Disclaimer: I don't own Monster Allergy
Lots of storms this weak. The worst is supposed to be over, but I like the rain and the cold weather. I'd kill to be up in the mountains right now, bet it's snowing...
Of all the things in the world... this, I would have never suspected, Zick mused silently. It almost made him want to laugh... if it weren't for the violently shaking bundle in his arms.
Grunting, he rearranged the unresponsive bundle and turned the television volume as high as he dared without waking his parents in hopes to drown out the object of terror. It didn't seem to help in the slightest, and only served to make Zick relive the events from only five minutes ago.
A knocking sound roused Zick from his sleep. A quick glance told him he had fallen asleep watching TV on the couch when the storm had proven too loud for him to stay in a single dream for more than a few minutes at a time. By the sound of it, the storm had gotten worse as thunder boomed overhead.
Groaning, he forced himself up and trudged the short distance, which felt like miles to the half-awake boy, and opened the heavy wood door.
"Hel-"
His greeting was cut off as something flung itself at him, the force coupled with the surprise of the action almost knocking him down. He was only able to identify the girl by her soaked red hair.
"Elena, what..." The question died before he could finish and he simply shook his head. Closing the door, he made his way back to the couch with a terrified Elena clinging to his waist.
Not sure what to do, he rubbed her back gently. Just as Elena's grip loosened, thunder sounded its call and the redhead clung even tighter to her friend. Zick nodded, understanding what made her act so differently.
Zick ran a hand through his hair. His shoulder was now wet with Elena's tears, and nothing he tried helped.
He hated seeing her like this. After all, this was the girl who had fearlessly stood up to countless monster, including Magnacat, who she had wanted to fight before she could even see him. She had tamed the wild spirit of Bristlebeard and always had his back even in the most dangerous and life-threatening situations. Now, when she needed him for a change, all he could do was sit helplessly and watch her cry.
Then he noticed it.
The sudden silence was almost startling. A smile slowly graced Zick's features.
"Elena. Elena, listen." His words were soft and soothing as he brought his friend down from hysteria. "The storm's passed. It's over."
Elena looked up at the boy and wiped the tears from her eyes. A smile of her own appeared, then flipped as her face creased into a frown.
"But if it comes back..."
"I'll be right here beside you, just as you always have for me."