Eclipse burst out into the main lobby where several others were crowded. Mark was near the forefront, trying to intervene on whatever was causing the commotion.
"Eclipse!" He called, "Thank the moon, these two will rip each other apart yet!"
Eclipse nodded, pushing past the crowd.
Sousha paused on the steps, trying to see over the crowd in elevation. He didn't really want to intervene or fight through the crowd, so he just shuffled his feet on the step, looking really awkward. He glanced around and caught someone staring at him; it looked like one of those guys that beat him up. He yelped and started running up the steps again as the guy fought through the crowd to finish his job.
Eclipse burst through the crowd, where a pair of young men were fighting. Growling he stepped betweven them. "This nonsense stops now." He growled. "Now both of you will be doing Janitor work for the rest of the day." He glared at each as they backed down. "Report to Mark for further instructions" he said, "And don't let this happen again." His tone was dangerous the whole time.
Sousha fled to Eclipse's room, as the guy chasing him took two steps at a time to reach him. Sousha paused on the floor he came from, running in a random direction in hopes of finding Eclipse's still-open door. He ran around for a couple moments before finding Eclipse's door and slamming it shut behind him. A few moments later he heard a clatter of frustrated arms on it.
Eclipse sighed, taking a few minutes to break up the crowd by assigning different jobs for the day, then heading back upstairs. His steps were slow as he walked, thinking about how Sousha had cuddled with him. When he got back to his floor he was pulled from his thought by loI'd banging.
Sousha pressed his weight against the door, quivering head to toe as the man tried to break in, slamming the door in frustration. Sousha was pretty lucky the guy wasn't deciding to actually use the gun hanging at his side yet, but he seemed to get the wavelength just as Eclipse heard the banging.
Eclipse sprinted down the hall as he heard it, cursing quietly. Can I please have some peace?? he thought, growling when he saw one of the thugs from last night. "Hey!" He called, "The H&$# do you think you're doing?!"
The guy whipped out his gun, ignoring Eclipse and started shooting at the door. Sousha screamed as a bullet barely missed him, and he fled across the apartment before any could hit him. Bullets flew through the door and onto the opposite wall, with a nervous, quaking Sousha watching.
Eclipse lunged for the guy, wrapping his arm around the thug's neck in a choke hold, pulling him back and attempting to slam him into a wall. "You chose the wrong place to attack buddy.." he growled.
The guy dropped his gun and fell back on Eclipse, moving his hands to try and move his arm off of his neck. He pulled and pulled, but failed in his attempts. Sousha whined and shivered from inside the apartment, ducking behind the couch.
Eclipse stumbled a little as the other fell back, growling as he tried to regain his grip on the other, trying to make him pass out rather than strangle him.
The man slowly passed out, going limp and bobbing his head, dropping the weapon. His body relaxed a ton of weight onto Eclipse.
Eclipse stumbled back again, before regaining his balance and lowering him to the ground. Ripping up a handkerchief from his pocket he bound the guy's hands, then texted Mark to send a pair to come deal with him. Next he gently knocked on the door. "Sousha?"
Sousha heard the knock and jumped a couple inches into the air. But he relaxed when he heard Eclipse's gentle voice.
"Eclipse?" He asked in his high-pitched, shaky voice.
Eclipse hummed worriedly "Yeah it's me.. I took care of the thug.." he said softly, "Mind letting me in?" He asked.
Sousha scooted over slowly and unlocked the door, his eyes wide and his body visibly shaking. He poked one of the bullet holes in the door, then looked back up at Eclipse for support.
Eclipse hummed softly, his eyes softeningredients so he opened his arms, "Need a hug?" He asked, not wanting to push boundaries. Not until he knew the other better.
Sousha immediately shuffled into his arms, practically hiding in them. He shook against the other and squeezed his eyes shut, inhaling heavily to try and calm himself down.
Eclipse sighed, hugging him tightly, comfortingly. "Itll be alright…" he said softly, watching his men take the thug away. "We'll handle this Alpha" they said softly.
Sousha tightened his hands into fists on Eclipse's shirt, burying his head away into his chest and whimpering softly. He didn't even care about getting to know him anymore. He wanted the other to protect him forever.
Eclipse sighed, carefully picking him up and slipping back inside. "It'll be okay, they won't come back if I can help it…" he sighed, stroking the other's hair softly, hugging him tightly.
Sousha clung to him as he was lifted, leaning his head against the other's with a small sigh. "Thank you. I-I'm sorry I'm so useless. I wish I could do something."
"You stayed safe… that's enough.." he said softly.Sitting down on the couch with Sousha on his lap he gently brushed the hair out of the other's face. "You're so sweet…" he mumbled.
Sousha rested his forehead into his chest, sniffling softly and trying to collect himself before he burst out into sobs. He listened to the other talk and breathe, letting it distract him.
Eclipse kept humming softly, humming a small tune he was taught as a child, hoping it would help him calm down. Sighing he cuddled him gently. "Any chance you want breakfast?" He asked after awhile.
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