Elliot - [016]

[snapekillsedgar]

Who: Elliot Nightray and anyone who lives with him
Where: The Pandora Hearts Estate
Style: Either
Status: Closed

Comments

[unsureazure]

Noel knew this was going to happen. They've known each other for over a year now, and she knew how stubborn he could be when it came to his own well-being. It was a good thing that she was so adamant about him staying home while she worked in his stead. Still, she wasn't mean enough to rub it in his face with a very mature "told you so" or demanding an apology

[unsureazure]

It was hard seeing him like this. He had been a source of emotional support for her, and even if she was physically stronger than he was... Whenever she was with Elliot, she always felt safe. That's why... she wanted to do anything she could to reassure him, to make that look on his face go away.

"Don't apologize for that. After all, I'm supposed to protect you," she just decided to say whatever felt right to her. "Besides, I'm just fine. I'm right here."

It was just a dream, after all. Her grip on his hand tightened lightly, as if to prove her own existence.

[snapekillsedgar]

It took a few seconds for him to even comprehend what she was saying as his mind sluggishly picked through the words. However, it wasn't the words that really got through to them, it was the touch.

His eyes widened, and he looked down to their hands in utter confusion.

"Y-You're not--" With effort, he was pushing himself up slightly and the hand that wasn't being held raised up, almost looking like he was going to try cupping her cheek for a second before it falls to the closest shoulder he can grab. It was completely solid. She was really there. "You're alive?"

[unsureazure]

So Noel was right in guessing what he had been dreaming about. She didn't think that it was going to affect him that much, considering all the other nightmares he had. Then again, she suspected that the fever might be a factor into all this...

She blinks in surprise when he reaches out and grabs her by the shoulder. However, she didn't mind at all.

"Mm-hmm," she gave a slight nod, and tried to maintain a reassuring smile. "I'm alive, Elliot."

[snapekillsedgar]

The moment she smiled at him it just confused him even more. He hardly understood what was going on. He didn't even realize exactly what he'd seen happen. All he knew was that he'd seen Noel die, except now, she was right in front of him, not even hurt. Everything in his head felt stuffy, and a million thoughts were coming to him all at once, so fast that he couldn't make anything out. So, he clung onto the one thought he knew made sense right now, relief.

With strength that someone as sick as him shouldn't have, he pushed himself upright in bed, the hand with hers over it bracing on the sheets to support him. The hand that was on her shoulder move to wrap around her, settling on her back. Not caring what he was doing, his forehead ended up resting where his hand had just been. Whether he realized what he was doing or not, he was hugging her.

[unsureazure]

Noel's mind flew around several different directions at once when he suddenly sat up and held her. She knew that he'd probably be relieved that whatever happened in his dreams didn't actually happen, but... She never expected him to go as far as to hug her on his own, despite the many times she's done vice versa. After a moment of hesitation to register just what was actually going on, she couldn't think of any other response to this.

The hand that was over his slipped away to give him a light pat on the back of his head, while the other went around him to return the hug. It was different and unexpected for her to be comforting Elliot like a small child, especially when it usually was the other way around, but... Noel didn't mind. Not at all.

"It's all right now."

[snapekillsedgar]

Elliot's eyes had closed. Once his other hand was free, he brought it around her too. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he was trying to tell himself that he shouldn't be doing this, but at the moment he couldn't care. For at least a few seconds, he actually felt comfortable like this, for the first time since he got sick.

"Can't lose you." He murmured again, but then he realized he didn't fully understand why. He had known her for years, but he'd started out always scolding her. He still did that all the time. He couldn't pin down when that had begun to change. The more time he spent with her, the more and more he thought about her, until now. Now, sometimes he felt like it was impossible to get her out of his mind. The thought of losing her, even though he knew it wasn't real, was horrible. "Can't stop thinking about you. I don't get it..."

His voice was full of honest confusion. He truly didn't understand what he was doing. When had he grown to care about her this much?

[unsureazure]

He's not the only one who didn't get it. Noel was quite confused about this new information as well. He never showed any signs that she was on his mind so constantly... At least, she didn't notice any. Even after that transition from not being able to stand each other to pretty good friends, Noel didn't expect him to care about her THAT much. Her thoughts were even more cemented when he rejected her earlier in the year when she finally accepted that she was in love with him

[snapekillsedgar]

"Why do I

[stfuelly]

Can't lose you.

She'd only wanted to check on Elliot, briefly, of course. If he had finally chosen to rest, she didn't want to disturb him. But she also was doing nothing more than pacing her own bedroom fretting and letting her mind wander to annoying places. But this...this isn't exactly the frightening scenario that she'd had in mind, but it is difficult to watch. Even though she'd said that she wanted to see Elliot happy, actually seeing it is difficult.

Those words just don't sound right coming from her little brother. She isn't ready to hear or see this at all.

She turns and leaves as quietly as possible, leaving the door open a crack so as not to risk it creaking closed.

[unsureazure]

Luckily, Noel was too busy trying to comprehend all this to notice Vanessa's quick entrance and exit. Really, as much as she wanted to draw conclusions, she didn't want to keep her hopes up.

"... You'll have to figure that out by yourself."

Even if the question wasn't directed towards Noel, she still had an answer for it. She couldn't force him to figure it out... it was ultimately up to him. He would have to come to terms to it and decide if he wanted to accept how he felt or not, just like she did prior. She noticed that he was drifting back to sleep, and certainly didn't want to spend all day trying to balance him. She tries to stand up, still holding on to him, and try to help him lie down. Perhaps this was her cue to make her leave.