until we meet again - l.s

i

Some had only now started their work hours but a sleepy Harry was just two or three minutes from being home after a long 18-hour shift. He could already see himself enjoying a big cold glass of wine from his very own cellar while watching a rom-com in nothing but a onesie to keep him cosy on an October night. This last part, well. Nobody had to know of. And nobody would ever know of.

Harry could start to feel the cold breeze over his face and exposed neck as he neared the main entrance of the hospital, goosebumps running all over his body.

"Dr Styles?" A hesitant but noisy voice from what Harry guessed was the main desk said, making him harshly stop his tracks, "Do you have time for a consult?"

Harry tightened his grip on his bag strap and turned around with a sigh leaving his lips, he didn't even try to hide his tiredness in an attempt of making the girl change her mind, "Is it important?" he asked shuffling on his feet

"Well. Somehow important, yes," the nurse smiled shyly

He didn't have anything else to do. He didn't have anyone happily waiting for him back home. And for the most part, he didn't mind spending even more time inside the hospital. "Alright, lead the way,"

The girl smiled and took the chart from the desk before walking towards the elevator with Harry by her side. As the two of them reached the right room, the blonde nurse knocked on the door and waited for confirmation to come in which she got almost immediately, she greeted an elegant woman sitting on the couch perfectly placed in front of the small and pale hospital bed. Before anything else had the slightest chance of happening, Harry's green eyes landed on, who he was sure was, the prettiest young man he had ever seen. The boy was too busy playing with a sort of PSP Portable that had to be at least more than ten years old to notice either Harry's or the nurse's presence. The tip of his tongue was sticking out showing his concentration on the video game and his hands moved the mini console from one side to the other, and Harry grinned because he knew that it didn't do anything to help. It was just an instinct. It wasn't until his mom, Harry assumed, cleared her throat and lightly shook his shin with her hand that the younger boy looked up and blushed when he saw all three adults looking straight at him. "'M sorry," he mouthed, putting his PSP underneath his pillow.

"Mrs Tomlinson, by recommendation of Dr Steinfeld, Dr Styles will be doing a quick consult," the nurse slowly elucidated the situation and Harry smiled at the woman once she glanced at him. She offered her hand out and he joyfully shook it with a quiet 'Hi,'

Seconds. It was hardly fifteen seconds until Harry felt the need to keep looking at the yet-to-be-named boy while he entertained himself with the seam of the white sheet. It was creepy. Yes. But his looks were way too alluring to be ignored for so long. Much to his dislike, his hypotonic state was interrupted thanks to the nurse's voice next to his ear, "Should I present or would you like to?"

Harry straightened his posture and clasped his hands behind his back before he uttered, "You're more associated with the case. Please do go on,"

She nodded and gaily started reading from the grey binder on her hands, "Louis Tomlinson, nineteen. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease stage 3. He was supposed to have a consult next week with Dr Steinfeld but was admitted a couple of hours ago due to chest tightness, lightheadedness and shortness of breath after catching a cold,"

Harry opened and closed his mouth a few times, confusion evident on his face. C.O.P.D on a 19-year-old? Never in his entire career had he heard of any case similar to the one in front of him. He put every current thought through a filter as he placed his bag on the table next to the bed, "A consult is just an ordinary checkup. Have you ever had a physical exam?" Harry wondered, hoping to hear the boy's voice