Archive of Our Own ^beta

Wednesday

“Love? I’m home” Harry shouted, closing their front door behind him.

“God it's pouring out there, huh? Maybe we should just order in tonight? What do you think?” he questioned, slipping off his shoes.

“Kinda need your input, babe. Are you down here?” Harry called out, flicking on various lights as he made his way through their flat.

As he rounded the corner into the living area there lay his alpha, curled up on their sofa, Harry’s yellow hoodie engulfing his small frame as soft snores left his lips. Harry tiptoed towards his husband, careful to avoid the creaky floorboard they’ve been meaning to replace.

Tugging on the beaded chain of the lamp, their living area was cast in a soft glow giving Harry a better look at his mate. Reaching down, he slipped the alphas phone from his palm and pressed pause, the words of his own sleepy time story coming to a halt. Louis didn't know that Harry knew he sometimes fell asleep listening to the bedtime story and Harry rather loved that his voice brought Louis so much comfort and so, it stayed a secret of one. 

“Lou? Hun? My love….” Harry cooed, running his hand through Louis’ hair. Louis only leaned further into the touch, pulling Harry towards him. Placing a lingering kiss to his temple he reached down to undo the laces on Louis’ trainers, slipping them off and setting them under the coffee table. The alpha shifted slightly, turning further into the pillow where his soft caramel fringe rested. Harry stilled for a moment and then continued as he hooked a finger under one of his socks, tenderly slipping it off and doing the same with the other foot.

Carding his hand through Louis’ hair again, Louis nosed along his wrist, whining until Harry sat down. Gently he lifted Louis’ head into his lap and scented the alpha, lulling him back to sleep as his fingers drifted lazily up and down his spine.

The growling in Harry’s stomach grew louder as Louis napped further into the evening but Louis’ comfort outweighed Harry’s need for food at the moment.

Normally, Harry would’ve placed a quick kiss to his forehead and let him sleep, carrying on with the normal routine of making dinner (sans Louis) and tidying up from the clutter of items that seemingly made their way from their normals spots throughout their flat during the week, Louis’ endless amounts of guitar pics a prime example. The pitiful whimper Louis let out when Harry’d gotten home pulled on something deep within him, leaving him a bit unsettled with the unusualness of it. He couldn’t shake the feeling that Louis just needed him at that moment, and so that’s how he’d wound up spending his Wednesday evening with a lapful of content alpha.

It was a little half past eight when Louis startled himself awake, still in Harry’s lap. “hey, hey it's okay, you’re okay. just took a little nap, my love," Harry reassured as Louis regained control of his breathing. Harry continued running his hand up and down Louis' side, slowly bringing him out of his confused and weary state .

“Haz?” he questioned as he pushed himself into a seated position, his fingers reaching out for the omegas. Harry quickly laced their fingers together, bringing his hand up for a soft kiss. “Yeah my love?”

“When did you get home?” he questioned, rubbing the sleep from his eyes with the heel of his other hand.

“A few hours ago” Harry said, his words slowing in confusion and finally acceptance as Louis crawled over him, fully clinging to him like a koala as he gave him a small nod of understanding.

With his head laid on Harry’s shoulder and his nose neatly tucked into the crook of his husband's neck, Louis murmured “hmm so warm” letting his eyes slowly shut as he felt the weight of Harry’s arms wrap around him again.

“You were passed out on the couch when I got home” Harry whispered, placing feather light kisses in his hair. “You okay?” he asked cautiously.

Louis tends to dance around this question, often dodging Harry’s line of questioning if he’s feeling unwell, usually until it's too late and he's a sniffly, miserable mess, unable to hide it anymore. So if he is feeling unwell, like Harry highly suspects, he certainly doesn’t want to upset him further.

“Yeah, I, uh. I just felt off, kinda achey so I called it a day with Li and came home early.”

“ Hmmmm,” Harry murmured,” not getting sick are we?” Louis hesitated for a moment, nodding once and then shaking his head on second thought. Burying back into Harry, he let the sweet scent of fresh lemons and hint of sea salt wash over him. He loved Harry's scent. The lemon and hints of sea salt tied together with notes of gardenia and the likes of a fresh downpour of rain at the end of a hot day was a slice of heaven to him. 

“Do you want some dinner?” Harry questioned a little while later, his arms still wound around Louis, the touch comforting to them both.

Louis only shook his head this time, he just wanted to be held by his Hazza right now.

“Okay” Harry soothed, bringing his hand up to cradle the back of Louis’ neck, slowly combing through the back of his hair. He gently massaged his neck once more, releasing some of the tension he suspected Louis was carrying. Feeling Louis further relax into him and sigh, he knew he was right.

“Can I grab some dinner and maybe get you a cuppa?”

Louis didn’t move. He really didn’t want Harry to get up, but a cup of tea did sound nice, good even. He hadn’t had much of anything that day and he had a sneaking suspicion Harry knew that too, so he just squeezed Harry tighter and then let go, quietly whispering “tea please?”

Harry gathered him into his arms once more and just rocked him for a few moments, before setting him back onto the couch with a small kiss on his cheek. He didn’t know what was truly wrong yet or if it was just a bad day, but this was a step in the right direction he thought. Louis gave him a groggy smile and settled back into the corner of the couch, pulling the soft green blanket up to his chin as he listened to Harry’s bare feet pad to the kitchen.

He closed his eyes, listening as Harry milled around the kitchen, humming one of Louis’ new songs. Listening to the click of the stove as the knob turned. The refrigerator door being pulled open, Harry pulling out the milk for his tea and then swinging the door closed. The kettle filling as Harry rummaged around the cupboard for their favourite mugs and probably something to snack on. The quick succession of a knife hitting a cutting board and the plop,plop, plop of something being dropped into a pot presumably filled with water. The clink of a spoon against one mug and then the other was music to his ears.

He could listen to Harry’s little mannerisms forever, he thinks. He loves all of his mate’s little things. The way Harry drops his keys into the bowl on the entryway table when he gets home. The padding of his feet as he sidles up to hug Louis from behind when he gets home after him, always leaving a sweet kiss behind his ear and then his temple. The way he builds his nest with both of their favourite items; the hours of quiet fluffing of pillows and blankets until it's to his liking. He especially loves the hum of the dryer when Harry warms his favourite blanket when he doesn't feel good. A shiver travels down his spine at that thought, a warm blanket sounds good right about now he thinks. He snuggles further down into the one around him, content in listening to the everydayness of their life as the kettle whistles, signalling it's almost time for their tea. He loves the life he and his omega have built, he thinks to himself as he succumbs to the weight of his eyelids and finally feels them flutter shut.

At some point he dozed off, waking when he feels a warm, new blanket being tucked around him, the warmth emanating from the material threatening to pull him back under. The decompression of the couch cushion fully brings him to as Harry slowly lowers himself onto the couch, careful not to spill Louis’ tea and his dinner in the process.

“Thanks, Hazza.”

Harry just nodded as he slipped the warm cup into Louis’ hands, hovering until he was sure Louis had a good hold on it. The mug was warm, the perfect fit in his hand with a bit of honey stirred in as steam billowed from the hot contents. “It’s ginger,” Harry interrupted mid sip, “I know s’not your favourite. Might not be the one you wanted and I can make you a new cup but” he trailed off, gauging Louis’ reaction before continuing.

Louis pulled the cup away from his mouth, just looked up at him, tears gathering in his eyes. “It’s perfect, thank you," he said softly. “Was feeling kinda nauseous,” his words drifting off as Harry leaned over and gave him a soft kiss to the forehead, letting him know he understood.

“I also brought you some toast, I’d venture to guess you haven't had much today, hm” Harry stroked his cheek, replacing the cup in his hand with the plate. Louis just blushed and took a small bite of the toast, giving Harry a small nod confirming his suspicion.

“There’s some soup, should be done by now if you want some.” Louis swallowed and shook his head as another shiver ran down his spine.

“Okay, that’s okay. Brought you something else, though” Harry said, pulling a warm water bottle off their coffee table. Louis hastily took it from his hands and placed it under the hoodie, sighing as its warmth temporarily relieved the aches and cold he was feeling.

“Thank you and thanks for the blanket too” he murmured, pulling the soft albeit worn throw to his chin, not wanting Harry to ever think his thoughtfulness was being taken for granted. Harry just smiled and caught Louis lips with his, savouring his sweet alpha for a moment before he pulled back.                                                                                                                                         

The TV had been turned on at some point, one of Harry’s shows humming in the background as they sat snuggled together, soaking in each other's presence and processing their days. Notes of gardenia and coconut floated through their home as the candled Harry lit cast a soft glow around the pair and Louis eventually settled himself almost entirely on Harry’s chest after their tea had been drunk. Harry was rhythmically tracing his fingertips along Louis’ spine thinking he’d lulled his husband to sleep when Louis’ words startled him, only for him to realise he’d nearly lulled himself to sleep too.

“Just needed you” Louis breathed out.

Harry tilted his head back, tears pooling in his eyes as he continued running his fingers along the alpha’s spine, not missing a beat as he silently provided a space for Louis to continue if he wished.

It wasn't often Louis outwardly admitted he needed him. Harry knew he loved him but Louis could be quite stoic about how he was feeling sometimes. They hadn’t had a night or a weekend entirely to themselves for a long time, truth be told Harry missed their quiet evenings and his husband, and though their quiet evening was unexpected he was grateful for the uninterrupted time with his alpha. He reached up, cradling the back of his mate's head again and placed a delicate kiss into his grey streaked hair, whispering “ I love you.”
Louis just tightened his grip on Harry, soft sniffles slipping from where his nose was tucked in the crook of his husband's neck. If a small tear dripped onto Harry's chest, well no one had to know.

***

Thursday

Harry stretched, blinking as he slowly adjusted to the morning, the couple's labradoodle stretched out next to him. A slow smile crept over his face as he reached for the note propped against the fresh vase of vibrant pink tulips.

                                                                             Hazza,

                                                                                    Had to meet Li at the studio. Coffee and some brekkie downstairs. Cliffy has been out. 

                                                                                   I love you.

X X -L

How he had found a partner so thoughtful, one that knew and loved him so well, he’d never know. He never tired of the ways in which Louis showed his love for him.

After placing the note back on the dresser, he rolled over to cuddle Cliff, “how did I get so lucky to love your dad, hm?” The black and white dog just ignored him as Harry wrapped an arm around him, his hand winding through the course, curly fur as he let his mind drift for a bit.

Louis had still seemed a bit off this morning. He was probably over analyzing things again as Louis often joked he did, but what if he wasn’t? Louis had kissed Harry on the forehead when he climbed out of bed, whispering go back to bed when Harry offered to make him breakfast. Apparently he had gone back to bed or he’d have noticed Lou placing the flowers and note by his bedside. It was uncommon that Harry got a lie-in and in the middle of the week no less and while he appreciated Louis letting him sleep, something just didn’t feel right. Harry had scooped Louis up last night after he’d fallen asleep on top of him and tucked him into bed. Louis hadn't made more than a peep, really a small whimper, aside from when Harry re-adjusted him in his arms when Louis’ head shifted, his nose slipping from where it’d been tucked into the crook of his omegas neck. He clung to Harry as he tried to settle him into bed, whimpering again when he lost contact.

“Lou, s’okay” Harry whispered, Louis’ arms still wound tightly around his neck.

“Don’t go,” he said groggily.

“M’ just gonna clean up a bit, okay? I’m not going anywhere, my sweets.”

Louis whimpered but eventually let go, promptly curling around Harry’s body pillow as he seemingly tried to make himself as small as possible. Harry slipped off the crewneck he’d been wearing and tucked it between his arms, the alpha relaxing as he rubbed his cheek against it, the mix of sweet lemon and summer rain of his omega soothing him. As Louis settled, Harry picked up the off white blanket as the end of their bed and swiped pieces of it across his scent gland, dousing the weighted item in his scent once more before placing it over his husband's sleeping form, the weight of the beads inside providing the final piece of comfort before he finally let sleep pull him under.

When Harry finally came to bed, he shuffled up next to Louis and pulled him closer, slinging an arm around his petite waist as Louis let go of the pillow and tucked his arms tighter into himself, letting out a deep sigh as if he’d finally been able to settle completely with Harry by his side.

Harry’s phone pinged, pulling him out of his thoughts and disrupting his cuddles with Cliff. All he wanted to do though was laze around all day. The sullen grey clouds had enveloped the London skyline again, the impending autumn rain creating the perfect day to stay in bed, though it’d really be the perfect day if Louis were here to lay around with him. Ignoring the text messages on his screen, he opened his thread with Louis.

                                                   My Lou

H: Thank you for my flowers, I love them.
H: And you

Sighing, he placed his phone back on the bedside table and rolled over, knowing he likely wouldn’t hear back from Louis until noon, if he was really in the zone maybe all day. With one final squeeze to Cliff and a kiss to his head he threw the covers off and got up, slipping on some running shorts and lacing his trainers he called out “Cliff lets go.” Slipping the harness over the curly doodle's fur, the two started off on their morning walk.

                                                My Lou

H: If you see this, is there anything in particular you want for dinner? Starting my grocery list :)

Again, Harry didn’t expect a response, especially not an immediate one:

My Lou : eh, soup maybe? the one with gnocchi?
My Lou: And can you grab some more tea too? Peppermint?
H: Sure, my love. Anything else?
My Lou: Um
H: What’s “um” love?
My Lou: can you bring me some panadol if you’re over this way?
H: Of course, are you sure you don’t need anything else?
My Lou: Just those, thanks babe x

And so Harry finished his list and whistled for Cliff. “Alright Cliffy,” Harry said, pocketing his phone and making his way to the garage “let's go get your dad some panadol and a little bit of love. Whaddya say huh?” he cooed as he clipped the leash on Cliff's harness.

“Alright, be right back Cliffy,” Harry said a few minutes later, stepping out of his Range Rover. Cliff just barked, his nose peeking out the crack in the window, sniffing happily as Harry jogged into the pharmacy. Scouring the shelves for the panadol he also snagged a bottle of water and was on his way.

Pulling up to the studio, he sent Louis a quick text to let him know he was there, be down in a sec,was the only reply he got.

A few minutes later Louis swung open the door and Cliff pulled himself and Harry towards, when Harry finally let go of the leash, Cliff bound towards his dad, nearly knocking him over.

“Hi ya boyo, who's a good boy hmm?”

“The both of us, I hope, " Harry joked, leaning in to peck Louis’ cheek. “Panadol and water my love” he mumbled, placing the two items in Louis’ hands.

“Hi” Louis murmured, “and thank you” he said leaning in for another peck to Harry’s lips this time. Harry smiled into the kiss, savouring his husband's soft lips a few moments longer before pulling away.

“You okay?”, he pondered, rubbing his thumbs across Louis’ hips.

“Yeah, just a headache. A small one” he corrected, seeing the worry flash across Harry’s face.

“and Li didn’t have any so…” he motioned to the medicine in his hand.

“Hmm,” Harry hummed, “Did you have one last night too?”

Louis hesitated, and Harry swore he saw him wince, a small flash of pain crossing his face. He knew Harry would worry if he told him the truth, that he thought he had a migraine developing. He had so much work to get done with Li and he had taken the majority of yesterday off, hoping a quiet day would suffice in place of a quiet weekend, unlike the one he and Harry had planned. Having the weekend to themselves was rare and he and Harry desperately wanted to enjoy it to the fullest extent. If this turns into a full blown attack, and not just a headache he’d need Harry but he outright refused to believe it was one. He just couldn't ruin it for them both, the internal struggle only adding to ache developing in his head.

“Lou?” Harry questioned, pulling him back from wrestling himself.

“Huh?”

“I just asked if you had a headache last night, are you sure everything’s okay? I’m getting kinda worried babe.”

“Had a small one last night, kinda why I had passed out on the couch before you got home, but I swear I felt better when I woke up this morning” he argued, his tone a touch on the defensive.

"Were you sick before I got home?" 

Louis nodded, coming clean. "Just twice, but I really do feel better now" 

“Okay” is all Harry said, his shoulders sagging from where he’d been holding them, scanning Louis’ face once more for any further signs of pain while knowing he’d pushed him far enough.

“Cliffy, give your dad a kiss, we’ve got some more errands to run, we’ll see him later.” Louis bent down to ruffle the dog's fur and then slowly rose to peck his husband on the lips. “Have a good rest of your day H-y,” Louis murmured into their kiss. Harry lingered for a moment to catch a whiff of his mate's scent, hoping it might give him a better idea of how Louis was truly feeling. Turning around, Louis jogged back into the studio, calling out a love you as the door swung shut.

***

Harry

After dropping Cliff off at home Harry made his way to the grocery store. A podcast played in his ears as he slowly made his way through the isles, checking items off the list he’d made earlier that morning. His mind kept wandering back to his husband's uncharacteristic behaviour over the last 24hrs. After finding the items for their dinner that evening, along with a cart full of Louis’ favourite things just-well just because, he found himself at the pharmacy next door, glancing through different selections of medicine and items that claimed to heal you from whatever ailment you had at the moment.

He ran through a check list of sorts in his head as he scanned the section in front of him.

Does Louis have enough tea? Yep, just stocked up on that he thought to himself.

The cold medicine Louis preferred? The one that didn’t make him nauseous? Check.

Some more panadol, because the one he’d just bought the alpha certainly wouldn’t make it home if his forgetfulness had anything to say about it. Check.

A few ice lollies because god forbid his husband eat anything else when he’s ill? Check.

Louis’ migraine prescription…haven’t had to use those in a while, better re-up the prescription just in case, though he thought.

Just as he was about to text Louis about his meds, the words incoming call from Nialler reverberated through his ears as his airpods announced the call, pulling him out of his thoughts. The podcast he’d been listening to had ended quite a while ago, leaving him alone with his thoughts and the call had scared him to be quite honest. Tapping his AirPod, he answered the call.

H: Hi Ni

Nialler: Hi Haz, we still on for breakfast on Saturday? Harry paused, he didn’t remember making plans with Niall but maybe it just slipped his mind?

Nialler: Haz? Ya still there?

H: Yeah….Yeah, sorry. Breakfast on Saturday

Nialler: Did Lou forget to tell you?

H: No,no. Just forgot to add it to the calendar is all, sorry.

Nialler: Okay, well see you Saturday? At 11?

H: Yeah, see you then Ni.

Nialler: Alright then, by Hazza.

H: Bye Ni.

That was strange he thought as he made his way to the check out area, armed with enough supplies to ease whatever his husband was fighting off but didn’t yet want to admit to Harry.Usually Lou would at least give him a heads up if he made plans that involved both of them but again maybe it just slipped his mind.

By the time he made it home from the store the skies had grown dark again, signalling a storm was inevitable. 

Saturday

“Hazza?” Louis asked faintly, fiddling with Harry’s fingers as they walked down the street towards their breakfast spot.

“Yeah babe?” Harry said, lacing their fingers together, tenderly stroking his thumb up and down Louis’ hand waiting for him to speak. When Louis didn’t respond, Harry slowed their brisk walk to a stroll.

“Honey? What’s wrong hmm?” Harry gently prodded, delicately shifting them into one of shop doorways along the street, not wanting Louis to get upset, but needing to get a better look at his husband.

Louis hadn’t been himself since Wednesday evening, extra clingy, quiet and uncharacteristically reserved. He’d slept a fair amount over the past few days, fatigued and cranky and over all just unlike the true Louis Harry knew and loved.

“Can I, um, can I have your sunglasses?” he stuttered out as he played with Harry’s fingers anxiously, as if Harry would ever not give Louis what he needed.

“Sure lovey, your eyes still hurt?” Harry questioned, slipping the glasses off his face and onto his husbands.

“ Y-Yeah just a bit more sensitive this morning, dunno why though” Louis shrugged. Letting out a small sign, he adjusted the glasses, pushing the nose piece further up his face. The ache behind his eyes dulled as the light around him faded with the dark tint of the shaded glasses and he felt a bit of reprieve, certainly enough to carry on with their morning he thought.

“Eyes still bothering you? Or just tired, hmm?” Harry asked, sliding into their booth and softly reaching across the table to grab Louis’ hand, dragging his thumb across his knuckles in a soothing manner when Louis didn’t answer him.

They were sitting across from one another at their regular spot at the corner cafe. The rare, late morning sun bathing them in a soft glow as they sat in “their” booth. As they waited for Niall to arrive Louis tried to take in the warmth of light pouring through the windows but the ache behind his eyes had intensified again, making it nearly impossible, even with Harry’s sunglasses still on his face.

“No m’ good” he replied, softly squeezing Harry’s hand, trying to convince him and himself that he was fine, yawning again as his eyelids threatened to slam shut.

“Alright,” Harry said gently, squeezing his hand back. He slowly pulled his hand from Louis as his phone buzzed in his pocket

Nialler: Just parked ;)
H: We’re in our booth, ordered you your usual :)
Nialler: Thanks Haz!

The door chimed and Louis winced at the sound as Niall made his way to where the two were sat. He slid into the booth next to Harry, shooting him a knowing glance of sorts, just as their waitress set their drinks down in front of them.

“Nice glasses Tommo,” Niall said slyly, not knowing what kind of reaction his remark would elicit from Louis.

“Oi, come off it” Louis remarked, kindly giving him a middle finger as a small smile crossed his features.

Niall and Harry chatted amongst themselves waiting for their food to arrive, as Louis slowly curled in on himself, his tea growing cold. Harry watched as Louis' lips curled slightly in disgust as their waitress brought over their food, setting his order down in front of him.

“Babe? Everything okay?” Harry asked cautiously.

“Mmmm just a bit nauseous” Louis said, coughing as he tried to hide an involuntary gag. Pushing the plate as far away from himself as he could, he nearly knocked over his now cold tea in the process.

Barely managing to catch the tea before it ended up all over the table top and in his lap, Harry whispered “Are you sure you’re okay love?”

"Yes, Harry. I'm fine" he snapped at his doting partner. Catching Harry's soft green eyes he timidly murmured “Hmmm yeah. I-I don’t know. I-I’m just not feeling it, H” 

“Okay," he replied sheepishly, skimming his thumb over Louis’ knuckles again. Sometimes Louis just wasn’t in the mood for breakfast, he knew that, but he couldn’t help but feel like this wasn’t one of those times, especially given that Louis had snapped at him. He never snaps at him...unless, unless he's really not feeling good. Another piece of the puzzle he'd soon figure out. 

Louis scanned Harry’s face, he could practically hear the gears turning in Harry’s head.

“I’m serious, love, it’s okay, just go ahead and eat Haz, I’m okay I promise”

“Okay” he whispered, taking back his hand from Louis and tucking into his breakfast.

As he chewed, Harry replayed the last 48 hours in his head, sifting through the minutes and hours trying to pinpoint a trigger that may have led them to their current predicament. Louis hadn’t mentioned feeling ill, but then again he rarely does and will downplay his symptoms until he’s in the thick of it and can’t hide from whatever he’s managed to catch.

Flashback

They’d had a quiet day at home the day before, Louis curled up on his chest most of day after he’d found him in their nest, dozing on and off as Harry quietly read or watched tv; he never left contact with his alpha, his hand was currently cradled at the nape of Louis’ neck, his fingers carding through Louis’ hair as the late autumn rain continued its quiet descent. He’d yet to tell Harry what was wrong, running the gambit of excuses of ‘just tired’ Haz and ‘need a quick nap,’ giving a barely there nod when Harry asked “are you sure, my love?” Harry knew he’d break soon enough, but also knew he couldn’t push and prod Louis too much, lest he risk the wrath of a cranky and unwell husband.

Louis had come home exhausted on Thursday evening, slipping through the front door as he quietly kicked off his shoes.

“Love, I’m home” Louis called out, placing his keys in the bowl on a table in the front foyer.

“In the kitchen” Harry called out, popping his head out and blowing Louis a small kiss. Louis 'caught it' and slipped it in his back pocket, making Harry smile.

Harry paused, and stepped out of the kitchen, looking his husband over not once but twice, “you feeling alright, Lou?” He asked as he tried to catch Louis’ gaze.

“Y-yeah” Louis muttered, but Harry knew his husband and something was off.

“How’s your head?”

“What?"

“You’re head, love” Harry repeated, cocking his head slightly as he ran his hands up and down Louis’ arms.

“Oh, um. S’fine, ‘bout the same"

“Even after the panadol?”

Louis just nodded, leaning forward to rest his head on Harry’s shoulder.They stood there for a couple of minutes, Louis tucking himself further into Harry while his husband rubbed circles on his back soothingly. “Why don’t you put on something more comfortable and I’ll finish dinner, hm?” Harry murmured, breaking the silence.

“Okay, be right down Hazzy” he said as he made his way up to their bedroom.

“Fuck” Harry whispered to himself.

Louis didn’t use that nickname very often, mostly sticking to ‘Haz’ or ‘H’ or pet names that were sickeningly sweet that, truth be told, Harry adored him for. However, having cared for an unwell Louis enough times over the years he’s picked up on his tics. When Louis starts to feel low or sick he reverts to Hazza or variations of his normal pet names, drawing out the name with a ‘y’ attached to end. He should have noticed earlier when Louis had called him ‘H-y’

“What, love?” Louis asked, pausing on the stairs.

“Nothing, nothing. Go get comfy, love” Harry prompted again, giving him a soft smile. 

“I told Niall we’d meet him for breakfast on Saturday” Louis shouted from the bedroom. 

“What did you say? Didn’t hear you babe”

Louis slipped on a pair of Harry’s worn out joggers, arguably his favourite, and made his way out of their bedroom before shouting again.

“Said we’d meet Niall for breakfast at our place on Saturday morning.” His voice going considerably more quiet when he saw Harry standing below the landing that overlooked the main floor.

“Put it on our calendar'' Harry said, typing on his phone

“Thanks love” Louis said ever so softly, his voice cracking in the process causing Harry to look up at him with concern.

Before him stood his husband, drowning in a pair of Harry’s sweats as they hung off his delicate hips, his "it is what it is” tattoo on full display. Harry’s yellow hoodie that’d been put in the laundry after Louis had slept in it the night before hung from his callous fingers, his ‘28’ tattoo an ever present reminder of the vows they took so many years ago.

Taking in his husband's form he cautiously prompted a quiet “ Do you want to lie down for a minute? Might help your head” scaring Louis out of his quiet state.

“ Um, just gonna wash up, be down in a sec” he said, once again dodging his husband's question. He was fine, really. He could make it through dinner and then fall asleep as they cuddled on the couch watching an episode of one of Harry’s baking shows.

“Hey” Harry stopped him, “why so quiet, hm? You know you can tell me if you don’t feel good ya’ know. In sickness and health right?” he simultaneously questioned and stated, trying to catch his husband's eyes.

Louis just nodded.

“I like the sweats,” Harry giggled trying to lighten the mood.

His gaze floated down to where the cuffs of pants enveloped Louis' feet. And while he didn’t mind a quiet Louis or the fact that his alpha was wearing his clothes (to be honest, he rather loved that Louis wanted to wear his things) Louis was usually the louder of the pair, always humming or singing, not one to be left alone with his thoughts. Frankly, a calm and quiet Louis was jarring.

“M’ okay. Um I-I just um, just wanted to be around you, and um your sweats are comfier than mine” Louis responded softly, fiddling with worn drawstrings at the top of the sweats.

He refused to meet Harry’s gaze, knowing he’d break if he were to look at the soft green orbs. He felt himself teetering on the edge of a panic attack as his breathing became more shallow and millions of different thoughts flooded his mind.

He didn't want be fussed over but simultaneously craved the touch of his partner. He wanted to be in control yet at the same time let Harry take control of everything and let his mind exist a silence for a while. 

He and Liam's writing session was fine, the day was nothing out of the ordinary, but it’d still been a long day. The album was off to a good start but far from finished or to his liking for that matter.

He felt like he’d been neglecting his omega and Cliff, having not seen Harry for more than a few hours a day, not counting the little sleep he got. He often fell into bed during the wee hours of the morning and promptly tucked into his omega’s side drifting through a fitful sleep at best before both of their alarms went off, leaving him in a constant state of tiredness.

On top of the exhaustion and fatigue he was feeling, the dull ache in his head had settled further behind his eyes and the throbbing had grown too intense at the moment for him to move. The lights around him grew closer and then retreated just as fast. And on top of it he couldn't breathe. Why couldn’t he breathe? Air. He needed air. Desperately trying to gather small pieces of air into his lungs he gripped the railing, his knuckles gone white.

He let his eyelids close, a temporary reprieve to the bright light around him as he swayed, willing his body to not collapse into the pull of gravity.

“Louis, Lou” Harry shouted, watching as Louis swayed.

Harry wiped his hands on his apron, taking the stairs two at a time rushing to meet Louis at the top and took him into his arms.

“Hey, hey. It’s okay, I got ya.” Louis let out a soft sob, letting himself fall into Harry for a minute.

He could breathe now.

The heart beat under him slow and steady giving him something to focus on. His mind silent as Harry’s arms surrounded him, his calming scent easing air back into his lungs. The weight of everything leant against something else, someone else.

“I’m sorry” he sniffled after a few minutes, burying himself further into Harry’s pecs.

Harry just nodded, rubbing small circles on Louis' back. After a while Louis pulled away as Harry met his tired blue eyes rimmed red from his tears, trying desperately to figure out what else was wrong.

Louis just looked down, the yellow hoodie lying by their feet.

“C-can you s-scent this for m-me” Louis hiccuped, the tear tracks drying over his cheeks.

“Wore this one yesterday, was going to wash it first” Harry chuckled, wiping the remaining tears from Louis’ cheek.

“Nicked it from the hamper, did ya?”

Louis’ eyes just well’d up with tears again as Harry brought their foreheads together.

Oh. Oh

He didn’t mean to upset his husband, he was just trying to interject some lightness into the atmosphere.

“But I’ll scent it for you, my love,” he whispered. Rubbing the item over his wrists and neck he quietly asked “Wanna talk about it?”

Louis shook his head. He really, really did not want to talk about whatever just happened. Harry nodded sympathetically and placed a kiss on his forehead.

“ You okay if I go finish dinner?”

Louis nodded.

"Wash up and I’ll get dinner finished and then we can cuddle for a bit. Maybe turn in early?” Harry eventually said, running his fingers up and down his spine one more time before leaving Louis with a kiss to the forehead, heading back down the stairs.

Louis just nodded, “Sounds good, be down in a bit” tears gathered in his eyes for the umpteenth time today. He furiously wiped them away as they fell. He didn’t want dinner, he didn’t want to go back down stairs, he just wanted to lay with Harry in their bed, maybe be the little spoon and just be with Harry for a little while.

He turned on his heel as more tears slowly made their descent down his cheeks, making his way back to their bedroom. He fully intended to wash up and make his way back downstairs for dinner when a wave a fatigue washed over him. His day, the overwhelming need to cry, and every other feeling he’d pushed off seemingly caught up to him at once.

Harry had saturated the hoodie in his scent and slipped it over his alphas delicate frame, lending Louis a few minutes of calm but Louis had worked himself up again, gasping for air by the time Harry had rounded the corner back into the kitchen.

Maybe he could just lie down for a bit.

He’d just close his eyes and listen for Harry to call him down, it’d be fine and Harry would never know.

Their bed was right there calling his name. His cool fluffy pillow able to soothe the headache that was raging, offering solace from everything he was feeling. Harry’s soft blankets and their cloud like duvet creating the perfect cozy nest of sorts for days like today.

Oh, a nest…their nest sounded good, much better than their bed he thought to himself. The one in the reading nook, surrounded by the fairy lights, he really likes that one.

Just gonna lie down for a minute he told himself as he made his way to the bed, he could just pretend he was laying in their nest. He was too tired to make the trek down the hall to the reading nook so it would just have to do for now. He just needed a few minutes to soothe himself until they could get through dinner anyways.

Tears were streaming down his cheeks as he finally made his way over to his side, his tattooed fingers gripping the end of the bed as a dizzy spell washed over him. He tried to draw in a breath, tried to breathe in Harry, his scent, the hoodie, anything he could find his mates scent on. He frantically pulled the hoodie up to his nose again as he attempted to pull in Harry’s scent once more but he couldn't on account of his snot clogging his nose. He’s starting to panic now, his pulse thready and his lips turning blue.

“Louis” Harry shouted, his omega screaming at him to check on his mate.

“Louis?” he yells again, taking the stairs two at a time.

Louis could hear Harry calling his name but it felt like he was underwater, floating further and further away.

He slid down the end of the bed, the lack of oxygen causing his vision to blur, little black dots floating around his field of vision as the full effects of the dizzying feeling took over. He could feel his nose being pressed into something, something warm, something calming he thinks.

“Deep breathes, in and out. In and out. There we go. The smell of an afternoon rainstorm and the faint hint of lemons flooded his senses as he went lax in Harry’s arms.

“S’okay. You can let go. I got ya. If you can hear me, you’re dropping but I’ve got you.”

And so he let himself float. He was safe. Harry was there, air was slowly starting to build in his lungs again, and he was finally warm.

A little while later he felt himself being moved, shuffled into a pair of arms and lifted. Panic began to build as he let out a whimper.

“Just moving us to the bed, my love.”

His nose was quickly tucked back into the crook of Harry’s neck where a wave of Harry’s scent washed over him, instantly calming him, reminding him he was safe. Harry laid with him in his arms for hours, their dinner long forgotten.

***

Rolling over, he grabbed Harry’s pillow and took a deep inhale, letting the subtle scent of lemon and the omega’s coconut shampoo calm him. Taking a few more deep breaths he lets his eyelids flutter open. His eyes stung, dry from the tears and his eyelids felt heavy, the faint light filtering in from the ensuite bathroom.

The clock on Harry’s bedside table read 11:48pm as a familiar feeling of panic began to creep back in the more conscious he became, frantically feeling around for Harry before a hand caught his.

“M’ here.” Harry said, bringing Louis’ hand to his lips, gently kissing it twice before lowering it back to the sheets.

“Just had to wee, and get you some water.”

Louis just nodded, barely acknowledging him as he settled back into the sheets.

Harry leaned over and felt his forehead, silently praying there wasn’t a fever. Not finding one he placed a kiss on Louis' temple, and continued getting ready for bed.

Crawling onto their bed, and carefully into the makeshift nest, Louis stirred at the movement.

“Hazza?”

“Mm yeah lovey” Harry said pulling him closer as he tightened his arm around his husbands stomach.

“What happened?” Louis grumbled sleepily, snuggling back into Harry.

“You don’t remember?”

“No”

His husband stilled.

“You dropped” Harry breathed out carefully “but s’okay. We don’t have to talk about it,” Harry re-assured as Louis tensed and his scent soured.

“You hungry?”

“Mmm no” he whispered as he played with Harry’s fingers that rested over his tummy

“Dropped right before dinner,” Harry said, wearily rubbing his hands up Louis’ shaking form, trying to provide any type of comfort.

“How bad?”

“Nothing like the first time” he assured Louis.

Louis nodded, shuffling closer to Harry as a shiver travelled down his spine.

“I um” he stammered, trying to sort through everything he was feeling right now.

“I like the nest” he hummed hoping it’d distract Harry, the last thing he wanted to do was talk about how he was feeling. He hated being fussed over but he was craving the attention of his mate more than before, if that was even possible. 

“Yeah, I-I. You were shaking and kept crying my name until you nearly choked. After I laid you down on the bed I just kinda…” he trailed off feeling Louis’ breathing become more even and his heart beat returned to its normal rhythm.

“It uh, it worked the last time so I just, yeah” he said, his mind flashing back to the first time Louis had dropped.

The first time either of them had experienced an alpha drop was during their first real fight as a couple.

Harry had stormed out of the apartment to get some air before he said something he’d regret. Louis panicked, thinking he’d lost Harry and his omega forever. When he came back home a few hours later he found Louis pacing the bedroom, crying his name.

After that they’d both promised to never leave in the middle of a fight, other rooms were okay if they needed space but no leaving unless they knew where the other was going.

Louis just nodded, his eyes fluttering closed.

“How do you feel now?”

“Dizzy” he breathed out, slowly turning in Harry’s grip.

“Me minds all fuzzy, I-I…” he hiccuped another wave of tears falling as Harry guided him towards his neck, letting him breathe his scent in. Gently carding his hand through his hair as he placed a kiss on his forehead once more.

“Don’t feel good” Louis whimpered out, tucking his cold feet between Harrys calves, the words muffled as he tried harder to bury himself back into Harry. 

“Throw up sick?”

“N-no, just um I don’t know.”

“Okay, that’s okay,” Harry said, lightly scenting him back as their bedroom became an aromatic mixture of them both as he finally soothed the distraught alpha into some much needed sleep.

***

The clock read 2:38 am as Harry caught the red glowing numbers out of his peripheral before sighing out “babe? Lou? Honey, what’s wrong”

Louis stilled, laying on his side facing away from Harry. “Nothin, why?” he mumbled, turning over to face Harry once again.

"You've tossed and turned for the last hour, hon” Harry whispered, catching his eyes briefly before Louis snuggled closer into him, burying his nose into the omegas neck as he let Harrys cool skin soothe his prickled skin. 

“Just uncomfy I guess” Louis mumbled, taking a long inhale as he nosed along the crook in Harry’s neck trying desperately to soothe himself.

“What can I do to help, hmmm?” Harry whispered, tightening his grip as Louis threw a leg over his hip, wanting to be as close as possible.

“ I don’t know. C-can you keep playing with me hair? Jus’ til I fall asleep again?” Louis sounded desperate, on the brink of tears, like Harry’s touch was the only way to put him back to sleep.

“Course lovey, " Harry said, placing a kiss on the crown of his head before continuing to run his hands through his hair.

“Do you still feel sick?”

Louis whined in response.

“I’ll take that as a yes,” Harry said, his voice laced with empathy as he continued weaving his long fingers through Louis’ slightly damp, yet feather-like hair.

“Thank you” Louis snuffled, his body becoming heavier as he relaxed into Harry. He gently kissed Harry’s pec, patting his chest as snuggled deeper into Harry drifting off once more.

Friday Morning

There’s something peaceful about falling asleep next to someone you love, the steady rhythm of their breaths becoming the soundtrack to which you dream. Knowing that somehow they’ll watch over you, they’ll protect you. However, their night was more restless than peaceful, at least for Harry.

Louis tossed and turned in his sleep every couple minutes, seemingly unable to find a comfortable position until Harry would sleepily lean over and rub his back or play with his hair. He’d settle for a few minutes and then become restless again, whimpering until he felt his omegas soothing touch.

As the night drifted further into early morning, this tiring pattern continued on until Harry finally gave up on sleeping himself, instead concentrating that energy on Louis.

Glancing at the clock that now read 5:17am he sighed sitting up as he stuffed a few pillows behind himself to support them both.

He gently pulled Louis' sweat soaked shirt off his small frame, the hoodie having been thrown off long before they'd found themselves here. Harry further coaxed Louis onto his chest, hoping some skin on skin would settle the restless alpha. He methodically stroked up and down Louis’ spine with feather light touches until the alphas body finally gave in, and he finally, finally succumbed to a deeper sleep.

“Hazza? Haz?”

“Huh” Harry murmured groggily, still propped up by the mounds of pillows he’d manoeuvred behind himself in the wee hours of the morning. He apparently fallen asleep, exhausted from his husband's inability to calm his own body the night before.

“Alarm, babe” Louis said as Harry reached out to stop the incessant beeping, only to knock his phone off the bedside table in the process.

“Think I’m going to work from home today,” whispered Louis, sleepily stroking his fingers up and down Harry’s torso. Harry had closed his eyes again, half listening as Louis apparently started his day.

“Hazza, can you hand me my glasses, think they’re on your night stand?”

“Mmmm, yeah”

“Is my laptop over there too?”

“Yeah, here you go” Harry said while Louis turned, pecking him on the lips. He was sitting between Harry’s legs, the morning light wrapping them in a soft glow.

“Are you sure, love?” Harry said “sure you don’t want to take the day off, you had a bit of a restless night. Li would understand. I know you’re stressed about the album but it’ll get done.” Harry mumbled, against Louis’ temple, placing a lingering kiss as his mate leaned against his lips. 

" 'M sure. I can do it from here, just need to get it done though” Louis said with an air of finality as he mindlessly played with Harry’s fingers. Louis’ stubborn streak continued and Harry was too tired to try and change Louis’ mind.

“Why don’t you close your eyes for a bit longer tho, m’ sorry for keeping you up.”

Harry just nodded his head and leaned further back against the headrest, the alphas heat enough to pull him under into a deeper sleep.

When Harry woke, the bedroom was cast in a grey light, the windows open as the smell of fresh rain settled the air, providing a comforting, cozy feeling. Louis was no longer sat between his legs, in fact the bed was cold except for where Harry had laid out for his nap.

“Lou?” Harry questioned, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He scanned the room, thinking maybe his husband had migrated from their bed to the love seat in the corner or had wandered off to the bathroom for a moment.

“Lou?” he called out again, a bit louder this time.

Maybe he was in the studio, he thought, slipping on a pair of his own glasses.

Sometimes Louis holed himself away while in the midst of writing an album, surfacing only for a cup of tea and especially if he was stressed like lately.

Throwing the covers off he stumbled out of bed, clad in boxers and one of Louis’ crewnecks he’d found thrown on the end of their bed.

“Lou” he called out as he ambled down the stairs.

Their flat was dark, dark shadows cast about as a storm brewed outside, the few nightlights being the exception, always on for when Louis wandered through their flat during his bouts of insomnia.

He made note of the mug of cold tea sitting on the kitchen counter as he made his way to the downstairs bedroom they’d converted to a studio. Entering the studio his eyes scanned for Louis. His guitar was still in its place, the throws over the arm of the chairs hung neatly and untouched.

“Louis?”

“Do you want some lunch?” he called out.

Still no answer, and he could feel himself beginning to panic. Maybe Louis had gone to meet Li after all, he thought.

Yanking open the door to the garage he was met with the sight of both their vehicles, unmoved since yesterday. This was so unlike Louis he thought to himself, his mind racing as he ran his eyes over their living room and then the dining room.

“Louis William, please answer me”

Spinning on his heel, he made his way back to their bedroom, checking under the bed, in their closet, even the bathtub.

Reaching for his phone, he opened his text thread with Liam.

“Is Louis with you?”

A few seconds later his phone rang

“Hey Li”

“Hey. Is everything okay? Louis isn’t here.”

“Um yeah. Yeah.” Just can't find him.”

“Maybe he went out for a walk.”

“M’ are we talking about the same Louis?”

“Yeah, you’re right. Maybe a smoke break?”

Harry huffed, speed walking from their bedroom to their upstairs guest suite. Flipping on the bathroom light he found the space to be just as pristine as always, no Louis is sight. Stepping across the room he cradled the phone between his ear and shoulder as he ripped open the closet doors, the screeching of hangers being frantically pushed side to side, their winter wardrobe moving back and forth and then back again, thinking maybe Louis had wandered in here.

“Haz? Haz? What are you doing?”

“Was just checking the closet in the guest suite, thought he might’ve come in here. Li, I seriously can’t find him.”

“Why the” he paused“oh the closet yeah haha I remember him passing out in there once after a rowdy night out with the boys.”

Walking out of the guest suite, he glanced at the door to the spare bedroom. Louis had turned it into their nesting area and reading nook for Harry as an anniversary present, shortly after they’d moved into this flat.

“Maybe he went to get lunch?” Liam asked

“Car is still here,” Harry said, pausing as he pushed open the door, met with a wave of their mixed scents, a wave of calm rushing over him.

His eyes flitted across the room, to the blankets draped across the back of the couch, the love seat where a pillow neatly sat on it, the words “the cushion is the essence of the chair” embroidered on it. It was a cute house warming gift they’d received from Ni after convincing him to finally watch Friends. Finally, his eyes flitted over to his reading nook, hovering over where one of their nests laid.

Harry had several nests throughout their home.

One in their living area, neatly tucked into the corner hidden by the couch. Another in the bedroom, tucked into Louis’ side of the closet that contained some of Harry’s favourite sweaters of Louis’. Louis had even built one for himself. Albeit messy, it was his and his alone and it’d made Harry’s heart gush when Louis had finally shown it to him. Louis liked to keep that one to himself, often indulging in it when he was overwhelmed and overstimulated. The one in the reading nook was his favourite though, and the biggest one. Louis had helped build it with Harry and declared it ‘their nest’.

The glimpse of a familiar soft yellow fabric caught his eye, Louis fast asleep, clinging to another one of his hoodies where he’d burrowed under a soft green duvet. Harry gasped, and stepped forwards towards his mate, forgetting he had Liam on the line.

“Haz?”

“Yeah? Um, sorry. I found him, he was in the reading nook.”

“Gotta go Li”

“Everything okay?”

“Uh yeah, yeah. It will be,” he said, closing the door, stepping closer to his mate. Louis was fast asleep, soft sighs filled the air around them.

He looked so calm and at peace that Harry didn’t want to wake him, so he just sat outside the nest, calming his heart rate and sending calming pheromones out for his alpha. Content sighs flowed out of Louis every few minutes until they turned into a constant low rumble.

When Louis woke a few hours later, Harry was still there, having crawled inside and was curled up the other side of their nest with a book.

Having a feeling he was being watched, Harry inserted his book mark between the pages, placing the book down on his lap.

“Hi” is all he said, catching Louis’ gaze that’d finally stilled after tracking Harry’s movements.

“Why ‘m I in our nest?” Louis questioned.

“Dunno babe,” Harry said, shuffling closer until he could card his fingers through his mates sweaty fringe.

“Feel better after your nap?”

Louis hesitated, but eventually nodded.

“Had me really worried when I couldn’t find you.”

“Sorry. Didn’t mean to worry you.” Louis said sheepishly, crawling over towards Harry.

Harry set his book to the side and opened his arms for Louis to crawl into. Louis lolled his head to the side as Harry sweetly kissed his neck as his arms gently squeezed the alpha in his arms.

“Babe?”

“Hmm?” Louis murmured, roused from his sleepy state.

“I’m worried. Is-is there something you need to tell me?”

“What? No, Haz. I-I just. I don’t know. I just don’t feel good. Like not sick but I, just yeah” he exhaled, frustrated he couldn't find the words to express how he was feeling.

“S’ not me or something I did is it?” Harry said, his front teeth worriedly chewing his bottom lip.

“No. Oh my god, no. You’re my perfect omega. And I love you. I-I think I just needed some down time and my body forced me to take it, ya know?” Harry nodded, knowing exactly what he meant.

“Can we, um, can we just lay here for a while?” Louis asked, closing his eyes again.

“Course we can,” Harry’s words muffled as he kissed the back of Louis’ neck once more, so that’s how they spent the remainder of their Friday, tucked away in the sanctuary that was their nest.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Present-Sunday
Niall’s phone buzzed in his pocket and Louis jumped as Niall's fork clattered against the plate, winding his hand into his jeans to fish out his phone. .

H: Think Louis has a migraine

Nialler: Was thinking the same thing, he’s been acting kinda off.

H: Yeah he’s been fatigued and exhausted all week. Said he was okay for this but I think I should get him out of here before it gets worse.

Nialler: Was thinking the same thing, explains the weird studio sesh Liam mentioned on Thursday. Keep him company and I’ll grab the check?

H: Sounds good

They sat there for a few minutes before Harry broke the silence.

“Do you want to take it to go?” Harry finally asked, slowly setting down his cutlery as his eyes searched Louis' face for further discomfort.

Louis just slowly blinked at him, finally answering with a “can we?” that was borderline a sob.

Harry’s heart broke hearing the words catch in Louis' throat, the pain so obvious.

He was taken aback with Louis' answer, he’d mentally prepared himself for a fight, Louis sometimes being too stubborn for his own good.

“Oh, honey,” Harry breathed out, his own heart breaking seeing his usually stoic husband with tears in his eyes, visibly in pain.

“Of course, of course we can,” he said as he shot Niall a look.

“Ni? Can you?”

“Yeah, yeah. I think I know where this is headed."

Harry let out a small sigh of agreement as Niall slid out of the booth, Harry right behind him.

Giving him a tight smile, Niall patted his back pocket, making sure he had his wallet as he went to grab their check. Harry slid in next to Louis and wrapped an arm around his waist. Louis went lax in his grasp, letting his head rest on Harry's shoulder.

“You really don’t feel good, do you?”

Louis just tucked himself closer into Harry's throat, the cool skin providing a temporary reprieve from the pounding in his head, the non-answer an answer in and of itself.

“M’sorry”

“For what?”

“Not telling you. Didn’t want to ruin our weekend” he hiccuped, re-adjusting so his nose rested along Harry’s adams apple.

“Nothing’s ruined, my love” Harry whispered as he mindfully massaged the back of Louis’ neck, his long fingers catching the soft tapered fringe at the edge of his cut every so often.

Placing a kiss on his temple, he paused as he felt Louis lean into the touch.

“Ni’s just gone to pay our check and find some to-go boxes okay?

Louis just nodded, his forehead bumping Harry’s throat once again.

“All paid up” Niall murmured, as he slid back into the opposite side of the booth, quietly boxing up each of their meals so they could leave. Harry gave him a grateful look and mouthed thank you as his thumb ghosted over Louis’ temple.

“Hey Lou? Niall said quietly “let's get out of here, I’ll take you guys home” he said looking at Harry who just nodded.

He didn’t want to make Louis uncomfortable or more agitated than he already was but he needed to get him home. He gently scratched up and down Louis' back as he quietly asked “ready to go?”

Louis’ nodded and unsheathed himself from Harry, making a grab for Harry's hand before Harry could slide out of the booth. Giving him a sympathetic look, Harry intertwined their fingers and squeezed once, letting him know it was okay and got them both out of the booth and to their feet.

Once in the car, it was a five minute ride home granted they timed the lights right.

“Almost there, love,” Harry whispered into Louis’ hair.

Louis let out a small whimper, his fist wound tight in the hem of Harry's shirt as he took slow, shallow breaths through his nose.

He couldn’t believe this was happening, their one free weekend and he’d gone and ruined it all. He could cry, he really could but his head hurt so badly he couldn’t muster up the strength to do much more than inhale shallow breaths of Harry’s scent to keep him from tipping over the edge until they got home.

He could feel his stomach turning, the two sips of tea and bite of toast he’d had at breakfast threatening to make an appearance in the back seat of Niall’s car.

Can wait, just breathe.

Not gonna be sick.

Hazza’s got you, he repeated to himself as his stomach turned again.

Breathe.

Hazza.

Lemons.

Rain.

Soft shirt.

Almost home, almost home, almost home.

Home, relief. Home where Harry would carry him up to their bedroom, close the blinds, and lay a cool mask across his eyes.

Home, where Harry would create a nest around him, their scents providing a soothing barrier to block the outside world.

Home, where he could let his guard down and be sick in his own bed.

Rolling down the window, he let the cool wind ease the nausea he was feeling as thoughts of home did little to soothe him as he closed his eyes and leaned against Harry, wanting so badly to just be home in the comfort of his own bed already.

The next thing he knew he was being lowered into their bed, their mattress moulding to his body as he sunk into their silk sheets.

Harry gently cupped his face in his hands, palms resting against Louis’ clammy cheeks as he slowly massaged the dark and puffy under eyes with the pads of his thumbs, applying pressure as he swept his thumbs from the inner corners of his eyes out towards his temples. “M’ so sorry I didn’t catch it in time love,”Harry whispered as he wiped away a stray tear that slipped from Louis’ right eye.

Louis was being held up right by the numerous pillows Harry had stuffed behind him in an attempt to get him to sit up to take a sip of water and his meds.

“S’ okay” Louis slurred, barely audible as his head continued to pound and the nausea crept back in. “Just a headache” he mumbled.

“It’s not and you and I both know it, love. And that’s okay” Harry whispered as he gently kissed Louis’ forehead.

Louis slowly blinked, Harry’s whispered words pin-balling around his head as Harry slipped the sunglasses out from behind Louis’ ears and off his head, carefully folding them and placing them on the nightstand. Harry then gently cradled the back of Louis' head and with his other hand brought him forward into his own body as he removed the pillows from behind him, guiding Louis into a prone position and then slowly onto his left side, never his right.

The first time Harry had experienced an attack with Louis he’d laid him on his right side and before Louis could even tell him what was wrong he’d been sick all over himself and Harry.

“I’m going to go get your eye mask and something for your neck love” Harry said, rubbing up and down his arm.

Harry knew the drill. Dark room, little to no light, whispers only. A gel ice mask for Louis’ eyes and then a black sleeping mask tightened and covering the gel mask to provide some pressure around his sinuses and finally an ice pack on Louis’ neck.

Harry rubs up and down his arm once more and stands cautiously, being incredibly careful not to jostle the bed. Louis didn’t reply, only caught Harry’s eyes with his own, nearly drowning in tears as his head continued to pound and the pain became unbearable. Harry had seen him deteriorate quickly but never like this.

“Oh honey, oh baby no, I’ll be right back, we’ll get you feeling better soon.”

Louis just sat there, his tears now flowing down his face.

“Do you want me to stay for a little while?”

Normally Harry would’ve had him settled by now, their flat would be eerily quiet and Louis would be cocooned in their bed, the dark and quiet working to soothe his pain. But, Louis was in another world of pain, his fist wound in the hem of Harry’s shirt, not daring to let go.

Harry's only seen him like this a handful of times so he carefully lowered himself back down and into a lying position and Louis snuggled closer, his tears slowing as he breathed in short breaths of Harry’s soothing scent.

“I-I don’t feel g-good” Louis hiccuped, fresh tears rolling down his cheeks once more.

“Oh, honey” Harry breathed out, almost a whisper.

“Can I get your meds and some of the other things?” he asked, gently kneading Louis’ neck with the tips of his fingers.

“Hurts too m-much Louis sobbed, p-please d-don’t” he stuttered out.

“Okay, okay I won’t but we gotta do somethin’ lovey''

They laid there for a few minutes, Louis’ breathing becoming more erratic and uneven until he let out a small whimper and was promptly sick all down the front of himself and his half the bed. Between bouts of sick, Harry scooped him up and carried him to their bathroom, placing him in front of the toilet before settling behind him.

“It’s gonna be okay lovey, it’ll feel better when you get it out” Harry cooed gently pushing the sweaty fringe out of his eyes.

“Won’t” Louis said, his back arching once more as he was sick. Louis had his arm resting on the toilet seat, his cheek squished against his forearm as he rode out another wave of nausea as

Harry gently rubbed his back, “let’s get you all cleaned up, think you’re done for time being, then we’ll go back to bed.”

“Arms up, there we go” he said, slipping the soiled sweatshirt off his husband along with his trackies, leaving him in just his boxers as he ran a wash cloth over his face, gently wiping around his mouth and down across his chest. He helped Louis step into a new pair of sweatpants and then gently picked him up, leaving the bathroom to be dealt with once Louis was back in bed.

“M’ just gonna set ya right here love, gonna change the bed and then get you settled.”

Louis just let out a quiet whimper and curled further into the large love seat as Harry set off to change their sheets.

“M’ sorry” he said feebly, tears gathering in his eyes again.

He hated being a burden. Harry didn’t care though, he just leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on the alpha’s forehead.

“Hi, I’m back” Harry whispered, picking Louis up, his head lolling into Harry’s chest, whimpering as Harry walked the both of them over to their bed.

“Gonna slip your eye mask on now.”

Louis didn’t move, trusting Harry and trusting he knew his care routine better than Louis at this point.

Harry slid the cool gel ice mask over his sweaty hair and onto his eyes, watching as some of the tension in Louis' body released. He then slipped a black sleeping mask on top to block out any light.

Before settling the ice pack on his neck and water bottle between his arms Harry asked, “do you want me to lay with you or would you prefer I don’t?” He thinks he knows the answer, given Louis’ clinginess earlier generally knew the answer to this but still, there had been a handful of times Louis was incredibly sick and didn’t want Harry in the bed or their nest and so they decided that this was something Louis could decide in situations like this.

Louis put his hand over his heart, signaling he wanted Harry with him.

Harry carefully slid into bed and laid down on his back shuffling close to Louis so he could lay his head in the crook of Harry’s neck. The cool skin provided some temporary relief to his fevered skin as his nose settled in the dip of Harry’s collarbone and he let out a content sigh that sounded more like a whimper. Louis put his hands together and slipped them between his thighs, a tic of sorts Harry came to notice Louis does when he’s ill or anxious.

Once he was calm, the only movement came from the rise and fall of his chest as he drew in small breaths of air, Harry carefully laid a gel ice pack across the back of Louis' neck and watched as Louis tensed and then slowly melted into the mattress, almost as if he’d finally been given permission to do so. Harry carded his fingers through Louis' hair, gently as ever as his breathing began to even out.

A little while later, startled when he felt a tug on the hem of his sweatshirt and looked down to see Louis fist wrapped in it.

“What is it, love?”

“Can....sweatshirt…..please Hazzy” he slurred, as a shiver ran through his body.

Without another word Harry, careful not to move the bed too much, pulled his sweatshirt off and manoeuvred it over Louis' head and softly tugged his arms through the sleeves.

“Better?”

“mmm” Louis hummed as he slipped one hand between his thighs again and fumbled to grab Harry’s with the other, relaxing when he finally laced their fingers together and brought their hands between them.

“Just sleep, sweetheart, I love you” Harry said softly, leaving a barely there kiss to his forehead before he too closed his eyes.

They slept off and on throughout the afternoon, Harry waking a few hours later, his phone pinging on the bedside table with incoming messages from Niall.

Nialler: How's Lou?

Nialler: Do you guys need anything?!

H: Almost through the worst of it, wish I could have caught it in time :(

Harry put his phone on Do Not Disturb and slowly turned on his side, the fingers of his right hand still intertwined with Louis’, his thumb stroking his wrist in slow pulls. He listened as the pace of Louis’ breathing increased, becoming more erratic as he drifted somewhere between sleep and not sleep, the slow and choppy push and pulls of air a telltale sign he was going to be sick.

“Lou, love come on we’ve gotta get up, " Harry whispered with a note of urgency.

“Don’t feel good.”

“I know my love, let’s get you up and to the bathroom okay?”

Louis just nodded his head as Harry let go of his hand and made his way over to his side of the bed.

Crouching down at the side of the bed, he guided Louis’ upper half into a sitting position, throwing his arms around his own neck and then whispered “ legs around my waist, love” as he nosed at his temple, the silver-greyish hairs tickling his nostrils.

“Alright, hold on tight” he said, lifting Louis from the bed as they make their way to the ensuite once more.

Louis sat on the bathroom floor, his back against Harry’s chest. His face was pale and drawn with pain. He cradled his head in his hands, fingers digging into his temples as if trying to alleviate the throbbing ache within. His breathing is shallow, interrupted by occasional stifled groans of discomfort.

As his migraine intensifies, Louis doubled over, his body spasming with waves of nausea. He clutched his stomach tightly, knuckles turning white in an attempt to hold back the rising sickness. Beads of sweat glisten on his forehead, his skin clammy to the touch.

With each retch, Louis’ body shook, his breath coming in ragged gasps. His eyes squeeze shut against the jarring light, tears welling up at the corners. He begs Harry to make it stop, “just please make it stop” he cried out as he leaned over the toilet once more. It feels as if a vice grip is tightening around his head, squeezing relentlessly with no respite in sight.

The pain is all-consuming, drowning out any other sensation until it's the only thing he can focus on. Every sound, every flicker of light feels like a cruel stab to his senses, amplifying the torment to unbearable levels. It's as if his brain is at war with itself, each neural pathway firing off signals of distress in a chaotic symphony of suffering.

He finally pulled himself away from the toilet and leaned against Harry’s chest to catch his breath. “Think m’done for now” he says, turning his face into Harry, seeking any piece of comfort no matter how small.

Harry placed a kiss on his forehead and murmured “Budge up and let's go back to bed, yeah?” he asks as he helps Louis stand, placing a steadying arm around his waist.

“Can do it myself” he says frustrated and tired as he pushes Harry’s arm away.

He stumbles, tripping over his feet as his vision swims. Harry catches him by the waist as they navigate their towards their bed.

“Just let me help you, love. It’s okay” and so Louis gives in and leans on him heavily, his steps unsteady, but Harry's presence is a steady anchor, guiding him with careful reassurance.

After hours of failing to settle the alpha, Harry leans in, whispering so quietly it barely makes it past his lips “you feeling that bad, my love?

“Mhmm,” Louis moaned.

His head hurt in a way he couldn't explain or make sense of. He’d never, ever felt this bad in his life, and that included the time he and Harry had caught the stomach flu at the same time.

“How about a bath? You can float for a while and I’ll just hold you, hmm?” Harry suggested, just hoping he could do something, anything to relieve his partner's pain, even in the slightest.

With a little nod and a squeeze of his hand, Louis let him know he’d like to try Harry’s suggestion. Harry squeezed back and carefully eased out from behind Louis, carefully laying him back on the pillows.

“I’ll come get you when it’s ready my love,” Harry whispered, gently squeezing Louis’ hand once more as he made his way to their en-suite to prepare a bath.

He turned the knob for the hot water and let the tub fill as he sprinkled in some epsom salts and a bit of eucalyptus oil they both used when they had a headache, although Louis had been the one using it more than he was lately.

“Lovey,” Harry cautiously spoke, tip-toeing back into their bedroom.

His eyes fell to where Louis was curled up on Harry’s side of the bed, his head nestled between their pillows as he breathed heavily.

Harry's heart clenched at the sight of Louis looking so vulnerable.

"I'm here now, Lou," he murmured, his voice filled with reassurance. "Let me take care of you."

Louis nodded slightly, soft whimpers falling from his lips as his husband lifted him out of bed and carried him into their bathroom.

“Alright, just gonna set you down, there we go. Arms up.” he said in a whispered command.

“Stand and step,” he said, slipping his fingers under Louis’ pants, pushing them down his legs.

“There we go, can you get in or do you want some help?”

“ Help please,” Louis replied.

“Okay I got ya here we go” he said, grabbing Louis by the hand as he lifted one foot and then the other to step into the water. The omega steadied his hips, slowly helping him sink into the water.

“Coming in '' he whispered, slipping behind him.

“There we go, do you want to float for a bit?"

Louis only nodded, his nose barely grazing Harry’s neck where he had tucked himself into his husband, having gone non-verbal from the pain radiating through his skull.

“Okay” Harry murmured, “scoot down just a bit, prop your feet up on the edge, there ya go, head in my lap. Alrighty love close those eyes, I got ya.”

And he did. Louis knew Harry had him in every sense of the word. 

So Louis settled in the water, his head carefully resting on Harry as part of his head was eased below the water's surface, taking some of the pressure off and drowning out the minute the noise of their home.

He must have drifted off because when he came to, the bath water was lukewarm at best and Harry was rubbing at his temples, drawing soothing shapes on his forehead and down across his sinus’ in an attempt to slowly wake him.

“Hi” Harry said with a slow drawl and a small smile as Louis opened his eyes.

The bathroom was dim, the only light coming from the skylight above their sinks as the London sky slowly sank into another Saturday evening.

He felt a light tap to his chest, as Harry signalled it was time to get out of the bath.

“Here, sit up for a minute, okay?” Louis just nodded, as Harry slipped out from behind him, and out of the bath where he slipped off the boxers he’d worn in the bath and wrapped a towel around his waist, the tips of the ferns sneaking past the line.

“Give me your hand, alright step, and step. Good job, Lou” Harry preened.

Wrapping the alpha in a warm towel, he led him towards the bed where he slipped a clean crewneck over his head and helped him into a new pair of pants.

“Up or down?”

Louis fumbled, trying to sign ‘up’ as he swayed in Harry’s arms.

The thought of lying down made his head hurt worse. The bath had lessened the pain in his head and fuck he should have just taken his preventatives he thought as he swayed in Harry’s arms, waiting for him to adjust the pillows when Harry brought Louis body towards him to push more pillows behind him.

Settling him into bed, he tucked the blankets just above his hips, as he drew the pad of his thumb under one of Louis’ eyes, lightly cupping his cheek.

“Take these '' he said, passing another round of anti-emetics, pain meds and a small cracker to Louis who had extended an open palm towards Harry.

Louis gave him a small smile when he saw the cracker, he never could swallow a pill with just plain water.

Harry gave him a small grin back and continued adjusting the materials around them, seamlessly orchestrating a soothing environment for his love again as Louis downed the meds. The air con had been set at a brisk temp, fresh masks for Louis sat on the bedside table, ready to be drawn over his eyes. His favourite water bottle sat cradle between his arms as one hand was tucked between his thighs.The sheets had been changed, their nest fluffed and freshly scented, cradling him in cloud of comfort.

Letting his head fall back against the pillows, he closed his eyes again, as he heard Harry whisper, "just gonna grab a wash cloth" and felt a pair of warm lips against his temple. Harry was back a few moments later, laying a cool cloth over his forehead. 

"Mint?" 

"Mint" Harry whispered back in confirmation. Harry had soaked a few wash cloths in mint tea and let them cool in the freezer, the combination of the two providing another layer of relief for the alpha. 

"H? Can, um, can I lay down?  M'sorry."

He felt guilty asking after Harry'd propped him up, stuffing pillows and blankets around him to make him as comfortable as possible.

"Starting to feel a little weird again" he said, slowly blinking as he let out a small breath. 

"Of course, Lou. C'mere" Harry said, pulling his body towards him as he cradled Louis' head against his neck, discard the multitude of pillows behind him.

"Better?" Louis gave him a nod, closing his eyes and settled on his side as he felt Harry gently climbed into the nest.

Louis shuffled closer, resting his nose against the crook of his neck. Harry carded his hands through Louis’ greying locks as the alpha's breathing evened out and smiled as sighs fell from the thin, pink lips he adored.

Admiring his mate after he’d made him comfortable once again, Harry continued scenting the room, his calming pheromones easing Louis further towards much needed sleep.

“There’s an intimacy in being understood” the words from Louis’ vows and their wedding day front and centre in his mind.

He glanced over, searching for the tear stained vows he’d framed and placed on his bedside table, they were sat behind the pink tulips and card Louis had placed there earlier in the week.

“There’s nothing more intimate in life than simply being understood," the true quote Louis had stumbled upon when out one weekend with his sisters.

It was delicately stamped into the front of a tan leather bound diary that he'd bought on impulse when he'd wondered into a bohemian store of sorts while waiting for his sisters. It wasn't something he'd normally buy, didn't match his aesthetic style, really wasn't something he'd ever own but nonetheless he had to have it.

The diary sat untouched on his bookshelf for months, he never had the urge to use it but would glance over at it every so often, just to make sure it was still there.

When he met Harry and inevitably fell in love he knew why he'd had the need to urge to buy it all those months before. The tall, slim omega with the curly hair and irresistible dimples had stolen his heart and had opened his eyes to what it meant to be truly loved and understood. He'd gifted the diary to Harry on the night before their wedding. When Harry thumbed through it that night he paused, noticing how the first page had been ripped out, but he loved it because his Lou had given it to him.

Louis’ had shed a tear the next day, wiping it away as he chuckled and locked eyes with Harry, repeating the words "There’s an intimacy in being understood," taking a shaky breath he continued.

Harry let out a small gasp, the piece of paper none other than the first page of his diary, the one that had been ripped out. He looked at Louis again with tears in his eyes and motioned for him to continue.

And you understand me like no other. 

The space and love you hold for me is unlike any other.

I cannot wait to live a good life with you.

To laugh through the good days

And cry through the bad,

To have coffee with you in the mornings

And tea in the afternoons

To hold your hand

To kiss your beautiful face

To love you loudly

In front of everyone

And then in the quiet again

Just between us.

In you I feel truly understood and loved.

And I will spend the rest of my days making sure you are cherished, understood and loved to the depths of your core.

Louis shifted, the movement bringing Harry back to the present as Louis let out a string of small whimpers until he settled into a more comfortable position against Harry. 

“I love you,” Harry whispered softly.

Louis had kept his promised, not a day went by where Harry didn't feel cherished, understood and wholly loved.

“I love you too” Louis quietly echoed, snuggling deeper into Harry, finally drifting off to sleep surrounded by the soothing familiarity of their scents.

His head still pounded, his tummy swirled uncomfortably but he knew he’d come out okay on the other side of this, all because he had a mate that loved him, a mate that understood him. All because he had Harry.

And while it wasn’t the weekend he'd planned, Harry was grateful because he had a mate who loved him and who he loved and wholly understood.