"What is that again?" Harry scrunched his nose as he tried the sweet taste of a different candy.

"It's Cotton Candy" Louis watched him amusedly.

"It looks like a fluffy cloud and tastes so sweet and ... Ohhh, it's dissolving on my tongue" Harry's face changed into pure bliss.

"Surprise" Louis made some funny and dramatic jazz hands.

He watched in fascination as Harry's face twisted even more at the very sweet taste until it relaxed again and he looked delighted. While Harry devoured the rest of his cotton candy they kept walking through the crowded city. Louis was showing him around after he had confessed he hasn't been able to really check it out yet. Until now, he has only ever been at the bakery where Niall started working a while ago and the bookstore. Oh, and the beach but only one time. Everything else was still a mystery to him and Louis wanted to change that.

So far, they have been strolling through some shops and had examined the various options of clothes Harry wasn't used to. In the pack, they all had worn pretty much the same clothes. Simple pants and plain t-shirts that could get ripped apart. That was about it. And until now, Harry has been sticking to that clothing style out of habit, he had admitted. Seeing him surrounded by all those colours and patterns and accessories, Louis had realised that his style would definitely drastically change from now on.

When the cotton candy was gone, Louis led Harry all the way to the beach. Last time, they had ended up arguing and a fight had occurred. This time, Louis wanted to show Harry the beauty of the ocean and its endlessness. Stepping onto the sand, Louis breathed in the fresh breeze with his eyes closed. He could feel Harry watching him but it was the first time Louis didn't mind.

"It's so beautiful" Harry marvelled breathlessly.

Blinking his eyes open, Louis glanced at Harry and studied him closely while he was watching the ocean. "It really is".

Turning his head around to look at him, their eyes locked and Louis offered him a tiny smile before averting his gaze to the sand at his feet. Harry's eyes were too beautiful to look solely at him. Besides, they were at the beach to look at it, not at each other.

"Come on".

Avoiding Harry's gaze, Louis beckoned him to follow him. He led him closer to the shore and stopped in his tracks. The sun was making the water's surface sparkle like a million diamonds. Admiring the view, Louis got a checkered blanket out of his backpack and lay it on the sand, sitting down and patting the blanket to signal Harry to sit down as well, which he did but he was a bit puzzled.

"We're close to the spot where I met Àmbar for the first time" Louis reminisced almost nostalgic.

"Really? Show me where you met her" Harry scooted closer to him, sounding so eager.

"Right over there" Louis pointed at a spot only a few feet away from them. "We ran into each other".

"Sounds more like Aria to me" Harry grinned freely.

"Fair point but no, Àmbar can be just as clumsy. That's probably why they're a thing" Louis chuckled lightly.

"They're good for each other. I've watched them interact. They complete each other and always have each other's back" Harry didn't look at him, staring out at the ocean.

"That's true. Àmbar has social anxiety and is introverted but Aria is really shy. Some people think that's the same thing but it isn't. Aria totally has Àmbar's back when she has her moments but don't mess with Aria or Àmbar will hunt you down. She always encourages her and gives her confidence while on the other hand Àmbar is quite confident but she's just a really quiet person naturally, except for when she's around us. Her friends. Her family" Louis went into full A and A fangirl mode. He loved them.

"There is nothing left to add" Harry stated stunned.

"Sorry. When I talk about them I always get lost somewhere. I just admire them and love them endlessly" Louis apologised ashamed.

"Nothing to be sorry for. I think it's cute" Harry's cheeks heated up adorably, making Louis blush as well.

"You're cute" was Louis' only thought but he didn't voice it.

"Um ..." Louis cleared his throat, shaking that thought away and taking something else out of his backpack. "I have something for you, Harry".

"What? But you didn't have to get me anything" Harry stared at him like a deer caught in headlights.

"I know but I still did" Louis handed him a little box anxiously.

With a fast-beating heart, Louis watched Harry take it and open it. He felt sick to the stomach when Harry's eyes grew big in shock or whatever it was that was taking over his face. Maybe this has been a bad idea. Maybe Louis had gone too far and ...

"Louis!" Harry gasped in disbelief. "You're insane!".

"In a good or bad way?" Louis winced slightly.

"In the best way. You're officially out of your mind. I can't accept this, Louis" Harry looked at him, holding the new phone in his hand as if it would break any second.

"You can. It's really no big d ...".

"If you say it's no big deal I'm gonna punch you" Harry didn't let him finish.

"Threatening me with violence now, are we, young Harold?" Louis cocked an eyebrow at him in faux horror.

"Always, old Lewis" Harry shot back cockily.

"You did not just call me that!" Louis exclaimed dramatically.

"I did. What are you gonna do about it?" Harry challenged him.

"Tickle you to death?" Louis threw him a funny look.

"Oh god, please no. I'm so ticklish" Harry paled hilariously.

"Good to know. I keep that in mind" Louis winked at him. "For today, you're excused. The phone is making you go crazy".

"It really is. This was probably so expensive. You can't just give me that" Harry turned serious again.

"I just did" Louis stated the obvious.

"That's not what I meant. Louis!" Harry wailed exaggeratedly.

"That's my name" Louis grinned cheekily.

"Come on. Give me a break" Harry whined all over the top.

Louis was tempted to keep teasing him but he decided to show some mercy. Only because he was adorable right now. Nothing. else. With everyone else, he wouldn't stop right now. This right here was an exception. A one-time thing. Never again would he give him a break just like that. No, he teased all of his friends mercilessly.

"Okay, for now. But only if you turn your phone on and take a look at everything" Louis suggested a compromise.

"Sure, whatever it takes to escape your tickle attack and teasing" Harry's eyes were positively sparkling. Maybe it was the sun.

In awe, Harry turned the phone on and watched it come to life. When the lockscreen showed up he looked nervous and his fingers hesitated over the phone, doing nothing.

"The pin is your birthday," Louis told him. "I had to choose something and that was the easiest choice for now. You should change it though. It's easy to hack".

After shortly glancing at him, Harry typed in the pin. "Oh, it's the ocean. When did you take that?".

Louis knew he was referring to his homescreen picture. "A while ago. I thought you might like it".

"I do" Harry simply looked at him. "Now I can ask everyone for their numbers when we're back at the academy. Maybe even you ...".

"My number is already in there" Louis focused his gaze on something behind Harry, feeling a bit strange right now. When Harry stayed silent, Louis dared to look at him. "I set everything up for you. It's pre-paid for a month. I wasn't sure how to handle the payment without upsetting you, so I chose that and ...".

"Louis, it's fine" Harry interrupted him softly. "This is more than enough. Thank you".

"You're welcome" Louis exhaled a breath he didn't know he has been holding.

"Now it might be easier to find a job if I can add my number. That would be great. I really need one" Harry mused out loud.

"You're looking for a job?" Louis was oddly shocked by that simple information and didn't know why.

"I am, yeah" Harry confirmed sheepishly. "I feel like I need one. I live here now and I need money like everyone else. I wanna be able to live amongst humans normally in the long run. For that, I need a job, which isn't easy for a werewolf without an education".

Hearing this, Louis felt a stupid warm feeling spreading through his body and circling his heart. Harry's wish to work here to stay longer affected him in an odd way and Louis didn't want to think about it right now but it was impossible to ignore. He liked the implied possibilities that information held. For all of them.

"I might have an idea. Come on" Louis suddenly remembered something and ushered them up, collecting his blanket.

"Where are we going?" Harry was so lost.

"We're making a little detour before our last stop of today" Louis answered him in riddles. "Well, before the next training session".

"Almost slipped my mind".

Without another word, they took the fasted route through the city until they reached the street of the bookstore. "Why are ...?".

"You see that shop?" Louis pointed at the flower shop right across from them. "Sarah has been looking for help for quite some time".

"And you think I'm the right person for that job? I have no experience with flowers" Harry sounded unsure.

"She doesn't care as long as you're willing to learn" Louis led him over there. "And she wants a nice person, no douche".

"Did you just call me nice? You?" Harry looked at him with a mischievous sparkle in his eyes.

"You wanker" Louis pushed him forward. "Do this in there and she will kick us out".

"You're coming with me?" Harry was shocked all over again.

"Yes? She loves me" Louis pushed the door open. "Sarah!".

"Louis, Darling. It's great to see you" the blonde woman behind the counter greeted him enthusiastically. "Who's your friend?".

He could see Harry wincing at that word, trying to hide it but Louis ignored it. It was okay now to refer to him as a friend. "This is Harry, my werewolf friend. I wanted you to meet".

"Werewolf you say?" Sarah perked up in interest.

"Yes, yes. Real werewolf. Head alpha's son and all that. A beta and a guardian now. My teammate and friend, so be nice" Louis went on, knowing he was confusing the shit out of Harry but Sarah was fascinated by magic and magical creatures.

"Woah, so werewolf royalty, I see" Sarah smirked amusedly.

"Nah, I wouldn't say that. Don't flatter his ego too much" Louis countered sassily. "That's not why we're here".

"So, there is a reason, huh?" Sarah crossed her arms over her chest, looking expectantly at him.

"A very good one. We came to your rescue. I bring you your saviour" Louis let her know theatrically.

"You wanna work here?" Sarah addressed Harry now.

"I'd love to" Harry nodded discombobulated.

Throwing an all-saying look at Louis, she fully focused on Harry now. She showed him around and explained the basics to him and told him what his work would look like. Louis just watched this in silence. He just knew Sarah would hire him. Harry fit in here perfectly with all the pretty flowers and colours and pl ... okay, did he just compare him to a pretty flower? It was official. Louis was going insane.

Twenty minutes later, Sarah and Harry shook hands before Harry came over to him, beaming. "I got the job".

"I was sure of it. Congrats" Louis felt himself starting to smile.

"All thanks to you. You really made my day. Twice" Harry was a bit jumpy and over-excited but obviously very happy.

"Ready for a third time?" Louis tilted his head aside smilingly.

"There is more?" Harry's jaw dropped to the floor.

"One last surprise, yeah. Come on".

They waved goodbye to Sarah and left the shop. On their way, they talked about the shop and Harry's new work. He was radiating happiness and it made Louis feel all stupidly warm. Especially because it was his merit. It felt amazing.

"And she said my co-workers are really nice. I hope she is right and they won't have a problem with a werewolf working there with them now" Harry scratched his wrist anxiously.

"Don't worry. They're amazing. Their names are Maya and Bailey and they're Liam's best friends" Louis comforted him directly. "Maribel's best friend Kayla was working there too but then she quit to work in a tattoo parlour. She's really good at it. Zayn loves her work more than anything".

"Zayn has tattoos?" Harry interrupted his rambling. "I've never seen them".

"He is always wearing a leather jacket, no matter the weather" Louis stated the obvious.

"True. Do you like tattoos?" Harry hooked curiously.

"Actually, I have three myself" Louis admitted sheepishly.

"Really? I haven't seen them either. Can I see them?" Harry's face was definitely very expressive. Louis had realised that just now. So many emotions were visible on his face.

"I have one directly underneath my collarbones. Can't show you that right now" Louis told him while taking off his denim jacket, referring to the t-shirt covering the tattoo right now. "I have this symbol on my shoulder. It's an ancient fairy rune. It stands for light and obviously symbolises my powers but I hid cat eyes in there".

"Wow" Harry breathed out, briefly touching it before retreating his hand. That touch alone had sent shivers down Louis' arm.

"My last tattoo is on my wrist. It's a tiny black triangle and lately, my pedometer was covering it up" Louis lifted his pedometer to show Harry the tattoo.

"Why do you have a pedometer?" Harry knitted his eyebrows together and it really shouldn't be this cute to be confused.

"It was a stupid gift but by now, I think it's interesting to see how many steps I take per day. It also keeps watch on my pulse and my heart rate. With our job, that isn't so wrong" Louis explained curtly.

"Fair enough" Harry bit the inside of his cheek. "I like all of your tattoos. Do you wanna get more?".

"Probably, yeah. I'm just not sure what yet and I want it to mean something" Louis replied a bit breathless for no reason at all.

"So, where are we heading? Are we almost there?" Harry broke their eye contact, looking down.

"If you looked up you could see that we're already there" Louis held back a heartfelt laugh, still giving Harry a break.

Looking up now, Harry's eyes grew as huge as never before in pure wonder. "Are you for real? The cinema? I've wanted to test this since Maribel mentioned it to me weeks ago".

"I know" Louis murmured under his breath before speaking up louder. "I thought it might be a nice idea".

"Nice, indeed. Wow," Harry looked like an excited little kid.

"Let's go inside".

Inside, Louis paid for everything but not without Harry insisting on paying the next time they went anywhere. After all, he would start his job soon and gain his own money. Flabbergasted, Louis accepted this deal, too stunned to argue or even function. Apparently, Harry wanted to do this all over again. With him.

The entire time they were inside Harry was in awe. Everything was worth pointing out and his eyes sparkled the whole time. It reminded Louis of himself the first time he had been inside a cinema. Just that Harry was ten times more adorable and cuter. This side of Harry was so new to Louis but he really liked it. Whatever had changed was a good thing and he hoped it would last.

When they were back outside Louis couldn't even tell you which movie they had watched because he has been watching Harry the entire time. It had been fascinating and captivating. Seeing every single emotion on his face and the pure joy and happiness in his eyes. No movie could compare to that.

Unfortunately, it was time now to head back to the academy for another training session. On their way, they chatted about family and friends and everything they could think of. Like this, Louis didn't even notice when they reached the academy. Together. For the very first time. And everyone was staring at them in shock.

"Okay. Louis, you come with me" Logan clapped into his hands, getting everyone's attention. "Niall and Harry as well".

"The rest will stay with me today" Isaac added when no one was moving, still frozen in shock.

"Okay" Louis ignored all of them and followed Logan.

A few feet away from the rest of his friends, Logan instructed the three of them to focus only on their transformations today. Niall and Harry were supposed to improve their partly-transformations while Louis should try to transform into a wolf again. He just knew he couldn't do it yet but didn't say so.

Getting rid of his denim jacket and t-shirt, Louis braced himself and focused on his inner shapeshifter. His cat senses picked up on something he couldn't place and looked over at Harry and Niall for a second. Harry averted his gaze away as soon as Louis had seen him watching him but Niall kept looking back and forth between them with a frown present on his face.

Shrugging them off, Louis focused back on himself. He always trained these powers shirtless but today was the first day he really thought about it. His chest tattoo was on display and he could feel Harry glancing at him over and over again. And whatever he had sensed earlier was still there and it was making him feel a bit light-headed. That's why he quickly shifted into his cat form before shifting into various other smaller animals just for fun until Logan told him to focus on his wolf transformation.

Well, what could he say?! Focus with Harry around wasn't easy. It was almost impossible. Maybe training shirtless has been a mistake today. They shouldn't have talked about the tattoos.

Another day, another attack. They'd all been sitting in another theory lesson peacefully and perfectly bored when they had gotten the call from the city, just when Louis had asked Àmbar about her new haircut through his mind. Patriley was under attack. Demons. Some of their own magical inhabitants were already fighting them off but they needed the help of the guardians. Their predecessors were on another mission, so they had to go. Dropping everything, they opened a portal to the familiar town and rushed for its aid.

By now, they had the attack under control. The majority of the humans were safe and at least half of the third-class demons were dead already. Getting the upper hand hasn't been hard, which had only led to them joking around while fighting. After all, they were all immature idiots, with a knack for humour and sarcasm.

"You think you can top me? I'd like to see you try" Maribel killed another demon while challenging Louis and Zayn.

"Topping is what I do, Belle. You can't escape it" Louis countered cockily, turning two demons into ashes.

"That was your worst comeback to date, Tommy" Zayn snorted at him, earning himself a light punch against the shoulder from Louis.

"Just facts, Zayno. No matter how bad it was you can't deny the truth, right Tommo?" Niall sliced one demon in half with his sword.

"He got it. I prefer him over you, Joey" Louis landed next to Niall.

"You can't do that! I'm supposed to be your only one" Zayn wailed dramatically, flying down as well.

"You're not anymore" Louis patted his shoulder for effect.

"Because of Niall?" Zayn cocked an eyebrow at him, glancing at something behind Louis. Or probably someone.

"I hate you" Louis only shot him a dark look.

"Love you too" Zayn blew him a kiss.

"Guys, focus here. Does someone wanna take this one?" Àmbar flew above them, one demon held by her fire powers, another one on her heel.

"Let me" Louis flew back up and sent the demon back to hell.

"Show-off" Maribel snorted snarkily.

"Can do it better?" Louis challenged her playfully.

"Hell yes," Maribel leapt off the ground, took a deep breath and blasted five demons back into nothing with her air powers.

"Impressive" Liam praised her.

"That has to be one hell of a breath" Louis snickered nastily.

"You're one hell of a pain in the ass" Maribel shot back dryly.

"Oh, I am" Louis smirked dirtily. "The good kind".

"Luke can testify" Aria cackled way too amused.

"Straight out facts" Àmbar shrugged unfazed.

"Not gay facts?" Zayn giggled idiotically.

"Oh God, more demons, please" Louis groaned exaggeratedly.

"Ey" Zayn pouted cutely.

"I still love you, Joey" Louis assured him, making a kissy-face.

"You two are so odd" Maribel marked weirded out.

"And disgusting" Niall added slyly.

"But also adorable" Aria noted matter-of-factly.

"Sadly true" Àmbar had to agree with that.

"Animellas, remember?" Liam reminded them weirdly.

"We know, Lima. They know that too" Harry reassured him.

"Doesn't mean we don't end up together in some other universes. Wanna try here?" Zayn joked while killing another demon.

"Challenge fate and the universe? Always" Louis turned in a circle and got rid of two more demons with his light magic.

"Do I even wanna know what you're talking about?" Maribel looked so goddamn unimpressed.

"Not really" Zayn and Louis chorused, giggling in sync.

"It's about something Sean showed Louis. Not important right now. We should end this and head back to the academy before Aurelio and Logan show up here because we're taking so long" Àmbar brought them back to the reason they were here.

"You're right. Let's take care of this" Liam sided with her.

"I'm always right".

"Also true".

Focusing back on the mission, they got rid of the last-remaining ten or twenty demons and hugged each other afterwards. Like the good guardians they could be, they made sure everyone around was fine before they headed back to the academy to report back and analyse the fight like the ones before.

"I expected you to be back sooner" Logan leaned against the door of Aurelio's office when they arrived.

"We had to kill around one hundred demons. That takes some time" Maribel walked past him into the office.

"If you're you then yes, it takes some time" Logan followed her with the others in tow.

"As in me or all of us?" Maribel rested her hands on her hips.

"All of you, together".

"He's right, guys" Aurelio spoke up from behind his desk. "First of all, congratulations on another victory. But second, I heard reports of how you bicker and joke a lot during a fight. An easy fight but a fight nonetheless. Care to explain".

Despite his harsh words, Aurelio didn't look mad. He looked amused, like always. They knew he loved them and their antics.

"What can we say? We won't do it next time?" Aria grinned sheepishly at him.

"As if" Aurelio rolled his eyes in amusement. "As long as you don't forget about what's important it doesn't matter. How you fight is your decision but keep your focus, okay?".

"Promise," they all said at the same time.

"Okay, that aside. Was there anything you noticed? A reason why this happened? Something the demons were after maybe? A motive for the attack or was it random?" Aurelio questioned professionally.

"It looked random to me but you never know. Obviously, Josiah was behind this because he has his personal vendetta against the cities around. Will he ever stop? The people he wants dead don't even live in these cities anymore" Louis reported back irritatedly.

"I'm not sure he cares about that. He stopped caring years ago. We had demon attacks on random cities for as long as I can remember but always third-class demons because they attack on their own. Everything else is never random. Josiah hates this part of the country the most, as you all know. I'm not sure he will ever stop. Not until the cities are burnt to the ground" Aurelio sighed heavily, looking as if a heavy weight was weighing him down.

No one knew what else to say. Josiah's desire to burn Patrum, Patriley, Famumria and Domumley to the ground was nothing new to them but they never understood why. They knew Josiah's old friends and fellow guardians were born in these cities and their families lived there but they had left the country years ago. The families. The other guardians were still here, at the academy and protecting the humans from demons. Going after the cities was pointless, especially because the other guardians avoided these attacks to not give Josiah what he desires the most. So, what was the point? Louis couldn't say.

"You're all dismissed. Good job" Logan released them from the moment with an understanding smile.

Instead of addressing the tension from earlier in the room, when they were standing outside, they decided to head over to Àmbar's place and have a night-in with alcohol and whatever followed that decision. They needed a night to themselves without demons or Josiah or training lessons or worries or fears. Just them and a bit of fun. All together. The whole team.

Three drinks in, they made the horrible decision to play 20 Questions as a group edition. They had started off harmless with their favourite colour or movie or TV show or place to be or country. But now they were falling into more juicy questions. Like the worst date.

"My worst date was with a guy who kept talking about all the girls he had shagged in his entire life like it is something to brag about on a date. Like a résumé or something. It was horrible. He was so greasy" Maribel told them with a twisted face.

"Now I'm glad I've never been on a date. The sheer horror" Niall shuddered at the thought.

"Never?" Aria checked without any judgement.

"No, dates aren't really a thing in a pack. It works a bit differently" Niall explained shortly.

"Oh, I get that".

"Maybe better. You can't embarrass yourself the way I did once" Liam piped in, fourth beer in hand. "I was on a date with this girl I really liked and I still don't know why she agreed to go out with me but it was so awkward and tense. We had nothing to talk about".

"Uh, that's the worst" Louis cringed in sympathy.

"Happened to you too?" Harry hooked softly.

"Never really been on an actual date" Louis emptied his beer.

"What about Luke?" Harry knitted his eyebrows together.

"That's ... that was different" Louis averted his gaze to the floor.

"Was, huh? So not anymore? Do I smell a chance for your first date on the horizon?" Maribel cackled tipsily.

"Who knows" Louis muttered, refusing to look up.

"Okay, guys. While we're at it who is your most desired date partner? Out of anyone in the world" Maribel asked the next question, giggling to herself.

"Elias Butler, hands down" Niall answered without hesitation.

"Uh, Nialler has a crush on a famous singer" Zayn cooed.

"And I'm not afraid to admit. What about you, Malik? Do you have the balls?" Niall stared him down.

"Sure. I love myself a bit of David Beckham every now and then. Or Tom Holland, he's closer to my age" Zayn shot back.

"That's not what I ...".

"I already managed to charm my most desired date partner" Àmbar pulled Aria closer to her side on the big armchair.

"Same" Aria gazed up at her with stars in her eyes.

"Disgusting" Louis gagged dramatically. "You could have anyone".

"Still her" both girls replied at the same time.

"How about you? Anyone?" Maribel directed the question at him.

"No, no one" Louis slumped back into the couch.

"How sad. Harry?".

"Haven't thought about it. I don't really know anyone apart from you guys" Harry was leaning against the coffee table, sitting on the floor but not looking up at any of them.

"Wow, thank you".

"Where's your favourite place you had sex" Niall threw in the next question out of nowhere.

"Tommy?" Zayn cocked an eyebrow at him in pure provocation.

"I didn't try your bed yet, so I'm gonna say the shower or the kitchen was nice. Can't say anything about the couch" Louis answered unaffected.

"And you never will. The couch is off limits" Zayn reminded him.

"Let's see for how long" Louis winked at him.

"I only ever had sex in a bed" Liam admitted blushingly.

"Same, mate" Niall had his back.

"I did it in some other places but they weren't good" Maribel crinkled her nose.

"You should try it on a balcony with the ocean in the background" Àmbar threw her a funny look, sounding smug.

"Damn it, too much information" Maribel cursed in realisation.

"What about you, Harry?" Aria hooked unbothered.

"In the woods was nice but I'm not sure I would do it again. It's dirty" Harry looked conflicted and Louis tried really hard not to picture the scenario but his mind hated him, like always.

"I can imagine. How many people did you do it with then? All of you. Number of sexual partners right now" Maribel wanted to know. By now, the alcohol was affecting all of their brains. Well, except for the werewolves with their stupid self-healing powers.

"Let me think. I count six in total" Harry scratched his chin.

"Bloody hell. I count only two" Niall gulped down another beer.

"You knew that before. Don't act surprised" Harry shoved him aside, his words a bit slurred somehow.

"Four here" Maribel threw in giggly.

"Only one" Àmbar smiled at Aria, who nodded at her. Whatever that meant.

"Same" Liam coughed with red cheeks.

"Nothing wrong with that because same, Lima" Louis threw his arm around Liam's shoulders, trying to come up with another question to stir this one away from Zayn, who felt embarrassed every time he brought up that he was still a virgin.

"Zayn?".

When Zayn paled next to him, Louis threw Àmbar a pleading look. Maybe she could save the moment. She seemed to instantly understand. After all, she was the only other person who knew.

"Any recent crushes, guys?" Àmbar cringed at her own words. "We need more couples, so we can make fun of you instead".

"Fair point but no. Don't have a crush at the moment" Niall answered honestly. "H?".

"I can't tell you. It's a secret" Harry giggled tipsily. Apparently, the alcohol could affect him for a short amount of time.

"So, there is one?" Aria perked up in interest.

"Maybe? I don't know. How does it feel to have a crush on someone? An actual crush. How do you know you're not just liking the idea because you never had anything like this?" Harry rambled out, his mind far away.

"Okay, maybe we should stop. Most of you are too drunk to function. And with most, I mean Harry and Liam" Niall slung an arm around Harry to keep him upright.

"Harry can't even get drunk, remember?".

"Good idea. You wanna crash here or should I portalize you home?" Àmbar offered them friendly, totally ignoring Louis totally.

"Home would be nice. Werewolf and all" Niall cleared his throat, trying to stand up with Harry.

And what? Now Louis was confused. What the hell did he mean? Werewolves could sleep somewhere else. Luke did it all the time, back in the village the wolves did too and according to Andrew the wolves from Famumria did as well without a problem. Not that they specifically talked about that but still. Maybe Louis' mind was too fuzzy to get what was going on but this didn't make sense.

Thankfully, Louis wasn't drunk yet. Only slightly tipsy. He was still able to bring Zayn and him home effortlessly. Together, they crashed into Zayn's room and crawled into his bed, cuddling up. Somehow the questions of tonight were still circling around in his head, especially when his phone beeped with a message in their group chat. It was a drunken Liam with a question.

From Lima @Heroes of the universe:

"What was your most recent breakup?".

From Belle:

"Remember Thomas? He was my last".

From Tommo:

"Didn't have one yet".

And with that, Louis put his phone away. It was the truth. Luke and he never were a couple, so they didn't break up. They simply cut off the benefits, which was a good decision. Except for Louis' dick. Luckily, when he was drunk he got only cuddly and not horny.

"What's on your mind, Tommy?" Zayn mumbled into his chest.

"Do you think Harry has a crush on that Liron guy he is hooking up with and doesn't know ...? Could he?" Louis bit the inside of his cheek, almost regretting his question.

"I don't think so. You heard him. He isn't sure how it feels to have a crush on anyone, although I'm not sure there is a certain way you have to feel. It's not always all butterflies and breathlessness and all that crap. Sometimes it's comfort and friendship and trust and the rare possibility to actually be yourself. Maybe he doesn't know that and expects a fairytale romance" Zayn thought out loud.

"I haven't thought about it like this. You're very smart, Joey" Louis caressed Zayn's hair absent-mindedly.

"I have those moments" Zayn chuckled contently. "Sometimes you even skip the crush phase, depending on the situation. Mostly when you've been friends before. Sometimes feelings creep up on you and hit you out of nowhere".

"That happened to me in a different universe" Louis realised, remembering the one where he had lived at a gay shelter thing with Zayn, Harry and the others. "Do you think it can happen twice? Or more than once?".

"Are you trying to tell me something?" Zayn looked up at him.

Louis looked at him and thought about his day with Harry, their latest encounters and tonight. He wasn't sure what he was getting at here. He only knew he liked this new side of Harry and that they were on a good way to becoming friends, maybe. But was there more? He had no idea. He never had a crush either.

"No, nothing, Joey".    

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They spent time together and Harry has a job now. Why, if he wants to leave?

What was Louis getting at? Is there really nothing?