Chapter Text
"Nuh-uh"
"Come on-"
"No. You're not bathing me, I'm as clean as a furby can get!"
"Just a quick wash, just in case Miss Coles checks. And what the heck is a furby?"
With his ears folded, the wolf returned to the boy reluctantly, ignoring the question about the Furby.
Grabbing a bucket filled with water, Tom carefully poured its contents over Azrael with gentle precision. Picking up the bar of soap he began lathering it across Azrael's back and face.
The sweet lavender fragrance now weighed heavily in the air, its soothing smell caressing his senses.
Azrael, not wanting to put up a fight sulked the whole time, with his ears flopped down, muzzle pulled into a pout, his claws dug into the wet towel that was placed underneath him, and his tail tucked under his legs.
Harry watched with some interest as thick, sweet, lavender foam coated his fur and cascaded down his drenched body.
Harry has never been so wet in his animagus form before, his furry coat drenched to the touch and his poofy plumage has all but vanished under the weight of the water.
Azrael jolted when Tom's fingers scrubbed at his ribs gently, unused to such close attention. He couldn't help but feel a strange sense of contentment with the gentle touches of Tom's hands against his fur and the cleansing foam sliding down his body stirred a deep feeling of comfort within him.
It was overpowering that it sturred his insides with happiness.
Tom grinned widely as he patted the towel down on Azrael's back, drying the wolf's fur meticulously. "You're all clean now!" he exclaimed, admiring his work. "I have to admit, I didn't expect you to start biting at the water like that! And your face afterward – priceless!"
As Azrael gagged comically, Tom chuckled heartily. "Oh, come on, don't blame me for your little water mishap," he teased. "I guess I shouldn't have tossed the sud at your face."
Harry loved sharing lighthearted moments like these with Tom, his own heart became filled with a mix of joy and sadness. He couldn't help but feel a deep sense of melancholy, knowing that such carefree moments were rare for the... Past? Older? Tom Riddle, he had witnessed in the past/future.
This boy in front of him, carefree and grinning, was like an Oleander blossoming in a harsh and desolate field called Wool's Orphanage. It was bittersweet, a moment to cherish and hold onto tightly.
Azrael's gaze lingered on Tom, his mind drifting to thoughts of the past.
If anyone had told him years ago that he would find himself in this situation – standing beside a young Tom Riddle, caring for him, and even wearing his horcrux self as an earring – he would've thought it was nothing but a cruel joke. A low chuckle escaped his throat at the absurdity of it all. Even if someone had dared to suggest something like this to him, he would've either laughed in their face or punched them first (Or maybe sic Fred and George on them). The twists of fate could truly be bizarre, he thought, shaking his head ever so slightly.
Tom, anticipating a playful reaction from Azrael, mock-defended himself with the towel. "Don't you go shaking on me again!" he said, bracing for the inevitable light shower of water that he knew was coming.
Sure enough, Azrael responded to Tom's words vigorously shaking his body, spraying water and damp fur in all directions.
Tom feigned distress, pretending to shield himself with the towel, but his laughter betrayed his amusement.
"Az! No!" With a mix of feigned distress and genuine delight, Tom couldn't contain his laughter as Azrael shook his body, sending droplets of water flying in all directions.
Just as Azrael stopped his vicious shaking, they both froze as they heard harsh knocking and a stern biting voice from outside the bathroom door. "Boy! Didn't I say to clean him outside? My good lord, are you done? If not finish up quickly! We need to introduce that mutt to the other children!"
Azrael halted his vigorous shaking, and both of them froze, the water from his fur still dripping lightly onto the bathroom floor.
A wave of silence washed over them as they listened intently to the sound of sharp knocking on the bathroom door, accompanied by the stern voice of the woman on the other side. All carefree laughter and playfulness were now over.
"Uh, I was just finishing up..." Tom replied, his voice tinged with nervousness. "I won't be too long now. Sorry..."
The stern woman's footsteps retreated from the door, leaving behind an awkward silence. Azrael, sensing the tension in Tom's words, stepped closer to him, providing a silent reassurance. As Tom stood there, pondering, Azrael nudged against his leg, silently offering his support.
Tom clenched his fists in Azrael's damp fur, his temper flaring at the mere thought of sharing Azrael's attention with the other children. "This will be the last time I truly get to keep you for myself before those grotty pigs will be in both our faces," he muttered, a hint of anger seeping into his words. Tom's protectiveness over Azrael was evident. The thought of other kids invading their space and potentially treating the wolf with less than the care he deserved filled him with a mixture of irritation and possessiveness.
"I knew this would come some time or another, Tom. Don't give it much thought for now. Let's just get this over and done with and be over with it." As Azrael tried to nudge Tom forward, encouraging him to move, the boy responded by abruptly dropping to the floor and enveloping the wolf in a tight embrace.
Taken aback by the suddenness of the gesture, Azrael couldn't help but let out a yelp of surprise.
For a moment, Tom clung tightly to the wolf, his face pressed against Azrael's wet fur. He seemed almost desperate, as if he couldn't bare the thought of letting go.
"Just let me have this for a moment," he pleaded, his voice cracking slightly. "A single second more." As Tom's grip on Azrael's fur tightened ever so slightly, Harry could sense the weight of the emotions coursing through the boy.
God pup, he's going to kill me with all these emotions...
"Sure pup. Just a few more moments... Just for you."