A/N: One more time, this is the Rinch chapter. Just so there are no misunderstandings…

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Meant For This

Chapter 5

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They returned from their walk and settled into chairs near the parlor fireplace. The fire blazed warmly and gave off a peaceful glow, and Bear happily stretched out in front of it. Harold opened a book, and occasionally glanced over at John with a contented smile. John opened a beer but didn't drink it, and tried to block out the emptiness he felt when he considered that this would all be ending soon. Eventually they said good night, and John fell into a restless slumber.

He was still half asleep when he realized that he was no longer alone in bed.

"Harold?"

The sheets rustled and Bear's heavy paw landed on his arm.

Wait, what?

What made him think that Harold would be in bed with him? And why did he feel a sharp disappointment that…" John let the thought trail off. He was wide awake now.

Morning arrived, and Harold still made no mention of returning to Manhattan and the library. That was fine with John. He needed time to ponder this new idea of Harold in his bed. That moment in the night when he thought the other man was with him would not leave his mind. Clearly, he had some things to work out.

The brownstone was quiet, the stillness broken only by the sound of Harold's fingers gliding across the keyboard and the occasional crackle from the fireplace. John sat near his friend with one of Harold's ever-present books, Bear stretched out alongside of him.

John was still thinking about his partner. His life without the other man had long been unimaginable, and these last weeks had brought them closer than ever. But now John realized that his feelings for his friend were more complicated than he had yet acknowledged. He felt the full weight of their loyalty and commitment to each other, which once again brought a lonely ache at the thought of separating from Harold when they returned to the city. Suddenly he was overwhelmed by a flood of memories - of the shared dangers and the many close calls, of the warm dinners and quiet moments together, and of the many small, mysterious qualities that endeared the other man to him. It was as if his entire life with Harold flashed before his eyes. Something seemed to shake loose and take his breath away. He loved Harold, was in love with him so fiercely that John was stunned he hadn't understood his feelings before. And along with this startling realization came them inevitable knowledge that he wanted Harold as well, and wanted to show the man in ways beyond words all that he meant to him. John began stealing surreptitious looks at his friend, trying to determine if there were any indications that Harold might feel the same way about him.

He could feel his friend's trust and gratitude in every look, and the other man always seemed happy to be in John's company. But Harold's demeanor revealed nothing more. The man was inscrutable, and John was coming to the frustrating conclusion that he may never know if Harold thought of him in any way beyond their friendship. As he tried to sort it all out, he suddenly realized that he was staring intently at his partner. Harold looked over, and seemed to be considering him as well. He gazed back at John with an expression of warm amusement, but said nothing.

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The next morning it seemed to John that something was definitely in the air. Harold had been all shy smiles over breakfast, and he obviously had something on his mind. Whatever the mystery was, John was sure he would find out in Harold's good time. And when the answer came, it wasn't at all what he was expecting.

"Mr. Reese, would you mind dinner out by the fireplace tonight?"

John could not suppress an astonished smile. He looked at Harold and the man steadfastly held his gaze, and returned it with his own small smile.

Harold Finch was planning to seduce him, and they both knew it.

It was an amazing thought. John was amused and touched that Harold would do this for him, and entirely fascinated by the idea. He had never been the object of pursuit in exactly this fashion before, and the thought gave him a thrill of excitement. This was all so Harold. If something was going to happen, it would happen properly. He wondered if Harold realized how little fanfare would actually be required to pull him into bed at this very moment. And suddenly he had a feeling that the other man understood much more than he did, and perhaps had for a very long time.

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As John came downstairs at the appointed time, he realized that he was nervous - and his nerves were fueling his sense of intrigue and anticipation. He walked into the parlor and caught his friend's eye. Harold's face lit up at the sight of him, and John was incredibly moved. He had never felt such tenderness towards another person. Harold's seduction scene was laid out behind him, complete with candles, wine and cushions strewn in front of the roaring fire. It was at once sublimely silly and the most endearing thing John had ever seen. He fought back the sudden desire to sweep the other man into arms, engulf him in kisses and tell him all that he was feeling. But he could not deny his friend this moment of courtship. Harold motioned him to one of the cushions, and as John settled in Harold reached out and gently caressed his face. John drew a sharp breath as every cell in his body reacted. He looked into his friend's eyes and realized that they were so far beyond having anything but the truth between them. Harold's face and his touch were telling John everything he needed to know. Even so, Harold was wickedly determined not to be rushed. John leaned in and brushed his lips against Harold's, but the other man withdrew after a moment, a mischievous gleam in his eyes. Who knew the man was such a tease? So John waited for his friend to make his move, even as Harold suddenly seemed impatient with his own game. Finally John simply reached for the other man, and Harold came to him with startling, long-suppressed passion. John held on to him for dear life.

Meeting Harold Finch had been the most extraordinary event of his life. And discovering that he could trust Harold, that it was safe to need him, had been a revelation. But only now, as he shared the other man's very breath, did he begin to understand just how profound that need was, and that perhaps they had been meant for this moment all along.

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John woke to the warm realization that Harold was lying next to him. Really Harold this time, not Bear or a dream. He leaned over and kissed him on the forehead, and felt the other man smile as he continued to his eyelids, his lips, the scar on his throat. Harold opened his eyes then, and blissfully gazed at John with a look of unabashed satisfaction. And as John looked back at his friend, he found that he could not suppress his own giddy grin. That first glimpse of the day - which had become so important to them - had an entirely new meaning now. And as he draped an arm protectively over the other man, John knew that he had been hoping for this connection between them for a long time.

They lay together like that, each lost in his own thoughts, until bright sunshine was streaming into the room. The sunlight on Harold's face suited him, and John leaned in for another long kiss. Suddenly he felt the need to say the words.

"Harold, I love you."

Harold beamed at him, and the expression held a note of contented amusement.

"Yes, John, I know. Thank you for finally realizing that."

He smiled indulgently at John's inquiring look.

"I've known that you loved me since your words that day in the library before my surgery. But it was more than your words. I saw it in your face, and heard it in your voice. That knowledge brought me more happiness than you can know. And I will confess that I've been aware of the true nature of my feelings - that I knew I loved you - for quite some time now. But I was prepared to let that be enough. I never would have acted on my feelings for you, never risked our friendship, unless I was absolutely certain that you wanted the same thing."

John raised an eyebrow at this last, and Harold continued.

"I hope you won't be too disappointed to learn that you lack a certain degree of subtlety. I thought you would have me for lunch yesterday."

John smiled as he recalled how intensely he had been studying his friend the day before, and Harold met his gaze.

"I hope I was able to convey to you just how happy I was to discover that you shared my feelings."

John chuckled.

"No worries there, Harold. You were quite…convincing."

"Good."

Harold looked exceedingly pleased, and John was gratified to see his friend - his lover - so happy and content.

More than ever John wished they could stay there - in the brownstone and in this moment - forever. But their work was part of them also, and he no longer dreaded returning to the city. Plenty of threats still awaited them. But as he felt Harold's frisky kiss on his neck, felt his partner's fingers gently trailing down his chest, John realized that in addition to feeling loved he somehow also felt safe, maybe for the first time. He felt himself responding to Harold's touch. John caught his friend's eye and saw the amorous twinkle there - apparently it was time for lunch. He gazed back at Harold and let all the love he was feeling for the other man show on his face. His life never seemed to take the direction he expected, John realized. Not long ago he refused to even consider his future, and now suddenly his life with Harold held so much promise. He rolled over, pressing his body against Harold's and finding the other man's lips with his own. Wherever this new journey might take them, he couldn't wait to get started.

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FIN

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A/N: I just love a happy ending. Actually I wrote most of the fireplace scene a few months ago, and this story finally gave me a home for it. I hope you enjoyed it. Thank you once again to everyone for reading and reviewing, following and favoriting this story.

Also, I'd like to say a special thanks to the non-Rinch folks who stayed around and took a chance on this chapter. I started out as a non-Rinch person myself, so I really appreciate the leap of faith. (How did I get from there to here? I'm not sure exactly. The power of Rinch, I guess. It just pulled me in.)

And since this journey began with nemo's request, I guess it's only fitting that it ends there as well. However this story turned out, nemo, I'm a better writer for having attempted it, and I'm grateful.

Thank you for reading! Your reviews and comments are always welcome, and very greatly appreciated!