A/N: This is a sequel to my previous story Buried Bruises. I just couldn't resist continuing. Sorry it took me so long to type this up. I've had it written for a while, but it's finals week and stuff. Blegh! Thanks for your patience.

You don't have to have read the previous story to understand this one, but I would recommend it.

Oh yeah, I should mention this is pre-slash, there will be slash, and there are possibly some mild self-injury/cutting triggers.

The rating will change as later chapters become more smutt-licious (yes, that is now a word).

And I don't own any of the characters obviously.

I hope you enjoy it!

Three months later:

Reid still had good days and bad days. The bad days, however, were becoming less and less frequent. He hadn't self-injured in 11 days! He went days at a time without the urge. Life was enjoyable sometimes- something Reid never though he'd experience again.

Morgan had, those three long months ago, much to Reid's displeasure, only agreed not to tell the team on the condition that Reid visit a psychiatrist. Initially Reid had laughed at this notion. Surely he was better at psychiatry than anyone in private practice in the Virginia. Still, Morgan had insisted and Reid had acquiesced. He owed Morgan that much.

Even though Reid could have manipulated the hell out of the dowdy middle-aged woman that he chose he decided to play along. How could he, in clear conscience, recommend treatment for unsubs, hell, even his own mother, but then refuse it for himself?

The psychiatrist spoke to him several times (just enough for him to mentally diagnose her with trichotillomania and OCD with slight narcissistic leanings) before directing him to a therapist and prescribing him fluoxetine, an SSRI antidepressant, which he took obediently.

A month later he found himself amazed. Even though he understood the process of inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin in the synaptic cleft, allowing it to bind more to receptors, he was still amazed at how well it worked. He knew there was a valid scientific explanation, but it still shocked him in how it changed his world view. It was not a complete fix, but it made him feel whole; it killed the never-ending despair that had previously filled a metaphorical cavity in his chest. Granted, he still had urges, but he could talk through them or wait it out and eventually they would subside.

His life, in a short three months, had gone from being bleak with rare moments of dim happiness to positive with occasional dark moments... and he had Derek Morgan to thank. Derek Morgan, his sturdy rock of a friend, who had discovered his deepest secret, and instead of fleeing in terror had stood by his side. Derek Morgan, who had confiscated all of his sharps and later held him while he sobbed. Derek Morgan that had joked and laughed with him. Derek Morgan, who was a beautiful person inside and out. Beautiful. Straight.

Morgan had been spending more time with Reid. If you asked him why he would have told you that it was because he wanted to make sure that Reid was doing OK. That was only part of it though. He actually enjoyed the younger man's company. Reid had really blossomed lately. He wasn't always happy, but Morgan was OK with that. It was not a losing battle. He could see progress with Reid every day. Reid was comfortable with him now- not that he wasn't before, but the experiences that they had shared meant that Reid was much more willing to open up. Morgan was also willing to share things with Reid to keep things balanced. Besides, the kid was a good listener. He had actually comforted Morgan on more than one occasion.

It wasn't all serious though. Sometimes they would watch movies, tease each other, play games, talk about women or sex... Well, they only talked about sex once. That was awkward. Morgan tried not to think about the feelings that that conversation had given him. Besides, both he and Reid were straight after all. Right?

A/N: Sorry this one was so short! I'll try to get the next chapter up a lot sooner. Maybe even this weekend :D

It will be super cute too, I promise. Moving away from the serious stuff (partially).

Please tell me what you thought!

Oh, and please do let me know if there are any glaring spelling/grammatical errors (this goes for any of my stories) because they annoy the crap out of me.