. Sasha was curled at his feet, resting peacefully, her large body heaving with every heavy breath. She didn't even blink an eye open at their entrance, content that the man was no threat to either of them.

Thomas hummed, meeting his eyes. "I had a spare moment, I thought to come and visit you and our daughter, and to see how your pregnancy is progressing. You are well?"

"I am, thank you for your concern." Harry smiled, approaching the man. He settled next to his husband with a little sigh, already feeling the weight of his stomach at just sixteen weeks. Sixteen weeks with twins, something he hadn't informed the man of yet.

Harry bit his lip, suddenly anxious. Unexpectedly, a warm thumb brushed itself over his lips, smoothing over the area he had bitten. He met the Emperor's searching gaze with a guilt-ridden expression, and the man sighed.

"Harry," Thomas murmured, his voice low and calm. "What is it you wish to tell me?"

"We're having twins." He whispered, licking his lips shakily. He had forgotten that the man's thumb was still pressed on them, and his tongue brushed it. Leaning back with a blush, Harry looked up to gauge the man's reaction.

Thomas was frozen, staring down at him with such an expressive face that it startled Harry. The man was usually so composed and unshakable.

"Twins?" The man whispered, sounding shocked. Harry nodded, biting his lip to keep his smile from growing. His husband's eyes were practically sparkling, having shifted to stare down at his curved stomach.

"Twins. I found out a few weeks ago. I'm sorry I didn't tell you, I really wanted to, but..." Harry shrugged. "I liked keeping it to myself for just a little while. And I wanted to surprise you, I got you a-"

He was engulfed in a warm embrace before he could turn and fetch the gift, gasping lightly as the man's arms wrapped tightly around his waist. Between them, Alsephina giggled happily, reaching up to bat at her father's face.

The embrace was warm and steady. With their daughter in between them, and their twins growing healthily, Harry felt complete despite never having realised he was missing anything in the first place.