Lost & found|L.S

I'm scared

The room was dim, the only sound the soft rustle of Louis's breathing as he paced back and forth, his hands running through his hair in frustration. Harry sat cross legged on the dusty floor, his knees tucked to his chest watching Louis with wide innocent eyes. The urgency in the air was heavy, but Harry in his own little world, seemed unaffected by the looming danger.

"Louis," Harry whispered, his voice small and childlike, his lip slightly trembling "Are we gonna be okay?"

Louis paused, his hand still gripping his hair and glanced over at Harry. His heart clenched at the sight of Harry, sitting so innocently in the dim light, his eyes wide with fear but also with something so pure so untainted by the world they were caught in. Harry looked like a child, like someone who needed protecting more than anything else, and Louis couldn't help but feel an overwhelming need to take care of him.

"We'll be okay," Louis answered though there was a flicker of uncertainty in his voice "Just stay here, alright? Stay quiet, stay low. I'll go just for a second to figure this out"

Harry pouted, his bottom lip jutting out in the most adorable way. He leaned forward, crawling over to Louis, his movements clumsy but endearing, and tugged at his sleeve "But Louis, I don't wanna stay here," he said in the softest most pleading voice "I wanna be with you... I don't like being alone" His eyes big and round looked up at Louis like a lost little puppy, his voice almost whiny as he spoke.

The room was in fact scary, it was dark and the roof looked like it might collapse above their heads. Harry couldn't help but feel terrified under the circumstances, Louis knew that the thought of being killed if they were caught was messing with Harry's mind. Now, he was completely terrified, unable to think straight.

Louis's heart softened at the sight, and for a moment, he forgot all about the danger that was closing in. Harry's need for closeness, for safety, for reassurance was undeniable. It was so raw and innocent, like a child in need of love. Louis wanted to give him everything, to protect him from the world he had created, but at the same time, he couldn't afford to be distracted. Not now.

"You're not alone, Harry," Louis said gently, kneeling down in front of him. He placed his hands on Harry's shoulders, his touch firm yet tender. "But you have to trust me. You're safer here."

Harry frowned, his hands gripping Louis's jacket like he was clinging to something dear "But I don't like it when you're not with me," Harry whimpered, a slight quiver in his voice. "Please, don't leave me, Louis. I'm scared."

Harry himself don't understand why is he so scared like this, he feels bad, so bad and this place is dark and gloomy. He doesn't want to let Louis go out of his sight. He wants him so bad, and there is a glimpse of him losing Louis jogging through his head.

Louis's heart broke at the sight. The way Harry looked at him, so helpless, so vulnerable, tore at him in ways he hadn't expected. Harry wasn't just a partner, a friend, or someone he cared about. he was something more. A childlike innocence had slipped through, and Louis had never seen him so.. young. It made him feel protective in a way he couldn't explain.

"I'm not going anywhere," Louis said firmly, but he softened his tone, brushing his thumb over Harry's cheek. "I'm right here. And I'm not leaving you. But we have to be smart, okay? You have to stay safe."

Harry sniffled, his eyes still wide and glossy as he reached up and tugged on Louis's sleeve again, this time more insistently. "Promise?"