Hey guys!

I apologise for the short chapter, I was in two minds about how I wanted to write this chapter and I decided to go the PG version instead of the MA +15 I already started writing.

Please review so I know how I am going with this story.

But for now... Peace Out My Chicken Nuggets!

The Elephant In The Room

"What happened?" Harry asked as he came back to the world of consciousness, finding himself on the ground between Severus's legs and arms wrapped around him holding him against a strong chest.

"I think you had some sort of flashback," Severus responded as he silently summoned a cup of water for Harry to drink. "You were mumbling things..."

Harry looked up into Severus's eyes as he paused drinking... He had been talking? What had he said? How much did Severus know? What did Severus know? He closed his eyes and focused on breathing, he'll ask before panicking.

"Wh-What did I say?" he asked with a small shake in his voice.

"All you said repeatedly was 'Please, please don't hurt me.' And you wouldn't stop shaking for a long time," answered Severus, standing up and helping Harry to walk to the couch in case he fell over.

"Oh, yep... Definitely a flashback then," Harry said with a slight sad smile as he cuddled into Severus's side on the couch. "I haven't had one since a few months at the end of the war. Something must have triggered it."

"Possibly," Severus murmured, lost in thought about what Harry was remembering that had caused him so much pain and hurt. "May I ask what it was you had a flashback about? You don't have to answer, I just want to avoid things like this happening in the future."

Harry sighed, closing his eyes as he felt a comforting arm wrap around his waist and pull him closer towards Severus's side. He really just wanted the silence in the room to continue so he could stay put beside Severus.

"It was about my childhood and all the times I was hurt," answered Harry simply, trying not to give too much detail away unless he was to confess everything he held a secret.

"Meaning... 'abused' hurt or 'silly playful' hurt or 'bullied' hurt... ?" Severus asked wanting to know a little more information before dropping the subject.

"Abused and bullied type of hurt," Harry whispered before he started shaking again and he found himself pulled into Severus's lap, being comforted and told sweet nothings in his ear.

"Alright I'll leave it at that for now. It's getting late, Harry. Maybe you should go back to your room and get some rest, flashbacks aren't a fun experience," Severus instructed but neither of the two moved from their spot on the couch and in each other's comfort.

Seconds stretched into minutes and before Severus knew it, Harry was snoring quietly and breathing softly onto his neck which sent shivers down his spine. He knew he would have to move eventually but he was happy just to stay there for the time being, so he decided to close his eyes for a few seconds as well and dim the lights.

Severus decided he would wake Harry up in a minute or two and send him off to his own rooms...

That was until he felt his body maneuver the two of them so they were lying on their sides, cuddled up on the couch with Harry being the little spoon.