after the fall | ashley

[Elijah Theron Fleming]

only dust settles.

IN HIS DREAM ELI WAS SITTING IN HIS MEADOW and Ashley told him she liked him. Though she was crying at the time, and he felt hideously cold, Eli couldn't help but feel elated. But, dreams are odd, and seemingly endless, until Eli was forced to wake up. He came to slowly, and then all at once. His eyes blinking rapidly, an ache in his shoulder and a woozy feeling in his head. He coughed once, his mouth sticky and dry, and it echoed. After a second of his eyes roaming the room, he realised with quite a bit of fright that he was in the hospital wing.

"W-" Eli tried to lift his head from his pillow, but it felt like a rock he couldn't quite handle. He turned his face slightly instead, looking for someone to ask how he'd gotten where he was. He had expected a healer, a matronly nurse wearing a pinafore and a stern expression. But, instead, he saw Ashley at his bedside. It made him think of his dream and his face became hot, but he still had no idea of how he'd ended up where he was, or why Ashley looked so grave in the face.

"Ash..." He mumbled, with more clarity than he had managed in quite a few hours. After the dragon had gave him a nasty whack, Eli had knocked his head and - accordingly to the healer who had examined him - given himself a nasty concussion and dislocated his shoulder. Eli had promptly been given a draught to help with the pain and the swelling in his muddled brain. Luckily, such things could be fixed fairly quickly. Though, Ashley had been informed sternly that he'd be a little out of sorts for the rest of the evening, but he'd at least have his wits about him. When he was awake, she'd added, he'd have to consume a really nasty concoction to help with the straining of the tendons in his shoulder, but that would come later.

"Ash," Eli said again, licking his lips futilely - his mouth a baron desert. "What- what happened?" His expression was pulled down at the corners in rapt confusion, a bandaged tied around it oddly to staunch the bleeding from the small split he'd gotten at the back. "I-" He coughed a nervous laugh, because Eli was used to being confused, but not so very afraid as well. "Why am I in the hospital wing?" He recalled the skating rink, briefly. How they'd laughed. And then he thought he heard the echo of a mighty roar. It mind his spine tingle. 

@ashley

NEVERLAND at ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0!

[Deleted]

Ashley finally started to calm down, after the drama of everything. The truth was, despite talking to the healers and them looking over Eli (and letting her stay there), she was still worried about him. She kept on remembering those moments when he was unconscious or when he stared blankly into the sky. What if one of these times when he fell asleep he didn't wake up? She couldn't leave him alone. Wouldn't. She insisted on staying with him, listening and nodding her head as the healers explained things, every once in a while she'd reach over and touch his hand discreetly, just wanting to make sure he was really there and she wasn't imagining this.

Eli woke up on and off throughout the afternoon. At first, Ashley was emotional every time, worried whenever he'd fall back unconscious, but after a few hours and a calming draught she was fine. So when he woke up this time, she could actually smile over at Eli. This time he actually seemed like he was going to stay awake and Ashley definitely felt relieved. He muttered her name and Ashley nodded, "Yeah, it's me. Don't worry Eli, you're going to be fine," she insisted, unable to resist the temptation to touch his hand. She placed her fingers on top of his gently, ready to pull away quickly, but not wanting to. She wanted to be with him, to touch him. She was still a little out of sorts after confessing her feelings to him. At least he'd been out of it. That would have been totally embarrassing if he'd actually heard her. She probably would have ruined their friendship or something. The good thing was she got it out of her system. She could keep her secret to herself now. 

She frowned when he asked what happened. Didn't he remember anything about the day? Her mouth opened and closed as she tried to figure out what to say. Then he was asking why he was in the hospital wing and she forced a smile, though she really felt sick inside. The healer didn't tell her that Eli wouldn't remember anything about the day. "You and I decided to meet at Hogsmeade today," she started, feeling a little nervous. "We were out skating on the ice when dragons came. We hurried to get to our shoes and-" Ashley's voice cut off as she got emotional. Stupid emotions. She coughed before continuing, trying to clear her throat. "You saved me. You pulled me out of the dragon's way, and then pushed me away when it started to attack again, but it hit you with its tail." Her eyes were worried and all Ashley really wanted to do was entwine her fingers in his, but what if he didn't want that? She bit her lip for a second, "You went flying. At least twenty feet. You hit your head hard and dislocated your shoulder." Ashley dropped her gaze. "I'm sorry, it's all my fault. I should have been paying better attention. Then you wouldn't be lying here in the hospital wing." The guilt was eating her up inside. He could have died because of her! She looked back up at him, her tone hopeful and silently pleading for forgiveness. "But they said you're going to be okay." She didn't know what else to say. So she watched him, trying to figure out what he thought about all of this. 

Elijah Theron Fleming

[Elijah Theron Fleming]

only dust settles.

SOMETHING IN ELI'S CHEST EASED AT THE MERE sound of Ashley's voice. It was like an anchor for him, and he grappled for it, turning his hand around to grab hers where she'd lain it on top. He didn't want her to leave him just yet. He felt untethered, as if he might float away if he didn't hold on. But, it took him a moment to process what she was saying. He'd asked why he was in the hospital wing, but her answer came a half second too late. He blinked dumbly, uncharacteristically mute as she explained in detail.

"I remember..." He licked his lips, his nose wrinkling at the dull ache he felt in his head. "I remember skating and stuff, but-" He cleared his throat, looking at her as if it might trigger something in his muddled head. "It's fuzzy." He hoped it'd come back. Dragons, he'd always dreamed of seeing a dragon up close. But, the stricken look on Ashley's face forced him to stop. "Hey-" He tugged her hand a little, pulling her towards him. "I can't remember everything..." He cracked a weak smile, the dry skin on his lips tugging to a broken sheen. "But I know that's not true, m'kay." 

@ashley

NEVERLAND at ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0!

[Deleted]

Ashley's breath caught when Eli turned his hand to hold hers. It was all she wanted, another connection to him, another way to know that he was here and that he would be okay. He was so quiet as she spoke, his face devoid of any real expression and Ashley's guilt continued to rise. She hadn't meant to, but she did this to him. If he hadn't saved her, he could have taken care of himself. He wouldn't be lying in that bed, pale and silent. 

He finally started to speak and Ashley listened, nodding when he said that he remembered skating. At least he hadn't forgotten everything, though he admitted that his memory was fuzzy. "It's okay. You're tired. Maybe you'll remember later," she insisted when he paused. She couldn't meet his eyes as the guilt came again, but then he was pulling her closer and talking again. Ashley was right beside him now, eyes searching his as he said that he couldn't remember everything, but that he knew what she said wasn't true and smiled up at her. He didn't think it was her fault, which was really no surprise to her. Eli always thought the best of her. She exhaled softly, hardly keeping herself from crying. She shook her head, "I can't stop seeing it, Eli. You flying through the air, landing with a thud, not moving. I thought you were dead then." Ashley knew she needed to stop thinking about it, but how? And now she was here and he was so out of it, so unlike the guy she knew so well and it was her fault. He wouldn't be lying there if it weren't for her. "I'm sorry," she whispered as she hung her head, really just wanting a hug from him in that moment but knowing she couldn't have one. He was still injured, the healers working on getting him back to normal. 

Elijah Theron Fleming

[Elijah Theron Fleming]

only dust settles.

ELI COULD ONLY HOPE THAT ASHLEY WAS RIGHT. In time, he would recover his memories and he could truly comfort her. But, right then, he felt sort of hopeless. She'd told him that he'd saved her life, but he didn't feel like a hero. He felt like he was making her upset just by being hurt. He tugged her closer, his brows pulled together but his lips pulled in to some weak attempt at a reassuring smile.

"I'm not dead!" He told her with a weak shake of his head, he had to stop mid-way as a sharp pain lanced through the back. His face slackened, but he tried not to let it show as Ashley looked on the verge of tears. Tugging her even further, Eli jerked his chin to beckon her towards him "C'mere.." He murmured, using his good arm to pull her in for a soft hug, the other in a sling across his body, so he pulled her in to his side.

"I'm not dead, you dummy." He whispered, his face pale, but gentle. He almost kissed her then, but stopped himself. For a second, his dream felt real. "We a fought a dragon, Ash..." He said with a wild amazement. "And we lived!"

@ashley

NEVERLAND at ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0!

[Deleted]

Eli pulled her closer, insisting that he wasn't dead, smiling at her and Ashley gave a weak smile. She was being ridiculous. She knew that she should be reassuring him right now and telling him he was going to be fine, but instead she was emotional and almost crying and Eli was the one trying to help her. "I know. I guess I just haven't gotten over the shock of it all," she gave as an excuse. Then he was pulling her close, telling her to come and Ashley leaned against him, closing her eyes as she nuzzled his uninjured shoulder. 

He whispered that he wasn't dead, teasing her and Ashley gave a small laugh, pulling away just enough that she could look at him and meet his eyes. Then he was talking about fighting a dragon, an excited look coming into his eyes and Ashley have the half-laugh again, shaking her head. Of course he'd be excited about that. They didn't fight the dragon, they ran from it, but she wasn't about to argue about it. "We did," she whispered, reaching up to touch his cheek softly, not even realizing what she was doing. Part of her was just so relieved that he was okay, healing even, that she just wanted to be close to him. She sighed, leaning against his shoulder again. "I vote we don't ever do that again though," Ashley added after a moment, relaxing once she could hear the steady thud of his heart. Eli was fine. He was right here and he was going to be okay. She just needed to let that sink in. 

Elijah Theron Fleming

[Elijah Theron Fleming]

only dust settles.

THE DIFFERENCE FOR ELI WAS THAT HE DIDN'T really remember the shock of what had happened. He remembered Ashley's soft laugh and the feeling of his new scarf around his neck. And, vaguely, that persistent sound of her voice telling him she liked him. But, he couldn't focus on that. Instead, he thought about how sad she was, and how much he didn't like that. He tried his best to make her feel better, to ease that fear that was so plainly shaking her. If he couldn't share it, he would try and ease it.

"It's gonna be fine," He told her with a smile, rubbing her back gently. "I'm gonna be fine." And he meant that, because even though his arm and head ached. And he felt like his mouth was stuffed with cotton wool, Eli felt safe. Plus, they'd gone to bat with a dragon, how could he be miserable? When she leaned away he caught her eye and lifted his brows, glad to hear the sound of her laugh again, even if it was hesitant. And then her hand was on his cheek and he felt his lashes drop, leaning in to the feel of her so close. He almost turned his face and kissed her fingertips, but he stopped himself.

"I'm not making any promises," He half-joked, feeling the tip of her thumb against the underside of his lip when he spoke. "But, next time we'll be better." And then he scrunched his nose and laughed lightly to ease the tension in her frame. "Can I get something to drink?" He said as he flinched at the hard movement of his own laughter. "I feel like I got a mouth full of sand."

[END]

@ashley

NEVERLAND at ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0!