Chapter Text
Hold me like you used to.
The words had been imprinted on his skin for his entire life, haunting him every moment. His weren't like Ron and Hermione’s. A matching pair of everlasting love until death. His was proof that his soulmate would stop loving him, stop caring about him. He dreaded the day the love of his life, his very soulmate, stopped caring. He had protected his soul, not letting anyone close enough to penetrate his shield. Many had tried, oh how many had tried.
He stood firm, not even speaking to a singular soul within Hogwarts in such a way. He had done his duty, his job. Gotten rid of the threat, killed Voldemort. He was still alone. Ron and Hermione had found each other years ago, Luna had found Neville, Ginny had found Dean. He had found no one. He had been glad of it for such a long time, proud of it even. And then life went on. There was no more Voldemort, no more fighting. His purpose in life was gone. Everyone else had found a new purpose, love, life, and family. He had no such thing. So he had left, fled the feelings, the thoughts. Ran from life itself. And he came here, Forks Washington, America.
Hold me like you used to.
Staring down at the words, he sighs. Perhaps it was foolish to run from his past. But he knew he had a future. And if he had to risk falling in love and his soulmate falling out of love? So be it. Having love just to lose it was better than the loneliness deep in his heart and soul. Stepping off of the plane, he sighs as he walks through the packed airport, avoiding as many collisions as possible. Grabbing his bags, he shakes his head as he takes his time walking alongside the muggles surrounding him. He was in no rush. He had found an ancient Black family manor deep within the woods nearby. All he needed to do was simply apparete over.
Finally, he makes his way out of the airport. Taking a deep breath, he walks away, away from his past, away from the present, and into the future. He had done his research on Forks. More in depth than anyone would have assumed of him. There was a single coven of vampires, vegetarian vampires at that. He had also found a group of shapeshifters, one family even sharing the Black family name. He had been slightly disappointed to find that they had no shared blood between the two families. It just meant that he got to leave his old life behind with even less ties, so he couldn't be too disappointed by that fact.
He glances down at his hands, ensuring he had everything he needed before nodding. With a slight smile, he turns on his heel, disappearing with a pop. as he reapers in the manor he glances back down at his mark upon his wrist.
Hold me like you used to.
Soul marks, such cruel and unyielding things they were. Sealing your fate forever and always. They held the last words you would speak to your fated partner. His held such terrible words. Showing that Harry would have to live alone after finally gaining his other half. It didn't matter how long it lasted, it still showed just how lonely the rest of his life would be. How lonely he would be on his deathbed forever knowing that his very own soulmate left him for something else, something better.
His mark was not the only one to end in tragedy. Thousands of others lived in fear of the day their words would be spoken by their match. Millions were left alone, searching for the second best after their soulmate had ruined their bond. Harry loathed that he would one day be a part of that statistic, just another one in a million. One of the lonely souls fated to die without their match by their side.
Setting his things down on the table before him, he sighs as he waves his wand, summoning all of his worldly belongings out of his expanded trunk. His fingers run along the invisibility cloak delicately. He gulps as tears flow from his eyes. He had tried, tried oh so very hard to avoid the glaringly obvious fact, but it was impossible. The deathly hallows followed him, repaired themselves, mended their breaks, and became one with him. He would live forever. Without a soulmate and never dying, always wondering what if. Living alone was scarier than dying alone. And he knew, he knew, he would not get the freedom of death.
His nerves calm as his fingers brush the invisible fabric, as they grasp the hard wood of the wand, fidget with the stone. Holding them all together, he smiles sadly, tears still running down his face as he walks towards the bedroom slowly. He would sleep, a temporary freedom from life, but still a break. After that, he would begin his new journey, knowing the tragedy that lay before him, yet determined to enjoy the love and life and laughter that would consume him while it lasted.
Hold me like you used to.
If he was never held again, he would hold himself.