By the time the Duo had entered the musky smell and dim light of the pub, the bruise layered on Eliza's face had seemed to continue of swelling, and bruised terribly - especilly underneath the eye.
A look of concern washed over Ethan's face, as his glasses-clad eyes fixed on the red and purple colouring, surrounding the eye. He sighed, before leading her to to chair, sitting the young girl down.
"I wish we went back to the ED." The young doctor explained, crouching down in front of her. Elsie shook her head, her dark hair flying all over the place, before her dark eyes turned back to Ethan.
"I'm fine. But can I get something cold for my bruise?" She asked pleadingly, raising her eyebrows as far as she could, without paining herself. Silently, the Senior Registrar nodded, before standing up, making his way sensibly, towards the counter. His dark eyes flickered over the dark counter, before a short man, covered in a lot of bright orange hair, approached him.
"Can I get you something?" He asked, folding his arms. He paused for a slight moment, taking one final look at the board, before making his desision.
"I'll get...can I just get a glass of ice?" He awkwardly asked, ajusting his glasses. After recieving a dirty look, he soon got a responce, of a glass, filled with ice cubes, being placed on the counter. Ethan nodded, before standing up, and walking towards Elsie.
The girl was touching underneath the eye every few moments, in order to check if the swelling had gone down, which it had a bit. Ethan approached, the glass of ice in one hand. He placed it down on the table for a moment, before croching down in front of the girl, picking it up again.
"This is going to feel a little weird." He confessed, slowly edging towards her, the glass of ice aiming for the bruising. Once it touched her skin, she flinched, before relaxing into the coolness. A small smile played on her face, as she watched Ethan focous on the cup of ice. His eyes looked back up a few moments later, begining to talk once more.
"So, are you going to tell me? I mean, you don't have to-" He cut himself of, silencing himself. Elsie sighed, before opening her mouth to speak, the ice still being held firmly by Ethan.
"When...Mine and Max's mind died, our mum remarried...Him." She shuddered, as Ethan removed the glass, seeing that the swelling had gone down slightly. He continued to stand up, sitting on the edge of the table.
"He...was strange. So we left. And, now he's found us..." She trails off, feeling a tear roll down her cheek. Ethan is quick to reach and rub her back, soothing her.
"Well...why don't you stay at mine tonight?" He questions. Elsie looks up, a look of small hope on her face?
"Are you sure?" She asks. Ethan nods, more than happy to have the young girl stay at his house. She is quick to pull him into a hug, He dosen't hesitate to hug her back, before the two stand up, facing eachother. Ethan hold out his hand, waiting for Elsie.
"Well, shall we?" He asks. The young doctor smiles, her hand being taken in Ethan's as the two make their way towards the door, not bothering to look back for a moment.
"Cal." Ethan said, watching as his older brother appeared from the other side of the road, Max staying firmly around his arm. When the elder Brother's saw Eliza, calmed and somewhat safe, they both ran over - Max pulling his sister into a hug, whilst Cal stroked her forehead.
"You alright?" Max asked, pulling his sister apart, at arm lengh. She nodded, before Cal took one of her hands, stroking it gently.
"Well, if you need anything-" He begins, but is soon cut off by the girl, shaking her head.
"I'm fine." She continues. "You go and have a drink with Max, i'll be fine." She says, patting his cheek. He nods, before walking off with the older brother, whereas the two others stood outside. Ethan opened his mouth, begining to talk.
"Why didn't you want Cal around?" He asked, as he began to walk towards his car, closely being followed by Eliza. She sighed, running a hand through her hair.
"I didn't want...him involved." She stated. "You see, I only trust a few people..." Her eyes trail towards Ethan, a small smile resting on her face. The Hardy brother turned around, begining to rikindle the conversation, as they reached his car.
"Well, I can see what you mean. He can be a little overprotective." He announced, opening the door to the driver's side. Eliza opened the door to the passenger side, sitting comftabablly next to the young man. He took the wheel, begining to turn on the motor, and drive away.
Most of the car journey was spent in silence. Ethan had kept silent, due to the fact he could see the sheer tiredness and shock on the young girl's face, as she was curled up towards him, her eyes shut, a small smile resting on her face.
It made Ethan smile,to see her smiling. Protected. Safe from the outside world and her father.
He continued to drive, seeing the night sky illuminating above him, yet no stars were visable. Only the moon, shining in his presence.
The two stumbled into the dark apartment, Ethan's hand flailing around for the light switch. He soon found it, as well as Eliza standing in his presence, looking very tired. He stood next to her, begining to talk.
"Do you want to sleep on the sofa? No, wait, you have my bed." He stated, realising how terrible he sounded. Elsie opened her mouth to quietly protest, but was soon cut off by Ethan.
"I insist." He continued. A small smile appreared on the girl's face, before she sauntered into a kitchen, before calling out suddenly.
"Ethan? Where are the cups?" She called, her voice begining to get sore. The doctor hesitated for a moment, before walking into the kitchen, opening the top cupboard where he had placed the glasses. The young girl murmured a small 'Thanks,' before Ethan ran off to his room, getting ready to sleep.
His index finger trailed along the wall, tracing the pattern in the moulding. A long sigh left his lips as the somewhat lovesick doctor entered the white door of his room, seeing the perfectly made bed, his pyjama's lying neatly on it.
Silently, he began to get changed, the thought of Eliza in his flat playing on his mind. Over the previous weeks, he had begun to grow closer towards the newest member of the ED team, and had developed deep feelings for her. The young doctor left the bedroom, making his way towards the bathroom. Noticing he had left, Elsie slipped in, probally going to sleep.
The young doctor reached the bathroom, his bare feet padding on the cold tiles. He slowly looked up into his reflection, begining to wonderously talk to himself.
"Just say it." He spoke to himself. "Say you love her." He took a small breath, before looking down into the sink, before looking back up.
"I...I love...I love Elsie." He quietly spoke to himself, in somewhat wonder he had just said that. Instead of cheering in sucsess, he let his head fall into his hands.
There was no way, not in a million years, Max would let his younger sister in any relationship with the amount of things going on at the moment. Why couldn't he wait? Just until it was all gone. Simple, he couldn't control his feelings.
Maybe he would have to ask Lily about it. She never seemed to show emotion.
Quietly, Ethan made his way back towards his room, to check Elsie had settled in comftablly. The young doctor knocked on the door, before slowly entering, seeing the girl he loved, nestling into bed, wearing one of his shirts he had left out, and looking very beautiful in it.
"I'm, just checking...your okay?" He asked, lingering at the doorway. The young girl nodded, before Ethan did the same action, begining to talk again.
"Well, goodnight." He murmured, before making his way to shut the door. As it was found to be pulled ajar, the Senior Registrar heard a voice calling to him.
"Ethan?" Eliza called, somewhat sleepily. He turned his head, begining to remove his glasses.
"Yes?"
"Can you stay with me?" She asked, her dark eyes looking hopeful.
Ethan hesitated for a moment. Would it be okay? Of course, because he didn't want to let her down. He walked over to the bed, resting his glasses on the bedside table, thankful Elsie slept on the other side of the bed. Carefully, he pulled himself into bed, lying next to the sleeping form.
Within a moment, she was curled up to his chest, embracing his warmth. Ethan showed a content on his face.
A few hours into the deep, dark night, Ethan was awoken by the crying, terrified screams of the once sleeping form next to him. Hastily, he reached out, switching on the bedside lamp, the soft light, revealing the almost crying form of Eliza.
No words were exchanged, as Elsie buried her head in her hands, feeling rediculously stupid for the suprise alarm she had just caused. Slowly, she looked up, her eyes ruby red, and begining to puff up slightly.
"I'm so sorry." She puffed, feeling her concious growing, and her gut instinct feeling moronic and idiotic for awaking Ethan, especilly after he had generously invited her to stay, given up his bed, and been pryed to stay with her.
The doctor in question said nothing, but reached over hesitantly, as if not to scare her. Using his soft thumb, he gently wiped away the tears, just settling under Eliza's bottom eyelashes. A sympathetic look settled on his face, as he began to speak in a soft voice.
"It's fine. Completely fine. Cal wakes up screaming but not how you should." He announced, causing a small laugh to fall from Elsie's lips. Slowly, Ethan reached to once again switch off the light, pulling the girl into a embrace, one of his hands grasping to hers, as if to offer some sort of comfort.
He could somewhat imagine this scenario in several years time, if he was to hold her on their wedding night, or when their children were nestled up beside them. For now, they were immencly close friends, and the sleeping form of Eliza, now nuzzling into his chest, still keeping a firm grip on Ethan's hand, was resting soundly.
The senior registar quickly pressed his lips to her temple, before falling into another slumber himself. So close to the girl he loved, but so far from emotions.
Maybe soon. One day...
AN - I am SO sorry there was no update yesterday! I went to Thorpe Park for the day, and got home at seven. Then, I went to see my little sister's play, and that didn't finish until nine. Then my mother decided to go out for dinner with me and my sister, so the three of us didn't get back until about ten. And I had school, so I was tired and went to bed, and realised I didn't update! So, here is an update for you.
For those asking, Yes, Elethan One Shots are in process. I got the chance to start sketching ideas (as well as part of NWIS,) whilst on the coach yesterday, and have now got well underway...
ETWentHome - Very intence. Intence mood for me on Tuesday. Thank you for enjoying the story!
Crimesolver - Hehe, it's funny to see Ethan fall in love, but having control! Muhaha
Paradoxillia - Elethan is go! Yes, the stepfather reminds me of a film I once watched, and he really is not nice. But, I'm glad you're enjoying the begining of the ship, too.
Tato Patato - Yeah, it only felt right, all the 'One good turn deserves another,' and he generally cares for her. And thanks for the talented part. I squealed so much! :D
-Jodie Rose Xx