forum Up for another one? (Closed~)

Started July 12, 2020 by @Rainy_day_artist_classic group

tune

"Never too busy to help you," Ash assured. "Everyone here would know I would need to stop working if it meant helping you."

(Happy birthday!)

Laura gave him a soft look, nodding just a little at the reassurance.
"I- um… alright, sir. If you're sure." She mumbled, playing with the sleeves of her shirt.

(Thank you!)

"Very sure." Ash smiled. He rested his hand on her head, being comforting.

"Alright, sir…" Laura mumbled, sucking in another deep breath. Glancing up at him, she smiled weakly.
"After dinner, where are we going to watch the movie?"

"Well, there is a tv in my room, we could bring it in here if you want." Ash smiled sweetly.

Laura glanced back up at him, giving a half smile. Though she looked like she was hesitating to say anything.
"I- I don't want to cause lots of problems, sir. If it's heavy, or hard to move…" She finally responded, playing with her hair.

"It's not heavy at all," Ash promised. "And it's easy to move around." Ash smiled softly.
"But if it worries you that much, we could watch it in my room, or find another way to watch a movie."

The thought occurred to her that she was probably making things more difficult, by trying not to be difficult. The irony was cruel, that's for sure.
"I- um… whatever is easiest, sir…" Laura mumbled, curling back up against him. "Or- whatever you want to do…"

Ash watched Laura a moment. His concern for her bloomed again, and he held her close.
"I'll go get the television," he said softly, rubbing her back. "Okay? It's alright…"

Laura played with her sleeves, nodding just a little at his words. She wasn't going to say anything about it.
"Alright, sir…" She mumbled, keeping her eyes glued to her hands.

Ash held Laura to his chest, standing up with her. There was no way he was leaving her alone with her thoughts right now. He patted her back, just standing there for a moment.

Laura stayed curled up, not making an effort to move. She wasn’t exactly sure what was wrong with her now, but knew something didn’t feel right. The little comfort she was receiving from Mr. Ash was making her feel a little better, though.

Ash stayed still, holding Laura close. He continued to rub her back, tucking her under his head.
"I've got you," he said softly. He'd protect her from those feelings, those horrible thoughts that a child should never have to feel. He'd keep her safe.

Laura started shaking some, sniffling some as she buried her face in his shoulder. She swallowed down the forming tears, holding onto him tightly.
“I-I don’t know what’s wrong with me. W-why do I feel like this?” She asked weakly, burying her face in his shoulder more and more.
“I-I… I don’t understand-“ Laura whispered weakly, holding onto him tighter. She gripped at his shirt, trying to keep from crying again.

Ash held Laura tightly to himself, running his fingers over her hair once. He sat back down on the bed.
"I know it's hard," Ash said softly, keeping his voice calm and soothing. "It's hard not knowing why you're like this." He lightly touched his head to her's again.
"You've been hurt," Ash said softly. "By people who could have never been able to. And… it's going to hurt like this for a long time because of it. But I'll be here to help you, Laura."

With his head resting against hers, her eyes fluttered closed as she leaned into him. She was sniffling still, trying to just take a deep breath as he spoke. Though her head was foggy, growing fatigued from the emotions that had been building up. But most of what he had said was registering, leaving her to sit there and cling onto him for dear life.
Laura weakly gasped for a deep breath, tears running down her face. She needed to stop this, she couldn't be crying again.
"I-I'm so sorry, sir…" She mumbled weakly, burying her face against him. "I-I'm not even y-your kid… y-you shouldn't have t-to help me…"

"Laura," Ash said softly. "Family ties don't matter right now. What matters is that I care about you. I don't ever want you to get hurt again, Laura…" Ash held Laura as close as he could, not letting go.

Laura stayed curled up, tears streaking down her face. She curled in on herself as he talked and choked on her tears. She whimpered, looking up at him at the last sentence.
"B-but… I…" She grew quiet, sniffling and shaking still. Laura kept silent as she rubbed away her tears.

Ash ran his fingers through Laura's hair, wiping her tears away gently.
"No one will be able to touch you, Laura," Ash promised softly.

Laura looked up at him, hiccuping some.
"P-promise?" She asked weakly, nuzzling into his hand. It was obvious she was very touch deprived, starving for any little bit of affection she could get. Right now, at least.

"I promise," Ash said gently. Ash lifted both hands up around Laura, seeing how touch deprived she was and helping with it as best he could.

Laura nuzzled into his hands further, still sniffling as tears escaped to run down her face. She kept her eyes glued to his face in silence, swallowing down her tears.
"I-I… th-thank you, sir…" She whispered, glancing away from him.

Ash lightly pulled Laura closer, resting his head on top of hers.
"You're welcome, Laura," he said softly. He let out a soft breath.

"You need to stop crying… you have to stop crying." She told herself, starting to play with the folds in his shirt again. She had ruined the happy feeling from before with her emotions. Honestly, she hated that.
After a minute or two, she pulled back from him, wiping what was left of her tears. She looked up at him timidly, not shaking near as bad anymore.

Ash pulled his head up when Laura moved away a bit. He reached up, holding her cheeks in one hand.
"How are you feeling now?" He asked softly, gauging the situation.