partners in crime

2

June 6th, 2020
(The pandemic doesn't exist in my world 💅🏻 also I'm using Google Translate. Sue me. )
("Eros" is an island I made up by my myself! They speak Italian (whatever google tells me))

"Buona giornata!" Louis waves, turning around to draw a tally mark on a small piece of paper, forty eight other lines age against the paper.

"Louis!" Olga shrieks from the kitchen, she's an older woman with kind eyes and laugh lines. Louis drops his pen and rushes through the curtain. His heartbeat is sharp and fast, but slows when he see's she's completely fine.

"Olga," He sighs, "You scared me." He adds, pinching the bridge of his nose. She lays a warm hand on Louis' bicep, pointing to the TV.

"Louis è lui!" She whispers, her eyes flicking back and forth between the broadcaster and the picture on the screen. "È il tuo amante." She adds.

Louis swallows, he directes his attention to the small television sitting on a crowded desk in the corner. He sighs when he sees the picture on the screen, Harry.

"No, Olga. He's not my lover. Not anymore." He shakes his head, putting a hand on her back, he bends down to pick up the broom she dropped.

"British actor, singer, and songwriter Harry Styles is missing. Reports say he's been off the grid for days now. His manager refuses an interview at this time. Could a secret lover be the reason for his sudden radio silence?" A short blonde reporter says, his face solemn.

Louis' eyebrows knit together, he will admit he's been keeping up with Harry's whereabouts through the news over the last few years. With there being terrible cell service on Eros. "Olga, he's probably just vacationing." Louis sighs, walking over and unplugging the cord on the back of the television, shutting the old box off.

Olga gives him a sour look and he rolls his eyes at her, before his attention is diverted to the bell on the front door. "Customer." He mumbles, pushing the curtain aside.

He smiles at the older man in front of him, one he recognizes to be Milo, the town Fisherman. "Ciao." Louis greets, washing his hands in the old sink.

Milo's smile doesn't meet his eyes though, his eyes look more worried than kind. "'S everything okay?" Louis frowns, drying his hands.

Milo leans forward, looking behind him, "Foreigner, he came in on a boat. Tall fellow." Milo whispers, his eye brows knitting together. Louis grows confused, "I don't understand." Louis shakes his head.

Nobody, not even visitors, have arrived on the small island of Eros in almost a decade. Louis was the last new comer, and the most exciting. It's a quite place, no internet, cell phones and computers are basically useless on Eros. Only a few chose to have televisions, Louis being one of the few.

He swallows, "There's no vacancy anywhere. Where will he stay? Are you sure he isn't just passing through?" Louis questions, shifting on his weight.

Milo shakes his head, "Had a small suitcase. He didn't speak."

Louis frowns again, "Why are you telling me this?" He mumbles, confused.

Milo rolls his lips into a thin line, "You're the only person with another bed." Milo frowns, his face contorting.

Louis nods, swallowing, "Is he here?" He asks.

Milo shakes his head, "By the water." He mumbles. Louis nods again, "Okay. Thanks for telling me." He sucks his bottom lip between his teeth.

Milo waves his goodbye and leaves, Louis huffs. Newcomers don't happen, ever. Rarely are people even aware of Louis' home. The only business they have being their own. Money's tight, but so is their community. Louis wonders who could have wondered so far they stumbled apon Eros. They must have meant to reach Greece or even Levanzo.

His thoughts are cut short when the bell rings again, a hooded man walking into the crampt bakery. Louis stares at the man, an oddly familiar figure.

"Ciao." Louis greets, licking hip lips, "'M Louis." He adds, waiting for the man to lift his head.

Finally, he does, removing his hood. "Hi, Louis." Then man replies, soft and sweet.

Louis freezes, his heart skipping a beat, his breathe catches in his throat, and he wonders why now?

"Harry."