Narnia Dispatches: Louis Tomlinson and Harry Styles: I Can’t Help Falling in Love with You

One Direction on X Factor, Nov 2010

November was an eye opening month regarding Louis and Harry's evolution as popular members of a boyband that was rapidly growing in popularity throughout the UK. In terms of raw numbers, Series Seven of the X Factor ended up with an average weekly audience of 14+ million viewers. While the Grand Finale show, which aired between Dec 11-12, brought in an estimated 20 million. As the group grew in popularity and visibility so did Louis and Harry's uninhibited interactions on the show. Constantly seeking out ways to be together while being "handsy" with one another at seemingly every opportunity. From humorous sketches and contestant games like Megamind and Spin the Harry, to gratuitous appearances by Harry in a couple of Quickfire sketches hosted by Louis, there was Harry, happy and eager to join in on the fun and revel in the steadfast, doting attention; inevitably and predictably, Harry ended up being Louis' favorite time and time again. Louis' boy. Regardless of the situation or the setting.

One-track mind Louis, lifts Harry up from below the TV lens and announces his victory, even though Niall & Matt Cardle were the ones playing the game. LOLLL!

Somehow in the middle of living their dreams over the last several months, a dose of cold reality penetrated their blissful little world around the fifth week of the competition. The timeline and details about the incident are still murky, even sixteen years later, but deductive reasoning can fill in the blanks pretty handily. On November 5 (Friday), an article appears about a contestant gone missing from the X Factor premises. Explained away with a story that Louis Tomlinson was feeling overwhelmed with the pressures of the competition and decided to return home to clear his head for a few days.

As part of the developing media coverage, an even more implausible element was introduced. Viewers were told the tall tale that Louis "forgot" to inform the production staff of his departure. The problem with that narrative is that Week Five’s Live Show took place on Saturday (May 6), and it doesn't make much sense, given rehearsal schedules, that he would voluntarily leave or be sent home to Doncaster on a Thursday for a few days. In other words, whatever happened, had to have occurred earlier that week. Perhaps even on a Sunday (Halloween), which we have learned since was a favorite holiday for both Mr. Tomlinson and Mr. Styles. Paintgate in 2012-2013 and subsequent Harryweens, are just a few related examples that come to mind.

The other part of the story that is highly suspect is that Louis never looked "crushed" by any competition pressure, and since he and Harry were joined at the hip, glowingly so, in fact, a willing separation seems farfetched to say the least. Moreover, this version of events doesn't even begin to address this other piece of information which was circulating around Nov 4, 2010.

And this may be the biggest smoking gun of all. One Direction typically filmed their video diaries on a Monday which in this instance, would have been Nov 1. But for some reason, both Louis and Harry seemed exceptionally tired that day. So much so that it would have been hard for the production staff not to notice and result in some kind of consequence.

Video Diary, Week 5 Nov 1, 2010

You touched me goodnight

Butterflied both our bellies

You and me are skipping sleep

With dirty feet

Ready, steady, go

Regardless of whatever took place that week, nothing was stopping Louis and Harry from being in each other's back pockets while continuing to drop hints about the personal nature of their on and off stage relationship. At this point of their involvement, the intimacy was not only physical but observably emotional as well.

Two examples provide an excellent window into just how far things had evolved at this juncture in their association. Interestingly enough, both instances occurred in back to back succession on November 5-6 during the week of the "constant same sex action" rumor.

Niall hosting a contestant-centered "talk show" called, "Question Time" with Louis, which aired on
Nov 5, 2010

A smiling, delighted Harry

A coy Louis

A provocative conversation, to say the least, given the juicy gossip that had been circulating that week. But then again, Louis and Harry have always been known for their media awareness and their timely and artful gay-coded messaging.

Then the following day, on Nov 6, the Dream Team are right back to being as physically close and subversive as ever.

LOLLLL! With that TMI (actually not), let's enjoy more visual evidence of how Louis and Harry continued to make their relationship more and more public.

Louis and Harry openly embracing outside Fountain Studios, Nov 2010

By the way, closing one's eyes when being hugged, is not only an indication of deep trust, but emotional intimacy and sensory immersion. Shutting one's eyes allows a person to fully focus on physical sensations (e.g. warmth, touch, scent).