Thanks for the reviews guys, you have no idea how much every review made my day. So, I realised most of the baby!fics so far have been about Tomoyo and Eriol's first meeting. So this is my attempt at mixing it up a little. Introducing childhoodfriends!Eriol&Tomoyo.
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042. Accident
Eriol honks his car horn impatiently as he eyes the long queue of cars before him. Damn peak hour traffic! He looks at his watch, possibly the hundredth time in the last 10 minutes and curses under his breath. It has been exactly 15 minutes since he received that dreaded call from the hospital. He shivers inwardly at the memory.
He had just arrived home from work and was busy contemplating the contents of his fridge when his phone rang. He picked up expecting to hear Tomoyo's voice and her rant about the long day at work and how she was expecting him to have dinner on the table by the time she got to his place. Instead, he was informed that Tomoyo had been in an accident and that his presence is requested at the hospital.
He promptly flew out of his apartment and straight onto the highway.
His grip tightens on his steering wheel as he remembered the nurse's words on the other end of the line. He hadn't been able to get much information on Tomoyo's situation but she had politely told him to get to the hospital as soon as he can. And look where he's sitting now? In the middle of the biggest jam known to mankind. He refrained from the urge to scream out loud.
"I don't know why you're so mad Eriol."
Eriol stopped pacing the floor of Tomoyo's bedroom. He turned towards her slowly and gaped, "You don't know why I'm so mad?"
Tomoyo shrugged, "It was just one little date."
Eriol's expression darkened, "It was one date with the school's renowned playboy, who then took you to the seediest bar in town."
Tomoyo flopped down on her bed, "But nothing happened."
"Yea," Eriol agreed, "Because I socked him in the face."
Tomoyo sighed as she reached out to finger the photo frame next to her bed, the one taken at Eriol and Tomoyo's fifth birthday party, "You can't always protect me from the big bad world Eriol."
"Oh yes I can."
And look what happened.
Eriol sighed, he had tried to ease off, understanding that Tomoyo needed her space. He hadn't threatened any of her dates since high school! But still, he had always resolved to keep an eye on her, albeit a little less obviously than before. Tomoyo had appreciated his effort but then this happened. I turn around and she goes and gets herself into an accident. Maybe I should just handcuff her to me 24/7.
Nakuru sometimes calls his over-protectiveness creepy. It's times like these he sees why. But who can blame him? He has been watching out for her ever since they met as toddlers in music class. Honestly, he wasn't sure if he knew how not to.
"Listen Eriol, you really got to let up and let the girl live! She doesn't need your constant meddling."
"She's my best friend!" Eriol protested.
Nakuru scoffed and had that knowing look in her eyes, "Mm hmm."
Okay, so maybe he wanted to be more than best friends with Tomoyo. But again, who can blame him? The girl was beautiful, intelligent, witty, had the voice of an angel, musically inclined and a successful fashion designer to boot. It was natural to have a little crush on her!
Alright, so maybe it wasn't really little as much as colossal, especially considering how this crush has lasted 15 years. He cringed. Damn, 15 years? And he's still stuck in best friend territory.
Eriol is a wimp.
Finally, the cars in front start moving and Eriol has to control himself from flooring the accelerator. A harrowing 15 minutes later, he rushes into the hospital, on the lookout for signs to the emergency room. When he finally spots Tomoyo, she waves and calls for him cheerfully. Eriol tries to tamp down his obvious relief that apart from a bandage around her wrist, she seems largely unharmed and instead fixes her with a glare.
Tomoyo has the grace to look sheepish, "I'm sorry okay! I promise I"ll pay more attention when I'm driving in the future! But look, I'm fine!" She gestures to herself, "And the other guy is alright too! I just tapped his bumper a little wee bit! Honest!"
Eriol sighs and look around, anything to keep from inspecting her wrist and enveloping her into a hug (in all honesty, he isn't sure he'll be able to let go of her), "Didn't you call Sakura? Or your mother? I thought they'll be here by now. I was caught in traffic."
"Nope, I only called you." Tomoyo replies, looking down at her hands.
Oh, Eriol found himself to be slightly mollified, although he couldn't quite figure out why. "Why?"
She looks up at him from under her eyelashes, "You know why."
15 years. It should have been obvious to Eriol that Tomoyo would have figured it out by now.
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Short and sweet, I hope. Let me know!
