Back to you and me - Larry

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

I wake up in my own apartment. And this is unquestionably the reality I'm meant to exist in, but I still cry and cry and cry because I had him in my arms. He was mine the exact way I wanted and needed him to be mine. But I also want something I can remember, something that makes sense in every way that counts. And anything I can't remember doesn't make sense.

Harry is getting married on Saturday, but I spend my week working—and giving Niall hugs—because I want Harry to realise how wrong Levi is on his own. It would be risky to make him choose when I haven't been around, but I'm also ready to intervene in case he's about to go through with it, because I can't let him go through with it when I know what it's going to mean.

I spend some time thinking things over as well. I've learned so much by going back in time, but I also need to recover because it's been mentally exhausting. Harry asked me about parallel universes, but despite there being a reality where we're married and have a baby, I'm happy that this is the reality I'm living in because he could be dead—or have memories that I don't.

"I have a question."

I look up at Niall. "Go on."

"You've been hugging me a lot lately."

"Do you not enjoy hugs?"

"I love hugs," he says. "But you're not normally one to hand them without an agenda."

"That's not true," I protest, pushing him away. "I'm sorry I've been too generous with my affection."

"Louis—"

"No, you can go away."

"No, come back."

"I have a client to—"

He crashes into me and nearly knocks me down in the process. "I'm sorry."

"I really do need to prepare."

"Right," he says, pulling away as our phone rings. "I'll get that."

"I'd appreciate it."

I bring my iPad with me out back so I can sit in peace and make sure my design is ready when my client comes, only Zayn drops down next to me and hands me a soda.

"So," he says. "Harry is getting married tomorrow."

I wince as my pen slips, then sigh as I undo my mistake. "I know."

"Are you okay with that?"

"No. But maybe he deserves more than someone who's been pining since high school. I mean... why would he want someone that pathetic?"

"Because it's you, Louis. And I'm pretty sure you wouldn't think about him as pathetic had he been pining since high school."

"No, but... I told you about the time travel. And I know you think it's something I dreamt, but everything was wrong, so what makes you think we're even supposed to end up together?"

"Look," he says. "In case you're not making this up, I reckon it's not about whether or not it has worked by changing your past. It's probably about whether or not that was the right way to make it right, which you've clearly realised on your own that it isn't. You're supposed to make it right in the present."

"I'm waiting on him to change his mind about Levi, but I'm worried he won't."

"I'm always on your side in case you wanna cause some drama, but maybe you should try talking to him in private. I know the Harry you were supposedly married to asked you to be a brat, but I'm pretty sure this Harry won't appreciate your chaos."