In Front Of A Camera

• chapter thirty three •

//TW: Eating Disorder

Harry and Louis had both taken off the next two weeks, to focus on their relationship as well as Harry's mental well-being.

By the time he hit his second week away from Liam, his eating had significantly improved. He still of course struggled, but having Louis there to encourage him helped a lot.

But what helped the most, was that Harry had learned he was capable of hard things. After having the courage to leave Liam for good, he realized that he honestly had the courage to do anything.

"I don't wanna go back to working tomorrow," Harry whined as they sat at the table eating their late dinner, Everleigh had just been put to bed.

"Oh believe me, I don't either," Louis laughed a little, pushing the food on his plate around with his fork.

Harry frowned. "Not hungry?" He asked, taking a bite of his own small portion, he was still adjusting to eating three meals and couldn't handle larger servings.

"Not really," Louis replied, setting his fork down. "I just don't feel very good."

"No?" Harry looked concerned, setting his own fork down and reaching over to grab Louis' hand. "What's not feeling good?"

Louis sighed. "I dunno... kind of everything? My head and neck are especially hurting today, I dunno. It's probably just stress."

"Lou..." Harry said gently, his green eyes filled with concern. "You've been sick a lot lately, I'm not sure it's just stress."

Louis lifted Harry's hand and kissed it, seeing the worry in his eyes. "Baby, I hardly ever get sick, so its gotta just be stress. Please don't worry, okay?"

"Can't promise you that," Harry said quietly. "I'm your boyfriend, it's kinda my job to worry over you."

Louis cracked a weary smile before speaking again, "I love you," he said quietly, "now why don't we try and finish our dinner? I know its not something either of us wanna do right now... but we need to."

Harry nodded softly, and watched as Louis picked up his fork again. He couldn't help but notice the way his hand was trembling a little.

Harry was worried. It couldn't be normal for Louis to be getting sick so often.

•

The next morning, Harry woke up to an empty bed. Where Louis usually lay, the sheets were bare and cold. Frowning, Harry got up to find him.

The horrible sounds of harsh gagging and retching could be heard from the en-suite, so Harry hurried over, worried about Louis.

"Oh babes...." he said sadly when he walked in, finding Louis curled over the toilet, drenched in sweat from head to toe as he threw up. Quickly, Harry sat down behind him, rubbing his back and whispering soothing words with his lips pressed against the back of his neck.

"Sorry..." Louis rasped when he finally finished, shakily grabbing a piece of toilet paper and wiping his mouth. "I didn't mean to wake you up."

"It's alright baby... you didn't. It's morning anyway," Harry said softly as Louis then flushed the toilet and leaned back against him, muffling back a nauseated burp into his fist.

"Already?" Louis sounded like he might cry. He was just so tired and wanted to go back to bed.

"Yeah I'm afraid so Lou," Harry kissed his head sadly. "But if you're not feeling well again, you probably shouldn't work."

Louis shook his head vehemently, "No. No I have to work, I can't miss. I've missed too many photoshoots recently."

"Louis, I'm serious. You can't work like this honey," Harry said as Louis had his eyes closed. His stomach was churning, his body was aching and his head was throbbing. "You need to see a doctor."

"No Haz, I don't need a doctor. I'm fine, nothing out of the usual, I've just been sick a lot lately." Louis said, his voice calm and casual. "I still think it's probably just stress."

"I really don't think it's stress Louis." Harry said, his brows furrowed in deep concern.

"How about this?" Louis said, seeing Harry wasn't going to back down. "I go to work, and if I'm still feeling off at the end of the day, we'll swing by the clinic on the way home?"

Harry shrugged, "If you're so determined I guess that's kind of the only option."

•

Harry was glad that he and Louis got to work together so often, it made their days so much better when they had each other around.

It was especially nice on days like this, when Louis wasn't 100% and Harry was able to be right there if he needed anything.

Harry was getting his hair done, and watched as Louis halfheartedly set up his camera gear, before popping a handful of Tylenol and Advil. His worry grew as he watched Louis slowly lower himself to the floor, sitting down and leaning back against the wall. His skin was pale and ashen, blending in against the white wall behind him.

Harry was about to say something when he noticed Louis had closed his eyes. Figuring he must be too tired for conversation right now, Harry kept his mouth shut and watched him. It didn't take long before his chin fell to his chest and soft snores were escaping his parted lips.

"He seems tired. You two have a long night last night?" Mitch asked, looking up from his phone as he'd been standing beside Harry for a while, busy looking through emails.

"Not really... Louis just woke up not feeling well again." Harry sighed, "He was throwing up this morning but he's so stubborn and insisted on working."

"Sounds a bit like someone else I know," Mitch joked. Harry was equally stubborn and he couldn't resist the comment.

"Yeah, I know I know." Harry rolled his eyes, and then continued with a more serious tone. "Anyway, if he's still not feeling well, I'm taking him to the clinic on our way home. He's been sick far too often recently, and it needs to be taken care of."

Mitch nodded, and they looked over at poor Louis. He was still fast asleep, a little drool trickling from the corner of his mouth.

Once Harry's hair and makeup was completed, he went over to his boyfriend, crouching down in front of him and putting a gentle had on his shoulder. "Lou baby... time to wake up," he coaxed him softly.

When Louis' blue eyes fluttered open they looked lifeless and bloodshot. Immediately he squeezed them tightly shut again, clutching his head in both his hands with a whimper.

"Shit." Harry got a little nervous, "Louis open your eyes hun. Can you talk to me?"

The response Harry received was not one of words like he'd expected. Rather, he'd received a lap full of vomit and the heartbreaking sound of Louis crying.

What a great way to start the day.

Hey guys! Sorry it took a little longer than I hoped to finish this chapter- writers block can be brutal. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed!! Thanks so much for reading and commenting. It means the world! :)

💛-stella