Elliot - [013]

[snapekillsedgar]

Who: Elliot, Leo, Noel, Mami, Vanessa, and whoever else asks to join.
Where: An empty (probably debris filled) field in Espoir
Style: Either
Status: Semi-closed
Notes: This event contains spoilers of epic proportions for Pandora Hearts. If you want to join in, just contact one of us.

Comments

[disruptstatice]

Leo didn't't actually expect for Elliot to appear in Somarium again.

Maybe it was a little negative to think that, and he wasn't really sure if it was for himself, to deal with it better, or... something else, because it didn't quite feel like it helped so... But even if he didn't think that way, he still found himself wandering around Espoir this day, hoping that maybe, just maybe, Elliot would actually come back.

Because, logically, there was a chance, right? Even if some part of him felt that he shouldn't get close to Elliot again, that even if Elliot actually got back here he shouldn't be by his side again... didn't deserve it, shouldn't to protect Elliot... He couldn't not search anyway.

And then Elliot was thereThat wasn't an image he was going to forget anytime soon. Even if the flash of the familiar hair colour wasn't much of a confirmation, the state Elliot was in was still something that felt burned into the inside of his eyelids and black bangs, there whenever he closed his eyes and there whenever they were open,

[snapekillsedgar]

He was indeed breathing, and in fact, that was pretty much all that could indicate he was alive. As shallow and soft as his breaths were, they were still there. All of Elliot's concentration had gone to forcing himself to breath, no matter how much it hurt. Every breath was another moment that he proved he didn't want to give in.

The voice was faint, almost inaudible to him, but Elliot still made out that someone had just called his name... He wasn't alone after all? Who's voice was that?

In response, Elliot attempted to open his eyes once again. He could hardly get them open a crack, and his vision was totally blurred, but if Leo was observant, it would be enough of a sign that he wasn't dead just yet.

[disruptstatice]

It felt like believing that those were really breaths would be building hope up too soon, so Leo didn't dare believe Elliot was actually breathing and that it wasn't just his imagination or... something like that. But there was no way he would miss Elliot's eyes opening, despite how some hair still obscured his vision and despite how it was just a crack.

A...live... Alive. Alive alive alive, Elliot was alive. Just... just for now, he knew that, but alive nonetheless.

There was a sob, a strangled one, and at first Leo didn't quite realise it came from him. But he did as soon as he noticed his cheeks felt wet (he was rather surprised he still had tears left to cry), and his lips covered as he brought a hand up to tug lightly at his hair. Alive, alive...

He had to... he had to do something, now that he was conscious while Elliot was still alive. But... but what?

"Elliot--" Except he suddenly felt so weak and had to struggle so hard not to collapse over Elliot's body. "Elliot, c-can you hear me?"

[snapekillsedgar]

He could feel the other person's presence beside him by then. It was an oddly surreal feeling, to want to sit up to see what was going on, and only then to realize after that he couldn't.

Slowly, the sounds began to come to him, starting with the sob... It was only then that the person's identity began to dawn on him, even without seeing him. But, that was just impossible. There was no way it could be him. He was unconscious, and Elliot had somehow been moved. How could he be here now? How could Elliot even face him if it really were him?

... No matter how much his mind told him it couldn't be who he had thought, the next time the other boy spoke, Elliot had no doubts. He knew he had recognized his voice.

Elliot's glazed over gaze tilted up to look at his companion kneeling beside him, finally focusing on him... It was true.

"Leo?"

To the angst tent!

[disruptstatice]

Not even Leo could even consider protesting against bringing Elliot to where Vanessa was. No matter how much he disliked her, she was Elliot's sister and she had been so worried that she acted completely unlike herself. She definitely had to know that Elliot was back.

What Leo didn't like was the fact that she would see the state Elliot was in, and that was bound to be unpleasant. He wasn't entirely sure how, yet, but he knew it would be.

He did, however, try not to think about it too much because what was important now was that Elliot would live, Leo would still get to see him, and whatever happened from here... It just had to be dealt with as it came around, right? Although that was easier to think than truly believe...

Although it was easier not to think too much about anything when he was caught up in making sure not to stumble over anything and drop Elliot, or just drop Elliot. Because Elliot was pretty heavy, really, and Leo still felt exhausted from all kinds of things, but, well... people did say that when needed, the body

[snapekillsedgar]

In every way, Elliot did not like the idea of having to be carried. Of course, he didn't really have a choice in the matter. Being slung over Leo's back wasn't exactly comfortable, especially when he was aching so much, but they were doing what they had to do. Shortly after he'd been lifted, he finally couldn't keep himself awake anymore, and he lost consciousness.

[unsureazure]

As much as Noel wanted to help with carrying Elliot to their campsite, she knew that wasn't the best idea. Someone had to lead, and furthermore, that girl from before was right... There were still monsters lurking about, so they had to keep on guard. Noel was the only one among the three of them that was capable of efficient battle, so she needed to have her hands free. Guns out, she escorted them to their destination, thankfully without incident.

"We're here," she points out the obvious as they approached the tent that was going to be their temporary home for a while. The guns in her hands dissolved into golden particles of light. They were safe, for now.

Truth be told, Noel was a bit worried about how Vanessa would react, but... It was important for her to know that her brother had returned. She reached out and pulled the flap of fabric that served as a door aside, holding it to allow Leo to enter with Elliot in tow, ready to follow as soon as they were in.

"Go inside and set him down."

[stfuelly]

Vanessa has been scarce since the incident with Leo, nursing her wounded pride and mourning the loss of her brother all at the same time. She's barely moved from her makeshift bed, despite the warm temperature and the lack of food and water in her stomach. Dehydration is becoming more of a threat, but...she can't bring herself to care. Not now.

Go inside and set him down.

She glances back at the sound of Noel's voice, rubbing at her eyes to focus them on just who is entering. She sees that servant first, and it makes her blood pressure rise into dangerous levels. Immediately she sits up, ignoring the lightheaded feeling that accompanies it and prepares to scream. But then she notices who he's carrying, and her expression turns weak, nervous and allover shocked.

"Elliot...?" she whispers as she rises to her feet and stumbles towards the three of them.

"Elliot?! Is he...? Elliot..."

A few days later

[snapekillsedgar]

Consciousness slowly made its presence known in the dull ache that came to Elliot's mind, before he even knew he was awake. Sluggishly, he opened his eyes, all to aware of how heavy he felt, and the grogginess that tried to draw him back into sleep. Falling back asleep now was the last thing he wanted. In fact, he was sure he'd get less rest asleep then when he was awake. His sleep had rarely been peaceful before he knew what he had been having nightmares about. They had been bad enough when he hadn't known what they were, but now, they were a constant reminder of what he had let himself forget

[stfuelly]

Vanessa hadn't left his side in all that time. It was shameful, sleeping in the dirt and only leaving to bathe and eat, but she owed this to Elliot. She owed it to him to be the first person to greet him when he finally woke, to be the one who would let him know that this strange life after death could be possible for the both of them, and that maybe one day their brothers would join them.

But, she'd fallen asleep not soon before he woke. She stirred at the sound of his voice and instinctively reached out for his hand as she'd done so many times in the last few days. But this time, instead of lacing her fingers with his, she only touched the top of the mat that he'd been sleeping on.

"Elliot...?" she whispered as she also sat up, blinking the sleep from her eyes.

[snapekillsedgar]

He had been distracted enough that he hadn't thought to look around for anyone else in the room. If he had known who else was there, he might not have wanted to let her know he was awake yet, but it was too late for that. He heard her voice next to him, and he let out a soft gasp as he sharply turned his head to look at her, again regretting it because that made him dizzy

[stfuelly]

"Elliot!" she gasped as she finally caught sight of him. Not lying down and sleeping, but awake and sitting up. He really was going to be okay...even after being told that he was dead, and all of the anger and sadness that had accompanied that news, after everything, he was back here, safe. The world that they'd known was lost to them now, and as much as she hated this place, she had to thank whatever power loomed over them for this second chance.

She sat up on her knees and leaned over to hug him, gently just in case his wounds were still hurting, one hand resting against the back of his head comfortingly. The look of guilt went unnoticed - she was too relieved to process it.

"Thank goodness..."