Louis wakes the next morning, he's tired and his throat hurts, he still has an oxygen mask on and as he tries to move his arm he notices it has a drip attached. He sighs, he's alone in the room and he takes the opportunity to take the mask off and sit up. He remembers parts of last night and the feeling of not being able to breathe, it was something he never wants to experience again.

His thoughts start to get the better of him and Louis is ripping the drip out and making his way out of the room before he can stop himself. He's still in his sweats and a T-shirt from last night and his hair is a mess he's sure, but he wants to find Harry. He hears voices as he approaches the lounge and when he steps in he sees Harry dressed in jeans and a sweater and all three of his brothers, Ben is standing there as well and they are all talking about something. Harry's head whips around first, sensing Louis.

"Darling" Harry says as he rushes to Louis side. Louis doesn't hesitate before he's latching on to Harry.

"What are you doing out of bed" Harry asks sternly.

"Wanted you" Louis says, his voice barely there.

"I didn't mean to leave you alone for long" Harry says as he holds Louis close.

"Kiddo, I don't know how many times we need to go over the fact that you can't take your drip out yourself" Scott says fondly.

Louis let's go Of Harry and launches for Scott, he's missed his brother. Scott grabs him and picks him up, Louis wraps his legs around Scott's waist and buries his head in the crook of his neck.

Scott is a little surprised at Louis actions, he knows Louis needs him and affection right now and he lets his cold exterior soften for his little brother.

"You're Okay Kiddo" Scott says.

"I'm scared" Louis says and everyone hears it and they all soften at Louis confession.

Louis is never one to take anything lying down, he's always been sassy and fought for what he wants. The boys have such a hard time keeping Louis in line and following the rules they set for him but in this moment, Louis is showing vulnerability and it's enough for his brothers and Harry to sense he really needs them right now. Someone is after his life and dealing with his medical conditions is obviously becoming to much and taking its toll, enough for Louis to act like this.

"Kiddo, we won't let anything happen to you" Edward says as he comes over and places his hand on the back of Louis head in comfort.

Scott sits down on the couch, Louis straddling him, Edward sits next to Scott, Harry on his other side. Drew and Ben take the corner of the wrap around couch.

"I thought I was going to die last night" Louis says as he leans back, his eyes glistening with tears.

"We know, it must have been so scary Lou, but Harry was here and Ben and thankfully they knew what to do. They shouldn't have cleared you yesterday on scene, they should have taken you to the hospital, to Ben to be checked out" Scott says.

Scott has become friends with Ben and they are both on the same page, much to Scott's relief, he trusts Ben and his team to help care for Louis and Ben saved Louis life last night no questions.

"I don't want to die" Louis says.

"Darling, that is not going to happen" Harry says gently as he leans in to swipe Louis fringe off his forehead.

"If I don't die from sickness, Sam and Dan will kill me" Louis says.

"No Louis"

"Don't say that kiddo"

"We won't let anyone touch you"

"You aren't going to die"

The boys all chorus around Louis.

"I thought that moving to the city and starting a job I loved, was going to be easy and I thought I was going to be normal and throw it all in your face when I was fine. But that didn't happen, you're right, you're always right and I've failed at everything. The only good thing about anything right now is Harry. The rest of my life is so fucked up and you told me this would happen and you were right, I should have listened" Louis says and the boys all sigh.

"Kiddo, Listen, we didn't and don't think you've failed at anything, look at what you've achieved, just because we worry about you doesn't mean we don't want or think you can't succeed" Drew says.

"Well I couldn't hold down my job" Louis says.

"Louis, that was partly Dan's fault and the apparent overtime you were doing without much sleep didn't help. You ran yourself into the ground and now you know your limits" Edward says,

"Louis, we know we are so over protective losing Mum and Dad and nearly losing you really hit home for us. We were so focused on keeping you safe and protected in a bubble we forgot that you need to live too, that you need to find your own limits too. Harry, has been a Complete breath of fresh air that I think we all needed. You especially, we want you to continue to live Louis, we just also want you to be honest about how you're feeling and respect your body and your limits. Respect us enough to know when to step in and take over. That's all we ask okay" Scott says.

Louis nods slightly looking down at his fingers, his brothers mean so much to him.

"Well I for one don't think we should be giving Harry a bigger ego than he already has" Ben says lightening the mood as everyone, including Harry laughs. Louis smiling slightly.

"We don't want you to worry about Dan and Sam Okay, we've got it under control all we want from you is to get better and start doing things that make you happy Lou" Drew says.

Louis nods.

"Also eating, Drew and Harry said you're not eating, you're tiny Lou" Scott says gently.

Louis shrugs.

"You know you can't skip meals kid, it's dangerous" Scott says.

"I know" Louis says quietly.

"Well it's going to change, understand" Scott says sternly.

Louis sighs and looks at his hands not really wanting to get into this conversation

"Want to talk about it?" Edward asks,

Louis shakes his head no, he doesn't want to talk anymore, he's tired and he just wants to sleep, he doesn't want to eat but he knows he just has to satisfy his brothers for a while.

Louis then reaches for Harry who takes Louis eagerly and holds him close on his lap. Harry thankful to have Louis in his arms. The boys continue talking as Louis drifts off to sleep.

.....

A few days pass and Louis feels a lot better, he's got a clearer mind and isn't so tired. He and Harry have been a constant in the media and Harry has been dealing with a lot of press and his team have been issuing statements left right and centre. Harry is used to this and knows how to react and takes it all in his stride. Louis on the other hand has no idea what he's doing, happy to have Harry take over this part. Louis has also been back drawing and it's been so relaxing and he's thankful he can get back to it. Andy has him working on a few big projects and he's excited to throw himself in.

The boys are living downstairs until the investigation is over, they want to be there for Louis and although Drew is working a lot, Edward is doing his from the apartment and Scott actually has time off. It's been great spending time together and Louis loves having them so close. Harry has been getting on with the boys like they've all been best friends for years and Louis is so thankful.

Harry has been so relieved to see Louis get a bit of his spark back, seeing the shine in his eyes and colour back in his cheeks these last few days has eased the pit of worry in Harry's stomach. He loves Louis like nothing else and he just wants to keep him safe and that gorgeous smile on his face. He's backed off a little on work, and it's been well received. He didn't think he could step away and be okay but he has Louis and the boys have been great, he just wants as much time as he can have with Louis and his brothers while the case is still open.

Watching Louis working has made Harry so happy, he knows how much it means to Louis to be able to follow his passion on drawing and he does it so well.

Louis is in the middle of some plans on Thursday morning, a week after the lift incident. He's stuck on one of his plans and he needs some help from Harry. He brings his drawings into Harry's office and knocks shyly.

The smile Harry gives when he sees Louis is enough to make Louis melt, Harry is beautiful when he smiles and Louis loves that his most gorgeous smile is reserved just for him.

"Hello darling" Harry greets

"Hi H, are you busy?" Louis asks.

"Never for you Sweetheart, what's up" Harry asks.

"I'm just...I'm just stuck on something and was hoping you could help me" Louis says.

"Of course I can, come show me" Harry says.

Louis smiles and walks towards Harry's drawing desk, Harry comes and stands behind Louis leaning over the drawings as Louis explains what's wrong. Harry is so fond of Louis and impressed he can pick up such small details that can really harm a project if they aren't completely fine tuned.
Harry shows Louis how to fix his plans and Louis loves seeing Harry like his, loves watching him be business like and take control it's hot and they both get caught staring at each other, smiling like school kids.

Harry moves so he and Louis are facing each other, Harry cups Louis cheek and plants a soft kiss on Louis lips. Louis responds eagerly, the fire Harry sends his body with his touch never ceases and it drives Louis wild. Harry kisses Louis lips softly before cupping his other cheek and turning the kiss up a notch. Louis let's Harry take over and when he feels Harry's tongue ask for entrance he moans, Harry smiles Int'l the kiss and they make out for the nest 20 minutes, just enjoying each other. Before long it gets heated and Harry is expertly opening Louis up and making love to him on the plush carpet of the office floor. It's romantic and slow, both boys really needing each other and to touch each other with meaning.

"You're such a distraction" Harry smirks when they are both dressed again.

Louis blushes and Harry laughs leaning in to kiss Louis on the lips.

"I want to take you out to dinner tonight" Harry says.

Louis smiles.

"Really?" Louis asks.

"Really, I miss spoiling you" Harry says.

"Is it safe?" Louis asks.

"Of course darling, I'll organise the team, I would never put you in danger" Harry says.

"Pick me up at 6?" Louis smiles cheekily.

"I'll be at your door baby" Harry smiles back.

They share a last kiss before they are both getting back to work.

That evening Harry takes Louis to an expensive restaurant, they are noticed by everyone but aren't bothered and it's nice. Nice to feel somewhat normal for once. They are both at ease and the smile on Louis face has Harry so happy.

As they finish up dinner Harry leads Louis out of the restaurant, they are met with security as they wait for the cars to be brought through via Valet.

"Excuse me, I'm so sorry to Interrupt, but could I get a photo" A young women asks from behind Harry and Louis.

Harry smiles at the girl but looks towards Louis silently asking if it's okay.

Louis smiles in response and steps aside as Harry moves closer to the girl, they have a selfie and Harry talks to her for a few minutes as her girlfriends wait behind her. She must ask Harry to come and say hello to them because he walks over and introduces himself to the group. Ever the charming, patient one. Harry takes more photos and Louis watches on fondly until the cars come around. Louis turns at Paddy's request and as he's about to step in the car to wait for Harry there is a horrible popping sound, so loud and frequent.

Louis hears Harry yell his name before he's on the ground with a thud and Paddy and another security guard on top of him. He then realises they are being shot at.

Louis looks around for Harry and sees him protected against the restaurant wall, four guards around him. Harry is frantically trying to look for Louis.

The gunshots stop and Harry pushing through security.

"Shots fired, Louis has been hit" Louis hears Paddy say into his ear piece.

Hit? Louis doesn't feel like he's been hit, What's he talking about.

"Louis" Harry yells as he reaches them.

Harry pulls Louis quickly into his arms as they are escorted into the car safely. Harry lies Louis across his lap in the car.

"It's okay Lou" Harry tries to reassure.

"I'm fine Harry" Louis says.

"Keep your eyes open okay" Harry says

"Harry I'm fine, let me up" Louis says.

He moves to sit up and it's then he gets a searing pain in his shoulder that gets him breathless, his vision gets blurry and he's dizzy.

"Agh" Louis grits his teeth.

"You've just been shot Louis, lie down" Harry says dominantly as he lays Louis back down.

"Here Harry put this over the wound" Al says as he hands Harry a towel.

"Aghhh stop Harry" Louis chokes out as Harry presses the towel against Louis shoulder.

Harry ignores Louis and presses the wound, they are both covered in Louis blood and Harry is worried.

"Ben, Casey and Scott are at the penthouse" Al says.

Harry nods as he turns his attention back to Louis who's sweating,

They pull up at e penthouse and Harry scoops Louis up bridal style and carries him quickly to the lift. When they get into the penthouse, they are met with a flurry of activity. There is a makeshift hospital bed and equipment set up in Harry's living room.

"Put him on the bed Haz" Ben instructs,

Louis can't explain the pain in his shoulder, he watches as the buzz if people around him panic and talk to him, yell things at each other.

"Harry" Louis feels himself says.

"Right here darling" Harry says, he's next to Louis stroking his hair, relaxing a little now he knows Louis is in safe hands.

"Louis open your eyes for us" Scott says from above him. Louis opens his eyes that he didn't realise we're closed.

"Good boy" Scott says.

"There is an exit wound, thank god" Casey says from somewhere.

Things become blurry then and Louis can't help himself as he passes out.