Fighting the Sunset

Chapter ten, "we're happy."

That ended up being Louis' last sponge bath before Harry was able to push him out of the hospital in a wheelchair. Louis insisted it was unnecessary at first but now he was having fun because Harry wasn't exactly driving him slowly.

He giggled, yelling as they got through the door where Liam was waiting for them with his car.

"Hey!" Liam hollered.

Louis waved excitedly as Harry parked him up by the passenger seat. He'd leave Louis the front and take the back for himself.

Louis held a hand over his stitches instinctively as he slowly stood and plopped into his seat. He'd had to walk a few lengths of the corridor before they let him leave, so he knew he could walk, but he was paranoid that the sutures would rip and he'd end up back in his hospital bed.

Harry handed Louis his belt and then got in the back seat behind him.

Louis was fast asleep by the time they get home, and Harry cautiously lifted him out of the car. With how tight and thin Louis' skin was, Harry could never be to careful.

Liam followed them into the house just to make sure everything was okay. "Do you need anything?" He whispered from the doorway as Harry gently placed Louis down into bed.

"Not at the moment, no," Harry replied, "but if you want to come back tomorrow, we would love the company. Louis has another two weeks of strict bed-rest and will be needing some friendly faces."

Liam nodded, "you couldn't get rid of me and the boys even if you tried. We will visit everyday that we can."

Harry hugged him, "thanks Li. Dunno what we'd do without you."

"Tell him when he wakes up I said bye, I'll leave you to it," Liam said as the embrace drifted apart.

"Will do, see you later!" Harry whisper yelled as Liam rounded the corner, as to not wake Louis.

He turned on his heel and sighed, staring down at Louis' sweet face. He had a surprise lined up for the date only five days away from today and now he wasn't sure Louis would be up to it. Would he even want his family around just yet?

Harry had made the call a couple of days ago when Louis really started perking up but now he wasn't so sure. Maybe he'd have to talk to Louis about it. It wouldn't be a surprise then, but it needed to be Louis' choice.

As promised, Harry told Louis that Liam said goodbye when he woke up an hour later. Harry had showered since they'd gotten home and the drips on his curls splashed Louis' face as he rolled onto his side of the bed to give his husband a kiss.

Louis giggled and yawned, "didn't even realise I'd fallen asleep. The bed feels so good, and it smells incredible."

Harry sniffed the air curiously.

Louis laughed, holding his middle section, "like home!"

"It is nice to be home, isn't it Boo?" Harry smiled.

Louis nodded, "but honestly, and I don't mean to sound sappy, but as long as I'm with you, I'm home."

"I love you so much," Harry whispered, kissing his head. "Now, uh, this was meant to be a surprise but um. . . I don't know, I feel like I should get your consent, because I don't know if you'll be feeling up for it. . ."

"Up for what?" Louis inquired, fiddling with Harry's fingers.

"I invited your family to visit. In five days. Is- is that okay?" Harry asked softly. "If you're not comfortable with it, that's okay. I'm sure they'd understand. I understand."