Re: Never Alone. (Shiori)

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A faint, distracted smile touched Eric's lips, that were still slightly roughed and cracked from the numorous fights he had been in in the last week. He lightly frowned, just a tiny bit, before he noticed Leah glance up, her eyes slightly worried. Not sure what she was going at, he also looked up, and frowned. "What?"

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Leah didn’t notice she’d been staring at all until Eric spoke up. She shook her head, unsettled, and looked back at him, unblinking. “Oh,” she said softly, dropping her gaze to the bed sheets. “Really, it’s nothing. Thought I heard something.” Leah had to do her best not to remember being pushed up against the wall and hearing Eric’s fists beating frantically on the door, unable to get into the locked room. Leah curled up even tighter without meaning to, closing her eyes and trying to take in deep, centering breaths.

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Eric knew what she was thinking about, by the look on her face and the way she seemed to curl up into him, as if she was looking for protection. He pursed his lips slightly, closing his eyes, before speaking, picking his words very carefully. "He's in jail Leah. He cant hurt you ever again. I wont allow anyone to ever hurt you."

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Leah didn’t care to know how he’d known she was upset—all that mattered was that he promised her that he wouldn’t let anyone hurt her anymore. Not ever again. After that whole ordeal, Leah found that she was much more easily broken that she had originally thought. Leah wrapped her arms around Eric and rested her head on his chest. She couldn’t think of anything to say. She was both terrified by the memories that haunted her, and relieved by Eric’s promise, and the two didn’t mix well

.

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Eric reached forward, and gently slid his arms under hers, lifting her up into a sitting position, and turning her around to face him. After doing so, he looked deeply into her eyes, his face now serious, the twinkling of humor no longer in his eyes. She leaned her head against his chest, and wrapped her arms around her. He did the same, and gently kissed the top of her head, closing his eyes and keeping her tightly in his arms, hoping to give her the sense of security he knew she was longing for.

[Guest]

Leah felt awful. She should be stronger. She should be like Eric: brave and able to cope with the pain. It made her feel weak, that after one beating, she’d landed like this, nightmares haunting her and violent flashes of Mike’s portrait behind her eyelids each time she blinked. Leah bit her lip nervously, burying her face deeper into the cloth of Eric’s shirt. He made her feel safe, as he wrapped his arms protectively around her, and she relaxed a bit.

[ I have to go at 3, but then I’ll be back at 4:45 ]

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Eric had a mouthful to say, to tell her everything was ok, that he would protect her, that he wouldn't leave her ect, but that would just be repeating himself over again. There was only a few times you could say that, and have it mean something. He just wrapped his arms tighter around her, and kissed the top of her head, rocking them slightly on the bed. His lips were still tingling from their kisses.

(Sorry! I didn't even see that you were on!)

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Leah felt the need to cry, just to let it all out, to get it out of her system once in for all. But Leah refused to show any more weakness. Not now, not ever. Not even in front of Eric, whom she knew wouldn’t judge her whatsoever. Leah bit her bottom lip roughly, keeping the tears locked away behind her eyes. She was unable, however, to keep the tears from spilling out, so as a last act of keeping them inside, she closed her eyes, whimpering slightly.

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After a few moments, silence filled the room. Leah wasn't really moving, and concerned, Eric placed his hands on her shoulders and brought her up into a sitting position, looking to her face, noting her eyes were closed. He ran a thumb over her cheek, and shook his head. "Leah, are you alright?"

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Leah opened her eyes and nodded, feeling shy that Eric had noticed she had been trying to keep herself from crying. She held his hand gently in hers for a moment, searching his eyes longingly before commenting, “I’m fine. It’s just…a traumatic event that will be hard to forget.” Leah shook her head slightly before saying, “But it’ll be all right. I know I’m safe with you.” Leah gave him a weak smile before kissing his lips tenderly.

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Eric sufficed a nod, rather stiffly setting his jaw. Looking away from Leah as he felt her eyes searching his, he shifted on the bed and was about to stand up, before Leah leaned up and kissed his lips tenderly. He shouldn't have been surprised, but for some odd reason he was, and stiffened for a mere moment before leaning into her, smoothing the hair away from her face lightly.

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Leah frowned, feeling like she’d said the wrong thing. Her heart crunching painfully in her chest, Leah felt him stiffen, then brush hair away from her face. “Eric…” Leah murmured softly, barely able to keep his rather intense gaze, “Promise me you won’t go too hard on yourself about this? It’s not your fault, but I’m getting the vibe that you think it is. And it’s not, love. Please don’t be upset.”

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Eric grimaced slightly, and narrowed his eyes, shaking his head as soon as she had finished speaking. Giving a scoffing laugh, he let a harsh smile cross his lips, letting her know he didn't believe a word she said. "No Leah. It is my fault, but I cant change that. Not now, not for what happened in the past. But I can change the future."

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Leah shook her head indignantly and patted his cheek gently. “Eric, no. I don’t want you to think it was your fault! I’m here—we’re here—now, and that’s all that matters. The past is the past, and I don’t blame you for anything that’s happened. So, please, Eric, spare me the heartache. I don’t like to see you like this.” Leah frowned and hugged him.

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Eric was suddenly extremley pissed off at himself, and shook his head after he had finished speaking, pulling away as she patted his cheek. He had been about to get up off of the bed, when she leaned forward and hugged him, and he stiffly patted her back, before sighing heavilly.

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Leah noticed that he was still acting stiffly, and, unable to take it anymore, Leah withdrew softly. “I’ll be right back, Eric. I have to ask Mrs. Quinn something.” Leah smiled and pushed herself off the bed, walking calmly out the door, but once she was out of sight she speedily rushed down the stairs and into the lounge, staring at Mrs. Quinn tentatively. “Can I talk to you real fast?” Leah asked hesitantly.

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Eric raised his head slightly as Leah pushed herself off of the bed, and opened the door, scurrying down the stairs and to the level below them. He let himself fall back onto the bed, and used a palm to cover his eyes.

Mrs.Quinn looked up from her book as she heard footsteps pounding down the stairs, and saw Leah peek into the lounge. Straighening and nodding, she patted the couch beside her and looked at Leah, concerned. "Yes, what is it dear?"

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Leah nodded thankfully and smiled weakly, walking over to Mrs. Quinn and sitting beside her, pulling her legs up around her and sighing. “Well, it’s just…it’s about Eric. I figured you know him better than I do, so I was wondering if you had some…advice.” Leah recited the events that had happened upstairs (not the kissing, only the worrying part of Eric’s stiff behaviour). “And I don’t know what to do,” Leah murmured, dropping her gaze to the couch’s fabric in front of her, her fingers picking at the seams for lack of something better to do.

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Mrs.Quinn listened intently, and nodded as Leah finished speaking. She took the teen's hand gently and patted it, her dark brown eyes concerned. "I'm not sure if I do know him better Leah. I may be like a mother to him, but he doesent tell me the things I'm sure he tells you. I actually didn't know that he was abused by his parents, until he came to me after it had happened. He told you right away." She let her hand go, and pursed her lips, shaking her head softly. "It's like the way you felt, when Eric and your brother got into a fight."

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Leah shook her head gently, “I’m sorry, Mrs. Quinn. I thought for sure he’d tell you everything about him. I don’t even know if he has things to hide or not, still.” Leah sighed heavily and leaned back on the couch, staring up at the ceiling. “I just don’t know how to react. I don’t want to make him any more upset than he already is, but I don’t know how to handle the situation. I’ve never been stuck in something like this before. I haven’t really…well, loved anyone before, besides Micah. But Micah…well, he was perfect. We never ran into hurdles to black our path. I just don’t know what to say to him to convince him that I’m all right and that he shouldn’t blame himself for what happened.”

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(I'll be back in about 15 minutes)

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Mrs.Quinn breathed a heavy sigh, and pursed her lips, hearing Leah out. She glanced up and looked into her eyes, and shook her head slightly. "I know one thing, and that is that if you dont talk to him, it's only going to get worse. Perhaps you cant convince him, but if you avoid him and what he's saying, I know that will only push him away. If I know Eric, he wants you to agree with him. He doesent want you to contridict, because it will only make him feel worse. I know that you wont be able to agree with him, but at least let him know that he's still wanted." She was trying to offer good advice, but shook her head. "My, that came out in a jumbled heap, I'm sorry dear."

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Leah nodded, vaguely understanding. “No, no, it’s all right.” Leah smiled at Mrs. Quinn and gave her a quick hug before letting herself off of the couch. “I should probably go back upstairs, I told Eric it would only be a few minutes. But thanks a lot, it helped.” Leah smiled before dashing out of the room and up the stairs again, collecting herself and tentatively walking back into the room, sitting on the bed beside Eric. “Are you even awake?” she teased, poking his shoulder lightly.

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Eric had been lying on the bed the whole time, listening to the wall clock tick the seconds away. His arm was draped over his face, and he vaugly heard someone open the door, before he was poked in the shoulder, making him remove his arm, and raise an eyebrow at Leah. "If you dont stop doing that, I'm going to have to kiss you." He said, giving her one of his crooked grins.

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“Oh,” Leah said, “Well…in that case…” Leah chuckled and poked his arm again, chuckling before scooting off the bed and standing just out of his reach. “I guess you’ll just have to catch me now, hm?” Leah smiled flirtatiously.

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