Unraveling the Dawn"
The morning sun peeked through the blinds, casting stripes of light across Harry Potter's unfamiliar bedroom floor. He blinked the sleep from his eyes, taking a moment to orient himself. The faint smell of coffee wafted through the air, hinting at a new day. He looked over to the other side of the bed and saw Jack O'Neill, his eyes closed, chest rising and falling with each steady breath. Harry couldn't help but smile at the sight of him—his messy hair and the slight furrow between his brows, the same look Jack had when he was deep in thought or lost in one of his science fiction books.
The night before had been... intense. They'd stumbled into Harry's apartment after a wild night out, laughing and flushed, the attraction between them palpable. The tension had built up for weeks since their chance encounter in at his coffee shop —Jack, a Muggle military veteran, and Harry, a wizard trying to start a new life in Colorado Springs with baby Edward Lupin. It had been a whirlwind romance, filled with stolen glances and shy smiles, and last night it had reached a crescendo of passion neither of them had expected.
The sun had barely risen when Harry's eyes fluttered open. He felt the warmth of Jack's body next to him, their legs tangled together beneath the sheets. He reached over and gently brushed a strand of hair off Jack's face, marveling at how peaceful he looked. The room was still, the only sound the distant hum of a lawnmower. Harry didn't dare move, afraid to break the spell of the moment. But as the day grew brighter, Jack stirred, his eyes opening slowly. He turned to Harry, a lazy smile spreading across his face.
"Mornin'," he murmured, his voice gruff with sleep. Harry's heart skipped a beat as he returned the smile, feeling a warmth spread through him that had nothing to do with the sun. They lay there for a few moments, just looking at each other, until Jack groaned and sat up.
"I gotta go," he said, the regret clear in his voice. "Duty calls
."
Jack leaned over and kissed Harry gently, the stubble on his face tickling Harry's cheek. Harry watched him as he climbed out of bed, his muscular frame silhouetted by the morning light. He couldn't believe how natural this felt, how right. Jack's hand paused on the bedpost, and he glanced back with a look that was a blend of amusement and concern. "You okay?"
"Yeah," Harry replied, his voice a bit too quiet for his own liking. "Just... processing."
Jack chuckled, his eyes softening. "I know it's a lot to take in." He searched for his shirt, pulling it over his head. "But I want you to know, I'm not going anywhere."
The words hung in the air, filled with promise and comfort, as Harry nodded. "I know," he whispered, swallowing down the sudden lump in his throat.
Jack leaned over to kiss Harry again, this time deeper, as if trying to convey his feelings without words. The kiss was warm and familiar, yet it sent sparks dancing along Harry's skin, hinting at the passion that had ignited between them just hours before.
As Jack dressed, Harry watched him with a sense of awe. The Muggle's life was so different from his own—structured and disciplined, a stark contrast to the unpredictable world of magic. Yet, somehow, Jack managed to find the time to be with him, to care for him, and for Edward. Harry felt a surge of gratitude and love for this man who had so seamlessly entered their lives
.
Their eyes met, and Jack seemed to read his thoughts. "I'll be back tonight," he promised, his thumb tracing Harry's cheek. "I'll bring dinner."
With a nod, Harry watched Jack slip on his shoes and head for the door. The apartment felt eerily quiet once he was gone, the only sounds Edward's coos from the next room. Harry couldn't help but replay the night's events in his mind—how they'd talked until the early hours, the way Jack's hands had explored him, the feeling of being truly seen and desired. He felt a blush creep up his neck, a mix of shyness and excitement.
The door clicked shut, and reality set back in. Harry glanced at the clock, realizing it was time to get Edward ready for the day. He climbed out of bed, feeling the warmth of Jack's side of the mattress linger. He pulled on a shirt and walked to the nursery, his bare feet cold against the floorboards. Edward looked up from his crib, his blue eyes bright and curious.
"Good morning, little one," Harry cooed, picking him up. The baby snuggled into Harry's embrace, his tiny hands grabbing fistfuls of his shirt. Harry couldn't help but wonder what Jack would think of his little wizard growing up so fast. Would he be a part of Edward's life? Would he be a good influence, a father figure? The questions swirled in Harry's mind as he changed Edward's diaper and dressed him in a pair of tiny overalls.
After a quick breakfast, Harry took Edward for a stroll around the quiet neighborhood, pushing the pram with one hand while sipping on his coffee with the other. The cool, fresh air was a stark contrast to the warmth of the apartment, and it helped clear his thoughts. They passed by a playground where children were already starting to gather, their laughter ringing out. It was a stark reminder that the world outside their bubble was vastly different from the one Harry had left behind.
When they returned, Harry settled Edward into his playpen and began to clean up the apartment. The memories of the night before played like a silent movie in his head, making him pause in his chores to smile or blush. As he folded Jack's discarded clothes, he found a scrap of paper in the pocket of his jeans. Unfolding it, he saw a hastily scribbled note: "You're magical in more ways than one. Can't wait to see you tonight. -J." Harry's heart fluttered. It was the first time anyone had used the word "magical" in reference to something other than his wizardry, and it felt strange and wonderful.
The morning passed quickly, with Harry lost in thoughts of Jack and the newness of their relationship. The sun was high in the sky by the time he decided to take Edward to the park. He hoped the fresh air would help clear his head, but it only served to remind him of the vastness of the Muggle world. The park was alive with children playing and adults chatting, a stark contrast to the secretive life Harry had once led. He felt both a pang of nostalgia for the friends he'd left behind in England and a sense of excitement for the future that stretched out before him, filled with the possibility of love and a normal life