one year {erik}

[potter]

Elliot for once in her career, had voluntarily taken the day off work. Today marked the one-year anniversary of her mother's death, it was a day that she didn't feel like doing much of anything. It was hot, sweltering, even, but Elliot had left the cool refuge of her apartment for the baking midday sun of the cemetery. She paced amongst the headstones until she found the one marking her mother's grave, where she stopped, peering down at the earth. She remembered when it had been freshly filled, plain packed dirt- an open square in the middle of plush grass. Now slightly shriveled green covered the hole, as if it had never been dug in the first place. Elliot reflected on all that had happened in the previous year, between then and the day that her mother had died.

She sniffed as she lowered herself onto the ground, leaning against the headstone for support, the dry grass scratching at her bare calves. Elliot smoothed her blue dress, the only strapless one she owned, leaving her bony shoulders bare. What had happened in that past year? Elliot had been promoted from her internship to being a full Auror, her anorexia and self-esteem had gotten completely out of hand but she was now beginning to have some control, there had been her birthday, Christmas, Easter, she had gotten back together with Erik... Elliot sighed, feelings of bitterness stirring within her toward whoever had taken her mother away. They, whoever they were, had stolen so much from not just one person, but an entire family.

"You've missed a lot, Mum," sighed Elliot, reaching over her shoulder to lightly brush the headstone with her fingertips. She closed her eyes against the bright sunlight, aware of the sound of footsteps, but too absorbed in her own thoughts to even have curiosity as to who was coming her way.

[erikoliver]

Erik walked along, wearing a black suit jacket over a white button-down shirt, and a pair of black skinny jeans. Fixing his black tie, he walked along, searching. It didn't take long. Roses in hand, he stepped forward, careful not to disturb Elliot. He knew it had been a year since Mrs. Potter had died. Elliot had been getting more solemn and depressed, and he wanted to come pay his respects. Ginevra had been a wonderful person, from the small instance he'd met her back in Hogwarts. She had been accepting, and a lovely being overall.

Plucking a single rose from the bouquet, he placed the bouquet on the ground in front of the tombstone. The lone rose in his hand went to Elliot, and he looked down at her, smiling sadly. "Hello, love," he whispered, watching her. It was obvious, her sorrow. It had been showing for days, even weeks. This date had to be difficult for Elliot, considering how tragic Ginevra's death had been and how much had happened within Elliot's life in the year without her mother, what with becoming an Auror and getting back together with him.

[potter]

Elliot tipped her head back to look up at Erik, squinting against the bright sunlight. She was glad that it was him of all people to turn up, he comforted her like no one else could. Perhaps it was because he had a more intimate understanding of the way she worked, before they had broken up at the end of their sixth year Elliot had told him everything. Well, almost everything, she hadn't spoken to him in the slightest about her problems with eating. She brought the single rose that he had handed her to her nose, smelling the delicate fragrance and being careful to not prick her fingers on any thorns.

"Pull up some grass," said Elliot, patting the ground beside her, sliding over a little so he too could rest his back on headstone. She wasn't exactly sad per se, it just didn't seem like the right word to her. Elliot had come to terms with her mother's death, it was no longer that seemingly unbreakable depression, but more of like an ache deep down in her heart- the way a broken bone still hurt a few hours after it had been healed. Elliot slowly twisted the flower between her first two fingers, looking down so the sun would no longer be directly in her eyes.

[erikoliver]

Erik sat down where Elliot patted and slipped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close to him. The pair sat in silence and he held Elliot close. There was a lot he could say or do to try to make her feel better, but he was going to let her do the talking. It was only fair. When his girlfriend was ready to talk, she'd talk, and he'd be there to listen and offer advice if need be. that's what he was there for, and he wasn't about to leave Elliot during this... unless of course, she wanted him to.

[potter]

Elliot closed her eyes lightly, glad to have someone to sit beside her. They didn't need to talk, at least not at that particular moment. She laid the rose across her knees,wanting to both at the same time stay sitting there, and seek refuge from the heat in someplace cooler. Even in the shade of the nearby tree would be better than being in the direct sunlight overhead. "It's hard to think about," said Elliot after a long pause, "all the things she hasn't been here for, all the things in the future she won't be around for." She swallowed and bit her lip, still keeping her eyes closed against the bright sun.

[erikoliver]

Erik looked down at Elliot when she spoke. His mind formulated something to say that would cheer her up a little, but couldn't come up with anything. He sat in silence for a moment, lightly rubbing her arm. "Well, cheesy and cliche as it sounds, she's still here, in a way. She lives on in you and your siblings, and your father especially. She's still here just not in a body," he replied quietly, turning red as he fumbled over his words. He wasn't sure what exactly he was getting at, so hopefully Elliot did a little.

[potter]

Elliot looked up at Erik, finally opening her eyes, as he spoke. She managed half of a smile as she watched him stumble over his words, blushing as he did so. It was endearing, in a way, how hard he was trying to make her feel better when all she really needed was a shoulder to lean on and perhaps an ear to listen. Though all the same it was nice to know that someone felt that way, Elliot herself never got the feeling that her mother was still there, "watching over them" or whatever they all said. It just seemed like what people in denial said to her. "If you say so," said Elliot, craning her neck so she could peck Erik on the cheek.

[erikoliver]

Erik smiled and felt the faint blush subside. The pair sat in silence once more, and Erik held Elliot close. However, he was starting to cramp up on the ground. Unwrapping himself from Elliot, he stood, making sure she had enough support. Days were getting longer and more difficult, especially with his job and trying to keep up with Natalia. He loved her with all of his heart, but he was still adjusting to having an eleven year old girl within his home. Leaning over, he tilted Elliot's chin up and planted a soft kiss on her lips before straightening back up.

[potter]

Elliot figured that it was a good idea to get up, she was beginning to tire of being under the relentless July sun. It wasn't often that she nearly prayed for rain, though now it sounded wonderful. Just a gentle rain shower, nothing too aggressive, but just chilly enough to cool off. Though considering she was in a strapless dress, perhaps it wasn't the best thing... Elliot closed her eyes as Erik kissed her, the usual feelings being stirred up within her, though there was a new one. Guilt. She had been hiding a large part of her life from Erik, one he probably should know about. Elliot stood up once Erik broke the kiss, still gingerly holding the rose he had given her, and then slipped her hand into his, wondering how she would even begin to tell him what she had been struggling with for nearly four years.

[erikoliver]

The pair walked in silence for a while, hands tangled together. Erik's mind began to wander, as it so often did when he didn't have anything to say. So much had changed for him in the past six months. He'd met Natalia, he'd adopted, gotten back together with Elliot, whom he loved with all of his heart. Still, it was all so much, and the weight was taking its toll. He assumed it would be easier when Natalia was back at school and he didn't have to buy as many groceries.

Erik looked back at Elliot, her eyes focused on something on the horizon. She was thinking heavily about something, that much was obvious. Still, Erik wasn't the type to pry. He turned and looked back in front of him, watching the ground as they walked along. He lightly squeezed Elliot's hand, smiling softly to himself.

[potter]

Elliot had hardly noticed how lost in her own thoughts she had gotten with planning out what she was going to say, that she was only brought back into reality when Erik squeezed her hand. Even more startling was that it had taken her until then to notice that she had been walking. She looked over at her lover, he too seemed different somehow. Though she thought that it was to be expected, his life had dramatically changed. He had a job other than "freelance musician," and had now gained the custody of an elven-year-old girl who had been abused in her previous home.

Elliot felt it was hardly fair of her to burden him with her own problem on top of everything else, but she knew that he needed to know. She opened her mouth to speak, but found that the words she had planned out in her head vanished, so much for having a plan... "I, erm, probably should have told you a long time ago," said Elliot, her pulse going faster, "but, erm, I'm... What I mean to say is, I have anorexia." There, she had said it, even if she had stumbled over the words a bit. "I'm working on it, I've gotten help," Elliot quickly added, not wanting Erik to worry, but he would probably do that anyway.

[erikoliver]

Erik looked over at Elliot as she began to speak, curious. It wasn't like her to fumble over her words like that. Still, her confession shocked him. Anorexia was a serious thing, but Elliot had obviously been getting help, otherwise she would have been much skinnier. Erik had known something had been off about her weight, given she was bonier than she appeared, but now that he knew why... Erik stopped walking and placed himself in front of Elliot, taking her other hand.

Erik brought both of her hands to his lips and kissed the soft skin, then released her hands and pulled her close. "I believe that you're getting help. You'd be a lot worse if you weren't. If something ever happens and you start doubting your progress, come to me," he stated softly, looking into her eyes. Erik wasn't about to baby her, but he knew how frightening something like that could be. Anorexia was just as life threatening as cancer when untreated, and he'd seen his mother battle with it for most of his life. He was going to be there for Elliot, but he wasn't going to smother her for it.

[potter]

Elliot wasn't sure why she was so nervous, though perhaps it was because she hadn't actually told anyone before. Seth had figured it out on his own, and she had managed to keep it hidden from everyone for four years, she had been anxious as to what he would think. Would he have thought her a failure? Weak? Would he have been disappointed in her for allowing things to go that far? But when Erik stopped, taking both her hands and looking her straight in the eyes, she knew that it had been ridiculous to think something like that. Her self-criticsm had gone out of control again, spilling over into what she thought others might think.

Elliot allowed him to hold her, wrapping her own arms around his waist, that had been a difficult thing for her to say. Normally she never allowed herself to be that vulnerable, even around those she loved. She was too independent for her own good at times, perhaps that was why things had gotten so bad. "Thank you," said Elliot quietly, glad that Erik thus far hadn't made a big deal out of it, or even acted any differently towards her- that was what she was most afraid of. People hovering anxiously around her, inquiring about what she had eaten all day.

[erikoliver]

Erik smiled at her and rubbed her back lightly. "This doesn't change who you are. You're still Elliot. I still love you because of who you are," he replied softly, kissing the top of her head and holding her close. The pair stood there for a little while longer, embracing. Erik had never felt more love towards the woman in his arms than he had in that moment. He knew that Elliot was strong, but in revealing her anorexia and battling it, he saw the strongest person he'd ever had met in her, other than his mother. "I love you," he repeated softly, holding her gently.

[potter]

Elliot had never known how much she liked the feeling of being held, or even touched until Erik had come back into her life. True to her independence she hadn't allowed herself to become a touchy-feely sort of person, not even offering a hug to family. But things with Erik were different, she liked holding his hand, being in his arms. Her heart raced again when Erik said that he loved her, Elliot knew that he did, but had not been expecting him to say so, at least not right then. But the unexpected nature of it made his words all the more genuine to her. "I love you," Elliot echoed softly, tipping her head back so she could look up at him, her heart rate finally returning to what was normal.