Forever…
By kira
For Sensei…
Prompt: Forever
Pairing: Tohma/Eiri
Fandom: Gravitation
Word count: 436
888
Tohma listened to the sound of water running in the bathroom and sighed. He felt a lot older than his twenty five years, the guilt he felt over the sixteen year old's ordeal overwhelming his calm. Sitting down on one the hotel room's beds he went over the events again and again in his head. He still couldn't figure out how he had managed to calmly take charge, get Eiri properly seen to, sweet talk the police into hushing it up even though several crimes had been committed, not to mention avoiding arrest for Eiri, and lastly, avoiding deportation back to Japan as dangerous individuals or worse.
He rubbed his temples tiredly, chasing the headache that blossomed behind his eyes away. What he really wanted, besides the power to go back and change history, was a stiff drink. He wanted to get as drunk as his friend Kitazawa had been so he could forget the whole ugly incident even as he cringed at the thought. Rubbing his hands over his face, Tohma sighed in frustration. Had he know Kitazawa was capable of such unspeakable behavior he never would have encouraged them to spend so much time together.
Awakened from his reverie when the running water stopped, Tohma quickly pulled himself together. He looked up, smiling sadly at Eiri when he emerged from the bathroom. The six teen year old looked around nervously, running a hand through his wet hair. He had been in the shower for over an hour and judging by the look on his face, Tohma had the feeling there was not enough water on the planet to wash him clean.
"Do you want to go to sleep?"
Eiri shrugged, his lower lip trembling as his eyes welled up with tears. Several tense minutes passed, before his face crumbled in sorrow, his ragged sob cutting Tohma like a knife. The twenty five year was at his side in an instant, wrapping the younger boy in his arms as he cried his heart out.
"Ssh… It's okay, Eiri… I'm here …" he said softly. "I promise I won't let anything bad happen to you again," Tohma murmured, his words sounding hollow in his ears even though he meant them.
Eiri must have heard his intent, for he relaxed and his sobbing soon gave way to hiccups.
Tohma sighed in relief as he led him to the bed, tucking him like a small child. Dimming the lights, the twenty five year old gave him one last look before going to shower. I swear by all that I hold dear, Eiri, I will keep you safe… forever…