Pretty in Plastic (l.s)

iv

When Harry wakes up, his body feels heavy and his head hurts. His lungs feel like they're drowning, his eyes are too swollen to open, and his nose is half-clogged. He rolls off his back, and into a fetal position as he covers his face.

Today must be one of those days as he wakes from memories of his mom, and continues to think about them as he cries. His body shakes as his cries become muffled in the sheets. He's so busy mourning, he doesn't hear the door open or feel the bed dip. What he does notice, however, is a thin yet firm arm wrapping around his torso and a warm body curling around his back in a spooning position.

"Louis?" He croaks out, and the familiar hum comes as a response. He doesn't move to face Louis, but his shoulders flex when the boy buries his face between them and he feels wetness on his skin. Was Louis crying, too?

Harry lets Louis hold him, and somehow the cuddling was helping his anxiety. His eyes start to feel heavy again, and he gently pats Louis' arm before passing out. When he wakes up again, his phone is buzzing on the night stand. He subconsciously answers, but he figures that was the wrong choice.

"Harry?" He hears Gemma's voice come through, and his hand grips the sheets as his nose crinkles. "Harry, are you there?"

"Mm." He grunts, and he processes the fact that Louis is still spooning him. Louis' good at that. "Huh?"

"Uncle called me. He said he couldn't reach you. Are you missing work? You know you need that money, he pays you well." Gemma rambles, and Harry rubs his forehead. How does a conversation of less than a minute cause a year's worth of pain?

"I told him I needed time off."

"You were supposed to call him to tell him how long."

"I forgot."

"You forgot?" There's silence before a screech follows. "You forgot!?"

"Jesus—" Harry holds the phone from his ear, and he feels Louis snuggle closer to him.

"It's not like you have it made, Harry! Mom's insurance money will only last you a little while!"

"Don't put mom in this." Harry grumbles.

"Get off your ass, and go to work. This is ridiculous. Life is moving on, Harry. You have to, too."

Harry swallows at her words. "Are you doing okay?"

"... Honestly? No," Gemma mumbles with a sigh, "but I have to continue with my life. I'm going to miss her, I still love her, but time doesn't stop for anyone. You know that."

"You do have a right to mourn, Gems." Harry rolls on to his back, and Louis shifts himself to lay on his chest. "You can talk to me."

He stares at the ceiling, and wipes a fallen tear. Gemma grumbles before clearing her throat. "I'll call you soon. Please talk to Uncle."

"Okay, love you."

"Love you too." She hangs up, and Harry drops the phone on the floor with a dazed expression. His hand rubs Louis' back, and he looks down at the boy.

"Don't make this a habit." He whispers, thinking Louis was asleep.

"Uh huh." Louis slurs, and Harry jumps from their position.

—————

"Do I look fat in these?" Louis asks as he stands in front of the body length mirror, examining his butt and thighs in the jeans.

"No." Harry says absentmindedly as he flips through shows. Louis huffs, and crosses his arms. Harry glances at him, and huffs back. "What?"

"Friends give honest opinions, Harry."