Have I forgotten how to love; remind me once again

Chapter Two

Even though Louis is the last to fall asleep, he is the first one awake as well, all his senses hyper-focused on everything Harry, every little irregularity startling him. Therefore, the first thing Louis does upon awakening is searching Harry's face for any sign of pain or discomfort, no longer looking for signs of him waking up.

Praying not to find anything, Louis nearly misses the thing that woke him up; Harry's breathing. The nose canula is still securely in place, but tormented sighs are leaving Harry's lips once in a while, as if breathing alone hurts him, and Louis is certain this is the end he has been dreading.

"Harry", he croaks, voice hoarse and strained from too much crying yet unyieldingly tender still. Whether it's the word or Harry's increasingly struggled breathing that wakes up Niall, Louis doesn't know, but within seconds, the blonde boy is stumbling to his feet and calling out for someone to help them.

It takes barely ten seconds for two nurses followed by a doctor to come rushing in, pushing aside everyone but Louis, who is still cradling Harry's hand in his, the other tracing the slight stubble covering his boy's cheek. "I don't want you to hurt, love", he whispers, in no way ready to say goodbye yet.

He doesn't once look away from Harry's face as the doctor and the nurses hustle around him. Zayn is crying into Liam's shoulder, and the taller guy is letting his tears fall freely, tucking Niall under his other arm, holding them both close. Louis wants no one but Harry to hold him, and it pains him immensely to see his boy like this, knowing that he might never be held by him again.

"He's good. He's breathing". Confusion laces the other boys' faces at the doctor's words, her and the nurses done with checking Harry's vitals, but Louis doesn't move in the slightest, simply keeps stroking Harry's cheek. "Don't do that. Don't give me hope again", he whispers.

"Louis," Liam says, the only one who completely comprehended the doctor's words. "Harry's breathing by himself". At this, Louis' head shoots up to the doctor's face, seeking confirmation, and he finds it when she nods smilingly. "He is. The reason for his struggle with breathing is the fact that he hasn't been breathing unaided for an extended period, therefore his respiratory system is once again relearning the motions. His breathing will most likely improve within a couple hours."

When Louis still looks slightly unconvinced - too scared to let his hopes be crushed again - she continues. "This is a very good sign, mister Tomlinson. Harry's respiratory system kicking back in is a sign of improvement upon his comatose state, and it can realistically be expected for him to wake up in the near future. Exactly when can't be said, nor how extensive his brain has suffered, but I'm positive on his recovery".

It takes a minute to dawn on the boys but then Liam, Niall and Zayn are jumping around in a hug. A mixture of tears and unbreakable smiles covering their faces. Louis can't do anything but smile at his boy, and he whispers lowly, only for Harry to hear, "I'm so proud of you, love. You're so strong". And when Harry's fingers flutter against his own it feels more like a response than mere muscle contractions, and Louis allows for his faith to be restored breath by ragged breath.

***

Despite Harry's supposed improvement, Louis still doesn't move from his side, but Liam has no trouble convincing him to eat a big lunch and drink a bottle of water which is probably the most Louis has eaten for the past three days, the eased worry helping his appetite. After he eats, Louis asks for a bit of alone time with Harry, and the other boys complies, assuring him that they are just outside the door, if he needs them.

Not exactly sure what to say, Louis simply studies Harry for a bit longer, one hand moving around his curls the way he knows Harry adores. In the other, he holds Harry's engagement ring, the elegant silver band with their initials and the number twenty-eight, the day Louis proposed, engraved inside.