Walking into a classroom full of your closest friends after a night out, a hook-up everyone knew about and a visible limp in his step wasn't the best idea and Harry wouldn't advise anyone to ever do that if you could avoid it. He couldn't because he was expected in class today, no matter what had gone down yesterday night.

"Fun night, I see" Maribel commented on his state smugly but her face showed that she was still a bit hungover and in no mood for class or talking or living, really.

"Shut up" Harry walked past her and sat down in his usual seat by the window but not without wincing at the slight pain in his bum.

"Gladly" Maribel shut her eyes close, burying her face in between her arms on top of the table.

"You look like shit" Niall remarked as soon as Louis and Zayn walked in, gaining everyone's attention.

Harry's head shot up and his eyes locked with Louis' eyes shortly before Louis looked away. His whole posture was tense and he looked as if he had had a restless night. Bags under his eyes, totally messy hair and a big frown on his face, his eyes squinting against the light in the room as if it were the enemy. Pure irony, if you asked Harry. It was obvious Louis has been very drunk last night and was now paying the price for it. And for a second, Harry was grateful he couldn't get really drunk. Only for short moments if he drank a lot fast enough. Didn't work yesterday.

"Shh. Please, my head is killing me" Zayn shushed Niall.

"My head is fine. Perks of being a Spanish werewolf" Niall shrugged almost provokingly. "No pain for me".

"This has nothing to do with being Spanish, you idiot" Zayn hissed at him while walking towards his seat.

"Yeah, you're a werewolf. You can't get drunk, so no pain for you but for all non-wolf people in the room. So, shut up" Aria backed Zayn up factually.

"That's not completely right. Harry is in pain as well but not your kind of pain" Niall sniggered evilly.

And the already weird atmosphere in the room became even more awkward now. Throwing Niall a glare, Harry's eyes fell on Louis and it made his blood run cold. He looked ... distant? Devastated?

No, that couldn't be it. It was probably just his hangover and the lack of sleep he obviously had experienced the previous night. There was just no reason for Louis to get affected by his antics involving Liron last night. No reason to care. No reason to feel anything close to being devastated over Harry being with a guy. It just wouldn't make any sense. It was his own inability to read people's facial expressions and detect emotions. Nothing more.

"Wild night, huh?" Zayn looked pained but obviously because of a pounding head.

"Could say that" Harry replied awkwardly, trying really hard not to look at Louis but it was pointless. He was his only focus.

"Good for you".

And there was no judgement swinging in Zayn's voice and no side-eyed glance at Louis or an eye-roll. He sounded as if he meant it. Maybe they were getting somewhere after all this time. Harry would love to call Zayn his friend and be able to act normally around him without second-guessing every word in fear of doing something and pissing off Louis like that. Or the other way around, which was probably worse. Mad Zayn wasn't nice but at least he was always protective of Louis, his very own soul twin.

Before his mind could ramble even more, Kida came into the room and started today's magic history lesson. It was the hardest class they ever had. No one was really able to focus because last night had left its marks and traces on everyone, except for Niall. He was cheerily and chipperly conversing with Kida the entire time. And although Harry tried his hardest he wasn't able to follow their conversation. He wasn't even hungover, just fucked out. But somehow it felt like this was worse and he didn't know why.

After what felt like an eternity of pain and awkwardness, they were free to go for the day and released from any other obligations. Except for Zayn and Àmbar. They had some special training today and as the good girlfriend she was, Aria stayed back with them. The other five of them stopped by Sean's room and invited him to join them. They wanted to go roller-skating, whatever that was. Harry just had the feeling it was something that he was supposed to enjoy because they said it was fun but it would only end up hurting him.

As a group, they entered a huge building and Harry was hit with the sound of loud music and tons of people. It was an overflow of sounds, noises and voices and blinding, colourful lights but it was also very impressive.

"Here, these are for you, Haz" Louis handed him some weird-looking shoes with roles underneath them. How was he supposed to walk on them without breaking his neck?

"You look like you're gonna shit yourself" Maribel laughed at him.

Immediately, Louis inspected him closer and his eyes were roaming over Harry until they settled on his face. "Are you alright? You don't have to do this if you're scared".

"I'm not scared of this" Harry huffed defensively. Louis only raised an unimpressed eyebrow at him. "Okay, fine. I'm a little bit scared of these devil shoes. They have roles".

"That's the entire point, Haz" Louis bit down on his bottom lip, probably to keep himself from laughing at Harry's stupidity.

"I didn't get the point to begin with" Harry pouted showily.

"Take a look" Louis grabbed him by the shoulders and turned him around towards a space where many people were driving on those killer shoes with roles? That's why they were here?

"And we're supposed to do that? Drive on tiny roles with my feet?" Harry gaped at Louis in disbelief and could hear Maribel and Sean snickering at his words while Liam looked amused.

"It's called skating, H" Niall clicked with his tongue.

"But technically you're right, Haz" Louis drew the attention back to him. "They're driving on these skates but not everyone is capable of doing it right. You can see many people struggling but they're doing it anyway because it's a lot of fun".

"Can you skate?" Harry's sole focus was on Louis now.

"A bit. It was one of the first things I tried out when I came here. It really is a lot of fun but if you really don't wanna do it we can do something else. No big deal" Louis looked uneasy suddenly and Harry didn't understand why. What happened?

"We can do this but um ... can you stay by my side?" Harry found himself agreeing to try this out. Something in Louis' eyes made him wanna give it a try. "Only in the beginning".

"Sure, Haz. I'll make sure you don't get hurt" Louis assured him with a tiny smile but it wasn't reaching his eyes.

"Lou, what ...?".

"And who makes sure I won't break my neck?" Niall whined out of nowhere, startling all of them. "It's nice no one cares about me".

"I'm gonna help you, Noe. Promise" Sean was right by his side.

"Noe?" Maribel eyed them curiously.

"My second name is Noelle? Did I never mention that? Whoops," Niall grinned bashfully, the tips of his ears tinted red.

"No, never. Not a single word".

"Can we finally skate? Or do you wanna obsess over his second name any longer?" Liam intervened now sassier than expected.

"You heard the man. Let's skate".

Sitting down on a bench, Harry tried to get the skates on but it was really difficult to figure out how they worked. Thankfully, Louis was right there to help him. He was right by his side when he tried to stand up but directly lost his balance. He held his hand when he stepped onto the skating rink for the very first time. He was right next to him when he did his first steps on his own while holding onto the railing for dear life. He took a hold of his hands and skated backwards when he himself was too scared to let go and try it out. He was right there with encouraging words and an empowering smile the entire time. He was right by Harry's side.

Nonetheless, Harry had the feeling something was different than yesterday. Something was off. Something was bothering Louis and although they were close Louis kept his distance. He was closed off and only focused on keeping Harry safe and unharmed but there was no banter, no conversation, no teasing. He could feel it in the air and the glances between them. He could feel it inside of his heart, inside the part that was connected to Louis. His soulmate was shutting him out and Harry didn't know why. He didn't know what has changed again and Louis trying to act as if nothing's changed and everything was the same wasn't helping Harry to figure this mystery out. What was wrong?

"Switch with me?" Liam skated over to them, tearing Harry out of his thoughts. "Maribel wants to skate with you. Apparently, you're better than me".

"Don't take it personally, Lima. M and I just have been here before and she loves some crazy-fast skating here and there. I guess she is trying to keep you safe" Louis let go of Harry's hands.

"How attentive" Liam snorted sassily.

"I tried. Let's face it. I'm cooler than you, Lima" Louis cracked up laughing. "Watch me".

"Yeah, no need. Go and fuck yourself" Liam called after him jokingly, holding his stomach in laughter.

"I will" Louis winked at him before he skated away.

Maybe Liam wasn't watching Louis but Harry was. He closely watched how he skated up to Maribel and how they headed off together. It looked like some kind of race between them, head to head. They were so fast on their skates that Harry was getting dizzy just watching them. But for the first time today, Louis looked relaxed and calm and as if he was truly enjoying himself.

"What is it, H?" Liam tilted his head aside in question.

"Nothing. Just a bit dizzy" Harry tore his eyes away from Louis to focus on his friend in front of him.

"Your face is telling me a different story" Liam made it obvious he has been watching him closely. "I'm all ears".

"It's really nothing" Harry stumbled closer to the railing, leaning against it to have a better view of the entire rink. "Just look at him. He finally looks free and happy. With me, he was closed off and tense and I don't know why. I thought we were getting somewhere".

"Somewhere?" Liam hooked gently.

"Yeah. I mean, I thought we were friends by now. He said so and the last few days made me feel as if we had finally left the past behind for good. But today he has been all ... not weird but off. Different and I can't explain it" Harry opened up to him.

"Maybe you're reading too much into this. Maybe he only has a bad day or was still feeling a little off from yesterday and skating helps clear his head? Friendships are tricky but Louis was by your side the entire time. Since we entered the skating hall he has been up in your space. Doesn't look very different to me. Just like yesterday at the bar until Liron showed up. You've been just the same" Liam shrugged as if his struggles were nothing.

"No, he was different yesterday. More open and ..." Harry's brain suddenly shut down and his voice quietened. "Liron".

"What was that?" Liam checked in an odd voice.

"Nothing. He once told me he can sense me. When I'm in distress or something. And when I told him about being able to smell people on others due to being a werewolf he sounded as if he could relate. Maybe thanks to his shapeshifter abilities he can smell Liron on me and that's probably not the nicest smell for an uninvolved person, especially not after a hangover. That's why he is off. He is trying not to breathe in ...".

"Do you really think that's it?" Liam cut him off. His voice sounded sharp and not innocent or harmless. Almost disappointed.

"What else could it be? We were fine before Liron showed up. He knows we're hooking up just like he and Luke did. Reeking of sex isn't nice. I know that" Harry remembered smelling Luke on Louis on more than one occasion.

"Luke and Louis was something entirely different though. You and Liron ... that's solely lust, right?" Liam crinkled his nose.

"I guess? What are you getting  at?" Harry became suspicious.

"Nothing. You don't have feelings for him, do you?" Liam looked closely at him with a sudden determination.

"Louis? No, definitely not. We're barely friends" Harry denied this assumption straight away. It was bullshit.

"I meant Liron but good to know" Liam fleetingly glanced past Harry's shoulder before focusing back on him sharply.

"Oh, um ... no? We're just...".

"Fuckbuddies" Liam completed his sentence when he fell silent.

"I really don't like that word" Harry cringed at the tone.

"But it's what you are. What you do, right? You fuck and that's it. Nothing wrong with that as long as all parties are on the same side and no one gets hurts" Liam's voice softened again.

"Liron and I are on the same page, don't worry. And it won't last forever. I wanna find love one day but in the far future" Harry assured him honestly.

"Don't we all?" Liam chuckled lightly.

"Are you talking about Zayn?" Harry dared to ask.

"It's obvious, isn't it? I'm shit at hiding it" Liam sighed out.

"It was obvious to me, if that helps in any way" Harry retorted.

"No, because you're normally completely oblivious" Liam countered cheekily.

"So cheeky. They were right when they warned me that you're not as harmless and innocent as you seem from the outside" Harry couldn't help but smile at their interaction.

"I'm trying. Sarcasm still goes right above my head most of the time but I can be sassy, if you give me time" Liam grinned at him. "Just not around Zayn. I'm tongue-tied when I see him".

"Understandable. You have a crush on him. That messes with your head and your ability to speak" Harry nudged his arm.

"Okay, Mr. Expert" Liam laughed amusedly. "Tell me about it".

"Ey" Harry huffed laughingly. "I was only trying to say you're not the first to experience that. And not the last".

"I know" Liam exhaled heavily. "Thanks for listening. It felt good to finally say it out loud. I never told anyone. I think they all know but I tend to deny it, especially around Louis and Àmbar. They're closest to Zayn and I don't wanna put them in a weird situation".

"You mean in the middle of all this, I get it. We did this to all of you. I did, mostly. And I felt bad, still do, for putting all of you guys in between our mess. For dragging you into our past and issues. I hope we're not doing this anymore" Harry scratched his wrist.

"You're not. Not like before and it was fine. You two had to deal with this in your own way. And even now you're still dealing with stuff but we're your friends, your family, your team. Of course, we get involved but to some extent it's fine" Liam sent him an open and reassuring smile.

"Thanks, Lima" Harry smiled back at him.

"You're welcome, H".

"Lima!" Louis rushed over to them. "We're late, you twit. We have somewhere to be. Joey might kill us".

"Oh, shit! Work" Liam's eyes grew big.

"Yes and we're late. Sorry, Haz. But I have to steal him" Louis grabbed Liam by the wrist and dragged him away.

"I completely forgot that Liam works at the bookshop too now" Maribel threw an arm around Harry's shoulders, making him jump. "Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you".

"You didn't. I was just ..." Harry trailed off.

"Staring after Louis. Yeah, we get it. Nothing new" Niall came over to them with Sean in tow, holding hands but he didn't question it. For now.

"I wasn't staring after him. I never do. What are you talking about?" Harry squeaked out defensively.

"Very convincing" Niall snorted unimpressed.

"H, you stare at Louis a lot. We can all see it" Maribel told him in a weird voice.

"See what? There is nothing to see. We're barely even friends. He has been weird towards me all day and I'm tired of it but I also get it. We have a complicated past and we tried to get over it but I feel like we can't. How could we ever leave all this behind and become real friends?" Harry was tired of talking about it.

"You're soulmates. You'll find a way" Sean said as if it was easy.

"No, we won't. I fucked up and we all know I can never ...".

"You did fuck up, Harry" Sean cut him off harshly. "But it wasn't the first time and it won't be the last. You always make it".

"What?" Maribel and Niall said at the same time.

"Great. Thanks for telling me I will fuck up again. Why should I even try to find out what was bothering him today and build a friendship if we ... if I will only hurt him?" Harry felt so lost. He had no idea where this was all suddenly coming from but his emotions and feelings were all over the place lately.

"That's not what I meant" Sean skated past him and got off the rink.

"Then what did you mean? I'm sick of riddles and figuring people out. I only wanna be Louis' friend because he is important to me but we can't seem to make it work" Harry wobbled after him.

"Since when?" Sean sat down on a bench, taking off his skates.

"Yeah, since when? You were fine yesterday evening" Maribel sat down next to Sean.

"And after what you told me you've spent a lot of time together lately and it has always been nice" Niall added to make it worse.

"It was but today he was different. Distant and withdrawn. Closed off in a way I didn't know yet. He kept his distance albeit he was physically so close to me. Emotionally he was miles away" Harry tried to put today into words and make them see.

"That's what Liam said" Maribel muttered quietly.

"Liam saw that? He didn't say anything although we talked about it" Harry frowned befuddled. Liam knew?

"That's why he gave Louis a way out and sent him to me. He felt like he needed it but also thought he could be wrong. You know him" Maribel enlightened him.

"Yeah" Harry was more confused than before. "I just don't understand what changed in between yesterday evening and today. What happened after I left with Liron? I thought Louis left with that guy he randomly snogged at the bar".

"No? He didn't. He would never" Maribel sounded appalled. "I was shocked he even kissed that stranger. But he left through a portal shortly after you were out the door, drunk off his ass".

"And he is an emotional drunk. Probably the reason for all this" Sean threw in informatively.

"How would you know? You haven't seen him drunk, have ya?" Harry eyed him suspiciously.

"Not in the flesh, no" Sean shook his head.

"What the hell does that mean?" Harry groaned frustrated.

"Harry, our world isn't the only world in the universe and I'm a seer. I can see those different timelines and Louis has been drunk in most of them. Mainly because of you. It's his coping mechanism and he knows it's wrong. In most worlds" Sean told him as if it was nothing, making everyone speechless.

"Different timelines?".

"Other worlds?".

"He was drunk because of me?".

"Not yesterday. Well, I don't know that for sure but I wasn't referring to that" Sean tried to soften the blow.

"You only meant many other worlds where I push him to get drunk?" Harry was horrified.

"That makes it sound worse than it is ...".

"I wouldn't know how it is. I didn't see it but you did" Harry was losing it now.

"Do you wanna see it?" Sean asked him surprisingly.

"You mean I could see other timelines of Louis and me?" Harry was shocked, not knowing if he wanted that.

"Yes, dozens of other worlds where you meet under different circumstances. Different lives, different uprisings, different people. With magic but mostly without. Friends, enemies, lovers. But soulmates in every single one of them" Sean confirmed easily.

"Why would you do that for me? You're closer to Louis" Harry questioned his motives.

"And that's why. You are struggling with your newfound friendship already because you think your fuck-up is unforgivable. You underestimate Louis and his kindness and forgiveness. His love and sometimes blind naivety. You fucked up in every universe I've seen and you ... you should see it for yourself before you do something stupid as giving him up in this timeline" Sean sounded so sure and mysterious at the same time.

"I don't wanna give up but I feel like he did" Harry justified himself, feeling so small.

"You really don't know him good enough yet. He would never even when he should" Sean shook his head, sighing heavily.

"That sounds painful. I'm not sure you should see this, H" Niall intervened now, sounding worried about his best friend.

"Maybe that's why I should" Harry replied determined.

"Are you sure? I'm simply offering it to you. You don't have to agree. Sometimes it can be too much to handle" Sean made sure that he was sure, which wasn't helping his nerves.

"I am sure. I need to see it. I can't imagine ... I need to know".

A few minutes and a portal later, Harry stood inside Sean's room back at the academy together with Niall and Maribel. Sean was running around his room, looking for something while Harry felt a bit lost. He knew he wanted this but he wasn't sure it was a good idea. He couldn't know what he would see and how he would react to any of this. Would it really help him or make things even weirder? Or worse, destroy everything?

"Do you want us to stay or do you wanna do this alone?" Niall checked hesitantly.

"I feel like I should do it alone. It's not fair to Louis if ... I don't even know. It feels private" Harry hoped he wasn't angry.

"Of course. You do you. We'll be outside if you need us" Niall smiled at him before he left with Maribel, glancing at Sean quickly.

"Thanks".

"Are you ready, Harry?" Sean startled him the tiniest bit.

"As ready as I can be" Harry braced himself and sat down on the couch. "What am I gonna see?".

"Different worlds with you and Louis. You meet in every single one I was able to see. You truly are soulmates and that's why I was curious. I'm sorry if I overstepped but I couldn't see why fate would make you two soulmates after seeing Louis' past and your role in it. I'm gonna be honest with you. But by now, it makes sense. More than anything else" Sean explained brutally honest.

"So, does that mean we end up together in every universe? Like, we're always lovers except here?" Harry tried to understand.

"No, Harry. Not in every world. There are a few where things are too broken to be fixed. But in most, you two end up together and are disgustingly cute. Although not without fuck ups on ...".

"My side, yeah" Harry looked down ashamed.

"Not only your side but I'm gonna be honest. You tend to be an idiot but luckily for you, Louis loves that in a weird way in most worlds. Or well, you always find a way to make up for it" Sean revealed to him.

"Now I need to see it. Please" Harry was getting jumpy.

"Of course. Starting with an unfixable one. One of the worst. If not the worst I've seen. After that, you're gonna feel better about your present self. Believe me" Sean said before his hands started to glow and he created a smokey cloud with moving pictures. "In this world, Louis and you have been friends since childhood. So close and the perfect team until you're not anymore. The moment you see that Jake guy in school everything goes downhill. Your crush makes you blind and you can't see that Louis has been in love with you for years. He agrees to play your fake boyfriend after you messed up in front of Jake. You love that idea and accept it without a second thought. You can't see him hurting and it's driving you apart. You argue more and you're being unfair to him a lot. You cross lines no one should. You kiss and you even manipulate him into your and his first time just to make Jake jealous. You're at fault for injuring his ankle for good and breaking his heart and soul. Just to come crawling back when you think you might like Louis instead of Jake but Louis sends you away because he doesn't believe you. Your friendship is non-existent at this point but Louis gives you another chance to save the friendship. He is with Luke and they're perfect together except for the fact he can't forget about you. But you're with a different guy, thinking you're soulmates. Louis' mental health is getting worse every day and then you have the audacity to kiss him while he is still with Luke only because you felt lonely after your break up. Luke breaks up with him and Louis gets drunk off his ass, feeling worthless. He calls you but ends up in the hospital with alcohol poisoning. And instead of being a good friend, you hurt him even more".

Seeing the images accompanying Sean's words was making Harry feel sick to the stomach. In that world, he was a horrible person and Louis deserved better. So much better. He wanted to punch himself if that would help.

"This wasn't nonsense, Louis" Harry interrupted him again. "You were just finally being honest and open with me. You finally told me honestly that I broke you and I know I fucked up a lot, I really do. I can't blame you for wanting to let me go and get rid of me".

"I don't want to get rid of you" Louis stated determinedly.

"But it would be better for you and you know that, Lou" Harry shot back surely.

"Maybe, but I still don't want to and I can't anyway" Louis insisted stubbornly.

"But you tried, right?" Harry guessed and Louis couldn't deny that, so he stayed silent. "Thought so. Before you passed out you admitted something. You said you don't like Jordan but never managed to tell me why. So, I'm asking you now, Louis. Why do you not like Jordan? You barely know him. I thought we were over you simply hating my boyfriends out of principle or well, because you liked me back then. Misplaced jealousy is not the reason now. What is it?".

"Nothing, Harry. I was drunk and close to death, literally. I was talking bullshit. But good to know that you think my behaviour was misplaced back in the day. Wonderful to see how compassionate and understanding you are. Don't you dare think I will ever tell you how I'm feeling inside again in my life. I don't need to get made fun of by my supposed 'best friend' for how I feel or felt. No need" Louis stared him down, being absolutely mad atHarry.

"I ... what? Louis, I wouldn't make fun of you for your feelings. I couldn't ... why would you even think that?" Harry stumbled over his words in need of an explanation.

"Yeah, sure" Louis snorted disbelievingly.

"I wouldn't laugh at you, Louis. I was just trying to say ... Nevermind. Maybe you're right. Maybe I really don't understand you and shouldn't bother you anymore. You won't tell me anything anyway" Harry gave up and Louis was lost.

"Harry, wait" Louis brought out when Harry had reached the room door. Maybe Harry has been unfair but Louis couldn't seem to lose him. "I um ... I wasn't drinking this much because of my break-up with Luke. Yes, he broke up with me but for a good reason. I understand him and he only deserves the best but that's not me".

"What are you talking about? Of course, you're the best. Did he say that?" Harry came back over to him and stopped in front of the hospital bed.

"No, it wasn't said at all. It's what I'm thinking and I know it's true. He deserves more than me. He is perfect and deserves to have the best of the best" Louis cleared up vaguely.

"But that's you, Louis. No one could ever be better than you. Who would choose someone else over you if he had the chance to have your heart?" Harry looked outraged and Louis almost laughed at this fact because it was so ironic and Louis would prove this now.

"You, Haz," Louis said firmly, looking directly into Harry's big and shocked eyes. "You would choose literally everyone else and you did".

"Me? But what ...? What are you on about? I thought we were over this" Harry blinked perplexedly.

"Maybe you are but I'm not, Haz" Louis decided to just let it all out now. It needed to be said. "Luke broke up with me because he knows I still have feelings for you and can't seem to get over them. He knows I never used him and really cared but just wanting him with my head is not enough. My heart still only wants you and I'm sorry to tell you this but I had to let you know. This is why I don't like Jordan. He is having everything that I want and just showed me again that I was never an option for you".

Harry just stared at him in absolute shock and Louis could see that it was working in his head but he wasn't liking the emotions in Harry's eyes. "You can't be serious. You said we're friends again, maybe even best friends. You can't still be crushing on me".

"But I am, Harry. And this won't just change. I tried everything to get over you but it's impossible. I fought against it and told myself you're just a friend but deep down, I always knew you're not. When you kissed me I couldn't lie to myself any longer. Luke noticed that and ...".

"You said you only want Luke" Harry interrupted him in a high-pitched voice.

"I don't want ...".

"I heard you" Harry cut him off directly. "You told Luke that you only want him although I kissed you. You said you only want to be with Luke and not with me because I mean nothing. Just like our kiss. The kiss meant nothing, Louis. It was a mistake. I was lonely and heartbroken and ...".

"You broke up with Josh and not the other way around. You didn't seem heartbroken to me. You're literally already over him and dating Jordan. It couldn't have been bad enough to ..." Louis was getting riled up now.

"Kiss you?! But it was. I never meant to kiss you. It meant nothing. I never wanted to kiss you again. This was not supposed to give you false hope and make you fall for me again. I'm your friend" Harry spoke over him loudly.

"No, you're not. We're not friends, Harry" Louis noted sadly.

"Because you can't seem to stop loving me, which doesn't make any sense" Harry crossed his arms over his chest.

"It really doesn't because you're nothing but mean to me right now. That's why I got drunk, Harry. Because of you and everything you put me through. You're the reason for my downfall and I still love you anyway. Yes, I love you but I never expected you to come right out and say you love me, too. I just wanted you to know, so you maybe understand me better and see why I need space again. But no, you had to react like this and just prove that our friendship isn't worth fighting for. You could've told me that everything will be okay and this won't change anything but just like last time, you're just being cruel and it changed everything" Louis exploded, shaking with emotions.

"I can't do this right now. Jordan is waiting for me. I can't tell you what you want to ... I'm sorry" Harry backed away from him.

"No, Haz, please. Don't go to Jordan now. Please, stay" Louis pleaded desperately, feeling absolutely pathetic and embarrassed and oh-so vulnerable.

"Goodbye, Louis" Harry glanced one last time at Louis before he left the room.

"God, this is horrible!" Harry gasped in absolute shock.

"You wanna know what's even more horrible? You still get together. You find a way to prove you actually love him and you work through your past issues and have two good years together. Well, 'good'. But then you go and ruin everything over something that only happened in your head" Sean sounded so disappointed.

"What did I do?" Harry gulped in fear.

"You cheated on him with Jake, knowing this was the only thing that could make Louis hate you. He has said so a few times" Sean revealed to him and Harry felt sick. "After that, Louis leaves the country with Zayn and his band and you don't see each other for ten years. Destiny brings you back into each other's lives and tests you but Louis finally resists and puts you in your place. He ends up with Zayn and has a happy ending while you have Jake".

"Louis deserves someone like Zayn in that world. In every world really. I can't believe I did that" Harry was discombobulated.

"You didn't. That other world's you did. It's not your fault, Harry. Remember that, please" Sean tried to make eye contact.

"I'll try" Harry glanced up at him shortly. "Are there better ones? Fuck ups that aren't cheating?".

"Yes. Look. In this one, you were in a band together with Niall, Liam and Zayn but Louis left overnight before you even released a single song and never explained it to anyone but Zayn although you two ... there was definitely something unspoken between you two. What you didn't know was that your label boss Jackson was behind all this. He made him leave. He left for you. But of course, you didn't know and hatred grew. Especially when Zayn left the band. You meet years later while you're on break and it's messy. You're not nice to each other and you're being unfair again but Zayn saves the day and makes sure you know what happened back then. You two kiss and start dating but you're struggling because you're closeted by contract. Louis understands but it doesn't make it easier. You're being distant and just won't treat him right ... yeah, and then Jackson strikes and reveals everything he wants to make you all look bad and you snap".

"Oh yeah? For you? For me? For them? I'd really like to know what you were thinking" Harry gritted his teeth together.

"We thought after everything Jackson did to your boyfriend you wouldn't even consider going back if you're in your right mind. Was that so wrong to assume?" Niall stayed steady and calm.

"You can't just assume things because we're fu ...".

"Harry, calm down" Louis stepped in between them now. "Come on. Let's get you out of here. Clear your head".

"Tommy, don't ...".

"I know what I'm doing, Joey" Louis assured his best friend.

Ignoring the horrified faces of his friends, Louis dragged Harry out of the hallway into the kitchen. He could distantly hear the others walking over into the living room and turning on the TV. Like this, they wouldn't be able to follow what was coming next.

"Fuck, the whole internet is talking about this and asking me if we're dating" Harry cursed at the phone in his hand.

"Is that so bad?" Louis dared to ask but regretted it the moment Harry turned around to him with dark eyes.

"Bad? This is fucking horrible, Louis!" Harry exclaimed madly. "This could be the end of my career and for what?".

Ouch. That hurt. He had never felt so unworthy. Harry really didn't want anyone to know about them. Ever.

"Maybe I can still save this. I need to call Jackson asap and see if I can convince him ... Sabrina. I need to talk to her too and...".

"And what about me?" Louis held him back when he was about to leave the room. "Please, talk to me and not h ...".

"What do you mean? I have to go and save my career now. I have no time for this. Whatever we had has to end now. It's over. Bad enough that the boys think we're boyfriends. The world doesn't need to think this as well. I have to set this straight b ...".

"But we are boyfriends" Louis cut him off in disbelief. "Why are you denying what we have?".

"We were never boyfriends, Louis. I don't know why you'd think that. I never said ...".

"You told Paul you're my boyfriend" Louis reminded him.

"What else should I have told an old guy? That I'm your fuckbuddy? Your fling? Your thing? Would have been weird but we were never more. Did I ever refer to us as a couple? I don't think so. We're nothing" Harry broke his heart coldly.

"But what ... At the beach, you told me you're in love with me and then you ... everything we ..." Louis was fighting against his tears.

"Yeah ... I shouldn't have said that. It was a spur-of-the-moment kind of thing. It felt right to say it there but I never meant it. It was the past talking out of me. Seven years ago I might have been crushing on you and that's what this has been. Rekindling the past and living out what we didn't do back then but even then we would have never been more than fuckbuddies. This whole thing was fun and quite pleasurable but it was never serious. You know me and my life. Did you really think I would give all of that up for you and our thing? I could never be with a guy forever. No, I wanna be with a woman, preferably Sabrina because she is amazing. I wanna marry a woman and have our own biological kids and have amazing sex. I could never have that with you and I don't want it. What we had was okay for the time it lasted but it would have ended in a few days anyway. I don't love you, Louis" Harry looked down at him condescendingly.

Louis' whole world was crumbling right in front of him. He could not believe what he heard. Harry has played him from the start. He never intended on them working out. He only wanted some sex and fun and experience to relive his past. That's why he couldn't say it back. He never loved him. He never cared. Another guy who only wanted fun but would never choose him over a woman.

"Now that this is settled I have to go. I need someone to get these old videos of us erased from the internet. I don't want the whole world to see how embarrassingly obvious you've been in love with me this whole time. It could ruin my reputation" Harry typed along on his phone, only glancing at Louis shortly. "Bye, Louis".

"I think I'm gonna be sick" Harry felt horrible when he saw Louis' hurt eyes.

"You made up for it. You realised Jackson wasn't trustworthy and you chose the right thing, in the end" Sean showed him the happy ending for them, making Harry feel a bit better. "Another?".

"Yes, please".

Harry watched the cloud change and saw himself and Louis again but it still felt weird to watch it from the outside. He saw them meeting at a university dorm. Sean explained it was a world where soulmates were a thing and everyone knew about it. Louis bonded with him shortly after they met but he didn't bond back because he has been stupid enough to keep his second name from Louis. Still, they become friends and grow close and feelings arise. Their struggles looked a lot more harmless than in the other two worlds. Family trauma and homophobia but no cheating or denials. Only an argument at a football game over nothing. He was overdramatic in that world and made Louis feel small. Nothing new there apparently and that hurt the most to witness.

He looked even closer when he saw a party scene, a birthday of sorts and Louis was getting drunk and it was Harry's fault again. He was ignoring his boyfriend and dancing with some girl until Louis talked to someone else. He was kind of a dickhead.

"What do you think you're doing here?".

"I'm talking to Phil. Problem with that?" Louis crossed his arms over his chest defensively.

"Yes, because talking? More like flirting, or am I wrong?" Harry's nostrils flared.

"As if you didn't do this the whole night. I have eyes, you know?!" Louis snorted annoyed. Meanwhile, Phil was creeping away to leave them alone.

"I was just dancing with Niall" Harry claimed, leaving out the Tiffany part and Louis was wondering why.

"Thanks for reminding me of that" Louis rolled his eyes.

"Why is Niall such a red light for you? Don't you know that he is ...".

"And why are you even here right now?" Louis cut him off. "You didn't seem to care about me before I started talking to someone, who actually paid attention to me".

"I heard Liam talking to Zayn. He told him he is worried about you because you were drinking so much and talking to strangers. Why are you drinking again?" Harry let him know in that judgemental tone.

"So, you're spying on our friends now?" Louis avoided the actual question.

"Seems like I have to. They're worried about you on Zayn's birthday. You should really be a bit more responsible and caring and less like your father. It's Zayn's birthday. It's not all about you" Harry said coldly, disappointment lacing in his voice.

"I know I'm shit. No need to tell me that again" Louis snivelled before he started to walk away from Harry.

Harry watched how Louis left the room and walked into some bedroom but his other self followed Louis, closing the door.

"Louis, what's wrong?" Harry's voice echoed through the deadly silent room, tension hanging heavy above them.

"Are you seriously asking me what's wrong?" Louis spun around to him in disbelief.

"Um ... yes? I can't read your mind just because we're bonded. You have to tell me what's bothering you. Although I should be the mad one" Harry replied, annoyance clearly noticeable in his voice.

"Why? Because I talked to someone? God damn it, Harry! Phil was just doing his job, serving me my drinks and being nice. He noticed I was feeling off and tried to distract me. You wanna know why he even had to distract me?" Louis approached his boyfriend.

"Why?" Harry gulped nervously.

"Because you, my oh-so faithful and innocent boyfriend, were shamelessly dancing with that bitch and stupid wanker you call your best friend. I'm actually surprised you haven't made out yet, but what didn't happen can still be done, huh?" Louis tried to keep his voice steady and tears at bay, but inside he was crumbling.

"Louis, I didn't ... I wasn't ... I um ...I can ..." Harry stumbled over his words helplessly, having never seen Louis this riled up.

"Oh, come on" Louis rolled his eyes. "At least admit it. I have eyes and they work mostly fine. I saw how you were dancing with Tiffany and let her touch you and how Niall was only making it worse and ...".

"Niall is bonded to Sean. Why would I do anything with him?" Harry cut him off confusedly.

And what now?

"That doesn't mean you can't have feelings for him anyway" Louis found his voice back. "Just because he is already bonded, you don't stop liking him automatically. You can still love him and it's obvious you do. Maybe you're falsely bonded to me, but that doesn't mean you have to want me".

"What are you talking about? Of course, I want you, Louis" Harry blinked at him shocked.

"But not for who I really am!" Louis exploded, tears falling down now.

"What do you mean?" Harry frowned, taken back by his outburst.

"How can you be so ignorant? Do you really not know how you make me feel by what you're doing? You told me how disappointed in me you are, how irresponsible I always am, compared me to my father and told me that you don't want someone like me as your boyfriend. You expected something different from this bond and it shows. I can see it in your face every day. If I see your face, that is" Louis was full-on crying by now. Over and over again, he tried to wipe his own tears away but it was useless.

"Louis, I ...".

"I tried to be better for you, Harry" Louis continued talking and didn't give Harry the chance to talk, hiccuping by now. "I wanted to be better for you. I tried to change who I am and improve myself so that I'd be good enough for you, but you didn't even notice it. You were too busy ignoring me for eight days and rather spent time with that bitch Tiffany. I tried to be less annoying and stopped being sassy. I stood up earlier, so you didn't have to wake me up anymore. I was always there when you came home or texted you if I couldn't be there, but you never texted me back or said more than a simple hello. I tried everything to make you smile, but you never ... not once appreciated anything. You left me alone the whole time and made me feel like shit. I don't know what to do anymore".

"But I told you this would happen. I told you from the start a mark meant nothing and a bond wouldn't hold two people together that simply don't belong together. You said I wouldn't regret giving us a try, but I do. I regret it. I never wanted to be this hurt. I knew I'm not good enough for you and that you want something different. Destiny chose the wrong person for you. I'm not worthy of you or your future forced love and you know it. I knew I'd lose you sooner or later. Well, it was pretty soon, but better now than in a few years when I'm already used to your presence. Better now when I can still figure out how to deal with the pain of being apart from you and block out the burning feeling in my arm because I know it'll get worse over the years. This is exactly what I was afraid of, but please, don't pretend to care about me. Don't just stay because you feel like you have to, or you pity me. Go and find that real soulmate of yours, who is worthy and good enough to be yours. I might be reminded of you for the rest of my life by those stupid marks, but maybe if I'm lucky they're gonna fade away someday and only the mental scars are left. Don't worry. I'm gonna be okay".

"What have I done?" Harry mutter under his breath. "Louis, I'm so sorry" Harry croaked out and that made Louis' head snap up. With big eyes, Louis realised Harry was crying too.

"You don't have to be sorry. You can't help it" Louis brought out between his sobs.

"Stop putting this all on you. I fucked up big time and you're blaming yourself. I'm so sorry for being a horrible person" Harry hung his head low in shame.

"What are you on about?" Louis furrowed his eyebrows together in suspicion.

"I ignored you on purpose and spent more time with Tiffany instead," Harry told him ashamed.

"What? Why would you ...?".

"I tried to teach you a lesson, Louis" Harry interrupted him and those words hit Louis unprepared. He had no idea how to feel or react to that confession.

"I know this is a horrible thing to do, but I still did it" Harry continued when Louis stayed silent. "I was mad at you for not standing up for me and felt like you simply didn't care, and I know this is stupid and immature of me because I know you do. Truth be told, my ego was hurt, and I wanted to make you see what you'd been missing if you lost me for good. So, I was never home and ignored your texts and barely talked to you and danced with Tiffany the whole night".

"I don't know what to say" Louis stated perplexed.

"Me neither. Teaching him a lesson over that football game thing? That's stupid" Harry couldn't understand that version of him.

"Young teenagers. You were only seventeen and never in a relationship and heavily focused on soulmates and true love and that twisted up your expectations and you just realised that. It wasn't nice to witness but harmless in the long run. See for yourself" Sean showed him what happened afterwards.

Harry watched himself and Louis being sick and making up and being happier than ever from that moment on. To his big surprise, they even got married and proved they were true soulmates. It made his heart feel a bit better after seeing his own ignorance.

"See? You're alright yet again. And maybe Louis tends to get drunk when you have problems but that isn't really on you. Maybe the fight is but his way of dealing with it isn't" Sean suddenly said.

"Why are you saying this? What happened when he was drunk that you don't want me to blame on me?" Harry eyed him sceptically.

"My favourite timeline" Sean sighed defeatedly. "It's beautiful overall but starts off quite rocky. You're enemies at the beginning. You're in high school in Australia and gain magical abilities by accident. Well, it was fate but you don't know that for a long time. Anyway, you don't get along until you do".

Yet again, Harry watched Louis and himself arguing, Louis getting hurt by him but them making up and getting closer after two very low points. They're very close but Louis is keeping something from him and his other self wants to know what it is and makes a stupid mistake. He assumes he knows and confronts Louis. He snaps and they argue again until Harry says something insensitive and Louis runs away to get drunk. Which ends in a sexual assault kind-of situation that his other self blames himself for and Harry could see why. He would do the same. It was on him and no one could change his mind.

But even here, they come out of this stronger and grow even closer until they finally get together. They work through their issues and look happy and in love most of the time. Everyone around thinks they're soulmates and Harry could see it there.

"You're so quiet. Are you alright?" Sean checked in on him.

"It's a lot to take in. I fucked up here many times but somehow each time brought us closer and made us see what we mean to each other. It was also nice to see the good parts a bit more here. The soulmate thing is hard to grasp for me sometimes but I can see it in that world" Harry replied honestly.

"Louis said the same thing" Sean mumbled more to himself. "Well, you wanna see one more? With a minor fuck up? Just wrong timing and wrong wording?".

"Now I'm curious. Show me" Harry was ready for more.

"You have to know, in this world you guys live in a house for abandoned gay people. Louis was the newest inhabitant and there instantly was something between you two. You were gone from the moment you saw him but he was broken and not ready for feelings. His past was horrible and you needed to work through this and you did. Your communication there is beautiful and something you need to learn here" Sean quickly showed him a summed-up version of that world, making him realise in that world Louis had had an abusive ex-boyfriend and was mentally vulnerable.

"Then what happened? How could I possibly say the wrong thing?" Harry almost didn't dare to ask.

"Luke was a trigger for you because he once kissed Louis against his will when he was drunk but they were still friends and you didn't like that. You snapped. Your brain shut off".

"Why? Do you have plans I don't know of?" Harry asked and Louis knew it was meant to sound playful but it didn't.

"Actually, yes. Luke and I wanted to see that new superhero movie after the concert. It's the only day he has time for the next two weeks, so we have to go tomorrow" Louis let him know.

"The same Luke who came onto you at that uni party? You're joking, right?" Harry's face hardened.

"No? Why would you bring that up? I told you we talked about that and he apologised. We left that in the past, where it belongs. You should do the same. It's really no big deal" Louis was feeling himself switching into defence mode.

"No big deal?" Harry visibly tried to stay collected and not scream at him. "He kissed you against your will and caused you to have a panic attack. It doesn't matter if he was only a trigger or not. He still forced himself onto you and now you wanna go to the cinema with him like nothing ever happened? As if you could be friends? You can't and you're not. Luke is not your friend. He only wants in your pants and nothing more ...".

"You don't even know him" Louis cut him off angrily. "Luke is a nice guy and he is my friend. He respects my ...".

"Oh, come on. You can't be this naïve" Harry groaned frustrated. "At least, not anymore. He doesn't wanna be your friend and he does not respect your anything. I'm your boyfriend. You don't need him and he should really know his place and back off".

"Know his place? I don't think Luke is the one who needs to stay in his place but you do. This is my decision and I want to hang out with him. End of story" Louis was getting pissed.

"There really is no decision here. Luke is not an option. No friend. You're not going to the cinema with Luke tomorrow. I forbid it".

"Are you serious right now?" Louis stared at Harry in disbelief.

"Do I look like I'm joking? You will not meet up with Luke. I won't allow it. End of story" Harry ordered him sternly.

"I don't need your fucking permission! This is my life and my decision and you have no say in this, Harry!" Louis exclaimed absolutely disappointed and fed up and definitely broken. "You don't get to tell me what to do and you promised to be better than Kyle. To treat me right, remember? Well, you failed. Promise broken. True intentions revealed".

"No, Louis. That's not true. I'm only trying to protect you" Harry insisted desperately.

"By controlling me? By telling me what to do? By making decisions for me and forbidding me things? Hell no! This is no way to protect me. This is your subtle way of using your power over me to your advantage. I should have known better than to trust you ...".

"Luke only wants to get in your pants. You can't trust him!" Harry exploded unapologetically.

"Well, looks like you two have these things in common then" Louis was done with this conversation. Done with Harry.

"Lou, no! Wait! You're taking this the wrong way. I just can't allow you to run into your own misery and ..." Harry grabbed for his wrist but Louis flinched away and pulled his hand to himself.

"Don't fucking touch me!" Louis glared at him with dark eyes. "Don't ever touch me again. Don't come near me again".

"Louis ...".

"No, Harry" Louis didn't let him speak. "I'm done with this conversation. I'm done with you. We're done. We're over".

"Please, let me ...".

"Leave me the fuck alone!".

"I was able to explain myself after that? Louis really forgave me?" Harry asked in a small voice, hoping he was right.

"Yes, Harry. Louis knew deep down that you only meant good but you worded this so wrong. This was his trigger and you knew that. You feel bad for this for a long time but you help him reunite with his family selflessly and talk things out. You even travel the world together" Sean showed him images proving that.

"I want that" Harry blurted out, earning a confused look from Sean. "Travel the world, I mean. I wanna see the world. Alone".

"Sure. The world is beautiful" Sean didn't look like he believed him for a second. But it was the truth!

"I haven't seen much but I guess you're right" Harry tried to get the picture of him and Louis travelling together out of his mind. "I ... I think I need a moment to myself. These were a lot of fuck ups".

"But not yours. Remember that. Different worlds, Harry. Don't put their blame on you, please" Sean begged him desperately.

"I won't. I promise" Harry assured him. "I see you later?".

"Sure" Sean looked hesitant to let him go.

"Great. See you later, Sean".

"I will always find you, Haz".

Stumbling to a halt at Sean's door, Harry turned back around to him and saw an image of him and Louis in that smokey cloud. "What was that?".

"Not sure, to be honest. It just jumped to another one on its own. I really need to close this" Sean quickly let the smokey cloud thing disappear. "You're good?".

"Yeah, see you later, Sean".

Leaving Sean's room and closing the door behind him, Harry let out a long breath and tried to collect his thoughts. He knew Niall and Maribel were waiting for him and were ready to comfort him if needed but he didn't want that right now. He wasn't sure what he was feeling anymore. If all these versions of him fuckedup and hurt Louis how was he worthy of him? As a friend and a soulmate.

He had no answer to that. He needed a moment to himself to sort out his head and his heart and remind himself those have all been versions where romantic feelings have been involved. This wasn't the case here, so maybe their mess was fixable. Maybe there wasn't anything to fix, after all. Maybe it was all in his head.

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Was Louis distant or did Harry imagine that?

Thoughts on all of his different failures? Was it good to see them?