As agreed, Àmber and Louis went out for some food after she was done. They had offered Alec to join them but he had a date with his girlfriend Sabrina. So as just the two of them they walked into a tiny little restaurant down the street and took a table in the back. With a growling stomach, Louis scanned the menu but couldn't decide on one dish. That's why he just went with his basic meal. Some chicken with chips and gravy. This has always worked for him. Simple but effective.

"Now that you can't escape I wanna know who you were texting with this whole time. I've never seen you this distracted and focused on your phone" grinned Àmber at him with her fork right in front of her mouth.

"No one. Just Harry. You know, checking how he is doing. It's his f ...".

"First day back at work after the incident. I know, Lew" cut Àmber him off smugly. "You mentioned that a few times".

"So? I'm only making sure he is okay and not overdoing it" shrugged Louis while eating.

"Louis, the two of you spent two whole days watching six long-ass movies together in his flat and even when you had to work again you were still checking in on him every minute and as soon as you were done you've been back with him. Now he is stable enough to work again. I know for now only at the shop and not the club but still. I think if he is allowed to work you don't have to worry so much. You did everything you could. You've been there the whole time, brother. The two of you need some air to breathe. Even if it's just for a few hours" told Àmber him warmly.

"I just can't stop worrying about him. What if something happens again?" nibbled Louis on his bottom lip nervously.

"Then you're gonna be there for him all over again" offered Àmber him an encouraging smile, which relaxed Louis. "But it won't be needed because he will be fine".

"I hope you're right" sighed Louis out, side-eyeing his silent phone on the table next to his plate.

"For only being friends you worry a lot about him, I must say" smirked Àmber nastily.

"No, don't. We're friends and that's it! Nothing more, A. You know that" stated Louis strongly.

"I know. He isn't looking for anyone and you've given up on love. Fits perfectly. Two idiots" groaned Àmber dramatically.

"First of all, fuck off" flipped Louis her off with a grin. "And second, you're right about me but not him".

"And I hate being right. I only want you to not close up your heart and give someone a ch ... wait, does that mean Harry changed his mind and does want a boyfriend now?" realised Àmber pretty late what Louis had said.

"Yes. We talked about this while texting and he admitted it to me. So keep this to yourself or I swear I'll kill you" warned Louis her seriously.

"My lips are sealed" locked Àmber her lips with an invisible key. "But if he realised he does want someone couldn't that mean he has a crush on someone? What did you do to make him say that out loud?".

"I don't know but I personally think he does, yeah. I mentioned him maybe having met his soulmate already due to him making so many new friends and at first he was like yeah maybe but then he said he was sure of it. He thinks he already met his soulmate, so there's that" reported Louis neutrally, feeling weird inside.

"His soulmate, huh? And who would that be?" raised Àmber an eyebrow at him weirdly.

"What do I know? It's not like he told me but I think it's either Sean or Niall" replied Louis defensively.

"Ha, good one" snorted Àmber but Louis didn't laugh. "Wait, you're serious?".

"Yes?! It can only be one of them. Highly unlikely he would fancy Zayn or Liam, especially with him knowing they like each other" stared Louis down on his empty plate.

"That doesn't stop someone from having a crush but I agree. I can't picture Harry fancying one of them. That's just weird" shuddered Àmber.

"See? Only Sean and Niall left for him to l ...".

"And you" interrupted Àmber him calmly.

"Me?" gaped Louis at her. His sister was crazy.

"Yes, you. Why is that such a shock for you? He told you about this. He trusts you more than anyone and only opens up to you about anything that is related to him. Also, he spends all of his time with you" listed Àmber smugly.

"That's what friends do. They trust each other and spend time together. Like Zayn and me or you and Maribel" pointed Louis out.

"He asked for you when he was in the hospital, referring to you as his only family. Not Sean or Niall or anyone. No, you. Only you, Louis. Did he just once ask about Niall or Sean when you were looking after him?" looked Àmber intensively at him, making him gulp heavily.

"No" mumbled Louis quietly.

"Mh, that's highly interesting, don't you think?" stroked Àmber her imaginary beard.

"No, I don't think so. We're very close. Nothing's wrong with that. We are like family, brothers in a way. We don't have feelings for each other. We can't. We're both issued and flawed and bruised and that's why we understand each other but also why we're just friends. Nothing to see here. And now I wanna pay and leave" put Louis an end to this story.

"Okay, I get it. Sorry that I said something. You can calm down now. No need to get so defensive, Louis. I was just wondering. We can pay but please, relax. There's something I wanted to talk to you about anyway" seemed Àmber to finally understand that this topic was over.

"About what?" eyed Louis her sceptically.

"Well, you see ... Dad and I have planned a little weekend trip to London soon" cleared Àmber her throat uncomfortably.

"I don't see how that concerns me, A" did Louis not understand.

"He was wondering if you'd like to tag along" avoided Àmber to look at him.

"This is a joke, right?" stared Louis at her in disbelief but she only shook her head. "Is he for real? How can he even ask that? He should know my answer by now. I don't wanna spend time with him. He knows that. It's not like we're on speaking terms or anything".

"You're right and he knows that but can't you see that he is trying? He wants to change your ... whatever. He just wants to see you and be a good father to you, Louis" tried Àmber to explain her father's intentions.

"A great father" snorted Louis pissed off.

"Louis, C'mon. I know he said some things he shouldn't have but it was an argument. A very heated one and people say stupid things. You as well" had Àmber enough now.

"Stupid things that he meant with his whole heart and you know it. You also know that he is right but that's not the point. Holding that against me when I was already on the ground and I would've needed his support was wrong of him and so low. Nothing can ever make this better. He broke the little bit of trust and love that was still left between us. He can't expect us to leave all this behind to go to London together. No, you two should do that alone and enjoy your perfect father-daughter-bond. I'd only be a burden, completely in the way. That's how it always has been. That won't change" ended Louis this conversation, waving a waiter over so he could finally pay and leave this situation.

"Louis, I'm sorry" sighed Àmber sadly.

"Nothing to be sorry for. It's not your fault. You did nothing wrong, A. You're just unlucky to be in-between this mess" waved Louis the matter off.

Luckily, the waiter came over with the bill and they finally paid. With Àmber trying to lighten the mood, they left the restaurant and made their way over to the bakery to pick up Niall and Aria from work. Probably mostly Aria because Àmber was so gone for her but who was he to judge that?

On the way there, Louis couldn't stop thinking about the conversations. His stepfather really didn't know when to stop and that was annoying. Still, a part of Louis missed him and how close they have been once but nothing could ever erase their last argument. It would always hang above them and ruin every chance of ever fixing their relationship.

Louis was also reminded of his guess. Now that they were picking up Niall he could maybe find out if Niall was the one Harry was crushing on. Or saw as his soulmate. And if it was mutual. Hopefully, it was. Louis didn't want to see Harry sad and suffering.

"Oi, lads. Finally!" exclaimed Niall when he saw them approaching the bakery.

"You literally just closed off. Chill, Nialler" glanced Àmber at her phone, reading the time.

"You know that he can't, Peaches. Stop bother trying. It's pointless" chuckled Aria joyfully.

"You have a point, Fiore" smiled Àmber brightly.

"Great. Wonderful. How about we get going?" clapped Niall into his hands.

"Where to anyway?" wondered Louis suddenly.

"Just home. As far as I know, the girls wanna watch a movie at Aria's flat. We're just escort" laughed Niall cheerfully.

"Damn it, girls" laughed Louis along with him. "So, no after-work plans?".

"Nope, nothing. You?" checked Niall while the girls were walking a foot behind them, chatting lively.

"Me neither. Probably just watching some TV before heading to bed. I have an early morning" answered Louis honestly, suddenly remembering his mission. "And you have nothing planned? No late-night cooking session or secret date? Not even seeing Harry?".

"Why would I see him this late during the week and even after work?" knitted Niall his eyebrows together in pure confusion.

"No idea. I thought maybe you'd want to check on him and see how he is doing. You're pretty close" tried Louis to play it cool but he was horrible at having a poker face.

"Not that close. We're good friends and as a good friend, I texted him half an hour ago and asked how he was doing. Seems like he is fine. We'll catch up another time. Maybe with you idiots around" let Niall him know nonchalantly. "But he told me you two were texting before non-stop. That's nice. Looks like you're doing him good and vice versa".

"Yeah. I mean, it's nice having him as a friend. He's a good lad" replied Louis caught off guard.

"A very good lad. He never tells me what you're talking about. Like it's one big fat secret. You could probably entrust him with murder and he wouldn't say a word. So, if you still feel like killing Kyle you know whom to tell about it" told Niall him laughingly.

"Good to know" shook Louis his head at his weird friend.

But knowing now that Harry really never said a word, not even hinting at anything to anyone made Louis' heart swell. Now Louis felt bad for telling Àmber about the soulmate thing. He shouldn't have said anything about that matter to anyone, not even his sister. Louis was a horrible friend.

"Why the sad face? Did I say something wrong?" noticed Niall his guilty facial expression.

"No, it's just that Harry told me something over text and I let it slip to Àmber when we were talking about him. Now I feel horrible because he can keep my secrets but I seem to be unable to keep his" admitted Louis ashamed.

"Was that secret maybe about Harry realising he has met his soulmate?" smiled Niall knowingly at him.

"How do you know that?" stared Louis at him in shock.

"He told me. Said you made him realise he probably met his soulmate and it isn't so bad after all but he doesn't know what to do about it because said soulmate doesn't seem to be ready to know about his feelings. Maybe never because he is a bit fragile but still the most beautiful person he ever met" revealed Niall to him in an undefinable voice.

"That's what he told you?" was Louis shell-shocked.

"Yep. And don't worry. He said he had to tell me because we're good friends and this discovery shocked him to the core. He also knew you're with Àmber and had no problem with her knowing about it. He trusts her and knows she is like a living, breathing and talking diary to you. No big deal. He told me" took Niall any kind of tension away from him.

"Well, okay. Thanks. That makes me feel a lot bet ... Wait, when he told you all of this but was talking about his soulmate in third person he can't be you" realised Louis what Niall's words indicated.

"I'm sorry, what?" blinked Niall stunned.

"I thought his soulmate could be you" confessed Louis meekly.

"What? How would you come up with that?" laughed Niall amused. "Never in a million years. Harry and I are good friends and like different people".

"Then it has to be Sean. There is no other way" said Louis more to himself.

"Nah, I don't think so. Nothing Hazza said described Sean in the slightest. No way. Also, he knows I ... Nevermind. It's not Sean and definitely not me, Tommo" clarified Niall surely.

"But if it's none of you who could it be? He said he met him already after I guessed it could be someone he recently met since he met me but there is no one left" frowned Louis helplessly. Was he missing something?

"No one? Try again, Tommo. There is one other person you haven't considered yet" encouraged Niall him.

"There's no one" was Louis sure of it.

"Really? Ever thought it could be y ...".

"Sorry to interrupt, but Ari and I have to go that way. Guess we see you some other time" interrupted Àmber them and Louis wanted to strangle her right on the spot.

"Yeah, see you in a few. I have to go as well. Get home safely, Tommo" clapped Niall Louis' shoulder.

"Wait, what about ...".

"We talk another time, Tommo. Let all of this sink in and use your pretty head. Consider everyone" advised Niall him before he left around the next corner.

"Bye, Lew. Love you" pecked Àmber his cheek.

"Bye, Louis" waved Aria before the two girls left as well.

Still perplexed, Louis stood there for a few more minutes before he awoke from his frozen state and walked home. Glancing up the stairs, Louis decided to go straight home and not check on Harry tonight. He would have texted him if he wanted Louis to come over again. Àmber was right. They needed some air to breathe. One night alone at his own flat again should give him that needed air.

Lying in his bed, Louis couldn't forget about Niall's words or Harry's words or even Àmber's. Why did Harry suddenly seem so sure of knowing who his 'soulmate' was after not even wanting a boyfriend for so long? Why did Niall sound like it was obvious who that person was and why was Àmber so sure Louis and Harry were more than normal close friends? And why did Louis feel relieved knowing Niall nor Sean were Harry's soulmate?

Shaking all those thoughts away, Louis decided to just sleep already and not watch anything. He couldn't enjoy it anyway and maybe his dreams would help him understand. Before closing his eyes though, Louis took his phone and tipped out one last text message for the day. Feeling at ease, he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep with a smile on his face.

To Haz:

"Goodnight, Haz. Sleep tight and sweet dreams, Love".

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Question of the Chapter: Why is Louis not considering himself?