Work Text:
Retracing the steps he took earlier that morning, Harry walked along the path to the Agreste mansion. Despite being akumatized, his show had been a success, and he even saw Marinette laughing with the Agreste boy. Mission accomplished.
The smile that graced Adrien’s face as he laughed had reminded him so much of his father and he had failed to catch Adrien before he left. So, he skipped his own wrap party and headed straight to the Agreste mansion. It would be important to thank Gabriel for letting his son attend and maybe he could even suggest that he should hang out with Marinette more. He bet she'd like that.
Oh, who was he kidding? He just wanted to see Gabriel again.
Seeing him this morning had been long overdue. Despite Gabriel telling him that he never wanted to see him again, his feelings for his ex came back in full force the moment the two locked eyes.
He tried not to fall back into his old habits, but seeing him just reminded him of how much time they had spent with one another in the past. He really did attempt to hold his tongue but the nickname slipped out, just as it did in the bakery. God, he missed him so much.
The doorbell buzzed in his ears for the second time today and he frowned when Nathalie’s voice didn’t come through the speaker.
“What are you doing here, Harry? It’s 23:00,” Gabriel’s exasperated voice rang through instead and oh was Harry happy to hear it again. He knew that the response I just wanted to see you again wouldn’t go over well, but nothing was coming to his mind.
After a few moments of silence, the gate swung open and Harry took that as an invitation to come inside.
As soon as Harry stepped on the stoop, the door swung open and Gabriel padded out in his robe. The door closed behind him and with the soft lighting and the small breeze, Harry could see the man he fell in love with. He wasn’t the cold designer that threw him out of their apartment all those years ago, proclaiming that they couldn’t have a relationship anymore, not since his father needed him to build the Agreste brand the “correct” way.
No, this was the man with whom he shared many stolen kisses, the man that was always there to greet him when he came home from a long day. The man who surprised him with a real life version of his fry costume from his comic. He was his Gaby.
“I, uh,” Harry tried to think of what to say but his head was swimming with past memories. “Um. Thank you. For letting your son come to the show today, I mean.” He blushed a little.
Come on Harry, get it together.
“His classmate Marinette, she was super glad he was able to come, I really think they have something special…” Harry trailed off before the like what you and me had left his lips. Gabriel sighed as he looked the man over, his arms wrapping around his robe.
“My son does not have time for a relationship, Harry. He needs to focus on school and modeling and that’s all he’s allowed to have time for.” His face morphed into what could only be referred to as his normal stone-cold gaze.
“That’s no way to treat your son Gabriel!” He focused hard on using the full version of the man’s name and he couldn’t help but notice the small frown that settled onto his face. “I know you didn’t want to let your love blossom but you should at least give that freedom to your son. Marinette is a nice girl and she deserves-” he cut off his words with a sharp gasp as Gabriel grabbed his wrist.
“Not let my love blossom? Are you an idiot?” He laughed humorlessly and shook his head. “I spent years with you! My love was there the whole time. But it wasn’t practical. A man and a man couldn’t make it in the world back then. I, we , would have been laughing stocks. My father was doing us a favor when he broke us up. Emilie was the right choice for me. She helped me climb and you, well, you would have only held me back.” Harry yanked his wrist out of Gabriel’s grasp.
“Oh yeah? And look at me now! I’m a world famous comedian!” He took a deep breath and tentatively took his hand. “Did you ever think that maybe your dad was wrong?” A long moment passed and Gabriel didn’t respond. He didn’t pull away either, which was a win in Harry’s book, and the pair stayed in their spot.
“I never stopped loving you, you know,” Harry said softly when the silence became too much for him. “I haven’t been with many people since we were together but they never worked out. My thoughts… well… they always returned to you.” The boys were staring at one another now, their hands together, Harry absolutely terrified for spilling his feelings after so long.
Gabriel’s other hand came up and gently squeezed the man’s red nose. Harry let out his routine honk and a smile spread across his face. “You’re ridiculous you know,” Gabriel whispered as he slipped the red ball off his nose. Ever so slowly, Gabriel reached up and put it on his own.
“Utterly ridiculous?” His own face broke out into a smile. They both had a high distaste for the Bourgeois women.
“Oh shut up,” Gabriel laughed and suddenly, his lips were on his. Mouths molded together and the years of being apart made the passion so much stronger. Gabriel tugged Harry closer to him as they kissed and Harry’s hands shot up to cup his face. Harry’s heart was going a mile a minute as he reached up to Gabriel’s too perfect hair and pulled at it. Wanting him. Needing more.
After a few more moments, the pair broke apart and the only thing that could be heard was their heavy breathing fighting the cold air. “Would um, would you like to come inside?” Gabriel ran a hand through his hair, trying to get it back to its original state. He unwrapped his other arm from around the man and took a step back. Reaching out again, Harry grasped his hand and Gabriel took it without hesitation.
“I would love to.”