When Harry woke, it was to a small hand patting insistently at his cheek.
He groaned, cracking one bleary eye open and a mop of soft blue hair filled his vision. Teddy's little face was split in a beaming grin, cheeks round and rosy, eyes already twinkling with mischief.
The second he noticed he had Harry's attention, Teddy squealed triumphantly and babbled, "Maa! Be—faass!"
Harry chuckled, voice still rough from sleep. "Oh, is it breakfast time already?"
Behind Teddy, Shikamaru rubbed at his eyes with a slow yawn, face still creased from his pillow. His blanket was wrapped around his shoulders like a makeshift cloak, hanging all the way to the floor.
Harry softened at the sight. "Good morning, my loves. Did you have a good sleep?"
Shikamaru gave a lazy nod, humming, "Mmhmm." Without another word, the boy slithered onto Harry's bed, curling against his side.
Meanwhile Teddy, determined not to be left out, plopped forward onto Harry's stomach with a dramatic little flop that knocked the air right out of him.
Harry wheezed, then laughed, propping himself up against the pillows.
He looped an arm around Shikamaru's shoulders, pulling him closer, voice dropping to something soft and conspiratorial. "Did you have fun yesterday with Grandpa?"
At that, Shikamaru perked right up, eyes gleaming despite his sleepiness. He nodded hard, sitting up straighter. "I did! Grandpa promised he's gonna teach me how to become an animal!"
Harry arched a brow, amused. "Did he now?"
Shikamaru, clearly excited, barrelled on. "And we played lots of games! Teddy kept laughing when Grandpa turned into a dog, and then he and Grandpa started howling together and it was really funny. Oh! And Teddy's walking loads faster now! Grandpa says he was running after a—"
The words tumbled out so fast that Harry could hardly keep up, but his heart warmed at every one. He smiled, smoothing the boy's hair affectionately when he finished narrating their day.
"I'm glad you all had so much fun."
Teddy, who had been bouncing happily on his knees against Harry's stomach, babbled again before abruptly changing course. He wriggled under Shikamaru's blanket with single-minded determination, his little nappy covered bottom sticking out until he managed to burrow through.
Shikamaru broke into a peal of laughter at the sight, clutching the blanket to keep Teddy from escaping entirely. "He's the cutest baby brother ever!"
"And I," he said solemnly, giving both of them a squeeze, "have the cutest sons in the whole world." He leaned down to nuzzle Teddy's messy blue hair, earning a squeaky giggle, then turned to Shikamaru. "Now, are my adorable babies hungry for breakfast?"
"FAAASS! FAAASS!" Teddy crowed immediately, voice muffled under the blanket.
Shikamaru snorted. "'m not a baby and you have to stay in bed! Dad woke me up before he went to work and said I had to keep you here because—" He paused dramatically, eyes narrowing. "—he had a surprise."
Harry blinked. "A surprise? For me?"
Shikamaru nodded solemnly.
Before Harry could probe further, the door slid open. He turned and saw Saeko stepping into the room, her posture graceful despite the large tray balancing in her hands.
Harry's brows shot up. "Saeko? Should I be worried? Am I sick?"
Saeko let out a soft laugh at his expression. "Oh, how precious," she murmured, her eyes twinkling as they fell on the sight of both boys smothered under Shikamaru's blanket with only their bright little faces peeking out.
Harry looked between them helplessly. "I just… I can't with these boys. Too cute." He cooed exaggeratedly, leaning in until both Shikamaru and Teddy groaned, though Teddy cooed right back, chewing on the blanket.
"Hopeless," Saeko said fondly. She crossed the room and nudged at Harry's legs until he stretched them out obediently, then placed the large tray squarely across his lap.
His eyes widened at the spread, soup, grilled fish, fresh fruit, rice, even a small dish of pickled vegetables. And nestled among the plates was a single wildflower, its crimson petals stark against the pale tray.
Harry stared, then looked up, suspicious. "What is this?"
Saeko smirked knowingly. "My son chose well, it's a red camellia." She tilted her head meaningfully, "do you know what it means?"
Harry swallowed, already feeling heat creeping up his neck. "I'm afraid you'll have to tell me."
"Love, passion, and deep desire," she said without mercy, her eyes glinting.
Harry flushed hotly. "Shikaku did all this for me?"
Saeko's smile softened into something maternal. "He woke early to make it all himself. He asked me to give it to you when you woke. And—" her smirk returned, "—he said there's something under the plate, but you're not to look until you've finished eating."
Harry groaned loudly, head thunking back against the pillow. "That's so cruel. Teasing me with something and then telling me not to look?"
Saeko chuckled, unrepentant. "That's why there's enough for the boys as well. So, they can help make sure you don't cheat."
Shikamaru immediately giggled, eyes sparkling with treachery.
Harry gasped dramatically. "A traitor? In my own home?"
Shikamaru beamed at him shamelessly, while Teddy wriggled free of the blanket, chanting, "Fass? Fass?" as he climbed over Harry's lap toward the food.
Harry sighed fondly, then looked up at Saeko. "Will you join us?"
She shook her head. "My boy made enough for all of us. I'll let you three eat in peace." Her gaze lingered warmly on the little family pile before she slipped out, the door sliding closed behind her.
Harry turned back to the tray, still a little stunned, then smiled. "Well, my little traitors. Shall we?"
The food was better than he'd expected. Much better, considering all the times Shikaku had sworn up and down that he was a terrible cook. Each bite was warm, seasoned just right, and it tasted even better knowing it had been made by Shikaku's own hands.
He spooned bits of rice and egg into Teddy's eager mouth, laughing as the baby made happy little noises with every bite.
Shikamaru chattered on between mouthfuls, "and Grandpa told me how hard the ani-magus transformation was."
Harry smiled. "He's right about that."
Shikamaru tilted his head. "But he said you did it when you were young too!"
Harry chuckled. "He taught me and my friends how to do it, but I wasn't that young. We only completed the transformation barely even a year ago."
Shikamaru's eyes went wide with awe, making Harry chuckle again.
He leaned back, patting his stomach with a contented sigh. "Alright," he drawled. "Can I look under the plate yet?"
Shikamaru immediately put on his best stern face, arms crossed. "I don't know…"
Harry widened his eyes. "Don't know?"
But the boy cracked almost instantly, bouncing on his knees. "I want to see too!"
Grinning, Harry lifted the plate revealing a folded card. With careful fingers, he unfolded it and scanned the words written in Shikaku's neat, no-nonsense hand.
The corners of his mouth curled up, and his heart gave an entirely unhelpful flutter.
Be ready for dinner tonight, just the two of us.
Pick you up when the stars rise.
Wear something warm.
-Always yours
Harry pressed the card to his chest, smiling so wide his cheeks ached.
Shikamaru tugged at his sleeve, eyes shining with curiosity. "What is it?"
Harry hesitated, then asked gently, "How would you feel if your dad and I went on a date?"
Shikamaru's eyes went huge. Then, to Harry's shock, the boy let out an ear-splitting squeal.
Harry blinked, startled, before laughter bubbled out of him.
Shikamaru practically launched himself forward, throwing his arms around Harry's middle. "Really!? Because Aunt Tsunade told me all about dating! She said if you and Dad do, then you'll both be my parents forever!"
Harry's laugh softened into a chuckle, ruffling the boy's hair. "We don't need to be dating to be your parents forever, you know. We already are, no matter what happens."
But Shikamaru beamed up at him anyway, eyes crinkling. "I like it, though. You're both happy when you think I'm not looking, being all weird and kissy-faced."
Harry flushed and laughed again. "Alright, hellion. In that case…" He poked Shikamaru's side teasingly. "You and Teddy are having dinner without us tonight."
Shikamaru wriggled and giggled but didn't let go.
Harry traced the elegant strokes of Shikaku's handwriting again, the corners of the folded card soft under his thumb.
It was not an invitation so much as a quiet command, and Harry couldn't stop the flutter that rolled through him. He hadn't been asked out in… Merlin, he couldn't even remember. His life had been a whirlwind of responsibilities, children, dragons, politics, and survival.
Yet here he was, in a brand-new world about to go on a date with the man he was falling in love with.
~
The rest of the day dragged.
Harry tried to bury himself in tasks, finishing his letters, sketching ward schemes, scribbling in his two-way journal to Theo and Neville.
Yet his mind kept circling back to the note tucked safely into his pocket.
Merlin help him, he was smitten.
By mid-afternoon, with Tilly watching over his boys, Harry found himself sketching protective wards for the hospital. He scratched swiftly across the page as ideas poured out; malicious intent wards, limited access wards on the baby wing, intruder-prevention charms around the more vulnerable wards, lockdown barriers for ninja who thought escaping their treatment was clever.
Then Tsunade barged into his office, bellowing his name and Harry nearly jumped out of his chair.
"Why am I hearing from Tilly that you've got a date with Shikaku tonight?" She snapped, planting her fists on her hips
Harry groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "Honestly, you'd think I'd announced a wedding the way you're acting."
She marched straight over and tugged at his arm as though to haul him out of his seat. "We need to pick out your outfit—"
"I already did," Harry cut in, grinning when she stopped mid-pull.
"You what?"
Harry leaned back and turned away shyly. "I've had it picked out for a while."
Tsunade pinched his cheek like he was still ten. "Aww, look at you. My little baby cousin, all grown up and planning his wardrobe for a date."
Harry shoved her hand away with a laugh. "Don't make it sound so pathetic."
Her gaze caught on the scattered Daily Prophet clippings, eyes narrowing at one particular photograph that he had left out on top of his desk.
"And who's this?"
Harry plucked the clipping gently from her grasp, gaze softening at the image of Petar cradling his infant son. "My first love," he admitted. "He just had a baby."
Tsunade's eyebrows shot up. "Juicy story?"
Harry laughed, shaking his head. "Not really. Just bad timing. He had a marriage contract, if he broke it, he'd have lost his magic. I couldn't let him do that for me. We almost ran away together once…but I'm glad we didn't. He has his son now. That wouldn't have happened otherwise." His lips curved into a smile, quiet and genuine. "He named him Henry, my friends think he was named after me."
"Do you?" Tsunade said immediately.
Harry's own eyes crinkled in acknowledgment, "It's close enough."
Her grin turned wicked. "I bet he's still in love with you, how could he not be. And that wife? Looks like she'd rather be anywhere else. It's a shame you're worlds away, Shikaku's jealousy would have been delicious if your old flame came knocking."
Harry rolled his eyes so hard it made her laugh. "There's nothing to get back. And you've said it yourself, I'm obviously smitten with Shikaku."
"True," she sniffed. "But a woman can dream."
Harry shoved the clippings aside, trying to hide his own flushed cheeks. "Enough gossip, I need your brain. I've been thinking about the clan contribution I'll present to the council. I was thinking about offering wards on the hospital, the academy, and maybe your evacuation spots."
Tsunade's interest piqued instantly, and soon they were bent over his notebook, her bold handwriting scrawling notes beside his neat diagrams.
"You're not offering your potions?" she asked at last, looking disappointed.
Harry sighed. "Tsunade, I'm only one wizard. If I commit to supplying potions for an entire village, I'll never see my sons again. I'll never see outside the potions lab again. The cost and time alone would be too much to give for free."
She leaned back, considering and sighed in defeat. "I suppose you're right, but you still owe me a test brew at least. I want to see if my chakra would work just as well in making them."
Harry drawled, "I'll add it to the list. And I'm not saying that I'll never brew you a potion, if you have a specific potion in mind then I have no problem helping you."
Together, they refined the ward plans until Harry closed the journal with a decisive snap. "We've got less than week before the council meeting. Enough time to polish it."
Then he grinned suddenly, energy sparking in his chest as he looked at the time.
~
He stood in front of the full-length mirror, frowning faintly at his reflection as he smoothed his hands down the front of his shirt.
The fabric was soft cotton, a forest green, loose-fitting thing that tucked slightly into the tight basilisk-hide trousers he'd chosen. His boots were polished to a low sheen, and his long coat hung from the bedpost nearby, black with subtle green threading that shimmered when the light hit it, patterns of leaves and twisting vines embroidered along the cuffs and hem.
He couldn't help the small laugh that escaped him. "When did I get so obsessed with embroidery?" he muttered.
He supposed he had the elves to thank. They'd spoiled him these past few years, always sneaking new, intricate pieces into his wardrobe, enchanted with tiny, beautiful stitching. Even Shikamaru's and Teddy's wardrobes weren't safe, tiny, fine shirts and trousers appearing as if by magic.
He smiled at the thought, fingers brushing his shirt once more.
He rolled his shoulders, fastening the mithril buttons of his coat and letting the heavy material fall perfectly into place. Shikaku had said dress warm. That alone had him guessing the date would be outside, maybe one of Konoha's rooftops or the Hokage mountain?
He was fastening the final button when his bedroom door creaked open and a familiar mop of dark hair poked in.
"Maashah?"
Harry turned just in time to see Shikamaru's sleepy grin spread wide across his little face before the boy darted across the room.
"You look really beautiful," the boy declared with the blunt sincerity of a child.
Harry laughed softly, hugging him tight. "Thank you, my love."
He smoothed a hand through Shikamaru's messy ponytail and asked, "You'll be good for Grandma and Aunt Tsunade tonight, won't you?"
Shikamaru leaned back, lips curling in mock offense. "I'm always good!"
Harry raised one sceptical brow. "Hmm. So good that you won't rise to Tsunade's bait if she cheats at board games again?"
That got him a pout. "Shogi isn't a game to mess with, Maashah! She knows that!"
Harry laughed outright this time, pressing a kiss to his temple. "Exactly my point, my little strategist."
Together, they made their way down the hall toward the family room. The moment they stepped through the doorway, Harry caught the low sound of feminine giggles and hushed whispers.
Their heads snapped up when Harry cleared his throat, and their matching guilty expressions made his brows rise.
"Honestly, ladies," he drawled, crossing his arms as Shikamaru snickered beside him, "if you're so desperate to talk about dates, maybe you both should go find some of your own."
Tsunade barked out a laugh, completely unrepentant.
Harry shook his head, but before he could retort further, a soft tug on his leg drew his attention downward.
Teddy, surrounded by his abandoned toys, was attempting to climb up his trousers with determined little hands.
"Well, hello there, trouble," Harry murmured fondly, scooping him up. Teddy immediately squealed and wrapped his arms around Harry's neck, burbling nonsense that made his heart melt in the best way.
The scent of his baby, warm milk and something soft and sweet, made Harry's instincts stir for a moment. He swayed side to side, letting Teddy nuzzle against his neck as his wolf rumbled deep in his chest, an unconscious, low growl of contentment.
A smaller sound answered back, a soft cooing growl and Harry's heart melted completely.
Gods he was getting broody lately.
He wasn't sure how long he stood there, lost in the weight of his son in his paws—arms. But when a hand brushed his arm and went to take his pup away, he pulled Teddy closer with threatening growl before catching himself.
Tsunade's amused face met his startled one.
He exhaled sharply, sheepish. "Sorry, I got lost in my instincts for a moment," he said quickly, rubbing at his neck.
She chuckled lowly. "You'd fit right in with the Inuzuka," she muttered, clearly amused. Then she leaned closer, voice dropping teasingly. "Your date is at the door."
The word sent a sudden thrill through his stomach. Harry pressed another kiss to Teddy's temple, whispering, "Sorry, pup," before gently setting him back in the playpen, having to ignore the indignant sound the baby made as he put him down.
"Where's Shikamaru—"
"He's intimidating my son," Saeko snorted, her eyes gleaming.
Harry blinked, and then laughed softly, muttering to himself. "He does remember that's his father?"
He followed the sound of voices toward the entryway, and as he neared, the words became clearer.
"…and if you make Maashah sad, I'll— I'll hide your secret sake bottles so you can't find them ever again!"
Harry stifled a laugh behind his hand.
Shikaku's long-suffering voice rumbled back, "I'm your father, you know. Shouldn't you be threatening him, not me?"
There was a pause, then Shikamaru's deadpan reply, "Why would I threaten him? You're the one taking him out. And if you make him cry, I'll tell Grandma to never make you miso soup again! And I'll— I'll make you play Shogi with Ino's dad! He's terrible."
That did it. Harry laughed loudly at that, gaining both Nara's attention.
And oh, did he nearly freeze mid-step when he took in Shikaku.
Gone was his flak jacket and mesh shirt. In its place, the man wore dark, well-fitted pants tucked into shinobi boots—new ones, Harry realised from the sheen of the leather. A long-sleeved V-neck shirt dipped just low enough to reveal a teasing glimpse of his collarbone and the beginning of his chest. Over it hung a heavy haori-style coat, deep green and around his waist, a thick sash was tied, embroidered subtly with deer motifs.
Harry had always thought Shikaku was handsome in that lazy, unbothered way, but now?
He had to physically tear his gaze away from the small stretch of bare chest.
When he dared look up again, Shikaku's eyes were doing the same slow assessment, moving from Harry's boots to the edges of his coat and finally up to his face. The man's gaze lingered, heavy and appreciative, until Harry felt heat crawl up the back of his neck.
Then Shikaku moved. He reached behind him, producing another bouquet of flowers, soft colours of violet and pale gold bound together with a simple wire.
He held them out without a word, confidence in every motion.
He accepted the flowers gently and leaned up to press a lingering kiss to Shikaku's cheek. "They're beautiful," he murmured. "If you keep this up, I'll have to start buying more vases."
Shikaku's lips quirked. "Nothing in the village is as beautiful as you."
Harry ducked his head quickly, smiling into the petals to hide his blush.
Behind them, Shikamaru's loud, put-upon sigh broke the tension. "Are you done being weird now? You're going to be late!"
He pried the bouquet from Harry's hands before either adult could protest and started shoving at them both. "Go! Have fun! Don't be boring!"
Harry laughed helplessly as he stumbled forward, Shikaku's hand steadying him. "Well," he said with a grin, glancing back at his son, "I suppose we have his approval."
Shikaku chuckled, low and amused. "I think it's me who needed his approval, not you."
Harry's smile softened.
They stepped out into the cool evening air, the door closing behind them with a soft click, and began making their way outside the compound.
Harry reached out nervously and Shikaku caught his hand easily, threading their fingers together.
"Breakfast was lovely. And completely unexpected."
Shikaku's thumb brushed over the back of his hand. "Was it welcome?"
Harry leaned a little closer, eyes lifting to his. "Very welcome. In fact, I would welcome it every morning."
A slow, satisfied smile curved Shikaku's lips as they walked.
When Harry finally asked, "Are you going to tell me where we're going?"
Shikaku only gave him that infuriatingly lazy smirk and said, "Not yet."
A few minutes later, Harry blinked when the man suddenly crouched down in front of him.
"Hop on," Shikaku said simply.
Harry blinked again. "…What?"
"Hop on," Shikaku repeated, glancing over his shoulder. "Unless you'd rather walk there."
Harry's mouth opened, then closed.
"You're not serious."
Shikaku's smirk widened. "Deadly, it's the fastest route. Come on, unless you want to be stopped by civilians every second."
Harry's laugh bubbled up before he could stop it. "You're insane," he said, shaking his head but stepped forward anyway, resting tentative hands on Shikaku's shoulders before swinging a leg over his back.
The man stood smoothly, solid and warm beneath him as his hands gripped his thighs tightly.
"Comfortable?" Shikaku asked, voice teasing.
"Very," Harry muttered. "If you drop me—"
"Wouldn't dream of it."
Then, without warning, Shikaku pushed off the ground, and they were airborne.
Harry let out a startled yelp, arms tightening around the man's neck. The sudden leap from ground to rooftop sent his stomach swooping in a familiar sensation as Shikaku landed soundlessly on the next building, then the next.
"Shikaku!"
"Relax," the man chuckled, voice rumbling under Harry's palms. "I've got you."
Harry could feel the vibration of his laughter through his chest. His pulse, though racing still, began to steady as the rhythm of the jumps evened out.
Still, when Shikaku made another long jump, Harry muttered near his ear, "You're going to kill me before the date even starts."
"Coming from the man who willingly jumps from dragons while airborne," came the lazy reply, tinged with amusement.
Harry rolled his eyes smiling, but his hold loosened, trusting him.
With each jump, the rooftops flashed beneath them in a blur of shops and crowds of people as they sped by them.
"You do this often?" Harry called near Shikaku's ear, his words half-lost in the wind.
"Every day," Shikaku replied with a grin in his voice. "Comes with the job."
"Show off," Harry teased, tightening his arms around the man's shoulders as they soared over another wide street.
He reminded himself to ask Shikaku to teach him how to do this. He could manage about forty minutes of using chakra alongside his magic before the strain hit, that deep, aching fatigue that settled in his bones and made his muscles feel like lead.
Still, this—this was exhilarating, not as much as flying on the back of a dragon, but the feeling of Shikaku wrapped so close to his own body was something else entirely.
Every few moments, Shikaku would tilt his head and slow slightly to point out something, a restaurant with the best yakitori, the forge where he bought kunai, the corner where he and Inoichi used to loiter as brats.
Harry couldn't help smiling against the back of his neck, listening, occasionally asking a question or pointing out something that caught his eye. It was easy, this back-and-forth getting to know the man who had caught his heart.
They moved like that for nearly fifteen minutes before Shikaku landed lightly atop the Hokage Mountain. From there, Harry could see the whole of Konoha spread below, bathed in lantern light.
He didn't have time to marvel at the sight, Shikaku was already moving again. Chakra flaring in a strange pattern that he recognised as him signalling to another ninja, most likely the guards along the wall as they leapt beyond it and out of the village.
They crossed a narrow river in a single bound, and then Shikaku slowed, his hands gripping Harry's thighs tighter for a moment before he crouched and let him down.
Harry's legs wobbled the moment his boots hit the ground.
He grabbed Shikaku's arm for balance, laughing. "I think I enjoyed that a lot more than being princess-carried out of the capital."
Shikaku turned his head, amusement glinting in his eyes. "As long as I can hold you close, I don't care which position its in."
The words, simple as they were, made him feel giddy and hot at the same time. Harry looked up and Shikaku's gaze dropped briefly to his mouth before he reached up, fingers brushing against a stray loose strand of Harry's hair. He tugged it gently, lips curving in that half-smirk. Then, without a word, he took Harry's hand and turned toward the shadowed edge of the forest.
The hum of chakra was palpable, a low thrum beneath the soles of his boots, like an ancient heartbeat that connected the trees and the land.
Harry let out a quiet, involuntary sound of wonder at the feeling.
"Oh."
Shikaku paused mid-step, glancing over his shoulder. "You feel it?"
Harry nodded slowly, reaching out with his magic, feeling unique depth to the place. "It feels older than most forests I've felt before, a bit denser maybe, but it's very curious."
A low hum of acknowledgment from the trees answered him, a rustle of leaves that felt like a greeting.
Shikaku made a small sound of surprise. "You're not wrong," he said after a moment. "This forest was here long before Konoha was built, long before even the clan wars. The Nara have been its caretakers for generations, the deer have lived here for even longer."
Harry smiled faintly, feeling the resonance between his own magic and the forest's chakra. He let it brush against him again, the sensation like cool fingers tapping at his mind.
"It's evolved to be semi-sentient at least," he murmured.
Shikaku blinked, clearly startled. "It has?"
"Mm." Harry nodded. "Forests like this always speak if you know how to listen. I knew one back home quite well, it housed much deadlier creatures than deer, though." His lips twitched. "Are you going to invite me in, Lord Nara?"
The man's smirk returned, amused. "Something like that."
He released Harry's hand, then straightened slightly, his voice taking on an oddly formal cadence. "As head of the Nara Clan, I'm granting you full access to these woods, and I hope you and our sons will find safety within should you ever need it."
He hesitated, then added, quieter, "But for tonight… I hope you'll spend the evening with me here. And, if you'd be willing to meet the herd."
There was a flicker of uncertainty under his tone, as if he expected Harry to refuse.
Harry didn't hesitate though, how could he when the man said our sons, as if including Teddy as his own. He reached out, slipping his fingers back into Shikaku's hand and squeezing gently. "I'd be honoured."
Shikaku's eyes softened, the small lines at their corners deepening with his smile. "Then come on," he said, voice a touch rougher than before. "Watch your step, the roots like to trip people."
Harry laughed, following as Shikaku led him deeper into the forest. "I'm quite comfortable in forests," he teased. "I could have my eyes closed and still find my way."
"That so?"
"Mhm."
"Maybe later I'll test that with a blindfold."
Harry laughed at the teasing. "Promises, promises."
As they walked, Shikaku began talking again, telling him small stories about the forest, how each generation of Nara bonded with a specific herd of deer, how every child was introduced to them before learning to mould chakra properly, but the Nara head always bonds with the leader of the herd.
Harry thought it was fascinating, and it sounded very much like some sort of familiar bond between clan and herd.
The forest thickened around them, until Harry began to notice faint flickers of light between the trees.
Lanterns.
One. Then three. Then a dozen, hanging from branches and posts, each glowing with warm gold light. They lined a path that wound deeper, and the effect was breathtaking.
"Did you…?" Harry started, glancing toward him.
Shikaku rubbed the back of his neck, looking faintly sheepish. "I might have left work early..."
"Might have?"
"I did." He said then, proudly.
Harry's smile softened, fond at the sudden shyness of the man. "It's beautiful."
By the time they reached the clearing, the lanterns had multiplied, he could see candles surrounding a thick blanket laid neatly on the ground, pillows on the edges, a small basket at its centre.
Harry stopped short at the sight. "Shikaku, you did all this for me? It's… it's beautiful."
Shikaku looked absurdly proud, chest puffing slightly as he led him forward. "With a little outside advice, but I wanted tonight to be perfect for you," he said simply.
Harry turned to look at him, the sincerity in his tone tugging at something deep inside.
"It is perfect," he said quietly.
The world narrowed to Shikaku's face, he could feel the man's breath brush his skin as they leaned closer, then a rustling sound broke the moment.
Both their heads snapped toward the trees, Shikaku letting out a frustrated sigh at yet another interrupted opportunity.
The underbrush parted, and a great buck stepped into the clearing.
Its antlers reflecting slightly in the lantern light, eyes dark and intelligent. Behind it, the forest stirred, and more deer emerged, cautious but unafraid. A dozen. Two dozen. Small fawns peeked out from behind their mothers' legs, curious.
Harry's lips parted in a quiet gasp. "Oh! Is this your herd?"
Shikaku's own surprise mirrored his. "I expected to have to go find them, it's rare for them to approach a stranger on their own," he murmured.
Harry's gaze was full of quiet awe as he watched the herd form a loose circle around them, their breaths misting faintly in the cool air.
Shikaku stepped closer, his hand finding Harry's lower back as he gestured toward the largest buck. "Hari," he said softly, "I'd like to introduce you to the leader of the herd, Rikumaru."
The buck stepped forward with stately grace.
Harry turned fully to face him, eyes bright as he remembered some of his old lessons from Hagrid. Then he bowed slightly at the waist, his voice low and sincere as he kept eye contact with the large creature. "It's very nice to meet you, Rikumaru. Thank you for allowing me into your sacred woods."
The great buck studied him intently then bent one leg, lowering his antlered head in return, and Shikaku actually gaped beside him.
"He's never done that to anyone other than me," the man murmured, astonished.
Harry only smiled, a small, secret curve of lips as the forest seemed to hum in approval around them.
For a long heartbeat, neither of them spoke.
Finally, Harry glanced back toward the buck and whispered, "You have a beautiful home."
Shikaku's answer was quiet in his ear. "Even more so with you in it."
The deer shifted slowly, the herd retreating into the trees as silently as they'd appeared, leaving the two of them alone once more.
Shikaku exhaled, almost like he'd been holding his breath the whole time, then gestured toward the blanket with a crooked grin. "Dinner before we get interrupted again?"
Harry laughed softly, letting him lead him toward the blanket. "Did you cook all this as well?"
"Most of it," Shikaku said with mock solemnity, eyes gleaming as he helped him sit.
Harry sat cross-legged, brushing his coat out behind him. Across from him, Shikaku poured tea from a small thermos, his movements unhurried.
Harry accepted the cup with both hands, smiling faintly as their fingers brushed. "You know," he said lightly, "if this was your plan all along, to distract me with candlelight, wild deer, and flattery, it's working."
Shikaku leaned back on one hand, lips quirking. "Good to know. I was very confident in my strategy for wooing you."
"And you always win right?"
Shikaku's smirk was all confidence as he replied. "Right."
~
They'd eaten most of the food in the basket by now, and Harry couldn't remember the last time he'd laughed this much. Every time he thought the conversation might lull, Shikaku said something that drew him right back in — dry, witty, perfectly timed.
The man seemed to always know what to say, even as Harry struggled to tell him about himself without mentioning magic.
Harry had shown him little pieces of his magic — not calling it magic, of course. Just small, harmless demonstrations, a glowing flame hovering over his palm; letting flowers bloom when none had before. Small things that he could pass off as elemental jutsu.
He wanted to show the man his real magic, wanted to show the man his patronus and let Prongs show off and join Shikaku's herd. He didn't though, how could he explain that kind of magic? Runes he could pass off as fuinjutsu, his elemental magic for sealess jutsu, but Prongs? He was pure magic and soul.
Despite his desires, he kept it less magical and Shikaku had still watched every motion with a look of curiosity and amusement, the corner of his mouth twitching upward every so often, like he knew something Harry didn't.
It made Harry's stomach twist in nerves, but the absolute acceptance he felt from the man won out.
"Show-off," Shikaku drawled when Harry levitated a piece of fruit lazily between them, snatching it away when the man reached for it.
Harry arched a brow, smirking. "I'm sorry, did you want that?"
"Mm. I can manage," Shikaku replied, leaning back on his hands and glancing sidelong at him. "You seem to have a habit of making people chase you for things you want to give away anyway."
Harry nearly choked on his tongue at that, laughing. "Yet, you seem to enjoy the chase."
"I have a good feeling that I'll win this one tonight," Shikaku said, voice a low rumble.
Harry mentally fanned himself and leaned back onto the blanket, finishing the last of his food.
It was all so easy. So natural.
They talked about everything, but mainly about the boys, about how Shikamaru had grown so much in the last few months, trying to fill the man in on everything he missed. Harry couldn't stop himself once he started, recounting every small story with bright eyes and hands that moved as he spoke.
"He's brilliant," Harry said, warmth threading through every syllable. "Not just clever, but he's kind. When he sees someone sad, he'll go out of his way to make them happy even if all he wants to do is go back to sleep. And gods, he's sharp, sometimes I forget he's only six. Though I could do without the gloating every time he beats me at a board game."
Shikaku chuckled, "he gets that from me."
Harry tilted his head. "The gloating?"
"The brains," Shikaku said, smirking.
Harry laughed, rolling onto his side to look at him properly.
"He missed you so much," Harry said softly after a while. "He didn't say it out loud, but I could see it. Every night, he'd fall asleep clutching your hair tie."
The teasing fell away from his face, replaced by something softer, regret, love, pride all tangled into one expression.
"I missed him, too," he said quietly. "Every day. I kept thinking of what I should've done differently. Of what I could've done. I'd go over every possibility, every route I didn't take, every clue I might've missed. And then, when I finally found him…"
He trailed off, his gaze moving from the stars above to Harry's face.
"…I found you," he finished.
The words lingered between them, heavy and gentle all at once.
Shikaku shifted, propping himself up on one arm, leaning closer so that Harry could feel his breath mist against his cheek. "Finding my son again was the best thing that's ever happened to me," he murmured, voice rough with honesty. "But meeting you, Hari… that was the best outcome I never planned for. I'd suffer through those months again if it meant I could have this — have you — in my life."
Harry's heart hammered painfully in his chest. His throat worked as he tried to breathe, tried to find something to say, but all that came out was a soft, involuntary whine. The sound escaped him before he could stop it, a quiet, needy noise that made Shikaku's eyes darken immediately.
"Shikaku…" Harry whispered, the name caught halfway between plea and promise.
The older man hummed lowly, closing the space between them, slow, deliberate. His eyes flicked from Harry's lips to his eyes, down again. His hand lifted, fingers brushing against Harry's jaw, thumb tracing the edge of his bottom lip as if testing how it might feel to replace it with his own mouth.
Harry could barely think. His body was thrumming with want and fear. He's going to kiss me.
He wanted it. Gods, he wanted it more than air. But just before Shikaku could close that last fraction of space, Harry's trembling hand came up to cup the man's scarred cheek.
He didn't pull him closer though.
He stopped him.
The hurt that flickered across Shikaku's face was fleeting, quickly masked by confusion. "Hari?" he murmured.
Harry's throat felt tight. "I'm sorry. I just—" He took a shaky breath. "I need to tell you something first. I can't let this go further without you knowing everything."
Shikaku sat back slightly, still close enough that Harry could feel the heat of him. His brows furrowed, but there was no anger there, only concern.
"Is this about your past?" he asked.
Harry nodded, guilt twisting in his stomach. "You've never pushed, even when I know you wanted to. You've never asked what my bloodline is, or why I can do the things I can do, and I love you for that — for trusting me enough not to pry."
The confession slipped out before he could stop it, and Shikaku's eyes widened slightly.
"But I can't hide it from you if we… if this is going somewhere," Harry continued softly. "You deserve to know."
For a moment, Shikaku simply looked at him.
"I think," Shikaku said slowly, "that I already know it's something extraordinary."
Harry laughed weakly. "Extraordinary is one word for it."
Shikaku tilted his head. "Then tell me," he said quietly. "Whatever it is, I trust you."
The words hit harder than they should have.
Harry stared at him, feeling something in his chest loosen, something he hadn't realised was wound so tight. Then he stood, extending a hand. "Will you come with me. I'll show you instead."
Shikaku rose easily, still holding his gaze as he placed his calloused hand in Harry's. "Lead the way," he said with a teasing glint.
Harry smiled, heart fluttering. "Hold your breath."
Before Shikaku could respond, the world folded in on itself. The forest vanished in a whirl of colour and pressure and then, suddenly, they were standing at the top of the stairs on the dragon's mountain, the vast expanse of the Keep spreading out below them.
Shikaku staggered slightly, gagging. "Kami—"
Harry laughed a little, steadying him with a hand on his arm. "It's better if you don't fight it."
Shikaku coughed once, straightened, and looked up and froze at the sight before him.
The land was bathed in moonlight. Massive trees with silver leaves in the distance, the lakes glowed faintly blue with bioluminescent plants, the air was heavy with energy so rich it almost hummed. The castle, dark stone and gold banners, stood proudly at the heart of it all, lights illuminating the windows.
"This…" Shikaku breathed.
Harry smiled softly. "Welcome to the Keep," he said, voice reverent. "This is my home, at least it was before Konoha. You showed me the Nara forest, a place that is sacred to your clan. I wanted to return the gesture."
Shikaku's eyes snapped to him. "This place feels so alive, yet I feel no chakra."
"It is," Harry said. "It's pure magic. This whole land was created and sustained by it."
The word magic hung in the air, and Shikaku's sharp mind latched on it instantly.
"Magic," he repeated slowly, as if confirming it.
Harry nodded, nervous but determined. "I've only ever told you that I came from far away from beyond the sea, but the truth is… I didn't come from this world at all. The place I was born, it's full of magic, real magic. My bloodline isn't a kekkei genkai of just elemental manipulation, it's something much less restricted. There are things that I could do that could start and end wars in a day, transport you from Konoha to the other side of the nations in an instant. It can do beautiful, good things, but it can be terrible too."
Shikaku didn't speak, but his eyes softened slightly, encouraging him to go on.
"Hashirama," Harry continued quietly, "he inherited a fragment of it. My great uncle's magic. That's why his chakra could bend nature like he did, because his blood carried the same gift for it that mine does. And Shikamaru… he's inherited my magic too through the blood adoption. I don't know yet how it'll show, but it's there and growing stronger each day."
For a long moment, the only sound was the wind.
Then Harry took another shaky breath. "I came here using a ritual and I… I can't ever go back. Everything I knew — everyone — it's closed to me now. This world, Shikaku, it's all I have now. And I wouldn't change it, because it gave me you, and the boys, Saeko and Tsunade. It gave me a family again, but I needed you to know the truth. Because if we move forward with this relationship, it has to be with all of me. I never want to hide a part of myself again, especially not with you."
His words stumbled near the end, voice cracking slightly. He was rambling now, panicked, his heart hammering. "I was afraid to tell you. I understand if your first instinct is to go tell your Hokage of the threat I could be or even interrogate me about all the terrible things I could do. It's why I didn't tell you for so long. I thought you might not want to be with m—"
He didn't get to finish.
Strong hands framed his face, thumbs brushing his cheeks until he had no choice but to look up. Shikaku's eyes had softened into something Harry could barely stand to see, pure understanding.
"Never be afraid to tell me anything," Shikaku said quietly, the rough warmth of his voice cutting through Harry's spiralling thoughts. "I understand why you didn't, the notion of magic is unbelievable. But for Kami's sake, you arrived in this world in a comet. Of course it's magic. What else could it be?"
A startled laugh escaped Harry before he could stop it. Shikaku huffed a faint smile, the corners of his mouth quirking.
"It's wonderful," the older man went on, voice steady and sure. "And our son, he has this, too? This extra shield around him? Another way to protect himself from the horrors of the world? How could I ever be against that?"
A small, broken sound left Harry's throat, half a whine, half relief. The acceptance in the man's tone washed over him, leaving him trembling slightly.
Shikaku's fingers tightened just slightly along his jaw. "I'm all in, Hari. Even if you'd used this power to burn half the world down, I'd look past it because it's you. And I've been all in since the day I met you." He paused, gaze steady, voice dropping to a murmur. "Be all in with me?"
Harry's breath hitched, a shaky laugh bubbling up through the tears that threatened again. "I'm with you," he whispered, voice low, certain. "One hundred percent."
For a heartbeat, Shikaku just stared, eyes widening, pupils darkening.
"Say it again," he whispered, leaning in until his lips nearly brushed Harry's.
But Harry didn't speak. The tension was too much, the pull too strong. Instead, he surged forward and finally—finally—caught Shikaku's mouth with his own.
Shikaku let out a low sound, deep in his chest, as their lips finally pressed together. One hand slid to the back of Harry's head, fingers threading through dark hair, guiding the angle of the kiss, the other found his waist, pulling him closer until there was no space left between them.
It wasn't delicate or gentle, weeks of unspoken tension poured into that single kiss.
Harry gasped softly into the mouth that began devouring his own, fingers automatically clutching at Shikaku's haori. The man's stubble scraped against his skin, burning in the most delicious way as the kiss deepened. Shikaku's lips moved confidently, coaxing, tasting, his tongue invading Harry's mouth and he answered with a small gasp that spurred the man on to delve deeper, coaxing his own tongue to join.
When Harry finally broke away for air, it was with a sharp inhale that trembled through his whole frame. He looked up, lips swollen, eyes half-lidded, and Shikaku didn't even give him the chance to speak before he was kissing him again.
He pressed Harry against the mountainside, the rough rock at his back a stark contrast to the softness of Shikaku's lips. Then he tore his mouth away from Harry's, trailing hot, open-mouthed kisses down his jaw to his neck, sucking at the skin and marking it with his teeth. Harry's head fell back with a needy groan, exposing his throat, a silent invitation for Shikaku to take more.
All Harry could do was cling to the man as he took what he wanted with the urgency of a man who could no longer wait.
Harry was about to jump and wrap his legs around the older man's waist when Shikaku drew back, resting his forehead resting against Harry's as both of them tried to catch their breath.
Shikaku's thumb traced slow circles along his cheek, then slid down to the fluttering beat of his pulse.
"So," he murmured, still close enough that their breaths mingled, "a wizard from another world. I always knew you were otherworldly, sure you aren't a god?"
Harry's answering laugh was soft and shaky, the corners of his mouth curving against Shikaku's. "You really weren't surprised, were you?"
"Not in the slightest," Shikaku replied, and sealed the words with another quiet kiss, this one tender, but no less burning.
If Harry had been looking more closely earlier, he might have noticed the fleeting shadow of guilt that had crossed the man's face while he confessed. Might have caught the brief recognition when Shikaku first looked out across the magical lands, a look of recognition that he couldn't have possible of had.
But all Harry saw, all he felt was the feeling of warmth, acceptance and love.
But Shikaku's fingers tightened almost imperceptibly around his waist, guilt eating at him even as he finally kissed the man he loved, a silent echo of a truth too late to tell.