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So, let's continue…
Disclaimer: I do not own Stranger Things or His Dark Materials
June 13th, 1993
He has no idea what's gotten into him. His breath comes in quick and ragged as he supports most of the girls weight who hangs loosely off to his side.
They've managed to hobble two blocks, with only one to go, but for Mike it feels like an eternity. He can hear the girls sharp intake of breath as they gingerly make their way to his apartment.
As discreetly as he can, Mike tries to observe the girl from out of the corner of his eye. But, he finds this incredibly challenging when his mop of black hair falls sweatily in his face, and he can see that hers is doing the same.
He just barely catches her wincing as they step off the curb as they approach 11th street.
"Almost there" he tries to encourage the girl, who doesn't respond to his gentle coaxing. Not that he blames her. For, ever since Pitch had placed the girl's Anima on him, he can feel the anxiety and fear that swirls within her. It's incredibly powerful the emotions he feels as they remained connected.
Weirdly enough though, it doesn't bother him. Of course, it's almost near impossible to not go your whole life and not touch another person's Anima. It usually happened on accident. But, those times where you are connected to a person, a random stranger, you never know what you may get, so it's best to be avoided at all cost.
But now, as the fox Anima lay purely connected to his own soul, there's something there that keeps stirring, and it entices him to probe further. Yet, he keeps that feeling holed up inside himself, because he knows it's wrong, and right now he should be focusing on getting this poor girl to safety and taken care of.
A pit sinks into his stomach at this thought. He knows Pitch can feel his hesitancy because he can feel the wolf's dark eyes keep flicking over to him, but for some reason, he feels like he can trust the girl. Even though he didn't even know her name.
Finally, the large apartment complex finally comes into view and Mike inwardly sighs in relief. He brings them to a slow as he adjusts his grip around the girl, settling his arm around her waist instead. Her eyes immediately flick to his and they meet once again.
He can feel it, and he's pretty sure she can too. But, another wisp of pain encroaches on her face, and he knows it's something he'll have to ask about later.
"Alright. This is it, we're almost there" he tells the girl and she merely nods, her breaths coming quicker and tighter.
Mike moves towards the lobby door, and pushes it open, allowing for Pitch to go first as he just about stumbles through trying to support the girl. He stops short and looks over to the front desk where the night manager usually sits.
Mike sighs in relief to see that he's not there so, he sucks in a lung full of air and powers forward towards the elevator. The girl lets out a soft groan, and he mumbled a hasty apology.
He punches at the elevator button much more than necessary, but truthfully he doesn't want anyone to see him. He has met a good chunk of his neighbors, and it would look incredibly weird for Mike to not only be bringing home a girl, but one who was fairly hurt as well.
Finally, the elevator dings and Mike steps inside, Pitch following in turn. He reaches forward and pushes floor 15, and within moments they're off.
The girl seems to take this moment to lean even more heavily into his side, and Mike can't help but blush at the contact. He's never been this close to a woman in his life and it's an interesting experience to say the least.
Pitch raises an eyebrow at him and Mike rolls his eyes.
The elevator finally pings at the 15th floor and Mike hobbles out with the girl. He's very thankful in this moment that his door is only three down as he approaches it.
Not very smoothly Mike fishes for his key in his now bloodstained jacket. And once it's finally retrieved he opens up his apartment door and flicks on the lights.
He's pretty sure all of them blink in the new brightness. Mike hurries over to his worn clothed couch where he finally settles the girl onto the cushions.
She winces and lets out a strangled breath as she leans back, her body contorting from pain.
"Easy, easy, it's going to be okay" Mike reaches out and touches the girls arm. She slowly opens her eyes and she meets his. It's then that he notices he can't feel her emotions anymore and turns to see that Pitch has placed the fox on his nearby loveseat. The second Pitch moves away, it's almost like a warmth disappears inside him. He almost wants to tell Pitch to stay by her side, to do something to feel that connection again.
But, he bites his tongue and turns back to the girl. She hasn't stopped looking at him.
Even though their souls aren't connected, he can see the fear and uncertainty written across her face. She's in pain, and she's in a strangers house.
Mike huffs reaching out to the girl again. She flinches slightly at the touch, but she allows him to keep his hand there.
"I'll be right back, let me go grab some supplies" he says as earnestly as possible. It takes her a moment but the girl nods.
Mike smiles in relief as he stands and moves towards his bedroom and bathroom where he knows his medkit lies. Pitch is hot on his heels.
Even though he knows exactly where his medkit is. He stops in the middle of the bathroom and allows himself to stare at his reflection in the mirror.
His hair is a wild curly mess, even more so than usual, he's got some dirt and blood caked onto his face and his suit is a complete mess. But, what also meets him is his eyes, he can feel the fear start to build within him.
Pitch nudges him with his wet nose, "We have to do it Mike" he starts, and Mike doesn't look at him.
He knows what his companion says is true, but just as the fear he felt from the girl, he feels it himself.
"What if...what if she tells someone…" his voice is flat.
Pitch huffs, "Then we'll move" he states plainly and Mike whips his head to look at the wolf who only has a teasing half smile played out on the wolf's lips.
"But...I don't think we'll have to worry…I know you felt it too", Pitch looks at him knowingly.
Mike nods at this. He did, he had felt it. Something familiar stirred within the girl that stirs within himself and he feels like he needs to make sure she's okay.
So, Mike bends down and fishes out his medkit, a washcloth and a container that he fills with water. With one last look at Pitch, they both nod to one another and head back out into the living room.
She's in excruciating pain. Not that she's ever not felt overwhelming pain in her life, no, she was no stranger to it, but this was different. This was the type of pain that only occured when you got physically hurt, something that doesn't often happen to her.
Her entire leg was on fire, but her kneen was also throbbing, it was almost an impossible task to walk the three blocks that she did in her condition, but, there was something there that she had never experienced before in her life: support.
The moment she realized that she had been rendered helpless when she landed on the pavement and attempted to get up and continue to run was one of the most terrifying moments of her life. What scared her even more was the man and his Anima she had tripped over.
She had never met someone who was so willing to help her, a complete stranger.
Even though she widely protessed, she knew she was being stupid, she couldn't move, and neither could Veda. When she finally got a good look at the man, she saw a spark that glittered in his eyes. It was warm and inviting, safe.
She knew she had to get out of the streets, especially when the gunfire could still be heard only a couple blocks away, so grudgingly she accepted the help of the stranger.
It was one thing to be so close to someone, but a male, this experience was foreign to El. The feeling was somewhat awkward and clumsy. But, everything changed the moment his Anima touched Veda.
It was like lightning rippled through her, and she could feel him in every depth possible. His warmth, his kindness, his caring heart, it was all there, written plainly across his soul. And she couldn't believe what she felt, it overwhelmed her and she almost forgot about her pain.
Then, he looked at her. Even in the darkness that surrounded them, she could see their dark depths, but the warmness that they evoked. She's pretty sure that she was blushing, and turned away hastily, the pain quickly returning.
They then spent the next span of time hobbling as they held onto each other. She more so using him for as much support as possible, as she tried to not pass out from the pain.
Through the small hazes of pain she tried to focus on the feelings that swirled in the man beside her. The awkwardness that he admitted almost made her laugh, she could see the insecurity that bubbled within him. And for some reason, it made him endearing.
She could feel his sensitivity as well, his determination and loyalty. It almost eased her.
When they finally made it to his apartment complex. She took the elevator ride as a way to lean into him more. One, out of sheer tiredness and pain, two, she wanted to see if the closer she got, the more she would feel from him.
But, it was short lived as they once again moved forward and made their way into his apartment.
The bright light caused her to wince as the man guided her to his couch. He laid her down with the gentleness as if she were made of glass. She flinched slightly at his touch, but only because most touch she was used to was connected to pain.
However, the man's eyes were soft, warm and inviting, so she allowed him to remain close to her. And then, she felt their connection slowly diminish and she watched as the man turned his head, and she followed his gaze.
His beautiful black wolf Anima, had gently laid Veda on the other nearby couch. And she silently wished for them to remain connected.
The man however, turned back to her and gave her a soft smile. He told her he would be back shortly. So, she gave him a curt nod and watched him retreat to a nearby room.
Her chest rose and fell quickly as she tried to breath through the pain, but it wasn't really working. She looked over to Veda who returned her soft look.
El closed her eyes, wishing for the pain to subside, she didn't even want to look at it, knowing it was probably pretty bad.
Thankfully though, the man finally returned to the room. She opened her eyes when she heard his footsteps against his wooden floor. She could see that he was carrying a slew of supplies, she sat up, but he quickly moved towards her.
"Hey, easy, you're going to want to lay back. You've lost some blood, so you might be dizzy" he explained.
She sighed and nodded as he bent down and moved towards her injured leg. He began to reach towards her bloodied and torn jeans when his hands stopped, he cast a look in her direction.
"Is it okay if I..uhm...if I touch you?" he questions, and the second it stumbles from his mouth El watches his cheeks flame instantly, and she can see the smattering of freckles that decorate his cheeks stand out against his fair skin. 'Cute' her brain thinks immediately, and she's pretty sure she's blushing now too, understanding his poor choice of words and the possible double entendre behind them.
He starts waving his hands wildly and she feels a small smile turning up in the corner of her mouth, "No, no, that's not what I meant!" he tries to save himself.
"I meant, uhm...you know can I...roll up your pant legs and uh...geez" he shakes his head at his ramblings, and El can't help but giggle.
The sound catches the man as he looks back at her shyly, "It's okay" she says her throat dry, "I get what you mean" she smiles at him.
The man's shoulders relaxed in relief as he gives her a small smile in return. He nods "Okay" he says simply as he reaches forward and pulls at her right pant leg.
"Gah!" she cries out, sitting up unexpectedly clenching her teeth together as the man quickly pulls his hands away.
"I'm sorry, you're pants are tight, I might have to cut them open, is that okay?" he looks at her with his rich brown eyes and El feels herself melting slightly.
She only nods.
The man swallows as he moves to his medkit and she can hear him shuffling around. He turns back to her leg, scissors clenched in his hand.
With the lightest of touch, the man begins to cut away at her jeans. He moves them slowly up her leg, ending at the base of her thigh, and it's then El's eyes go wide.
The blood is dark and thick, as it continues to leak from the gash that splits her knee cap almost in half. She's pretty sure she should have fainted at the sight, but she feels like she's too stunned to do so.
"Holy shit!" the man grumbles as he begins to blot at the gash on her knee, trying to absorb the blood.
El groans, "That doesn't look good" she simpers.
The man nods, "No. It really doesn't he agrees" and El flops back down onto the pillow behind her.
"This is going to need stitches," the man says a couple moments later and El rises again.
"What!?" she cries, and their eyes meet again.
"I'm sorry...but, it's really bad," he says as he continues to blot at the cut as she winces once again at the pain.
El shakes her head, "No...I can't...I can't go to the hospital, they'll-" but she stops short, the man looking at her with a raised brow.
The tears well in her eyes, and she's so overwhelmed she doesn't know what to do. So, she lets them spill as she tries to hide behind her hands.
"El!" she hears Veda cry from across the couch as she whimpers softly.
"El" she hears again, although not from her Anima, but from a male's voice.
She slowly pulls her hands away from her eyes and her eyes meet the man who has moved so that he's now kneeling before her, he's very close.
El notices a soft smile playing across his lips, "El" he says again, "Is that your name?" he questions.
El takes in a deep breath and nods. The man nods his head again, "Well, El, it's nice to meet you, I'm Mike" he holds out a hand, an offering El is not used to.
"Mike" she tests the words out on her tongue, and she loves the way it flows freely and effortlessly from her. Gingerly she reaches forward and takes his hand in hers.
Again, a deep pull, and she meets his eyes yet again. There's something that stirs within them, a bright light she has always searched for. It's trusting and reassuring.
Her small hand feels petite to his large one, but it's comforting.
Mike looks at her. He sighs heavily and then turns to look at his Anima, "Pitch, I don't think we have another option," he says.
El's eyes widen at this, 'What does he mean by that?', her brain asks quickly. She's not sure why, but when Mike turns back to her, he's smiling, but she can see some hesitancy there as well. Their still holding hands.
His large thumb strokes against her soft skin, she gasps slightly at the sensation.
He looks her square in the eyes. "I'm going to trust you" he starts and El quirks her eyebrow at him.
She can't help but spit out, "What?" feeling very confused, shouldn't she be saying that to him?
He gives her a timid look, not really meeting her eyes.
"I'm...I'm going to do something, and it's going to be kind of weird, but…" he turns away and shakes his head.
He lets out a huff of breath, and looks at her again, "But...there's something that tells me I can trust you. You can't tell anyone about this...okay?" he gives her a questioning look.
She really doesn't understand what's going on, or why Mike is acting so weird all of a sudden. El could tell by the way Mike was twitchy and hesitant that he was about to share something with her that was secret. And boy did she know about secrets.
But, she could tell that he wanted to help, that he had a way to do so, but it wasn't something that was normal.
So, she squeezed his hand, their gazes locked, and she nodded, "I promise to keep your secret Mike".
His face drops and he gives her a wistful look, before nodding, "Promise".
And then, he lets go of her hand and motions with his hand for his Anima to come beside him, which he does.
El watches in fascination as the wolf leans against Mike, as if offering a gentle nudge of encouragement. But, it's when Mike reaches forward and places his hands on El's knee, does she understand.
A warmth surges through her as Mike's hands glow almost white hot, as he shuts his eyes and focuses.
A flash of pain rushes through El and she cries out. But, Mike doesn't stop.
"Auggh!" El cries out and she can feel Veda cowering in pain as well.
The sensation under Mike's hand begins to change, her skin feels tight as almost if it pulls together. Her knee continues to throb as the glow beneath Mike's hand only gets brighter.
She's about to scream for him to stop whatever he's doing when a wash of coolness sweeps over her knee. And then, the pain subsides.
Granted, it still hurts, but not like it had just seconds ago. El's eyes widen as she looks over to Mike who slumps back, breathing heavily. His Anima doing the same.
El bends forward and looks at her knee. The gash is miracuously gone. Almost like magic.
She's baffled and only gapes in shock as she tentatively runs her hands over the now smooth skin, not even a scar to show.
"Feel...better?" Mike pants and El turns her smiling face to him, "Oh my gosh that was-" and then he lifts his head, and a long thin trail of blood trickles from both of his nostrils, pooling at his top lip.
El's eyes widen and she's pretty sure her breath escapes her. Not believing what she's seeing.
Mike seems to notice her look, because he moves and wipes at his nose, his already ruined suit now covered in more of his blood.
He sighs, "Yeah, that happens every time", he looks at his blood spattered coat and then back at her again, however, his face falls in worry when she's pretty sure he sees her reaction.
"Look, I know that was weird and all, and I'm sure you want an explanation, but, honestly I'm not sure myself so I-" but he's immediately cut off by El reaching out to him and grabbing ahold of his hand, shutting him up instantly.
He gives her a curious look, and she only gives him a wistful smile.
"Are you okay?" he asks, his eyes scanning her face.
El only nods in disbelief, "You're like me" is all she whispers as Mike's mouth drops open in shock.
'You're like me' settles into his brain, but he can't seem to wrap his mind around it.
'What does she mean?' he asks himself as his eyes eagerly scan her face for any hint of explanation.
This girl, El, who was a complete stranger not even an hour ago, is saying that she's like him. Does that mean she can heal too?
As if El can read his mind, she shakes her head. "No, I can't heal like you can" she begins to explain, "But...I've got powers too" her lips form into a soft smile, and for some reason, it makes his heart beat wildly in his chest. Especially when two small dimples form at the corner of each cheek.
He's pretty sure his breath gets taken away. "What?" is all he's able to spit out, his eyes widening to the girl before him.
She let's go of his arm, sitting back on the couch once again, sighing heavily as Mike still sits on his knees, quite baffled.
He's not sure what to think, he's never met anyone who shares this peculiarity that he does. Granted, he did have this weird feeling that he couldn't be the only one out there. But, because he had never known what to think, he tended to keep his powers to himself. Although, his family and close friends knew, but they had always kept a tight lip.
His eyes flick to El, who seems to be contemplating what to say, and he can't blame her. He can't think of anything to say either.
That's when El's Anima springs lightly from the couch she was laying on over to where El sat.
He watches as El's amber eyes light up the moment her Anima is within reach of her. It's almost as if being apart is something that is a struggle for them.
Granted, no one liked to be seperated farm from their Anima, and in reality, humans and Anima's can't get too far away due to the pain of the separation. Mike had heard once that they use that as a means of torture. Separate a human and Anima too much not only causes pain, but enough distance can kill them both.
Mike shudders at this aimless thought and instead brings his attention back to El, who strokes her Anima lovingly.
A calm silence falls on them. And Mike allows it to sit there, afraid of what might happen if it's broken.
After awhile, El finally speaks, "I can move things with my mind," she states, and Mike raises his head to look at her. She doesn't look at him, she only continues to stroke her marvelous fox.
Mike thinks before he speaks, "So...like the Dark Phoenix?" he cringes slightly, he was really trying to not sound like a nerd, but of course that's where his mind went. He found it incredibly difficult to talk to a very pretty stranger who shared something incredibly rare with him.
His cringe must show on his face because El lifts her head and her eyes land on his, a teasing smile dances on her lips as she shyly eyes him.
"I don't know who that is" her voice sounds guilty.
Mike shakes his head, "No, sorry, that was nerdy me speaking, uhm-" he stops as he rubs the back of his head mindlessly.
"She's this superhuman, and she can move stuff with her mind, like a telekinesis" he shrugs his shoulders as he tries to explain who Dark Phoenix all while watching El as she nods at his words.
"Yes, I guess she does sound like me", El says with a huff of breath.
Mike's not sure where the awkwardness in the air entered the room, but it was stifling. One moment El's a girl that practically broke her knee cap open, now, here they sat, pretty much still strangers, yet somewhat similar in retrospect. Mike thinks he should be reacting more than he was, but there's something that holds him back.
She must feel it too, because she gives him a quizzical look, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to just...make this all weird for you" her voice is heavy with sadness.
This makes Mike draw in his eyebrows, "What do you mean?" he asks.
El shrugs her shoulders and then looks him squarely in the eyes, "Well, it seems like you never knew that there were others like you".
Mike nods at this, "No...I didn't. I mean...I figured I couldn't be the only one but-"
And El cuts him off, "You never expected some stranger that you just saved would be that person?" she asks him.
Mike looks into her face and sees that it has softened, like she's trying to connect with him, but she isn't sure how.
So, Mike just lets out a long, slow breath, "Yeah, I guess so" he states.
El nods, "My sister has powers too" she says effortlessly and Mike whips his head back to her.
"Really?" he squeaks out.
"Yes, she can have people see things that aren't really there, it's a pretty cool power" she says nonchalantly.
Mike shudders a breath, "Yeah, that is interesting,'' he's not sure where to really go with all of this, he feels completely stunned.
But then, something El said earlier reminds him of a question that he definitely needs to ask, "What were you running from?" his eyes move to her face, and she barely meets them.
A gentle tear streams down her face, he moves on his own accord, moving to sit on her side that is not accompanied by her Anima. She startles slightly, but when he reaches out a tentative hand to touch her shoulder, she immediately seems to relax.
"I..I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you cry" he croaks out, his heart breaking for the girl beside him.
She moves her head slowly, and Mike waits as she finally connects her gaze with his. And he can see the hurt, the pain, that glistens behind her amber eyes, he's pretty sure his heart breaks in two.
El sniffles shaking her head, "No" she chokes out. "It's...it's just hard" her voice catches in her throat.
Mike sighs, understanding how she feels.
"It's okay, you don't have to-" he starts, but then El raises her hand and places it on top of his that sits on her shoulder. He wonders if she feels it too, the tingling sensation that spreads through him at her bare touch, it's amazing.
But, he can't tell because he tries to pull his attention to her as she speaks, "There's...bad men...after my sister and I" her voice strains.
Mike quirks his eyebrow, 'Did he just rescue a felon?', his brain starts, but he immediately scratches it off to the side, 'No, not El, there's something else', his mind settles with this thought, because he can see it in the way she looks, the connection they made. Fear stirs within her, and he knows she's scared.
So, he squeezes her hand in his, and she looks at him. "You don't have to tell me right now, I...I trust you" is what he says and the girls mouth widens in shock.
He's taken aback for a second, but he continues, "Look, it's late, we just learned some interesting things about one another and-" he stops, their eyes each searching the others, El's waiting for him to continue. But, he's so mesmerized by her warm brown eyes that it stops him in his tracks.
Mike watches as El lifts an eyebrow up at him, and he shakes his head, "Uhm...sorry, and, why don't we both get some sleep, maybe we can talk in the morning?" he suggests.
El's eyes widen once again, and now it's Mike's turn to be confused.
"What?" he can't help but ask and El shakes her head, she doesn't meet his gaze, "You...you make it sound like...like we can stay" is what she states.
Mike sits a bit straighter, "Yeah, of course. It's late, and-" he stops and points at her leg, "I know I healed it, but...you'll still be in a bit of pain", he then laughs nervously. "My powers have quite a bit of story to them too".
El finally moves her head to look at him, and he's happy to see a small smile on her face. But, then she tilts her head, "Why...why do you want to help me?" she asks.
Mike startles a bit, he's surprised by how quickly El seems to disregard any bit of help, and a million questions swirl through his brain. However, for now though, he needs her to trust him, questions can be asked later, he reminds himself.
"Look...I don't entirely know what's going on here, with us-" he gestures between the two of them, "But, trust me when I say you're still going to be in pain and...I have a lot of questions" he shrugs.
It takes her a minute as the words settle between them, but she then slowly nods, "Okay" she finally whispers and a thankful breath escapes Mike's lip.
"Okay" he whispers happily, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
He then moves to stand and he can feel El's eyes on him. He turns towards her, "Hold on, I'll be right back" he says and he moves back towards his bedroom.
Mike then takes a couple moments to flunder through his beauro as he paws through some of his more relaxed clothing. He finally pulls out an old pair of way too small sweatpants that probably needed to be donated years ago along with a navy blue sweatshirt.
Feeling satisfied, Mike moves back towards the living room with them.
El eyes him warily as he holds out the clothes to her, she quips an eyebrow at him.
"Here, these are old, but still comfortable", he begins to explain nervously as El takes them slowly from his grasp. He then points behind her, she casually follows his finger. "I've got a spare room and bathroom, you're free to take a shower if you want" he tries to sound as least creepy as possible considering he's pretty sure he just told a very pretty girl that she looks like she needs a shower.
She looks up at him, she moves to stand, "I-" she starts, but the second she puts weight on her knee, she grimaces and stumbles forward. Mike moves faster than he probably has in his entire life.
He bends down and catches El just before she crashes to the floor. His long arms snake under her armpits, as she raises her hands and places them against his chest. He steadies them so not to fall, but in doing so he holds El tightly to his chest.
"You okay?" he asks with concern as El settles into his embrace, her head resting against his chest, and he hopes she can't hear the ferocious beating of his heart.
She slowly moves her head up, and he flushes at their closeness, 'I'd just have to bend down and then-" but he stops his thoughts as the girl softens in his embrace. She looks tired. But, then she smiles, "Guess you were right about my knee" she states.
And Mike laughs awkwardly at her statement. "Yeah, sorry about that, I can usually do a pretty good job with healing the worst of the wound, but…" he trailed off not really sure what to say to the girl who is still in his embrace.
She continues to smile softly at him as she nods her head, "It's alright, I get it," she says, and he watches as her eyes dance across his face. He's pretty sure he's flushing even more so.
El shifts slightly as she pushes back from his chest slightly, wincing once again as she tries to steady herself on her feet.
"El, are you okay?" her Anima asks her, Mike sees the concern across the small foxes face.
El turns in Mike's arms, still holding onto him slightly, "Yes, I'm okay" she reassures the fox who relaxes.
Mike holds her arm steady, "Here, let me help you get to the room" he offers and El simply nods as he shifts and moves so that his left arm was wrapped around El's small frame.
"Alright, it shouldn't be as bad as trying to get to the apartment" he states as he begins to lead them towards the guest room. He's found to be proven right as El doesn't lean so heavily onto him like she had before, but she still limps on her bad leg as she holds onto Mike and the clothes in her free hand.
It takes only a minute for Mike to lead El to the small bedroom. He flicks on the lights and the small guest room that is only usually occupied by one of his sisters illuminates in a soft white glow.
Mike settles El onto the bed.
"There" he says as he moves slowly away from her. Her Anima jumping up onto the bed beside her.
El gives him a tired, yet grateful look, "Are you sure...that this is okay?" her voice sounds fragile.
Mike gives her an endearing gaze as he moves to bend down where her feet dangle from the bed.
He's not sure why he decides to, but he takes one of El's legs and begins to untie her very dirty, once white chucks. He does it delicately, slowly.
Once he has both removed he sets them off to the side. He looks up at the girl before him, and he can see the tears starting to form in her eyes, like she can't believe what he just did. It was as if she had never seen an act of kindness.
A tear drips down her cheek as he studies her face. He gives her a gentle look, "Your shoes are off, so that means you stay".
She tucks her lips into her mouth, her eyes glistening even more so, as if she's trying to hold back her tears.
He tilts his head to the right and just as he does so, he's very unexpectedly tackled as El wraps her arms tightly around his neck as she buries her face into his neck.
Since he's sitting on his knees, he throws one hand out behind him to steady himself from the force El hugs him, as he throws his other around her waist.
She begins to sob into neck, and Mike can feel the wetness beginning to form on his shirt, but he doesn't care, because even though he barely knows El, he knows enough.
She's broken, and has been for a long time, if not forever.
So, he readjusts them, kicking his feet out, and El allowing him to shift her so that she's practically sitting in his lap, just so that he can give her a tight hug.
He allows her to cry as he rocks them gently. He honestly has no idea why he's doing this with a complete stranger, but there's something about El that's different than any other girl he's encountered. It's almost as if he's known her, his whole life, and that for some reason, he needs to protect her.
But, he allows these ideas and thoughts to dwindle into the back of his mind for later. Instead trying to focus on making sure El feels safe and comfortable.
It's like they sit there for hours. Mike trying to soothe the poor girl as both of their Anima's sit quietly, waiting for El to calm. However, it's only about ten minutes and Mike can feel El's breath even as her cries soften.
She finally pulled away from him, both of their hair mingled together, wet from sweat and tears, but Mike really doesn't care.
He puts all of his attention onto the girl as he reaches between them and tries to remove the hair from her face. He hears her giggle and Mike looks at her.
She shakes her head, "I'm so sorry" she laughs again as she pulls away from his embrace and he immediately misses their connection.
El moves so that she sits with her back to the bed, her legs sprawled out between his.
Mike softens, "Why are you apologizing?"
El pushes another stray hair behind her head, sniffling, she shakes her head, laughing in disbelief as she does so.
"You're...just so kind" her voice is watery, her red rimmed eyes meet his.
"I've...never had that before".
Mike's breath catches in his throat as her words settle into his mind.
"El" he says gently, willing the girl to look at him. It takes her a moment as she wipes away some stray tears, but she finally does, and he continues, "I don't care that we just met, there's something about you that-" he falters slightly, not really sure how he should explain the connection he feels between them.
But then El nods her head, "Just clicks" her smile is soft.
"Exactly" Mike breathes, truly not understanding what cruel trick fate was throwing them into, but his gut just told him to roll with it, so that's what he's doing.
So, with one last final exhale, Mike stands to his feet, and looks down at El, holding out his hand.
She quickly reaches out as he pulls her to her feet. She teeters lightly as she balances herself.
Their close once again, and Mike's heart hums happily. He nods his head towards the bathroom.
"Take a nice hot shower, then get some rest, we can talk more in the morning, okay?" his voice is gentle.
El nods, "Okay" is all she says, but he knows there is much more behind it.
So, reluctantly, he finally moves and heads towards the door, grabbing the handle as he begins to shut it.
"Thank you!" he hears El's voice heighten just as there is only about three inches of a gap for him to look through. He sees the hopeful look on her face, and it makes him grin widely.
"Don't thank me," he says, still smiling, "Goodnight El" he says.
"Night Mike" is what she says with one last look at one another as he shuts the door behind him.
He hovers slightly by the door, not really sure how to process what in the world just happened to him today.
But, he feels Pitch eyeing him.
"What?" he asks his Anima a bit more tersely than need be.
However, the wolf only grins, shaking his large head at his companion, "Oh, nothing" is all he says, teasingly, as he turns towards Mike's bedroom.
Mike only watches him go with a curious look on his face.
Alright, so what did you think? I thought it would be fun to give Mike some of his own powers in this story, which I will explore more in the next chapter. I know it seems like I'm moving them kind of quickly, but I just feel like with this being a soulmate AU, their going to feel a deeper connection no matter what.
I also know that I didn't go much into the Anima's with this chapter, but again that's going to be more prevalent in the next chapter as well.
I love hearing your reviews, and I can't thank you enough for the last one's it really makes writing these stories so much easier.
So, as always, PLEASE REVIEW!
