forum Up for another one? (Closed~)

Started July 12, 2020 by @Rainy_day_artist_classic group

tune

"It's nice to meet you, Ms. Laura," Hinata said softly. "My name is Hinata." Ash patted Laura's back lightly.

Laura could feel herself starting to tense up, but kept up her smile anyways. She glanced up to Mr. Ash, before focusing back on the other lady.
"It's… it's nice to meet you, ma'am." She responded, nodding just a little.

Hinata nodded a bit. Ash felt Laura tense, lowering his head to her a bit.
"Are you ready to go back to your room?" He asked gently.

Laura's smile faded some as she nodded weakly. That had definitely taken a lot out of her, but she had been determined.
"Um, yes sir…" She mumbled softly.

Ash looked up, offering Hinata a small goodbye before turning on his heel to leave. He patted Laura's back as they left.
"Are you happy with what you managed to do?" He asked gently. "Or did you push yourself too much?" The questions were genuine, no second meanings to them. He wasn't trying to imply anything.

Laura bit into her lip, seeming to consider the questions. She honestly didn't know right now, her heart beating in her chest rather hard. The adrenalin had been building the whole time they had been talking.
"I- I think I'm happy..? I-I don't really know, sir…"

Ash brought Laura back to her room, closing the door behind them.
"That's okay," Ash said gently. "You can tell me if you come up with an answer, but I don't need it if you don't find one." He lightly rubbed her back, sitting on the edge of the bed with her.

Laura curled up even closer, arms wrapping around his neck. She nodded just a little when he responded, taking a moment to just breath. After a few minutes, she sat back and gave him a soft look.
"I- um… thank you for going with me, sir…" Laura whispered in return.

Ash held Laura close as she calmed down, lightly patting her back occasionally as he stayed quiet. He tilted his head a bit when she finally spoke, offering a gentle smile.
"You're welcone," he said, voice soft. "And know that I'll always go with you when you ask me to."

With the bare traces of a smile, Laura curled back up. Her head was resting against his chest, hands folded in her lap as she played with them. Glancing up at him she kept up the shy smile.
"Thank you, sir… you- you don't have to though. I- um, I know you'll probably be busy sometimes."

"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.