TW: References to torture/punishment

Chapter 142:

Making Progress

Ariella let out a hiss as Draco unwrapped her torso bandages. They were pulling at her skin. But it was still better than if left untreated.

"Do you want to wash before we rebandage them?"

She thought it over before nodding. "Draco? Would you be able to help me, though? I don't – I don't know if I can – "

" – certainly."

"You don't mind?"

Draco just shook his head and began stripping to avoid getting a majority of his clothing wet. It was the truth – with how much damage had been done to her because of his father, because of him, not to mention how many times they'd seen each other naked, thanks to the bond, helping her was the least he could do. He'd want to do it even if the bond didn't require to take care of her. Then again, the bond considered the care he was giving to her right now far more than just the basic necessity.

"Thank you."

"Do you need help walking or just washing up?" he questioned.

"Just washing up, please. If you're certain…?"

"I am. Go get started. I'll join you shortly."

"Yes, Sir. Thank you."

Draco tidied up a bit while she ran the water to a better temperature. He then joined her, stepping into the tub, glad she was allowing him to help. He didn't want to force her more than needed. He noticed how she still stood awkwardly, was still somewhat embarrassed being this naked with him. Something like this was good practice for her, then.

"Draco? May I ask after how things are going?"

"How things are going…?"

"With Astoria," she clarified, turning her back to him.

"Ah. They're going well. I – I really like her," he admitted softly as he brought a soapy washcloth to her injured back.

"I'm happy for you. Truly. You – you deserve this, Draco."

"Thank you," he replied, smiling softly even if she couldn't see it.

"Do you – "

" – you can ask, Ariella. I won't be mad. If you overstep, I'll tell you," he interrupted.

"Have you told her about me?"

"No. But if we continue, I'll have to," he paused, turning her back to the gentle spray of the water, noticing her flinch as some of the streams hit sorer patches directly. "Would that bother you?"

"No. So many people already know. We told Grant when he realized he was going to be a steady part of Theo's life. Why would Astoria be different?"

"Because she's dating me. Because if this does progress further she'll…she'll – "

" – she'll have a say. I know it's not my place, but it wouldn't bother me if you told her eventually."

He nodded, watching as the soapy blood and water mixture swirled down the drain.

He ran another cloth over her back, doing a second pass, making sure her back was as clean and free from old skin and debris as could be before they applied more medication.

"Do you need me to…to help you with anything while we're here? Washing, or…?"

" – no," he said swiftly, cutting her off even as her question trailed off. "This is just about taking care of you. Any other requests can and will be taken care of at another point in time, once you are further along in healing," he said, hardening his tone.

He knew what she was asking, what she was implying. But he also knew she was scared. Since they had been released, the bond's specifics had been challenging for them. So he made sure to word his answers as carefully as always, both for her sake and understanding and for the bond's.

"Feel ready to go lie down again?"

She nodded and he reached behind her to turn off the water. Grabbing a towel, he gently wrapped it around her frail body.

"Lie face down. I'll be there momentarily," he instructed. She obeyed, clutching the plush towel to her as she walked out of the room. Draco glanced about, before beginning to towel off himself, casting a cleansing charm on the tub. He wanted no visible trace of the blood left behind.

Quickly swapping out his now-damp underwear with a dry pair and some sleep trousers, he moved over to the bed. As he opened the jar of balm, she turned her head a bit, showing she'd heard his approach.

"Have you thought about any more about Grant's proposal?"

"I have. If you're still in favour of it, then I am, too. It will be a lot of work, though."

"Because I'm so unused to hard work," he heard her mutter and he snorted in response, even as she received a warning sting from the bond.

"I was thinking we could call it "LEA's Lifesaving Balm", as a way to subtly give you credit," he said quietly, wincing as she tensed up when he pressed against a particularly rough spot of scarring on her back.

She was quiet for a moment, probably working out what he meant and working through the flash of pain. L.E.A.; her initials, backwards. Ariella Elizabeth Lyons.

"You're certain? You'd risk that?"

"I would," he replied without a trace of uncertainty in his voice.

She bit her lip. "Thank you."

"It's the least we can do. It's your balm. And it's not false advertising; it's helped save your life – and mine – more times than I want to think about. You're the one who's going to be making a majority of the product. We can't formally acknowledge you or pay you. This is the closest I could come up with. No one but us, Theo, and Grant would know. Not unless you told, which I don't advise doing," he explained.

"Thank you," she simply repeated, unable to say much else.

"Don't worry about my father," he said, knowing it was always going to be a worry. "I doubt he even recalls your middle name and I seriously doubt he knows about your healing balm. I'll deal with it if and when it becomes a problem, but for once, I don't see that happening," he continued, and could visibly see her relax just slightly as his words – and the balm itself – sunk in.

"I don't want to wrap these just yet; might be better to let them air. Do you want help sleeping?"

"Do you mind?"

"No. We may not like the bond, but if we can use it to help, might as well."

"Yes, sir. Thank you."

He nodded and pressed his hand to her arm, allowing her to heal and rest as peacefully as she could under a semi-forced sleep.

Happy World NF Awareness Day!