A/N: Happy Sunday, everybody!
This is a very special publishing for me, because after five very long yet blindingly fast years, I have completed this story. Thank you to all who read as I wrote, collaborated with me, and gave me words of encouragement throughout the years. You are all greatly appreciated. And to those who joined after I finished, thank you for choosing this story. Your engagement is just as appreciated.
Just because I am done with the story does not mean I will never write for them again! I have an epilogue planned involving Teddy! I just don't know when it will come out, especially as I am beginning my Master's degree tomorrow. I also have other drarry works planned, and fully intend to continue and finish Alex and Charlie's full story, which will feature Harry and Draco in later chapters.
There ARE Spoilered content warnings for this chapter!!!!!! Please see notes at the end for those willing to have the spoiler warning for graphic content that will be discussed.Please let me know what you all think of this chapter and the story! And, as always...Enjoy!
I hope to see you all in future stories!
Despite all his whining and complaining about therapy, Draco found himself completely opposed to leaving the hospital after his morning session. Too soon, he told himself. What if I spiral? What if the thing that helps me is drawing my feelings with crayons in a sketchbook? What if I get home and-...
He talked through some of it with Veale, and by the time the checkout process began, Draco was vibrating with a low-level anxiety, constantly stopping himself to breathe, telling himself he'd get through the day, that the day programme began tomorrow, and that he could talk to Veale then. This, alongside mountains of paperwork and going over his potions regimen and reviewing the outpatient day programme schedule, consumed every fibre of his focus. By the time he apparated home with Harry, Draco was exhausted.
He stood numbly as he glanced around Harry's flat. The air between them was oddly silent as Draco removed his rucksack from his shoulders.
"I, er... tried to clean up a bit for you," Harry explained, sounding nervous. Draco was reminded for a moment that Harry hadn't the slightest idea what Draco was thinking or feeling. He ought to acknowledge the effort Harry was putting in, at least, even if he was too tired to properly articulate it.
"I noticed," Draco settled on, finally turning to face him. "Thank you."
In a flash, Draco found himself engulfed in a fierce hug, Harry settling against him as though Draco were a pressure release valve. Slowly, Draco wrapped his arms around Harry's shoulders, closing his eyes and relaxing into the warmth. It would have been so easy to fall asleep there, in the quiet warmth, no worry about where he was, or how he got here, or what the next twelve hours would be like. He could... simply... sleep.....
Harry let go first. Draco sighed, retrieving his rucksack from the floor and scrubbing at his eyes.
"It's just about lunchtime. Anything you want in particular?" Harry smacked his hands against his lap, giving a tentative smile.
Draco raised a brow, caught off guard by the question.
"I don't know," he said, blinking. He suggested the first thing that came to mind. "Pasta?"
Harry nodded enthusiastically, already reaching toward the drawer of takeout menus for the Italian place. Draco nodded, retreating toward the room. He ought to unpack sooner rather than later, Draco decided, before he lost the rest of his energy; before Harry asked him to make any more decisions.
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Cicatrices- Marks That Remain
Fanfiction"Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy." Draco stopped, closing his eyes for the briefest of moments. He thought of the scars on his left arm. He thought of the scars across his torso...
