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Harry was about to to rehearsal when his phone rang.
The curly one groaned and almost let it go to voicemail, but the thought that it could actually be an emergency this time bugged him, so he sighed and picked up his phone.
And then he smiled despite of himself when he saw the name of the love of his life appeared.
"Hi Lou." he said, expecting his husband to answer happily as he usually did, babblin happily about his tour and asking all about Harry's day.
Instead, he was met with silence.
Which, in itself already set all of Harry's anxieties in action.
Because Louis was a lot of things.
But silent was not on of them.
"Lou?" he called again.
And then he heard a little groan.
"Hi, Hazza."
Oh.
Things were bad.
Louis actually didn't call Harry "Hazza" anymore, apart from when something was very wrong and he wanted to prep him.
Anxiety twisted Harry's guts.
"Babe?" he asked.
Louis sighed deeply.
"Okay. Okay." Another deep shaky breath. "Please, don't freak out."
"Then don't give me a reason to freak out." shot Harry back and Louis was still too silent.
"I'm at the ER, in Poland."
Harry's heart fucking stopped.
It actually stopped.
He opened the mouth and closed it.
Opened it again.
"What?" he murmured, voice breaking. "Are you okay?"
"Babe-"
"Do you need me to come?"
"No-"
"I'm coming-"
"H, no!"
"Louis-" tears pricked at the back of Harry's eyes, his breath quickened and he felt his legs trembled.
His Louis.
Something had happened to his Louis.
Oh God.
How was he supposed to live without his Louis?
(He couldn't.)
"Baby, please calm down." Louis said, in that voice he only used when he knew Harry was spiraling - God, he knew him so well which didn't help because how the fuck was he supposed to live without that voice?! "Please."
"How could I?"
"Babe, deep breaths. For me. Please."
"Louis-"
"Please. You're spiraling, H. I'm alright, I swear. It's worst in your head than it actually is, darling."
"I can't-"
"I'll take them deep breaths with you, my love."
Harry closed his eyes and forced himself to breath with Louis.
Once.
Twice.
Again.
And again.
"Good boy." only murmured his husband tenderly.
"What happened?" he asked, voice low and worried once he had taken enough breath to be able to speak again.
And the more Louis was silent, the worst the scenarios inside Harry's head got.
He had been mugged.
He had been in a serious car accident.
Some crazy stalker had attacked him or he had come accross-
"I fell during a race." Harry's eyes widened and the shock cut his next words as Louis kept rambling nervously - because Harry was uncharacteristically quiet too, right now. "Well, I couldn't quite stop before the wall, if you want to get specific. Kinda ironic considering my album's name, don't you think?"
Harry's heart was beating way too fast in his chest.
Disbelief.
Anger.
Worry.
Love.
Relief.
He wasn't sure.
A bit of all, and more.
"Are you kidding me, right now?" he murmured,
A silence.
"I won, though." tried Louis and oh that was the wrong thing to say. "Baby-"
"Are you fucking kidding me right now, Louis?"
A silence.
"No."
And then the anger won.
"For fuck's sake, I told you this could be dangerous!"
"I know, babe-"
"And I fucking told you you could hurt yourself!"
"H-"
"You never fucking listen to me!" shouted Harry in despair.
"Well, I do actually but that's not-"
"And now you got yourself in a fucking accident!"
"God, you're going hard on the cursing tonight-"
And then Harry exploded.
"HOW COULD I NOT? WHEN MY STUPID HUSBAND GOT HURT STUPIDLY BECAUSE HE'S SO STUPID!"
A silence.
And then Louis only said.
"That's a lot of stupidity indeed, I'll give you that, curly."
And Harry could see it.
Clear as day.
He could see the look on his face, the crinkling blue eyes and how his boy was trying to fight off his smile at seeing Harry so work up.
And fuck.
Fuck him, it worked.
Harry had to bit down his own smile, anger deflating instantly.
Fuck Louis and the smile he could always get out of him even when he was furious.
(Fuck all boyfriends who could do that, actually.)
"Lou." he said but his voice betrayed him, betrayed the smile on his lips. "Don't do that, right now. I'm really mad at you." he tried but there was no venom left.
Fuck Louis for knowing him so well.
Fuck that fucking effect on him he had had since Harry was 16.
He hated it.
(No, he really didn't.)
"Oh, I see." And Harry could hear the wheels turning in the older's mind from where he stood, an ocean apart. "Well, it's alright, H. I understand. You do what you have to do." and was his voice lower? For fuck's sake he was such a drama queen. "I'm just really hurt but you can be mad, I suppose. Go and be mad at me." he sniffled sadly and God, people still thought Harry was the only drama queen of their relationship.
But it worked ( of course it did) because Harry was so in love.
So he caved and right away, longing and angst took hold of the green-eyed man.
"What did the doctors say?"
"I don't know, I haven't seen them yet." and then, "I only just got here, but I wanted to call you." Another silence. "I'm fucking anxious, you know I hate hospitals."
"Lou-" Harry's heart broke.
"And it actually fucking hurts like hell, and in the midst of all this fucking chaoes I really, really needed to hear your voice."Louis admitted shyly, still so shy even after the decade and more they had spent loving each other.
A tear rolled down Harry's cheek.
"I wish I could hold you in my arms right now." he murmured.
"God, that would be nice." groaned Louis.
"Where does it hurt, my love?"
"Right arm."
"Lou..."
"I know, I know."
Another silence during which Harry pondered his next words very carefully.
"Maybe you should think about canceling-"
"Don't even think about ending that sentence, Styles."
Harry sighed in defeat.
"It was just a thought."
"Would you cancel, babe?"
"No." answered Harry truthfully.
"Then you've got your answer."
And Harry wouldn't push.
Not when it came to their carreers.
Because he understood perfectly where Louis was coming from.
Part of why they worked so well despite of all the obstacles, was the understanding they shared on that particular aspect.
"I just want you to be safe." admitted Harry, scrunching his nose.
"Stop the scrunching, my love." chuckled Louis and Harry laughed. "I know you want me safe, and I love you for it. My sweet Harry." he blurted out lovingly.
Tears pricked at the back of the younger's eyes.
"I love you, too." Harry's voice broke because it was too much. "So much."
His baby was hurt and alone in the ER of a foreign country, half of the world away from him.
God, he hated it.
"H, I gotta go the doctors are here."
"Okay, call me after?"
"Promise."
"Love you."
"Love you, too."
Rehearsals had gone alright.
It had because Harry was a professional after all, but he had been distracted.
And worried.
So worried.
So here he was,a couple of hours later and suddenly his phone rang and he jumped on it before he accepted Louis' request at Facetime.
Louis' face appeared on his screen, a bit pale and tired, but still in one piece.
(And still beautiful.)
Harry quickly asserted the situation and noticed the fling on his right arm, but no cast.
Okay.
That was something, at least.
"No cast, as you can see." winked Louis like he could read his freaking mind.
(Harry sometimes seriously wondered if he could.)
"What did they say?"
Louis sighed and tried to make himself comfortable but he frowned and winced.
"I fractured my right elbow."
Harry's eyes widened.
"Babe-"
"They gave me painkillers but it still hurts like fucking hell." Louis winced again and then his eyes got lost on Harry and he pouted, "Wish you were here with me." he whined softly.
Harry's heart broke completely.
Louis was a terrible patient.
The only thing he only ever wanted that could make him bearable was Harry by his sides.
And Harry wasn't.
Because he was half of the fucking world away.
Whuch didn't make any fucking sense.
"I could come home." he said.
And he would.
God, he would.
He would send it all to fuck for Louis.
(That was also part of why they worked so well together. Because they both knew, the knew the only reason they would give it all up not matter what and no questions asked... was each other.)
Louis scrunched up his nose.
"Absolutely not. You're doing fucking Coachella, Haz. It's huge. And you know I'm fucking proud of you, right?"
"I know." said Harry, blushing.
"Good. So you enjoy yourself back there-"
"Lou-"
"And then, once it's done, you hurry the fuck home to me."
Harry chuckled.
"Always."
That seemed to settle Louis and he closed his eyes, seemingly exhausted.
"You should go to sleep, love."
Louis hummed.
"Not yet. Want to stay with you for a bit. Best medicine of all."
Harry's heart warmed.
God, he loved that man.
"Who said I had to close the call? I'll talk to you until you fall asleep."
Louis opened the eyes, smiling fondly.
"I love you, Haz. I really do." he said, voice so soft and blue eyes so honest.
"I love you too, so much. Please, stay in one piece until I return."
Louis chuckled and settled in his pillows, Harry saw the wince when he moved his arm without meaning to.
"I'll try."
"Good." And then, because he knew his husband so well. "And the sling stays on at all times, even if you hate it."
Louis scrunched up his nose and Harry narrowed his eyes again.
"Lou-"
"But it bothers me already." he whined again.
"I'm not joking-"
"And-"
"Louis, I swear to God if I see that damn thing off on HLD-"
"FINE." Louis groaned something Harry didn't quite understand, "Fine, you big tyrant." he continued, frowning. "I'll keep the fucking sling on even if it's a fucking pain in my ass, just like you are a fucking pain in my ass right now!"
Harry laughed happily and then wiggled his eyebrows,
"Come on baby, we both know you like it that way sometimes."
Louis' eyes widened.
And then he burst out laughter and Harry was so proud.
Louis wasn't the only one able to make the other laugh when furious.
"You're fucking ridiculous." Harry shrugged happily and then Louis studied him, frowning slightly suddenly. "Have you been crying, H?" he asked and Harry looked down.
No use in lying, Louis knew him too well.
Plus, Harry didn't want to lie.
Communication - they had learnt the hard way, was important.
"I was worried." he nodded softly.
"Baby-"
"That phone call, to see you in the ER, it got me thinking..."
Louis smiled so very softly, encouraging him to continue with a small nod and a sad smile.
"You got in your head, didn't you?"
"A bit."
"Why didn't you call me?" Harry looked down. They both knew how Harry got when he got lost in his own mind. "What is going on in that pretty mind of yours right now, Haz?"
Harry closed his eyes tightly and then opened them, emerald eyes glassy suddenly with all he was feeling.
"No pleasant thoughts, let me tell you that." he chuckled sadly and Louis smiled sadly in return.
"Tell me, love. Let me in."
Harry took a deep breath and blue eyes locked onto green on the screen.
"I just don't know what I'd do it anything happened to you." his voice broke. "I've been thinking about that. A lot. And it's horrible."
And there.
He had admitted it.
The thought turning in his head non-stop now since he had got the call.
And he was petrified.
What would he do if something happened to his Louis?
Louis paled and his eyes widened, before he sighed sadly and took a deep shaky breath.
"I love you Harry, and you know I'll never leave you. Not if I can help it." a tear rolled down Harry's cheek as he nodded and wiped it. "I can't promise nothing will ever happen, you and I know better than that, but I can promise you that I'll never willingly leave you. Ever."
"I know." Harry's voice broke.
"And I can tell you that as of right now, I'm perfectly healthy." their eyes locked, "I'm alright, baby. Apart that now I hate myself for making you cry." Tears were shining in the blue of Louis' eyes. "These fucking days are behind us, now. I never want to make you cry again, ever, for anything."
Harry smiled sadly again.
They had been doing amazing for a couple of years by now, but the trauma of all the terrible ones they had to fight tooth and nails to stay together were still fresh in both of their memories.
"I know, babe." And then it was too much. "I can't wait to go home. I'll take good care of you."
Louis smiled fondly at how his husband was trying to light up the mood.
He'll let him do it.
(Would let him do whatever he wanted to anyway. Always.)
"Of that I have no doubt." and then, "It's only been a few hours and I can already say without hesitation that you'll do better than Oli or Matt, that's for sure."
Harry scrunched up his nose.
"Matt is helping you?"
Louis smirked slightly, knowing exactly where this was going.
"When Oli can't, yes." Harry frowned and Louis laughed, "Baby-"
"He's too good looking, I don't like it."
Louis laughed fondly.
"You're ridiculous."
"I'm in love, there's a difference."
"You big sap." Louis shook his head, blue eyes shining with love and tenderness.
Harry loved that look so much.
It was his look.
"But I'm your sap."
Louis smiled again and Harry really couldn't help but think that as long as he could make his boy smile through the pain, things weren't that bad.
"That you are. Always mine."
They both shared loving looks, lost in each other.
"Close your eyes, Lou." smiled the curly one fondly.
""But I wanna see you." his husband pouted and Harry chuckled.
"Soon."
"Soon."
"For now, close your eyes."
"Will you stay with me?" asked Louis sleepily.
"Always."
A couple of weeks later.
Harry parked his car in their private garage and finally let out the breath he had not known he had been holding all this time.
Fucking finally.
He was home.
To Louis.
He smiled and got out of the car, almost running inside.
He needed to see his baby, he needed to make sure he was alright.
They had facetimed even more than they usually did, and now Harry only wanted to hold him tightly against him.
Nothing else mattered.
The curly man opened the door, let down his bags and started looking around.
And then his heart finally settled.
Every pieces fell back into places.
He was finally home.
Because leaning on the door frame, smiling that bloody smile that made his baby blue eyes crinkle...
"Lou."
And it was almost a relieved sigh.
"Welcome home, my love."
Harry smiled with his dimples in display and walked to him quickly, before he stopped and hesitated in front of the sling.
"If you don't hug me right now Harold, I'm divorcing your sorry arse." warned Louis in a gruff voice and Harry laughed before hugging his husband tightly.
"Shit, I've missed you so much." he said, burying his face in Louis' neck, still mindful of his arm.
"And I you. So fucking much." and then, "Never leave me again." Harry chuckled and kissed his hair lovingly while Louis nuzzled deeper against his chest. "You were so amazing on stage, baby." he said then and Harry preened under the praise. "My baby." he receded and cupped his cheek, shaking his head in wonder and Harry could have purred at the pride in his blue eyes. "So fucking beautiful and so fucking talented, perfect and-"
And then Harry couldn't stop himself.
Weeks without kissing the love of his life would do that.
So he leant in and crashed their mouths together, the world finally back on its axis.
"You really liked it?" blushed Harry when they receded, dimples in display and Louis thumbed one lovingly.
The older one nodded, still stroking his cheek with his valid hand.
"You were amazing. So fucking amazing. So lucky that you're mine." his voice broke as he stole another deep kiss, Harry moaning in surprise before he kissed back but Louis was already receding. "And these new songs were fucking amazing. Still the one was iconic, not to mention I will survive. I legit had tears in my eyes when I heard it." Harry blushed.
"Couldn't help myself. It's kinda our songs." and then he smiled softly, that Louis smile he still got teased for today. "I wanted to let you know I was thinking about you."
"Oh my love." murmured Louis and their eyes locked. "I got your message and I loved it."
"Good."
Louis chuckled againd and pecked his lips.
They had still not let go of each other.
"How did it feel to sing with Shania?"
Harry's eyes were shining.
"Like a dream come true."
Louis chuckled fondly and pecked his lips again, he knew the love Harry had for the woman and was so happy he got to do this.
"You deserve it, my love." and then he added, "And Lizzo?"
Harry beamed.
"It was like having my best friend on stage again."
"Oi!" shouted Louis, "I'm your best friend, you prick!"
Harry laughed and leant in, stealing a kiss.
"Of course, darling."
Louis pouted.
"I'll let it go this time, but only because I love her so much."
Harry pouted prettily.
"It's me you're supposed to love so much." Louis laughed, shaking his head. "You really, really liked it?" Harry asked again.
"I really, really liked it." he hummed and then raised an eyebrow teasingly."Just one thing though, now that I do think about it."
"Oh I know." Harry rolled his eyes, but he was blushing.
He knew what was coming.
Had no real explanations for it, though.
(Apart that he had been pretty mad about that fucking race.)
"Fuck you? To all boyfriends? Really, Harold?"
Harry smiled sheepishly.
"Well, you're my husband so technically-"
"H." Louis raised an unimpressed eyebrow,
"Fine. I was a bit mad."
Louis laughed and leant in, kissing him again.
"God, I love you."
Harry beamed.
"I love you, too."
They leant in, kissing again because they could just not bear to be apart.
And then...
Then Harry remembered something of his own.
"But while we're talking about unpleasant things... Your bloody sling, Lou. Why was he off so many times?"
Louis looked sheepish as he tried to shrug.
"Oops."
"Lou-"
"Don't be a drama queen, I've put it back on."
Harry narrowed his eyes at him.
"I've seen videos of you taking it off during your bloody show-"
"Spying on me, aren't we Harold?"
Harry blushed.
"Shut up." he murmured and Louis chuckled. "As if you're not doing exactly the same."
Louis looked up from underneath his lashes and took a step even closer, so close they could feel each other's heartbeats.
"Oh I do, my love" he murmured, kissing his husband's jaw and Harry moaned softly and tilted his head, letting Louis mark him.
"You're trying to distract me." he moaned, hand cupping the back of Louis' neck, keeping him where he was.
He felt the older one chuckle against his skin.
"Maybe." he kissed along his jaw and found his lips again, eyes twinkling. "Is it working?"
Harry scoffed, already flushed.
"You know it always does." he raised an eyebrow, challenging and Louis laughed before kissing him again, so passionate this time that he had to take a step back.
And then Harry receded and cupped Louis' jaw tenderly, relishing in the fact that they were indeed together, they had indeed made it, they were indeed still going strong.
His heart tripled in size and warmed so much he was sure Louis could actually feel it from where his hand was resting against it.
And then Harry smirked.
"I can't say how much I hate that you bloody got hurt, Lou." Louis scrunched his nose and Harry smiled, all dimples in display. "But I'm still quite proud you won that race, baby."
Louis' eyes lit up instantly.
"RIGHT! I'm the fastest man you've ever seen, Haz!" he shouted, so happy suddenly that Harry really couldn't help it, he kissed him again.
And again.
(And again.)
Yes, his husband was reckless and sometimes acted more like a child than a thirty years old man.
But Harry wouldn't have him any other way.
Ever.
(He loved him far too much for that.)