This is a request by liliLambert. This is one of my longer sick fics. I actually had to think quite a while on how I wanted this plot to go since there're so many ways you can take it. Hope you like it. Leave comments/votes!
Louis glanced over at Harry again. He was putting his arm on Liam's shoulder, having some kind of good laugh between the two of them. That's the fifth time this week that Louis caught him fooling around with the other boys. He was getting pretty jealous. He knew that Harry was a flirt, but did he have to do it so often?
''Sing along if you know this one," Niall said to the crowd. "This is The Story of my Life." The music started and the crowd screamed even louder. Louis was grateful for their ear protection. They all played with the fans, getting as close to them as the barriers allowed them to. Then Niall and Harry grabbed their water bottles. Louis kept a close watch on Harry to see what he would do. But now it was time for Louis's solo, so he began to sing.
And I'll be gone gone tonight,
the fire beneath my feet is burning bright...
The whole duration of his solo, he kept his eyes on the two of them. He saw Harry chase Niall around with his water bottle, drenching him from head to toe. Niall of course retaliated, giving him a taste of his own medicine. It was all a little too playful and too fun for Louis's taste. He made his way over there halfway through his solo and gave Harry a stern look. Harry just glanced at Louis and frowned, causing him and Niall to stop their fighting.
When they were in between songs, Harry whispered to him, "Lou, you don't have to be jealous. It doesn't mean anything."
''I know. But I still don't like it," Louis responded.
Harry thought he needed to be more convincing. "I'm in love with you, Lou. Not them. I promise," he said, fingering his ring.
Louis went to bed that night thinking about what Harry said. He knew that what Harry said was genuine. He would never love someone else over him.
But at the same time, Louis was easily jealous. Harry was a flirt. He joked around all the time with the other boys and even with the fans. Louis realized that part of the reason Harry didn't play around with him was because management forbade it. No one was supposed to know that he and Harry were engaged to each other. They were kept apart from each other so often that when he saw the attention that Harry gave other people, it just made Louis's heart sink. He ached to be able to touch him, to show any kind of love for him at all in public.
He had had enough. He had reached his breaking point. He decided that right then and there, something had to change. Things would be different in the morning, and he had an idea.
''Lou, get up. It's almost 8:30," Harry said from the bathroom, putting toothpaste onto his toothbrush. They had planned to go golfing with Niall and Liam today and Harry had gotten up early so they wouldn't be late.
It was time to put his plan into action. It was now or never. ''I don't think I can go today, Harry. I feel awful," Louis said, trying his best to sound like he was sick. He rolled over to face Harry, who looked concerned.
''What's wrong?" Harry asked after rinsing out his mouth with water.
Louis thought fast. "My throat's sore and I just feel yucky." He hoped that would be good enough. Thinking some more, he added, "I might even have a fever."
''Oh, Louis. But I was really looking forward to playing golf today," Harry said, looking quite upset.
Hearing those words and seeing his face, Louis almost regretted what he was doing. But he so desperately wanted Harry all to himself that he couldn't foil the plan now. But he would feel better about giving him an option. ''Well, you can go I guess. But I kinda hoped you'd stay with me."
Harry thought for a minute. ''No, Louis. I'll stay home and take care of you. I know you'd do the same for me," he said, placing a kiss on his forehead. "I'll text Niall."
Niall was disappointed that they weren't going to show, but he and Liam went together anyway. Louis was happy that he was going to spend the whole day together with Harry.
Just him and Hazza.
No one else.
Just then, Harry's cute-but-manly deep voice interrupted his thoughts. ''What can I do for you, babe?" Louis could see his mind working, trying to think of something that would help him. "Do you want a cuppa for your throat?"
Louis liked that idea. ''Mmm. Yeah, that would be great," he said a little too excitedly. He knew he had to try to contain his enthusiasm. He was supposed to be sick, after all. ''If you think it would help, anyway," he countered, his expression a little more somber this time.
Harry didn't seem to notice his change of tone and if he did, he didn't let on about it. He turned out of the room and said, "Be back in a few."
While Harry was gone, Louis stayed in bed, trying to think up ways to make Harry believe that he was sick, yet at the same time, could allow him to be with him all day.
Several minutes later, Harry arrived with a steaming hot mug of apple cinnamon tea. The heat of it was nice and warm in Louis's hands. ''Thanks, Hazza."
''You're welcome, babe." Harry joined him in bed, watching Louis as he blew on the surface of his tea. ''Don't burn yourself. It's hot." He scooted over to Louis, placing his arm around his shoulders. Louis leaned into his side, secretly pleased that his plan was working, and was careful to hide the smile that was creeping over his lips.
Harry stayed with him until he was done with his tea. Then he took the mug from his hands and stood up. ''You probably need to sleep some more, yeah?"
Disappointment flickered in Louis's mind. He did not want Harry leaving him alone so he could take a nap. ''No, I'm okay," he thought quickly. ''Why don't we play some FIFA?"
''Sure, I guess, as long as you feel up for it." Harry went to the kitchen to put the mug in the sink, Louis trailing behind him. ''I'm gonna grab a bowl of cereal. Want anything?"
''I'll take some cheerios," Louis said. He couldn't get himself to deny food. He really was hungry.
Once they ate their breakfast, they sat together on the couch to play some football. Every once and a while Louis would fake a cough.
''You okay, Lou?" Harry asked after another coughing episode. Louis was snuggled up closely to Harry, relaxing in his warmth.
''Yeah, I'm okay," Louis said, clearing his throat. Faking sick was harder than he expected. He hoped Harry was buying it. ''I'm kinda cold, though. Can you get us a blanket?"
''Sure, babe." He went to find a blanket in the hallway closet and then draped it over the two of them. ''How's your throat?"
''It's still kinda sore," he lied without looking at Harry's face.
''I'm sorry, Boo," said Harry. "Come here, let me feel you." He reached for Louis's head, bringing his face to his cheek. ''You don't feel warm to me."
Louis shrugged. He didn't know what to say to that. He hoped his silence would change the subject. Just as he was getting comfortable on Harry again, he felt a tickle in his nose. Brilliant, he thought. He was going to let it all out. He sneezed. And then he sneezed again. How lucky was that?
''Bless you," Harry said. ''Let me grab you some tissues." He got up and grabbed some toilet paper from the bathroom. When he returned, Louis took the opportunity to blow his nose in front of Harry. He had to believe him now. He even coughed a couple times for good measure.
''I think we've got some cold medicine in the kitchen cupboard. I'll go get some." Harry was about to get up, but Louis stopped him.
''No, no. I'm okay, babe. I don't want medicine," Louis said, placing a hand on Harry's knee.
Harry looked at him uncertainly. ''Are you sure?" he asked, one eyebrow raised. ''You've been doing a lot of coughing. It will help you feel better."
''I'm sure. You're all I need, Harry." He smiled. If Louis didn't know better, he thought Harry was starting to get suspicious. Or maybe he was just paranoid.
''No, Lou. I want to help you. Let me get the ibuprofen." He went to the kitchen and returned with a glass of water and pills.
Louis eyed the medicine in Harry's hand. He really didn't want it, especially since he didn't need it. Harry handed it all over to him, so Louis had no choice than to accept it. He placed the pills in his mouth, placing them to the left of his tongue, and then swallowed the water, careful to not let the pills go down with it.
''There you go, babe. You'll feel so much better soon," Harry reassured him, taking the glass from Louis's hand.
Louis then excused himself to use the restroom, but in reality, he needed to spit out the pills in the trashcan.
They continued playing FIFA for a few more hours until they were pretty bored. ''I'll be back, babe," Harry said, walking over to the bathroom.
Louis started to panic. Was he careful hide the pills in the trash? Would he discover it? Harry walked back into the living room, rejoining Louis on the couch. He didn't say anything about it, so he guessed everything was still okay. But just to be sure that Harry believed his sickness, he'd try one more thing.
''Maybe I should take my temperature, you think?" Louis asked. Without waiting on a response from Harry, he walked to the bathroom and shut the door. They had a glass mercury thermometer in the medicine cabinet. He quickly put it under his tongue. But he knew that he didn't really have a fever, so he turned on the faucet and let the hot water run for a while. It was taking forever for it to warm up. He'd have to hurry before Harry got suspicious, or more suspicious, rather. After three minutes, finally the water was warm enough. He held the thermometer under the stream and hoped it would make a high enough reading to convince Harry he had a fever.
But he didn't even have a chance to check the temperature before Harry began banging on the door. "Louis! Are you okay? You've been in there for a long time!" He sounded really worried.
Louis didn't respond quick enough for Harry because Harry then rattled the doorknob and since it was unlocked (stupid Louis!) he opened the door. ''Are you okay? Sorry, I was worried."
''Just taking my temperature," Louis said.
''Let me see." Harry reached for the thermometer. He read the temperature and his eyes widened in shock. ''Wow, that's high. You really are sick."
Louis had no idea how hot he had made it. ''Let me see."
Harry jerked his hand away. "Nevermind. You definitely have a fever. Are you sure you don't need a nap, Lou? You said you felt 'yucky' earlier," Harry said.
What Harry hadn't told him was that the thermometer was reading 138 degrees. This only confirmed his suspicions. When he first saw those pills in the wastebasket he thought maybe Louis was fooling him. But now that he saw the insanely high reading on the thermometer, he knew for sure that Louis was faking sick. It was time to give him a taste of his own medicine.
''I'm good. I just like spending time with you." He nuzzled up against Harry's shoulder.
''No, I think you're probably really tired. Let me put you to bed," he said, and he picked him up effortlessly and placed him on the queen-sized mattress.
''But Harry! I'm not tired!" Louis whined. "I want to stay up with you. Please?"
Harry stood with his arms crossed. ''Okay, suit yourself." His stomach growled. "I know you probably don't have much of an appetite, but I'm gonna go start cooking something. I'm hungry." He lifted Louis off the bed and placed him back on the couch.
The food was really starting to smell delicious. He could smell onions, beef, and tomatoes. It smelled like his favorite meal they both loved: tacos. His own stomach growled. Then he heard the blender. Blender? What on earth did Harry need the blender for?
''Supper is ready, sweetie!" Harry called from the kitchen.
Louis sat down to the table full of taco toppings. It all looked so yummy. He couldn't wait to dig in.
Harry handed him a glass full of something dark and green. ''Here you go. I made you a healthy drink. It's got Vitamin C from the oranges, kale, spinach, and plain yogurt. It should make you better in no time. Drink up!"
Louis frowned. This is what he made him for dinner? This inedible green smoothie? ''But I was hoping to have some tacos, too." He scrunched up his face in frustration.
''Uh-uh, Lou," he said with a wag of his finger. "You're sick. You might end up throwing it all up. Plus, the vitamins in the drink should be really good for you."
If this is what he had to sacrifice in the pursuit of being with Harry, then so be it. He took a sip of the stuff and gagged. ''Uh. That's disgusting."
Harry laughed. "Oh, Lou. It's not that bad. I want you to get better. Can you drink it for Harry?"
Really? He looked at him. Harry was staring at him with those pleading eyes. Those eyes were always hard to say no to. He would try to drink at least half of it to make him happy. He took several more sips.
''There you go, Lou. That's right," Harry said as he crunched through his loaded taco. ''Mmm, this is so good."
Way to rub in in there, Harry, he thought. I'm suffering here!
He managed to get half of the drink down while Harry ate through five tacos, licking his fingers as he polished off the last bite.
Harry then took the smoothie from Louis, to his relief. ''We'll save this away in the fridge for breakfast tomorrow."
Louis could've cried after hearing those words. This was not how he thought this day would go. And after the apparently high thermometer reading, he was too afraid to ask Harry to cuddle with him because Harry would feel that he's not actually hot.
There was a loud rumbling noise outside. They turned to look out the window. There was thunder and lightning, the rain pelting down outside and on the roof. It was early evening, so it wasn't quite dark out, yet.
''Wonder how Niall and Liam are doing on the golf course. I think I'll call them." Harry picked up his phone from the coffee table and began to dial Niall's number.
''How'd golfing go?" Harry asked. Louis was listening in on the conversation, only hearing Harry's side. ''Mm, hm. Yeah."
Then Harry whispered over to Louis "They just left the golf course. They got caught in the rain walking to their car." Then he continued talking to Niall. ''He's not doing so good. He's got a really high fever. Yeah. We might have to cancel our plans for the next two days."
They were planning on going to a movie tomorrow and an amusement park the day after, but Harry didn't think it was a good idea for Louis to go. This was definitely not how Louis planned.
''Yeah, I just don't think he'll be able to make it. He's pretty sick,'' Harry continued, looking over at louis. ''Me? Well, yeah, I'd like to go. I'd have to ask him what he thinks if I did that."
Oh great. He's going to ask if he doesn't mind if he goes without him. He knew it. And he didn't want that. His mind was everywhere. What would he do if he had to stay home alone without Harry? How could he keep this charade up? He knew it was time to come clean. But what would Harry think about him? Would he hate him? He didn't know, but he had to end this. Now.
''Harry," he began, heart racing.
''Hang on, Niall, I've gotta go. Louis needs me," he said, and hung up the phone. ''Yeah, babe?" he asked smugly.
Did he know already? ''Harry, I've got something to tell you," he said slowly. ''I, uh-"
"You're not really sick, are you?" Harry finished for him.
Louis looked surprised. "What? How'd you know?"
''Well," Harry said with his arms folded. ''You kinda tipped me off when I saw the pills in the trash." Louis looked taken aback. ''And then the thermometer read 138 degrees, which pretty much said it all."
Louis couldn't believe it. He thought he was being so clever. Now he was embarrassed and he could feel himself flush. He watched Harry's face for signs of anger, expecting the worst.
But instead, he laughed. It was a loud, guttural laugh that Louis sensed was devoid of anger.
''You're not mad?" Louis asked, surprised.
''I think it's kinda funny. But really I'm just wondering why."
''I just wanted to spend more time with you. You're always playing around with the other boys when we do concerts and I just get kinda-''
''-jealous?", Harry cut him off.
''Well, yeah," he admitted. ''I just wanted your undivided attention. That's all."
Harry went over to Louis on the couch and put his arm around him. ''Well, you have it now. I'm sorry. I guess I do give too much attention to the other guys, but you're my favorite," he said, giving Louis's hair a playful rub.
It was silent for several moments, which magnified the sound of the rain hitting the window. This gave Harry an idea. ''So listen. I'm sure today was quite boring for you, yeah? Whattaya say we go play out in the rain? I've been meaning to wear my new rainboots."
Louis's face lit up with a smile. "That sounds like fun. Let's go get our boots."
So they went outside in the pouring rain, splashing in all the puddles. They laughed and danced until they were chilled to the bone.
''Come here, you," Harry said, grabbing Lou by the arm. He pulled him close, their noses almost touching. Then he leaned in for a kiss, Louis closing in, bringing his lips to Harry's. It was a passionate kiss, rainwater covering their faces, rolling down their cheeks and into their mouths. Their clothes were soaked and stuck to their bodies, hair plastered to their cheeks. The sound of thunder broke them apart. ''I think it's time to go in, Boo."
Louis nodded, reaching out to hold Harry's outstretched hand.
The next morning, they awoke with the sniffles and stuffy noses. The cold rain had taken a toll on them. They both stayed home that day taking care of each other, cuddling, and enjoying being alone together. That evening they went to the movie with Niall and Liam. They felt even better the next day so they went to the amusement park and had a blast.
Maybe this wasn't exactly how Louis had planned for it all to turn out, but it sure worked out for the best. And he was happy.
So.....how'd you like it? Follow me, comment, vote, follow my sick fics! If you have a request, leave a comment down below and I'll do my best! Thanks, y'all! :)