You Are Loved

A/N: Congratulations to the Moonshadow Tribe on their 5th anniversary!! This is my humble offering in response to the anniversary challenge. Title was inspired by You Are Loved (Don’t Give Up) by Josh Groban. Thanks to Gayle for her outstanding betaing services, and to Arwensong for suggesting Brian’s nickname for Harry in this story. Explanation of nickname can be found at the end of the story. Also credit to Sabina for the fabulous picture for this story. Thank you all ladies for your contribution to this story.

A cool autumn afternoon found Wyatt Halliwell in the office of the martial arts school that he owned along with his brother, Chris, and his husband Draco, as well as his own husband, Harry. He was looking at the photo taken of the four of them on their honeymoon trip to Ireland. He couldn’t believe that it has been 5 years since they had that joint wedding. Five wonderful years of wedded bliss along with adventure. With a sigh, he had put the photo back on his desk just as Chris walked into the office.

“All ready for tonight, Wy?”

“Hmmmm?”

“Alright, Wy. What’s on your mind?”

“Oh hey there, Chris. Nothing much really. Was just reflecting back on how blessed the both of us have been these last 5 years. Also was just thinking back on when we all found out that Harry had a long lost cousin that Dumbles tried to keep hidden from him.”

“Oh that was definitely an adventure for all of us. Wasn’t even a year into the marriage when that happened. Still, I’m glad that we were able to help Harry reunite with Brian. Not to mention that we’ve all gained a very good friend in Justin. Speaking of those two…I just heard from Daisy. He and Justin arrived safely and are checked in at the Hilton. So are Severus and Luc.”

“Great. Did she know if Brian had what we asked him to pick up for us?”

“Yeah, it’s locked in the hotel safe until the four of them meet us at the manor later tonight.”

“Alrighty. Sounds like that end of the surprise is taken care of. Let’s lock up and go check in with Mom and the Aunties.”

Fifteen minutes later, the school was closed up for the day, and Wyatt and Chris left for Halliwell Manor.
 

*****

Meanwhile at the Zabini house, Harry and Draco were having a similar conversation with Blaise and Ginny.

“I can’t believe you two have been married for 5 years already. Just seemed like it was yesterday that you and Draco had the double wedding,” said Ginny as Blaise nodded in agreement.

“Think you two are having a hard time believing it…imagine how it’s for Drake and me. Whoever would‘ve thought that we would find our soul mates here in San Francisco.”

“Yeah, I have to agree with Harry. There are still days when I want to pinch myself to see if all this is a dream.”

“Not to mention the adventure we all had the first year. You finding your long lost cousin, Brian, and the extent of the Old Bastard’s deceit and manipulation,” said Blaise.

“If it wasn’t for you guys along with Wyatt, Chris, Dad, Luc and the Halliwells…I don’t know how I would’ve survived that,” replied Harry getting a little choked up.

Ginny came over and embraced him in a hug.

“It’s all over, Harry. That old goat can’t hurt you anymore and you’ve finally got the family you wanted.”

“Okay, enough of the deep stuff. Blaise, were you able to get the gift Harry and I asked for?”

“Yeah, bro. It’s in the safe in the study and protected with the charms Ginny and I cast. We just have to get it before we go to the Manor.”

“Wyatt and Chris are going to be so surprised by what you got them,” Ginny replied.

“Speaking of which…do either of you have any idea what surprises our husbands have in store for us?” Harry asked.

“No. Even if we did, Ginny and I wouldn’t tell you. All we were told was that we all had to be at the Manor at 7pm tonight,” Blaise replied with a twinkle in his eye.

 

*****

At Halliwell Manor:

Severus and Lucius arrived in the foyer of the manor with a pop. Each had another person with them. Severus with his son, Brian, and Lucius with Justin.

“Fuck! Even after 4 years…I am never gonna get used to that,” grumbled Brian.

“I’ll take this apparation anyday over orbing, thank you very much,” replied Justin.

Wyatt and Chris had come in from the den to see who the arrival was and couldn’t help but chuckle at Brian and Justin’s grumbling.

“Hello, Brian and Justin. See you two are still debating which magical means of travel is better,” Wyatt said.

Brian just replied by flipping Wyatt the bird, which earned a slap to the back of the head from his dad.

“Hey!“ Brian said while rubbing his head.

“No need to be so crude, Brian,“ Severus replied.

“I don’t know who’s worse. You or Deb,“ Brian grumbled, at which everyone busted out laughing.

“Hi, Severus and Luc. Glad you could come,” Chris said once he reigned in his laughter.

“Do either of the boys suspect what you two have up your sleeves?” Severus asked.

“Nope. Not a single clue,” Wyatt replied.

“They don’t even know that Brian and Justin are surprising them,” Chris said.

“Oh no doubt at all, that if you two were at Hogwarts, that you definitely would’ve been sorted into Slytherin,” Lucius replied with a chuckle.

“Thank you,” Wyatt and Chris said with a smirk.

“Sev and Luc, Mom and Dad are in the kitchen if you want to go say hi,” Wyatt said.

Severus and Lucius nodded in acknowledgement and left to go talk with Piper and Leo.

“Meanwhile, lets get you two hidden so the surprise is not ruined. Blaise and Ginny should be here in 15 minutes with Harry and Drake,” Chris said pointing at Brian and Justin.

Fifteen minutes later….

A pop could be heard in the foyer, signaling the arrival of Blaise, Ginny, Harry and Draco.

Piper came from the kitchen to greet them.

“We’re all in the living room,” she said as she hugged each of them in welcome.

The five make their way to the living where more hugging and welcome took place.

“Glad both you and Uncle Luc could make it, Dad,” Harry said as he hugged Severus, while Draco did the same with Lucius.

“We wouldn’t miss it, Son,” Severus replied.

“Hello there, little Cuch,” a voice said.

Harry froze when he heard that voice and looked behind him, eyes widening at the sight of Brian and Justin standing there in the entryway with Wyatt and Chris.

“Brian!!!” Harry shouted as he launched himself across the room to grab his cousin into a hug. “What? How? I didn’t think you and Justin could make it?” Harry asked as he pulled back to look at his cousin.

“And miss my little cousin’s celebration of 5 years of happiness?” Brian replied with raised eyebrow.

“We wanted to surprise you and Draco. Thanks to Wyatt and Chris, we were able to,” Justin replied as Draco came over to hug him.

Harry and Draco then went over to their respective husbands, grabbed their face and pulled them into a deep kiss filled with gratitude.

“Thank you so much!” Harry said.

“You’re welcome, baby,” Wyatt said as he slung his arm around Harry’s shoulders.

“That was very Slytherin of you, Chris,” Draco said.

Chris and Wyatt busted out laughing.

“Your father said that if we were at Hogwarts, we definitely would’ve ended up in Slytherin,” Chris replied.

Everyone in the room laughed as Harry and Draco rolled their eyes.

“Okay, everyone into the dining room. Dinner is served,” Piper said while making the shooing motion.

 

*****

After dinner:

“That was absolutely delicious Mom! Think you’ve outdone yourself once again,” Draco replied.

“That it was,” Harry said. He then started to chuckle and laugh. Everyone looked at him, wondering what was so suddenly funny.

“What’s so funny baby?” Wyatt asked.

“Just had a flash in my mind of Mom and Mother Weasley in the kitchen.”

Draco’s eyes widened in horror when he heard Harry’s reply.

“Oh Merlin help us all, if that ever happens! Between those two…they’d make enough food to feed an entire army and then some…twice!!” he groaned.

Piper blushed while everyone chuckled.

Soon it was time for the two happy couples to open their anniversary present.

Wyatt and Chris were the first to go.

“Hope you like this,” Wyatt said as he handed Harry his gift.

“The perfect gift for the perfect man,” Chris replied as he handed Draco his gift.

Harry and Draco each unwrapped their gift, only to find themselves looking at a finely polished wooden box. Curious, they opened the box and gasped as they saw what laid within.

Looking up at them was a beautiful white gold bracelet with a sparkling blue sapphire set in the center link, with a diamond set in the link on either side of it.

“This is absolutely beautiful, Wyatt. Thank you,” Harry said as he kissed Wyatt.

“Damn you do know how to make me speechless, Chris. This is stunning!” Draco replied as he kissed Chris.

Wyatt and Chris each took the bracelet out of the box and put it on their respective husband’s right wrist.

After snapping their daze, Harry and Draco started to chuckle.

“What is so funny?” Chris asked.

“Oh you’ll see, honey,” Draco said as he and Harry handed Wyatt and Chris their gift.

Wyatt and Chris unwrapped their gifts, only to come across a very familiar polished wooden box…only smaller than what they gave Harry and Draco. Chuckling at realizing all four of them shopped at the same jewelry store, they opened the box and busted out laughing.

“What is so funny, you two?” Piper asked.

Wyatt and Chris took out their gift and showed it to all in the room. Everyone instantly saw that Wyatt and Chris had gotten the same thing Harry and Draco did…only this was in the form of a beautiful ring.

Harry and Draco took the ring and put in on their husband’s right ring finger.

Laughing could be heard and everyone looked to see Brian and Justin trying to contain their laughter.

“Do I even want to ask?” Severus asked.

“Ummm, it’s just that great minds think alike, Dad” Brian remarked. He muttered the counter-charm to the disillusionment spell. Soon everyone could see that on Brian’s right hand was a familiar ring while Justin was wearing a familiar bracelet.

“Indeed they do. Merlin help us, if this becomes a trend with the six of you,” Lucius replied.

Everyone laughed.

“Okay everyone, it’s time to continue the party at P3,” Chris said.

 

*****

The Club, P3:

Upon arrival, the family made their way over to the Halliwell’s private table. Soon, all were caught up in continuing the 5th anniversary celebration party. Wyatt, Harry, Chris, Draco, Ginny and Blaise made several trips to the dance floor while the older adults talked amongst themselves. Justin even got Brian to go onto the dance floor a few times.

Soon, Wyatt and Chris excused themselves to “get something from the back” for Piper. After they left, Piper made her way to the stage.

“Hello, everyone!! We all having a good time tonight?” she asked the crowd.

She couldn’t help but chuckle as the crowd responded enthusiastically.

“Great! Just wanted to take a moment of your time. We have two couples here tonight celebrating their fifth anniversary. P3 congratulates Wyatt and Harry Halliwell and Chris and Draco Halliwell!”

Everyone clapped and cheered.

“For those of you that are regulars, you may well remember Harry and Draco surprising my sons here with the performance of a song that they had written for them. Tonight, the surprise is being returned.”

Harry and Draco looked at each other and then at the rest of the family, wondering what is going on.

‘Another surprise?’ they thought.

Piper, seeing the look on their faces, couldn’t help but smile.

“Yes boys, your husbands have one more surprise in store for you. Without further ado, here are Wyatt and Chris Halliwell!”

Wyatt and Chris came on stage and gave their mother a kiss on the cheek before she headed back to their private table.

Soon the music started.

(Wyatt)

Don’t give up
It’s just the weight of the world
When your heart’s heavy I
I will lift it for you

Don’t give up
Because you want to be heard
If silence keeps you I
I will break it for you

(Wyatt & Chris)

Everybody wants to be understood
Well I can hear you

Everybody wants to be loved
Don’t give up

Because you are loved

(Chris)
 

Don’t give up
It’s just the hurt that you hide
When you’re lost inside
I’ll be there to find you

Don’t give up
Because you want to burn bright
If darkness blinds you I
I will shine to guide you

(Wyatt & Chris)

Everybody wants to be understood
Well I can hear you

Everybody needs to be loved
Don’t give up

Because…you are loved

Don’t give up
It’s just the weight of the world

Don’t give up
Everybody needs to be loved

You are loved

As the song ended, everyone at the Halliwell table looked over to see tears rolling down Harry’s and Draco’s face. There was no need to look towards the stage to know that it was the same with Wyatt and Chris.

Piper knew this really affected Harry and suspected that he still harbored the fear that he was going to lose this. She suspected the same fear existed with Draco. Suspicion was confirmed as soon as she heard Severus speak.

“Do the both of you finally see that you are not going to lose this? That there is no need at all to keep up a portion of the wall?’ he asked.

“Severus is right. Wyatt and Chris are not anything like those so called friends or family that repeatedly told you that you were unworthy. They love you for who you are,” Lucius said.

“That’s the truth. Ever since they came into your lives, there’s been a lightness to the both of you again that was missing for such a long time,” Blaise said, with Ginny nodding her head in agreement.

Harry and Draco were just looking at each other and then back to the stage where their husbands had been.

Sensing that the two still had some issues with fully believing they deserved this, Brian finally spoke up.

“Little Cuch, Drake. Look at me,”

Once he had their attention, he proceeded to speak. Justin, sensing what he was about to say, put his arm around him in support.

“All my life growing up, I was repeatedly told by Jack that I was worthless and would never amount to anything. His way of showing love was to beat the shit out of me. Mom never did anything to stop it. All I heard from her was what a disappointment I was.”

Brian paused a moment to collect himself before continuing.

“First time I was ever shown love was after meeting Mikey and Deb. I still thought love was just a way of being hurt. That it was pointless. So I was pretty much a bastard. Just went about my way destroying myself with drugs and booze and one night stands. Then Justin came into my life. He was the best thing to happen to me, and I almost fucking blew it by trying to push him out and being a complete prick. Damn little twink saw right through my act and refused to go away. He showed me that I was capable of being loved, as well as being worthy of it.”

Sensing that Brian couldn’t go on, Justin pulled him into a hug and just held him.

“Did either Wyatt or Chris ever tell you what I said to them here 5 years ago after you performed Angel?” Lucius asked.

Seeing Harry and Draco shake their head no, Lucius went on.

“I told them that I was forever grateful for what the two of them were able to do for the both of you. That it was clear to me that they loved you and that you loved them.”

“They really truly do love us? They’re not gonna leave us?” Harry asked.

Wyatt and Chris came back to the table in time to hear Harry’s question.

“Yes, baby. We really do,” Wyatt replied

“We’ve always seen you as who you both truly are. Not the bullshit perception of the Boy Who Lived nor the reformed Deatheater,” Chris said.

Harry and Draco just nodded, still comprehending that this was indeed real and theirs to hold on to.

“Did either of you happen to take a look at the engraving inside the bracelet?” Wyatt asked.

Harry and Draco shook their heads and proceeded to take the bracelets off so they could look.

Engraved in two lines across the three links that had the gems in them, was the following:

 

You Are Loved. Forever and Always!

 

Upon seeing that, Harry and Draco launched themselves into their respective husband’s arms, passionately kissing them as their family looked on and chuckled.

Blushing, the four of them quickly excused themselves and made their way back to the office so Wyatt and Chris could orb them home.

Brian couldn’t help but say with a smirk, “Two guesses what they’re gonna be doing tonight!”

*****

Explanation about Brian’s nickname for Harry in the story:

When I first started writing this story, I knew right away that I wanted Brian to have a nickname for Harry. I wanted to avoid using Prongslet, as that was Sirius’ thing for Harry. By the same token, Cub was out of the running as well as that was Remus’ thing for Harry due to seeing him as one of his pack. Hence, I was in a dilemma as I didn’t know what to use. It is thanks to one of the many suggestions from Arwensong, that I was able to come up with a nickname. Hence came the use of little Cuch. Her explanation of this is best:

“Of course, another thing he could call him would be Cuchulain, which is the mythical hero of Ireland. He could call him little Cuch, for short. There are different spellings for this, but he was the Hound of Ulster, so Pup would also work. Brian, being of Irish descent, would like something like that.”


 

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