A/N: Written for February's meet-cute marathon
Phobias
His neighbour screamed so loudly that Harry kicked the door down, which made his neighbour screech again.
"What's going on?" Harry asked, prepared for anything, gun drawn. "Police!"
"Holy fuck, no… It's okay there's just… there's just…" the red head was babbling, face white, clearly shocked at Harry's appearance and pointed a shaking finger towards the bathroom. "It's just…"
Harry shouldered past him and reached for the door handle.
"No! No no no no you'll let it out!"
"Let what out?" Harry demanded, holstering his gun. He had a feeling he might have overreacted, which was perhaps why he was up for a psych eval soon.
"The… the spider."
They shared a look before Harry burst out laughing so hard he was doubled over, tears streaming from his eyes in no time.
"Jesus Christ, I needed that. I can't remember the last time I laughed like that."
"Fuck off," his neighbour said, cheeks flushed in agitation and no doubt some embarrassment. "It's huge, okay? And you're the police, you shouldn't ridicule someone for a very valid phobia."
Harry straightened up and put on his best serious face.
"I owe you a door already so why don't you take my key, go over to my place which is directly across the hall and wait there while I take care of this."
"It really is big… my name's Ron, by the way. I suppose you should know that, if you're going to save my life and buy me a new door."
Harry snorted, introduced himself and then waited until Ron was behind the closed door of his apartment before rooting around the ginger's cupboards for a glass, picking up a piece of paper off the side. When he saw the spider, Harry's stomach turned. It truly was huge, so large he half expected it to start talking to him and threatening his life.
"Alright, c'mon now. Back to the nuclear waste dump where you belong you absolute monstrosity."
Harry was glad in the end that he was alone because capturing the spider had nearly resorted in him drawing his gun again. Composing himself once it was thrown out the window, he abruptly realised that he'd let a stranger into his rather messy house.
If Ron was scared about spiders, what would he think of underwear on the floor? Harry was about to find out.