Look After You

Chapter 12

   Two weeks had passed since Harry decided to move out of the flat that he shared with Louis. He had picked a small cozy flat in Primrose, which wasn't awfully far away, except to Louis. The oldest hadn't been the same since learning of the move. He was considerably quieter, smiled less, and couldn't make up his mind whether or not to cling to Harry as if his life depended on it, or to avoid him at all cost. The others all noticed the change in Louis, especially Harry.

   Louis had shut himself up in his room, a habit he started when the boys began coming over to help pack Harry's things. Today, Zayn was over to help get the last of Harry's things and bring them down to the youngest lad's car. Louis heard the voices through the wall, but couldn't make out the words. Soon, he would be alone. No more Harry, running around naked because it was "too hot to put clothes on." No more Harry, screaming in the shower because he got the shampoo in his eye again. No more Harry, cooking him breakfast after Louis got too drunk the night before. No more Harry.

   Reality hit Louis like a fully loaded semi-truck. A sick churning began to rumble through his stomach as his mouth began to become dry. He threw open his bedroom door and rushed down the hall to the bathroom before falling to his knees in front of the toilet. The churning making its way up through the boy's chest as his body began to heave. He shook violently as he threw up everything that had been troubling him.

   He heard feet shuffling into the bathroom as another rumble heaved from his throat. "Loueh! Are you alright?" Zayn's thick Bradford accent echoed inside the bathroom. Louis threw up a hand to wave the boy away as he tried to catch his breath. His throat had become rough and dry from heaving and it ached when he attempted to swallow the taste out of his mouth. The next voice that rang through the room made his stomach quiver again as he rested his head on a shaky arm, sweat beading down his paled face.

   "Lou, Jesus! Are you okay?" The familiar gravely voice made the sick boy's heart tighten into a painful knot. With what seemed like too much effort, he lifted an arm and waved the curly headed lad off as well. "I'm not going anywhere, Louie." Harry mumbled, kneeling next to him on the tiled floor, pushing back a fringe of hair that was matted against Louis' forehead.

   Liar. Louis rolled his eyes and buried his face further into his arms, hoping Harry would get the hint. Instead, he was pulled into a tight hug against his chest. Louis instantly melted into the embrace and snaked his arms around the boy's torso. "Are you ill? Why didn't you tell me!" Harry muttered into his hair.

   "It was sudden." Louis winced at how sore his throat was.

   It was silent for a moment and Louis took this opportunity to intake the way Harry was holding him. Possessively. Louis loved it and closed his eyes, melting a little more into the boy. No, I love him. He felt his heart flutter at this thought, proving to himself that he meant it.

   "Louie, drink this." Harry's voice broke through his mind. He opened his eyes and was face to face with a glass of cold water. He gladly accepted the cup from Zayn's tan hand with a smile and began gulping down the liquid, relieving the burn in his throat.

   "Well, Harreh, looks as if we're all done, yeah? I gotta go, man. Promised Perrie I'd take her to dinner," Zayn ruffled Louis' feathered locks before continuing. "Feel better mate!"

   "Thanks man, I'll see you later." Harry smiled up at the tanned boy before watching him vanish down the stairs. Harry stood up, pulling Louis with him, and smiled his crooked smile. "Up for a game of FIFA?"

   "Sure, Haz. You're on." Louis nodded, setting his cup down on the bathroom sink. "Just don't cry again when I win, yeah?"

   "I only cried because you hit me in the face with the controller during your victory dance!" Harry snapped back quickly, a smirk evident on his full lips.

   Louis chuckled lightly before walking past the boy and running downstairs. The first time Harry had heard that light hearted, cute, immature laugh in two long weeks. He missed it. He missed it more than anything. A wide smile crossed his face as he raced down the stairs to catch up with his best mate.