Bravery. || larry stylinson boyxboy

Chapter 1

A/N: Hiiiiii this is my first real story so I would appreciate feedback :)

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"Okay guys, that's a wrap for today. Good work, everyone! You're free to leave," Louis called down to the kids on stage. He'd been trying to coach them through a dance routine for the past couple hours, and they weren't getting anywhere. Frankly, he just wanted to go home. "Great work, guys. I'll see you next week."

As the kids filed out, laughing and gossiping, Louis sighed. "I love these kids. I love these kids. I love these kids." He muttered to himself, trying not to panic about how unproductive they were.

He gathered his notes and packed his bag, already planning out his lazy night on the couch in his mind.

As he walked out of the community theater, he pulled his bag close to his side. It was already dark and the wind was chilling his face.

He only really needed to walk a few blocks to get home, but it wasn't the best part of town to go through. He'd heard about hate crimes and muggings happening late at night here, and he always had that nagging fear of being attacked himself. He could handle stopping other people, but he wasn't sure he could defend himself.

As he turned a corner onto an unlit block, he frowned at the dead street lamp. That's not what he needed tonight. He walked cautiously, clinging to his bag. He could just tell that something bad was going to happen.

"What a faggot! Look at yourself, you pansy. Do you like wearing that gay ass scarf? Makes you feel pretty doesn't it, gayboy?" Louis stopped in his tracks. He could hear the voices in the alley ahead of him.

"Please.. just let me get home.." He heard a voice pleading softly. Louis was officially panicking. Without thinking, he ran around the corner, tossing his bag to the side.

"Hey! leave him alone!" There were only three of them, thank god. But now they were turning toward him, smirking and laughing.

"What are you gonna do, faggot? You gonna stop us?" They laughed.

The kid they had ganged up on was slumped against the wall; Louis couldn't get a good look at him.

Harry rolled onto his side, clutching his ribs, trying to see the man who had saved him. He gasped when he saw a small man with a curvy little body and sharper cheekbones than Adonis standing his ground against the large brutes who had attacked him. He wanted to tell the man to run, to leave them before he got hurt, but his ribs hurt too much to call out.

"Look at this bitch. Nice purse, faggot. Got your tampons in there, pansy boy?" The men were closing in on him. Louis could feel the hatred burning in his eyes. People like these were the reason he hated our society.

"I said, leave him alone." He kept his voice steady, but Harry could see the rage blazing in his eyes.

"What are you gonna do about it, faggot?" They spat in his face. One of them pushed him against the wall, holding his shoulder back.

"This," Louis said boldly through gritted teeth. He knocked the man's arm off him, reaching in his pocket and spraying pepper spray at the nearest one. The man fell back, yelling as the pepper burned his eyes. He shouted at his partners and ran around the block.

Louis fell back against the wall, panting, trying to calm his rage. It was then that he heard the shuddering breaths coming from across the alley.

"Shit, kid. Are you okay?" He knelt down beside him, easing his shoulders up so he was leaning against the wall. The boy groaned and gripped his side, tears welling in his eyes. "It's okay, sweetheart. You're safe now. They're gone." Louis wrapped his arm around the boy's shoulders, trying to calm him.

"My.. my ribs..." The boy gasped. Louis' hand came up to his cheek, gently wiping the tears from his eyes. His jaw was swelling, and he could see a bruise forming.

"Did they kick you? Are you bleeding?" Louis panicked.

"Y-yeah. They were k-kicking my side when you s-stopped them."

"Okay, sweetheart. You'll be okay." Louis hugged him close, trying to soothe him. "I'm here," he breathed. "You're safe."

Harry felt himself trembling in the man's arms, unable to stop the adrenaline rush of fear that caused his heart to pound. He could feel the man's arms tighten around him, and the gentle whisper of his words sent chills down his spine.

"Don't cry, love. They can't hurt you anymore. I've got you." Louis whispered, saying anything to calm down the terrified boy in his arms.

Harry let out a sob at Louis' words. He'd never felt so wounded or so cared for, and the rush of both things at once was too much for him. He broke down in the man's arms, clinging to the fabric of his jumper and sobbing into his shoulder.

"Shh. Shh it's okay. I'm here," Louis soothed, trying anything he could to stop this lovely boy's tears. "You're safe now, darling. I'm here."

Harry gasped for breath between sobs, trying to calm down. Gradually his sobs turned into deep breaths, and he was able to look up at the man who saved him. He rubbed his eyes and pulled away just enough to see the man's face. He was met by stunning crystal blue eyes and a soft face riddled with concern.

"You okay now, princess?" Louis asked softly, watching the boy dry his eyes and look back at him.

Harry nodded and tried to speak, but his jaw was painfully swollen and he ended up groaning in pain.

Louis' frown deepened, and he eased himself up so he was crouching in front of the boy. "C'mon, sweetheart. Let's get you cleaned up." He wrapped his arm around the boy's waist and helped him stand, holding him close to his side to steady him. Harry stumbled at first, but allowed his rescuer to support him.

For some reason Louis felt the need to reassure this boy that he was safe, that he was taken care of. "I've got you, love. You're okay."

Harry sighed, holding his side gingerly, and started walking.