Forever Young (Larry Stylinson)

Eight

What is Harry up to? Yes, we are patiently waiting...tell us! Tease.

I asked Harry this morning if he felt up to face timing me. He said yes, after a bit of persuading.

My heart is racing as I sit on my bed, finger poised over my phone, ready to call him.

'Here goes' I think and I press call.

He answers.

He smiled weakly.

"Hi." He whispers.

He's laying in bed. He looks tired, pale, and thin. He's beautiful though.

"Hello love." I smile back.

"I'm sorry I look awful." He blushed.

"Harry.... you're gorgeous. How are you feeling?"

He sighed and raised his hand to rub his eye. He's hooked up to a tube, I'm assuming for his medication.

"Not good Lou, I won't lie."

I'm not going to cry.

"Sorry. I wish there was something I could do to make you feel better." I say, knowing that was a stupid thing to say.

"You are though." He replied, shifting uncomfortably.

"What do you mean?"

"Doing this. The next best thing to you being here."

"You're ok with this then?"

"Yes. More than ok. I was just....scared I'd scare you off, with how I look." He said wiping a tear away.

"That would never happen. I care about you too much."

"Lou...I've spoken to my Mum." He speaks so quietly, I can barely hear him. "I asked...if you could come and see me, if you still want to?"

I smiled. "I'd love to. What did she say?"

"She said yes. Could you come soon though? I...I'm not sure how much longer I have."

I choked out a sob.

"Don't cry Lou. I know it's gonna happen, and soon. I can't stop the inevitable."

I hide my face in my hands. I didn't want to cry, but I can't help it.

"Lou...please."

I put my hands down and looked at him.

"When can I come?" I sniffed.

"When's the soonest you can make it?"

"I could see if my boss could let me take tomorrow off?"

He nodded, slowly. Just that small movement looked like an effort. He closed his eyes for a few moments. "If you could. I'd like that, very much."

"I'll ask soon and let you know. I need your address."

"I'll text it to you. This means...so much to me Lou." He looks so tired now.

"Are you tired?" I ask him.

He hummed. "A bit. Don't leave me though. Please." His words slurred through tiredness.

"I'll stay here as long as you need me to." I promised.

"Thank you Lou. Come closer to your phone."

I moved forward. Right up close.

"You really do have ocean blue eyes...lovely." he grinned.