Parallel Universes

5

They stayed in bed the next day and explored each other's bodies, laughing and talking in-between.

In the week that followed they just took their time. Niall hung out with them a couple of times and noticed that something had changed between them but he just grinned at them.

Louis took him out to dinner at his favorite place and they talked about deeper things like their hopes and dreams for the future. It was crazy that they had only known each other for two weeks when Harry appeared from nowhere.

Since they were spending 24 hours a day together they speeded up the process of getting to know each other for real, and with that the development of feelings. Harry was glad that they seemed to be on the same track because he was falling hard. He had never experienced anything like it before. He had had his share of dates and shorter relationships in his universe but he had never felt anything like this, so deep and raw and his stomach was constantly filled with butterflies.

Three weeks later they started to discuss how to make him a part of this world. He needed a job, an identity. He couldn't open a bank account or have anything to show for. As far as everyone else knew, he didn't exist.

That was when he woke up from a very clear dream of his mother. He thought about ignoring it at first but he couldn't do that to his family. He had been gone for three weeks. Just vanished without a word. They must be going out of their minds worrying about him. He told Louis at breakfast about his dream. Louis' face fell.
"Oh."

Then he smiled.
"That's great Harry. You must be longing to get back to your world."

Harry sighed and dragged a hand through his hair. They hadn't really confessed any feelings for each other.
"Uhm, I have to go back. My family must be really worried about me, imagining the worst."

"Of course. Me mum would raise heaven and hell if I just disappeared." Louis said, sounding so understanding.

"It's just... We have a good thing going here. I really like you Louis and I think we have the potential to be something great." Harry said with a nervous smile.

"I think so too." Louis smiled. He looked sad.

"I'm glad you feel it too. I can come back? I really want to. Maybe I can live in both worlds? It's worth a try." Harry said.

"Yeah. Please come back." Louis smiled, looking happier. Then it looked like something occurred to him. "What if you won't be able to go back to your world again after that?"

What if he wouldn't be able to come back here after he returned this time? Harry kept those thoughts to himself.
"I'm sure I will be able to." He said instead.

"Alright. Well, now we have to buy you a new canvas." Louis smiled.

They called Niall on their way back from purchasing a blank canvas. He promised to come over immediately. They cuddled on the couch until he arrived. Harry sat down to paint his mother from his dream. She was sitting by the kitchen table reading a magazine home in Holmes Chapel. When he was done he turned around and hugged Louis tightly.
"I'll be back soon." He whispered in his ear.

"Okay." Louis mumbled.

They kissed goodbye and then he gave Niall a hug as well. He turned around and stared at the painting and then he reached out and touched his mother's arm. The room started spinning and it felt like he was sucked inside the painting.

"I can't believe what I just saw." Niall gasped and stared at the painting. Harry was nowhere to be seen.

"Me neither." Louis sighed. He missed him already.

Back in his own world, Harry scared the living hell out of his mother. She screamed when he suddenly appeared, touching her arm.
"Harry? Where did you come from?"

"You must have not heard me. Too caught up in your magazine." Harry smiled.

His mother Anne accepted that explanation.
"Hi sweetie, this is a nice surprise." She smiled and gave him a hug.

"You must have been worried sick about me. I'm sorry mum." Harry said.

"Why? Did something happen?" Anne asked, eyeing him worriedly.

"No, ehm, I mean, you haven't heard from me in a while." Harry replied.

"We talked four days ago but I always miss you, sweetheart." Anne smiled and got up to make some tea.

Harry's brain had a shortcut.
"What date is it?"

"The 23rd." Anne replied.

"As in July, 2018?" Harry asked.

"Uhm, yes. Are you okay, love?" Anne asked.

"Yeah." Harry said and tried to smile. He was frantic. He had been gone for three weeks but apparently, it had only been three days here. That meant that one week here would be seven weeks in Louis' universe. The air was punched out of his lungs and he sat down.

Anne put a cup of tea in front of him but he hardly noticed.
"So how are the paintings coming along?" She asked.

"What? Oh, fine. I needed a break so I'm here. I have to get back soon though." Harry replied absentmindedly.

"So you're not staying the night?" Anne asked, sounding disappointed.

"No, I'm sorry mum." Harry said.

"It's okay. But you're at least staying for dinner?" Anne asked.

"Sure. So how are you?" Harry asked and took a sip of his tea.

His mind wandered off as his mother started to tell him about everything that had happened since they last talked. He stayed for dinner but then he needed to get back to London. That was when he realized that he didn't have a car or money.
"Ehm, mum, I need to borrow some money for the train."

"You didn't drive here?" Anne questioned, sounding surprised.

"No." Harry said.

"And you forgot your wallet?" Anne questioned.

"Yeah." Harry chuckled.

"Are you sure that you're okay? You're acting really strange, Harry." Anne asked worriedly.

"I'm fine. Just a little stressed out." Harry tried to reassure her. She didn't look convinced but she didn't push it. Instead, she went to get her wallet and handed him money to buy a ticket. She drove him to the train station and he hugged her goodbye.