Harry didn't realise he fell asleep, he realises the weight of Louis's body isn't on him anymore, he feels cold and empty. He doesn't want to open his eyes and face reality, face Louis being gone. The thought alone has tears pooling behind his closed eyes. What is he supposed to do now? How is he supposed to move on, pretend like Louis never even existed? The thought alone makes Harry's chest ache. Why would the boys move Louis from Harry's arms without his consent, why wouldn't they wake Harry up to say his last goodbyes. Harry's breathing begins to faulter at the threat of more sobs.......That is, until he hears Louis undeniable slight giggle.
Harry's eyes shoot open and he sits up straight on the bed. He looks to his right and sees Louis, his Louis, sitting up between Drew's legs, as Scott feeds him soup. Louis is pale and weak but he's smiling slightly and he's alive.
"Little cub" Harry chokes.
"Daddy" Louis says smiling at Harry, they both lunge for each other and Harry cries yet again, what's going on? Is this a dream.
He pulls Louis back to look at Louis face, he cups his cheeks in his large hands.
"You're okay?" Harry says perplexed,
"You passed out about six hours ago Haz, Louis fever broke about three hours ago, we've been feeding him and Andy said he's going to be okay" Scott says, his voice a little shaky from holding in his tears.
"Wholly fuck, Louis" Harry says as he pulls Louis into him again and hugs him tightly.
"I love you Harry" Louis says.
"God I love you little cub, thank you darling, thank you for not leaving me" Harry says into Louis hair.
The boys watch on, smiling at the reunion.
"You want to take over Haz?" Drew asks kindly,
Harry pulls back from Louis, wipes his eyes and nods.
"Yeah, yeah of course" Harry says chuckling.
The boys move off the bed and let Harry get situated behind Louis, with the bowl of soup.
"Andy says he's weak and will be for a while, we just need to get his strength back up" Scott says.
Harry could die with relief and happiness right now, this is everything to him. Having Louis back on his arms is everything,
"Thanks boys, I owe you, thank you" Harry says.
"Always Haz, Louis one of us now, aren't you kiddo" Scott says smiling.
Louis smiles big in return.
"We have a few things to sort out Haz, be back in s few to fill you in" Drew says.
"Go slow Lou, do as Harry tells you" Scott says with a wink.
"I will" Louis says huskily.
They kiss Louis on the head and leave the room
"Oh cub, I can't believe you're okay" Harry says as he feeds Louis another mouthful.
"I didn't want to leave you" Louis says.
"I'm so glad darling" Harry smiles.
Harry finishes feeding Louis his soup and they hold each other tightly, no words are said they just hold each other close, thankful, they still have each other.
.....
Two weeks later
"And what are you doing out of bed little cub?" Harry asks as he sees Louis in the kitchen doorway, he's wearing sweats and Harry's jumper and he looks adorable, with sweater paws and sleepy eyes.
"Can I help you cook?" Louis asks quietly.
Harry smiles at his boy, he left Louis sleeping while he went to make dinner. Louis has been surprisingly compliant these last few weeks, not arguing about eating, even though it's only small amounts, not complaining about having to stay in bed or take medicine and he's been listening to what Harry's been saying. Harry loves Louis submissiveness but misses his cheeky side a bit. He knows Louis is still trying to come to terms with everything that's happened over the last few months.
Louis is feeling much better and Andy has taken his drip out, he still has to take medication for a few more weeks but the colour in Louis cheeks is back and his energy levels are looking good too. He still has to be careful but he's doing really well. Harry was going to surprise Louis with dinner and let him sit downstairs with him and the boys for the first time in weeks.
"Of course you can, I'd like that very much" Harry says smiling.
He walks over and picks Louis up and places his on the bench, Harry stands in between Louis legs and smirks as Louis breath hitches.
Harry brings his lips to Louis and they share a passionate kiss, Harry let's his hands roam Louis body, making sure he feels every inch he can. Louis is pliant in Harry's arms and wants to savour this moment, he loves how attentive Harry is being with him, loves how loving Harry has been but he's scared it's all going to stop and Harry is going to start ignoring him and pulling away again. He wants to be a good boy for his daddy and not give Harry a reason to leave him again, now that he's getting better.
"You're amazing my cub, taste so good, I can't wait to have you again" Harry says as he pulls back and rests his forehead on Louis.
"Mmmm Daddy, please" Louis whispers eyes still closed.
"Sorry cub, you're not strong enough yet, for what I have in store for you"Harry smirks.
Louis pouts and Harry kisses his nose.
"We can play tonight okay, but only playing" Harry says sternly.
Louis smiles cutely at Harry in response.
"Now make yourself useful and cut up these veggies" Harry jokes.
Louis jumps off the counter and gets to work on the veggies, Harry smiles fondly and keeps checking Louis out of the corner of his eye.
"I...can... I um talk to you about something?" Louis then asks as he starts on the cucumbers. He avoids Harry's eyes.
"Always" Harry responds.
"Can I go back to school" Louis asks.
Harry's body stiffens and his smile is wiped off his face.
"I....I mean just the work, from home....I just......don't be mad at me" Louis says his voice shaky.
Harry puts down the knife he's using and looks at Louis, who's still avoiding his eyes.
"Why on earth would I be mad at you?" Harry asks curiously,
"Just, I know you wanted me to stay here and not go to school and I just didn't want you to be mad that.....that I want start my work again and you said I was still sick and..." Louis says trailing off.
"Cub, of course you can go back to starting your school work again, from home, with me, but only when you have the all clear from Andy, understand" Harry says.
Louis smiles slightly
"Yeah, thank you" Louis says slightly relieved.
Harry looks at Louis confused, Louis has never hesitated to ask Harry for what he wants.
"Louis, are you,.....scared of me?" Harry asks seriously.
"Wha?" Louis asks, he's stopped cutting things up and Harry grabs Louis hands in one of his large ones. He then uses his free hand to lift up Louis chin so he's looking him in the eyes.
"Cub, what's going on?" Harry asks gently.
"I'm sorry....I" Louis starts then sighs.
"I...I thought that.....you would leave me if...if I didn't do as I was told, I'm worried you're going to leave me cause I'm better now and I'm....I'm scared of that" Louis says quietly, looking away.
"Darling" Harry says sighing.
He picks Louis up and places him on the bench.
"Listen to me and listen to me good, I am never, ever going to leave you ever. I don't think you understand how much I broke when you were sick, I was a mess and now that I have a second chance with you I will do everything I can to prove to you I'm here. Us disagreeing or fighting, you being your sassy self that I love, none of that is going to make me leave you! I promise you darling, I really need you to tell me what I can do so you'll trust me" Harry says.
"I'm sorry, I do trust you I'm just so scared of losing you daddy and I just want to be with you" Louis says
"I want to be with you too cub, you're mine and no one will be getting their hands on you" Harry says darkly as he pulls Louis closer to him, snogging him senseless.
"Should we take over boss?" Edward says cockily as he and Drew walk into the kitchen smirking.
Harry pulls back with the biggest smirk on his face while Louis blushes profusely.
"Ohhh Lou, don't be embarrassed kid, we've heard worse from you two" Drew chuckles.
Louis throws a piece of capsicum at Drew and hides his face in his hands.
The boys all chuckle at Louis.
"I'm almost done actually, so yeah boys take over while I take care of my cub" Harry says smirking.
He picks Louis up and carries him upstairs to their bedroom.