Stronger Than Silver

Sacrifice and Reconciliation

Trigger warnings: Bulimia, Purging

(Author's Note: Here is the sixteenth chapter finally! I've been so busy with school lately, ah. This part is where we see Narcissa and Draco's reactions to Lucius' eating disorder. I honestly find Severus' best attempts to help his best friend heal and get support very heartwarming. Hopefully, we begin to see Luci get better eventually.)

"I can't- oh, they can't- I can't do this-" More incoherent sentences spasmed out of the frail figure.

Severus kept his iron grip on his shivering companion. "What are you talking about?"

Tilting his head back so the potions master could peer down upon his flushed cheeks and flooded eyes, Lucius almost burst into another fit. "Them! How- How am I supposed to face them?!"

"Who?"

"Cissy! And-And, my son! Oh, I'm ruined!"

Severus frowned, "What do you mean?"

The blonde grabbed at his trivial locks of hair, shuddering. "How am I going to face my wife and son after everything that's happened? How? Especially not Draco! I don't think he'll ever be able to look at me the same way again!" he whimpered.

"Don't be silly. You know full well that Draco cherishes you unconditionally and looks up to you as a role model nonetheless. You are akin to his idol," reasoned the dark wizard, shaking his head.

"That's the exact problem! As his role model, I should not be doing this. At all. If he looks up to me, it should be for good reason, not otherwise. This will only damage him more, can't you see?" His breathing hastened.

Lucius tugged at his hair. "Wouldn't he be so... disappointed?" His gut wrenched at that word. Disappointment. It hurt like hell, like a dagger stabbing through his people-serving soul.

The dark-haired potioneer rubbed the other's back. "Now, now, Lucius, you must realize that we are all imperfect, and each of us has our individual struggles. Draco is battling his own demons. If anything, he'd understand you better for it."

"I don't know- I feel like- such a failure."

"Trust me, eating issues beyond your control do not make you inferior by any degree. It's easy to feel that way, but I assure you, you're in no way a failure."

His voice was like dark magenta, soothing and pacifying.

"I know. I still feel so worthless though." The blonde hugged Severus tighter like he was a teddy bear.

"You're not, dear," he whispered into his ear, "you're more than worth it."

Severus pressed his fingers against the other's cheek lightly and wiped away Lucius' tears.

"Now, please rest. We need you to heal," Severus implored.

Malfoy nodded and lay back on his bed, head sinking into the pillow. Severus moved about and fixed the sheets so his companion was comfortably tucked in.

"If you require my presence, please yell for me. I will stay in the Manor."

Through wide eyes, Lucius responded, "All right."

"I love you."

"I love you too."

Who in the world would ever truly love a monster like you?

I'm unlovable.

Lucius was too exhausted to keep crying, though, so he eventually drifted back to sleep.