The light was warm. Harry watched as it danced hypnotically in the darkness that engulfed him, dazzling him with its simplicity, moving with ease, like fading starlight caught in the morning breeze or the glitter of the sun on the ocean. Harry breathed deeply. He was filled with the sensation that he had been submerged, somewhere dark and safe and warm, holding his breath against the rage of a storm he could feel on the surface above him, or somewhere deep within him, he couldn’t discern which. Harry winced as he inhaled, his nostrils burning with the scent of reality, something familiar, evoking distant memories as Harry breathed again. The light was becoming brighter and the scent more powerful, and Harry could feel the stirrings of his conscious mind beginning to tear at the walls of his dream state. He groped in the dark, searching, fear spilling into his mind, a dull ache beginning to pound on the side of his head. “Lou.” Harry groaned, his panic building, “Louis!” Harry twisted in the dark, trying to turn away from the piercing light. “Haz, Haz, love, I’m here,” Louis’ voice echoed slightly, “Its ok baby, I’m here.” Harry felt the warmth of Louis’ hands as they clutched his own, Louis’ thumbs massaging slowly, soothingly.
Harry opened his eyes. The room was dimly lit and he blinked wildly for a moment, his vision clearing with each bat of his long lashes. The hospital room was empty, visible only by the glow of a single lamp that, now that Harry was conscious, seemed insignificant and harmless, casting barley enough light for Harry to make out the contours of his surroundings. The dull ache in Harry’s head however, had escalated to a throbbing burn, Harry shutting his eyes for a moment against the smarting pain. A soft beep broke the silence every few seconds, and Harry became aware of the network of tubes that extended from his right arm, connecting to complex looking machines by his bedside, monitoring his heart rate and other vital signs. It was a moment before Harry realized he wasn’t alone, relief coursing through him as recognition dawned. Louis lay curled against Harry’s side, his small frame fitting neatly beside Harry in the narrow hospital bed, his hands holding Harry’s as he propped himself up on an elbow, his brow furrowed in concern, his sapphire eyes vulnerable in that unguarded way Harry adored.
“Hello love.” Harry murmured, his voice a little hoarse from the dry, sterile air that permeated the quiet ward. “Hello love?” Louis said questioningly, raising an eyebrow, both relief and frustration visible on his face. Harry smiled sheepishly, realizing how the situation must appear to Louis. “Hello love?” Louis repeated, “Do you have any idea the state I’ve been in for the past few hours?” Tears were suddenly spilling down Louis’ cheeks as he surveyed Harry from the azure depth of his eyes. He wiped them away angrily as he continued, “You call me and leave that… that travesty of a message,” his voice cracked and paused a moment to compose himself, “and then you show up covered in,” Louis stopped again, shivering as the image of Harry weeping, hair matted with his own blood, filled his mind. Louis shook his head to rid himself of the image, his tears continuing as he buried his face in Harry’s neck. “I was so worried Haz.” He managed. Harry readjusted slightly, slipping his left arm underneath Louis, pulling him close, bringing his other arm up, careful not to dislodge the web of monitors, his fingers combing through Louis’ hair, still damp from the storm. “I’m so sorry Lou,” he whispered softly as Louis shook with a silent sob, “I guess I kind of fell apart there, didn’t I?” Louis only whimpered quietly in answer.
Harry withdrew his fingers from Louis’ hair, searching his own for a moment, wincing as his fingers grazed the stiches beneath his curls.
“I wouldn’t let them shave the hair around the stiches,” Louis mumbled weakly into Harry’s neck, “I knew you wouldn’t want that.” Harry smiled, turning so he rested on his side facing the shorter boy, pulling Louis in and placing a long, gentle kiss on his forehead. “You’re a saint.” Harry murmured sweetly in Louis’ ear. “Actually, I was a complete git.” Louis said, sniffling as he clung to Harry like he was a cliff and Louis was hanging over the edge. “That’s not possible babe.” Harry whispered back, placing another kiss in Louis’ hair. Harry glanced around the room, his eyes narrowing as he realized something was missing. “Where is everyone?” he said, addressing the question more to the silence around him than to Louis. “I drove you here.” Louis answered, “I didn’t think you’d want the drama.” Harry smiled, pulling Louis close. “Is there anything you don’t know about me?” he laughed quietly. Both boys lay still for a moment, holding one another, the gentle stroke of Harry’s hand in Louis’ hair subconsciously aligning with the hollow tick of the analogue clock on the wall, Louis’ ragged breathing slowly calming, playing softly over the skin on Harry’s neck.
