A/N: This came from a meme on LiveJournal where you put your iPod on shuffle, and write a ficlet for the first ten songs that popped up. It can be any fandom, any pairing, whatever you want, but you only have the length of the song to write it. This drabble was done using the song "Tango de Roxanne" from Moulin Rouge.
"You're trembling."
Ron chokes slightly and shakes his head, forcing a smile. "I'm fine."
"You're not fine. Please." Harry runs a hand through the soft red hair, the hair he'd touched a million times before; it had smelled like the apple shampoo the first time he had at the age of thirteen. Ron isn't looking at him, instead fixated upon the ground like he'll find the answers there. Harry tries to keep a steady hand as he bandages the gazes along Ron's thin arms and legs, tenderly wrapping the raw spots on his wrists in fabric.
This couldn't possibly be happening. Harry swallows and doesn't pressure. It had been a long war, and although it was nearly over, of course there would be aftermath to it all. Of course people would be damaged. This was proof enough.
Chained, beated, broken down in spirit and body. Ron had seen it all in these past few months in servitude to the Death Eaters. Had overcome the fear and submitted when told without question or complaint… to save Harry. Harry feels sick even thinking about it.
Ron looks up finally, and whispers, "Harry. I'm okay."
Harry shakes and collapses into Ron, crying into his hair, which now smells no longer of apple shampoo, but of grimy hands and scarred faces.
"Don't ever do that again."