NUMINOUS | Harry Styles

ELEVEN

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Vera blinked awake, her eyelids heavy as if weighed down by lead. The unfamiliar surroundings sent a jolt of fear through her. She sat up quickly, heart racing, taking in her new environment—a cozy room filled with books, herbs hanging from the planters attached to the ceiling, and warm, golden light streaming in through a window.

She felt disoriented, unsure if the events of last night had truly happened or if they were just a nightmare.

But then she felt it: a comforting weight against her side. Shadow, his gray fur soft and warm, was curled up beside her, purring softly. The gentle rhythm of his breathing calmed her, grounding her in the moment.

"Hey, buddy," she whispered, reaching down to scratch behind his ears. He blinked sleepily up at her, and the familiarity of his presence made her heart flutter with relief.

Just then, the door creaked open, and Harry stepped in, his expression shifting from surprise to palpable relief upon seeing her awake. "You're up!" he exclaimed, stepping closer, a hint of anxiety still lingering in his eyes.

"What happened?" Vera croaked, her voice hoarse from sleep. "Where am I?"

Before she could voice any more questions, Harry moved with purpose, retrieving a small cup from the table. "You need to drink this," he said, urgency threading through his tone.

Vera frowned, instinctively recoiling. "What is it?"

"Just trust me," he insisted, his gaze firm yet tender. "It's important for your recovery."

She hesitated but noticed the concern etched on his face, the way he hovered as if ready to catch her if she fell. "Okay... but what's in it?"

Harry knelt beside her, his expression softening as he handed her the cup. "It's a medicine I made. It'll help with any lingering effects."

Taking a deep breath, she brought the cup to her lips and took a tentative sip. The taste hit her like a shockwave—bitter and earthy, like swallowing raw roots and herbs. She grimaced, forcing it down despite her body's immediate protest.

"Ugh! That's awful!" she exclaimed, her face contorting in distaste.

"I know it's not great, but it's effective," Harry said, a small smile breaking through the worry. He brushed a stray hair from her face, his touch gentle but electric. "How do you feel?"

Vera's confusion deepened as she registered the intimacy of his gesture, warmth spreading through her despite the bitterness lingering in her mouth. "I... I don't know," she stammered, the remnants of fear mingling with something else—something that felt unsettling yet comforting.

"Just take a moment," he said softly, his eyes searching hers. "You've been through a lot. You need to rest."

The way he cared for her stirred something in Vera, and she nodded, trying to shake off the remnants of panic. "I remember... the wind, the pain, and then I saw you... I thought I was dreaming."

"You weren't," he replied, his tone serious. "You were in danger, and I had to bring you here. I'm just glad you're okay." He shifted slightly closer, his body radiating warmth as he made sure she was comfortable.

"Why do you care so much?" Vera blurted out, the question tumbling from her lips before she could stop it. "I mean, we barely know each other."

Harry paused, the weight of her question hanging in the air. His expression flickered—an internal battle playing out behind his eyes. "Sometimes, people connect in unexpected ways," he finally said, his voice low and sincere. "You matter to me, Vera."