The Night I Met Harry

It was dark leading up to his place but the light from the inside provided enough light for me to see. I grabbed the key from under the mat, unlocking the door and returning it back. I thought about my day with Danny and how I’d soon work it into conversation. I’d instructed him to take me back to my place for my car to avoid Harry being pissed about him dropping me off. The aroma of whatever he’d been cooking filled my senses, and though I’d just eaten I’d probably be doing so again. I looked around for the guy I’d been missing all day, I wondered why he hadn’t called as usual.

Winter:
“Harry?”

I called as I came in, shutting the chill of the night’s air out behind me. I removed my coat, hanging on the rack next to his as I made my way toward the kitchen. He looked up from the stove to look over at me profoundly. I moved closer to his presence as if to long for contact. I witnessed him reduce the fires heat, placing his utensil on a plate before giving me his attention.

Winter:
“You okay?”

I wondered if he were cooking for himself or if he’d been expecting me.

Harry:
“Yea, I’m fine.”

Winter:
“I’m sorry I didn’t call. I was out and the time just got away from me.”

He looked into my eyes piercingly. I wasn’t sure but something felt a little off.

Harry:
“Oh, it’s alright. I figured you were busy.”

Since when did that stop him from calling? I guess now was as good of a time as any to tell him where I was. I hoped it wouldn’t ruin his mood.

Winter:
“I was with Danny.”

His hands went up to wipe his face in a tiring manor.

Harry:
“Doing what?”

His tone was neutral with a touch of demand, but I’d expected no different.

Winter:
“I was hungry so we just went to get something to eat.”

He moved back to the stove to watch his pot as it simmered. I sensed a delay in his reply before he continued.

Harry:
“Guess you’re not hungry then...”

He turned it off completely before rotating toward the frig, opening it quickly and grabbing a water.

Winter:
“I am actually.”

My words were slow. I grabbed his arm so my touch could bring him back to me. I knew he’d probably be thinking the worst because he hated Danny. I still didn’t understand why he’d felt he had to worry about me and another guy, but on some level I already knew. I held him against the frig so he couldn’t shut down on me. I took the water from him, placing it on the counter and intertwining our fingers together again.

Winter:
“We’re friends Harry. And I told him if he ever tried anything that friendship is done…Stop worrying.”

I felt him squeeze back against my hand in surrender. My words brought him slight comfort. I could tell he wanted to debate this but chose to keep quiet for my sake. There was a sigh.

Harry:
“Tell me before you go the next time.”

I brushed my nose on his as he looked down at me.

Winter:
“Of course…I’m sorry I didn’t.”

My hands roamed his waist and down toward his bum playfully to lighten the mood.

Winter:
“ Now turn that back on.”

His dimples warmed me as he leaned further in to softly peck my lips before embracing them fully. I felt accomplished at the fact that I’d told him where I’d been without confrontation. Honestly it wasn’t worth the argument…I only had eyes for him.

Winter:
“Why didn’t you call Harry?”

They disappeared to prepare me for his answer.

Harry:
“Don’t want to smother you.”

He’d embraced me in a hug, burying his curls into me. His smell was pleasing. His hands massaged my back, and from the longevity of our embrace I could tell he missed me too.

Winter:
"You're hot, Harry."

His contact had felt amazing against my skin, but I realized he'd been warmer than usual. I felt him chuckle while my head rested on his chest. His arms based around me comfortably.

Harry:
"So are you."

Winter:
"No not like tha... well you are..."

I rushed quickly.

Winter:
"But I'm saying your skin is really hot. How do you feel?"

He shifted slightly on his feet.

Harry:
"I'm okay."

I disregarded his words, reaching my hand up to feel his forehead.

Winter:
"Wow, you're burning up Harry."

I rubbed my fingertips up and down his arm subconsciously. I hated the thought of him being sick. It brought to me these protective feelings of wanting to take care of him.

Winter:
"Maybe you should go lie down."

He hugged me into him again in what I assumed was an attempt to convince me he'd been okay.

Harry:
"After you eat."

Winter:
"No. Now. I'll eat, I promise."

He hummed in disapproval, while his large hands stroked my hair. I honestly didn't want him to let go, but he needed to rest.

Winter:
"Harry."

I warned. He released me reluctantly and began walking toward the stairs.

---

I kissed his forehead as he lay his swarm of curls against the pillow.

Harry:
"No, stop."

I frowned quickly with the unusual act of him pushing me away.

Winter:
"Excuse me?"

Harry:
"Babe, no. I didn't mean it like that. I just don't want you getting sick."

My hands found his in habit. It was thoughtful but I wasn't my own concern at that moment.

Winter:
"Chances are...I'll probably get it anyway. I'm always around."

He took a deep breath realizing I was probably right.

Winter:
"How do you feel?"

Harry:
"Slightly chilly. Really tired."

His warm color was drained, which only increased my worries. It made my heart sore to hear. He looked so adorable, his dark hair lovely against the light contrast of the bed's covering.

Winter:
"Sleep... Wait, have you eaten? That's probably a good idea."

He waited a while before he answered me.

Harry:
"Not hungry."

I sighed as I rubbed my fingers through his hair comfortably.

Winter:
"When you wake up then. And that's me telling you."

He smiled weakly while I watched him drift to sleep.

Harry:
"Yes mam-me."
---

I grabbed the tea kettle pouring the warm water in a mug for Harry's tea. He'd fallen asleep around 8 and slept completely through the night. It bothered me that he hadn't been feeling well and I worried about him. I carried the hot cup carefully up the stairs, setting it on the nightstand table once I reached the room. His eyes were open now, his body completely covered in the large duvet I'd spread across him during his rest. He watched me quietly...steadily. I was growing use to this act though it still gave me chills to admire his eyes.

Winter:
"You okay?"

He nodded subtly. I was happy to see him. I'd been unable to sleep last night without his arms around me, so I'd gotten up to do some cleaning.

Winter:
"Drink this, okay."

I moved close to him to feel if his temperature had leveled out. I heard a sigh leave my lips in worry.

Winter:
"You're still warm."

Harry:
"I feel cold."

I had already made it pretty warm in here, but I'd turn it up some more. His voice was deep and calming as always.

Winter:
"I'll turn the heat up some more okay. And I got you some medicine."

He watched me continually without speaking. I gave him a comforting smile before leaving the room to check the thermostat. A vibration alerted my attention as I reached my phone from my pocket. Mom.

Winter:
"Hi, mom."

Linda:
"Hi sweetie. How are you?"

She sounded as she always did. A voice so sure, yet sweet as honey. It always calmed me to here it. To be honest I was fine but my focus was on Harry.

Winter:
"I'm alright mom."

I pressed the upper arrows on the heat before turning to walk slowly back to the room.

Winter:
"Question though. What did you give me when I'd have a fever?"

The pause was expected with the random tone of my question.

Linda:
"I can come over if you're not feeling well."

I was at the room's door frame, leaning myself against it as Harry continued to watched me.

Winter:
"Uh, no mom. It's actually for Harry."

Again, the momentary pause. I assumed she wasn't quite use to me speaking about someone other than Scott just yet. I shook off that thought.

Linda:
"Oh... Well you can try soaking some garlic in water, and letting him drink that."

Winter:
"Gross. He'd never do that. No way."

I glanced up at him as I laughed quietly at the thought.

Linda:
"Place something cold, a chill towel maybe, on his forehead or somewhere on his body."

Winter:
"I would, but he's feeling pretty cold already."

Linda:
" Is he okay?"

I took a breath in before letting it go.

Winter:
"He seems alright, he's laying down but the fever hasn't gone away."

It was almost like I could hear her thinking through the phone's connection. She always did that while she found the words to say.

Linda:
"A hot shower. He needs to take one."

I knew he was tired but I knew I could get him to reason. She was quiet again, and I realized in that moment how much I'd missed her. How much I needed her still.

Winter:
"Thanks, mom."

Linda:
"Of course. If you need anything else just call alright."

Winter:
"Okay. Love you."

Linda:
"You too, Winter."

End call.

I waited for him to comment while I watched him lie against the pillows.

Harry:
"You called?"

Winter:
"No, she called...says a hot shower will help."

I stood there for a moment for him to object...but he hadn't. I was beside him now as his fingers reached to pull me closer.

Winter:
"You don't have to move now, but in a few hours..."

He was in nothing but his underwear, and I, in one his large undershirts. He pulled me in, and my heart sank when I'd realized he'd been even warmer than yesterday.

Winter:
"Did you take that medicine?"

Harry:
"Yea, with the tea."

Winter:
"You're suppose to drink water."

If he didn't get up for that shower soon , he'd definitely be drinking that garlic water.

His warm lips kissed my cheek before hugging his arms around me. His body was pressed closely against mine as he found his comfort.

Harry:
"I'll take some more with water later. Promise okay."

I chose to let it go, considering it was still really early. I had the rest of the day to make him better.

Notes

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