I Want to Write You a Song

If You're Pretending From the Start

November 1

Between the never ending flashes of cameras and screaming fans, Harry's head hurts so bad he thinks he might pass out. His headache started as nothing more than a dull ache, but by the final song of the night it has progressed to what now could only be described as hammers pounding against the inside of his skull.

The second he's in the limo, he buries his face in his lap and lets out a low moan.

The car is eerily quiet for a few moments, which Harry is grateful for. He tries to focus on his breathing and not on how rubbish he feels. The engine starts, and the vibration sends a new wave of pain washing over him. He sits up with a groan, and the other boy's eyes are all fixed on him.

"Harry, are you okay?" Liam questions, his eyebrows raised in concern, "Seriously, you haven't been acting yourself all night."

Zayn scoffs. "All night? More like all week."

"Don't worry," Harry says brushing his band mates off, "it's just a little headache. I wish you'd all stop fussing over me."

Suddenly, a tiny pair of hands are gripping his cheeks and forcing his head to turn.

"Look at me," Louis whispers, his blue eyes staring deep into Harry's green ones. Louis always did this when he thought Harry was lying. Because no matter what someone's words say, eyes can't lie. Not Harry's, anyways.

Finally, Louis breaks their gaze and shakes his head. "You look awful, love."

Harry sighs in mock anger. "Give me a break, my hair is messy from dancing on stage." He knows this isn't what Louis means, but he's trying to use humor to deflect the attention away from him.

"You know what I mean. You're ghostly pale," He reaches up and brushes his hand against Harry's forehead. "Christ Haz, you're literally burning up."

Harry pulls his face away from his boyfriend's touch and mutters, "It's just a headache. I think I'll live."

Louis frowns. "You've been saying that all week!"

Harry winces at Louis' volume, which doesn't help his case.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to yell. I just- fuck Harry- I'm worried about you."

Harry blushes. Even though he performs on stage almost every night he isn't used to being the center of attention in real life. He doesn't want Louis to worry about him. He doesn't want anyone to worry about him. It makes him feel oddly guilty.

Suddenly, Niall turns around in his seat to face Harry. "He's right mate. I know you don't like us fussin' over ya, but something isn't right."

Harry rolls his eyes, and his voice cracks as he speaks, "I'm just so tired." 

Niall nods, sympathetically. "Then rest. It's going to be a long ride home."

"I don't have a pillow," Harry argues, his voice weak, "I won't be comfortable."

"Oh, come here you fool," Louis smiles brightly, pulling Harry's head into his lap, "finally something I can help you with."

Louis runs his fingers through his curls, and he slowly relaxes into his touch. When Harry is nearly asleep, the last thing he remembers is Louis pressing a kiss softly into his temple and whispering "I love you so much."

-------------------

Harry wakes up confused. Terribly confused, because he fell asleep cozied up in his boyfriend's lap and now he's in the hardest, coldest bed he's ever been in. The lack of blankets causes him to shiver. He goes to sit up, but realizes he can't. He doesn't have the energy to. In fact, he doesn't even have the energy to open his eyes. But that doesn't stop the angry white lights from cutting directly though his eyelids, further aggravating his headache.

Where am I?

Harry's body stills as he registers voices  talking.

"As soon as he stood up from the car he started puking in the street. Then a few seconds later he passed out."

What? Harry didn't remember any of this. He heard the faint scribbling of a pen, then another voice spoke.

"Any other symptoms he may have been showing? Any complaints of stomach pain or_"

"Headaches. All week. And fever." Harry could recognize that voice anywhere.

Lou.

"As soon as he wakes up we'll run some routine tests, alright? In the meantime, make yourselves comfortable. It may be a long night."