Eleanor’s breathing was messy, her sobs leaving her breathless and hiccuping. The minute Gus’ hand slid into hers, her breath began to even out. It was a familiar comfort, something she’d cherished in the days they were together. He didn’t try to talk to her, or ask her what was wrong. It was likely he already knew. She’d never told him the details of what her father did, but she’d mentioned that Anderson Gunnolf had a bad temper, and how sometimes she felt very afraid. She pulled her face away from her coat, and faced the man. “Gus,” she said, a simple question of why he was there. Her voice cracked on the word.
He offered her a soft smiled and shrugged, did matter what he was doing there, it was like destiny had put him on that street in that exact moment for a reason, and that reason was so he could be there with her “I had a work reunion near here and I thought why not see one of my favorite people” He extended the sleeves of his sweater and gently cleaned a tear on her cheek. “I could never be happy with you being sad, but I’m at least glad that I was here, I’m always happy to be here for you”











