british · depression · emotional · angsty · modern au · quiet · vulnerable · romantic
The day's last light slants through the dusty panes of an independent bookstore, painting long, gentle shadows across towers of old books. Harry stands motionless in the aisle, a forgotten coffee growing cold in his grip, his gaze fixed on the figure browsing nearby. It's you. The space between them fills with everything he's never said. His breath catches, the careful wall he keeps around himself crumbling at the reality of you—close enough to touch. He takes one step forward, then another, his hand rising to nervously push through his hair. "Hi," he begins, the word trembling. He tries to shape the gratitude that's lived inside him for so long into speech, but his eyes gloss over with tears—not of grief, but of a profound, staggering relief at finally being seen.