The press conference

Chapter 8: Crystal clear on a starlit night

"So, I reckon you've seen Eleanor?"

"You fucking knew?" Harry snapped, because what the fuck. They knew. And from what it looked like they weren't even as disturbed as he was, as disturbed as they should be because ew.

"You know he was gutted when you left, loneliness can bring people together." said Liam as if it was a logical explanation for the betrayal Harry felt. They drove in silence for a second because he was actually too speechless to even answer to that. Were they right? Did he provoke that himself?

"I get that it sucks mate, but would you be as pissed if it was anyone else? If it was another man? And sorry but why exactly are you acting like a jealous girlfriend in the first place, you guys broke up ages ago and you were the one who called it quits and left him hanging." mumbled Zayn and it hurt Harry that he actually had a point. He always struggled with Eleanor even existing and he also struggled with the fact that Louis wasn't gay like him. He knew how uncalled for his internal biphobia was, but he couldn't control it. And yes, why was he reacting the way he was? He hated Louis, remember? Was he just pissed that Louis managed to move on when he couldn't? He hadn't had a single date since Louis and him broke up, not one, he hadn't even touched another man, let alone have sex. He was frustrated and it showed.

"Fuck off, you're right." muttered Harry and the three other blokes chuckled at that.

"Let's not talk about Louis for a second and try to enjoy the day for old times' sake, we're about to spend a shit ton of time together again, let's catch up." said Niall with lit up eyes.

"Hell yes, we can play Fifa and eat popcorn at my place, just like back in the day." suggested Liam excitedly.

"Our place, love." said Zayn with a smirk on his face.

Oh boy, Harry had forgotten that Niall had told him that the two of them were still a thing and from what he heard it sounded like it wasn't just a bro pals experimenting thing like back in the day but an actual relationship nowadays. And he was beyond thrilled for them.

"Sounds like a plan." sighed Harry happily, actually forgetting about Louis and Eleanor for a second.

They arrived at a pretty place not too far from Louis' mansion and Harry immediately felt at home. He could see that Zayn had took it upon him to decorate the place because the wall was full of interesting art pieces that basically screamed Zayn.

"It's beautiful, how long have you lived here?" asked Harry with a curious look on his face because his friends were right, they had a lot to catch up on.

"Bout a year now, ever since my mum kicked me out." mumbled Zayn.

"What? What the hell, why did she kick you out?"

"She found out about Liam and me and yeah, she didn't take it well, you know religion and stuff." sighed Zayn with a sad expression on his face. Harry felt a rush of compassion for his former best friend because he knew how much Zayn loved his family. But that also explained why Niall said that the two of them were going through some shit themselves.

"It's alright you know, it actually made me realize how important Liam was to me and that it was more than just a fling, I moved in with him and yeah we're happy you know, right?" he looked at Liam with a hopeful look on his face and Liam smiled brighter than the sun.

"Yes." He kissed Zayn's temple and it was the first time in a few days that Harry actually felt proper happiness because if two people deserved to find happiness and love it was the two of them. He knew how much they had struggled to admit their feelings and to admit that they were in fact not straight and it looked like it had finally worked out, even if it took them 10 years.

"I'm happy for you guys, and for you as well Niall, how is Julia doing? Have you told her about the reunion yet?"

"Yeah, ringed her afterwards, she thinks it's an amazing idea, she knows how much I missed you dickheads and spending time with ya." beamed Niall and Harry could tell that he was serious, and he had to admit that deep down he has missed them and the high of being in arguably one of the biggest boy bands of all time as well.

"Ya know, I missed it as well, I was shocked at first, but it was inevitable anyways and the more I think about it, the better it sounds." Liam admitted and Zayn nodded his head besides him.

"Maybe you're right." said Harry with a small smile and the other three beamed at him as if he just told them that he expected his first child.

"So, you calmed down a bit? Because I actually thought about inviting Louis over as well, we shouldn't exclude him just because you guys can't work your shit out." Niall said and Harry was actually shocked at how straight-forward he was being, guess he had grown up.

"If you insist." Harry grumbled because he didn't want to be a little bitch about this, and he knew that he couldn't avoid him forever.

Louis arrived only 10 minutes later with a worried look on his face and he kept glancing at Harry as if he wanted to say something but didn't have to balls to actually say it.

Harry tried to ignore it at first but sighed and turned towards Louis.

"Truce? I don't wanna make this any harder as it already is and the shit you do in your free time shouldn't be any of my concern, so truce?"

He saw Louis breathing out a sigh of relief, smiling timidly at him.

"I would love that."

They smiled at each other for a second and Harry couldn't ignore the way his heart was aching.

"So, boys, how about we loosen up a bit and play a drinking game, it's time to break the tension and there's no better way to do that than with a bit of booze and a round of Truth or Drink" said Niall.

Before anyone could say anything, he was on his way to the kitchen to get a few bottles of liquor.

Oh boy, Harry wasn't sure if he was ready for the truth just yet.