Chapter 10
"Bollocks!" Severus strode into the kitchen when he heard the crash, and was relieved to see that it was merely a smashed tumbler. Harry bent to pick it up and withdrew his hand sharply when he cut himself on a shard of glass, hissing through his teeth.
"Let me see it." Harry snatched his hand away and ran it under the tap until the shallow wound was clear of blood. He muttered profanities under his breath and rested his head on the palm of his hand, propping his elbow on the bench. Severus leant against the table and folded his arms.
"Oh, God."
"You believe in God?" Harry turned to face Severus.
"I used to." Severus paused, realising that if Harry started to talk, he might learn something he may have been better off not knowing.
"What happened?"
"The love of my life tried to kill himself. It kind of shook my belief system a bit. I tried so hard to show him how much he meant to me, and hoped that maybe he felt something for me too, but in the end he didn't even care for me enough to carry on breathing."
"He sounds like a complete bastard. He really didn't realise how lucky he was to have you." Harry bit his lower lip and looked at the floor. Severus reached out to touch his shoulder, but thought better of it and stepped back. He tried to talk and his voice came out as a croak. "Do you think you could ever forgive him?" Harry looked up and Severus saw tears glinting behind his glasses.
"I want to Severus, believe me, I do. But you have to help me." Severus moved forward and wiped the tears from Harry's cheek, tilting his head up so he knew that Harry could see him. He wanted to apologise, but the guilt of finally admitting to his actions, the enormity of a confession, hurt too much.
Timidly, with all the reserve of a first kiss, he gently pressed his lips to Harry's, as though he was made of glass and the slightest touch could shatter him into a thousand pieces. Harry welcomed the embrace hesitantly. He broke away from Severus and raised his wrists closer to his face, looking at them for a moment before kissing the silvery network of scars slicing across his pale skin.
"Restore my faith to me, Severus."