Green Eyes | Larry Stylinson ❀

The Gift

  It's a rainy day in London. Once again. The weather has somewhat calmed down since the winter storm just last week so all the ice and snow have finally melted. However, the rain puts Louis in a dampened mood. More so than he already is because Harry is still unconscious. He's no longer relying on the vent to breathe, which is a good indication of brain stem activity. When the nurses completed a round of neurological test just the other day, he was responding appropriately, which is another good thing about his cortical brain activity. Since getting out of the surgery, they continuously measured his brain activity with some monitor just to make sure that it's still alive, and thankfully it all is.

So far, it's looking promising, but his eyes are still closed. Still can't follow listen and follow commands. And definitely cannot move his body. Nothing will make Louis feel better until he just sees that boy awake. Until he sees his beautiful green eyes looking back at him.

It's going on to week two now, but with the positive responses Harry has shown, the nurses nor doctors seem all that concerned. Louis had a full morning of classes and intended on heading back to the hospital to sit with him, but Anne had called him not too long ago about meeting for coffee. It's probably a good idea since he has hardly eaten or drunk anything for the past week. The weather is cold and gloomy, and a nice hot cup of tea always seems to do the trick sometimes. He also needs a change of scenery. Somewhere away from the four walls of the hospital.

Plus, the nurses were taking Harry in for some more brain scans around lunch time, so he wouldn't even get to see him for a few hours. Time has passed since the accident so they need to ensure no further bleeds are seen within his brain and continue to check on activity with more in-depth imaging. So the coffee trip is a good filler for the time being.

Anne is already there when he gets to the shop, sitting in the back corner of a booth. Louis waves at her momentarily and then heads over to order his tea and bagel. Once it's all ready, he grabs both items and joins her at the table, sliding into the booth opposite of her. She welcomes him with a smile, soft and warm, and it instantly reminds him of Harry. The two of them resemble each other so much that it's almost sickening, unsettling in a way because he wants more than anything to have Harry there with him. Their smiles are similar. Dimples. The front teeth. Green eyes. He has to look away.

"M' glad you're here," she whispers, and her voice is so soft. He looks up at her again and attempts a smile, but it falls short. "I know this is difficult, but it's good for you. To get out that hospital. Are you staying at home?"

Louis brings the mug to his mouth and takes a sip. "No. I'm staying with Harry."

"Are you going to class at least?"

"I did this morning," he answers. If she wasn't such a prominent figure in his life, he would find these questions to be a bit invasive. But he knows Anne. Has known her for years and treats her as a second mother. He knows where she's coming from. She's simply looking out for him. At least for Harry's sake since he cannot at the moment. "I also let his professors know what is going on. Let mine know too just incase I need to step away or something. They're pretty understanding."

Anne nods, reaching across the table for his hand. "Good. Keep up with it. And football?"

"We return this week, but Coach is letting me take some time off for now." Louis huffs loudly. "I might go in one day. Clear my mind."

Anne squeezes his hand and then lets go, reaching for her croissant to take a bite. There is a small bit of silence that follows, and Louis focuses down on his hot mug of tea, watching as the steam rolls off the liquid. Then he looks out the window they're sitting next to, watching the rain pelt against the glass and roll down until it drips on the concrete. Some people are running around with umbrellas or newspapers over their head, trying to not let the showers drench them completely.