Chapter 68

                                        

                                              
Chapter 68
Published: December 26, 2024
"Holy-bloody-fuck!" Draco swore as Harry applied more pressure to the stretch. He hadn't felt this much pain and, consequentially, relief since he left the hospital. No pain, no gain, his muggle physical therapist always said, but she never risked this much stretching. Of course, Harry would always heal the over-stretching he did. That was how Harry could heal injuries faster than anyone else could... well, one of the reasons.
"Okay?" Harry checked, as Draco whimpered when Harry's magic soothed his spasming muscles.
"Y-Yeah... it's been a while," he said with a little laugh.
Harry smiled. His hands were almost jittery when they touched him. Draco figured that meant Harry missed touching him as much as he missed Harry touching him. After a few more days of Harry wearing him down, Draco agreed that Harry could start coming over in the mornings... for breakfast, stretching, and a massage, in that order. Draco wasn't sure it was wise to blur the lines like this, but he recognized that Harry touching him was different than Draco touching Harry. 
Draco could live with that. Harry was in control of that part of his-their life. They had made progress... Harry had talked about it at least, which was a rarity in itself. He knew it would be a long time before he could do more than kiss and hold hands. Even the few times that they had fallen asleep on the couch, Harry always had his arms wrapped around Draco, almost protectively. He wouldn't or couldn't handle that much contact otherwise.
"Ready for the other?" Harry warned, moving to his other leg.
Draco braced himself and nodded as Harry guided it up and back to stretch out Draco's back, hips and hamstrings. He hissed again with the deep stretch. Harry was on the bed, crouched between, his hands on his leg, which was propped up on his shoulder. The position wasn't exactly chaste, but Draco was more focused on the pain rather than appreciating that.
"A little longer. Feel it?" Harry said, putting a little more weight on his leg.
"You're fucking on me! Of course, I feel it!" he snapped, breathing in deeply through his nose.
Harry smirked. "I forgot how much I love when you get angry."
Draco growled but didn't reply. Harry laughed and subtly leaned in to kiss Draco's inner thigh. All anger evaporated as he met Harry's eyes. Harry just smiled and finished the stretch. Draco's heart skipped a few beats anytime Harry's lips kissed him, and he didn't care where.
"Well, I know how to make you happy," Harry chuckled.
"It wasn't very hard," Draco murmured, and relaxed as Harry released his leg.
Harry boldly laid down next to him and Draco's heart pitter-paddled harder. Every time Harry touched him, it was like a shock of life into his system. He'd never get tired of it. However, he was still on his back while Harry was next to him. After an internal debate, Draco rotated onto his side to face Harry and tucked his head under Harry's chin. He wanted to be closer. He wanted to hold him, but he knew that they had to take small steps.
His hands found Harry's, and he grabbed on, trapping one with both of his hands. He needed the connection but would allow Harry to pull away if needed. Harry, however, reached out his other arm and wrapped it around Draco's back. He pulled Draco into his chest, hugging him. Draco snuggled into Harry's chest, his body fully pressed against him. All tension left Draco's body as Harry one-armed hugged him. He practically whimpered in relief.
"There you go...relax..." Harry whispered. "You could have asked to be closer."
Draco, nearly blissed out, mumbled, "It's always your choice what we do, Harry."