Ethan couldn't leave her there.
He saw how she was. He'd seen it when she'd taken the bacardi ice from him, guzzling it down so easily. The pain in her face as she she pulled it away. He knew it wasn't from the flavor of the alcohol, and he'd wanted to kiss her. They started, and he couldn't let her be.
They'd made love on his step mother's furs, she'd laughed the second time. They had spent the weekend together. He'd woken up next to her for three days straight. And he'd gotten addicted to it.
He'd gotten addicted to the fact that she didn't mind the way he held her close, his forehead resting against her back. Kate had always thrown a fit, she didn't like waking up next to him, always somewhere to go. He'd gotten addicted to the way Chris relaxed next to him, the way that when he stroked her hair, she tried to put it back up. That she laughed when they fell off the couch, and just continued anyway.
That she'd told him outright when her and Gordon slept together. That she'd cried on his shoulder, that she trusted him enough to do that.
Then he'd gone to pick Gordon up.
She'd looked so different. She wasn't laughing.
And he knew, he couldn't leave her. When the three of them were nice and baked, and Chris winced away from his touch, a light stroke down her back. He knew.
"Gordon, why didn't you stop them?"
"What do you mean?" David passed the pipe to him.
"He didn't know till after."
"How wasted am I that I missed half a conversation?" David looked up at the two of them.
"My mom got mad and just let loose."
Ethan nuzzled her neck, kissing her lightly. "Wish I could take you away." He whispered, his fine hair tickling her collar bone lightly. Chris tilted her neck, closing her eyes.
"Guys, We should get going?"
"David we're baked." Chris pointed out. "none of us is really fit to drive. Just relax."
"I miss Lizzie." He rolled his eyes. "Isn't there some place you two can go?"
"My apartment is empty." Chris grinned, tugging Ethan up. Her eyes, eager, even with the slightly panicky look she was giving David.
The climb in, her loose pants, stolen from her brother catch on the window. Ethan helps her, as they walk through her apartment to the small room Chris shares with her sister, who is out, has been for a few days. They step over broken furniture and then fall into her bed, Ethan cradling her against his chest.
They lay like that, Ethan kissing her neck. Wanting so badly to protect her at that moment. He pushes the oversized flannel shirt up, stroking her back as he does so. His hands are soft and light.
When Chris gasps, near tears because he touches her, her back raw, because he sees it and doesn't need to exclaim. He promises himself. He'll be back for her when he's 18 and his trust comes into his name.
Author's notes: mkay, so David and Lizzie are done. Chris and Ethan are just getting started. Most of this is going to take place after a few years. Maybe the next chapter will be more of the story. But yay! It turns out I had more to write. But David and Lizzie are less and less of this.
