Cicatrices- Marks That Remain

Boxed Brownies

Happy Sunday and Happy End of inpatient for Draco! Yay!!!!The Charlie and Alex Spinoff is officially up and running, too! with 2 chapters out :)Please, let me know what y'all think, and, as always...Enjoy!

Draco spent the days following his session with Harry with far too much on his mind.

For one, religion and gayness became the most discussed subjects in therapy. For another, exposures were getting more and more difficult as he got a handle on working through his intrusive thoughts.

"Leave the door ajar today, Draco. I had your magic healer put up some privacy screens for us, so that we can have a session this way while still respecting your privacy."

Draco walked through Veale's freshly rearranged office with the hairs on the back of his neck standing on end. He'd moved the chair Draco usually sits in to face away from the door today.

"If you feel the need to close the door, let me know, and we can work through it together."

He was also beginning to sleep a bit better at night. For this, Draco was grateful enough that he was hard-pressed to complain too much about other things, like the endlessly abysmal breakfast and the overall stress of having new things to discuss at all the different therapies.

"Good session today. Before we're off for the day, is there anything you'd like to ask?"

"Well, yes," Draco had admitted, feeling fidgety as he did. "Would it be possible for me to bake something this week?"

Dr Veale had tilted his head as he regarded Draco.

"Do you want to bake?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

Draco's mouth formed a thin line as he took a breath.

"I just... I enjoy it."

"You can understand my having reservations, I'm sure. We've discussed several times in which you bake in order to avoid thinking about things that distress you.... Are you certain there's nothing in particular that's on your mind? About Harry, perhaps? Or something else?"

"I did do that, yes," Drao was honest, because there was no use in lying. "But I also just enjoyed it. There were many times that I baked for the fun of it."

Dr Veale sat silently for a moment before nodding.

"I'll speak with your occupational therapist and see if we can arrange something under her."

Despite himself, Draco was so uncharacteristically excited at the prospect that he told Harry about it when he visited.

"I might be able to work in the kitchen for the first time since I started here- and I hate it here so much, Harry. I'm... I'm grateful, and I understand its merit, but... It's nothing like home."

"That's good," Harry said, a small smile donning his features. Draco blushed in realising he'd referred to Harry's flat as home. Harry's smile was melting a hole in Draco's heart and starting his mind's usual intrusive thoughts. He cleared his throat and changed the subject.

"You look better," Draco said. "No more fever?"

"None, I promise," Harry said honestly. "You know, today, I even had lunch with Charlie and Alex," Harry paused, looking as though he wanted to say more. He finally settled on "It was a good time."

Draco furrowed his brows, curious as to what was left unsaid. Harry adjusted his glasses and shifted in his seat, clearing his throat.

"I'm glad you had a good time," Draco said finally, unwilling to sit in the silence of Harry's omission. "I've been curious about talking to them since Christmas," he answered carefully. "How are they?"