Wanting to do a o/o with my new character// Closed, but lurk if you so wish

((He can't really do much from inside, and he isn't the type to go investigate, so….?

((I got it!

He walked away from the blinds and picked Jaiden up, who continued to play with her doll.

"Tu es celui qui les a choisis à la place de moi, Jean." She hung up after that, looking like she was about to cry as she looked for Eli. She needed to feel safe, happy, and that was how he made her feel.

He started bouncing up and down, making Jaiden giggle and drop the doll.

That made her smile a bit, and she walked over to them, tucking her phone into the pocket of her jeans.

He heard the footsteps and turned around, frowning. "You alright?"

She tried to force a brighter smile, failing. "Yes, I am fine."

He set Jaiden down. "Why do you have to keep this up? Do you not tru-?" he cut his sentence off, looking at his feet.

She shook her head quickly. "No! It is not-not that I do not trust you. I just…thought that I could pretend it was it happening." She wrapped her arms around herself, biting her lip. "It is unfortunately not working."

He stepped forward, wrapping her up in a hug.

She tensed at first, but very quickly relaxed, trying to keep herself from crying.

He rubbed her back slowly, motioning for Jaiden to go upstairs with a flick of the head and an apologetic smile.

"Eight years." Her voice broke, and she couldn't keep a few tears from falling.

"Eight years for what?" He asked softly.

"My..brother. I have not talked to him in eight years, and he-" She swallowed. "He was the one texting me earlier."

"That sounds like something to be happy about, though."

"You-you do not get it. He-"

"Shh…." he hushed, running a hand through her hair. "No need to cry…"

"I know. I know." She repeated, trying not to.

He continued to make soothing noises while rubbing bother her head and back, proving to be a difficult task.

"I-I am sorry, you really do not need me crying-" She attempted to pull away, dabbing at her cheeks.

"Stop trying to so high and mighty and accept my damn help," he said, sounding a bit frustrated.

"I am not supposed to-to cry, Eli. I shouldn't…." It wasn't working, as she found herself crying harder, chiking back sobs.

He cursed himself silently. "I'm sorry for snapping, it's just been really frustrating knowing that you;re upset and not being able to help. But hey," He said, kneeling slightly so she can see nis still-bloodshot eyes. "Did you not see the sobfest I just had with you? C'mon, the least you can do is pay me back a little," he joked, trying to get her to laugh.

She laughed softly, and stepped out of her shoes to bury her face in his shoulder, still apologizing over and over.

"There's nothing to be sorry for, Manon. Everyone cries at some point."

"Not me, I'm not supposed to." Her voice was muffled, but she was very obviously crying.

"And why is that?"

"Father always said it was a sign of weakness, or reserved for people who weren't us." She spat the last word with venom.