Chapter 26 - Comfort

                                        

                                              
Published: 5/14/2025
After a week had passed, Draco was still on edge and distant. Harry tried everything he could think of to reassure him, and Draco would feel better for a while. However, his fear and uncertainty always returned. Harry realized that Draco could have always been like this, but now, Harry knew every mood change Draco had. He didn't, or hadn't, fully comprehended the psychological damage Greyback and the wolves had done to him.
Harry went outside to process this... to grieve for Draco's pain. Now that he knew how much Draco could smell, he was determined to ensure he wouldn't trigger him. So, outside in the garden, he got some distance. He just wanted to cry for the amount of sorrow and misery Draco went through... and express the rage he felt for the bastards who hurt him. He had never had the desire to kill, but bloodlust was setting in his heart, now. Draco needed to be avenged, but more importantly, he needed to feel safe.
Harry didn't regret becoming a werewolf. He only regretted making Draco do it. It was impulsive, but it felt so right at the time. He wanted Draco to be his sire more than anything. He couldn't explain why, but he wanted that link to him. He wanted to be with Draco in everything. It didn't take long to find that subconscious part of him... his wolf... would still obey Draco, to a limited extent, regardless that he broke the thrall. 
Draco hadn't tested his command powers over him, nor come close to touching his-their bitemark. He wouldn't look at it, at him. Sometimes, he smelled Draco's guilt and bitterness over it. Harry hated it when he did. Harry was the one who had told him to do it. He was the one who felt guilty and could only hope that it turned out okay. Tears fell from his eyes, as he grieved for the loss of their closeness.
He knew that Draco was hurting because of his choice. Moreover, Draco's withdrawal from him was hurting Draco more. He could smell and see that Draco was afraid of him, now, where he had not been before. He was sure of that.
But he didn't know how to fix it. Draco never initiated contact with him, now. He would stare off into the distance, as though trapped in his thoughts. At night, Draco retreated to his room and not Harry's. Harry would follow him in, even asking if Draco wanted to be alone, but Draco always shook his head. Draco would always turn toward the wall, and he seemed almost paralyzed with fear. 
Harry tried everything he could to reassure him, but the only thing that seemed to work was gently rubbing his bondmark. Draco immediately relaxed and breathed easier, his scent changed to something less afraid. It still wasn't perfect like it had been. Maybe Draco always felt this way, but Harry doubted it. Harry sat on a bench in the garden and cried harder. He didn't know what to do. He buried his face in his hands and tried to stop the helplessness he felt.
Suddenly, he heard a soft crack, and he lifted his head. He didn't know how Draco had snuck up on him without hearing or smelling him, but he straightened up immediately and wiped his eyes.
"Draco... I'm sorry. I went outside as I didn't want to bother you," he mumbled, looking down at Draco's feet. Guilt and shame flushed through him. What right did he have to break down when Draco was so hurt?
Draco sat next to him and took his hand. "I'm sorry, too. I'm sorry, I'm scared."
Tears came out of Harry's eyes as he rambled, "Draco! Don't apologize for being scared! None of this is your fault! I-I shouldn't have done this without asking. I made you afraid of me... and-and you were getting better... and I ruined it... and I don't know what to do... and you're hurting because of me... and...."
Harry couldn't stop the rising panic and guilt as the words wouldn't stop. He was shaking and was about to start sobbing, but Draco brought his hand up and pressed his thumb into Harry's bitemark. Deep serenity went through his body so quickly that Harry's body acted like it had been electrocuted. He nearly stopped breathing as his emotions were effectively cut off. All he could feel was Draco, who kept his hand on his neck. He whined, comforted, as Draco softly pressed his mark, their mark.