CFUW 114 - The Last Day

[cfuw_shepherd]

[Elli is sitting by her window, rocking back and forth, arms wrapped around her legs]

Comments

[cfuw-shepherd.livejournal.com]

[enters the normal way, shutting the door behind himself and leaning against it]

Elli?

[cfuw-shepherd.livejournal.com]

[jerks her head up]

Lu . . . ka?

[cfuw-shepherd.livejournal.com]

Are you okay?

[comes over, sliding into the window seat next to her]

[cfuw-shepherd.livejournal.com]

. . . don't ask me that.

[cfuw-shepherd.livejournal.com]

...I'm sorry...

[offers her an arm for a hug.]

[cfuw-shepherd.livejournal.com]

Yeah, right.

[cfuw-shepherd.livejournal.com]

I don't like your pain. I mean that. I don't want you to hurt, Elli. We just need to get through tonight and everything'll be okay.

[cfuw-shepherd.livejournal.com]

[presses the heels of her hands against her eyes]

I don't . . . want to! All these people . . .

[cfuw-shepherd.livejournal.com]

Elli... [touches her shoulder, really lightly]

[cfuw-shepherd.livejournal.com]

[smacks his hand]

[cfuw-shepherd.livejournal.com]

...

[lowers it, looking down]

[cfuw-shepherd.livejournal.com]

. . .

[clenches her hands in her lap]

Things will be fine once this is over, right? You won't need . . . something like this for a while.

[cfuw-shepherd.livejournal.com]

That's right. I know it's hard for you. I do know. And I can't... I won't force you, Elli.

[cfuw-shepherd.livejournal.com]

[breath hitches, and she rubs her hand against her eyes again, looking up slowly]

. . . you won't?

[cfuw-shepherd.livejournal.com]

I want to stay with you. But... it's your decision, your choice to make. [touches her cheek] I won't drive your hand, or... anything like that.

[cfuw-shepherd.livejournal.com]

[shies away from that touch, but not as much as before]

But . . .

[cfuw-shepherd.livejournal.com]

I know. We came this far and everything... maybe you don't believe me.

[cfuw-shepherd.livejournal.com]

. . .

[in a tiny voice]

It's just scary.

[cfuw-shepherd.livejournal.com]

[slowly reaches for her again, as if worried about scaring her off, to pull her into his arms]

[cfuw-shepherd.livejournal.com]

[looks up at him with wide eyes, hesitantly reaching for him as well]

[cfuw-shepherd.livejournal.com]

[draws her in, tucking her against him] Elli. Elli, Elli...

[cfuw-shepherd.livejournal.com]

[lets out a shaky breath]

[cfuw-shepherd.livejournal.com]

[rests his head against hers] My chest feels tight...

[cfuw-shepherd.livejournal.com]

[muffled against his shoulder]

Are you . . . hungry?

[cfuw-shepherd.livejournal.com]

Yes...

[cfuw-shepherd.livejournal.com]

Okay . . . okay . . .

[turns, tucking her face against his neck, kissing lightly]

I will take care of you.

[cfuw-shepherd.livejournal.com]

[curls his fingers into her hair, holding her there, though his grip isn't hard]

Okay.