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Post by Copper on Aug 14, 2015 11:51:06 GMT
Marco rolled his eyes, sticking out his tongue. "Hey! I'm not that small. You're just freakishly huge."
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Post by Silaluk on Aug 14, 2015 14:01:01 GMT
"That may be so," Eli said softly, "But you will always be my little chick, Marco, no matter how much you argue, so do not bother trying to do so." He smiled to himself as he walked, his friend's presence on his shoulders more noticeable to him now. Ever since Elias had met Marco, he'd instinctively wanted to take care of him. Maybe it was because he reminded him of the little goat kids, trying to act tough and strong but still so small and vulnerable.
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Post by Copper on Aug 14, 2015 22:29:41 GMT
"Yeah, yeah," Marco grumbled, making a face. "I may be short, but that don't mean nothin', big guy." When he'd first met Eli, when he was almost fourteen and the Ethiopian was twelve, that had definitely been more apparent to him than ever before. The guy was tall, strong, buff-- but he was just too nice, too soft and susceptible to trickery and unkindness. He'd felt naturally inclined to keep the bigger boy safe and keep him away from the more dangerous side of cave life, the places where bored and caged humans would fight each other for the fun of it and steal supplies to create what his mother used to call 'adult substances.'
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Post by Silaluk on Aug 14, 2015 23:06:34 GMT
Eli sighed. "You remind me often." The Mexican would never let him forget it either, he figured. Marco never seemed to accept assistance of any kind if he could help it and it sometimes got on Eli's nerves. Nobody could do everything on their own, after all. He knew his friend liked his independence, but in a place like this, people had to help each other out. It was the only way any of them could survive. "But you do not need to act strong all of the time and try to act as a parent to me. I know that you do, so do not try to deny it. Remember that sometimes, I would like to protect you instead." I figure he wants to prove himself in some way, but I think he sometimes forgets that I live and grew up in a worse place than he did.
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Post by Copper on Aug 14, 2015 23:16:33 GMT
Marco glanced behind them, seeing cold eyes staring right back at him that Eli would never be able to see. It was that face, the one so similar to his son's that often almost led him to believe that perhaps Elias had somehow... He turned around and tightened his fists on Elias's jacket, breath hitching. "I'm a grown man! I don't need protection."
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Post by Silaluk on Aug 14, 2015 23:28:46 GMT
"I am also a grown man, Marco. And just because we are not children any longer, that does not mean we do not need to rely on each other! You always act like you have got everything under control and like you never need anyone else! When will you accept that it is okay to be the one that is taken under the wing?" Eli's jaw tightened. It wasn't very often that he got angry at Marco, but it was talk like this that got on his nerves.
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Post by Copper on Aug 14, 2015 23:38:03 GMT
"I just-- You know I've had to-- there's just these things I have to take care of--" Marco spluttered, face turning red. "It's hard to explain, okay?!" How am I supposed to tell him about it?! Of course I can't rely on him, then he'll find out and have me locked up for good!
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Post by Silaluk on Aug 14, 2015 23:46:41 GMT
"Then do the best that you can! I only want to help you, Marco, but you never let me! I have known you for six years and you still do not tell me when things are wrong. I am supposed to be your friend, am I not?" His grip on Marco's ankles tightened slightly and his stride grew faster and stiffer.
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Post by Copper on Aug 14, 2015 23:49:23 GMT
"There's just some things that you can't help me with! No one can help me with them!" Marco lowered his head, entire body beginning to shake. Anxiety was beginning to kick in.
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Post by Silaluk on Aug 14, 2015 23:56:15 GMT
Sighing, Eli stopped and reached up to lift Marco from his shoulders. He sat down along the tunnel wall with the Mexican, taking the lamp from him and wrapping him in a hug. "Do not be so sure. You underestimate the ability of other people to support you and love you and help you," he said softly, resting his chin on Marco's head.
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Post by Copper on Aug 14, 2015 23:58:07 GMT
"You know what they do to people who aren't normal here," Marco whispered, burying his face in Eli's chest. "I can't... I'll never be able to..."
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Post by Silaluk on Aug 15, 2015 0:05:17 GMT
"You will never be able to what?" Eli clucked his tongue. "I do know for sure that you will never be able to do much in the way of anything if you do not let anyone be there for you." The Ethiopian pulled Marco into his lap just as he did with his little cousins when they were sad or hurting. It was almost as if that was the case right now. He held Marco tightly in the same way a mother sheltered her young. "It will be okay. I promise."
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Post by Copper on Aug 15, 2015 13:29:33 GMT
Marco shrugged uncomfortably, leaning into Eli. That's what you think. I wish you could tell your dad to just go away, this is getting creepy.
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Post by Silaluk on Aug 15, 2015 14:37:04 GMT
Eli said nothing more, only reaching up to stroke Marco's hair. Whenever he got like this, Eli couldn't help but feel like the one responsible for making him feel bad. He always tried to make it better with comfort and kind words, but the Ethiopian wasn't sure it always worked. It would be so much easier if Marco could tell him what was really going on.
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Post by Copper on Aug 16, 2015 22:20:12 GMT
Marco glanced at Eli's father again. The man was still silent, stern, eyes never leaving his. He'd been there since he and Eli had met and there he remained-- he never really left his son's side save for a few days every year. If he cared enough Marco probably would have tried to map out the occurrences, see what they meant; but there were far too many spirits in the caves to impress him anymore. This man was just another ghost. Marco forced his eyes towards his watch, staring at the time for a few seconds before actually registering it. "I should go. My work shift's starting soon, and it's kind of far from here."
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Post by Silaluk on Aug 16, 2015 23:02:47 GMT
"Alright... I am sorry we don't get very much time to spend together with the way our shifts line up. But I believe I will be able to see you later tonight. And I am also sorry for hurting you," Eli said, pressing a quick, apologetic kiss to the top of Marco's head. He moved his friend from his lap and stood, grabbing the lantern on his way up.
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Post by Copper on Aug 16, 2015 23:34:12 GMT
"You didn't-- I'm not--" Marco spluttered, scrambling off of Eli's lap as he stood. He knew that Elias could be highly affectionate, but a kiss was certainly... new. It's probably just an Eli thing. Why am I getting so bent out of shape? "You didn't hurt me."
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Post by Silaluk on Aug 17, 2015 0:01:54 GMT
"But I was angry with you and that made you feel bad, did it not? I had my reasons for being angry, but hurting you was not one of them, so I am sorry," he replied simply.
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Post by Copper on Aug 17, 2015 15:22:27 GMT
Marco scratched the back of his head, looking unsure. "We can talk a bit more about this later. I should... I should go."
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Post by Silaluk on Aug 17, 2015 15:54:01 GMT
"Alright. I will meet you in the town square later tonight, then, if that is okay." Eli smiled and waved cheerily before continuing on his own down the tunnel.
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