Disappearace 2

7

In the year that followed Harry did his absolute best to move on. He gave Nick a chance and the man was patient with him. They casually dated for six months before they finally became a couple.

They had sex. Nick was a bottom and Harry didn't mind. He was relieved actually. He had only had sex with Louis and bottoming for someone else felt too intimate. He wasn't ready for that yet.

When the house across the street became available he bought it without second thoughts. He liked the area. He probably should sell their old house but something was holding him back. Someday maybe. He wasn't ready yet.

He finished his first tour in July and took some time off to write his second album. Christmas came and went. He celebrated New Year's Eve with Nick and suddenly it was 2019.

He was doing well. Four years had passed since Louis disappeared and he finally had accepted it. He would miss him for the rest of his life but whenever he felt down, like now when the anniversary of his disappearance was approaching, he reminded himself that Louis left him. It was easier to hate him for what he did than love and mourn him for an eternity.

In April he had some time off. He went out for a run in the morning. It was his way of staying in shape and clearing his mind. Nick was busy that day but they would see each other tomorrow. Lately, Nick had been leaving not-so-subtle hints about moving in together but Harry was hesitant. Since he was closeted he knew his management would have a problem with it but that wasn't the only reason if he would be honest with himself.

Nick was great and he really liked him but he was unsure if he could love him. Maybe he just needed time but it felt unfair to Nick. He knew how much that man loved him. He could see it in his eyes. He hadn't said anything though. Nick was very patient and understanding and it made Harry feel bad for his sake. Nick deserved someone who wasn't hung up on his dead ex.

He spent the rest of the day at home. He made some food and watched a movie, staying up late for no reason. He hated sleeping by himself so he put off going to bed.

Around midnight there was a knock on his front door. Harry went to open it, figuring it was Nick. When the door swung open he stared at a ghost from the past. His brain couldn't comprehend what he saw at first. It was impossible. He stared at the man before him in shock.
"Louis?" He gasped.

"Hi." Louis replied as if he hadn't gone missing for four years.

Harry felt dizzy and his vision shrunk into total darkness. He woke up on the couch. Louis was sitting next to him, looking at him worriedly. Harry flew up.
"Louis? How? Where the hell have you been? How could you just leave me? Have you been kidnapped? We thought you were dead!" He said with a trembling voice and then he broke down crying.

Louis wrapped his arms around him and hugged him close. Harry couldn't believe it. Louis was alive! Louis was here! He looked the same. He even smelled the same. He hugged him so hard and fisted his shirt while he cried his heart out. When he had managed to calm down after the initial shock Louis pulled away.

"I'm so sorry, love. I don't know how to explain this but I never meant to leave you."

Bullshit! Louis' words made him furious. He started to pound his fists against Louis' chest.

"Four years, Louis! You could at least call me and tell me you were alright. Fucking asshole!"

Louis grabbed his arms and held on so he wouldn't hit him.
"I couldn't okay? I don't understand this either. I fell asleep in our hotel room and woke up in Doncaster and four fucking years had passed. Me mum is dead! Fizzy is dead!" Louis said upset.

What the hell was he talking about? Harry stopped hitting him.

"What do you mean?"

"I know this sounds crazy but I think I have time-traveled to the future." Louis explained.

Harry must have heard wrong. Time-traveled? That was his explanation for leaving him for four years? Making him think that he was dead? For fucks sake! How stupid did he think he was?

"Yeah, that sounds fucking crazy, Louis. Get the fuck out of here. I can't believe you show up after four years and give me that fucking explanation. Do you even understand how heartbroken I've been?"

"It's the truth!" Louis shouted.

"Get out!" Harry yelled back.

Louis clenched his jaw. They stared at each other and then Louis got up and left. Harry broke down crying again. His emotions were all over the place. He felt relieved and happy that Louis was alive and well. Angry because he hadn't contacted him in four years, making him suffer. Did Louis have just the slightest idea how much pain he had caused him? Apparently not since he came waltzing back four years later making up some ridiculous lie about time-traveling. What the hell was wrong with him? How could he do this to him? Harry thought that Louis had loved him. Nothing made sense. Where had he been all this time? How had he escaped without anyone seeing him? Not even the security cameras at the hotel?

He didn't sleep a second that night. He just paced back and forth trying to make sense of it. He cried and he screamed and he might be going a little crazy.

He had seen Louis park his car across the street at their old house. He needed answers. Real answers. Louis owed him that much. Harry found the house key and marched across the street.