"I want to," Draco replies, a little breathless, and quickly enough it would be hard to deny just how much he wants this, wants him. He wants it even more than the glass vial tucked away in his pocket, but for the moment he still needs the security of it. That reassurance that if it's too bad, too much, he still has that balm that will take it all away. But for the moment, he wants Snape to be the one to take it away, ground him, anchor him here.

He wanted touch, wanted to feel, however he could get it. His parents had spoiled him mercilessly, but they'd still never been particularly affectionate, especially his father. The idea of being curled up in Snape's arms, tucked against his body, blond hair under the man's chin... It just wasn't something he thought that he could have. And the pain, the feeling, it took him away from those dark places, had him clinging to that trust, to Snape, giving himself over and taking it all. When Snape had been spanking him, there hadn't been any shadows, any darkness, and he didn't think it was just because of the potion.

He took a step closer, just slightly moving into Snape's space, reaching a hand up to skim against the fabric of his vest. Swallowing his uncertainty and watching his face, his dark eyes. He wanted him, and he figured they were past the point of trying to hide that.