Into the Arms of the Night

Chapter 4: Healing and Recuperation

Over the next week, Harry had rapidly begun to heal and soon was up and about for longer amounts of time while being able to walk mostly on his own. Before this, he could walk somewhat, but not very far or for long by himself nor alone without someone needing to be there in case of him falling or getting dizzy.

Tom observed his progress with a critical eye and he never indulged Harry's wants if he thought they would interrupt his progress. He had always remained close by; close enough for Harry's core to take in his magic to accelerate his own for healing. If he could not be there; then either one of the elves or Nagini remained with Harry under strict guidelines.

Tom was, however, very pleased that he could help his partner like this and reveled as he saw how much stronger Harry grew each and every single day from his ordeal. He saw the fierce looks of determination that were exuded into his aura even if they no longer could be discerned by his expressions.

Harry wanted to recover now; now that he found he had a reason to live.

Interestingly enough, his lover seemed to like that Tom was so careful about his recovery process and how his progress went as many others had disregarded such things. Though Harry had needed to once more reassure the older wizard that he had not romantically been involved before as he had said; he simply meant that most others who had been supposed to be his friends, family or allies...they all had disregarded his feelings on certain matters and that had ended up endangering him further or making a partially healed injury worse than it had been to begin with.

Then, in the aftermath of the ordeal; they all had also tried to brush off his emotions as if they were unnecessary or misplaced in order to keep him sedate over the events. So he wouldn't question it or become suspicious of them for why they didn't wish to answer things.

Harry explained that he was content with this because he knew that Tom would indulge him if he asked him to, but only if it wouldn't potentially harm him further. He had and would make time to spend with him when he was allowed to by his work; Tom had been honest with Harry, and would answer his questions if he could.

Harry liked that and found himself more and more liking that he could surrender the spot of alpha male to Tom. The older wizard also noted that Harry had not shied away from touch after his ordeal. No, even after that first night with him here at the manor, he had seemed to want it in order to erase the memories of what he had gone through.

Both of them were fully aware that Harry would never truly forget because the situation he was in had been deplorable and highly traumatic, as they had spoken a great deal of this. However, Harry had said that he would not have been able to live with himself if he had allowed what happened to affect him that way.

He had said it the first night he had woken up to Tom too; though both of them soon enough had gotten rather preoccupied...

Tom had understood as he had dealt with his own situation similarly; until he began to shut everyone else out unless they had a report or other work-related business to discuss. Tom also admitted to him that his incident had led him to be with not just one person, but several. Though none of them had meant anything to him. Not like Harry did now.

And so, it was because of his...feelings for the younger man that the dark wizard was at a dilemma. He had told Narcissa some days ago that he would speak to Harry about counseling. He had yet to do this, and he was sure that Harry would not react favorably to what he might be trying to imply by suggesting it.

About as unfavorably as he had about Tom's hesitance to use one of the magical race's knowledge to have a chance to restore his lover's eyesight. He hoped that he would be able to calm him if that happened.