RESTRICTIONS

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After Harry has closed the door of his hotel room he lets himself fall backwards onto the soft, king-sized bed. He closes his eyes, enjoying the silence around him. During the last years with One Direction Harry spent more time in hotel rooms or tour busses than in his own bed at home. When they started the group, Harry was very excited to travel from one city to another, from country to country and of course that meant that he would spend the nights in hotel rooms. They weren't that luxurious at the beginning and Harry remembers his fist stay at a five star hotel as if it was yesterday. The first thing the two boys did was jumping up and down on the bed until Louis stumbled and hurt his head but the situation was so funny that both of them couldn't stop laughing for more than five minutes. The most important thing on tour had always been that Louis stayed in a room with him. No matter where they were, Harry always felt at home with Louis; at home and very much in love.

Within a few months their lives were turned upside down. In the beginning everything was new and it felt like a school trip that would never end but soon the beautiful hotels became boring, impersonal, just a casual routine. While Harry's friends were excited about staying at four or five star hotels during their holidays, Harry just craved his own bed at home. But there was always one thing he loved about these rooms: the satisfying feeling of clean, crisp bedlinen. Harry sighs as he closes his eyes and lets his hands slide over the smooth surface slowly.

A few seconds later, the comfortable silence is interrupted by the ringing of his phone. As Harry looks at it, his face falls. It's his PR agent Linda and it's never a good sign when she calls. Harry stares at his phone for a few seconds then accepts the call eventually.

"Hey Linda," Harry greets her. He props himself up a little bit to lean his head against the pillows and get into a more comfortable position. Harry turns the speaker on and puts the phone on the bed. Then he folds his hands on his tummy.

"Hello Harry. I need to give you a few instructions concerning Louis." Linda never does small talk, she never loses time. Harry doesn't answer. "Harry?" she asks. "Harry, are you still there?" She's such a hectic person, it's not healthy.

"I'm here," Harry answers flatly.

"Good. Louis will be allowed to stay with you until tomorrow evening if you two stick to the rules," Linda explains. "First of all make sure Louis isn't seen around you outside the venue, at the hotel and also backstage or even better: make sure Louis isn't seen at all what means he is going to stay in your dressing room all the time when you're at the venue."

Harry turns his head. "He is allowed to use the bathroom, isn't he?"

Linda lets out an annoyed sound. "Of course he is. But he has to go there on his own and return to the dressing room as quickly as possible," she explains. Harry rolls his eyes. "As I said, make sure he is seen as less as possible. Second, you won't go anywhere after the show. No bars, no clubs, no restaurants, no walking around anywhere, no strolls, nothing. Third, Louis is going to have his own driver so you won't be seen together, just in case." Linda pauses for a second. "Make sure you stay in your hotel room when it's just the two of you. It's very important not to be seen together. Also, if people only see Louis they could start assuming things which would be better to prevent. He's supposed to be MIA these days."

"Hotel staff is always bound to maintain confidentiality," Harry throws in. He's trying hard not to show his anger toward Linda and keep his voice low.

"Technically yes but I don't care," she fires back. "You have to minimize every risk."

Harry rubs his face. For years he has always felt as if Louis and he were trapped in a golden cage with locked door that would never open. "Is Louis allowed to watch the show at least?" he asks.

"Yes, but he shouldn't be seen in the venue. There are monitors backstage so he can watch the show from your dressing room."

Harry lets out a sigh. "There's a VIP lounge in the venue. Can't he watch the show there?"

"No," Linda answers strictly. "Some fans are going to be seated in the VIP areas around the one for special guests what means people could spot Louis easily. That's definitely not possible and I won't discuss about that with you."

"What about next to the stage where it's dark?"

"No Harry. He has to stay backstage all the time and not even get close to the auditorium," Linda insists harshly. Her voice tells Harry that she's getting angry. "Don't talk to anyone about Louis if possible, except for your band and the main team members, you know – the ones who are allowed to know things. You know who they are."

"Yeah I know. What if someone asks something about Louis?" Harry wants to know.

"If someone asks you about him just tell them he's a friend of the band," Linda answers and clears her throat. "I have already informed everyone. But seriously, you shouldn't worry about that," she continues, "you're the one who invented dodging questions anyway so this shouldn't be a major problem for you. Make sure both of you follow the rules in order to not get into trouble."

Harry stays quiet although the anger is boiling inside of him. He hates the restrictions, the orders, the rules. He hates the fact that he can never act as a normal couple in public with Louis and he would like to yell at Linda about how she would feel if someone told her all these things. Harry is aware of the fact that his thoughts are unprofessional since Linda is only doing her job. "You've been doing this for years, Harry. You're a pro."

"That's exactly the problem," Harry mutters under his breath as he balls his right fist, gripping the sheets.

"Sorry?" Linda barks into the phone.

Harry gulps. "Nothing," he replies quickly. "Is there anything else I should know?"

"No. I'm going to inform Louis about the rules in a few minutes. Good luck with the show tonight."

"Thank you," Harry replies dryly. Not that she really cares.

"Bye."

Harry throws his phone away angrily and rubs his face, letting out a frustrated sigh. After everything Linda said, he starts wondering how much private time they are going to have since they aren't allowed to leave the venue. The dressing room isn't only Harry's, the room is also for the band and they spend most of the time in it to relax, chat, read or whatever. Louis hasn't arrived yet and noon has already passed. Harry has to leave around three for the sound check and get settled at the venue. He grabs his phone to message Louis.

Harry: "Hi baby! Where are you? I feel lonely without you.

It takes a while until Louis answers.

Louis: "I'm just about to exit the airplane and jump into the car!"

Harry: "Wonderful! Has Linda already called you?"

Louis: "She has. I hate her."

Harry: "Same. I'm in room 812."

Louis: "Alright, I'll be there in a few!"

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