The Phoenix and His Basilisk (Completed)

Apricot Sunsets for Happiness

Harry gaped.

Tom smirked at him. His battle suit was dirty and he had scratches all over him. His cheek was bruised, but he was so beautiful, Harry didn't care.

He dashed towards him, his arms spread open to envelop the naga in a hug.

"Tom!" He cried and held the warm body close, feeling his heart burst and tears come to his eyes.

Tom laughed lightly, nuzzling close. "Hello, Harry," he whispered.

Then everyone raced up and dashed towards Tom, screaming and crying.

They collapsed into a pile of people as everyone was demanding for answers, some angry and confused while some were just thankful that he was alive.

After some comforting and more sob fests, Tom was able to explain.

"I have been given a task by Lady Magick. She has told me what will happen if I did not take action and I apologize for all of the stress I have given you." There were cries of denial, some people saying that he "would never cause trouble" but they were quickly shushed.

"I would've died in the ravine that day if it wasn't for Lady Magick." He turned towards his friends, who stared at him as if they couldn't believe he was real. Harry couldn't believe it either.

It was like a dream.

Tom smiled. "And..."

"Thank you, for all you've done."

Everyone screamed and cheered in joy.

For the next few days, a party took place. They had decided against it with the loss of their leader, but since he was actually alive, they agreed to have it again.

Harry had never felt so happy.

Losing Tom was like torture. He has endured it twice, and he knew, he would never be able to endure it again.

Tom was tired, of course he was, with the war and using all of his strength and cunning to escape the ravine.

He never elaborated on what he had to do, but Harry knew that it terrified him, so he never asked.

At nights, they'd sit together, when their PTSD got out of control and their nightmares kept them awake at night and they talked.

They talked about how separating felt like, what happened when they did and they just talked. Chatting about their dreams, their hopes, their feelings.

It was relaxing.

Harry's love for Tom grew.

No longer did his heart thunder in his ribcages, and the butterflies in his stomach fluttered about.

Now it was calm, and Tom felt like home instead of a new crush that threatened to fluster him. Whenever he saw him, he never had that fear of losing him, or Tom would disappear before his eyes.

Tom has always felt like an impossible dream to achieve. Now Harry could see he was human.

And after each night of them in each other's calm presence, just talking or just staying silent so they could enjoy each other's company, they made love.

Slick bodies melding together as love filled their hearts and pumped into each other's bodies whenever they kissed, heated eyes radiating happiness and warmth seeping into their bones when the passion defused and only comfort was left.

It was as if Harry couldn't love Tom more than ever.

After a week of adapting to life after the war, Tom was organizing his shelves in the Throne Room when he doubled over in pain.