Some time went by. Harry tried to teach him how to cook and they both got to work on their patience. Mostly they just laughed at Louis' poor attempts to make food, but a bowl or two flew through the air once in a while.
They continued to write songs and performed them and they always gave a helping hand to the other residents when they needed them to, and along the way, they fell in love.
They had their first kiss in the kitchen while they were cleaning up the mess Louis had made. They uttered their first I love you's after their first time making love, when lube magically appeared on Harry's nightstand. That made them laugh.
Bertram asked them to join him in his office one day and they went together, being inseparable since the first day they met.
"Boys! I have wonderful news! Take a seat." Bertram said.
They sat down in front of the desk. Louis took Harry's hand. Bertram smiled at them.
"You really bring out the best in each other. You have done a remarkable job in such a short amount of time, filling up those souls of yours with positiveness. You are both ready to be reborn. Isn't it exciting?" Bertram wailed the last part.
Louis furrowed his eyebrows.
"Already? I'm sure we still have a lot to work on. There's no rush."
"It's a work in progress. You still have a lot to accomplish in your human lives. Let's look at the lists." Bertram said.
Their lists of accomplishments appeared in thin air and Bertram handed them over.
"Wait. We just found each other. Can't we get a little more time before we're reborn? How are we even gonna find each other on Earth?" Harry questioned, sounding upset.
"Oh, don't worry young Harry. Destiny will take care of that. Your paths are gonna cross. Don't worry about that." Bertram said.
"But how will we know?" Louis questioned.
"Didn't you read the pamphlet on soulmates I gave you? Your souls will know. Now, what task would you like to accomplish in this lifetime? Choose carefully." Bertram said.
Louis glanced at Harry's list. He had done so many things already which meant that he would get into Earl way before him, leaving him alone. He was panicking.
"Can we get a day to discuss it?" Louis asked.
"Oh. Well, usually souls are very eager to be reborn but I guess you can get a day." Bertram said looking surprised.
"Thanks, Bertram." Louis said.
They hurried home and sat down at the kitchen table.
"I wish we could just stay here." Louis sighed.
"Me too, but let's choose the same goals then hopefully we will meet early in life." Harry said.
They took out their lists and the one with all the goals. Louis filled that one, putting L and H after the goals they had accomplished
Life goals
Die young L H
Death of child
Change the life of someone for the better
Hit by truck L H
Love unconditionally
Lose life partner L H
Eat 20 hotdogs in one sitting H
Make an impact on the world
Drug overdose L H
Being great at something
Transgender L H
Lose parent H
Lose sibling H
Take someone's life L H
Save someone's life H
Experience homophobia
Experience racism L H
Bullied H
Experience mental health issues
Jail H
Deadly disease L H
When he was done he looked at the list and sighed.
"I have achieved eight goals and you fourteen."
"Look at the bright side. We have both achieved goals that would mean that one of us has to continue life without the other. Look, die young, hit by truck, lose life partner, drug overdose and deadly disease." Harry said and pointed at the list.
"Well, that's always something! Thank God for that. I don't think I would survive losing you in any lifetime." Louis answered and Harry pulled him in for a kiss.
"Me neither."
Louis stroked his cheek tenderly and smiled before he returned to the list.
"I still haven't been to jail though. That can be complicated."
"Yeah, not this lifetime, yeah? Harry asked.
"Definitely not." Louis laughed.
"Good. So I sort of have an idea. If we both become artists, maybe even in a band together, we can cross some of those things off the list at once. I just wanna get into Earl so we don't have to spend any time apart ever again." Harry said.
"I like that plan." Louis grinned before he looked at the list again.
"So...change the life of someone for the better, make an impact on the world, be great at something and maybe experience homophobia?"
"That's four goals! Isn't that too much?" Harry argued.
"Not if we get really famous." Louis smirked.
"We don't even know if we would make it as artists." Harry snorted.
"Of course we will. Yeah, I can totally see us in a band with some other guys. What do you say?" Louis grinned.
"I say we have made up our mind." Harry smiled and kissed him again.
Later that night when Harry was asleep Louis looked at the list again. He had to catch up if he didn't want Harry to reach Earl without him.
The next morning they sat down with Bertram again in his office.
"Boys! Lovely to see you. So have you come to a decision?"
"Yes, we are both gonna reach these four goals by becoming artists in our next life." Harry said and showed Bertram the list.
"Excellent. Going into a new life with a plan is very smart. Then the thought will be planted in your brains. This is so exciting. Now, go home and spend your last day here in the middle ground." Bertram said.
"Wait! I want to add some more goals for myself." Louis said.
"Oh? Let's hear it then." Bertram said.
Louis glanced at Harry. He looked worried.
"Ehm, eat 20 hotdogs in one sitting, save someone's life, bullied, experience mental health issues, lose parent and lose sibling."
"No, Louis!" Harry gasped. "It's too much."
"I know it's a lot but if I do all of them we will have an even score. Let me do this for us." Louis answered.
"You'll break." Harry said worriedly.
"No, I won't because I will have you by my side to help me get through it." Louis said softly.
"Are you sure about this?" Harry questioned.
"Yes." Louis replied without hesitation.
"It's settled then! Enjoy your last day in the middle ground. Tomorrow you will be reborn." Bertram said.
They went back to Harry's cottage and locked the door. They spent the day in bed making love and telling each other how much they loved each other before they finally fell asleep in each other's arms.
18 years later
"Mum! We have to go! I want to be there early."
"I'm just packing lunches for all of us. We're on our way, sweetie."
They all got in the car and drove to the X-factor audition. Louis stood in line forever and when he finally entered the building he was about to pee his pants. He rushed to the bathrooms and bumped into someone who was on their way out.
"Oops!"
Louis looked up and was met by two beautiful green eyes that felt familiar. He looked at the dimple-smiling boy. Did they know each other?
"Hi."
The End
YOU ARE READING
Afterlife
Fanfiction@AuroSauyjua asked me to write a story where they both die and meet in the afterlife. Purely fictional. I'll try to explain the afterlife concept here since there seems to be confusing (no wonder, I made it up. Haha) Earl: the final goal. Your soul...
