This is my first attempt at fanfiction, so any and all feedback is welcome. If I don't post/tag this correctly please let me know. I don't own the characters – I'm just a fan having fun!
Eleanor's New Normal
Chapter 1
(Takes place immediately following Liam and Eleanor's embrace after the death of their father).
Eleanor continues to sob uncontrollably into her shell-shocked brother's shoulder, clinging to him for support. Her crying is neither dignified nor royal; rather, it is the release of pent up stress weeks in the making. First, her beloved brother dies unexpectedly, then Jasper's continued manipulation, her mother & uncle's deception, and now the death of her father. It is too much - soul-crushing, heartbreaking, gut-wrenching grief.
Jasper stands feet away from the bereaved siblings feeling like a voyeur intruding upon an emotionally intimate moment, yet drawn by professional instinct to protect her life and personal instinct to protect her heart. Guilt and regret gnaw at him as he knows he is at least partially responsible for her current state. He's only recently admitted to himself that what had begun as a ploy to put a prissy little princess in her place had evolved into the most genuine feelings he'd ever felt.
Jasper is pried from his thoughts by a small wave from Liam, beckoning him to come closer. Liam is clearly still processing the day's events, but years of telling – not asking – for things to be done and concern for his sister win out.
"Take her to her room. Stay with her and don't let anyone in," Liam whispers numbly. Jaspers gives him a nearly imperceptible nod, scoops a limp and hysterical Eleanor up in his arms, and strides off in the direction of her suite. By the time they arrive at her bedroom door her sobs have subsided to the occasional sniffle. She is physically and emotionally spent, silent and staring blankly into space.
They enter the room with Eleanor still cradled in Jasper's arms. He closes and locks the door behind them before gently placing Eleanor on the bed. He carefully removes her boots and covers her with the duvet. He places a slow, sweet kiss on her forehead before walking away from her.
"So you're just going to leave me then?" Eleanor quietly asks, an edge of bitterness in her voice.
"No, Princess, I'm not leaving you. I'll stay as long as you want me. A lot has happened since we shared your bed the night before the Masquerade Ball and I wasn't sure you wanted me to touch you. The last time I tried you had me arrested. I was going to give you your space and sleep on the couch." Jasper returns to spreading the blanket he'd grabbed off the foot of Eleanor's bed on the couch.
"I want you to hold me….or is that 'not what this is'?" Eleanor responds curtly. The dig does not go unnoticed by Jasper, but he wants nothing more than to have her in his arms again and says nothing. He walks over to her bed, kicks off his shoes, and places his gun on the nightstand before peeling back the covers and climbing into bed behind her.
He tucks one arm under her head and wraps the other arm around her, pulling her closer to his chest. It isn't a sexual embrace; rather, two people clinging to one another, trying to forgive the other's hurts and draw strength from the other's presence. It has its intended effect and both drift off to a comfortable sleep.