PSL: For Charles

[fucking_gentleman]

It was a week before they were willing to let Harry be moved.

He had another emergency surgery where they had to concede to losing his left eye to keep the nerve intact. Once they managed to get him stable again, they made him get through five days of no crashing, no unpredicted dips or spikes, just quiet healing and level drug intake.

Then and only then was it agreed that Harry could be transported back to England. It would be with transport staff, a doctor and two nurses and he was kept in light sedation to keep his pain manageable while they moved him.

They were met in the Kingsman hangar by Merlin. He didn't offer any words, just stood by Harry's sleeping form for a while and then left with an instruction to settle him in medical called back over one shoulder.

When Harry did regain consciousness, it was in the blessedly familiar surrounds of Kingsman medical. He actually sighed with the relief, staring at the ceiling and willing his emotions back under control.

Comments

[fucking_gentleman]

"Lord only knows why." He tightened his fingers in Charles' pants.

[grailknight]

He placed his hand over Harry's. "Because i know what you are capable of, even now."

[fucking_gentleman]

If Charles had been anyone else, Harry might have teasingly twisted his arm and threatened to break it to make a point.

Instead, he flexed his fingers up to lace their hands together. "I don't like the fact I am feeling rather clingy. Tactile."

[grailknight]

A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "That is not uncommon after nearly dying." Or a brain injury. "You need reassurance and are lookig for stability. I am happy to oblige."

[fucking_gentleman]

"I don't like needing anything outside myself." His grip stayed firm, in no way inviting Charles to try and leave.

"My head is starting to hurt."

[grailknight]

"Harry, you have always needed something outside of yourself. Your friends, your students, your dog." Charles frowned. "I'll call for the nurse."

[fucking_gentleman]

"I don't want a bloody nurse," he grumbled. "Turn down the lights, it might help."

[grailknight]

He chuckled. "I am going to need my hand back to do that."

[fucking_gentleman]

He sighed and let go. "Hurry up, then. You can read me my newspaper. I was starting on The Sun." His great delight, terrible, trashy tabloid journalism.

[grailknight]

He gave Harry a cheeky smile as he went to the lightswitch and turned down the intensity. "And now I am going to play reader? I don't believe that I agreed to that." Charles returned to the bed and sat back down next to Harry.

[fucking_gentleman]

"I believe you did when you agreed to take my recovery on as a mission." He lowered his bed back more, relaxing into his pillows.

[grailknight]

Charles wrinkled his nose. "I detest the Sun."

[fucking_gentleman]

Harry looks smug, his eye closed. "Yes, I know. But I get a good laugh out of it."

[grailknight]

"All right. Did you want to start where you left off?"

[fucking_gentleman]

"Mm. Please." He rested his hand palm up on the bed in invitation.

[grailknight]

Charles smiled and took the tablet and scrolled back to the entry from the day after Harry got shot.

"When do you suppose they will let you go home?"

[fucking_gentleman]

"When I am able to provide the basic level of necessary care for myself, or manage the stairs." Those stairs were going to be a problem. Once he was up them in his room, he was stuck up there.

"Not any time soon, I suspect."

[grailknight]

"Oh yes, the stairs," he said with a frown. "What about in two months time, where do you see yourself?"

[fucking_gentleman]

Harry hummed softly again. "Out of this bed. Walking with minimal aid. Writing with both hands again."

[grailknight]

Charles smiled. "Great. I would love to help you get there."

[fucking_gentleman]

Harry knew he was possibly being overly optimistic but it was where he wanted to be. Able to live at home again.

"If I can get the gross motor control back, I can work on the finer details on my own. But I need to get my arm and leg working."

[grailknight]

Charles nodded. He was obviously scheming something based on the look in his eyes.

[fucking_gentleman]

Harry's eye cracked open to peer at Charles. "You're scheming, not reading."

[grailknight]

He smirked. "Is that a problem?"

[fucking_gentleman]

"Yes. You're meant to be reading. I'm a cripple, you have to indulge me."