I'm SO sorry for the long wait! /Julle

When Harry awoke after his and Tom's... what could you call something that was so amazing, so incredibly wonderful? Their amazing, incredible and wonderful lovemaking? Harry liked the sound of that. Anyway, after he had woken up he found himself alone in the bed. He reached for his wand on the bedside table and cast Tempus and found, to his shock, it was past noon. How long had he slept for?

He hurried to get out of bed and threw some clothes on. This was so embarrassing. He hadn't had anything planned today, had he? Maybe there was some meeting he'd been supposed to attend to, and he'd been sleeping through it all? But surely Tom would have woken him up? Speaking of which, where was Tom? You would think, he'd be the one to sleep late, considering he'd done all the job during their amazing, incredible and wonderful lovemaking. Harry had just laid there. It made him feel lazy. Was that even possible? To feel lazy while making love?

He began his search for his lover in the study, but found it empty. Though he could tell someone had been there; the desk had been cleared from all the papers and reports that had been there last night, before Harry had dragged Tom (willingly) into the bath. Maybe one of the elves had done it.

He left the study and headed for the kitchen, but found that also empty, except for the elves, who were busy cleaning up after lunch. They all bowed as they noticed Harry, and Harry absentmindedly waved back, his thoughts elsewhere. Where was Tom?

He happened to look out the window and saw it was raining. Suddenly he knew exactly where Tom was. Summoning his cloak and some shoes, he went outside and soon found his lover sitting under a tree. His eyes were closed, and he had a small, peaceful smile on his face. His black hair was plastered against his forehead. It looked as if he'd been out here for some time. If he got a cold, he'd only have himself to blame.

"You're an impossible man to find, you know that, right?" Said Harry as he got closer, not bothering to pull his hood up.

Tom's mouth curled up into a small smile and he opened his eyes. "Or maybe you just don't know where to look."

"Hmpf", Harry huffed and sat down next to his lover, putting his head on his shoulder. He smiled to himself as he felt Tom's arm curl around him, pulling him closer.

"You know, you could've just used the mind-link", said Tom and nudged him with his chin.

Harry felt his face flush with embarrassment. He had completely forgotten about the mind-link.

"You forgot about it, didn't you?"

"No, I just... didn't want to use it." Harry doubted his lover would fall for that excuse, but it was worth a shot.

"That's your worst excuse yet, love", said Tom and chuckled.

"Give me a break, I think my brain is still asleep. How come you woke up so early?"

"Early? Harry, in case you haven't noticed, it's after lunch. I woke up around eleven for a meeting."

He knew it. He just knew it! There had been a meeting! Oops. "Why didn't you wake me?"

"You looked so peaceful, and exhausted, so I figured I'd let you sleep some more. Besides, it wasn't anything important, really. Just some reports from some of my followers."

"What do you mean, 'exhausted'?" Harry asked and narrowed his eyes.

"Well, not to brag, but I am pretty good in bed, and-"

"Let's talk about something else. Something that doesn't make your ego expand until it can no longer fit inside the manor", Harry added with a grin and laughed when Tom poked him in the side.

"I didn't hear you complain this morning."

"I wasn't, it was amazing. A perfect first time", Harry said with a sigh, meaning every word. He didn't want to tell Tom how he saw their lovemaking, he'd only make fun of him.

"I'm glad you liked it, because I hoped we'd be doing a lot more of that in the future. Hopefully very soon", said Tom with a smirk.

"You're going to be insatiable, aren't you?" Harry asked, but with a smile.

"As if you had to ask."

They sat in silence for a while, just watching and listening to the rain. To Harry, the moment was so peaceful, so perfect. He'd never understood why Tom loved the rain so much, but now he knew. It was so relaxing. He blushed as his stomach rumbled, ruining the moment.

"Haven't you had lunch yet?" Tom asked, looking down on him, a small frown on his forehead.

"No, it didn't occur to me to eat, I was too busy looking for you", said Harry, not wanting to get up just yet.

"If you had just used the mind-link you wouldn't-"

"I know, I know, no need to remind me."

"Clearly I do have to, if you forget about it."

Harry weakly slapped the arm that was around his shoulders. He didn't want to go back inside. Would it be weird if he asked one of the elves to bring some food outside?

"Yes", said Tom as answer to his question.

"What the- stop doing that! It's so creppy", Harry said nudged Tom's shoulder.

"Until you've learned to shield your mind from me, I can't stop. Not that I would, either."

"Hey!"

"Your thoughts are much too amusing to not listen to, Harry."

"I don't know if I should be insulted or flattered."

"Flattered, of course. Your thoughts always manage to cheer me up", Tom said with a cheeky, but gentle smile.

"...I still don't know if I'm flattered or insulted. Like I said, my brain is still asleep."

"You mean after our amazing, incredible and wonderful lovemaking?"

"I'm going to go inside now. Bye." I hope you catch a cold.

"Hey!"