Желание. Longing
Ayo circled James, who was seated on the grass. He had his eyes closed to try and remain calm. He wondered if it was possible for him to meditate hard enough that he could tune her out. But he already knew that didn't work, otherwise he'd have done it before.
Ржавый. Rusted
James swallowed, only irritating his dry throat even further. He gave up on meditating and opened his eyes to see Jidea standing opposite him. She shot him a soft smile, expression open and calm.
Семнадцать. Seventeen
What was that sound? James tried to cover his ear, but he could still hear his heart thudding in his chest.
Рассвет. Daybreak
Giving up and lowering his hand, James vaguely registered that his fingers were trembling.
Печь. Furnace
Oh, it wasn't just his fingers. Shivers wracked his entire body. His hand slammed down onto the ground, and he dug his fingers into the soil harshly. Neither Ayo nor Jidea even flinched.
Девять. Nine
James shook his head, he could feel his breathing pick up. He was so tempted to jump up and stop Ayo from talking. But he might harm her. What difference did it make if he was probably going to harm her in a bit anyway?
Добросердечный. Benign
Tears pricked at his eyes, and he clenched them shut, shaking his head as a whimper escaped his lips. "It's not going to work," he heard himself whisper despairingly.
Возвращение на Родину. Homecoming
His cheeks were wet with the tears flowing freely from his eyes. He pressed his fist against his lips, muffling the sobs wracking his frame. He felt like tearing the hair out of his head; something, anything to get away from reliving this nightmare.
Один. One
Coming around his periphery, James stared up at Ayo who finished her circling and came to stand before him, standing tall and proud. She looked him directly in the eyes as she spoke.
Товарный вагон. Freight car
James was shaking, whether from how tense he was, or fear, he wasn't sure. A second passed, then two. He sucked in a breath and opened his eyes – when had he closed them? – and looked up at Ayo. She had a shadow of a smug look in her eyes as she raised her chin and continued gazing at him serenely. As the seconds passed, James' form began to still and his eyes widen.
"Солдат (soldier)?" prompted Ayo, resulting in a violent flinch from James. She didn't offer consolations or encouraging words. Instead, she watched and waited as James cast his wet, red-rimmed gaze at her. "Fight me," she commanded. A beat, and watery eyes blinked, painful hope shining in their depths. James' breath hitched as a triumphant smile broke her stern façade and she spoke clearly, "you are you."
A choked sob escaped his lips, and then James was hunching over, quiet cries shaking his shoulders as a wave of relief spread through him. He felt as if he weighed no more than a feather; and he was so light he could just float away at any moment. He pressed his fist against his mouth to try and muffle the pitiful noises he was making, as he looked up and glanced between Ayo and Jidea.
Ayo still had that same self-assured look on her face as she simply nodded, as if assuring him that he heard her right. While Jidea had a more relieved smile on her face as she approached and crouched in front on him, taking his hand and holding tight. "Well done, James."
A wet laugh bubbled past his lips and James shook his head. "I didn't even do anything. It was all thanks to Harry's—" but he was interrupted by Jidea shaking her head.
"Harry would only have been able to do so much if you were unwilling. And ultimately it was your decision to accept this treatment. And your resolve that has gotten you this far." Jidea smiled wide, nodding her head, "I'm very happy for you, James."
He squeezed her hand back, and smiled quietly, "thank you." He only wished Harry were awake and here with them; imagining how he would grab the other in a crushing hug, fall to his knees and express his endless thanks and relief to the other. It was only one step in the long journey he had ahead, but it was a significant one. Any and all remaining doubts he had about Harry and the mind healing treatment had completely dissipated.
Jidea and Ayo had left shortly after. There was no reason to stay given they could not access the Manor and they had achieved what they set out to do already. So James spent another quiet dinner alone and remained in high enough spirits that even Kreacher's grumbling about muggles not being entitled to desserts was just met with a chuckle from James.
Before retiring for the night, James had slipped into Harry's room and approached the still form of the man. He'd gently gripped Harry's prone hand and whispered all the thanks and feelings he had felt over the past few hours to him; hoping that it would get through to the other somehow.
The next morning, Malfoy returned and swept through the manor efficiently. Knowing why he was here, James eagerly tailed him as he entered Harry's room and pulled out his wand. "Rennervate", incanted Malfoy, tucking his wand back in his robes.
They watched as Harry shifted, groaned, then blinked hazy green eyes open. Clarity returned to those eyes before Harry was jerking up in bed, his hand shooting out beside him to grasp at his wand. It was barely a second after that he spotted Draco and James lingering at the foot of his bed and his shoulders relaxed, though his expression remained confused. "Draco? What are you doing here?"
Rolling his eyes, Draco moved forward and launched into a scathing lecture that had Harry shrinking into himself and looking sheepish. Draco didn't even give him time to defend himself as he went on to catch Harry up to speed with what's happened, with only a brief glance at James who nodded his confirmation.
Like a whirlwind, Draco did not "stay to listen to any excuses" and left once he had extracted promises from Harry to be more mindful about not just him but his patient the "next time you decide to keel over". James could barely get in his own thanks as the blonde swept out the door, feeling greatly amused when he turned back to Harry.
The wizard was stretching out the stiffness in his body, and looked up as James approached. "Sorry you had to see all that," he quirked his lips in amusement, "but I'm glad to see you're doing well."
James reached over and clasped Harry's right hand in his, and lowered himself onto his knees by Harry's bedside. Harry's brows shot up in bewilderment but he kept silent as James spoke.
"Jidea was here yesterday, she brought a Dora with her; Ayo," James breathed deeply as he looked at Harry as sincerely and earnestly as he could. "They came to help test that the trigger words were successfully removed," he watched understanding dawn on Harry's face and a soft smile pull at his lips.
James looked down and brought Harry's hand to his forehead, closing his eyes. "Thank you, Harry," he breathed, feeling the slightest of trembling the hand pressing Harry's to his brows. "I… I don't think I could ever express how grateful I am to you…"
Feeling Harry's hand squeeze his, James finally opened his eyes and looked back up at a smiling Harry who spoke, "you're very welcome, James."
Just a short chapter this time. Kinda running out of steam but I felt bad leaving y'all on a cliffhanger last chapter lol.
