For The Freak
By rese
Summary: Jo's upset but a surprising friend might just be the cure.
Disclaimer: Louisa Alcott owns Little Women not me. At all.
A/N: This one's dedicated to Literaryfreak who makes me so… indescribable. I heart you like I heart Laurie and Jo. I really felt like I had to make one fic for you. And I mean had to because you always leave such terrific reviews and I think we may be way too alike in sense of humour and taste. You rock, and this one's for you.
P.S. if anyone wants me to do a specific story for them, as in they have a rough plotline or even just a title pass it on and I'll see what I can do (amongst my juggling of 3 major projects and blockade of assessment tasks)
…
Jo gasped as her legs strained to carry her up the stairs at a wild pace. The age-inappropriate echoing thumping went ignored by two sisters in the sitting room below and Jo hit each stair harder with the climb, swiping furiously at her face as the frustrating liquid periodically blurred her vision.
Finally reaching the top of the staircase she threw open the short door and stepped through, blinking against the sudden change in lighting and the still infuriating tears. Jo slammed the wooden door shut and let her head hit against the panels. They didn't have to be so cruel, Jo thought, finally letting the water run its course down her angular cheeks. If she'd just kept her nose in her book… well it was too late to consider what ifs.
A soft cough and scuffle of boots made Jo nearly jump out of her skin as she whirled around to find out what else had sought refuge in the attic.
"Laurie!"
The boy was crossing and uncrossing his legs in obvious discomfort but his black eyes were locked on her wet grey ones, dark, serious, and had Jo the presence of mind to register any emotion other than her present high-strung ones, concerned.
She quickly brushed her sleeve over her face, vainly attempting to hide the fact that she'd been crying. Laurie was silent but he was no fool, he knew she was upset the instant he heard her heavy footfall on the stairs and he had seen her face when she first entered even if she hadn't seen his.
There was a moment of awkwardness where Jo struggled with the choice to approach or retreat, but after the shock of finding her dearest friend in the attic after such a horrendous event was too much to look past.
Laurie still hadn't spoken, not even her name as he was wont to do in any situation but he wordlessly held his arms open. Jo fell forward like a magnet and trampled over her skirts to grab hold of his offer, bending inelegantly over his seated form letting her injured heart out with a few good sobs.
"Oh, Jo." Laurie finally spoke, quietly but sympathetically as he rubbed her back with a large warm hand, the other securely wrapped around her waist. Jo sniffed and pulled back to find her tall friend smiling weakly back in encouragement.
"I'm sorry."
Laurie's brows lifted in surprise at her words, "Whatever for?"
Jo flushed a deep red from ear to ear and she shrugged slightly, wiping her face again before pointing sheepishly at his wet shoulder. Laurie looked down and gave a lopsided grin, so Jo had cried through his shirt! That was hardly anything to be sorry for and if he had any say in the matter, for Laurie knew Jo was to command him in any manner at this stage, he'd rather have it than her be alone and sorrowful.
"Don't be silly, Jo" said Laurie who felt colder each moment her face was gone from his damp shoulder, "Now come sit closer and tell you're boy just what's made you so."
Jo's look was unsure and she wrung her hands over her puffed skirts as she sat by him on the floorboards. He shook his arms a little wider in impatience for her to take the caring demand and Jo at an uncertain length conceded, shuffling close enough for their shoulders to brush.
"Well," she took a shaky breath, feeling still that her reaction was unwanted and abhorrent to her usual behaviour. But at her friend's curious look began…