Aftermath // h.s

Chapter 2

MAJOR TRIGGER WARNING

Harry was cleared. There was a bit of questioning that went into it, but he was cleared nonetheless.

"These are to prevent any chance of pregnancy," the nurse spoke softly, holding out a little cup with two pills rolling around on the bottom. "It's your choice on whether you take it or not, but I want you to know the option is there."

You had changed into the clothes that Harry had brought over for you. Looking at the little cup, you made the decision right then and there to take them. It wasn't a hard choice. Unscrewing the lid from your water bottle, it was done, and there were no more questions.

Harry's hand rested on your shoulder, nothing too heavy to make you feel weighed down, more a supportive grasp. Just to let you know he was there.

"Can she go now?" he asked, breaking the silence.

"Yes, everything's been taken care of, the detectives will be in contact with you when something comes up."

You nodded quietly, picking your bag up off of the floor. Harry took it from your grasp and took it instead. He kept the hand that was on your side free, a small, subtle gesture of openness and support.

"Alright," Harry nodded, looking over at you. "Ready love?"

"Yeah," you nodded once more. It was all you seemed to be able to get out as a response.

Harry took the first step, keeping his eyes on you. You followed his lead and stepped closer to him, resting one of your hands on his arm. You weren't prepared to step out of the safety of the hospital, especially on your arm. It wasn't until you reached his car that something strong seemed to hit you right in the face. The idea that whoever had done this was still out, wandering around. He knew your apartment building, he knew your specific apartment. He didn't know Harry's, or at least you didn't thing he did. But what if he did? What if he had been following you? You hadn't realized how tight your grip on Harry's bicep had gotten, white knuckling the material of his shirt.

"(Y/N)," his voice broke you from your trance, making you flinch just in the slightest. Your eyes met his wide ones, and he looked worried.

"I'm okay... I..." you shook it off, squeezing your eyes shut for a moment. The passenger door was open, allowing you to let go of his arm and slip in. You felt like you were analyzing everyone who appeared in your sight, seeing if there were any recognizable features. You were so far from okay.

"It's okay..." he murmured, shutting your door and coming around to the driver's side. He had put your bag in the back seat, but you had zoned out and hadn't realized until you glanced back and saw it on the seat. Your hands rubbed firmly against the tops of your thighs as your eyes continued to scan. You jumped at the loud volume of the radio, Harry quickly reaching to turning it down nearly all the way. "Sorry..."

It was quiet for a while as you two sat together in the car, driving towards his house. You didn't want this to keep going.

"Love... I don't really have anything I can see to make you feel better... but I just want you to know that I'm here, yeah?"

Looking over at him, you nodded slowly. You didn't trust your voice.

***

There was a lingering dread in the back of Harry's mind, but not about the event. It was about you. He wanted nothing more than to be able to take you away from this and try to make it all go away. He wanted to fix this. There were a million thoughts going through his head as he waited for you to have a shower. He wasn't sure if he was going to be able to hug and kiss you like he always had. He didn't know how to approach a situation like this. An open dialogue between you two was so desperately needed, a conversation. Things felt strange and distant. All because one sick freak made the terrible decision to go out and intrude on you in such a vile way.

He heard the water turn off, and looked up. He didn't expect you to come out in just your towel like you always did, and he was right. You came out a few minutes later, covered in baggy clothes that hid as much as you needed them to.