I will

rise up

in spite of the ache

Henry had wanted him to stay on the sofa and yet, the boy seemed so determined to ignore everything he was asking. Henry finally understood the importance of the bird. He had been a shit lover in the past, never looking at their relationship and thinking it anything other than simply a pet. But now, things were becoming so clear.

Henry wasn't ready to lose Sterling completely. Even if they were never a couple again, Henry did not want to burry the man. He wanted to at least be able to look at him from afar and feel the ache of pain in his chest when he thought of him. If this bird died, Henry could only feel that pain when he visited Sterling's grave. Henry was not ready to give up.

He was already willing to take the bird to a shop that might have some sort of witch who might know what to do. He tried to tell Sterling, that he would take care of her, but Sterling wanted to ignore his words. He stood up, taking the bird into his arms and heading towards the door. Henry watched the man sway, as if he had far too many drinks or had spun in circles one too many times.

Henry stayed close to him, not trusting the man's balance. It seemed his instincts were right, the man started to fall towards the floor and Henry was quick to catch the man as he began his descent towards the floor. He paused as he looked at the unconscious man in his arms. He kicked the partially opened door so it swung open widely. Easily, he hoisted the man into his arms, carrying him with one arm beneath his knees, the other around his shoulders. The bird, thankfully, stayed nestled on Sterling's abdomen as the trio began to leave the apartment.

After kicking the door closed and intentionally leaving it unlocked, Henry began hustle down the stairs, careful not to bump Sterling into the walls. A couple of times he missed a step and nearly fell down the flight, but each time, something seemed to catch his fall.

Henry carried him out of the apartment building and down the street. He ran as fast as he could, trying his best not to justle them both too much. The shop wasn't far, but it seemed like miles and miles of infinite street when he was carrying so much weight. By the time they reached the store front, Henry laid the pair down in front of the door.

From the looks of it, the shop was closed, but just barely. Henry could still see a light on in the back room and shadows moving about. Without thinking, he began to pound loudly against the glass door, feeling it want to shattered beneath his determined fist. "OPEN UP! I need help! QUICKLY!" He continued to pound on the door, hoping that whoever was in the back would hear. "For fuck's sake open up!" If whoever was in the back room didn't open their door and help them, this would be the last night his boyfriend would be alive. It was a truth Henry didn't want to think about, let alone believe.

Henry Tudor

I will rise a thousand times again