Harry smiled, appreciating Draco's efforts to reassure him. "This is nice, but maybe, I want a little more," Harry said, and brought his free hand up to cup Draco's face as he leaned in for a kiss.
He loved kissing Draco. Draco turned on his side and came in closer, deepening the kiss. "I love you, Harry," he breathed.
Harry cried and whispered, "I love you, too, Draco. I'm just sorry we can't be closer than this." 
"No... no. Don't be sorry. I... I don't know what I can handle either. I'm sorry I made it seem like I was... fine. I'm not. I still have healing to do, too" Draco admitted. "I'm broken... in a lot of ways."
"Me, too," Harry murmured. "I-I thought about what you said... about... helping me." 
Draco's eyes widened in surprise, but he stayed quiet, letting Harry work it out. His blazing grey eyes watched him carefully.
"I'm not ready for that... to see that, again," he confessed. "But... I could see... one day... letting you in."
Harry lifted his eyes so they met Draco's. He smiled, feeling hopeful. "One day... is good enough, Harry."
Harry came in closer and wrapped his arms around Draco, bringing his head to his chest. They held each other for a long time. Harry never felt so at ease.
"By the way, I'm sorry I didn't... congratulate you on getting a job. I was just... so focused on my own insecurities that I didn't consider how important it would be for you. I am so proud of you," Harry said, guiltily.
Draco's eyes watered. "Thank you, Harry. It's all because of you... and your kindness. I want to help people... like you helped me."
"That's amazing, Draco. It was a significant step in your life. I'm sorry that I didn't tell you that sooner, and I'm sorry that you felt you had to hide it from me."
Draco nodded. "You have your fears, and I have mine. I was expecting you to respond like that, and I was too afraid to tell you the truth."
"I don't want you to be afraid to talk to me," Harry said, tears forming.
"I don't want that either. I couldn't tell you the plan at first, and then... I just didn't want you to be on edge around me. Plus, I didn't really know where it was going. We only just started working with other people. Carla and I have been working together since I left the hospital, nearly every day. She recently convinced me to try training with another mind healer," Draco explained.
"That sounds amazing, Draco. I... want to hear about it... if you want to talk about it. I want us to talk more about... that and our fears." 
Draco nodded and explained how Carla had taught him to trust his abilities and let her in. Draco almost sounded excited as he talked about learning how to soothe Carla's triggers and mitigate the anxiety she had about it. Draco talked for over an hour about his experiences. Harry listened intently and smiled. He was so happy for Draco. He had found something that he was passionate about.
"So... Carla wants me to get certified by the International Healers Conclave. She said that it might appear biased toward me if she certified me. The Germans shouldn't have any prejudice, and it will be a good test for me," Draco explained.
"That's wonderful, Draco. Can I accompany you?" 
Draco trembled, giddy. "Would you? Since Blaise is at school... I was thinking about asking Theo if you didn't want...." 
"I want to," Harry said, excitedly.
"Thank you, it's on a Monday. We could go for the weekend? Unless you think that's too much?" Draco said, uncertainly.
"It's not. We can go sightseeing."
Draco clasped his hand." I'd love that." 
Harry kissed him. "Our first vacation together?" 
"Unless you count your time off as a vacation," Draco murmured.
"I don't. We were... dating."
"We were," Draco agreed.
Harry snorted. "I need to feed you."
Draco arched an eyebrow but refrained from commenting. Harry blushed at his unintended innuendo.
"Come on, dinner time," Harry muttered and climbed out of bed.
He cooked him up some breakfast for dinner, and they ate in companionable silence.
"I haven't seen Blaise or Neville lately," Harry mentioned.
"They knew you've been here," Draco replied. "I write Blaise, too, so he knows I'm okay."
"Oh? That's good. I was wondering since Blaise is very... protective of you."
"Blaise wants to make sure we have enough alone time," Draco chuckled.
Harry looked at him, smiling. "You Slytherins and your plans."
"Well, our plans tend to work," Draco drawled. "I think you succeed by accident."
"Hey! Besides, I told you to include me in your scheming from now on!"
Draco smirked. "I can't promise that. I mean... there are Christmas and birthday presents to get. Not to mention an anniversary to plan...."
Harry's eyes watered at the idea of sharing special days with someone... a partner. 
"By the way... what's our anniversary?" Draco asked, wondering.
"Not my birthday," Harry muttered.
"Hmmm.... maybe... the day we kissed?"
"You know what day that was?" Harry asked, and Draco shook his head. 
"How about... today? The day we're free of all hindrances? We don't have to play games anymore. We're together," Draco suggested.
"I don't mind declaring today it... but we've been together a lot longer than that. Since the day you opened your arms and asked me to get in your bed. I can't tell you how much that moment meant to me," Harry admitted.
"I know how much it meant for me," Draco said.
Harry's eyes watered, again. He took Draco's hand and leaned in for a hug. "I-I can figure out the day... from my notes... if... if you want...."
"If that memory isn't too... traumatizing."
"It isn't. It was... but having you there... holding me... listening... was everything."
"You always have me, Pottah. You get to have me every day, now. To hold you when you're down or just to remember that we aren't alone anymore."
Harry met his eyes and kissed him. "We aren't alone anymore," he repeated.









I almost left no A/N, but I'm back I think. Tucked into my new temp home.