Aria's POV

Stepping into the restaurant with her girlfriend and Louis, Aria was hit with the familiar smell of Greek food. At first, she hasn't been sure if celebrating her birthday somewhere else with everyone was something she even wanted. She had never needed a big party. But right now, being here felt right and she couldn't wait for the others to arrive and celebrate together, even if it was small.

"Alessandro, hey" Àmbar greeted the owner of the little Greek restaurant. They've been here so many times that they knew everyone and even part of their families. It felt a bit like home.

"Everything is ready for you. Follow me" Alessandro led them through the restaurant outside onto their little patio, where two long tables were standing ready for them. It looked perfect for her.

"You're the best" Aria thanked him overwhelmed. "Thank you".

"Everything for you, Ari. Happy birthday" Alessandro squeezed her upper arm lightly. "I'll send your guests over when they arrive".

"Thanks".

"Wow, Ari. This is stunning and so beautiful. It's ... it looks a lot like you out here" Louis marvelled at the sight. "I love it".

"I love it, too. They did a really great job. I was afraid it would be too much but this is amazing" Aria took in the entire place.

"I told you that you have nothing to worry about. I would never plan anything that overwhelms you, Love. I know you like it simple and relatively small" Àmbar wrapped her arms around her waist from behind, pressing a kiss on her neck. "Happy Birthday, Love".

"I know you wouldn't, Lia. But I was still a bit worried about ... you know ... who might be coming today and ...".

"Only our closest friends" Àmbar assured her understandingly. "Well, and you wanted our new friends here as well but I told them to come alone. Without any partners. They understood and told me they'd explain this to their girlfriends and boyfriends".

"I love you" Aria was overcome with her love for this woman. That she took all this into account meant the world to Aria. Three 'newer' people were enough for one night and Àmbar knew that.

"And I love you" Àmbar pressed another kiss onto her neck.

"You two are disgustingly cute. Spare me, please. I'm too single for this" Louis twisted his face over-dramatically.

"Where exactly is that my problem?" Àmbar rested her chin on Aria's shoulder, grinning at Louis cheekily.

"Ari!".

In a matter of a few seconds, Aria was engulfed by two of her closest friends, Maribel and Kayla. She hasn't seen them in a while and was so happy they could make it. She has known Kayla for quite a while. For over twenty years by now. She has known her at a time when she had struggled with her identity and her own family had turned against her. Aria had always had her back and that had made their friendship so strong. No one could come between them. And then Maribel came into the picture with Àmbar. They had met at the hospital through work and as soon as Maribel and Kayla had seen each other it had been obvious. These two belonged together.

Having them here now made Aria indescribably happy. "You two came. You're here".

"Of course. Where else would we be? You only turn thirty-one once, mh?" Kayla cupped her face in between her hands.

"Thirty-one, Ari" Maribel grinned brightly, scanning the patio now. "Wow, that's so beautiful and so you".

"That's what I said" Louis threw in cheekily.

"Louis, hey" Maribel pulled him into a hug. "It's been too long. How are you? How are the girls?".

"Where are the girls?" Kayla piped in ever so curious.

"I'm good and they're fine. My mum picked them up an hour ago after they gave Aria her presents" Louis let them know relaxed.

"So, now you're free to get drunk with us, yeah?" Kayla concluded like the mad maniac she was.

"Let's see about that" Louis chuckled amusedly.

One by one, the other birthday guests arrived and gathered on the patio. Luke and Cody barely let her out of their hug while Niall announced their arrival loudly, making Aria grin happily. She was showered with hugs by Zayn, Liam, Niall and Sean and they even had gifts for her, although she told them she didn't need anything apart from their presence. Fuck, she had the best friends.

The last to arrive was Harry but he wasn't alone. Josh was by his side and he was eyeing the restaurant and the patio critically. For a second, Aria thought Harry might have looked guilty and a bit ashamed but maybe she was wrong. After all, he had dragged his boyfriend with him, even though everyone else had left their partners at home to respect Aria's boundaries. With the exception of the couples where both people were her friends, to begin with.

"That's it? Are we really at the right place?" she heard Josh ask Harry not really quietly, making her wonder if it was on purpose.

"Yes, this is it. Look, there are the others" Harry motioned towards the rest of the group, who were all watching them.

"Okay, then. I expected something bigger and more festive but fine. This will do, I guess" Josh shrugged to mask his obvious complaints as non-offensive. Aria really couldn't stand him.

"Happy birthday, Aria" Harry congratulated her hesitantly.

"Thanks, Harry" Aria forced a smile onto her face.

"Here, this is from us for you" Josh handed her a present with a disturbing smile. "Mostly him but you know the drill".

With everyone's watchful eyes on her back, she directly opened the present because she just knew Josh wanted to get praise and thanks for this gift. With the wrapping paper gone, she was able to see what the gift was and didn't know how to feel. It was a watch but she couldn't say she had ever heard of that brand before. She just knew it was expensive and extravagant and definitely not her or anything she would ever wear but ... it was expensive.

"Wow, I ... um ... Thank you. This is ... wow" Aria was lost for words, needing Àmbar right now.

And as if she could read her mind, Àmbar was immediately at her side, glancing at the watch. "Wow, indeed".

"I choose it especially for you but Harry paid for it. We thought it might be nice for you to have one now that you're in your thirties and couldn't afford one so far"Josh packed his insult in a nice gesture and a strange compliment, Harry nodding along.

"Thanks".

"So, now that we're all here. Who is hungry?" Àmbar clapped into her hand, startling everyone and drawing the attention onto her for now and Aria loved her for it. She needed a moment to herself to digest what just happened. This couldn't be real.

"Don't take it personally, Ari. He's just that way to everyone and their mother" Louis put a comforting hand on her shoulder when everyone else was distracted. "It's ...".

"Disrespectful, that's what it is, Louis" Aria turned around to him. "Especially because he wasn't invited. Why can everyone respect my boundaries except for Harry? That doesn't suit him. Or maybe it does and we misjudged him. I don't know anymore".

"I'm not sure he really knows why Àmbar asked them to come alone. He doesn't know the two of you good enough to know how shy you are around unfamiliar people or how introverted Àmbar usually is or how much new people scare her. I don't think she mentioned it to them when she asked and that's why he br ...".

"It's kinda cute how you defend him" Aria couldn't hold back a grin that was starting to bloom on her face. "Look at you, Louis".

"I'm not defending him or anything. I'm just saying ...".

"That he doesn't know, right?" Aria knew what he was trying to say. "There is a lot that he doesn't know, don't you think?".

"No, I don't think so. He knows this is not his world. Josh made that pretty obvious from the start. He's just too nice to make us feel bad about it or decline an invitation from his friends' friend" Louis was obviously wrestling for the right words.

"And you believe that wholeheartedly?" Aria studied his face closely, seeing a mess of emotions in his eyes.

"Yes".

"Is that why you let him babysit your daughters?" Aria questioned, enjoying how quickly his entire face turned red up to his ears.

"He's good with them and offered to help because he thinks we're friends and who am I to say no to more help? He works with kids, after all. He knows what he is doing and they like him. It means I can ask you guys a little less sometimes" Louis was so obviously fishing and fighting for an explanation. It was adorable.

"Whatever you say, Louis" Aria decided to give it a rest for now.

"It has only been three times. No big deal" Louis was looking past her at Harry and Josh with a heartbreaking look on his face.

"Okay, no big deal" she knew better than to pry or poke more.

"Look, there comes your birthday dinner" Louis cleared his throat, pointing at something behind her.

In a flash, she turned around and saw Alessandro and two other men carrying plates full of delicious food over to their table, asking who wanted what. Apparently, her friends have ordered their food while she has been distracted. Just when she was about to ask, Àmbar took her by the hand and led her over to her seat. A plate with her favourite dish was already waiting for her. God, damn it. That woman was a dream come true and she loved her endlessly.

"And how does it feel to be the one getting served for once, mh?" Josh nudged Louis' side with his elbow, an evil glint in his eyes.

The glare Louis sent his way would scare Aria away if she were the one on the receiving end. Josh only smirked in satisfaction and pretended to be absolutely innocent when Harry asked what they were talking about. Aria had no idea how Louis managed not to snap and totally explode. Maybe it was just a matter of time.

Thankfully, Zayn was sitting on his other side and was able to distract him and signal Josh to cut the crap without having to say it out loud. Liam was sitting on Zayn's right side and kept stealing glances at him. Glances Aria hadn't noticed before. Did she miss anything or was she seeing things now?

"Are you seeing this too?" Aria asked her girlfriend quietly.

Immediately, Àmbar followed her point of view and started to grin when she saw Liam and Zayn being cute next to each other. "I see it and I think there might be a new couple soon".

"Zayn and Liam?" Maribel hooked nosily. "They'd be cute".

"They're not married already? I always thought they're in love but that's news? Oops" Kayla looked genuinely surprised.

"You only think that because they're living together, Kay" Maribel rolled her eyes at her girlfriend. "Which doesn't always mean ...".

"That wasn't the reason, Belle" Kayla cut her off. "Louis lives with them as well and I didn't think they're a three-way couple".

"I mean, that would be hot" Maribel had to admit nastily.

"True but that's beside the point ...".

"How about we just let them be and see whatever happens, yeah? Naturally without our input" Àmbar interrupted their banter.

"Okay, fine. This once" Maribel and Kayla gave in simultaneously.

"That's better. Now tell me how you've been. I haven't seen you guys since Kayla's birthday and that was two months ago by now".

And just like that, Maribel and Kayla jumped into telling them about what they've been up to. Everything they didn't tell each other over the phone. Then they asked about her day so far and the weekend birthday plans with her parents and her brother, who were scheduled to come over tomorrow and celebrate with them.

After dinner, Alessandro organised some music for them and let it play over the loudspeakers on the patio. This led their two table groups to mingle with each other and catch up on everything. While deciding on dessert, Aria ended up talking to Luke and Cody about future plans of pets or kids or getting a house someday. As much as Àmbar and her loved each other, they didn't want children of their own. They were happy with each other and Lucky. Cody and Luke, on the other hand, had specific plans for their future.

"I mean, can you picture that? A baby with his eyes? That'd be so adorable" Cody gushed over the thought of Luke being a father.

"They're not always adorable though" Àmbar pointed out matter-of-factly like the realist she was.

"Of course not but we're ready for everything else, too. I want all of it with him. The good, the bad. The mess, the chaos, the peace and the quiet" Cody's entire face showed the love for his boyfriend.

"Soon?" Aria found herself asking, adoring them deeply.

"Not this year, if that's what you mean" Luke informed her softly. "It's already June and we wanted to travel a bit before starting to put money aside and organising ...".

"Where do you wanna go?" Àmbar hooked curiously.

"We haven't been to any Asian country really and we might fly to America to visit my relatives there," Luke told her about their plans.

"We've been saving money for that for quite a long time and we can't wait" Cody sounded so excited at the mere thought.

"Saving money for what?" Josh approached their little circle with Harry in tow, successfully interrupting their conversation.

"Some travels" Luke replied already annoyed by his presence.

"Nice. Travelling is really worth spending all the money, don't you think? For everyone, I guess. Even ...".

"Even what?" Cody cut him off rather harshly, alarming Harry now.

"Nothing. It's just nice to see that everyone gets the chance to travel, no matter the paycheck or income" Josh smiled innocently.

"Unbelievable" Àmbar shook her head in disbelief, talking mostly to herself but Aria couldn't agree more.

"Isn't it?" Luke balled his hands into fists by his side.

"Yeah, economy class is a real blessing" Josh continued without any kind of shame. "Not that I ever travelled with economy but I heard it improved and isn't too shabby anymore".

"Yeah, shabby isn't the word I would use" Luke gritted his teeth.

"Good for you. And if you managed to save more money someday or get a better job, then I can only recommend business class. It's a whole different thing and not as unreachable as first class. I mean, first class is out of this world but we won't set ourselves up for disappointment, right?" Josh's smile was so fake it hurt in the eyes.

"Keep your first class. I'm fine where I am" Luke had enough of this, turning his back to Josh and leaving without another word.

"What's up with him?" Josh's innocent act wasn't convincing at all but apparently, Harry believed he was an angel or something.

"I don't know, Babe. Maybe you shouldn't have mentioned first class to someone like him" Harry rubbed his shoulders.

"Oh, sorry. I forgot it's a privilege and not everyone can afford it. I'm so lucky to have you" Josh leaned against Harry's chest.

"Yeah, but not everyone has a sugar daddy" Cody grumbled under his breath, following his upset boyfriend inside.

"Or wants one" Àmbar remarked bitterly.

Some higher power must have had mercy because Josh's phone started ringing and he excused himself for a moment. Letting out a breath of relief, Aria was faced with Harry, whose comment had rubbed her the wrong way but maybe he didn't mean it like that.

"Happy birthday again and um ... I'm sorry, you know" Harry scratched his neck in discomfort. "I told him I would come alone today but he was so adamant on coming with me and being a proud boyfriend and ... I'm sorry I disrespected your wishes".

Right at that moment, Harry looked so small and younger than he was and it broke Aria's heart. He really wasn't a bad person. He only had a horrible boyfriend and was blinded by love. "It's okay, H. I get it. You're freshly in love and can't endure being apart. It's fine".

"We're n ... Yeah, thanks for your understanding. And I hope the gift wasn't too much. Josh chose it and I ...".

"I haven't gotten a watch in over ten years, so ..." Aria trailed off, not wanting to tell him how out of place and wrong that gift was.

"Oh, good".

"Birthday girl, do you have a minute?" Niall appeared behind her, startling her a bit but unknowingly saving her dignity.

"Of course. Excuse me for a moment, H".

Niall led her over to where he and Sean were sitting and directly engulfed her in their conversation. It was nice to get a bit more time with them. She still didn't know enough about them and that's why she was happy they were able to form a bond now. At some point, Àmbar joined them and they ended up talking about how they had met and became a thing. It's quite the funny story.

"No way!" Niall gasped on the verge of hysteric laughter.

"No, no. You heard right. She actually thought Louis and I were an item and had kids together" Àmbar confirmed what they had just heard. "Only because I picked up the girls from nursery school instead of Louis. She thought I was his wife".

"Oh my god!" Niall couldn't hold it back any longer. He burst into hysterical laughter, clutching his stomach in pain.

"Come on, give me a break. It really looked like it. How could I know you were single? I mean, look at you. How's that even possible that I am lucky enough to have you? I don't know" Aria crossed her arms over her chest with a huff.

"Fiore, you know I never dated anyone before you came along and you know how hard it was to let you in but you're special and made me see love isn't that impossible to find, after all. If someone is lucky here, that's me because I have you" Àmbar caressed her cheek tenderly and Aria melted into the touch.

"From thinking she's Louis' wife to making her your own one day. Wow, that's a great story to tell" Sean swooned over them.

"Actually, we don't really wanna get married," Àmbar told them. "For us, it's enough to have each other. We don't need that paper".

"Aww" Sean and Niall cooed at them with stars in their eyes.

"True because I only need you".

After telling them a bit more about their relationship timeline and asking about Maya and Bailey, Aria made her way over to Zayn and Liam to catch up with them quickly before they'd go home.

Another hour passed and one after the other, the guests went home. Louis stayed behind with Zayn to help Alessandro get rid of their mess, so Aria and Àmbar could go home and spend the rest of the night together. Hand in hand, they made their way home and took Lucky out for a late-night walk through the neighbourhood. The stars were twinkling in the sky and Aria felt absolute at ease.

Back home, they fed Lucky and got ready for bed together. Dreamily, Aria watched her girlfriend. "Are there any more surprises I should know about? Or more jump-scares?".

"Not from me, no" Àmbar approached her smilingly. "I know you hate surprises as much as me".

"I really do" Aria wrapped her arms around Àmbar's neck. "So, there are no more plans for the night? Nothing?".

A fond smile took over Àmbar's whole face. "I don't know, Love. Is there anything you've wished for that didn't happen yet?".

"Maybe. I can think of one thing" Aria pulled her in closer.

"And what's that? What do you want, Darling?" Àmbar traced with her hands along Aria's waist, making her shudder under her touch.

Looking deep into her eyes, Aria sighed out. "I want you, Peaches. Only you".

"Whatever you want, Fiore".

Louis' POV

He couldn't exactly say how it happened but somehow he found himself spending an afternoon in town with Zayn, Liam and Harry, which was an odd combination. Maeva and Evelina were with a mutual friend today, so he had the time to do something fun and fittingly, his friends had the afternoon off as well. Turned out, the same applied to Harry. They had run into each other in front of the building and for some unknown reason, Liam had offered him to tag along with them and for an even stranger reason, he had agreed and now here they were, eating slices of pizza together.

"It was even worse, believe me" Liam tried to talk while eating at the same time, making Zayn and Louis snicker at him. "We tried everything but she kept begging us to take the lamb with us".

"It was hilarious but also humiliating at the same time. Everyone around us kept throwing us nasty looks" Zayn recalled laughingly.

"At least, we know now to never take Eve to a petting zoo again. She'll only want to take the animals home with her" Louis finished his last slice of pizza. "Which ... yeah, we should have known".

"What? You mean begging us for years for a cat was not an indication of her desperate wish to have a pet?" Zayn gasped in faux shock, earning a slap from Louis.

"That's a bit far-fetched, don't you think?" Liam somehow didn't get that they were joking. "Only because she wants a cat, we could not have known that she would try to steal a lamb. It's not a cat".

"Oh, Lima".

"To be fair, lambs are absolutely adorable. I get why she would want one" Harry noted reluctantly.

"That's very true, Haz" Louis smiled at him.

"You might be right but you never stole one, right?" Zayn cocked an eyebrow at him cheekily.

"No, I was way too weird as a child to do something like that, but we had a cat, so ..." Harry trailed off somehow irresolute.

"Stealing a lamb is considered weird, H" Zayn clicked with his tongue, causing Louis to throw him a warning look. "Whatever".

"No, you're right but um ... I could have never taken a lamb away from its family. I once apologised to a tree after I ran into it ...".

"You what?" Liam gaped at him in disbelief while Zayn was already laughing, no matter how hard the tried not to.

"I told you I was weird" Harry shrugged with red cheeks. "I ran into that tree because I've been distracted by a dog".

"Dogs are pretty distracting" Louis punched Zayn's arm to make him stop laughing but it only made it worse.

"True and I almost tripped over it, so I wanted to make sure he was fine and then I ran into the tree and yeah ...".

"Haz, that is so adorable" Louis couldn't stop himself from cooing over him. That was the cutest story he has ever heard.

"You think so?" Harry bit the inside of his cheek blushingly.

"I do" Louis nodded in confirmation. "It only shows how kind you are to any living creature. It's nothing to be ashamed of, Haz".

"Thank you, Lou" Harry smiled timidly at him, eyeing Zayn a bit warily, who was still coming down from his laugh-flash.

"Ignore him. He's an idiot but he means well. He will choke on his laughter" Louis wasn't able to look away from Harry's eyes.

"I'm not an idi ... Shit" Zayn was about to contradict him but then he really choked on his own laughter, his words dying in his throat.

"How did you know?" Harry's eyes grew big at that.

"I was only kid ..." Louis frowned and turned around to his best friend, only to find him absolutely pale. "Joey? What's wrong?".

"Louis" Liam was also frozen to the spot, staring ahead of them.

With a fast-beating heart, Louis followed his gaze and spotted two people he didn't expect to ever see again. At least, not in person. "Shit, are those Brandon and Sebastian?".

"Looks like them" Liam's voice came out airy, watching the two men hold hands and walk through the city absolutely unbothered.

"We better go home. Come on" Louis beckoned them all to follow him, leading them out of town. "Everyone there?".

Liam nodded and had Zayn in his arm while Harry looked so utterly confused. "Yeah, but what is going on? Who was that?".

"Not here, Haz".

In complete silence, the four of them made their home. Arriving at their apartment, Louis prepared some tea for them while Liam brought Zayn into his room. Parking Harry on the couch for a minute, Louis carried the tea into Zayn's room, closing the door.

"Are you alright, Joey?" Louis knelt down in front of Zayn's bed.

"I will be, Tommy. Thanks" Zayn offered him a tiny smile.

"Thank you for the tea, Louis" Liam squeezed his shoulder.

"Always. Do you ... should I ... what about ...?".

"You can tell him, Tommy" Zayn gave him his permission out of nowhere. "I know he's confused and worried. Tell him whatever you need to tell him, if you want to. I'm fine with it. No matter what, okay? But right now, I need a moment and don't think I can tell him about this myself. I only want a cuddle".

"Are you really sure, Joey?" Louis double-checked bewildered.

"Yes. Now go and talk to him. I have Liam. We're fine" Zayn caressed his cheek softly before pulling Liam into a cuddle.

Leaving his two friends to it, Louis exited the room and walked over to Harry on the couch but something inside of him pulled him into his own bedroom instead, leaving the door wide open for Harry to join him, if he wanted to. Deep in devastating thoughts, Louis rummaged through his bookshelf and found a box full of pictures he was looking for. Right when he lifted the lid, Harry appeared in the door frame, eyeing him in confusion.

"Brandon and Sebastian have a band, you know. With some old mates of theirs from school" Louis started talking without looking at Harry but he felt how Harry sat down next to him on the floor. "Max and Patrick are the other two bandmates and they're pretty successful by now but I still remember how they started".

To underline his point, Louis showed him a picture of those guys from ten years ago on a stage in a simple pub. "Wow".

"Yeah, wow. In this picture, they're twenty-one and twenty-two and had their first bigger gig that wasn't in a school or university. Around that time, Zayn worked at that pub and that's how we all met. They hit it off from the start and became boyfriends soon after. He and Max, I mean. They were ... um ..." Louis didn't know to explain this part of the story. After all, it was Zayn's past and not his but he has been there and it felt like he has seen everything. "Zayn moved in with Max after only a month, which sounds crazy and it was but he was struggling with money after dropping out of university and not getting a good enough job to pay his rent. So, moving in with Max sounded like the best solution for everyone, right? And we all genuinely thought it was the best but it wasn't".

"You don't have to tell me what happened. It's really none of my business" Harry wrapped his hand around Louis' wrist gently.

"I know, Haz. But Zayn wants you to know because we're all friends, right?" Louis stared at the point of contact and only felt Harry nodding. "Good. He gave me permission to tell you about what happened because he can't do it himself without a breakdown and we don't want that for him ... I mean, ... we ...".

"I understand, Lou" Harry squeezed his wrist sympathetically.

Enjoying the touch for a few more selfish moments, Louis inhaled and exhaled shakily before continuing to tell him everything. "At first, we didn't notice anything because Max made sure that on the outside everything looked the same and I still think he doesn't really know what he did wrong because he's mentally sick. But ... he was pretty toxic. Zayn was struggling a lot with his self-worth because of his life and his ... everything really. Max used all of his valid insecurities against him to manipulate him. He made him feel like Max was doing him a favour by being his boyfriend, like he had to be so grateful he even wasted his time with him. He turned him into his ... I don't even know. Slave sounds so brutal but it's also just what it was. Gaslighting was a constant presence and Max even tried to get rid of me and Liam because we saw right through him and tried to get Zayn out of that mess. It got so bad that Max even locked him in more often than not and caused him to lose his job and ... I know there was violence involved but luckily not as bad as I had feared. We ... somehow we got him out of there and helped him back onto his feet. It took some time to get Max out of his mind but we managed just fine. It was a big help that he left the country and his band took off. We didn't expect to ever see them again".

"But then today you saw his bandmates and that triggered him" Harry connected the last bits. "Thank you for telling me. I feel sorry for Zayn. He didn't deserve that and it probably left scars".

"It did. He didn't have a boyfriend in over eight years now because he can't trust anyone he doesn't already know" Louis closed the box, putting it back in its place. "I mean, he does make friends but dating is not in the cards. Not with strangers, at least".

"He and Liam seem quite close" Harry pointed out cutely.

"Yeah ... Well, let's see how that goes, mh?" Louis thought back about them cuddling on Zayn's bed to help ease his mind.

"I get that it can be difficult to let someone in after such a bad relationship. I wish I couldn't relate so much but sadly enough, I can. More than I want to admit" Harry sighed heavily, carding with his fingers through his curls and standing up just to sit down on Louis' bed tentatively, looking like a kicked puppy.

Getting back on his feet, Louis joined him on the bed, leaning against the wall and beckoning Harry to do the same. Their backs would thank them later for taking them into account. "Haz, I ... what ... are you saying that ...?".

"That I had a very toxic and pretty manipulative boyfriend as well? Yeah, that's sadly what I'm saying" Harry pulled his legs up into his chest, wrapping his arms around them. "I also met Jake through work actually. But I never thought he was nice, to be honest. From the start, I knew he was problematic but I kinda thought it was what I deserved, to be honest. I told you I was a pretty weird kid and ...".

"Because you were the kind of guy, who apologises to trees and looks out for dogs? That's not weird. That's amazing" Louis had to make him see that he wasn't and never has been.

"Well, the kids in my school thought it was weird and I didn't have you around back then, Lou" Harry made short eye contact with him before averting his gaze back onto his socked feet. "I only had Niall and he did his best but he was also struggling with his own stuff. We were kids and kids can be cruel to each other. Especially when you're different and stand out and we both did in different ways but anyway. In primary school, everything was fine after he had made sure no one would pick on me for being a year younger than everyone because I skipped the first year. But in secondary school, he wasn't able to always protect me. He had to deal with people teasing him for his hair colour or his origins, which is so stupid. And I made the mistake to ... I never really fit in with the popular crowd, the football guys or anyone really. I was the overly smart kid, the gay kid, the kid that graduated at sixteen and went to medical school. The kid without a social life and only one friend. That did something to yourself-confidence".

"This is heartbreaking, Haz. I can't understand why people would make you feel bad for being a genius. You're so freaking smart and should have been worshipped for that, not bullied. They never deserved to know you, Haz" Louis was absolutely appalled.

Resting his chin on his knees and facing him with teary eyes, he smiled curtly at Louis. "I wish I would have known you back then. Maybe Jake wouldn't have been able to get to me then with a friend like you around. No one has ever made me feel so seen for being smart. Not like you do, Louis".

Not really knowing what to feel or to say, Louis reached out to touch Harry's hand. "You are extraordinary, Haz. No one should ever make you feel like you're less than perfect".

"How are you real?" Harry tried to blink away his tears. "Jake did definitely not make me feel like I'm perfect. More the opposite".

"Well, screw him" Louis scooted closer to him.

"That's what my sister said as well. She helped me to see that I deserved better than him, which I couldn't see at the time. I was twenty-three and my only relationship experience was with Sean, which turned out was only a really good friendship. I thought I deserved to be treated like shit because I didn't have a life. Most of my free time was used to study and Jake let me feel it. And then my sister got sick and I felt bad for not being able to help her, which only gave Jake another chance to put me down. But when she got better I also saw the light and broke things off with him. Thank God, because he almost made me fail medical school" Harry told him the rest of his heartbreaking story.

"Thank God, he didn't. From what I've heard, you are an amazing doctor" Louis tilted his head aside. "I'm sorry you had to go through all of this. You only deserve the best of the best".

"Thanks but the same goes for you. You deserve someone who sees your kind heart and cherishes it every day" Harry focused his now clear eyes on him, making him swallow.

"Well, I wasn't lucky enough to find that someone. I only had two relationships in my life and both ended in platonic friendships. It looks like I'm doomed to be in the friendzone forever ...".

"You mean Luke?" Harry checked intensively. "He's nice b ...".

"He really is amazing and I made it sound like it was their fault but it really wasn't. It was mostly my own fault, in a way" Louis cut him off, dropping his hand now and averting his gaze to the wall.

"How do you mean?" Harry knitted his forehead together.

"Zayn and Luke are both amazing but they're obviously not meant for me in a romantic w ...".

"Wait, you dated Zayn?" Harry shrieked strangely.

"Did I never mention that? Oops, I thought I did" Louis grinned sheepishly. "But yeah. Zayn and I dated for three years back in school. I can't even tell you how it happened and why we thought that was a good idea but if I remember correctly, everyone around us expected us to end up together because we've always been close and then we both discovered that we're gay but there were barely any other guys to choose from and ... Thinking about it feels like it was a fever dream. I would never kiss him nowadays but then I remember that we did way more than just kiss and ... it feels so wrong by now but back in school, it was fine. Until we both realised we are only meant to be the best of friends for eternity".

"Wow, somehow I didn't see that coming and it's hard to picture that. You two together but ... you do look hot together, so ... I get why people wanted you as a couple" Harry looked outright flustered and puzzled and even a bit bothered by it all.

"Thanks, I guess?!" Louis pulled a funny face at him. "I mean, I kinda get it too but ... Nowadays, that's just a funny inside joke to confuse others sometimes. And we can joke about it because we never loved each other like that and the same goes for Luke. I told you he was a big help to me and I owe him a lot but that also kinda made it hard to acknowledge that we were just friends and ... huh".

"What is it?" Harry studied him closely.

"I just ... Talking about all this made me just realise all over again that I've never been in love" Louis revealed to him bitterly. "Fuck, I'm thirty-two and have two daughters but have never been in love. If that isn't sadly tragic. Wow, I get why I'm single".

"I wouldn't call that tragic" Harry frowned adorably.

"No? But I do. I mean, I obviously wasn't in love with Zayn and with Luke ... I thought I could fall in love but I didn't and now ... I'm not sure I'm capable of falling in love anymore. I never did until now and ... I guess that's set in stone then" Louis got lost in his own thoughts, spiralling a little bit and realising he was doomed.

"I don't think anything's set in stone, Lou" Harry grabbed for his hand, making them lock eyes. "One day someone will come along, who will be everything you ever wanted and you will fall in love and it will be the purest love of them all because you deserve nothing less, you hear me? The biggest love of them all".

"You really think so?" Louis breathed out overwhelmed.

"I'm sure of it. You are amazing and deserve only the best. It's never too late to fall in love for the first time, Lou" Harry sounded so sure that Louis wasn't able to contradict him in the slightest.

"If not I'll come for you" Louis threatened him jokingly.

"If not then I guess you'll have to settle with my company" Harry grinned mischievously.

And a part of Louis wanted to say that's all he wants anyway but then reality sank back into his brain. "Don't think Josh would like that very much but thanks for the offer".

In the blink of an eye, Harry's entire posture changed and he pulled his hand back. "Probably not. Yeah".

"That's okay. At least one of us is in love and I'm happy it's you, Haz. You deserve all the love you can get" Louis brought some space between them, fiddling with his fingers.

"We're not ... I'm not ... Not yet ... I mean, ... thank you, Louis" Harry looked a bit troubled but settled down after a moment.

"You're welcome" Louis forced a smile onto this face. "So, I guess have to go and pick up the girls before they kill me".

"And we don't want that" Harry seemed totally relaxed again.

"Definitely not" Louis stood up with a laugh.

"Say hello to them from me, yeah? I miss them" Harry followed him out of his room toward the front door.

"Why don't you tell them that yourself?" Louis' brain shut off. "Come with me? You could ... I mean, if you want to ...".

"I'd love that, Lou" Harry started beaming so brightly.

"Great".

Together, they left the apartment and headed for Louis' car. And this once, Louis didn't worry about his car being too cheap or too old for Harry. Not after the moment they had shared a few minutes ago. Talking about their past relationships had brought them so much closer. Louis could feel it and sense it between them. He was positive now that Harry would stay in his life. He was positive that they were on the way to becoming very good friends and that was more than enough for Louis because falling in love wasn't in the cards for him. Not ever.  

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Thoughts on Zayn's backstory?