Syndrome // H.S.

18. It's Like Someone Took a Knife Baby

TW: Discussion of character's personal experience with an eating disorder

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Louis and I managed to watch all five movies, totaling just over ten hours. By the end of the last movie, his random bits of information had become further apart, mingled with quiet yawns. I could tell he was ready to get some sleep, and I was too. It was a little after 7am when we finally turned off the TV, switching our positions on the bed so we could lay on the pillows.

I was nice and warm under the blankets, sleep just starting to take over when something long and heavy landed on top of my body. I jolted awake, gasping at the suddenness of it. With my eyes now open, I was able to see that it was Louis' arm. He was already snoring lightly, laid on his back. He had one arm flung over his eyes, and the other across my stomach.

This must be what Harry meant about Louis not being the best person to sleep next to. I carefully picked his arm up and laid it down next to his side. I sighed and settled further into the soft hotel pillow as my heavy eyelids closed once again. I managed to fall asleep pretty quickly.

It couldn't have even been a full hour later when I was awoken once more by sudden impact. I groaned, already knowing what it must be; or rather who. Sure enough, Louis was laying on his side with his back facing me. I don't know how he could be so deeply asleep in the awkward position he was in: he had one arm reaching backwards, resting on top of my chest and stretching over towards my opposite shoulder. I thought about trying to scoot away from him but realized I couldn't. I was at the complete edge of the bed, and Louis had his back pressed up against my hip while I was laid on my back. We were both on my side of the mattress.

Seriously?

Tiredly, I got up as slow as possible so as not to wake him. Once up, I realized how little room I really had to try to lay back down, so I walked around the foot of the bed to go over to the other side where he was supposed to be. I crawled under the blanket and settled back in. The movement must have disturbed him, because once I was comfortable, he gravitated towards me like an annoying magnet.

This time, he angled his body diagonally on the mattress. He rolled from his side and onto his back, throwing his legs across mine. "Louis," I whispered, getting a little frustrated. He didn't even budge.

I realized that even if I managed to get him off of me, it wouldn't be long before he made his way back. I settled on letting out an annoyed sigh, closing my eyes and trying to ignore the pressure of his legs crossed over mine. For some reason, I didn't find the weight of his body comforting in the way that I found Harry's. Even still, I slowly began to fall back asleep.

In total, the two of us tossed and turned for about three hours. Louis got much more rest than I did, he didn't even stir when there was a knock on our door. I grumbled and opened one eye to glance at the alarm clock. 10:00 am read in neon lights. Next I looked at Louis, who was curled up his side. He was now completely sideways on the bed --rather than laying longways like a normal person -- and using my stomach as a pillow.

I was trying to figure out how to get him off of me so I could answer the door when I heard it unlocking. I stilled my movements and turned my head so I could see who it was walking in.

Harry.

"Lilith?" he whispered, taking in the sight through the mostly dark room.

"Harry," I greeted, feeling a bit grumpy this morning. Three hours of restless sleep was not enough for me right now.

He quietly closed the door behind him and stepped closer to the bed. I looked up at him through half-open eyes. "Do you uh, want me to get him off of you?" I noticed him swallow thickly.