The Night I Met Harry

I tried my best to keep it from his vision but what was the use. He lifted my face where the bruising progressed. I wish he hadn't.

Harry:
"He hit you? Let me see."

I sighed when he cursed harshly under his breath, wishing I could have just avoided that part but the ring under my eye wouldn't allow it.

Winter:
"Don't swear , Harry. It doesn't hurt anymore."

He hadn't calmed down but I'd been playing it cool externally for his sake despite the things done to me tonight. He stepped away for a moment before pacing in a deciphering manner. My head was clear but that would all wash away if I stood up.

Harry:
"I'll be back."

no. No. NO.
Now I had no choice.

Winter:
"Harry you've done enough. Just stop."

I sped after him, though the floor was suddenly the clouds.

Harry:
"An hour. I'll be back in an hour."

I put myself between him and the door. I felt so helpless tonight.

Winter:
"Harry! You heard me."

He looked into my eyes for a moment. His hands brushing my cheeks and I was aware of where the blood had dried around his knuckles.

He got a chilled bottle of water, removing the gap and handing it in front of me.

Harry:
"You're eyes look weak. Drink some."

He demanded. Whatever he wanted... but he wasn't leaving this house.

He calmed himself as I obliged, settling himself with a few more minutes of silence and pacing. I didn't watch him in lei of the maze that was already drawing itself out in my head. The air seemed harder to bring past my lungs, annoying me further. I didn't feel good but I suppose it was better than the nausea.

Winter:
"Hand me that, please."

He reached for where my fingers guided. Placing the inhaler in my hands while studying me continually. I guess it would be bothering me tonight. Great.

I breathed in the contents, hoping to find a little change in discomfort that was beginning to burn around in my throat to upper chest. It was scary how it always did this to me but I silently praised it for cooperating during tonight's ordeal.

Harry:
"You okay?"

I took a deep breath, steadying myself and handing it back to him. The medicine was sinking it. Calming me and I allowed for that fix. He looked at me quite saddened in expression. I wish I were healthier for him. And I hated that his worry would always be there. I nodded as it settled. I was fine. I was.

Winter:
"Better."

I probably wouldn't be getting out of his eyesight for awhile.


Harry:
"I'm sorry about that Winter."

Winter:
"I know. You don't have to say it, I know."

I knew he'd repeat himself again anyways, because my current state was partially from the fall.

I tried in pulling the short length of the summer dress down further to hide the bruises that I just recognized from when he'd pressed harshly on my thigh. I looked up hesitantly cursing myself internally that Harry noticed.

Harry:
"What else did he do?"

He sat against the bed, pulling me close to stand up in front of him.

Harry:
"I know you don't want to talk about it but I need to know."

I could tell his eyes were afraid of the answers. My arms clung around his neck as he held either side of my waist to give me stability.

I didn't talk in fear my tongue had numbed. He looked over my wrists to see light marks contrasting the skin as well when I didn't answer. I took them from his grip to avoid another explosion.

Harry:
"Tell me now... "

He wanted my eye contact but it seemed too painful to lend it. He hated the situation and what it was doing to us. His hands were a little unsteady as well. My heart broke as glass to see that. I took them in mine as if defeating some of the pain. God, I loved him.

Harry:
"I saw you there against the car. Your dress was up. What did he do?"

He looked down while he waited. My pulse had decided on quickening in revisiting the memory... the memory that had taken place just over an hour ago.

Winter:
"Promise you won't leave."

His eyes stayed on his stained hands. I knew he hadn't been a bit sorry about his actions back there, but me... I wasn't getting to sleep tonight.

He sighed as if seriously giving it thought before calming himself fully.

Harry:
"I won't. I need to watch you. You don't seem well...I promise, okay."

I reached his eyes again and they'd been horrified at the thought of what I might say. He switched us. Sitting me against the bed and standing to hovering in front of me.

Winter:
"He just...touched me a little."

I stare into space, looking pass my object of interest. I really didn't want to talk about it because the experience was enough. He was right and I shouldn't have gone alone.

He got up with his eyebrows stilted tightly together, questioningly.

Harry:
"Inwardly or outwardly...?"

Winter:
"...outwardly."

I knew he wouldn't like it either way. He held his hands over his face in an increased angered manner. I knew he needed to punch something or throw something but he wouldn't upset me. If I could stay calm so could he. I was the victim here but I cared more for her than myself at this point.

He brushed his fingers across my neck as if to study something...and I already knew what it was.

Harry:
"I didn't do that, did I?"

My attention was back on the out of distance object as I shook my head slowly.

Harry:
"Yea... I figured that. I know you like the other side."

I let the statement sink in a minute before proceeding in thought. I never even noticed that he'd realized the little things. Whatever he did always seemed to work but I guess I failed to know the technicalities of it.

Harry:
"Go shower."

The demands continued. But I wasn't stupid and there was no way I was leaving him alone in here.

Winter:
"Only if you sit in the bathroom while I do."

He waited a second before nodding and I'd brush my fingers through my hair in relief. I'd greet the morning with open arms.

I pulled them back when I felt it. My eyes widened when I examined. The red substance had cover the palm's tips and he watched in an obvious disturbance.

Harry:
"Jesus, Winter."

When everything happened it did so at once. The light-headedness resumed in its stir as I closed my eyes, holding my head. He picked me up, placing himself between my legs and removing us from the current room.

--

The first aid supplies he'd grabbed from the cabinet were scattered about the bathroom sink.

I winced at the pain for the millionth time before I'd heard his deep voice echo through the bathroom.

Harry:
"Baby, please hold still. Just one more."

The pleading was in encouragement of my cooperation. He picked out every piece of glass fragment that was nuzzled into a wound in my scalp. It honestly felt better after the first few pieces but the picking required me to loathe every minute of it.

The mood had definitely lightened but we wouldn't be smiling anytime soon.

Winter:
"Ouch, Harry!"

I'd screamed at the last pull. Ugh, I could kill him right now.

Harry:
"All done okay. I'm finished."

I felt something cool and relieving he placed on my scalp shortly after that, causing a sigh of comfort. I didn't even know he had a first aid kit, I guess you needed one when you were involved with me.

Harry:
"....that was my fault, so I had to fix it...I'm sorry I did that to you."

I turned to him. Honestly it wasn't okay, but it didn't make me love him any less. His hands were draped in my blood as well, mine had long since dried against the skin from the hour or so.

Harry:
"You should drink some more water. And don't fall asleep anytime soon alright."

Not a problem, I was emotionally damaged for the remainder of the evening anyways. I nodded in reassurance as he puckered his lips down at me. Yep. The mood was definitely lighter.

I pecked them once, peering into his eyes then going in to kiss them long and slowly on the edge of my toes. It was exactly the cure I needed. He held his hands away from me as not to get more onto my cloths. I'd likely be throwing all of them away anyways.

Harry:
"...Step in."

He referred back to the shower.

Winter:
"No Harry, it's all in my hair and if I do it that way it'll wash all over me. Gross."

A small smirk but no laughter.

Harry:
"Come on, then. I'll wash it out, but you can't again for awhile, alright. Not until it dries up a bit."

I nodded as I removed my shirt I'd changed into, and positioned myself under the faucet of the tub. If anyone walked in they'd think we killed someone. I quivered at the thought. My knees were on the floor against the rug. I lay hunched over the tub that was across the room, apart from the glass shower.. He chose a shampoo before sitting it aside to wash away most of the stain first.

Harry:
"Close your eyes."

I didn't know what it'd be like to get blood in your eye but I imagined not so bad. I listened and melted as he ran his fingertips through my hair gently. The sound of the water flowing was the only sound within the bathroom along with the mute of his concentration. I was glad I couldn't see the tainted water exiting my hair and down the drain. He'd never washed my hair before but in a weird way I wasn't sorry for what happened tonight because I'd been experiencing this.

The shampoo came next and he'd done so well. I practically fell asleep there under the water. And forgetting for that moment wasn't so bad. I loved how careful he was with me, as if expecting me to eventually shatter.

It ended to my dismay as he closed the cap of the product.

Harry:
"Here."

He handed me the towel to dry. It was partially taken in his hands and pressed gently against my eyes to dry the moisture from my vision. I was relieved when my dark hair had ran clean of red on the towel and rested around my body.
I began to undress myself completely before stepping in as he'd been asking all along. The water was hot and lovely. I held myself for a moment as I wiggled my toes in thought. It really was an unusually big shower and I felt quite small in it...a tad alone. I looked to my fingers where the two rings were he'd given me in the course of our relationship. I made it a habit to never take then off now. So it was kind of like he was always with me...even when he wasn't.
I heard him cleaning the sink area and closing the door of the mirror with a click. My ears stretched as the steam filled the glass. My arms held my body as the occurrences of tonight began to swim back. I knew it was from his absence. I closed my eyes, forcing it back out.

Winter:
"Come in with me?...please."

I felt like such a baby, but hoped he understood. He was quiet but I knew he hadn't yet left the bathroom. I was sure I heard the resonance of his shirt being pulled over his head of curls. The button of his jeans snapped opened and pulled down...thrown to the side then. I stare ahead on the fancy marveled floor as the shower head soothed me, his movements could be heard again as he entered the glass door behind me.

I turned toward him, pulling him close as I buried myself beneath his neck. He held me. The water continued as we stood there quietly. He felt good against me. The hard abs of his stomach and the naked of his body pressing to mine. I breathed steadily in hopes the steam wouldn't bother my lungs too much...because I needed this moment.


Harry:
"I feel terribly that you had to go through that."

We were closer than ever. He rubbed my skin like a mother would her small child to sooth. It worked. It always did because I was spoiled. He had created a monster.

Harry:
"I'll always be there for you, okay."

He pulled me back to kiss my forehead, eyes then peering around my neck. I knew he was looking at them again and I silently wished he didn't have to. He reached for the bar of soap and began messaging the places the bruising lie. I'd done the same with his knuckles calming and thoughtfully.

Winter:
"I'll put some spoons in the freezer, alright. You know I bruise easily, they'll go away."

I knew it bothered him to look at each time he did. But I'd fix it. He nodded silently before sharing something of his own.

Harry:
"I'll call Niall and leave a message tonight. He'll come tomorrow to make sure she's fine... and you are."

We washed each other quietly before cuddling up to Awkward in front of the TV. Each knew why the other couldn't sleep, but it was okay. I was okay now.

Notes

Forgive me. The next chapter will be better. I think I've been going too hard with studying for my finals because the words are just running together.

Thanks for reading anyways. You're great.