Lost & found|L.S

meeting

Harry was running late to his shift at the bookstore, his scarf trailing behind him as he hurried down the busy city streets. He was carrying a bag full of pastries he'd picked up on his way, a little treat to make his day brighter. Lost in his thoughts, he's barely noticed the man who had stopped just a few feet ahead of him. He looked up just in time to avoid crashing into him, but he stumbled, almost dropping his bag.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" Harry stammered, looking up into a pair of striking blue eyes. The man was older, with a bit of scruff and had that roug around the edges look that made Harry instinctively cautious.

The man smirked "Careful there. Someone might steal that little bag of treats you've got"

Harry chuckled nervously, hugging his bag tighter "It's just some pastries. Nothing valuable, really"

The man looked amused "Name's Louis," he said, holding out a hand. "And you are?"

"Harry," he said shyly, shaking Louis's hand. There was something intense about him that made Harry's heart beat a little faster, but not exactly out of fear.

"Harry, huh?" Louis said, taking a moment to look him over, as if sizing him up. "A bookstore clerk with a sweet tooth. Sounds about right"

Harry felt his cheeks warm "I.. I really need to get to work, actually" he said, feeling flustered under Louis's gaze.

"Don't let me keep you" Louis said, stepping aside with a sly smile "But be careful out there Harry. Not everyone's as friendly as I am"

The way he said it sent a little shiver down Harry's spine, but he couldn't quite make himself walk away without looking back. Something about Louis intrigued him, even if he seemed like someone Harry would normally and mostly avoid.

Over the next few days, Harry kept running into Louis around the city. Sometimes it was on his way to work, and other times, he'd catch a glimpse of Louis waiting outside the bookstore. There was something thrilling about these unexpected encounters. Louis had a mischievous charm, and confident and the way he carries himself ugh Harry could never resist. and though he never revealed much about himself, Harry found himself looking forward to seeing him.

One evening, just as Harry was locking up the bookstore, he turned around to find Louis standing in the shadows, looking as if he'd been waiting for him.

"Need a walk home, Harry?" Louis offered, his voice low and inviting.

Harry hesitated, but then nodded. "Sure."

They walked in comfortable silence through the dimly lit streets. Louis seemed calm, almost protective, but Harry knew there was a darker side to him, something he hadn't seen but could sense. When they reached Harry's apartment, Louis paused, looking down at him with an unreadable expression.

"Why are you so nice to me?" Harry asked innocently. He felt like he barely knew Louis, yet he felt safe around him.

Louis smirked, leaning in just a bit closer. "Maybe I'm not as bad as people think."

But Harry could see the shadow of secrets in his eyes, and he knew Louis wasn't exactly the upstanding type. He also knew he should be more cautious, that getting close to someone like Louis was dangerous. And yet, he didn't pull away when Louis reached out and brushed a lock of hair from his face.

"You're too sweet for this world, Harry" Louis said softly, his voice almost gentle "You don't belong around someone like me"

Harry felt his heart race "Maybe you're not as dangerous as you think"

Louis's gaze softened, and he gave a small, bitter laugh. "Trust me. I am"

Before Harry could respond, Louis leaned down, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to his forehead, and then disappeared into the night, leaving Harry standing there, wondering what he had just gotten himself into.