Signs of Light (l.s.)

Chapter xvi

***Trigger warning for this chapter. Depression and anxiety. Alcohol use.****
^^^^^
Important ***** TW
please read, it's important. ⚠️

What?

Harry swallowed nervously. His mind and body felt numb. I can't hear you.

Louis' eyes went wide, his stomach dropped. What do you mean?

I mean...I can't hear you, Lou. Talk again.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

"Can you hear me??" He said and signed.

No. But I know the shape your mouth makes when you say you love me.

Louis turned to Connell. "Why can't he hear me??"

Connell looked concerned. There could be an issue with the hearing aids. Harry do you mind doing a quick hearing test, make sure it's just the hearing aids malfunctioning?

I don't mind. Please. Harry was trying hard not to panic.

Louis could feel his stress; he went to Harry and put his arms around him. He pulled back and looked at Harry's face. It's going to be okay.

What if it's not? What if I can't hear you again, what if I can't hear you say you love me or read to me again? Louis, your voice was the best thing I could hear.. Harry's face was full of concern and anxiety, and his hands shook as he signed.

Harry. It's going to be okay... Just do the test... and we'll go from there.

Okay.

Connell came over with the small machine for the hearing test. Harry, can you take the hearing aids out and put this earpiece in? And we can do the test.

Yeah.

Harry took his hearing aids out and Connell handed him the little ear piece. When Harry had it in, Connell went through the different settings of beeps, waiting for Harry to raise his hand when he heard one.

Harry didn't raise his hand.

Connell looked concerned as he got down to the last two, loudest beeps. He played each one a few times, waiting to see if Harry could hear them.
After the last beep, Connell turned the machine off and looked over at Louis. Louis was looking at Harry with a mix of love and sadness in his eyes.

And Harry had his eyes closed, sadness and defeat covering every inch of his face.

Louis touched Harry's arm gently, and Harry opened his eyes and looked up at him.
Harry..

I want to go home. Harry signed very plainly, his face had neutralized, and he just looked stoic.

Harry, it's going to be okay.

I want to go home.

Connell turned to Harry.
Harry... You didn't hear any of those?

No. I would like to go home, please.

Okay.

Connell turned to Louis. "You can take him home. Every other test went well, he shouldn't ever have an ear infection or the dizziness happen again."

"But he can't hear anything now!" Louis was trying to control his emotions for Harry, but he felt anxious and sad.

"I know. I'm not sure if it was from the severity of this ear infection, or a result of the surgery. But we wouldn't be able to figure it out without running more tests, and he doesn't want to be here right now. You guys can come back in a week if you'd like? If Harry wants to know why or how this happened...or if there's anything we can do, please come back."