the moon [h.s.] - EDITING

fifty-eight.

DECEMBER FOURTEENTH

It's been rough for Luna. He hasn't seen her smile in such a long time, it feels like. He's been feeling worried over the past couple of days, especially when she refuses to eat or get out of bed. He hasn't left her side. He's been staying with her every night. He even has a suitcase in her room filled with his clothes. He meant it when he told her he wasn't going anywhere.

The only time they aren't together is when they are working. Luna hasn't missed a day of work since she started her medication. She's been getting by, even if she hasn't been acting like herself lately.

Harry's been getting by, too. Beth hasn't dropped the idea of him interviewing an A-List celebrity yet. She also hasn't gotten that celebrity to agree to an interview. Interview or not, Harry only feels eager to raise awareness. He hasn't even mentioned his plans to write about lupus to Luna yet. He hopes he could tell her soon, but she doesn't really want to talk much about anything lately.

He's heading to her flat for the seventh night in a row. He doesn't even knock anymore. Zavier had given him back a copy of his old key. He's saved it when he could've given it to Luna. Instead, Zavier had given Luna an entirely new copy. It was nice to know Zavier had kept it. It let him know Zavier must've hoped or had faith that Harry would return into his life again.

He unlocks the door and steps inside. He then shuts the door behind him and looks around the flat. Maybe Luna's in her bedroom, he thinks.

He walks in to find Luna crying in Zavier's arms. They're sitting on her bed. The sight instantly breaks his heart. "What happened?" He looks at Zavier then at Luna as he gets closer. He then kneels in front of Luna. He reaches for her cheek and searches for her eyes. "Baby, why are you crying?"

"I heard sobbing from my bedroom. I found her on the floor crying, but she hasn't told me why," Zavier explains.

Harry wipes her tears. He frowns, only in sadness. "C'mere," he whispers. He reaches for her arms and Luna suddenly turns away from her hold on Zavier. She wraps her arms around Harry's shoulders and hugs him tight. "What's wrong?"

She's trying to speak, but she's shaking. "I-I," she lets out.

Harry rubs her back. He tries to soothe her to help her get the words out.

"I don't know," she finally says. She sniffles, but she's still holding Harry tightly.

"Shh," he hushes and places a kiss on her exposed shoulder. "It's okay, baby. I'm right here." He lets her cry it out. Her body must be going through an emotional toll. He can't imagine what she must be feeling.

She's crying less and eventually, she's calm. She blows her nose after Zavier hands her a tissue. "Fuck, I'm sorry," she tells them. She then groans. "I hate this! I didn't want to go through this again!" A flip is switched and Luna is unexpectedly angry.

Harry gets up from the floor to sit next to her. He looks over at Zavier. "I got this," he mouths to him and gives him a short smile. His best friend nods then gets up to leave. It's now Luna and him. He's rubbing at her back again. "I know, babe... It'll get better. Soon, you'll get better. I promise."

She looks at him. "You don't know that," she tells him and gets up from her bed. "I was fine before the treatment! I was hardly in pain."

"Luna, without treatment you could have faced a serious flare-up... No one was judging you for skipping your meds, Luna. Dr. Brown was only concerned. You could say, surprised even, that you were alright. That's why Santiago and your mother were so hard on you. I know how strong you are, baby... You're only upset because of the medication. It's going to get better!" He stands up as well and reaches out to hold her hands. He's searching for her eyes to look into, but she's avoiding contact. She looks emotional again.