Fighting the Sunset

Chapter five, "you're not helping."

For Louis, the days until his next hospital visit went by fast. He slept a lot of the time and often lose big chunks of his day, making the time fly. He was even feeling a bit better, they'd discovered the removing the small amount of milk in his tea made it go down easier and the shot of sugar was usually enough to perk him up for an hour or two. Watermelon settled well too.

To Harry it felt like it had been a lifetime.

After Louis' outburst about taking care of himself he'd tried to do better but he just didn't have the time to cook himself filling meals, shower for longer than three minutes, or take any time to himself. He didn't care, he'd much rather spend it all with Louis anyway. It was making Louis upset though, which meant that something was going to have to change. He'd do better, the minute Louis was in hospital and heading towards being better.

Thursday night, Harry helped Louis pack up some clothes and things to take to the hospital.

"So, how're you feeling about everything?" Harry asked. He folded one of Louis' thin T-shirts and added it to the bag.

Louis sighed as he put his favorite sweatshirt in his bag. His lip wobbled, as he tried not to cry. "Nervous," he said softly.

Harry pouted at his answer and put his hand on Louis', "it's okay. I am too. It'll be alright."

Louis nodded, chewing the inside of his cheek. "'M gonna be sicker than I am now. . ."

"You're probably right, but you're strong, Baby. So strong. If anyone can beat this it's you."

Louis nodded a little, looking down. "I'll probably lose my hair too, I'm gonna be so ugly Hazza!" He choked on a saob and hid his reddening face in his shaky hands.

Harry scooped his tiny lover up in his arms. "You'll never, ever, be ugly. Hair or no hair, you're still my gorgeous Louis." He kissed his lips.

"Now, tomorrow is an early morning, so why don't you sleep now yeah? I'll finish up the last bits of packing," Harry suggested, noticing Louis' droopy eyes.

"Are you sure? I can-"

"Louis. I'm positive." Harry laid him on the bed and tucked him in.

"Okay Hazza, thank you. But when you finish packing, eat a solid meal, and take a nice warm bath. Relax a little, okay? You need it."

Harry ran a hand through his thick hair. "Okay. I'll have my phone with me if you needed anything, or you can shout and I'll run. I'll check on you-"

"Thank you. . .now shut up" Louis murmured, crawling underneath the blankets.

Harry shifted the bags onto the floor and shut the curtains. It was still light enough for him to see and finish packing, but also dark enough for Louis to drift off. He'd promised Louis that he would, so he made himself macaroni and cheese from scratch, ate it, (saving some for Louis to have later if he wanted it) and then took a shower. All the meanwhile, his thoughts were on nothing but his sleeping husband in the other room. After Harry finished showering, he quickly got dressed and hurried in to check on Louis.

He smiled, seeing his lover was still peacefully asleep, all cuddled up in the blankets and looking especially cute. Harry grabbed himself an ice cream cup from the freezer and climbed into bed beside Louis, eating it while he read his book. It was only seven and he just couldn't sleep that early.

Morning came quickly, and Harry awoke to his blaring alarm. Louis on the other hand, was still very much asleep.

"Love. . ." Harry shook his shoulder gently, "wake up. Got a big day today. . ."