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Louis Tomlinson loves his husband.
It's why he's been struggling to make this call for the past half hour. He'd never want to be the cause of his husband's suffering which is ironic because he knows that putting off this call will do exactly that.
Harry Styles is over 9,000km away from his partner when he hears his phone ring during the middle of his Coachella rehearsal. Normally, he'd be annoyed at being interrupted while he's working. But the people around him have quickly noticed, there are a few exceptions to that anger. His mum, Gemma, and Louis.
"Hi, baby," he says excitedly as he answers his phone.
He's met with silence which isn't unusual for Louis when something is amiss. This doesn't initially send alarm bells ringing in Harry's head until he hears someone in the background say, "Alright, Mr. Tomlinson, you're all set. The nurse will be in with your discharge papers and you can head home."
"Louis," Harry says but again is met with no response. "Baby, this isn't funny. What's happening?" His crew, realizing the personalness of the conversation decide to step out of the rehearsal room until the call is finished to allow Harry his space. On their way out, Harry makes eye contact and mouths a thank you to Mitch who nods.
Finally, he hears a sigh on the other end coming from his world which lets Harry let out a breath he hadn't even realized he was holding.
"It's alright, love. Don't panic. It's just a minor inconvenience on my behalf." Louis says.
"Tell me what's going on," Harry says a bit louder than he intended, not wanting to worry his crew.
"It's actually a really funny story. So, err---I was runninganddidn'tseethewall" Louis says quickly hoping that his husband wouldn't catch the bit about how it was his fault.
"LOUIS!! You ran into a wall?! Do you have a concussion? I'm booking a plane right now. I'll be there in a bit."
"Harry, love, please calm down. It's really not that serious. I just hurt me arm a bit and have to wear a sling for a little while. Don't get on that flight."
"Don't be ridiculous. My husband is in an unfamiliar Polish hospital because he's an idiot who ran into a wall. Of course, I'm getting on a plane."
"Harry," Louis says through gritted teeth, "No, you're not. You have Coachella this weekend for God's sake."
"Louis," Harry says in a sardonic tone, "You know I don't care about that. Okay, I do but not more than you. Never more than you. You know I'd give it all up for you without a second glance. Please let me come help you, babe. I love you and I need you whole." Harry can feel his emotions getting the better of him and is suddenly very grateful his crew took the hint and left the room earlier.
"Sun, please take a breath. I can hear you starting to panic. I love you, too. More than anything. But I promise I'm okay and as much as I need you and want you here right now. There's no way I'm letting you give up Coachella for me. You can fly out as soon as the show is over. You're performing our song remember?" and Louis can practically hear Harry's smile through the screen.
"Of course I remember. I just---I need to see you with my own eyes to make sure you're truly okay."
At that moment, Louis has a thought and quickly hangs up on his husband which leaves Harry confused but only for a minute because just as quickly as the call ended, his phone starts buzzing again. But this time it's a FaceTime call from Louis.
"Hiya, honey. See me?" Louis says with a smug grin on his face. "I'm alright. Looking devilishly handsome if I do say so myself. I've even got this sick sling," he says quickly in a sarcastic tone.
"Very handsome. How are you feeling? Have they given you anything? What did the doctor say?"
"Alright, babe... any more questions," Louis says while playfully rolling his eyes. "Yes, they've given me some pain medicine and some to take home too. I'm feeling okay right now. It hurt like a motherfucker when I came in. The doctor said that's normal though and as long as I wear the sling like I'm supposed to and don't do anything strenuous with me arm, it should be good as new in a couple of weeks."
"This is why I should be there. I could be bothering the doctor with my concerned husband questions instead of you." He could see Louis gearing up to argue so he quickly said, "But I have a show to perform. Gotta let the people know you're 'Still The One' even when you do stupid shit like break your elbow during a race. Did you at least win?"
Louis's face lit up at that. "Matter of fact, I did win. So it was worth it. Okay, honey, here comes the nurse with my papers so I can leave. I'll call you when I get back to the hotel. Promise me you won't come"
"I won't come," Harry grumbled. "I promise. But Louis, I swear to God if I see the sling come off or get a message from Oli that you've got it off, I'm on the next flight out. And don't think that I won't bother Oli because I will."
Louis smiled and said, "I know you will. But seriously I have to go. I love you in a really big way. More than anyone has ever loved anything. Thank you for being worried but try to relax and get back to rehearsal. I've kept you away long enough."
"I love you. I love you. I love you. Call me when you can and for your information, you can keep me away as long as you want. I'll see you Sunday."
As soon as the phone call ends, Harry lets his crew know that they're done for the day and that they'll resume again the next day bright and early. On his way out, Mitch checks to make sure everything is alright at home and Harry reassures him all is well, he just has a clumsy husband to which Mitch laughs and says goodbye.
It's not long after that Harry is sitting on his bed awaiting a call from Louis to let him know he's home safe. As if Louis could sense Harry thinking about him--which sometimes Harry thinks is the case--his phone rings.
He answers immediately. "Hi."
"That was quick. Wait...baby you're supposed to be rehearsing. You promised," Louis says.
"No, I promised I wouldn't come, not that I wouldn't cancel rehearsal anticipating your call. There's a difference. Anyways, that doesn't matter. It's one of the last ones anyways. All that matters is you're back and settled and hopefully going to bed soon. It's late there. You need your rest. Your day has been quite eventful."
"I'm fixing to go straight to bed. The pain killers are finally kicking in which are making me quite tired but I wanted to call and let you know I'm okay for the 1000th time so you'd quit your worrying about me and focus on yourself. I'd like you to just stay on the phone with me though while I fall asleep."
"Of course and it doesn't matter if you told me 2000 times. I won't quit worrying until I'm next to you and can look you in the eyes and tell if you're lying to me just to spare me. You mean more to me than any show. Goodnight, baby. I wish I could give you your goodnight kiss and give your arm a feel better kiss."
"Me too, Sun. Me too. Soon."
And like the word soon held the key to soothing them both, Louis was out and Harry could hear his quiet snores coming from his end of the phone. "Goodnight," Harry said smiling quietly, and laid his head down to nap, which he never did, but after the events of the day, he found he was exhausted too.
Silence filled the room disturbed only by the quiet snores coming from each of the Tomlinsons. They were at peace, which was so rare in their hectic lives, comforted by the presence of the other. The way it would be forever just like they had said in their vows 9 years earlier.