~*~ Louis ~*~
Louis feels Harry’s stomach churning under his hands. A few minutes later, Harry abruptly places his plate on the coffee table, face becoming ashen as he swallows hard. Knowing Harry is trying to delay the inevitable but that the end result will be the same, Louis moves out from behind him and stands. Pulling Harry up from the couch, he quietly demands, “Come on.”
Louis leads him quickly to the bathroom, inherently knowing that there isn’t much time left. As soon as they are inside, Harry rushes to the toilet and falls to his knees. Louis has just enough time to pull back Harry’s hair as his body expels the pizza he had just eaten. Rubbing his hand over Harry’s back, Louis soothes him as his body continues to convulse.
After a few final dry heaves, Harry sits back, tears filling his eyes and falling down his face. “I’m so embarrassed.”
Wiping away the tears from Harry’s cheek, Louis shakes his head. “None of that. You’re all good.” Louis stands and wets a cloth before cleaning Harry’s face. “You’re so fucking perfect, Hazza,” he whispers as he reaches up to press a soft kiss to Harry’s cheekbone.
Tossing the dirty cloth on the counter, Louis reaches under the sink and pulls out a pink toothbrush. Harry moves to the sink and brushes his teeth, while Louis cleans up the toilet. They return to the living room and resume their previous position, Louis slipping behind Harry and pulling him back against him.
Zayn clears his throat to get Louis’ attention and hands him a plate with plain, dry toast. “I thought this might go over better,” he says by way of explanation.
Taking the plate from him with silent thanks in his eyes, Louis presents it to Harry. “Round two. Let’s try again.”
Harry reluctantly takes the plate and picks up the toast, taking a small bite. Louis nods his approval and starts rubbing soft slow circles low on Harry’s stomach. He catches Zayn watching them, and knows he is missing nothing in his sharp gaze. With a sharp, nearly imperceptible shake of his head, Louis lets Zayn know not to call attention to anything right now. Zayn stares at them for a minute longer, but thankfully, drops it for now.
The conversation in the room continues to buzz, never falling into awkward silence. No one comments when Louis and Harry make three more trips to the bathroom, before the food finally begins to stay put. Harry’s stomach still rumbles and flips under Louis’ hand, but it’s much less violent than it has been.
Not long later, they begin to wind down as dawn peaks over the horizon and sunlight begins to fill the room. “I need to sleep,” Zayn yawns, standing up to clean up the mess of pizza boxes, plates, and drinks. “Lou, do you want to share with me? Harry and Niall can take your room, or vice versa. It’s all the same to me.”
Harry goes rigid in front of Louis. “Haz? Do you and Niall want to use my room? I can stay with Zayn, and Liam can take the couch.” Harry doesn’t answer, so Louis tips Harry’s face to his with a gentle finger under his chin. “Harry? What do you want to do?”
“Whatever. That’s fine,” Harry answers, standing and moving beside Niall with his eyes focused on the floor.
Louis knows Harry is trying to tamp down the jealousy he feels. He also knows Harry isn’t succeeding, but Louis doesn’t challenge him. The last thing Harry needs right now is to get worked up. “Okay. You and Niall go ahead. Zayn and I will clean up.” Turning his head to Liam, he says, “Blankets and pillows are in the hall closet. Help yourself to whatever you need.”
