Lost & found|L.S

I won't leave

The days that followed were tense and filled with uncertainty. Harry couldn't shake the feeling that danger was constantly hovering over them, even as Louis did his best to shield him from it. Louis, for all his charm and confidence, was clearly not used to having someone care about him in the way Harry did. Harry had a feeling Louis had spent much of his life keeping others at arm's length, he didn't know how to be vulnerable, how to let someone in.

But Harry wasn't backing down.

Each night, after closing the bookstore, Harry would find himself waiting for Louis outside, eager to see him, even if it was just for a few minutes. The brief moments when they were together made Harry forget about the looming shadows of Louis's past. He found solace in Louis's touch, in the way Louis held him like he was something precious, something worth protecting.

One evening, as the rain began to fall softly, Harry stood beneath the awning of the bookstore, watching as the water cascaded down in streams. He wasn't sure when it had become a habit, but he always felt better when Louis was around, even if they didn't say much. Harry glanced at his watch Louis should have been here by now.

His heart skipped a beat when a shadow moved toward him from the alley. It was Louis, but something was wrong. His posture was stiff, his eyes scanning the street as if expecting someone. Harry stepped forward.

"Louis?" he called out softly.

Louis's gaze snapped to him, and his face hardened. "Get inside," he growled, voice low and urgent.

"Why?" Harry asked, confused. "Louis, what's going on?"

"I told you to stay away from this" Louis snapped pulling Harry towards the door of the bookstore "Now it's too late" he mumbled like if he's talking to himself.

Before Harry could protest, a car screeched to a halt in front of them. Two men stepped out rough and dangerous looking, their eyes trained on Louis. Harry's breath caught in his throat as he realized the gravity of the situation.

"Louis" one of the men called, voice dripping with disdain "We're here to settle things"

Louis's body tensed beside him but he stood his ground "Not tonight" he said, his voice steady but with an edge of authority that sent a chill down Harry's spine "I told you, I'm out" Louis is so calm and hot, harry is scared but couldn't stop himself from getting some fantasies.

"Out?" the second man scoffed "You think you can just walk away from this life? You owe us, Louis. And you'll pay whether you like it or not"

Harry's heart raced. He had no idea what was going on, but he could feel the danger in the air. He grabbed Louis's arm, trying to pull him away "We need to go, now"

Louis's gaze softened for a moment, and he placed a hand over Harry's "Stay inside" he murmured, his voice almost gentle despite the threat in front of him "I'll handle this"

But Harry wasn't about to leave. He was done hiding behind the safety of the bookstore door. He wasn't going to stand by and watch Louis face this alone. Slowly, Harry stepped forward, positioning himself between Louis and the two men.

"I'm not going anywhere," Harry said, his voice trembling but determined.

Louis's eyes flicked to him, a mix of frustration and admiration in his gaze. He opened his mouth to argue, but Harry shook his head.

"I won't leave you," he said firmly "I can't" he continued it almost desperately

For a moment, the two men seemed taken aback, as if they hadn't expected Harry to be there, standing up to them. The one who had spoken earlier sneered, his lip curling with contempt.

"Fine," he spat. "If he wants to get involved, so be it"

Louis's jaw clenched, but he didn't move "This isn't your fight, Harry," he said, his tone softer now, more pleading "Go inside. Please"

But Harry shook his head again "I'm here because I care about you. And I'm not going to let anyone hurt you" Harry might sound and look childish at this moment but he's terrified of losing Louis.

Louis's expression faltered, just for a moment before he stepped closer to Harry, his hand gripping Harry's shoulder in a protective manner. He gave a single nod, signaling his silent acceptance. It was clear he wasn't going to make Harry leave, no matter how much he wanted to keep him safe.

The two men looked at each other before one of them pulled out a gun, pointing it toward Louis. Harry felt his breath hitch in his throat, panic rising in his chest.

"Last chance" the man warned "Walk away, Louis, and we'll let you go. But if you try to fight us, there's no telling what'll happen"

Louis stood tall, his posture unwavering. His gaze never left the man with the gun, but when he spoke, his voice was calm almost eerily so "You don't scare me usher. You never have"

The tension in the air was palpable. Harry felt the weight of the moment pressing down on him, his heart pounding in his chest as he tried to make sense of what was happening, Louis had been involved in something criminal, something that had come back to haunt him, but Harry still didn't understand the full picture, Louis doesn't give him clarity.

Before the situation could escalate further a car pulled up behind them. A sleek black vehicle and its windows tinted. The two men seemed to recognize it instantly.

"Boss" one of them muttered, backing away, his hand still on the gun. "We didn't expect you"

The door of the car opened, and a man stepped out. He was tall, with an air of authority that radiated from him, his cold eyes locked on Louis. The moment their gazes met, Harry saw something shift in Louis's face, something like regret, mixed with .. fear?

"Get in the car, Louis" the man ordered, his voice ice cold.

Louis hesitated, then glanced at Harry "Stay here," he said in a low voice "I'll be back"

Harry didn't know if he could believe him or even believe his own eyes, but he nodded anyway he had to trust Louis. There was so much he didn't know, but one thing was certain he wasn't about to let Louis slip away from him.

As Louis walked toward the car, Harry stood frozen, watching him disappear into the darkness. The man with the gun watched Harry for a moment before stepping back, allowing the car to pull away.