Perfection Is A Lie - Chapter Nine
Title: Perfection Is A Lie
Author: Danielle aka luvnorli
Pairing: Orlijah, Some Monaboyd
Rating: NC-17
Warnings: Sexual Abuse. This fic does not start off well for one of the main characters.
Summary: AU. High school fic. Elijah lives a perfect life in suburbia with his mother and stepfather. Too bad perfection is a lie...
Disclaimer: This story is a complete and utter lie. Also known as AU fiction.
Beta: rawiyaparand. I blame any Monaboyd cuddling on her influence.
Feedback: I live off it. Well, that and food.
Chapter Nine
Warmth and comfort. Snuggling in soft sheets. Relaxed and at ease. Giggling insanely on the phone.
“No! You wouldn’t! And isn’t that kind of...gross?”
Rich laughter flowed from the speaker. “Precious, you’re a bit of a prude, aren’t you?” Teasing affection. “And I would never think or say that any part of you tastes gross.” Elijah smiled as a blush spread across his cheeks. Damn, Orlando could make him blush even when he wasn’t there. A purposely husky rasp. “I could even give you a demonstration if you want to come over.”
A suddenly sweaty grip on the phone. “Um, no. That’s okay. My mom’s making dinner so I can go visit Dom and Billy later. It’s movie night.”
“Of course. Fight Club again?”
Elijah pulled the phone away long enough to make a face at it before quickly placing it on his ear again. “No! We do watch other movies, you know.”
A superficial sound of agreement was interrupted by the opening of a white door. Elijah twisted under the soft covers. Tensed as blue eyes focused on him. “Hey, I have to go. I’ll call you back later.”
The unasked question fairly buzzed over the phone line. Perked interest at the sudden change in mood. Reluctance to sever the connection. “...Okay, precious. You do that.”
Elijah hit the off button and sat up. He met slightly narrowed eyes hiding behind an easy pose. He cleared his throat hoping to ease the sudden tightening. “Did Mom finish with dinner?”
The carefully relaxed form pushed away from the door frame and walked further into the room. “Almost. Who was on the phone?” Underlying suspicion.
Elijah swallowed and tried to look unconcerned. “No one; just one of my friends from school.”
A small hum of skepticism issued from Richard’s throat. He came closer and sat on the edge of Elijah’s bed as the smaller man stiffened. A well manicured hand reached out and grasped at nothing after a well-timed shift away. A cocked jaw tightened.
Elijah tried to breathe calmly as he licked his lips. The man across from him radiated barely restrained irritation. “Mom’s going to be done any second. It’s almost dinner time.” He tried to grasp at excuses for his reaction, offer appeasement to an animal.
A cold smile spread across thin lips. “I guess that means we’ll just have to be quick and quiet then. We wouldn’t want her to hear anything, now would we? Because you know what I can do to you and to her. So be a good boy for me.”
Richard moved onto his hands and knees on the bed to stretch over the slighter form. Elijah closed his eyes and fought back rising bile in the back of his throat. He didn’t want this, those sick hands touching him. Not after Orlando had... He tensed and unconsciously shied away.
The blonde man screwed his lips into a pursed frown at the small motion. Impatience flashed through him. He pushed a soft shoulder roughly down on the bed before standing on his knees over the prone form. Rough hands forced locked thighs open to questing hands. They slid along worn corduroy pant legs past the knee and over hidden flesh to the point at which they met. Richard pushed down and moved slightly up to find his prize.
Forced breathes passed a tight throat. Stars appeared behind clenched eyelids. This wasn’t happening. Chocolate eyes flashed through his mind, and a lip was pulled guiltily between his own unforgiving teeth. The firm pressure was making him sick. The warmth seeping through burned him. Sweat broke out in a clammy layer across his skin.
Then the voice of an angel called to him. Or rather his mother’s voice floated up from the bottom of the stairwell. She was calling the two men for dinner.
Richard froze, hands stilling over Elijah’s groin. His jaw clenched a moment before a large hand followed suit. Purposely cruel. A stifled moan of discomfort from underneath. Hot breath scorched a sensitive ear. “Don’t think this is over.” The taller man rolled off the bed and quietly slipped out the door.
As the door softly shut, Elijah laid quivering on the tangled sheets. He forced air in and out of his lungs, rhythmic inhalations and exhalations. He slowly started to move, not even feeling the stretching of his own muscles. Numb. Unfocused eyes led him out the door and down the stairs as he straightened himself up. The brunette walked into the dining room to see his mother and step-father already seated.
“There you are. I was beginning to wonder if you’d fallen asleep up there.” A teasing smiled bloomed across a delicately structured face.
A tight one crossed the boy’s own face. “Nope.”
He pulled out his chair and sat stiffly as the food was served. Silence reigned while the trio ate. Elijah wouldn’t be able to tell anyone what he had eaten if they were to later ask. He’d only remember the tension in his back. The concentrated swallows. Nagging guilt in the back of his mind that seemed tied to warm brown eyes and gentle reassurances.
“So, Elijah, how are you doing in school?”
Elijah started, and his fork clanged against his plate. A quick movement of the head and he was staring into inquiring blue eyes, half-hidden behind blond bangs. He swallowed and looked at his plate before mumbling something that passed for decent. A small shrug followed.
“Have you made any new friends recently?”
Elijah slumped down in his seat and shot the older man a look that only the teenagers in life were able to perfect. What did he care?
“I mean, I thought that you, Billy, and Dominic were a trio.”
The brunette boy rolled his eyes. “We are.” He looked at his mom. Help me, please. Shut him up.
“Well, who dropped you off here a couple weeks ago? I don’t think that I’ve ever seen that vehicle before.”
Elijah let out a loud sigh as a sick, cold feeling washed through his body. He blatantly ignored the question before once again focusing on his mother. “Can I go ahead and go? Billy and Dom are waiting on me to get there.”
A concerned upturn of the lips and worried eyes. “Of course. Just be sure to be home before one: you have school tomorrow.”
A grateful smile. The relieved boy practically jumped out of his chair and grabbed his dishes to take to the kitchen. Then he placed a quick kiss on his mother’s cheek before heading for the door. The space between his shoulder blades itched the whole time.
>-<>-<
As soon as Elijah knocked on the thick wooden door, it opened.
“You’re late,” an annoyed blonde informed him.
The brunette shrugged as he shouldered past. “I was eating dinner.”
“Huh?” Dom looked confused. “Why? We always eat here. And I know you love Billy’s mom’s cooking.”
Another uplifting of the shoulders. “My mom wanted us to have a family dinner.” What a joke.
“Oh.”
The two walked in silence to Billy’s room. The boy was sitting on the bed with the DVD player in his lap.
“What are you doing? I thought you were going to set up the movie while I answered the door.”
The boy looked up from the electronics. “I was going to, but when I tried to turn the power on, it made a popping noise and didn’t work. Something’s broken.”
A sigh of disappointment issued from parted lips. They pursed in a frown before twisting into a thoughtful pose. Then a smile shone forth.
“Well, if we can’t watch a movie, we’ll just have to find some other way to entertain ourselves.” Two pairs of eyes met over the blonde’s head. Worried amusement. Suddenly the man in the middle rounded on Elijah. “I think we should talk about Orlando.” An evil grin. “I mean, since you already know all about me and Billy. And be sure not to leave anything out.”
Elijah squirmed under the maniacal gaze. Sometimes life just wasn’t fair. Of course he would be the one with a boyfriend Dom would take a shining to. And he was like a damn dog with a bone. “There’s not much to tell.” He shuffled his feet and looked to the figure on the bed for help. Save me from your boyfriend. All he got was a shrug. Don’t look at me. You’re on your own. I don’t want him pissed at me.
A snort of disbelief. “Just who do you think you’re fooling? Don’t you think that I haven’t noticed those far off glances? And not to mention the love bite on your shoulder when you were changing for gym a couple days ago. There is sooo much to tell, so get to it.” He pushed the bewildered boy into a swiveling computer chair and stood over him with crossed arms and an expectant look.
Elijah stared up with wide eyes. Uh... Help. Please. Anyone.
The voice of reason. “Dommie, why don’t you come and sit over here? I think that you’re scaring Elijah. Let’s give him some room to breath so he can tell you what you want to know.” Elijah didn’t know if he should feel relieved or ganged up on.
A thoughtful look crossed the blonde’s lips before he bounded over to crawl into his boyfriend’s lap. He snuggled closer as lean arms wrapped around him. A soft sigh. Contentment. A shift on the other side of the room caught his attention. Oh, yeah. He was about to find out more about the lovely Orlando. A perfectly arched eyebrow had the squirming figure talking.
“Um, so, yeah. Orlando’s fine. I talked to him today. He’s good. It’s good. We’re good.”
Dom pouted and craned his neck up and around. “Billy, he’s teasing me.”
A suppressed laugh in favor of a soothing voice. “No, he’s just trying to figure out what to say.” Soothing circles on a lower abdomen. Dom had been touchy all day; he’d have to ask about what was wrong later.
Dom’s attention refocused on the subject of his interrogation. “I want to know the good stuff. Because it’s pretty obvious that the two of you have been getting pretty hot lately, but you haven’t told us anything. And we’re your best friends, so spill.”
Elijah fidgeted as a light blush stained his cheeks. They wanted to know about him and Orlando...together.
“Um. Yeah. So.” He licked his lips. “We haven’t you know...had sex. We’ve done stuff, just not that. We’re taking things slowly.” A soft smile calmed his nervous features. “He’s just great. He’s patient without just waiting around. It’s like he knows just how far I’m willing to go. He’s so assertive about it but still makes sure that I’m okay with everything. I just...” Silly smile.
Dom squirmed a bit from his position on Billy’s lap. “So, do you think that you guys are gonna go for it? I mean...is he the one you want to be your first?” Excitement made his body hum. A nose nuzzled his neck, an indulgent smile pressed against his spine.
Elijah looked down and started twining his fingers. Silence. Tangled fingers. “I think...yes.” He looked up slowly and nodded. “I think so. There’s something about him that draws me to him.” He closed his eyes and breathed deeply. “I can’t imagine my first time being with anyone else.”
Perfectly quiet. No movement. Frozen in time. For about 10 seconds until an energetic boy rocketed off the bed to jump into the lap of the still figure on the chair. Elijah half-heartedly fought off the air-depriving hugs from the boy sitting on his legs.
“I’m so happy for you!” Bounce, bounce. “And I love Orlando.” Bounce. “It’s going to be perfect.” Bounce, bounce, bounce. “You have to tell us about it when it happens.” More bouncing.
Enveloping arms lifted the bouncing boy up and spun him around. A kiss was pressed to his smiling mouth. Deep eyes locked with his own as he was set on his feet.
“Leave Elijah alone now; you’ve had your fun.”
Dom nodded, still grinning from ear to ear. He practically floated over to the bed and picked up the DVD player before hooking it back up to the television. He turned them on, and Fight Club came on.
Elijah’s back became straight in the chair. His attention focused on the screen before turning accusing eyes on his friends.
“I thought you said it was broken?”
Billy flashed a sheepish smile. “Uh, oops?”
>-<>-<
Elijah walked in the front door and closed it quietly behind him. It would be best not to wake anyone up. He was home early: it was just past midnight. He slid off his shoes and made his way upstairs. He silently opened the door to his room and slid in before shutting it behind him. He pulled off his shirt and threw it in the direction of his laundry basket. Suddenly the lamp on his nightstand flicked on. His heart nearly stopped before thudding in his chest. He turned slowly.
Deborah was sitting on his bed looking at him. Relief swept through the boy, making him a bit lightheaded. It was like spinning around in circles before suddenly stopping. He shook his head to focus his mother. She wasn’t one to wait up for him: she trusted him to be home when she told him. Plus, she always went to bed really early.
Elijah walked over and sat on the foot of the bed. His mother’s eyes were studying him. They were worried. A delicate frown marred her lips.
“Elijah, is everything okay? I’m worried about you. You haven’t been yourself lately.”
Surprised, the brunette swallowed and looked down at his hands folded between splayed knees. Eyelids drifted down. Hiding.
“Elijah?” Concern laced in just one word. “You know that you can tell me anything.”
He swallowed again and nodded before looking up. The light flowed over delicate features. The shadows from being too thin. Highlights over prominent bones. She was so fragile. And she wanted to protect him from whatever was bothering. His heart cried out even as he remained silent for minutes. She would do anything for him...but he would do the same for her.
“I know, Mom. It’s nothing big, just something that I have to work out on my own. I’m sorry that I’ve worried you. It’s really not a big deal. Just some stuff for school.” Does it count if you lie to protect someone you love?
A slow nod. Not fully convinced but not willing to push. Elijah would open up to her when he was ready. All she could do was let him know that she was there for him if he needed her. She sat up and hugged him. Two tentative arms wrapped around and squeezed as tightly as they dared, taking the strength and love that was offered.
The son finally pulled back and stood up. “I better get to bed. You know, school tomorrow.” A nod from his mother who smiled and disappeared out the door.
Elijah finished undressing slowly. His eyes were half-shut as his mind raced. He tumbled into bed and hid under the covers. Then he silently cried himself to sleep.
Author: Danielle aka luvnorli
Pairing: Orlijah, Some Monaboyd
Rating: NC-17
Warnings: Sexual Abuse. This fic does not start off well for one of the main characters.
Summary: AU. High school fic. Elijah lives a perfect life in suburbia with his mother and stepfather. Too bad perfection is a lie...
Disclaimer: This story is a complete and utter lie. Also known as AU fiction.
Beta: rawiyaparand. I blame any Monaboyd cuddling on her influence.
Feedback: I live off it. Well, that and food.
Chapter Nine
Warmth and comfort. Snuggling in soft sheets. Relaxed and at ease. Giggling insanely on the phone.
“No! You wouldn’t! And isn’t that kind of...gross?”
Rich laughter flowed from the speaker. “Precious, you’re a bit of a prude, aren’t you?” Teasing affection. “And I would never think or say that any part of you tastes gross.” Elijah smiled as a blush spread across his cheeks. Damn, Orlando could make him blush even when he wasn’t there. A purposely husky rasp. “I could even give you a demonstration if you want to come over.”
A suddenly sweaty grip on the phone. “Um, no. That’s okay. My mom’s making dinner so I can go visit Dom and Billy later. It’s movie night.”
“Of course. Fight Club again?”
Elijah pulled the phone away long enough to make a face at it before quickly placing it on his ear again. “No! We do watch other movies, you know.”
A superficial sound of agreement was interrupted by the opening of a white door. Elijah twisted under the soft covers. Tensed as blue eyes focused on him. “Hey, I have to go. I’ll call you back later.”
The unasked question fairly buzzed over the phone line. Perked interest at the sudden change in mood. Reluctance to sever the connection. “...Okay, precious. You do that.”
Elijah hit the off button and sat up. He met slightly narrowed eyes hiding behind an easy pose. He cleared his throat hoping to ease the sudden tightening. “Did Mom finish with dinner?”
The carefully relaxed form pushed away from the door frame and walked further into the room. “Almost. Who was on the phone?” Underlying suspicion.
Elijah swallowed and tried to look unconcerned. “No one; just one of my friends from school.”
A small hum of skepticism issued from Richard’s throat. He came closer and sat on the edge of Elijah’s bed as the smaller man stiffened. A well manicured hand reached out and grasped at nothing after a well-timed shift away. A cocked jaw tightened.
Elijah tried to breathe calmly as he licked his lips. The man across from him radiated barely restrained irritation. “Mom’s going to be done any second. It’s almost dinner time.” He tried to grasp at excuses for his reaction, offer appeasement to an animal.
A cold smile spread across thin lips. “I guess that means we’ll just have to be quick and quiet then. We wouldn’t want her to hear anything, now would we? Because you know what I can do to you and to her. So be a good boy for me.”
Richard moved onto his hands and knees on the bed to stretch over the slighter form. Elijah closed his eyes and fought back rising bile in the back of his throat. He didn’t want this, those sick hands touching him. Not after Orlando had... He tensed and unconsciously shied away.
The blonde man screwed his lips into a pursed frown at the small motion. Impatience flashed through him. He pushed a soft shoulder roughly down on the bed before standing on his knees over the prone form. Rough hands forced locked thighs open to questing hands. They slid along worn corduroy pant legs past the knee and over hidden flesh to the point at which they met. Richard pushed down and moved slightly up to find his prize.
Forced breathes passed a tight throat. Stars appeared behind clenched eyelids. This wasn’t happening. Chocolate eyes flashed through his mind, and a lip was pulled guiltily between his own unforgiving teeth. The firm pressure was making him sick. The warmth seeping through burned him. Sweat broke out in a clammy layer across his skin.
Then the voice of an angel called to him. Or rather his mother’s voice floated up from the bottom of the stairwell. She was calling the two men for dinner.
Richard froze, hands stilling over Elijah’s groin. His jaw clenched a moment before a large hand followed suit. Purposely cruel. A stifled moan of discomfort from underneath. Hot breath scorched a sensitive ear. “Don’t think this is over.” The taller man rolled off the bed and quietly slipped out the door.
As the door softly shut, Elijah laid quivering on the tangled sheets. He forced air in and out of his lungs, rhythmic inhalations and exhalations. He slowly started to move, not even feeling the stretching of his own muscles. Numb. Unfocused eyes led him out the door and down the stairs as he straightened himself up. The brunette walked into the dining room to see his mother and step-father already seated.
“There you are. I was beginning to wonder if you’d fallen asleep up there.” A teasing smiled bloomed across a delicately structured face.
A tight one crossed the boy’s own face. “Nope.”
He pulled out his chair and sat stiffly as the food was served. Silence reigned while the trio ate. Elijah wouldn’t be able to tell anyone what he had eaten if they were to later ask. He’d only remember the tension in his back. The concentrated swallows. Nagging guilt in the back of his mind that seemed tied to warm brown eyes and gentle reassurances.
“So, Elijah, how are you doing in school?”
Elijah started, and his fork clanged against his plate. A quick movement of the head and he was staring into inquiring blue eyes, half-hidden behind blond bangs. He swallowed and looked at his plate before mumbling something that passed for decent. A small shrug followed.
“Have you made any new friends recently?”
Elijah slumped down in his seat and shot the older man a look that only the teenagers in life were able to perfect. What did he care?
“I mean, I thought that you, Billy, and Dominic were a trio.”
The brunette boy rolled his eyes. “We are.” He looked at his mom. Help me, please. Shut him up.
“Well, who dropped you off here a couple weeks ago? I don’t think that I’ve ever seen that vehicle before.”
Elijah let out a loud sigh as a sick, cold feeling washed through his body. He blatantly ignored the question before once again focusing on his mother. “Can I go ahead and go? Billy and Dom are waiting on me to get there.”
A concerned upturn of the lips and worried eyes. “Of course. Just be sure to be home before one: you have school tomorrow.”
A grateful smile. The relieved boy practically jumped out of his chair and grabbed his dishes to take to the kitchen. Then he placed a quick kiss on his mother’s cheek before heading for the door. The space between his shoulder blades itched the whole time.
>-<>-<
As soon as Elijah knocked on the thick wooden door, it opened.
“You’re late,” an annoyed blonde informed him.
The brunette shrugged as he shouldered past. “I was eating dinner.”
“Huh?” Dom looked confused. “Why? We always eat here. And I know you love Billy’s mom’s cooking.”
Another uplifting of the shoulders. “My mom wanted us to have a family dinner.” What a joke.
“Oh.”
The two walked in silence to Billy’s room. The boy was sitting on the bed with the DVD player in his lap.
“What are you doing? I thought you were going to set up the movie while I answered the door.”
The boy looked up from the electronics. “I was going to, but when I tried to turn the power on, it made a popping noise and didn’t work. Something’s broken.”
A sigh of disappointment issued from parted lips. They pursed in a frown before twisting into a thoughtful pose. Then a smile shone forth.
“Well, if we can’t watch a movie, we’ll just have to find some other way to entertain ourselves.” Two pairs of eyes met over the blonde’s head. Worried amusement. Suddenly the man in the middle rounded on Elijah. “I think we should talk about Orlando.” An evil grin. “I mean, since you already know all about me and Billy. And be sure not to leave anything out.”
Elijah squirmed under the maniacal gaze. Sometimes life just wasn’t fair. Of course he would be the one with a boyfriend Dom would take a shining to. And he was like a damn dog with a bone. “There’s not much to tell.” He shuffled his feet and looked to the figure on the bed for help. Save me from your boyfriend. All he got was a shrug. Don’t look at me. You’re on your own. I don’t want him pissed at me.
A snort of disbelief. “Just who do you think you’re fooling? Don’t you think that I haven’t noticed those far off glances? And not to mention the love bite on your shoulder when you were changing for gym a couple days ago. There is sooo much to tell, so get to it.” He pushed the bewildered boy into a swiveling computer chair and stood over him with crossed arms and an expectant look.
Elijah stared up with wide eyes. Uh... Help. Please. Anyone.
The voice of reason. “Dommie, why don’t you come and sit over here? I think that you’re scaring Elijah. Let’s give him some room to breath so he can tell you what you want to know.” Elijah didn’t know if he should feel relieved or ganged up on.
A thoughtful look crossed the blonde’s lips before he bounded over to crawl into his boyfriend’s lap. He snuggled closer as lean arms wrapped around him. A soft sigh. Contentment. A shift on the other side of the room caught his attention. Oh, yeah. He was about to find out more about the lovely Orlando. A perfectly arched eyebrow had the squirming figure talking.
“Um, so, yeah. Orlando’s fine. I talked to him today. He’s good. It’s good. We’re good.”
Dom pouted and craned his neck up and around. “Billy, he’s teasing me.”
A suppressed laugh in favor of a soothing voice. “No, he’s just trying to figure out what to say.” Soothing circles on a lower abdomen. Dom had been touchy all day; he’d have to ask about what was wrong later.
Dom’s attention refocused on the subject of his interrogation. “I want to know the good stuff. Because it’s pretty obvious that the two of you have been getting pretty hot lately, but you haven’t told us anything. And we’re your best friends, so spill.”
Elijah fidgeted as a light blush stained his cheeks. They wanted to know about him and Orlando...together.
“Um. Yeah. So.” He licked his lips. “We haven’t you know...had sex. We’ve done stuff, just not that. We’re taking things slowly.” A soft smile calmed his nervous features. “He’s just great. He’s patient without just waiting around. It’s like he knows just how far I’m willing to go. He’s so assertive about it but still makes sure that I’m okay with everything. I just...” Silly smile.
Dom squirmed a bit from his position on Billy’s lap. “So, do you think that you guys are gonna go for it? I mean...is he the one you want to be your first?” Excitement made his body hum. A nose nuzzled his neck, an indulgent smile pressed against his spine.
Elijah looked down and started twining his fingers. Silence. Tangled fingers. “I think...yes.” He looked up slowly and nodded. “I think so. There’s something about him that draws me to him.” He closed his eyes and breathed deeply. “I can’t imagine my first time being with anyone else.”
Perfectly quiet. No movement. Frozen in time. For about 10 seconds until an energetic boy rocketed off the bed to jump into the lap of the still figure on the chair. Elijah half-heartedly fought off the air-depriving hugs from the boy sitting on his legs.
“I’m so happy for you!” Bounce, bounce. “And I love Orlando.” Bounce. “It’s going to be perfect.” Bounce, bounce, bounce. “You have to tell us about it when it happens.” More bouncing.
Enveloping arms lifted the bouncing boy up and spun him around. A kiss was pressed to his smiling mouth. Deep eyes locked with his own as he was set on his feet.
“Leave Elijah alone now; you’ve had your fun.”
Dom nodded, still grinning from ear to ear. He practically floated over to the bed and picked up the DVD player before hooking it back up to the television. He turned them on, and Fight Club came on.
Elijah’s back became straight in the chair. His attention focused on the screen before turning accusing eyes on his friends.
“I thought you said it was broken?”
Billy flashed a sheepish smile. “Uh, oops?”
>-<>-<
Elijah walked in the front door and closed it quietly behind him. It would be best not to wake anyone up. He was home early: it was just past midnight. He slid off his shoes and made his way upstairs. He silently opened the door to his room and slid in before shutting it behind him. He pulled off his shirt and threw it in the direction of his laundry basket. Suddenly the lamp on his nightstand flicked on. His heart nearly stopped before thudding in his chest. He turned slowly.
Deborah was sitting on his bed looking at him. Relief swept through the boy, making him a bit lightheaded. It was like spinning around in circles before suddenly stopping. He shook his head to focus his mother. She wasn’t one to wait up for him: she trusted him to be home when she told him. Plus, she always went to bed really early.
Elijah walked over and sat on the foot of the bed. His mother’s eyes were studying him. They were worried. A delicate frown marred her lips.
“Elijah, is everything okay? I’m worried about you. You haven’t been yourself lately.”
Surprised, the brunette swallowed and looked down at his hands folded between splayed knees. Eyelids drifted down. Hiding.
“Elijah?” Concern laced in just one word. “You know that you can tell me anything.”
He swallowed again and nodded before looking up. The light flowed over delicate features. The shadows from being too thin. Highlights over prominent bones. She was so fragile. And she wanted to protect him from whatever was bothering. His heart cried out even as he remained silent for minutes. She would do anything for him...but he would do the same for her.
“I know, Mom. It’s nothing big, just something that I have to work out on my own. I’m sorry that I’ve worried you. It’s really not a big deal. Just some stuff for school.” Does it count if you lie to protect someone you love?
A slow nod. Not fully convinced but not willing to push. Elijah would open up to her when he was ready. All she could do was let him know that she was there for him if he needed her. She sat up and hugged him. Two tentative arms wrapped around and squeezed as tightly as they dared, taking the strength and love that was offered.
The son finally pulled back and stood up. “I better get to bed. You know, school tomorrow.” A nod from his mother who smiled and disappeared out the door.
Elijah finished undressing slowly. His eyes were half-shut as his mind raced. He tumbled into bed and hid under the covers. Then he silently cried himself to sleep.