Behind the Cameras

That damn sea urchin sting

December 2010- Spain (Judge's House)

Harry ran to Louis as soon as he stepped out of the car, limping towards them. He hugged him, pressing Louis' face into his chest and tucking his chin over Louis' head. The other boys surrounded them too.

"Are you okay?" asked Liam.

"Does it hurt?" asked Niall.

"How do you feel?" asked Zayn.

"M'fine," Louis said, voice muffled in Harry's chest. Harry hugged him tighter.

Louis had gotten stung by a sea urchin at the beach, and had to be rushed to the hospital. It was the scariest moment of Harry's life. Well, up to now. He was only sixteen.

"Can you sing?" asked Niall.

"Niall, his foot doesn't affect his vocal chords," said Zayn.

"It could," argued Liam. "He could be in so much pain he's physically unable to sing."

"No, he cannot," snapped Zayn.

"Yes, he can!" shouted Niall.

For the first time since they had all come together as a band, Louis did not join in on the argument. Harry pulled him away as Niall and Zayn continued to bicker. Liam followed them.

"Can I get you anything?" Liam asked Louis, worried.

"I got it," Harry said quickly.

"Yeah, thanks Payno, I'll be good," Louis said, giving him a wry smile. A flash of hurt crossed Liam's face, but it disappeared almost as quickly.

"Practice at six," he called, and headed off.

Harry got Louis into the boys' room and onto his bed and ran out to get him water. A couple minutes later, Louis had a glass of cold water and hot tea and orange juice, his book he was in the middle of, his mobile, his computer, socks in case his feet got cold, two advil in case the pain got worse, and a danish Harry had swiped from the kitchen. "Can I get you anything else?" Harry asked.

Louis was sprawled out on the bed, mostly sitting up against the wall, his one foot propped up on a bunch of pillows. Harry thought he looked like a king.

Louis laughed at Harry. "I really think I am okay, Harry," he said, glancing at all the things Harry had gotten on the night table.

"Oh ok," Harry said. They were both silent for a moment as Harry looked down at his pink socks against the ugly brown carpet. "Should I go, then?" asked Harry. "So you can rest?"

"No, come here," Louis said, opening his arms. "Come lie with me."

Harry glanced at his swollen foot. "I don't want to hurt you," he said softly. Louis rolled his eyes and made a grabby motion with his hands.

Harry awkwardly tried to get himself cuddled next to Louis without putting any of his body parts near Louis' foot. He ended up sitting on Louis' lap, knees bent on either side of him. Harry looked into Louis' eyes and blushed, ducking his head. He tried to get off his lap to snuggle next to him, but Louis put his hands onto Harry's hips to hold him down.

"You look so pretty," Louis whispered before Harry could protest about the position. He brought his finger up to brush a curl out of Harry's eye. Harry's breath caught in his throat. That was the same thing Louis had said last week back in England, before they had kissed for the first time.

Harry also knew it was a lie. He wasn't pretty. Louis was though, with his bright blue eyes and swished pretty hair and golden skin. Harry thought Louis always looked pretty. Harry sometimes felt indifferent around him, but then Louis would fit him to his side and kiss his forehead, sweeping all his fears of not fitting in under the rug. Louis was way too perfect for him.