Time

September 19, 2017

They made another time jump and Harry's mouth fell open when he heard himself sing Ever Since New York. He stared at Louis in disbelief and then he looked down from beside the VIP section just to see himself on stage. They were standing on a small platform where some of the spotlights were. There were no seats but it was the perfect spot to stay hidden and still see everything. He looked into the VIP section just to see past Louis sitting there watching the show. He looked so proud and emotional. He turned to Louis.
"I really don't get it. Why on Earth is this on your top five list of significant moments?"

"You seem to be under the misconception that you, what? Stand in my way? That I hold a grudge because you get to do amazing things. I really don't. This is one of my proudest moments in life. Watching you on stage as a solo artist is incredible. You wrote such an amazing album Harry and you belong up on that stage and I support that 100 percent." Louis answered while he watched the concert.

On stage slightly younger Harry started to sing Two Ghosts. Louis immediately teared up.
"Fuck, this song is even more heartbreaking now when I just saw your point of view when I broke up with you. I'm so sorry I hurt you like that. I regretted it immediately. Back then I really thought that I did what was best for you. I should just have talked to you about it instead of making decisions for you."

"Like you do now, with the divorce?" Harry questioned, almost spitting out the words.

Louis sighed and glanced at him.
"That's different."

Harry didn't reply. They watched the concert in silence but when on stage Harry started to sing Sweet Creature Louis spoke up.
"You know, there were thousands of people at this concert but somehow it felt like I was alone and you were singing just for me."

"I kind of was." Harry replied softly.

"That's sweet. I just felt so humbled and appreciated and loved. You wrote so many songs about me." Louis said with a small smile on display.

"Of course I did. You have written loads of songs about me too." Harry said.

"Yeah... You write what you know I guess." Louis chuckled.

"You write what you feel, Lou." Harry corrected him softly.

On stage, Just a Little Bit of Your Heart started playing.
"I love this song. You should have kept it to yourself."

"Maybe." Harry mumbled. He glanced at slightly younger Louis in the VIP box. He was crying. Harry's heart clenched. He didn't want any Louis in any timespan to cry. He silently promised that he would try to write happier songs for his next album but something told him that it would be a sad, depressing one. He couldn't imagine his life without Louis. He had no idea how he would even try to cope with that but he would have to. Louis didn't want to be with him anymore. Their forever had taken an abrupt end. They didn't get their fairytale where they would come out eventually and would be able to do all those things in public that they couldn't do now, like grocery shopping. Something so simple was something he had really looked forward to doing with Louis, like a normal couple. He let out a deep sigh. Wasn't their thirty minutes up soon?

"I love that you put Stockholm Syndrome and What Makes You Beautiful on the setlist." Louis said beside him.

"I thought that it was important to remember where I came from." Harry replied.

"Just admit that you love What Makes You Beautiful." Louis chuckled.

"Well, yeah. I fell in love to that song." Harry answered.

Louis didn't answer that but Harry could see how tense his jaw was, like he was grinding his teeth. He tried to find something else to say but came out blank. Then he remember the next moment on his list and started to cold sweat. It wasn't one he wanted to share with Louis. He wished that he hadn't written it down. It was humiliating.
"Louis? My final moment on my list isn't pretty. Just try and ignore it."

"Neither is mine." Louis muttered and avoided eye contact.

Harry was just about to ask what moment he had chosen when the concert disappeared and he was laying in total darkness. It was time for the grand final before he could get as far away from Louis as possible. He would move to the States for good. He couldn't handle even being in the same country as his soon-to-be ex-husband. It hurt too much. Falling in love with someone was both wonderful and scary, but having the same person falling out of love with you was painful beyond belief.