10. “The only place we’re going is to the pharmacy”
Harrison hadn't moved from Tai's sofa all weekend. They'd been out together on the Friday, a date night quickly turning into a weekend. They'd gotten more than a little tipsy, falling into bed together when they got home.
Of course they both felt rather worse for wear the morning after, but they curled into each other and pulled the duvet over their heads to block out the world. By the afternoon, the worst of the hangover had faded, but Harrison was left with a scratchy throat and sniffles he couldn't stop. His body ached too, but he'd brushed that off being active the night before. Tai made a late lunch for them, just snacky food from the fridge, things to pick at.
Tai had been looking forwards to the food, settled on the sofa next to Hars, but the other man had been quiet, and he had to admit he was worried. He’d hardly touched the food, unlike him, and he frowned.
“You still hungover?” He asked softly.
"Mm?" Harrison raised his head, trying to focus on Tai. Everything was fuzzy and thick, and just not right. "Oh, probably, yeah."
“I feel you. Not as young as I used to be. Can’t remember how I used to drink as much as I did at Uni.”
"Yeah, I didn't think I'd had that much, though."
“More time on the sofa required, then. We can order in tonight.”
"Oh, sure, yeah." Harrison blushed. "I'd like that."
“Me too.”
"Thought I was gonna be home alone tonight again."
“Mm, no. I’m selfish, I want to keep you here.”
"I'm not gonna argue at that." Harrison grinned, though quickly turned away to sneeze. "Ugh. Sorry."
“You alright?”
"Came out of nowhere."
“I should probably dust or something.”
"It's not your place. Just a random one."
“Mm, okay.”
"What are you fancying for tea?" He asked, stretching for a snack.
“Not sure. Chinese?”
"Mm, yeah."
“We’ll get that, then.”
"Maybe not any beer, not tonight."
Tai groaned. “God no.”
"You're not meant to get hungover if you stay drunk."
“I’m pretty certain that doesn’t work, but you’re the doctor.”
"It does, for a while." Tai didn't need to know the real reason he knew that.
“Just delaying the inevitable.”
He hummed. "Maybe, yeah."
“No beer tonight, I think I’ll die.”
"I definitely will."
“No dying.”
"So no beer."
“No beer, just greasy food.”
Harrison made a noise in agreement. "Lemon chicken, some chicken and sweetcorn soup, ooh, some proper fried rice? Ah, prawn crackers!"
“Oh, that’s settled then.”
"Mhmm, definitely." He snuggled into Tai's side, suddenly exhausted.
“You going to nap?”
He shook his head. "No, just comfortable. I like lying in your lap."
“You’re like a cat.” He teased.
"Where do you think I got it from?" He grinned, rolling onto his back.
“Cute like that. Do you want belly rubs?”
"I'm not an actual cat." He protested, but didn't complain.
Tai settled for running his hand through his hair. “You sure about that?”
He couldn't help the sigh in contentment. "Mhmm, sure."
“You’re practically purring.”
Hars cracked an eye open, deliberately purring at Tai. "How's that?"
Tai couldn’t help but laugh. “Weirdo.”
Harrison broke off to cough, though quickly grinned. "Hey, you started it."
His cough didn’t sound great, but Tai didn’t push it. He was probably just run down on top of the hangover. “That’s true.”
"It is nice, though." Harrison admitted, not meeting his gaze.
“I won’t stop, then.”
"Thank you."
“You’re nice and warm in my lap.”
"Really? I'm kinda cold." He admitted.
“There’s a blanket on the back of the sofa.” Tai said, reaching to pull it down. “Here.”
"Won't you get too warm?"
“I’ll be okay.”
Harrison made a quiet noise, but stretched to grab the blanket.
Tai helped, spreading it out over him gently. “There. Better?”
He didn't think it was possible, but he fell further in love with him. He settled down, a smile on his face. "Thank you."
“Should we put a film on?”
"Mm, yeah."
Tai scrolled through idly, eventually finding something to put on. It wasn’t exactly thrilling, but it was some background noise for the pair of them to relax to.
Harrison dozed on Tai's lap, occasionally making a comment at the film. There was something intimate about just existing with each other, and Harrison didn't want to break the spell.
They spent most of the day there, watching shit films and dozing off the hangover. It felt tantalisingly perfect, like it was always supposed to be like that. They ordered their food that evening, and ate it laughing, the worst of Tai’s hangover gone.
Still, they headed to be early, Tai unwilling to let Hars leave. He knew he should, but the other man wasn’t exactly complaining, and like this he could pretend things would always be like this.
Harrison happily joined Tai in bed, curling around the other man. He still felt a bit rough, but Tai seemed to fix everything. With his head on his shoulder and his arm draped across his chest, he could almost imagine it was forever.
Tai fell asleep quite quickly, comfortable with Harrison and still tired despite the sleep he’d had during the day. He hoped Harrison would feel better soon, worried about him.
Harrison woke in the early hours, rolling over to go to the toilet. He sat on the edge of the bed for a moment, waiting for his head to clear. His nose was blocked, and his throat was beyond dry. It took him a moment to realise he was ill, not just hungover, and his heart sank. He shoved his leg on, padding to the bathroom.
Sat on the toilet, he made up his mind. It wasn't fair on Tai for Harrison to get him sick, so that meant no sleeping in his bed. He hauled himself to his feet, washed his hands and then made his way to the living room, curling up on the sofa there.
Tai had woken when Harrison had, though once he’d gone to the toilet he’d dozed off again. When he didn’t come back, though, he didn’t understand, the bed empty.
He found him curled on the living room sofa, and still didn’t quite understand what was going on. “Hars?”
He startled awake, half sitting up in confusion. "Oh. Tai."
“Hey. Why are you on the sofa?”
He lay back down, coughing into his arm. "Think I've got a cold."
“And? Come back to bed, this isn’t comfortable.”
"I'm not getting you sick." He shook his head.
“Don’t be daft, c’mon. Come back to bed.”
"No, I'm serious." He sniffed. "I'm fine here."
“So am I. You can’t be comfortable here, you’ll sleep better in bed.”
"I'm comfy enough. And not getting you sick here."
“I think if you were going to get me sick it’s probably already happened, don’t think sharing the bed is going to make much of a difference.”
His face fell. "I know."
“Don’t worry about it, come on.”
He sighed, but didn’t sit up or make any attempt to move. "No, I'm okay here."
“I miss you in bed.”
"I miss it, too."
“So come back to bed.”
"I can't."
“You can, come on.”
"Tai." He whined.
Tai reached out to squeeze his shoulder. “Come on, you’ll feel better for it.”
He sniffed again. "But I'm sick. I need to go home so you don't get sick."
“I don’t mind. You can stay, then I can look after you.”
Harrison couldn't help the pang of want, to just snuggle up with Tai and be looked after. His shoulders slumped in defeat. "You won't get mad if I get you sick?"
“I won’t get mad. Promise.”
He sat up slowly, reaching for his leg. "Promise Promise?"
“Promise promise.”
With his leg back on, Harrison took Tai's hand, pulling himself up. "I'm sorry."
“It’s okay.” Tai reassured. “Do you want some paracetamol or something?”
"If you've got some." He admitted quietly.
“Yeah, of course. Go to bed, I’ll get some.”
Harrison murmured his thanks, meekly heading back to bed. There, he happily curled under the covers, wrapping himself up in Tai's scent.
Tai left him to it, digging around in the bedroom cupboards to find the paracetamol. He only had two tablets left, shit. He’d have to go and buy some more in the morning, but they’d do for now. He brought them to Harrison with a glass of water, melting at how sweet he looked under the duvet.
“Got your paracetamol.”
Harrison rubbed his face, taking a second to catch up. He must have dozed while he waited for Tai, but he didn’t remember. He sat up, gratefully reaching for the water.
"Thank you."
“You’re welcome.”
"I'm sorry." He said quietly, swallowing the paracetamol. "I can go home when it's light out."
“You don’t have to.”
"Yeah, then you don't have to put up with me."
“I like having you around.”
"Not when I'm sick." He mumbled. "You'll hate me."
“I couldn’t hate you.”
He managed a smile. "You say that now."
“It’s true.”
"Are you sure I'm alright to stay in the bed?" He asked, making no move to leave.
“Of course you are.”
Harrison let Tai lie back down, gingerly curling into his side. "'m sorry."
“What for?” Tai asked, running his fingers through Harrison’s hair.
His response was lost to a contented sigh, Harrison stretching out as Tai played with his hair.
They fell asleep again soon enough, Tai relieved to have Harrison back with him.
When Harrison woke properly, he felt absolutely rotten. He shivered, though knew he had a temperature, and his nose just wouldn't stop running. He must have been coughing all night; his throat was dry and scratchy, his voice nonexistent as he tried to say good morning to Tai. The paracetamol must have been wearing off, but Tai didn’t have any more. Which meant, as much as he didn't really want to move, he needed to go home. He managed to get Tai up and in the car, surprised that his boyfriend had been so agreeable to drive him home.
The only reason Tai had agreed to drive was to get Harrison into the car and stop him being so daft as to try and go home. He needed to get more meds, so he might as well take Harrison with him. They’d stop off at the supermarket and get some snacks and bits for him, too.
It wasn't until they were almost there that Harrison seemed to realise it wasn't the route home, and he turned to Tai with a frown. "You said home."
“The only place we’re going is the pharmacy.”
"You're kidnapping me."
“I wouldn’t say kidnapping.”
"I would." He stretched his hand out for Tai's.
“I’m just gonna buy some more paracetamol, and then we can go back to mine.”
Harrison considered it for a moment, weighing up the argument. "Mm, okay.”
Annella felt like an intruder in her own home as she paused in the half-open doorway of Samuel’s study. The light of a full moon shone through the unshuttered windows, highlighting a pair of espadrilles that lay abandoned in the middle of the rug, and the blue cotton shirt draped over her son’s shoulders was instantly recognisable where he slept soundly against Oliver’s chest.
The scene on the couch was strikingly intimate, and Annella curled her fingers against her lips as Elio stirred in Oliver’s arms, grumbling under his breath. He’d always been a sleep-talker - unable to silence a mind wise beyond his years - and the fitful dreams that plagued him since early childhood often resulted in Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos in the middle of the night. She didn’t think that would be necessary now, however, because Elio stilled instantly when Oliver bowed his head, pressing his lips to his crown.
The words were too low for her to catch as he murmured in his ear, but Elio settled instantly when a palm stroked up his spine, cuddling even closer to twist his fingers in the soft material of Oliver’s t-shirt. The expression that played over Oliver’s profile was a thing of beauty - far from the muvi star facade he normally presented the world - and Annella resolved right then and there to do everything she could to protect the young man who held her son as though he were made of glass.
As if he himself might shatter when the time came for them to part.
Tender was the only way to describe it, and Oliver’s actions was so at odds with the brash cauboi who’d entered their lives five weeks prior that Annella’s smile turned wistful as she stepped back into the shadows, sending up a silent prayer for both boys’ protection as she resumed her our hours journey to the kitchen.
Cairis had been stretched out on the sofa in Repard’s quarters, reading notices from her fellow Voice crewmates, when Repard arrived.
She looked up to greet him, smiled, and then set about answering a letter from Jostann.
She’d just finished when Repard joined her on the sofa and snuggled down onto her, burying his face against her chest and his ears flopping down to rest on her collarbones.
Cairis held back her laughter and set the tablet aside. She wrapped her arms around Repard (who’d kindly removed his torso armor) and began stroking his head and neck.
"I've already spoken to them." Harrison said quickly. "They know."
“Okay then.”
Harrison squeezed Tai's hand. "We've got this. You’ve got this."
Despite his nerves, the surgery went well. Recovery was shit, as it always was, but the nurses were lovely and Harrison was there. He struggled and groaned as he came back to himself, tossing his head back and forth. Harrison did his best to soothe him, one hand in his hair and the other gently keeping him from pulling the oxygen off, again.
Eventually, he was awake enough to be moved back to the day ward, sitting up in the bed as they wheeled him back. They stopped by x-ray on the way, getting a final scan before allowing him some more rest.
Tai had barely had an hour's sleep (even though he was adamant he wasn't tired) when one of his physio colleagues appeared to pester him. He knew he was miserable and unenthusiastic, but he didn't have the energy to care. The pain had started to creep in again, but he didn't want to ask for anything until after; it would only make him spaced and dizzy, and he wasn't going to collapse on his colleague. He'd been on the wrong side of those patients too many times.
Physio completed and homework given, Tai gave in and asked for meds. They were happy enough to give him some, just waiting for the rest of his medications to come up from pharmacy before he could go.
The morphine quickly kicked in, Tai relaxing back into the bed with a groan. Harrison was quick to soothe him, all too aware how shitty it would be making him feel. The soft words and gentle hands were enough to allow him to relax, glad to be pain free once more.
He was worried about going home and managing his pain there, but as soon as they gave him the green light, he was up and ready. Harrison was firm as he made him use a wheelchair, partially out of selfishness and self preservation; if Tai stumbled or fell, he wasn't sure his own leg would take it.
With a grumble, his resolve crumbled and he let Harrison push him to the car, just glad to be going home, to be in his own bed, with his own snacks and home comfort. And, of course, the kids and the dog were a bonus too, and he found himself smiling to himself on the drive home, dozing with his head resting against the window.
It was always strange, leaving hospital. Day surgery always fucked with his head, too. It just seemed so… jarring. Like after the surgery and everything, he shouldn’t be going home yet. But he was glad to be out of hospital, away from it all, where Harrison would look after him, and it felt like he’d just closed his eyes when they pulled up on the drive. He lifted his head, blinking sleepily at his fiance.
“Home?”
Harrison reached over to squeeze his hand. "Yeah, we're home. Let me come around and help you, yeah? Let me open the front door first."
“Mm, yeah. Need my crutches.”
"Bed or sofa when we get in?"
“Uh, what time is it?”
"Half four." He murmured, heading round to open Tai's door. "Careful, yeah? No injuring yourself, please."
“Sofa, then.” He said. “I’m fine, I can do it.”
"Okay. I'm here, yeah? I know you want to do it all yourself, but I'm here."
“Crutches?”
"Here, slowly." He passed them to Tai.
He took them, carefully getting to his feet. “Thanks.” He mumbled.
Harrison couldn't help but hover, worried that Tai was going to hurt himself. "That's it, you're doing great."
“I’m okay. Get the door, yeah?”
"Yeah, I'll get it." Harrison didn't dare to move too far away, still within arm's reach as he unlocked the door. "You doing okay?"
“Yeah, yeah. Slow and steady an’ all that.”
"Exactly." He stretched out as Tai neared the step, unable to help himself.
“Hars, I’m fine, really.” He said.
"I know you are. I'm just helping." He huffed.
“Yeah.” He said softly. “I’m the one who hovers, I’m the physio.”
I've had enough physio to know how to hover." He tried to joke.
“True.”
"I'm sure the boys will be excited to see you."
“Looking forwards to seeing them too.”
"Hopefully Steve's not gone mad with them."
“They’ve probably gone mad with him.”
"Ah, maybe." He grabbed at the wall as he stumbled himself, too focused on Tai to remember the step. A blush spread across his cheeks, and he turned to call into the house, pretending he didn't just trip. "Boys? Dad? We're home."
Tai couldn’t help but laugh. “What was that you were saying, love?” He couldn’t help but tease.
"What? As long as you get in safely, I've done my job. I don't matter."
“Until you fall and I trip over you.”
"At least you'd have a soft landing." He grinned. "Ah, watch out. I hear the terrors."
"Dads!"
“Hey, boys.” Tai said. “Missed you.”
Alfie was uncharacteristically quiet, keeping his distance. He offered his dads a smile, letting Kieran past him to try and hug Tai.
“Careful, Kit. I’m not very good at hugs with these crutches. Why don’t we go and sit down and we can hug on the sofa? What’ve you done with Grandad Steve?”
"Sorry, dad." He pulled back, stepping out of the way. "Grandad's drawing with Levi."
“You’re okay, we’ll cuddle up on the sofa.” He reassured, offering him a smile and one to Alfie, too, who looked mildly terrified.
The twins led the way, protesting as Harrison reached to ruffle their hair. Levi and Steve were waiting, Levi proudly holding up a clearly homemade get well soon card.
"Aw, bless you guys." Harrison found himself choked up, turning to look at Tai. He couldn't quite believe that that was their little family, waiting for them and wishing Tai better. They'd all obviously helped, with various degrees of success; even Steve had glitter and pen over his hands and top.
"You alright, Tai? I'm glad you're home."
Tai too, felt himself choke up, though he knew it was the sheer amount of meds in his system. “Oh, thank you, Leaf. That’s so sweet.” He managed to get out, overwhelmed. He nodded when Steve spoke. “Yeah, glad to be back.”
"Cmon, on the sofa." Harrison pushed gently, stepping out of his way. "Let's get that leg back up, and we can see if you want any pain relief or snacks."
Tai settled on the sofa, sighing happily once his leg was up. He made sure his crutches were close by, where he could reach them if he needed to get up again.
"Right, all settled?" Harrison fussed over him. "What do you need?"
“Settled.” Tai said. “Need my boys, and maybe a tea?”
"I'll go make you one. Do you want one, dad?"
“Won’t say no if you’re putting the kettle on.” Steve said, settling on the other sofa.
"Won't be long then." He hummed, heading to the kitchen.
"Dad?" Alfie asked, standing at the edge of the sofa. "Can I come up too?"
“Of course you can, Bug.” Tai said gently.
Kieran and Levi had already snuggled beside their dad, but Alfie hesitated again. "Where can I go?"
“Come squish in, we’ll make space.”
He made a noise. "I'm scared I hurt you."
“It’s only my knee, you won’t hurt me.”
"But you had an operation."
“I’m okay, you can come and cuddle.”
He slowly tried to get in, getting somewhat closer to his dad. He fidgeted with the sleeves of his hoodie, worried he'd hurt him or get in the way, or just do something wrong.
Tai looped his arm around his son and pulled him closer, kissing the top of his head. “There. Perfect.”
Alfie squeaked quietly, freezing in panic as Tai pulled him in. Instead of being in pain and hurting him, Tai kissed his hair, and he broke. All the emotions of the day bubbled up and over, and he buried his face against his dad's chest. Scout whined from the floor, unhappy one of his boys was crying, and he edged closer too, front paw on the sofa's edge.
“Oh Bug. It’s okay, I’m okay, yeah?” He said. “Look, you’ve got Scout worried about you now. Do I get all of you up here? Good job we’ve got big sofas. C’mon, Scout, hup.”
Scout happily jumped up, sticking his wet nose in Alfie's face. His tail was gentle as it wagged, but his tongue was relentless, trying to wipe all of Alfies tears away.
"I'm so-sorry. I didn't mean to make him sad."
“It’s been a long day, huh? It’s okay. Come on, we’ll all have a cuddle here, Scout can curl up with us, we’ll make Dad go and sit with Grandad Steve. I get you all to myself.” Tai hated seeing Alfie upset, knowing the anxiety he’d had to deal with all day would’ve been hard on the boy, especially knowing full well he tried to be strong for his brothers.
Harrison returned with mugs of hot tea and paused in the doorway. His heart broke for his son, but he tried to be strong and joke. "I go make a cuppa for two minutes, and my kids and the dog have stolen my husband from me."
“You snooze you lose.” Tai joked, managing a small smile.
"Can you reach your tea if I put it on the side?" He asked Tai, passing his dad's to Steve.
“Yeah, that’ll be fine, thanks love.”
He settled Tai's on the coaster on the side, stretching over to give him a kiss. He was more than a little jealous of the four on top of Tai, but his husband looked content, and he sure as hell wasn't going to interrupt. He ruffled Kieran's and Levis hair, and gently gave Alfie a squeeze for a hug. The oldest twin gave him a small smile, tucking himself back into Tai's chest. Scout, not wanting to be left out, thumped his tail, so of course he got a kiss on the nose, Harrison sneaking a treat from his pocket. Eventually, or so it felt, he flopped on the sofa by Steve, kicking his feet up.
"Ah, that's better, being home. Everyone sorted." He sighed happily, looking around the room. "My little family."
Tai had to admit it wasn’t the most comfortable, everyone on top of him, including the dog, who wasn’t always the most gentle. But they weren’t making his pain worse, the painkillers he’d had in hospital still mostly working, his boys with him, he wouldn’t change it for a second. Alfie’s tears had stopped, Kieran seemed more confident, and Levi was happy. He carefully reached forwards to scratch behind Scout’s ears, appreciating the comfort the dog brought.
“Yeah, perfect.” He said softly, glancing at his husband, already fighting sleep. “Jus’ perfect.”
Before he knew it, he was asleep, the meds taking over. His chin tucked into his chest, he was out, completely lost to the world.
Harrison stood, quietly padding across to Tai. He pulled the blanket from the back of the sofa, gently tucking it around his husband and sons. Both twins looked exhausted, and Levi was already pretty much asleep. Kieran was yawning and Alfie rubbing his eyes, both pressed tight to their dad. Harrison made sure they were all tucked in, no limbs escaping from under the blanket. The boys whispered a thank you, snuggling closer to Tai.
Harrison sighed, pressing a kiss to each son's hair. "Love you, guys."
Enjoy a soft, cuddly movie night with our favorite angel and demon in IneffableToreshi’s “Ineffable Holiday 2021: Day 17, Holiday Movies”. Warning: much soft, much fluff <3
Very Respectfully,
When you come home to sit on the sofa after going out drinking for a birthday/leaving do end up coming home early and this one misses you enough that she falls asleep on you ❤❤❤
