nineteen

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The next time Louis wakes up, his body feels heavy and sore and the lights are way too bright. He looks around and finds himself in a room with too much white and the smell of sterile burning his nose. He's lying on a bed with metal railings and he's wearing some type of gown. He tries to sit up but a voice stops him.

"You should rest." He looks around, finding Liam standing by the bed, checking something on a clipboard.

"W–Where am I?" Louis asks timidly. Liam sets the clipboard down and takes a seat next to him and fiddles with his thumbs.

"You're in the hospital." He says, "You were really badly injured and we had to stitch you up a bit, but you'll be fine."

"H–Harry? Where's Harry? My Harry?" Louis asks, small hands shaking with fear as he remembers the sound of gunshots and Harry's screams beforehand.

"He's in surgery. He was shot in the chest and he was bleeding out when the police got to him. The bullet missed the heart by a fraction of an inch. We uh...we don't know if he's going to make it." Liam whispers the last part. Louis' ears flicker before flattening against his head.

"I–he has to make it. He's my–he's my home. I don't want to lose my home." Louis mumbles, wiping away stray tears. Liam moves to comfort him but stops himself. What can he say that'll make him feel better? He can't say anything.

"I'll...leave you alone for a bit. But first, can I get you anything? Pain meds? Water? Food?"

"W–Water, please." Louis whispers and Liam nods, leaving the room quickly. The small boy whimpers, body shaking with tremors at the thought of losing Harry.

He lets his tears fall, not moving to wipe them away, letting the salty tears fall down his cheeks and onto the pillow.

Liam comes back in a few minutes later, setting the glass of water down before him. Louis gives him a tight smile, whispering thank you as he leaves again.

He's not alone for a mere second when a man in a white coat walks in, muttering to himself.

"Hi, I'm Dr. Monroe and I'm supposed to check up on you." He says with a disgusted look on his face. Louis stares at him for a while before nodding.

"T–Thank—"

"Don't talk to me. Just let me do my job so I can get as far away from you as possible." He says and Louis shuts his mouth quickly, whispering a small sorry.

The doctor nods and moves towards him, telling him to sit up. Louis has a bit of trouble doing so but he manages. He sits up, biting his bottom lip from the pain. He lets out a small whimper and the doctor rolls his eyes.

"I'm just going to check your vitals and I'll be gone." He mutters and Louis nods. The doctor checks his pulse, writing something down quickly and grabs his stethoscope, placing the cold metal against his chest. Louis winces at the temperature but stays still nonetheless.

"Everything seems good, sadly." He mutters and Louis hangs his head. He doesn't dare look him in his eyes.

The doctor tells him he'll be in the hospital for a day or two, for check ups and such. Louis only nods, keeping his lips tightly shut.

The doctor turns to leave, taking the glass of water from him.

"T–That's mine." The small boy protests and the doctor turns to him with an amused expression.

"Not anymore." He says and leaves without another word.

****

Two days later, Louis is let out of the hospital and he's yet to see Harry. Liam tells him he's sleeping but how long can a person sleep for? He's been staying with Liam and it's completely lonely.

Liam is gone most hours and and Louis is left to walk around the small flat in complete disarray. He's only been here for a day but it's driving him crazy. He misses Harry's kisses and sweet nothings. He misses cuddling with him until the late night and he misses the way he says I love you.

That night when Liam comes home, Louis tells him he needs to go see Harry and he will not take no for an answer. Liam tries to shut him down but the small lad is persistent.

In the end, Louis wins and they're on their way to the hospital. The small boy is giddy and would be bouncing in his seat was it not for the stitches on his side and leg. He watches the buildings pass in a blur and wonders if Harry's dreaming and if he is, is he dreaming about Louis.

When they reach the hospital, Liam gives Louis a beanie and asks him to put it on. He says people are still very uncanny with hybrids. Louis takes it gingerly and slips it on, making sure his tail is tucked into the sweatpants he's wearing.

Liam takes his hand and leads him into the hospital, signing in at the front desk and asking to see Harry.

Louis bites his thumbnail in anticipation, thinking of all the ways he'll greet Harry. Should he kiss him? Should he hug him?

"Listen...he's not...he's not awake and he's—"

"But he's slept for so long. Why is he so tired?"

"He's...do you know what a comatose is?" Liam asks as a nurse leads them through the corridors of the hospital. Louis shakes his head, fixing the beanie on his head.

"Well...it's when someone gets really hurt and they sleep for an indefinite period of time." Liam tries to explain, running a hand through his hair. Louis still seems lost but his face lights up when the nurse stops at a door, telling them he's inside.

Louis pulls away from Liam, ignoring his protests and running inside, ignoring the jabbing pain from his stitches. He moves to say Harry's name but stops when he finds him lying in bed with his eyes closed and a tube sticking out of his mouth.

"What's that thing? What are you doing to him?" Louis asks, furrowing his eyebrows. A small rhythmic beep coming from an IV machine, confuses him more.

"That thing is killing him!" Louis says suddenly and moves to pull the tube out of Harry's mouth. Liam grabs his arms and stops him, watching as Louis' eyes fill with tears.

"Louis, it's not killing him. Please, listen. It's keeping him alive." He says as Louis struggles against him. The small boy sniffles and stares at Harry's pliant body, fresh tears falling past his eyes.

"Why isn't he waking up? He has to wake up! I need him!" Louis cries out and Liam lets him go, let's Louis run to the bed and grab Harry's hand, squeezing it tightly.

"H–Harry, please wake up. I m–miss you." Louis whispers but gets no reaction, only the small rise and fall of his chest.

Louis lets out a small sob, begging for him to wake up, crying out and letting wretched tremors take over his body. Louis breaks down, whispering repeatedly how much he wants him to wake up, begging desperately.

Harry still doesn't move.

-----

I was possibly listening to my sad song playlist while writing this I cri

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