Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

A MONDAY MORNING IN MARCH, HARRY AND LOUIS

"Lou…" An Alpha’s deep and indulgent tones fill the small dorm room. “He's working hard, give him a break."

There's a burst of laughter, the sound of it sweet, bright and belonging – without doubt – to an Omega.

Lounging on the lower of a pair of bunk beds, Harry Styles watches two feet appear on the ladder above him. A moment later his mate drops to the floor: an exceptionally pretty boy in an overlarge school jumper. Both his skin and his hair are shades of caramel; his eyes are the colour of bluebells and his lips are as pink as bubblegum.

The smallest and most submissive of the three genders, Omegas are physically vulnerable and emotionally fragile. But they’re sweet, warm, gentle and – without a doubt - worth both living and dying for.

In one nimble movement the Omega straddles the waist of the Alpha, places his hands on the swell of his chest, leans down and-

“Don’t you also have an English essay to write?”

Louis Tomlinson sits back with a pout. He is so tiny that, though he’s sits astride his boyfriend, the entirety of his (insignificant) weight lies across Harry’s hips. Harry can feel his toes wriggling where they rest atop his thighs.

Harry has all the best qualities of an Alpha: he possesses a deep voice that strikes fear in rival Alphas and, in the same breath, reassures his Omega. His green eyes soften at the sight of his mate yet remain bright and alert whilst in his presence. And, of course, he’s so tall that right now both his feet and his calves are hanging off the end of the bed. [Inspo]

“Yeah… but what I don’t wanna do it?”

Harry smooths his hands over Louis’ bare thighs. “You’re still in school. You sort of have to…”

“But it’s so hard, Harry.”

“Louis, would you shut up!” Louis’ best friend – Zayn Malik – yells from bunk above.

Louis lowers his voice to a whisper. “Can’t I just copy your essay?”

Harry shakes his head. “You can’t copy an essay, Lou – maths homework: maybe. But an essay? No-” He breaks off abruptly as Louis ducks down and begins to nuzzle his throat.

“Please, Alpha…”

Harry’s grip tightens on Louis’ thighs. Louis can feel Harry’s cock beginning to swell.

“Lou,” Harry says throatily (and without much conviction), “you need to do your essay…”

Louis pulls back and thinks. Then he tugs at his jumper so that it clings to the curves of his body. “If you let me copy yours I’ll let you do w-whatever you want to me.”

Harry’s eyes darken. “Tease,” he husks. He sits up swiftly, moving his huge hands to Louis’ arse. Louis catches his breath and then blushes when Harry’s gaze drops to his lips. The scent of honey fills Harry’s nose-

“-For fuck’s sake!” Zayn lands on the floor beside them. He gives Harry a disgusted look, throws his bag over his shoulder and stomps out of the room.

Louis dissolves into giggles, hiding his face in Harry’s shoulder.

Harry blinks, shaking his head as though to clear it. [Inspo]

As Louis continues to laugh, Harry scoops him up and sits him on the edge of the bed. Then he pulls his laptop into Louis’ lap, picks up the novel Louis’ studying and says: “finish your essay.”

Louis huffs but begins flipping through his copy of Frankenstein.

“Good boy,” Harry murmurs, kissing the bond mark adorning the nape of Louis’ neck.

Instead of purring in delight, however, Louis puts a hand over Harry’s face. “Like I’m still gonna let you mark me.”

Harry makes an affronted sound. “God forbid I want what’s best for my Omega, right?” he says, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

“If you wanna watch me do my homework that’s your choice.” [Inspo]

“Well, it would be nice if you did your homework before I arrived for once,” Harry mutters.

Louis’ hands curl into fists. “Why’re you still here then?”

“Maybe I’m hoping we’ll get to spend some time together before I go?”

“You’re mental if you think I’m gonna let you touch me now,” Louis sneers. “Get out of my room.”

“You know what, you’re right,” Harry growls, “you’re more effort than you’re worth.” He shoves his feet into his boots, grabs his bag and strides out of the room.

Louis’ mouth falls open in outrage. He storms after him. “I wish my Alpha wasn’t so old!” he yells at the other boy’s back. [Visual] “Maybe then he wouldn’t treat me like I was still a child!” He flings his door shut. But as he turns away, chest heaving with emotion, he doesn’t hear it slam. Instead it’s thrown back open with a thunderous bang.

Louis whirls around.

Harry is barging back into the room.

Louis starts backing away but Harry reaches out and wraps his hand around Louis’ upper arm. He’s dragged over to the desk and thrown over it. His feet dangle helplessly above the floor. Out of the corner of his eye Louis sees Harry raise a hand in the air.

Terror cuts through him.

Harry’s grip tightens on his arm and then-

“You’re hurting me!”

Louis’ scream pierces the silence.

Harry pulls back – so fast it’s like he’s been burned. His face is a mask of horror.

Louis watches his breath fog the table beneath his cheek, listens to the frantic echo of his heart. After several moments he slides off the table, moving his weight onto shaky legs.

What… what just happened?

He sways.

At once, Harry is guiding him into a chair, crouching down in front of him and demanding: “Are you alright?”

Louis nods dizzily. He feels numbed by the sudden drop in the level of his emotions.

“Louis?” He reaches up, touching Louis’ cheek. “Baby, are you with me?”

Louis starts. The shock is starting to fade, allowing him to make sense of what just happened. He pushes Harry’s hand away from him, tears filling his eyes. “Y-y-you were g-gonna-”

“No - I never would have,” Harry says immediately. He tries to touch him again.

Louis shifts back, almost tipping the chair over. Harry catches it by the legs.

Louis is obviously lost in thought. Harry was going to spank him! Is he a bad boy? And, if he is, why did Harry stop? But if he’s a good boy then why was Harry gonna spank him in the first place?

Utterly confused, he holds his arms out for Harry. He wants his Alpha to comfort him. The fact that it was his Alpha that frightened him in the first place isn’t important.

Harry breathes a sigh of relief, gathering him close at once. “I’m so sorry,” he says. “I’m so sorry, lovie.” He showers Louis’ hair with kisses. “Of course you can copy my essay.”

THE FOLLOWING MONDAY, LOUIS

“Do you know why I’ve asked you to stay behind, Louis?” Miss Chang asks, placing his English essay on the desk in front of him.

Louis locks his ankles together, swinging them under his chair and gazing up at her with his big, blue eyes. He is the very picture of innocence. [Inspo]

Like many of his teachers, Miss Chang adores him. But she, more than most, has a soft spot for him. [Drabble]

“Because…” Louis ventures, smiling mischievously… “I’ve made a ground-breaking discovery and now I’m up for the Nobel Prize?”

Miss Chang’s lips twitch. “Because this essay is an exact replica of a certain Mr Styles’ essay. I was his English teacher too, don’t forget.”

“Well… it’s only natural that my essay would mirror the one written by my mate,” Louis says.

Miss Chang is obviously resisting the urge to smile. She takes a deep breath and schools her features into a serious expression. “I’m going to give the chance to redo this essay, Louis, okay? But you have-”

Louis hops off his chair and throws his backpack over his shoulder. “Okay, thanks, Miss!” he says, beginning to dodge desks on his way towards the door.

“Louis – wait a minute!”

Louis pauses, glancing back at her as one foot crosses the threshold.  

“I’m also going to give you a detention.”

Louis’ face falls. “Oh, Miss-”

“-And I’m sure,” Miss Chang continues, “Harry would think I’ve made the right decision.”

LATER THAT DAY, LOUIS

Louis sits in detention that evening thinking, as he has done for the last week, about how close he came to being spanked.

Of course Louis wants to be a good boy for his Alpha (although he doesn’t necessarily want to be a good boy for anyone else). But now he finds himself questioning whether his ‘good’ is good enough for an Alpha as perfect as Harry.

For starters, Harry is much older than him and, according to several snooty Omegas at school, very experienced. Louis, on the other hand, is terrible at giving blowjobs; too small to ride his cock and sometimes, he recalls with shame, having something that big inside him is so overwhelming they can’t even do ‘it’. [Drabble] What’s more, the hormone imbalance caused by the early onset of his heat still hasn’t settled. Louis is emotional and needy, even for an Omega, but can’t even repay Harry by fitting more than the head of his cock in his mouth. To top it off, not only is Louis in need of endless attention he also requires constant protection. Last year a pair of Alphas tried to rape him and, though Harry rescued him, he almost lost his life because of it.

But despite all of this, Louis reminds himself, Harry mated him, which means he wants to be Louis’ Alpha for the rest of him life. He assures Louis regularly that caring for Louis is never a burden; in fact it’s both his priority and his pleasure. And no matter how many times Louis forgets it, Harry will patiently remind him as he presses his lips to their bond mark.

Buzz… Buzz…

Louis looks down as his phone vibrates in his lap, interrupting his train of thought. Harry’s name appears on the screen, accompanied by the message: Tried skyping you?xxxx

Louis moves his hands underneath his desk and replies: im in detention but its almost over xxxx

Harry replies within seconds. Call me later? xxxxxxx

AN HOUR LATER, LOUIS

Louis returns to his boarding house as the sun begins to set. As he’s missed dinner Louis convinces Mrs Hodgehouse, his housemistress, to let him take a bowl of spaghetti bolognaise into the common room. While he eats his dinner he sets up his laptop and joins in with the banter of his classmates. They’re sat in a better place than they were last year (when they were forced to choose the lumpy sofas in the corners of the room). Now they sit closer to the TV and even have armchairs to choose from. There’s a hierarchy in in the all-boys schools of England and the oldest boys sit in the sofas directly in front of the TV.

When he’s finished Louis slides his pasta bowl onto the coffee table and pulls his laptop into his lap. He puts his earphones in – Harry has a habit of making terrible jokes – and calls him. As he waits butterflies erupt in his stomach. Harry wouldn't let Louis visit him on the weekend because he was sick and what makes an Alpha sick can make an Omega very sick.

“Oi, Zayn.” Louis balls up a sheet of paper and throws it at the other Omega. “Is my hair okay-” He breaks off as Harry’s face flashes onto his screen. “Hi, Harry!” he says breathlessly.

“Hi, Harry,” Zayn simpers in a sickly-sweet impression of Louis, mimicking his hair fussing and causing their classmates to howl with laughter. [Inspo]

Louis, however, is suddenly oblivious to the racket surrounding him. Something is wrong. Harry’s not sat in his room at university. Louis recognises the sofa from Harry’s living room in Holmes Chapel. He’s scraped his long hair into a slightly greasy bun. (Although Harry is so handsome that, even when he looks unkempt, he still makes Louis’ belly flip over.)

“Hi, love." Harry’s voice quivers with emotion.

The noise of the common room fades into the background. “Haz? Are you okay?”

Harry shakes his head. “I can't visit you this week,” he croaks. “My Nan…” He pauses to take a deep breath. “She doesn’t have long. I’m driving down to Cornwall tonight – I’ll be there until-until she passes. Doctor said it’ll be two weeks, maybe three.”

“Oh Harry,” Louis breathes, sitting forward. “I’m so sorry. That’s terrible…”

Harry gulps. Alphas can’t actually cry but his obvious grief is all the more heart-wrenching as a result.   

“I wanna be with you…” Louis whispers.

At once, Harry begins shaking his head. “No. Don’t worry about me, lovie – I’m alright.”

Louis drops his gaze. “Oh…okay.” He sniffs. “I’m gonna miss you.”

Harry opens his mouth, then closes it: apparently unable to speak. He nods hastily and, a moment later, the screen goes black.

Louis stares at it for a moment. Then he drops his face into his hands and starts to cry.

ZAYN

Zayn, who has returned to graffitiing his geography textbook, looks up at his best friend lets out a sob. He’s about to uncurl from his armchair when Oliver – an Alpha from their year – drops into the seat beside Louis.

He wraps an arm around Louis' shoulders and coos at him. “Don’t cry, blossom. Cheer up for me.”

Zayn stares at him. Alphas are admired for their ability to dispel an Omegas tears with gentle words but Oliver sounds like he’s been practising in the mirror.

“I’m okay,” Louis chokes out, wriggling out from under his arm. “Ollie – seriously. I’m just g-gonna go upstairs…”

…Later that night there’s a familiar creak of wood as Louis’ climbs the ladder into Zayn’s bed. He’s wearing one of Harry’s jumpers – the lavender one that reeks of the Alpha’s seed. Zayn holds his duvet aloft and Louis slides in beside him, filling Zayn’s nose with the combined sent of the couple: spiced honey. Even in his arms Louis feels small and delicate.

“Are you okay?” Zayn whispers.

Louis shakes his head.

“Are you gonna go see him?”

“Doesn’t want me to.”

Zayn chews his bottom lip.

Louis sniffs. “Stupid to think that Harry needs me as much as I need him, I guess…”

THE DAYS FOLLOWING, HARRY

All of a sudden, every day that passes is the longest Harry’s been apart from Louis. Normally, if Harry doesn’t manage to visit Louis for several days, his scent still lingers around (in) him. It’s true that Harry has almost dropped out of university twice in order to spend more time with Louis in the emotionally vulnerable months following his sudden and unanticipated maturity. However, Harry’s main concern, at the moment, is with Louis’ physical vulnerability.  

Louis’ first heat is legendary. His virginity was taken by the top Alpha. That put him in a category with all the most desirable Omegas. But then he was claimed by Harry: knotted, marked and mated within a matter of weeks. Anyone with two eyes could see that Louis was ridiculously pretty, his petite yet curvaceous figure unrivaled. The fact that he could barely handle the intensity of his newfound desire – in other words, he was mad with lust – was equally tempting. But the students still wonder how such an inexperienced Omega managed to tame the most cock-sure Alpha in school.

For the most part, fortunately, Louis seems to cope with the second week of their separation. He phones Harry between his lessons (or in the middle of lessons) and then proceeds to tease Harry mercilessly.

“I bet you miss me so much,” he’ll giggle. “I slept like a baby last night without you hogging the bed. Got all my homework done too. Can’t wait to play Fifa all weekend.” He sends him a picture of his history textbook, accompanied by the message: still better than half your stories xxxxx. He bombards Harry with images of his school dinners, with variations of the same caption: way better than your fahitas, no offence xxxxx. And, worst of all, pulls on Harry’s biggest jumper and texts him: won’t be needing your cuddles after all xxxxx.

It doesn’t (unfortunately) occur to Louis to send pictures of himself naked, such is his innocence. This is despite the fact that, unbeknownst to Harry, he has picture of Harry’s cock, taken whilst the Alpha was sleeping. Harry did try to initiate phone sex but Louis just got confused. After all, masturbation is foreign to a boy who spent his first heat sitting on the knot of the Alpha he would mate for life. The first time Harry touched him was the first time anyone touched him; the only pleasure he’s ever experienced has been at Harry’s hands.

On the other hand, Harry reasons, a reminder of Louis’ enticing form in its nude glory would be truly devastating.

At night, however, Louis is a far less self-assured.

Towards the end of the week Harry is sitting with his family, feeling dejected because he hasn’t been able to talk about Louis as much as normal, and sulkily perusing a book on how Omegas cope with long-distance relationships. So when Louis texts him – not a picture of his tea and the words: all I actually  need in life xxxxx but the simple message: please call me?? Xxxxxxxxx – he leaps to his feet.

“I have to take this!” he informs the room. Then he hurries upstairs, opens his laptop and accepts an incoming skype call.

Louis’ small figure flickers into view. He’s sitting in his dark dormitory, illuminated by the glow of the laptop. His diminutive frame is swallowed by a jumper that’s already too big for Harry. His hair is wild and his eyes are sparkling with tears.

Despite this, Harry almost misses what Louis is saying because he is scrutinising the figure beside him.

“Couldn’t sleep,” Louis croaks. “Keep thinking about you.” He drags the sleeve of his jumper under his eyes. “And about how much I miss you,” he sobs.

Harry’s heart sinks. (He’s confirmed that the sleeping boy is Zayn.) “No, no, no. Louis, love, please don’t cry,” he begs.

Louis cries harder. 

“I wish I could hug you,” Harry says.

“Then come back!” Louis yells, petulance colouring his tone. 

Harry shakes his head. “I can’t, angel. You know I can’t. I have to spend my Nan’s last days with her. But it-” He swallows. “It won’t be long…”

Louis looks down at his lap. Then he starts breathing heavily. “I m-m-miss yo-you,” he gasps.

Harry just smiles and gently reminds him: “you haven’t had a panic attack since your first heat.”

Louis huffs but drops the act. He fiddles with the sleeve of his jumper, his eyelashes casting shadows over his tear-stained cheeks. It looks like he wants to say something… but the silence lengthens until Harry voices his own thoughts:

“I wish I had my little lovie curled up beside me…”

“You do?” Louis asks, brightening up all of a sudden. 

“Course I do!” Harry exclaims.

Louis scoots closer. “Then I’m gonna come see you.”

“No, that’s okay,” Harry says quickly. “You don’t have to.” You’re shielding him from grief and pain, he tells himself, like a good Alpha… But that’s not entirely true.

Louis’ face falls. "Oh..." he says. “That’s okay. I understand.”

Harry frowns. “Loubear? What’s the matter?-”

But before Harry can finish his sentence Louis leans forward, clicks the mousepad and the screen goes black.

THAT WEEKEND, LIAM

The sound of gravel crunching under his tires drowns out Harry’s voice.

“Harry, mate, I have to go,” Liam says to the phone in his lap. He’s just arrived at their old school, where he is visiting Zayn for the day. (They aren’t mated so he’s not allowed to stay the night. However, Zayn, unlike Louis, has yet to go through his first heat. This means two things: firstly, their relationship is virtually chaste and, secondly, he doesn’t actually need Liam the way a mature Omega does.)

Harry is saying something else. Liam thinks he hears Louis’ name.

“Yeah, I’ll check on him, mate,” Liam says. “I promise.”

After hanging up and parking, Liam crosses the carpark to the boarding house where Zayn and Louis live. Zayn is sat on top of a picnic bench, dark-haired, golden-eyed and exquisite.

Liam’s face breaks into a broad smile. He strolls up to him, brackets his narrow hips with his hands, leans forward and kisses him.

Zayn gasps into his mouth. His lips are soft but, though he lets Liam kiss him deeply, his fingers clench in Liam’s sleeve.

Liam pulls back. “You okay?”  

Zayn nods, pink-cheeked and slightly breathless. “I think I can smell coconuts.”

“Yeah?” Liam says, a smile pulling on his lips.

Zayn nods again. Then – blushing madly at his own forwardness – he leans forward and pushes his nose into Liam’s chest. Young boys don’t have a very good sense of smell but Zayn pulls back and says: “I c-can d-definitely smell coconuts.”

“Well I have just been to the gym,” Liam replies, flexing his biceps - because Zayn is extremely cute when he’s flustered. “I wanna look good for my boyfriend,” he adds, “he’s getting prettier every day.” [Visual]

THAT AFTERNOON, LIAM

They have lunch at a pub and return to school in the afternoon to watch a movie in bed.

“Watch this, babe,” Liam says, pausing outside Zayn’s room. “It’ll be really funny.” He opens the door and spots Louis reading a comic on his bed.

“Hey, Louis…” he says.

“Hey, Liam,” Louis replies in a glum voice, barely even glancing at him.

“Guess who’s here…?” Liam says excitedly.

Louis lowers his comic slowly, a look of trepidation on his face.

“It’s Harry!”

“Harry!?” Louis cries, bolting upright. He throws his duvet off and scrambles out of bed. “He’s here!?”

Liam doubles up with laughter as Louis dashes across the room. Louis struggles to push him out of the doorway, huffing: “move, dickhead!” He trips into the hallway in his haste. He looks around. “Harry!?”

Behind him, Liam laughs louder.

Completely undeterred, Louis turns back into the room. “Where is he?” he asks breathlessly. “Is he parking the car? Is he bringing me tea?”

“Yeah!” Liam says. “He’s bringing you a big cup ‘o Yorkshire!”

Louis teeters on his tiptoes, overcome with joy. “Happy days!” he cheers, throwing his arms around Liam’s middle.

Over Louis’ head, Zayn is watching Liam with a look of deep disapproval. 

Releasing Liam, Louis starts fussing with his appearance. “I need to change my jumper…” he mutters, “this one has gravy on it.” He jumps onto one of the other Omega’s beds, where a blonde boy is having a nap. “Jamie!” he hisses. “Wake up! I need you to do my hair!”

Zayn glares at Liam.

Liam’s smile starts to fade. “Little one,” he says hesitantly. “You know I was taking the piss, don’t you?”

Leaping off the bed again, Louis continues to beam up at him. “What? Where has that Alpha got to? Honestly!” Shaking his head fondly, Louis returns to corridor to look for him.

Liam grimaces.  

A few moments later Louis stomps back into the room, looking around like he expects Harry to jump out of a cupboard or crawl from under a bed. Then Louis goes over to the wardrobe and Liam realises, yes, Louis actually does think that. He takes the Omega by the arm and gently pulls him back. “Lou, he’s not here. I was just messing with you.”

Louis peers at him with confusion in his blue eyes.

“He was joking, bro,” Zayn says quietly.

Louis’ gaze shifts to Zayn. “What do you mean?”

“Harry isn’t here,” Zayn explains. “Liam was just pretending he was.”

“Harry isn’t here?” Louis repeats.

“No,” Liam says.

“I don’t understand,” Louis protests. “He was here a minute ago!”

“No… No, I was mess-” Liam starts to say.

But Louis is pushing past him again, disappearing once more into the corridor.

Zayn punches Liam in the arm.

Then Louis is prowling back into the room and slamming the door shut. “That fooking prick!” he snarls, kicking his school bag across the room.

Zayn jumps.

“Hey,” Liam says reprovingly, watching Louis pull his jumper off and chuck it on the floor. It was one of Harry’s, judging by the way it was draped over his slight shoulders. “Louis – come on. I’m sorry. It was joke – not a very funny one, admittedly...”

Louis, however, is plainly not listening. He’s panting, glaring up at Liam with furious red patches colouring his cheeks. “Is he ever planning on coming back?” he demands.

“Of course he is,” Liam says. “Okay? I think you need to calm down.”

“Don’t tell me to calm down!” Louis yells. “My Alphas abandoned me!”

“No he hasn’t, bro,” Zayn says exasperatedly.

“You’ll see him again soon,” Liam adds.

Louis shakes his head. “I won’t.”

“Of course you will,” they say together.

“I haven’t seen him in months!” Louis says, this time with a hint of hysteria.

“What are you talking about?” Zayn says, baffled. “He was here two weekends ago.”

Louis’ forehead furrows as he tries to process this information.

“You copied his English essay and got in trouble for it… remember?”

But Louis starts shaking his head again. “Am I g-gonna see him ag-again?”

“Of course you are!” Zayn exclaims.

At the same time Liam says: “Louis, you need to calm down – okay?”

Louis continues to shake his head. His eyes are wild. “How d-do you kn-kn-know?” he asks Zayn desperately.

“Because-” Zayn starts to say but Louis’ next words make him blood run cold.

“I-I can’t breathe.”

“What?” Zayn whispers, horrified.

“I c-can’t breathe,” Louis repeats. He lifts a hand to his neck. “I c-c-can’t breathe!”

“Oh, fuck,” Liam curses. “Fuck.”

“Liam, I think he’s having a panic attack,” Zayn says, reaching out and tugging at Liam’s sleeve.

Louis looks at them pleadingly. “I c-c-c-ca-ca-ca-can’t…” He staggers and grips the front of Liam’s shirt.

Liam’s mouth moves wordlessly.

“I need… Harry…” Louis wheezes. “I need… my Alpha…” His legs buckle. His knees hit the floor.

At the same time Louis’ phone begins to ring.

Liam drops to the floor in front of him, taking him by the shoulders. “Okay,” he stammers. “Okay – y-you’re gonna be alright.”

Above him, Zayn lets out a sob.

“Louis – please,” Liam begs. “Please just stop it.” He looks up. “Zayn, he’s going to be alright.”

Zayn shakes his head, covering his mouth. “Liam – he’s not breathing. Do something!”

Liam notices the third Omega for the first time because – all of a sudden – he races out of the room.

Louis is clutching his throat. Tears are spilling down his cheeks, which are slowly turning from pink to purple.

“Louis?” Zayn cries.

“Zayn, it’s going to okay,” Liam repeats.

“No, it’s not,” Zayn cries. “Liam, do something!”

Liam holds Louis up. He’s so terribly tiny. “Alright, little one. You’re all right.”

Zayn tries to push him out of the way. “Bro – please listen to me. You gotta breath. Bro, please?”

Louis’ eyelids start to droop. His head bows towards the floor.

“LOUIS!” Zayn screams.

In utter panic, Liam scoops Louis up and sprints from the room, down the corridor and into the stairwell. He almost bowls the blonde Omega from earlier down the stairs. But, rather than swearing at him, the boy turns and shouts to someone: “he’s here!”

“Give him to me!” says a woman. “Place him on the ground. Now!”

Liam drops to his knees. Louis’ lifeless body is still cradled in his arms. He watches Nurse Roe unsheathe a needle, grip Louis’ limp wrist and pull his arm towards her.