Harry stared blankly at the ceiling of the hospital wing. Bandages covered his limbs, his face, his stomach. His left arm was in a sling. His torso was riddled with black bruises. Countless ribs were broken. His eyes were nearly swollen shut. Madam Pomfrey had applied a peculiar concoction to his gums to begin the painful process of regrowing his teeth. Every inch of him pulsated with agonizing pain.
After Ron had walked in on Harry and Draco lying naked together in the locker room shower, he left immediately, only to return with hoards of prejudice young men thirsty for blood. So enraged by Harry's betrayal of his sister, Ron knew the best way to exact revenge was unleashing a troop of homophobic teens on Harry. Draco happened to leave a few minutes before the mob descended and escaped any abuse. In fact Ron hadn't even mentioned Draco's name to anyone.
They found Harry still naked and gathering his things at his locker. They pushed him down on the hard tile floor. Kicks, punches and body slams rained down upon him for what seemed like hours. Ron watched the scene for a few minutes and then left, satisfied with the punishment Harry was receiving. Harry cradled his head and kept his eyes tightly closed throughout the whole ordeal, but before he did he got a split second glimpse of the expressions on the boys' faces. Furrowed brows alive with rage. Jaws clenched with excitement. Eyes aflame with the desire for violence. Harry had never seen this part of humanity before and he felt ashamed he could elicit this behavior out of people.
He heard someone walking into the large room, purposefully but cautiously. Harry hoped to Merlin it wasn't one of the boys coming to finish the job. Unfortunately the thought of turning his head to look at the person coming towards him didn't seem worth the pain. The footsteps slowly became less faint and Harry sensed a figure standing by his bed. Hoping his tolerance for pain would allow him to move his eyes, he turned them towards the figure.
Draco was standing above him. His hair was a mess and his normally flawless, pale face was beat red and overflowing with anger and regret.
He wanted nothing more than to take Harry in his arms and take him far away from this place, but he found himself afraid to even touch him. It seemed like every inch of him looked so fragile, a strong breeze would break him in two.
Draco's hand hovered tentatively for a moment above Harry, before finally resting it softly on his. As he looked at the damage his love had done to Harry's body, it took all of his strength not to allow the tears welling in his eyes to fall. He wished it had been him to suffer this abuse. Their eyes finally met when Draco was able to shove his guilt aside for long enough.
"Oh, Harry." Draco managed to whisper.
Harry tried to think of what response would be least excruciating. He made the slightest of smiles and weakly squeezed Draco's hand.
"Is there anything I can do?" Draco said as he gently stroked Harry's unkempt hair.
"No." Harry said meekly.
Draco summoned a chair and sat next to his lover. He didn't say anything more, partly because he didn't know what to say, but mostly because he didn't want Harry to endure the pain of responding. But as Draco gazed deeply into his eyes and caressed his hand with his thumb, Harry had never felt more loved.
Harry felt the herbs Madam Pompfrey had given him earlier for pain and drowsiness begin to kick in. He fought as long as he could against the weight growing atop his eyelids, but eventually he gave in.
A few hours later Harry awoke to Draco snoring. He had fallen asleep still holding Harry's hand and resting his head on the side of Harry's bed. Noticing the sun beginning its slow ascension, he shook Draco's hand as harshly as he could. The young wizard jerked awake, taking a few seconds to realize where he was.
"Is everything alright?"
"It's almost morning. Madam Pompfrey will be here any minute. You should probably go." Harry thought his lungs were going to collapse from the long response.
Draco had to admit he made a good point. If he was seen with another man by his side, that couldn't help his recovery and reputation. But still he couldn't imagine leaving Harry's side.
"Are you sure?"
Harry gave the slightest of nods. It didn't hurt as much as he expected it to. Madam Pompfey's concoctions must be working.
"Alright." He sighed. "I'll be back tonight. Maybe by then you'll be healed. You already look a lot better." It was only a slight lie.
He sat up and gave Harry a final long gaze. He leaned down to give Harry a feather-light kiss on his forehead. Harry reveled in Draco's quick but meaningful affection. He gave Draco's hand a tight squeeze before they finally had to let each other go.
Harry watched him walk away, missing him already. Draco couldn't believe Harry still fancied him after all that he had been put through. He couldn't help but turn around to see him one last time before nightfall.
Harry was looking up expectantly. His eyes were looking much better.
Forgetting his reputation, his principles, his philosophy on life, Draco whispered, "I love you."
Harry quietly replied, "I love you, too."
They looked at each other one long moment before Draco finally turned back to leave.
Harry had heard the old saying that love didn't hurt. He had believed it. But sitting here recovering from the worst hurt of his life, he had never been more in love or felt more love in return.
When he was sure Draco was gone, he turned his head away and closed his eyes. He was going to spend the rest of the morning having the loveliest of dreams.