I'd Choose You Again Tomorrow [L.S]

Chapter Seven

T/W - Mention of car accident and minor character death

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He feels overwhelmingly groggy, muddled in his mind and body but he fights off his bodies will to sleep, if only for a few more minutes. Harry is back by his side the moment the doctor steps back and leaves the room, his hand gripping to him like a vice and he can't contain the slight wince it entails. Harry's grip loosens instantly, both hands still clasping his but it's to his eyes, rimmed with tears and redness that he can't help but look too. Somehow, he's missed these emerald green eyes.

He takes him in fully this time. Notably the lack of the once long, luscious curls which have now been reduced to a crumpled style of shortened strands. But it's more than just the hair he'd loved so dearly which confuses him. He's broader, despite the fabric which clings to his body he can see the widened, more defined features which hide beneath. Harry looks older, not by much and perhaps older isn't the right word, just more... mature.

His mind tumbles as he takes in every feature, wanting to relearn every difference from the image his own mind compiles of his Harry.

"Please don't cry." Louis breaths out. The moment he begins to speak Harry's eyes widen and he watches as the younger man almost subconsciously gravitates closer to him.

"Louis." Harry merely repeats, his name tumbling like a prayer from his lips.

Transfixed, he watches as Harry's hands come up to cradle his head, leaning towards him before featherlight lips press against his temple. Louis feels like melting into the sheets at the gesture, at the heartbreaking tenderness which Harry caresses him. His eyes slip close, lost in the feeling of breathing Harry in. It's like breathing in a part of him, so deeply engraved into his being having Harry press himself softly over him. The angle must be awkward for him, leaning over him like this but Harry doesn't offer a single suggestion of discomfort. Instead he shifts till he can press his forehead softly to his own, eyes remaining closed.

"Harry what's..." An achingly familiar voice calls out as, causing the two of them to jerk back away from the other in surprise. Over Harry's shoulder Louis watches as another figure rushes into the room. Louis tears his gaze away from Harry still leant over him as his eyes land on his mother. He cracks internally then as he watches her face crumble, he tries to draw in a haggard breath but feels constricted by the mere action of doing so. "Oh my darling." Jay says breathless as she approaches him on unsteady legs. Her hands shake as they reach for him, settling upon his shoulder across from where Harry sits having moved slightly away to allow room for Jay to get to him. She leans down, delicately cradling his jaw between her soft hands and kisses the crown of his head reverently. The act feels so different from what Harry had just bestowed upon him but he cherishes it all the same. A mothers love could never be described as similar to that of his soulmate.

"Hi mum." He's helpless to do anything when the first tear falls down across her check. Her hair is longer than he remembers it, darker too as it falls down over her shoulders. She's aged more noticeably than he can pinpoint in Harry and Zayn but she's just as breathtakingly beautiful as he remembers.

"I'll give you some space." Zayn says before stepping out of the room, sending one final long look in his direction.

He glances between Harry, tears silently rolling down his checks as he studies him with intent, as his mum on his other side who stands shell shocked in disbelief. "What happened?" He watches in silence as Harry and his mum's eyes flicker to meet one another, unease evident in their gaze. "Harry?" He pleads more desperately, knowing the man before him has always been somewhat powerless to resist his requests.