Aftermath // h.s

Finale

You were on the road to recovery. Something that had felt so out of reach, was finally at your fingertips. Days seemed to get better, easier. But you still lived with the pain of what happened, and you were working on accepting the fact that you could never change it, no matter how much you wanted to.

The court date came. And went. Testifying in front of a crowd was one of the hardest things you had ever done. Reliving the whole situation. You felt extremely humiliated when the defense lawyer came at you, tried to pick apart your story and make you the guilty one. In the back of the mind, you knew he was just doing his job, but the way he turned your story, tried to poke holes, and cut your sentences off, you wanted to scream. Even from the gallery, Harry winced at his harsh words and hurt for you. The way your tears rolled down your cheeks as you fought so hard to keep your composure and made sure you didn't give in. You could not let this evil bastard go free.

The days leading up to the verdict, while only two, were long, and exhausting. All you could think about was how there was a possibility of your attacker walking free. Just the way he stared at you in the courtroom made your blood run cold, and you dared not look at him. But you could feel his eyes burning into your head the day the jury came back with their verdict. Harry stood beside you, keeping his close distance while your lawyer stood on the other side. The bailiff took the small piece of paper from the head juror, brought it to the judge and then returned it. You closed your eyes when the judge asked if the jury had come to an agreement, the head juror responded with a "Yes we have your honor."

Harry's hand slipped into yours and squeezed, giving you strength. Your heart was racing. It beat so hard you almost missed the jury's verdict.

Guilty.

Harry audibly gasped in relief beside you, and you nearly collapsed in his arms. Everything else, well that was history.

Now, as you laid in bed with Harry, there was something different in the air. Things felt lighter. Therapy had been a help, but it was going to be a long road ahead. There would still be a lot of emotions, and a lot of times where you would just want to give up. You were beyond grateful for the patience of the man who laid beside you, running his hand up and down your back with his eyes closed. You had learned to be comfortable with him quite quick. You wanted nothing more than to return the favor. He knew you would one day.

"H..." you whispered. You didn't think he was asleep, but you wanted to make sure.

"Hmm?"

"You're up?"

"Mhm..." he nodded slightly, opening his eyes and turning his head towards you. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah..." you turned yourself towards him a bit. "Just thinking..."

"About the trial?" he asked softly.

"No... about you... I... you've been so good to me... so patient..." you started. "I really hope you know how much you mean to me... everything you've done I just... I don't think I'll ever be able to repay you..."

Harry looked at you for a moment, his lips downturned slightly.

"Why are you frowning?" you jut out your bottom lip.

"You're thanking me for patient... wouldn't have been any other way darlin'... Know you would've done the same for me..."

"Always..." you nodded slightly.

His hand came up to cup your cheek gently, and he moved in just slightly, waiting for your permission. When you gave him a small nod, he moved in closer and closed the space between you two, his lips against yours gently. It was nothing insane or heavy, but gentle and reassuring. Your heart warmed at his soft gesture, it almost made you want to cry.

"I feel so guilty..." you breathed out against his lips, causing him to pull back.

"For what..."

"For... for not being... he took something I wanted to save for you..." Your voice was so small.

"No." Harry suddenly spoke with a firmness that seemed to come out of nowhere.

"Harry..."

"No... no, no, no," he repeated, pressing his lips back against yours. "Never..."

You grabbed onto his wrist and pulled your head back, shaking your head.

"I..."

"Please, don't say it..."

Pursing your lips together, you two laid together and said nothing.

"You are still... you... what happened doesn't make you any less of the person you were before... it changes nothing between us at all. You are still beautiful, and smart, and lovely in every way shape or form... and we will get through this, and you will be... you will be okay one day..."

"I know..." you said softly, gently rubbing the pad of your thumb over the prominent bone on his wrist. "Just, thank you..."

He gave you a small smile, gently bumping his forehead against yours.

"You make me feel so safe."