things have c h a n g e d (elliot)

[potter]

The skin on Elliot's cheek tingled as Erik brushed her hair away, she felt herself blush ever so slightly, only a faint tinge of pink on her otherwise pale skin. Though of all things she had not been expecting him to kiss her straightaway, but she didn't fight it. She rather allowed her eyes to close as the tingly feeling spread throughout her body, returning the kiss just as softly, almost wanting to do more. And then it was over. "I missed you," Elliot echoed breathlessly, voice barely a whisper. Her heart was fluttering like crazy inside of her chest, it was exhilarating.

She felt the most relaxed she had been in a long time, it was like things had gone back to the way they were supposed to be. Her broken family, struggles with smoking and anorexia, those were just pinpricks in the back of her mind at the moment. They were trivial, they didn't matter anymore. Well, they did, but she wasn't presently dwelling on them which she could take only as a good sign. "I suppose that it means that you and I, well, we're us again," said Elliot after a long, though not uncomfortable pause. It seemed the best way to put words to what had just happened between the two of them.

[erikoliver]

Erik smiled softly, nodding. "We're us," he agreed, lounging back onto the couch. He examined Elliot for a moment, rather proud of himself for being able to muster a moment of bravery. He supposed that's why he'd been in the mighty Gryffindor house, being as brave as he was. Still, when it came to Elliot, everything that he thought he knew about himself went out the window. He wasn't complaining, of course, Elliot seemed to make him a much better person in the long run, though he couldn't explain how.

Erik allowed silence to wash over them once more, though it never became too incredibly awkward. The music in the background soothed him, and the small smile he'd procured during the short time he'd spent with Elliot had become permanently plastered onto his countenance. Erik stretched slightly, his eyes involuntarily closing as he enjoyed the little things. The music in the background, the heat of Elliot's form resting near his own made him feel more alive than he'd felt in months.

[potter]

Elliot smiled softly when Erik agreed that they were together again. She was surprised that it had gone so well, everything effortlessly falling into place as if it were supposed to be that way- like history had been written before it happened. Though it only seemed to go along with Elliot's belief in fate, and how things happened for a reason. Whatever that reason may be, Erik wasn't supposed to live only in her past, but also in her present, and perhaps even her future. It felt as if one of the weights had been taken from her, one less thing she had to worry about. Her emotional burden was still heavy, but it had lightened somewhat.

As Erik closed his eyes Elliot slowly adjusted her own position as not to disturb him, transferring to one so that she could lean against him with her legs curled up beside her on the couch, her head on his shoulder. Perhaps this was what peace felt like, not having to do or say anything, but to just be able to sit still without needing to worry. Of course, she was unable to shut off her mind for only a moment, so her thoughts wandered around a bit. Mainly to what her family would say once they found out she and Erik were back together after things had ended so bitterly.

[erikoliver]

Erik opened one eye, curious as to what Elliot was doing. However, when her head found his shoulder and she cuddled up beside him, his smile grew from peaceful to compassionate and loving. He draped his arms around her slight frame, holding her close. He lightly traced patterns on her arm absently, eyes closing once more, smile still plastered onto his face. His mind began to wander. When Nat came home, she'd definitely be in for a shock to find Erik was not only in a relationship, but was back together with the woman who happened to live next door.

He wondered what Elliot's father would think, what her siblings and entire network of extended family, would think. He remembered Harry to be a fairly protective man, though accepting, but since things had ended so bitterly the first time, he wondered what the man would think. He already knew his parents would welcome Elliot with open arms, so he was only concerned with her side of the family. Still, he didn't want to worry too much and would cross that bridge when the time came.

[potter]

She hadn't really thought on it, but Elliot had missed not only Erik, but the feeling of being held by someone. For months on end she had been avoiding being touched, thinking that it would for sure give away how underweight she had been. Surely Erik had noticed how bony she was when he had massaged her shoulders, though thankfully hadn't said anything. Truth be told she had always been slender, though never like this. She had even gained a size, but was several sizes off what she had been at the beginning of her fifth year, when the problems had began.

Elliot sighed lightly when Erik's fingers came across the ghost of the burn she had suffered a month ago. It was completely healed now, though there was still a mark from it. She would likely have it for the rest of her life, a constant reminder of how dangerous her profession could be. "Ugly, isn't it," Elliot commented, frowning a bit. She wasn't terribly sensitive about it, though it was just one more thing that she saw wrong with her when she looked in the mirror. One more thing that wasn't perfect.

[erikoliver]

Erik opened his eyes once more, looking down at Elliot. Frowning, he clasped his hand gently on the faint scar of the burn on her arm. She never had told him how she'd gotten the wound, but he assumed it had been from something that had happened within her profession. Erik rested his cheek atop Elliot's head, sighing. "No, it's not," he replied, gently taking Elliot's hand with his free one. "I've seen plenty worse things in my life, trust me."

Erik continued to hold Elliot in silence, mind wandering to less interesting, yet somehow still important things. There was a lot he needed to get done upon Nat's arrival into his home. There was still unpacking to do, and grocery shopping that needed to be done, and now he had a relationship to balance atop his new job and a new addition into his family. Still, he knew it'd be worth it. "You're beautiful, Elliot. Don't think otherwise," Erik said softly after a long, but not uncomfortable silence, stroking the top of her hand with his thumb gently.

[potter]

Part of Elliot had almost wanted Erik to agree with her, so there could at least be one person that saw her the way that she saw herself. One person who could identify with her that "good" was never good enough. Of course, she knew Erik definitely wasn't that kind, and he almost immediately rose to the task to defend her from her own words. Assuring her that he had seen worse things, and taking her by the hand in a comforting sort of way. Elliot was sure that he had already noticed to some degree that her confidence hadn't improved since sixth year, where next to after her mother's death, had definitely been a low point for her.

Elliot liked to think that she kept these things hidden well, her own father and siblings seemed entirely oblivious to her struggles. Which was good in her mind, they had enough to worry about without concerning themselves with her problems. Erik did as well, what with him trying to gain custody of the abused girl, while still trying to launch his music career, and whatever else was going on in his life. She felt herself blush again when Erik said that she was beautiful, it wasn't typically an adjective she used to describe herself. "You're sweet," Elliot said quietly, craning her neck so she could peck him on the cheek.

[erikoliver]

Erik shook his head, smiling softly. "Nope. Just honest," he replied, gently running a hand along Elliot's arm. He kissed the top of her head, then settled back into the couch, holding Elliot close. It was odd, how quickly they'd gone from friends to a couple, but he wasn't complaining in the slightest. It was wonderful, being able to fall into an effortless routine of comfort and love. He closed his eyes, smile painted across his face seemingly permanently as he pondered the possibilities, his future. It was looking difficult, but it was also looking brighter than ever.

Erik had everything to get done for Natalia's arrival, as well as start incorporating a relationship into his life. By no means, was he complaining, and he rather looked forward to the challenges he'd have to face. No matter what was thrown his way, he'd be able to stand there with help from Elliot and Nat, both two strong females who influenced his everyday life. It was a beautiful thing, that something so simplistic could also be the most complicated thing in the entire world.

[potter]

Elliot smiled a bit, though didn't have anything to say in response to that. She figured that Erik would be more than used to that, she wouldn't usually contribute to a conversation unless she felt that she had something meaningful to say. Otherwise to her it seemed that they were only empty words. She cuddled into Erik some more as he further relaxed into the couch, it felt god to be able to lean on him with his arms around her, it was warm and comforting. Elliot had missed that, even if she came off as the kind of person who was more indifferent about being in a relationship.

She had gone out with only two people in her life, Erik, plus a boy she had gone to a dance with after they had broken up but didn't see after that evening. She allowed the silence to settle in over them a moment before inquiring about the spell used to make the music. "Did you make that spell yourself?" asked Elliot after a moment, "I've never seen anything quite like it before."

[erikoliver]

Erik smiled softly as the silence spread over the pair once more. The feel of Elliot in his arms was surreal, and yet it was a welcome oddity. He hadn't realized just how much he had missed the feel of holding someone close. Sure, he'd had girlfriends after Elliot, but none had ever made him feel quite the same way. Erik rested his cheek upon the top of Elliot's head, enjoying the scent of her shampoo mixed in with the natural scent of the oils in her hair. It was an oddly pleasant smell.

Erik's smile broadened a bit as Elliot inquired about the spell. "It's something that took me years of research to figure out how to accomlish, but it's of my own design. I suppose it was the inner Ravenclaw inside," he added with a small laugh. "I started on it a little while before we began dating and lost track of it for a while, but worked day in and day out on it when I turned sixteen, and finally got the spell right shortly after my nineteenth birthday. I cast the spell and play something, then say a name afterwards, and the melody is saved. Sort of like my own personal recording studio."

[potter]

Elliot was almost alarmed by how comfortable she was getting, she hadn't allowed herself to relax like this in a very long time. It seemed that even in her sleep she was tense, ready to immediately jump awake and grab her wand for a fight. Even in her flat which she had put every protective spell she legally could on it. Not that Elliot was exactly the most tense person ever, but she wasn't ever not alert. It seemed that with Erik there was someone else on duty, too, not everything had to be on her all the time. She nodded as Erik explained his spell, impressed that he had gotten it right, creating spells was a risky hobby.

All too often things exploded in the creator's face, both figuratively and literally. Elliot probably wouldn't have been able to do it herself, she was not all that musically inclined, her brain didn't think the right way for music. "That's a complex thing for one spell to do," Elliot said thoughtfully, reflecting on her own experiences, "it's an impressive piece of wandwork." Elliot sighed peacefully, all thoughts of her wounded partner shoved to the back of her mind.

[erikoliver]

Erik smiled, nodding. "It's still rather complicated. It's developed a mind of its own at some point, like most spells do, so it's still difficult and has plenty of problems. But, with a lot of patience, it works," he replied, grinning broadly. He was rather proud of the piece and it was comforting to know that someone else, especially someone as important as Elliot, could appreciate the hard work he'd put into the spell. "Thank you," he added, kissing the top of her head gently.

Silence fell over the pair once more, once more comfortable. Sighing deeply, he lightly rubbed Elliot's smooth hand with his thumb, enjoying the comfort he brought him. Erik knew his life was only going to get more stressful in the coming months as he tried to figure out just what he was going to do with himself. However, he knew that it would all be worth it, and in the end he'd have a large sense of satisfaction that no one could take from him, even if they tried.

[potter]

((OOC: Okay so I'm out of ideas on what to do with this thread, other than them just sitting on the couch, haha. Do you have anything?))

[erikoliver]

((OOC: Definitely agreeing with you on that!))

[potter]

((OOC: So do you wanna call it dead or leave it for a few days and see if one of us comes up with something? I'm fine either way, so your choice.))