inferno // l.s.

forty seven

if harry decides to take a mental day, louis' first idea is that something is absolutely wrong.

harry works his ass off managing the club plus the stuff mitch has him do, so for him to wave even a tattered piece off a white flag is quite unusual. it was the last thing louis expected, really, but he understood. sometimes you just need those days to wind down. he's had plenty of mental days of his own now that harry makes sure he has them. having a partner that cares for your mental health just as much as you do can be quite relieving.

he may be overthinking it because his anxiety has been on overdrive due to a gruesome nightmare from the night before. it was the first one in months. harry was awake when he snapped up from his dream, the man was actually very quietly reading his book to shark until he felt louis curl up against his side. louis told him he had a bad dream about harry being involved in a fatality and begged him to never leave the house again.

harry said he had to come watch him at the club so that was not going to be a guaranteed promise. then he played with his hair and sandwiched shark in between them so louis could fall back asleep peacefully.

louis didn't have to work tonight, so he was planning on having a lazy day as is until harry confirmed he was taking a mental day. now he just wants to do anything he can to make his partner feel secure and stable, just like harry does for him. they've laid in bed watching movies since noon, had a late lunch, and harry is nearly dozing off against the small man.

"promise you're alright?" louis asked when his partner nuzzled his face against his tummy.

"'m okay, baby. i just want to spend some quality time with my bunny. i miss you."

"you see me every day," louis crooned. "and you still miss me?"

"mhm. miss you when you're working, when you're sleeping, miss you always."

"surprised you're not sick of seeing my face yet."

"you have the prettiest face i have ever laid eyes on. never could i be sick of you, you're my safe space just as much as i am yours."

louis smiled as he rubbed his hands down harry's upper back. "i'm glad. it makes me feel good knowing you trust me."

"trust you with my life," harry confirmed softly. "trust you with just about everything except for my cadillac. after finding out you totaled your dad's car, i don't ever want to see you in it."

chuckling, louis said, "whatever. you like when i drive so you can play on your phone."

"subway surfers is the shit, man."

harry's also really stoned at the moment, so he's relaxed. he's comfortable, safe, and tucked in his boy's arms. if there was one place he could be for the rest of his life, it would be here.

"what can i do to help?" the older man asked softly.

"jus' keep laying there and looking pretty." harry grinned up at him. "and keep rubbing my back. feels lovely."

"i can do that."

while harry laid on his front, emma walked up the back of his legs and sat on his lower back. she dug her paws into his back, stretched, then curled up against him.

"asshole cat," harry muttered when he looked over his shoulder. "mad you can't lay on lou, huh?"

"she could have easily just laid by my head like she usually does." louis hummed. "clearly she wanted to hang out with you."

harry reached behind him to stroke the cat's side. emma doesn't hiss or bite him, she only began to purr. he wasn't sure if he was shocked over the fact she didn't turn him into a scratch post or the fact that she made the move to come to him first. she's usually up louis' ass always wanting to be around him. this is different. he's actually quite concerned.