*insert "was-supposed-to-be-just-a-drabble-but-got-really-into-it" excuse here*
Based on this post (read for context)
You finish crafting your item at the forge, holding in your hands a Gold Ring +2. You put it in your equipment bag, saving it for later.
Then you hear something faint nearby, possibly behind one of the tents.
You close the forge and carefully tip-toe around to behind the tents to see where the source of the noise is coming from.
You peek from behind the corner of one tent facing the woods to see Erik on his knees on the ground. He appears to have his head in his hands and he is faced away from you.
You hear some crying noises and realize it's coming from Erik.
Your heart shatters at the sound of a particularly sad sob and you realize that you need to do something.
Checking the ground around your feet to see if there were any sticks or other objects that would make noise if stepped on, you traverse carefully over to him.
Your heart gets heavier at every step but you continue still to him, to reach out to him.
The closer you get to him, the more audible his cries become. Getting a couple feet behind him, you get down on your knees, about to speak. Erik lifts his head and looks straight like he's heard something from the woods. You know he can hear you but you don't do anything sudden or loud for fear of scaring him which is the last thing you would want right now. You get closer and gently place your hand on his shoulder.
"Eleven? I-Is that you?" Erik asked in a small, shaky voice as he turns his head to look at your hand and then to face you.
His red, puffy face combined with his wet, red eyes shatters your heart just a little more. You see a few more tears roll down his cheeks before he takes his sleeve and runs it across his eyes. The poor thing looks absolutely pitiful.
You outstretch your arms to him, hoping he'd take the offer of a hug. What you get is the tightest, possibly bone-crushing hug as he digs his face into your shoulder and cries into it. You stroke his back as he takes a few moments to cry his eyes out.
After some time, you're relieved to see him calming down to normal, save for the occasional sniffle. He puts his chin on your shoulder and leans his head into your neck. You place your head on his, still rubbing his back. You notice that his grip on you loosens to a more comfortable hold.
"I-I'm sorry for looking like a mess. I just... got overwhelmed, 's all."
"I'm just not used to being cared for and actually acknowledged. B-Before all of this, I was ignored at best, b-beaten at worst. I had to fight for most of my life until now. Now, everyone worries about me a little when they ask if I had enough to eat, enough time to sleep, and enough Medical Herbs to make it through the battle. It was... a lot to take in, admittedly, until it got too much. But it feels nice, not gonna lie. I like it a lot."
You listened quietly. He knew that Erik didn't have the best early life. But the fact that he chose to be a better person instead of being bitter was something you respected.
You move one hand to his hair, scratching his head gently and feeling him calm down instantly.
"T-Thank you for putting up with me. I probably wasn't the easiest to get along with at times. I appreciate it a lot."
You smile and lay a kiss down in his hair.
You didn't know how long you've been sitting there, but you didn't want the moment to end.
Later that evening in the tent
"Eleven?" You hear a familiar voice in your sleep.
You open your eyes to see Erik lying next to you, appearing shy and wanting something.
"Sorry for waking you up, but would it be alright if we could... um... sleep together? Maybe cuddle a little?"
How could you say no to that? You smile back at him and open your arms, seeing his eyes lit up as he scrambled to take the offer.
In less than a minute, Erik was right next to you, wrapping an arm around your waist. He puts his head in the crook of your neck and snuggles close as you wrap your arms around him, holding him close.
In no time, you had a cute sleeping thief in your arms cuddling up with you. Before going to sleep, you begin to wonder about the day tomorrow. Town was close by, more like a city than anything. You made up your mind to take him tomorrow.
Was this a date? Possibly.
All you knew was that you were going to spoil the absolute heck out of him.
romaincrisis
stormborns
blakekathryn
gracieabrams
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