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last online Apr 17, 2024 22:16:05 GMT -7
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Mar 23, 2016 18:17:50 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Mar 23, 2016 18:17:50 GMT -7
He found himself glancing down at her, as he always did, and noticed her hands moving toward him. Were they...shaking? He tried to act as if nothing different was happening as he silently watched… then she pulled her hands back. He continued breathing normally and acted as if he didn’t notice, pulling her close again and closing his eyes. He didn't bother paying attention to the food he had set down. His stomach wasn't happy with him, but he ignored it. Not because he wanted to starve himself, but because he couldn't tear himself away from her again. So, he just stayed there until his breathing slowed and he fell asleep…
The majority of the night he slept perfectly fine, until one moment when he heard Braelynn stirring next to him…
@braelynn
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last online Apr 17, 2024 22:16:05 GMT -7
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Mar 23, 2016 18:43:09 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Mar 23, 2016 18:43:09 GMT -7
Braelynn didn't sleep much. At least not anymore. Nightmares were a frequent companion when sleep overtook her. But laying here in Zander's arms? Literally feeling him slowly fall asleep was.... soothing. She found her own breathing and heart rate slowing to match his own. Still, sleep didn't come immediately. For a while, she just curled up there, listening as he drew and released each breath. As the hours ticked by though, she felt herself being lulled into a deep sleep. Maybe.... maybe there wouldn't be the dreams. This once...
The room shook violently, as if by an Earthquake. All the lights went out as a strong unseen whirlwind of air blasted through the room, and there was a sickening snapping. Whether wand or bone, Bay didn't know. Serpent like shadows slithered closer... closer. And then there was the fire. So familiar to her by now that she knew it was coming but still gasped from the blast of blistering heat. All the while there was that dark shape standing in the middle, a hand held out towards her. All of her instincts told her to run, to get as far away as she could from this unseen figure...
Braelynn didn't thrash in her sleep, or in Zander's arms. Instead her whole body trembled, shaking more and more violently as the nightmare went on. She whimpered, the sound pitiful and full of terror. And a moment later she jolted awake, gasping for breath. She'd ripped herself out of Zander's arms when she sat up so suddenly, and, for a brief moment didn't remember where she was. Or that it was Zander next to her. So when she saw the shape of him next to her? She thought she was still dreaming. Her panic grew and she scrambled of the bed, pressing her back against the wall. Eyes squeezed shut as she gasped for breath.
It was a dream. It had to be a dream.....
@zander
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last online Apr 17, 2024 22:16:05 GMT -7
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Mar 23, 2016 19:02:26 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Mar 23, 2016 19:02:26 GMT -7
Zander didn’t notice at first that Bay had started trembling, he was sleeping more soundly then he had… well, he was actually sure it was the best sleep he’d ever had, even before all this. His eyes slowly flickered open as he heard the sound of someone whimpering… it took him a moment to realize that she was shaking beside him. That it was Braelynn. That he was with the girl he lived. His eyes snapped the rest of the way open as she ripped herself from his arms and sat up. He slowly moved toward her before she rapidly left the bed to the wall, pressing her back against it.
At first he didn’t know what to do. He heard her gasping for air from the other side of the room and immediately stood, but didn’t take any steps toward her yet. Would she want him to go to her? Would she want him to stay away? He stayed where he was, for now, and spoke softly. ”Lynn, I’m here Lynn,” he held his hands out as if he could somehow send comforting energy from the distance.
Had this been happening the whole time? And he just left her there every night to deal with it on her own? He felt a sharp pang of guilt in his stomach at the very thought of it. ”I’m sorry…” his voice was barely loud enough to hear, she may have even missed it. He took a few slow steps toward her as he closed the gap between them. When he reached her he simply held one hand out to her.
@braelynn
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last online Apr 17, 2024 22:16:05 GMT -7
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Mar 23, 2016 19:17:10 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Mar 23, 2016 19:17:10 GMT -7
”Lynn, I’m here Lynn,”
Braelynn's eyes shot open, her breath still shaky and frantic. Only one person called her Lynn. She felt that same panic when she saw him, but her eyes were slowly adjusting to the dim lighting. It had been Zander. He was there. How many times had she woken up and wished he was there? Now that it was a reality, what should she do?
She didn't react at first, just gasped for breath and stared at him in the darkness. Only until he spoke again, uttering those two word, did she move. He'd offered her a hand, but she didn't take it. Instead she wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face in his chest..... and cried.
@zander
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last online Apr 17, 2024 22:16:05 GMT -7
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Mar 23, 2016 19:25:08 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Mar 23, 2016 19:25:08 GMT -7
She didn't take his hand, which was not surprising. As she leaned forward to wrap her arms around him, he froze in shock for a moment before wrapping his arms around her and lowering his chin onto the top of her head. He stroked her hair as she cried, hoping that him just being there was enough for now. "Hey, it's okay. I won't leave you alone again. I promise," and he meant it, too. The song was done but someone would have to bring that guitar to him because from now on he wasn't leaving this room unless he absolutely had to. A strong determination came over him and it was probably clear in his voice and his body as he spoke next, "I won't let you fight these demons by yourself."
@braelynn
(short too)
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last online Apr 17, 2024 22:16:05 GMT -7
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Mar 23, 2016 20:41:56 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Mar 23, 2016 20:41:56 GMT -7
Braelynn just cried in his arms for..... she didn't know how long. She never spoke though. Never offered an explanation as to why she was crying, or what had been so disturbing in her dream to terrify her so much. Even thinking back about it she didn't understand why she was so scared of the dark figure. What it meant. Was it a memory? Something linked to the four days she was missing? Or was it a figment of her imagination? She didn't know. She didn't want to know.
It was at least an hour or so before she stopped crying. That or she just ran out of tears. That was also likely. And only after she'd managed to stop crying did she and Zander return to the bed, where Braelynn absolutely refused to let go of him. The rest of the night Bay held tightly to him. She didn't fall asleep though. Just lay there. Silent and still.
For the first time in.... she couldn't remember when, Braelynn noticed the sun rise, it's morning rays breaking through the small window of the room. It was the start of a new day. When was the last time she'd noticed a sunrise..? Slowly, carefully, Bay slipped out from Zander's sleeping arms and went to the window, parting the curtains to look out. She recognized the scene before her. London. They were in London...
@zander
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last online Apr 17, 2024 22:16:05 GMT -7
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Mar 24, 2016 11:29:14 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2016 11:29:14 GMT -7
Zander woke up slowly the next morning and the first thing he did was reach for Braelynn, but she wasn’t there. He panicked for a moment, only to sit up and see that she was standing by the window, peering out the curtains. That was the first time he had ever seen her even bother to look outside. A smile crept onto his face and he yawned, stretching his arms over his head for a moment before swinging his legs onto the floor and standing. ”I’ll be right back,” he said, moving toward the door. As always he stopped before opening it to look back at her, ”I promise,” he would add before slipping out.
Once out of the room he talked to Uncle Carson about retrieving his guitar for him some time within the next few days. Once that was all settled he took a quick bite of toast and washed up in order to be more presentable before knocking quietly on the door and pushing it open again. Andy and Phil were both out there with Carson, Lelia and Baylee today so Zander just made some excuse as to why he had slept there last night. It was a tad awkward, really, but he managed to sneak away before Phil questioned him. He must be a pretty trusting guy to let Andy disappear all the time.
Phils here,” Zander announced once he was back in the room. ”Don’t worry, though, I’m pretty sure the room is sound proofed,”he nodded, crossing toward her.
@braelynn
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last online Apr 17, 2024 22:16:05 GMT -7
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Mar 24, 2016 20:34:43 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2016 20:34:43 GMT -7
Braelynn looked away from the window when she heard Zander stir. Well, more like panic and instantly try to find her. Their gaze met in that moment. He smiled. She didn't. But, she hadn't smiled in a long time. She tilted her head a little though, unable to help the next thought from coming. How was he so... carefree? All the time. After all of this? How was he still there, fighting so hard for her? She knew the answer. Even if she hadn't said it recently. It was because he loved her. And she.... she loved him. Despite everything. Even though she tried, desperately, to ignore or numb those feelings they kept coming back. And each time they returned they were stronger. Reminding her that he was right there. Within reach. That all she had to do was let him in. To stop shutting him out.
She couldn't though.
Instead, she just nodded as he left, the door shut tight behind him. While he was gone, she brushed her hair over one shoulder, running her fingers through it to work out all the tangles. Andy and Susan had been pretty good about forcing Braelynn to be at least semi presentable in these weeks, and as time had gone by her own desire had started to return. Though she was starting to realize just how annoying her long hair was. After sleeping on it so ungracefully last night, it was a mess. She was still working out the knots when Zander returned, and she didn't look at him. Well, until he said Phil was here. Her eyes widened and she looked up with an almost panicked expression. But then he added that the room was sound proof and her expression relaxed. The last thing she wanted was someone else seeing her like this. Another small nod followed, as she looked away and started to braid her hair.
@zander
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last online Apr 17, 2024 22:16:05 GMT -7
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Mar 29, 2016 13:53:47 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2016 13:53:47 GMT -7
Zander saw that brief moment of panic in her eyes at the mention of Phil and was just as relieved as she was that the Longbottom wouldn’t know she was there. She nodded and turned away, starting to braid her hair. Up until recently he hadn’t seen her even bother with it, Susan and Andy would do her grooming for her. He watched in silence for a moment as she did it, almost in awe at the way her fingers moved with the hair… the fact that she was moving, really, was what he was drawn to. He found himself slowly walking toward her even though he wasn't controlling his own feet. He was drawn to her, like a moth to a flame, and he didn't realize he was moving closer until he was about a foot away. He stopped, giving an innocent little smile, whether she turned around or not, before clearing his throat. He moved to sit on the edge of the bed and kept his eyes fixed on her, as he often did. "So, should we read some more today? I have to be honest, I think my voice is getting hoarse,” he admitted with a small chuckle.
He leaned back against the headboard and threw his legs onto the bed in his regular position. What were his brothers thinking of him now? Disappearing every day and now he hadn’t even come home last night. Even his parents were starting to ask questions, worrying that he was getting involved in some sort of dark stuff. He sighed, looking up at the ceiling at the thought of them and their worried eyes and voices… someday, someday he could explain, right?
@braelynn
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last online Apr 17, 2024 22:16:05 GMT -7
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Mar 29, 2016 20:47:31 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2016 20:47:31 GMT -7
Braelynn tried not to look at Zander as she 'worked'. No, she needed to concentrate. Her fingers felt stiff and clumsy as she tried to braid her hair. That came with healing, she guessed. She always felt sore, and moving much only ended up in her having to catch her breath. True, part of that was due to the fact that she was still refusing to eat, so, while healing, she was also getting weaker.
She did look up though when she sense that Zander was staring. He did that a lot right now. Everytime she did something he wasn't expecting he stared in awe. Today seemed to be no different. Her expression remained quite still as she met his gaze, her hands going just as still. As if silently asking what he was doing. All she got was that goofy smile of his when he was playing innocent and a change of topic. Not like there was one before. Only after staring, and remaining still as possible for several more moments did she finish braiding her hair and tied it with the hair tie from the day before. "... You don't have to stay, Zander." she almost, almost choked on his name, barely keeping her emotions under control. Saying his name hadn't been the best idea, because it'd unlocked emotions she was trying so hard to bottle up. Hopefully before he could see any of them, she looked away from him. Trying to find something, anything, to hold her attention..
@zander
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last online Apr 17, 2024 22:16:05 GMT -7
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Mar 30, 2016 12:40:39 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2016 12:40:39 GMT -7
As she made eye contact with him and stopped braiding her hair, his head slightly jerked as if he was going to look away, but he didn’t manage it. He just went on with his question and hoped that she wasn’t bothered by his staring. She was silent after his second for a moment, though, and Zander wasn’t expecting anything less. He had stopped expecting that a while ago. Then she finished braiding her hair and he finally looked away, letting out a breath. Then she spoke again, saying that he didn’t have to say.
She said his name.
It took all of his willpower not to run to her then, at the strange yet familiar way his name sounded coming from her lips. He caught his breath, though, he couldn’t stop that. He lifted his gaze back to her again and smiled lightly. ”I promised I would. Plus, I love you so I’m not going anywhere,” there. He had said it. He made it sound almost casual, like it was something he said every day… but that didn’t stop his eyes from starting to sting and he turned back to look at his hands.
”Uncle Carson is going to bring my guitar by this week. I hope you don’t mind,” his voice was soft, almost as if he had forgotten how to use it.
@braelynn
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last online Apr 17, 2024 22:16:05 GMT -7
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Mar 31, 2016 21:40:25 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2016 21:40:25 GMT -7
I love you.
Braelynn froze, her eyes going wide at those three little words. He's said it so casually, without any hesitation. As if stating a fact, with no shame. Completely unaware of the storm of emotions he'd just stirred up. Relief that he still loved her. Shame and guilt that he loved someone like her. Her own undying love for this young man. A longing to cross the room right this second and tell him that she loved him too. She didn't move though. She remained completely still, managing to close her eyes as the first tears streaked down her cheeks. "You shouldn't. Not after-" She didn't finish the sentence, just turned away from him in the chair so her back was to him and head resting against the wall.
When he spoke again, she didn't respond. As usual, when the seemed to be making progress, and opening up, she shut down. She clammed up and refused to move forward.
@zander
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last online Apr 17, 2024 22:16:05 GMT -7
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Apr 4, 2016 11:49:08 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2016 11:49:08 GMT -7
She was crying, he could tell, as she said he shouldn't love her after... well, clearly she meant after everything she had been a part of. He shook his head, not moving at first and not saying anything, save mentioning the guitar. He looked down at his feet, took in a deep breath, and willed his own tears to not come to his eyes. He was surprised that they didn't and that he was able to speak a little more clearly this time. "I don't think that's your decision," he said. Not sounding harsh, not at all, but really just trying to show confidence in his choice to love her. To stand up for it, even if she didn't think that he should. He looked back up to her, slowly lifting his head. At the sight of her over there, looking broken still, he felt his eyes start to sting again and he took in yet another deep breath before speaking again.
"If you really want me to leave just say it and I will. Doesn't mean I won't come back, but I'll do what you ask," he hated making that offer, but he wasn't one to force himself upon anyone. If she really, truly wanted some alone time he could leave her alone. Granted, he'd probably sit right outside the door and wait an hour or two before coming back. But he wanted to show her he was willing to do anything, even leave her alone if he had to. He did not want to, but he would.
If she let him stay, however, that would be ideal.
@braelynn
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last online Apr 17, 2024 22:16:05 GMT -7
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Apr 4, 2016 22:42:36 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2016 22:42:36 GMT -7
The confidence in Zander's voice got Braelynn's attention immediately. She couldn't help but look up at him, eyes wide. That unwavering declaration. Her eyes were still watery, but she'd stopped crying, probably due to surprise. Her heart raced at the words, and burned as her own feelings, once again, tried to surface. Begged her to tell him that she still loved him. And that hearing him say he still loved her had been the sweetest thing she'd ever heard. And they almost came out. Those fatal words. Her lips parted, to speak again, but reality returned far to quickly, and she closed her mouth, biting her lip just a little to keep it from happening again.
She let her gaze leave him then, but it didn't stay away for long. Soon he was saying that he'd leave if she asked him to. That he'd do what she asked. She bit her lip again, this time more out of insecurity as she looked back up at him. "I...." Bay stopped speaking for a moment, as if she lost her voice. After a deep breath, she managed to find it once more. "I don't want you to leave....." Braelynn didn't look away from him as she spoke slowly, trying to sound confident, though it was barely more then a whisper.
@zander
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last online Apr 17, 2024 22:16:05 GMT -7
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Apr 6, 2016 9:23:28 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2016 9:23:28 GMT -7
Her looking up at him with those wide eyes… they made that lump catch in Zanders throat again. He tried not to show any change of emotion in his face as they looked at each other. She had stopped crying, which made him feel a little better. When he mouth opened, slightly, Zander felt himself slightly leaning forward. He wanted her to say it. He wanted her to remember that she loved him too, once. Maybe she still did. Of course she still did, otherwise she would have never let him stay… right?
Then she looked away once more and he let out a breath he had been holding, but he caught it once more as she turned back. She bit her lip and Zander wanted to go to her again and again, even kiss those lips she was so intent on chewing up. But no, he held his ground, which was the hardest thing he had ever done.
As she spoke, her words sent a surge of warmth through his stomach and his shoulders relaxed. He was silent for a moment, breathing carefully, acutely aware of how loud his breath sounded. ”I… thanks,” he said, just as softly as she did. ”I don’t want to,” he assured her. Then there was a gentle knock on the door and the moment was shattered.
Zander was sort of thankful for that, that he got a chance to jump up and move a bit without trying to hold perfectly still. He moved to the door and opened it, seeing his guitar out there waiting for him. His eyes widened, that was fast! He slowly reached out and grabbed it, pulling it into the room with him.
He didn’t play it though, not yet. He simply leaned it against the wall and took in another deep breath, his hand lingering on the neck on the instrument…
@braelynn
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