Hiding in the Shadows

Boring

Louis sat next to Niall as he watched the lad sleep. Niall was so much calmer when he was sleeping – barring any nightmares. There was no frustration or worry etched into his face and one could actually tell that Niall was just a young man, barely in his twenties, when the boy was asleep. When Niall was awake his entire body was always so tense. So controlled were his movements and actions that Niall never had time to just let his body relax.

Naturally, just as these thoughts were running through Louis' head, Niall's face started to contort into pain and the boy began to shift around a bit. Sighing a little for Niall, Louis started to run his hand through the boy's hair and whisper soothing phrases in his ear.

Eventually Niall calmed down and his face went back to that calm that only seemed to occur when he was peacefully asleep. Louis just shook his head and gently extricated himself from under the lad. He wanted to go down and get breakfast before Niall woke up.

Quietly, Louis texted Liam and Harry, asking them to watch over the sleeping bundle on the bed for a little while. No more than three minutes later and the two were letting themselves into the hotel room, reporting for duty.

A half an hour later Louis returned to his hotel room to find Harry sitting guard at the door talking to Liam who was playing a game on his phone while lying on the bed. Niall was pouting and staring at the window, curled up on the windowsill. The room looked as though a battle had taken place. The couch was tipped over, both beds had been stripped of the covers which were currently soaking in the bathtub, the pillows were all piled on the opposite side of the windowsill from Niall, and the rug and the hair dryer were hanging from the ceiling fan.

Louis groaned. "What happened?"

"Finally!" Harry exclaimed jumping up from his chair. "How long does it take to eat?"

Louis rolled his eyes and turned towards Liam. "What happened?"

"Someone," Liam said jerking his head towards a still pouting Niall. "Didn't want to drink his breakfast."

Louis sighed and looked over to the vanilla protein shake sitting on the table. It looked as though Niall hadn't drunk any of it. Well, this morning was off to a wonderful start.

"Niall," Louis said hesitantly, walking towards the pouting boy.

Niall glanced up at Louis briefly before turning his attention out the window once again.

"You know, the sooner you finish your breakfast the sooner we can head out and do some sightseeing." Louis tried.

"No." Niall responded.

Louis closed his eyes and took a calming breath; it was too early for this. "May I ask why not?"

Niall actually turned to face Louis completely then, a little surprised. "It's boring."

"It's boring." Louis repeated. Alright, it was boring. What the hell did that mean? Louis looked at the drink, it was a simple vanilla shake. He didn't get it. "How about you come pick one out then?"

Niall sighed but did come over to the mini-fridge in the room. He wasn't all that hungry, but if it would get them off his back then he'd drink something. What harm could that do? It was a proper meal time. Besides as soon as he was done the others would leave to go sightseeing and he could finally have some privacy.