there will always be a bit of my heart devoted to you

He's not nervous.

Or at least, he tries not to be. He shouldn't be.

His hands are shaking as he raps his knuckles against the door. Once, twice. There's a shuffling sound coming from behind the red wood and Niall hoists his backpack a bit higher on his shoulder while he takes a few deep breaths. There's no reason for his anxiety; this is Harry they're talking about after all. The boy who'd help a old lady cross the street, and who calls his mum every other day. He'd most definitely never shut a door in anyone's face. Not even when Niall hasn't talked to him for over a year and he has all the reason to slam the door. Maybe yell a bit as well.

It will be all right.

The lock on the door clicks and Niall takes one more deep breath before he's faced with bright green eyes, dark brown curls and that familiar feeling of being home. He doesn't even get the chance to say anything or to explain himself before he's wrapped up in two strong arms. His nose presses against Harry's collarbone and Niall hates the fact that he missed Harry grow even taller.

"Haz, you gotta let go of me before you squeeze me to death," Niall mumbles against a t-shirt that smells like sweat and chocolate.

There's not a trace of anger on Harry's face when he grips Niall by his shoulders and gives him a proper look-over. If the tables were turned, Niall would be fuming right now, but like he said; it's Harry. He realises that it's been more than a year and he doesn't really have an excuse for what he did. All he's hoping for is a little bit of forgiveness (and maybe some more of those hugs, because he's missed them).

"You got yours, right? Please tell me you did," Harry pleads, and Niall doesn't need Harry to elaborate before he lowers his jeans an inch, pulls up his t-shirt and shows Harry the two names that will be forever written on the skin of his hips.

"Good," Harry breathes and he turns around, moving the hair from his neck. Niall hadn't expected it to be such a shock to see his own name on Harry's body, but it is. It's weird to see his own name next to a slightly messier one that isn't his, but the spike of jealousy that he'd been prepared for doesn't come.

"Did you find him?" Niall asks carefully, and he's aware that they're still standing in the hallway, but he needs to know before he steps inside.

"I did," Harry replies, his smile lighting up the whole building. "Last week, actually. I went to this art show with Nick for my birthday and I noticed the signature and the handwriting in my neck matched. Nick persuaded me into sending an incredibly stupid letter but he still came to meet me. You'll like him. I mean- of course you'll like him, he's your soulmate but like, he's really nice. Artsy. Bit quiet."

Those aren't traits that Niall would probably use to describe the soulmate he'd always imagined he'd have, but maybe it's a good thing. Between him and Harry, they'll probably need someone quiet to shut them up when they get too loud. Harry calls it 'passionate', but in the end it's just that: loud.

"He's actually here," Harry adds, and for some reason, dread creeps up Niall. What if the other two don't need him here? He did kind of leave Harry as soon as the same name appeared on the both of them. They must have-

"Stop." Harry's voice is strong, ripping him out of his thoughts. A hand grips Niall's jaw, forcing him to look at him. "Whatever you're thinking, stop it. I know you. We're just friends right now. I knew you'd come back sooner or later and I would never, never, do this without you. We're doing this with the three of us, or not at all. Everything will work out fine. Promise."

Niall takes a deep breath and forces himself to look into Harry's eyes. He looks completely sincere, a bit of fierceness shining through, and this is the Harry Niall knows. Sweet, yet determined.