(Untitled)

[plant_alchemist]

It had been a stressful past couple of months and even though the trouble was officially over, he was still feeling some residual anxiety

Comments

[notashortbean]

Could the person Russ had been worrying about possibly help with that stress? Well, either way, Ed's gonna try. It's sort of a necessity, no one likes a sad Tringham. Ed doesn't, at least. Because then it meant Russ was suffering.

He's not even thinking about the fact he hasn't seen the bar in a super long time, here. Ed can deal with thinking about that later. Look, ma, he can section his brain out now!

"Hey, you," he says after approaching. He runs a hand through Russ' hair, a fond gesture he employs frequently. "You look like someone's fallen into a well."

[plant_alchemist]

It always helps when Ed is nearby. The only times Russ got more depressed was when Ed wasn't around.

Russell leans into the touch with a small smile, he could feel warmth flow back into him and he looks at Ed, obviously very glad to see him.

"Sometimes I think maybe I have," he replies.

[notashortbean]

"Yeah?" Ed really doesn't like the sound of that. "Why's that?"

He used to tell himself all the time that there wasn't any possible way his presence actually helped Russ, but he can sort of see it now. It helps when dealing with him, at least.

[plant_alchemist]

It's easier, now, to talk about what he's feeling. He has Ed to thank for that.

But sometimes his old habits return and he finds himself hiding from them like he used to when he was younger.

Then he thinks about what it would do to Ed and takes a deep breath, reaching for Ed's hand.

"Everything that's been happening lately...things have looked pretty dark."

[notashortbean]

Funny how Ed could help someone get better at talking, when he absolutely sucks at it himself.

"It's getting better. The stupid trial stuff is over with, yeah?"

He squeezes Russ' hand a bit for a moment, strength to lend strength.

[plant_alchemist]

Russell is grateful for that.

"I know...it's just I still worry that something might happen," he begins, absently running his thumb over the back of Ed's hand, "or they might change their minds and I would..." he looks at Ed, "...I would lose you."

[notashortbean]

"Nope," Ed says. "Not possible. I'm not going anywhere."

His voice is extremely firm with this.

"You can't lose me because I'm yours."

[plant_alchemist]

What a relief it was to hear those words. Russell leaned in to where Ed was standing and wrapped his arms around his waist.

"Those trials were taking too long," Russell's voice was slightly muffled from where his face was planted somewhere in Ed's middle, "I'm glad they're over."

Their lives could be their own now.

[notashortbean]

Yeah, they'd been pretty rough. Ed hadn't been able to let anyone in on it and Roy had barely helped him - but just barely. It was over now, and it could have been much worse, but that doesn't mean Ed has to like the results he did get.

He pets Russ' hair again while he tries to think of something to say. Finally:

"Yeah, I figure the judge decided he was too annoyed at my personality to persecute me anymore."

[plant_alchemist]

Russell gives a small laugh, not wanting to move just yet.

"Is that really what happened?"

It wouldn't be surprising if it had but Russell wants to know everything so he'll stop having scary thoughts.

[notashortbean]

He doesn't need to move. Ed will let him stay there all he wants!

"Nah," he says. "It mostly involved me having to suck it up and take it."

He really doesn't understand how that might sound.

[plant_alchemist]

Russell snorts in amusement this time. It's a good sign that Ed is making him laugh this much.

Normally Russ would have made a comment about something like that but he's still in a mood that needs reassurance.

"But you're sure they can't do anything else to you?"