Keeping Him

Two

A week had passed since Rory had moved in with Anne and Harry, the house was rather calm and quiet most of the time. Anne wasn't there too often, she was gone before Rory and Harry woke up in the morning, and would usually return late at night to find them reading or talking. Sometimes if she was really late getting home, one of them or the both of them would be passed out in the chair next to the fireplace; a blanket pulled up to their chin.

This week, Anne was gone on a business trip leaving Harry and Rory to look after themselves and each other while she was gone. Everything seemed normal the first few days in, they were still getting to know each other. They helped each other cook dinner and made small talk, sometimes they would even watch a movie after dinner if they felt like it. All was well in the cozy home; until Harry started getting nosebleeds.

Rory woke up around nine on Wednesday morning, it was a slightly cloudy day, but the sun poked through nonetheless. She showered, got dressed, and prepared to make breakfast. Then her phone dinged, signaling and text. It was from Anne.

"Harry's not feeling well today, please keep a close eye on him, thanks love. Xx"

Rory found it a bit odd, Harry had seemed fine yesterday, his usual bubbly self as far as she knew him. But she pushed past it and decided to bring him some tea and breakfast in bed.

Harry's room wasn't far from Rory's, only two doors down, the bathroom in between. Rory had only been in there a few times to get his laundry or grab something for Anne, but it suited him she thought. It was clean and neat, nothing was thrown about or hanging off his dressers. The pale walls were strikingly clean, and the air freshener plug-in made it smell of vanilla and pine.

Rory knocked on the door gently;
"Harry?", she asked, opening the door a crack, just enough to peek her head in.

He opened his eyes to look at her, but he didn't say anything, just kind of moaned quietly.

"You're mum said you aren't feeling very well, I brought you some tea and a bit of breakfast if you're hungry?", She said it as more of a question.

Harry nodded;
"Can you put it on the bedside table?"

"Of course."

Rory tiptoed in, not wanting to disturb him more, and set the tray down gently on his nightstand.

"Thank you", Harry rasped out.

Rory knew he meant it, and saw that he tried his best to offer her a smile, but it was almost as if he was too weak. He didn't look good, he was very pale. His eyes were dark around the outside, and he looked exhausted; a sheen of sweat lightly shining over his skin.

"Can I get you anything else?", Rory whispered.

Harry shook his head, but didn't reply as his eyes drooped shut again.

"Ok", Rory said, walking to the door, "I'll be here if you need anything, just holler."

But he didn't holler, and he didn't need anything. He didn't come out of his room all day, she didn't hear any movement either. Rory wished there was something she could do for him, but she didn't even know what was wrong.

She gave Anne updates when she texted to ask how he was, it was always the same; in his room and asleep.

Rory made dinner for the two of them, figuring she'd need to take Harry's back to him, but was surprised when he appeared in the kitchen a few minutes before the food was ready.

He looked a little better, more rested, but he still didn't look good.

"Oh", Rory said when she saw him,
"is everything all right?"

"Yeah", Harry nodded, "just figured I should get up for a bit."

Rory nodded, and it was silent again. When she finished cooking dinner, she plated it, and found Harry sitting at the kitchen island, his head in his hands. She slid the plate underneath his arms gently, and he looked up.

"Are you sure you're ok?"

"Yeah yeah, I'm fine. I promise."

So she left it alone and sat down to eat with him. They made small talk, and then Harry was suddenly telling her a story from his childhood. One about his sister and his mum;

"I was mad at Gemma, so I told Mum she was a drug dealer", Harry explained, earning a laugh from them both.

"What did your mum say?"

"And I quote 'no she's not Harry, she's nine.'"

Rory laughed with him, and watched as he rubbed underneath his nose, only to jump up quickly, cupping his hands around it.

"What's wrong? Are you okay?", Rory stood up quickly after him.

She saw the familiar red shiny liquid tracing his fingers and running down his hands.

"Oh my god", She said, and rushed to get him a wet towel to put on his nose, before helping him replace it with his hands.

"Can you look and see if there's ice in the freezer?", Harry asks, his voice slightly muffled from the large towel against his face.

Rory nodded and opened the freezer, searching through the many drawers;
"Are you sure you're alright?"

She handed him the ice and helped him put it in the towel so he could put it back against his nose again.

"Yeah, it happens all the time", Harry tells her.

"That doesn't seem alright."

Harry offers her a soft smile;
"I promise I'm fine."

So Rory believed him, but she knew there was something else. Nothing could brace her for what was about to come.