AN: Here we go, the last chapter. I hope you enjoy.

Chapter 24

Draco

He woke with a start as a bloodcurdling scream filled the room. For a moment he was panicked, not sure where he was, but he felt Harry thrashing next to him and realized he was in Harry's bed. Another scream rang out and he sat up, leaning over Harry to shake him lightly. "Harry," he said as he tapped his face softly with his hand. "Harry."

The boy's eyes flew open and he pushed Draco away violently, causing him to fall off the bed. As he picked himself up, he saw Harry's wild eyes searching the room as he mumbled, "No, no, no. Please stop," obviously still caught up in the dream. He put his hands over his face as he hyperventilated and began scratching at his neck.

"Harry," Draco said again, not approaching him out of fear of being attacked.

Harry's wide, vulnerable eyes met his. "Draco?" he asked softly, almost like a whimper.

"Yes Harry, it's me," Draco replied, approaching the bed slowly and sitting on the edge. Harry stretched out his hand towards him, tears beginning to run down his face, and Draco took it, scooting closer to the other boy and touching his face softly with his other hand. "It's okay, you're safe," he whispered.

"I'll never be safe," Harry sobbed. "They'll always be in my head."

"And I'll always be here to remind you that you are," Draco whispered as Harry leaned his head on his chest. He wrapped his arms around the other boy as he sobbed, rubbing his back slowly as he rocked him back and forth. He saw Severus poke his head through the door, having heard the screaming, but when he saw that Draco was dealing with it he nodded and ducked back out.

"I want to die," Harry moaned as he cried.

Draco paused, not sure how to respond. "You can't leave me, Harry," he whispered.

"I know," the other boy sniffled, pulling back. "I hate them. I hate them for doing this to us."

"I hate them, too. But hating them won't get us through this. Loving each other will."

Harry smiled through the tears. "Well, I love you."

"And I love you. So we'll get through this," Draco said, kissing his forehead. "Come on. Try to go back to sleep," he said, pulling him back under the covers and ignoring the butterflies that tickled his stomach when Harry told him he loved him. Harry pulled him closer and tucked his head under Draco's chin, draping his arm over his waist as Draco resumed rubbing his back. "Shhhhh…" he murmured as Harry quieted and his breathing gradually slowed. When he was sure the boy was asleep, he too relaxed against the pillow, kissing Harry's forehead again.

He knew they would be okay, one day. When he thought about it, he realized that they were even okay now- they still had nightmares, flashbacks, and memories, but they had each other, and they had Severus. They were never alone when they woke up from a nightmare because the other was always there. They understood each other in a way that nobody else could. Over the past two months, Draco had been through the most pain he had ever experienced in his life. But he had also found the person who brought him the most joy, and a man who was more like a father to him than his own father. He knew that eventually, the panic attacks and nightmares would become less frequent. The flashbacks would become less intense, and Harry would be there to calm him and remind him that he was safe and loved. He would be able to be intimate with Harry without feeling the ghost of that evil man's hands on him. In this moment, wrapped up in Harry's arms, he was content and hopeful, and that was all he needed, really.

...

Harry

He awoke slowly to find himself in Draco's arms, warm and relaxed. The blond was still sleeping, his breathing slow and even. The events of the night came back to him, but instead of being overwhelmed by them and ruminating on the nightmare, all he could think about was Draco holding him and telling him that he loved him. He smiled into the boy's cotton shirt, feeling only happiness as the morning sun's rays blanketed the room in soft light.

He knew Draco did truly love him, and that was something he hadn't experienced before- knowing a love that he couldn't deny or minimize. As he thought about the events of the past few months, he was filled with pain and regret but also joy as he thought of his weeks with Severus and Draco. He realized that he wouldn't take it all back, because if none of this had happened, he wouldn't be waking up in Draco's arms, feeling safe and content. Contentedness wasn't something he was used to feeling. There was always a shadow of grief and pain over him, even at Hogwarts with Ron and Hermione. Voldemort had always been inside him, filling him with constant dread, and he never stopped feeling trapped, knowing that if he was not at Hogwarts, he would have to go back to the abuse and pain at the Dursleys'. Now, Voldemort was dead, and he knew he would never have to go back to the Dursleys. He was fighting mostly with his mind, with memories and trauma and the ghost of suicide and depression. But he knew if he had Draco, even Severus, he could face it. He could find peace within life, rather than death.

He felt Draco begin to stir next to him and tightened his arms around the Slytherin. "Morning," he heard him whisper above him. He tilted his head up and smiled before Draco captured his lips in his. They broke apart, and Draco whispered, "I love you. I don't know if you remember me saying that last night."

Harry smiled again. "I remember. And I love you too."

…

AN: Thank you so much for reading, I'm going to end it there. I feel much better about this ending, I feel as though it is more satisfying and optimistic. Not all sad stories end on a happy note, but some do, and this one does. I want to remind everyone that recovery is possible, whether you have someone to love and care for you unconditionally or you only have yourself, because you were born with everything you need within yourself. My PMs are always open if you need encouragement or want to hear my story.

With love,

Emma.