So, this was Harry's father. The man his mum should have been with, who she had loved in another world. It was like the universe was playing a joke on him, or more like it was telling him that his entire life was a joke.
"Not to be rude." Septimius said. "But…why you?"
"You were expecting your parents." James said understandingly. "I suppose I am a bit of a letdown." He sighed. "Unfortunately, they're not available."
"What do you mean?"
He shrugged. "I don't exactly know. Its not like I get newsletters out here. But I know if there was any way for Lily to see you, she'd take it. So, I have to imagine that she can't."
"Out here, in the… afterlife?" He looked around uncomfortably. A ruined house didn't seem like much of an afterlife.
"Oh, I'm not dead."
"You're still alive?"
"Nope." He said, a hollowness in his voice. "I was never alive to begin with, at least, not in this world. I'm a loose string, a fragment that no longer fits."
Septimius couldn't pinpoint why James' words affected him so. "I'm sorry." He said. "But I guess, when Harry puts everything right, you'll get your life back."
James gave Septimius a meaningful look. "And what about you?"
The breath left his lungs, he couldn't speak. Because James was right. Septimius had recognized it on some level but hadn't wanted to think about it. A world where Harry, T'Chone, and Lily existed couldn't be one where he did. They were mutually incompatible. One of them had to go, and it was clear who it would be, who it had to be. It'd be beyond selfish to put his own existence over the entire world, over all the people suffering and dying in this war.
James put a hand on his shoulder. "Hey, kid." He said, compassion in his voice. "I'm sorry."
"You don't need to be." He said bitterly. "I never should have existed. Maybe I deserve to-"
"Absolutely not." James said firmly. "You're just a kid. You haven't done anything wrong, and you definitely don't deserve any of this."
Septimius looked out a shattered window and saw… nothing. He couldn't bear to look out at the void for more than a few seconds. Somehow, he knew that this wasn't merely darkness, that there really was nothing out there, stretching out farther than his mind could comprehend. Would that be what it was like, to not exist? "So, what happens?" He asked. "I just disappear, like I never was?" He blinked, eyes stinging. He didn't want to die, but this was worse. Everyone would forget him, everything he'd ever been or done or dreamed would be gone, like it had never been.
"It's not so bad." James said. "I wasn't even aware of my condition, until you stumbled upon me. Honestly, I feel bad for the people living down there more."
This was why James was here, Septimius realized. Unlike Harry or his parents, he knew what it was like. "I don't want to die." He sniffled. He thought about Harry, and Lily, and T'Chone. They, for the first time, had made him feel like he belonged somewhere. But it was a lie.
"I know."
"So that's it. I just… give up." He couldn't bear to meet James' sad eyes. He looked at the floor, at the dirt and rubble strewn about it.
James was silent for a moment, and Septimius feared he was going to agree. "There are some things we can't control." He said finally. "You can't choose who your parents are, or the world you were born into, or when you die." Septimius couldn't bring himself to acknowledge the heavy words, but James wasn't done. He knelt down, putting his hands on his shoulders and looking him in the eyes. "But you know what you can control? How you live. I can't tell you what will happen. Death could win, and all of this could be irrelevant. All you can do, all any of us can do, is our best for the people we care about."
Septimius sniffled, tears leaking down his cheeks as he nodded. He thought about Lily, and T'Chone, who'd spent their childhoods without their father. He thought about Harry, who'd spent his entire life fighting for a better world. He thought of his mother, who'd died for him, who done terrible things for him, who'd been pushed to the brink by guilt and desperation. "What about my mum?" He asked.
James smiled softly, gently. He glanced at a bookshelf, reaching to prop up a picture that had fallen over. It was his mum, with James and a baby that had to be Harry. She looked so happy. The worried lines on her face that Septimius had known were gone. "I love your mother. But-"
"But she's evil, right." Septimius muttered. "That's what everyone is saying."
"I was going to say-" James continued airily. "Your feelings are your own. Anyone who expects you to hate your mother is full of shit. If you love her, that's okay. If your feelings are more complicated, that's also okay. Your feelings are yours, and she's your mum. You don't have to have it all figured out."
"Was she different, without me?" He asked. He wondered, if she had been a better person in a world without him, what did that say? Was it his fault, that she'd done what she had, gone as far as she did?
"It wasn't you." James said incisively. "You aren't responsible for the decisions she made. Your mum, and my wife grew up in very different worlds. In some ways, I can see how they're the same woman. I can see her determination, and her willingness to sacrifice for the people she loves. But in others… they're different people- different childhoods, different memories." His thumb caressed the portrait of Lily, who blew James a kiss. "My Lily, she was free. She never worried about speaking her mind. She was idealistic, not cynical or jaded. She loved openly and fiercely, and she was protective of the people she cared about. I was so lucky to become one of those people. Though it took me a while." He ran a hand through his hair, in a motion that reminded him of Harry. "We were so happy, for a little while. We had Harry and… he really was the light of our lives." James' eyes misted as his eyes focused on the child in the picture, and Septimius' heart twisted. His father had never looked at him like that, with such parental adoration and joy.
"Even though he's older now than I ever was, he'll always be my kid to me." James said. "So, I want you to bring this message back to him."
"What message?"
"He doesn't have to choose, if he has the courage to follow his heart. And I know he does."
"Choose what?" Septimius asked, but as the words left his lips, the room began to stretch away from him. It was time to leave, but he wasn't ready yet. "Choose what!"
"You're a good kid Septimius, look after my grandkids for me, won't you?"
-----
Harry stayed with Septimius that night. The boy tossed and turned, spiking an alarming fever that Shuri insisted they needed to let run its course. Eventually, he calmed, his breathing evening out to something resembling a relaxed sleep. But Harry didn't leave.
He didn't want Septimius to wake up alone. He knew just how isolated he must feel right now, and Harry was one of his few lifelines. He may not be Septimius' father, but he was family, and that was a title he took seriously.
"How's he doing?" Shuri was at the door.
"I think he's sleeping now." Harry said. "I hope that's a good sign."
"Normally, people wake up fairly quickly after taking the herb." Shuri said. "But I think this kid just needed his sleep. She pulled a small device from her pocket and tapped at it. "His vitals are good; I think we're in the clear."
"Good." Harry sighed. "I'll stay, though."
"Skye will be disappointed." She sing-songed.
"She can wait a night." Harry rolled his eyes. "Besides, she has Nat and Wanda to play with, if she wants."
Shuri snickered. "Just be prepared for her tomorrow night. She won't be patient." Knowing Skye, Harry knew she was right.
"I'd say I can't wait, but…" Here he was, literally waiting.
"Its okay." Shuri ruffled his hair. "You're a good man- taking him in. Just… please try to get some sleep yourself."
"I will."
"I mean it." Shuri insisted. "I'll sic Nat on you."
Harry shuddered theatrically. "Message received."
-----
Over breakfast, Harry sorted through what Septimius had told him about his vision, about his father's cryptic words. They were encouraging, but there was something that set him on edge, about his mum not being able to join the vision. Harry didn't know exactly what that meant, but there were a few options that worried him. More than that, he was worried about Septimius. Harry could tell that he was holding something back, something that haunted him. But he knew what it was like to be a troubled teen with adults expecting him to open up for his own good, so he decided to take a gentle tack.
The door opened, and T'Chone choked on food. Harry glanced up, and saw Skye, and mentally sighed. She indeed was not good at patience. He wouldn't call her outfit lingerie, but it also clearly wasn't professional attire. Her black blouse was sheer and low cut, with a plunging 'V' to show off her cleavage, which is what had distracted T'Chone. Harry also noticed her skin tight leggings, and her makeup, and the way she swayed her hips as she walked. Everything about her was meant to entice.
And honestly, he was a little pissed.
He'd tried hard to keep his sex life away from the kids, or at least to not shove it in their face. It was unavoidable, to some extent. They knew about his relationships, and they kissed and showed other acts of affection around the teens, but this… this was too much. T'Chone was looking studiously at his plate now. "Is this your new girlfriend, dad?" Lily asked, as if it were normal for one's father to pick up new girlfriends on the regular. She didn't look judgmental of Skye's attire, which was good, and she wasn't obviously 'affected' the way T'Chone had been. Her expression was… evaluating, like she was taking notes. Harry immediately decided he wasn't ready to raise teenagers.
"Yes." He answered. "This is Daisy, and if you'll excuse us…" He walked off, motioning for Skye to follow. She sidled up to him as they walked.
"I missed you last night." She purred.
Harry grunted, pushing the door open to his room. Now that they had privacy, he rounded on her. "Don't do that around the kids, got it?" He snapped.
"Do what?" She played coy, and he shot her an unamused look.
"Don't try to seduce me." He said bluntly. "Not around the kids."
She looked properly chastened, and Harry softened. "I'm sorry." She said sincerely. "I didn't think it through. I didn't think they'd be there."
"They spend a lot of time with me." He explained. "Making up for lost time, I guess. Though they're getting a little more independent lately." Especially since they'd infiltrated Hogwarts together. It had given them a renewed sense of confidence. "I doubt that little stunt scandalized them, but I'd like to keep my sex life separate from the kids."
Skye nodded rapidly, and as Harry's irritation faded, something mischievous took its place. "Skye…" He swatted her bum. She squeaked, jolting at the contact. "You've been bad."
"Oh." She breathed. "Yes, I've been bad."
He moved behind her, his voice dipping into a growl as he whispered in her ear. "Couldn't even wait a day, could you? Missed me that much?"
"Yes." She whimpered.
"Where'd you even get these clothes?"
"Ginny conjured them for me." He was pleased to see them already getting along, and the fact that these were conjured clothes made his next move an easy decision. He grabbed the collar of her blouse with both hands and pulled, ripping the fabric apart. Skye gasped wordlessly, shivering as cool air wafted over her skin. She was wearing a bra, and Harry snapped the elastic along her back letting the material fall.
"That wasn't summoned."
"Oh." Then he mentally shrugged. "I'll repair it later. After your lesson." He put a hand between her legs, and Skye shuddered, a moan bubbling from her throat. "I know you're wet, you wouldn't have pulled a stunt like that if you weren't thinking with your cunt. But why? You spent the night with Nat and Wanda." Nat had assured him that they'd rung Skye out last night.
"They weren't you. They didn't have your cock." She whined, arcing her hips into his hand, seeking friction.
"What happened to hard bitten resistance fighter, Daisy Johnson, eh? What happened to the Shield agent and Avenger? You couldn't handle a day without getting cock." He smacked her arse again, just slightly harder.
"You broke her!" Skye moaned. "You broke her on your cock!" He ripped her leggings off, before making quick work of her knickers. He rubbed her arse cheeks soothingly, though they weren't even reddened from his fairly light treatment. Then he dipped his hand down to her slit, and was met with a deluge of wetness. He'd been right, she was soaked.
"Is that so?" He said. "Then what are you now, Daisy?"
"I'm not Daisy, I'm Skye." She whimpered.
"Oh, Skye." He dragged his fingers along her folds. "What am I going to do with you?"
"Oh god." Skye moaned. "Pleeeease. I need your cock."
"What kind of punishment would this be if I just gave you what you want?" He asked rhetorically.
"I'll be good." Skye looked over her shoulder with pleading eyes. "I'll be so good for you, daddy." He wasn't quite sure how he felt about being called 'daddy' now that he was a literal father. It helped that he'd never known Lily and T'Chone at the age where they'd call him that. He put it aside for the moment, in favor of the task at hand. "You don't even have to fuck me. You can just let me suck it."
The idea appealed to him. "On your knees." He ordered. Skye practically collapsed where she stood. Harry, still behind her, banished his clothes. When he circled around in front of her, Skye shivered. To her credit, she didn't move from her position, not even when he was inches away. He cupped her chin with his fingers and tilted her head up. She stared at him with wide, amorous eyes. As he grazed her lips with his thumb, she whimpered. Oh, she was so ready for him. "Open your mouth." She did. "That's a good girl." He grunted, pressing his cockhead to her lips. He slipped in easily, her tongue immediately moving to caress him. He was gentle, neither thrusting hard or deep, simply relaxing and enjoying the sensation, and the view of Skye on her knees for him.
That was when Skye started to hum. Rather, she activated her sonic abilities. Her plush lips and nimble tongue, which had already felt so good against his shaft, began to vibrate. "Fuck!" Harry choked on his breath, fingers digging into Skye's scalp as he tried to restrain himself. He could see the look of accomplishment in her eyes, and fuck, she could have it. She deserved it. He'd planned on drawing it out, savoring the moment and letting Skye squirm as she waited for her turn, but he wasn't going to last like this. He pulled back, but this only gave Skye the opportunity to rub her magnificent vibrating tongue against his frenulum, all while applying delicious suction. He came then, pumping and pumping mindlessly into her mouth. When he came to, he was breathless, blood singing, bracing himself against the wall. Skye looked up at him with his cum in her mouth, and she swallowed it with a look of pride.
"Alright, come here you little minx." He growled, hauling her to her feet and tossing her onto the bed. Skye squealed, laughing delightedly at his enthusiasm.
"Did I do good?" She preened, knowing the answer.
"Absolutely." He gave her her due. She was lucky that his refractory period no longer existed. A non-enhanced man would be out for the count after an orgasm like that. As it was, Harry crawled onto bed on top of her, and took a moment to admire her. "You're incredible." He kissed her, not minding the aftertaste of his orgasm. When he pulled back, she looked up at him doe eyed, wriggling against the sheets suggestively. "Alright, Skye." He chuckled. "You've earned your reward."
He trailed his hand back to her sex, she was beyond ready, and he doubted she needed any more foreplay. Nevertheless, he couldn't resist seeking out her clit with his thumb and worrying the nub. Skye whined out in distress. "Let me cum on your cock! Please!"
He gave her a few more seconds, wanting to leave her right at the edge before he placed himself at her entrance. Skye stared down at where they were joined with wild eyes. Her hips tried to thrust, to take him within her, but he easily held her back with his hand. All she accomplished was teasing herself further by rubbing her lips against his cockhead. Finally, Skye let out a tiny sob of frustration, and Harry was compelled to relieve her. He pushed smoothly into her sex while his thumb pressed against her clit. The dual sensation instantly made her cum, just as he'd hoped. "That's a good girl." He cooed as she cried out. "Let it out."
Harry held himself over Skye as her orgasm wrang itself out. After a minute, her moans subsided, but she was still trembling, looking up at him with unfocused eyes. He smiled mischievously, thrusting his hips pointedly. "Ready for more?"
"Eep!" Skye squeaked.
They didn't have all day. All too soon they'd be called away for their own responsibilities. But Harry suspected he wouldn't need that long to ensure that she was completely, utterly satisfied.
-----
Daisy spent the rest of the day floating. It wasn't the best for her duties, as she was juggling coordinating with resistance groups, onboarding Coulson's crew, and figuring out where Tony Stark might be. But it beat being a horny wreck, and she wasn't going to complain. So she had to be Daisy Johnson for a while, even if all she wanted to be was Skye. She could deal.
She hadn't felt this light in… ever. Even by the evening, she was still riding the high. As they settled in for the night, retiring to their personal quarters, she made a beeline to cuddle with Harry where he was relaxed in an armchair. He smiled as she made herself comfortable in his lap- equal parts affectionate and amused. "Comfy?" He asked.
"Very." She said.
"You've been chipper all day." Nat noted, looking up from her stack of reports.
"I got laid." She said bluntly, and Nat snorted.
They bantered lightly for a few minutes, and Skye let herself relax and enjoy the familiar byplay. It was almost as if they were back at the Avengers compound, unwinding after a mission against some two-bit terrorist cell. She missed those days, and she'd only remembered those days yesterday!
"Skye." Harry said, his voice quiet and serious.
"Yes?" She asked, alertness returning to her.
"You told me that you knew your parents here." He said. She nodded, pressing her face into his chest.
"You don't have to talk about it, if you don't want to." He noticed her distress, correctly deducing that the story wasn't a happy one.
"No, I want you to know." She forced herself to look up, and around at the others- Wanda, Nat and Shuri.
Ginny stood back awkwardly. "I'll go for a walk." She declared. She was fun, and Skye could easily see what Harry saw in her, but Skye just didn't know her like the others. Still, she appreciated Ginny's level of tact. She didn't try to force herself in, and it made Skye want to give her a chance.
"Well." She began. "First of all, I know where I get my powers from now."
"You said that you're an inhuman." Harry said. "I'm not sure if I like that name."
She shrugged. "Its what we call ourselves… called ourselves. Honestly it was pretty arrogant, some saw themselves as just… better than everyone else." She rolled her eyes.
"Guess that nonsense is universal." Nat muttered.
"My mum was a leader in a community called 'Afterlife'." She continued. "It was like a… refuge. We collected inhumans across the world into our little community."
"She sounds nice." Shuri said casually.
"She was pretty strict, actually." Skye said. "Like, she had a community to run, and one small slip up could kill us all. I wish I'd known her better, before…"
Harry tightened his hold on her. "What happened?"
"Hydra, Hydra happened." Skye said. She was starting to feel oddly detached from the story. She fell into the rhythm of the words, letting them flow out even as their content grew more painful. "Hela happened. My dad and I went on the run with some other refugees. He wasn't the same, though. He was so angry, and… one day, he ran off on some stupid vengeance quest, and left me."
"He just left you?" Harry asked, outraged. She imagined that being a father himself now, he was imagining abandoning Lily and T'Chone like that, what that would do to them. Skye at least, had been older by then.
"Its okay." Skye mumbled. "Honestly now, I'm just glad I know. I always wanted answers about who my parents were, where I came from. And now I have them." It was odd, how long she'd spent imagining what it'd be like to know her parents. The answer was disappointing, but in a way that was a relief. Had she really missed out on that much in her original life?
"If we fix everything." Harry said. "We can find them again, or at least figure out what happened to them."
"Yeah." Skye nodded into his shirt. She breathed in, letting his scent comfort her. "I'll put it on our list."