AN:  I'm back, Spain was fun but I don't speak Spanish at all so I'm glad to be back.  No idea how often I'll do updates now that my classes have started but they'll come when they come.  If you're enjoying the story (or not enjoying it) please consider writing a review, or just giving the story a rating (I feed off of feedback/numbers of favs/follows)

Chapter 7:  A Bond is Formed

I had was experiencing a very familiar comfortable feeling that I hadn't experienced in a few years but I couldn't remember what it was.  It was nice though, made me feel safe, so I just buried myself further into the source of the feeling.  My mouth felt icky but I didn't want to move and risk losing the warmth surrounding my body.

I don't know how long I stayed there just enjoying the comfort but as time went by I started remembering why it felt so familiar.  The last time I experienced this was when I was six.  I had stayed up late on Christmas Eve as I was too excited to sleep but at some point I started feeling tired.  I had closed my eyes and then I remember experiencing a similar sensation.

I was being.... carried...that's what it was.  I was being carried to my bed as I had fallen asleep on the couch.  I liked being carried, it made me feel safe and warm.  I was sad though as that was the last time I remember being carried until now.  My dad said it was because he was too old and I was too big, which made me upset.   Wait...my...dad?  

Thinking of my daddy made me remember the attic and the fear.  The thoughts made it hard for me to breathe and the safe feeling of being carried changed to fear as I started feeling constricted.  I start frantically trying to get free, this wasn't daddy, who was it!?  My chest starts hurting more as it gets harder to breathe and when I jerk my eyes open everything is blurry and the light hurts to look at.

The person carrying me tightens their arms around me as I start panicking, which only makes the suffocating feeling worse causing me to struggle harder.  I didn't like the feeling, it was scary, I wanted my daddy.  I start crying and calling out for my daddy but I didn't know if I was actually saying anything as all I heard was a ringing in my ears and trying to speak hurt.  

Suddenly the person took away their arms and it got easier to breathe but I was still scared, I wanted my dad.  I huddled into myself as I continued crying and crying out for my dad.  It was hard to tell how long I was crying but I eventually noticed my head was now lying in a lap while a hand stroked my hair.  There were sounds coming from above me that seemed like they were words but I couldn't understand them.  They were soothing though and after a while I was able to stop crying though I was still scared.

The sounds coming from above me had stopped once I finished crying but the hand continued stroking my hair helping me calm down a little.  The sort of words got a bit louder but I couldn't understand them still, there was still a little ringing in my ears but it was quickly fading.  The words were repeated a few times before I was able to understand them.  

"What's your name child?"

The voice reminded me of my dad which excited me but when I looked up I saw an unfamiliar face I was left feeling sad and disappointed.  My dad had always said to not trust strangers but he reminded me of him and I didn't want to be left alone so I answered him.

"...Fleur..."

It was barely a whisper but apparently it was loud enough for him to hear as he gave me a warm smile as he stared down at me.  His smile reminded me of my mom's, she traveled a lot for work and I didn't get to see her as often as I wanted but whenever she was with me she always had one of those same gentle smiles on her face.  I relaxed a little more and was able to stop shaking when he spoke again.

"Hi little flower, my name is Max.  Are you hungry?  Thirsty?"

His words cause me to start crying again as that was what my daddy always called me.  I wasn't able to speak now so I just turned to the side and nodded as I continued to cry.  The man's, Max, words seemed to be sad when he spoke again.

"Ok...I've got plenty of food and water for you when you feel up for it alright?  Do you want me leave you alone now?"

I nodded slightly as I continued to cry but as I felt him move me and get up to leave me alone I started panicking again.  I didn't want to be left alone again, what if he didn't come back?  So I grabbed onto his leg and stared up at him with crying eyes.

He looked surprised briefly before his eye's instantly softened as he gave a small, soft smile and seemed to nod in understanding.  He sat back down, once more putting my head on his lap as he stroked my hair.  He reminded me so much of my daddy that I kept feeling hurt when I realized that he wasn't really him.  But I didn't want to be alone...so I cried and cried and cried.

Throughout it all he just kept gently stroking my hair in silence, not moving at all save for his hand and the faint movements caused by his breathing.  I don't know how long I cried but I think I only stopped because I ran out of tears and my throat hurt a lot.  Still the man sat there silently stroking my head.

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"water..."

Croaking out the single word made my throat burn but I was too thirsty and needed something to drink.  The man maintained his silence but seemed to hear me as he stopped his hand and reached into his backpack, taking out a water bottle.  As soon as he handed it to me I quickly snatched it and drank its contents greedily.  The water was slightly cool and it felt great as it soothed by burning throat.

The bottle doesn't last long and when I look at the man he had an apple in his hand.  Apples were my favorite food so as soon as I saw it my stomach grumbled lightly and I once more quickly snatched it out of his hand.  Much like the water it didn't last long but despite that it was the best tasting apple that I ever remember having.  As soon as I was done I noticed yet another bottle of water and an assortment of food ready nearby for me.

I picked a bag of bread and a jar of peanut butter (I didn't like jelly, it felt icky).  My daddy usually made my sandwiches for me so I didn't know what to do, there wasn't a knife either so I just scooped up peanut butter with the bread slices and ate them like that.  After finishing three "sandwiches" and the new bottle of water I finally feel full.  Throughout my feast the man continued to remain quiet as I ate on his lap.

Curious I look at his face and the amused expression present caused me to blush slightly over my actions.  My parent's had made sure I knew how to eat properly and had proper manners for when my mom took me to her important business dinners, so it was embarrassing to be seen not acting like a proper lady.  

"Feel better now?"

Still embarrassed I just nod my head while avoiding eye contact.  I feel as much as hear him chuckle lightly in response, which didn't help my embarrassment at all.  Still the feeling faded quickly as I once more remembered my current reality.  The man must have noticed my change of mood as his voice was full of concern when he next spoke.

"You ok?  You want to talk about anything?"

I struggle a bit as I contemplate his offer before managing to reply in a quiet, sad whisper.

"My daddy isn't coming back for me is he?"

The man tensed up at my words briefly before returning to his normal state.  He gave a sad, tired sigh before he quietly responded with a simple "No."

His response almost made me start crying again, and I probably would have if my eyes had anymore tears left.   My dad had lied to me; he had said he'd come get me.  He never lied to me.  Why did he leave me?

"Why."

It wasn't really a question but the man seemed to take it as one and looked like he was struggling to give me an answer.  

"Sometimes that's just how the world works."

His words didn't nothing to comfort me, if anything they left me feeling bitter.

"I hate the world then, it made me alone."

"You don't have to be alone."

His words made me angry and I screamed at him.

"I don't want to be alone but my daddy is gone and so is my mom!  I have no one now!  I hate the world, it's not fair!  It's not fair...it’s not fair!"

My anger faded as quickly as it came and I started crying once more, apparently I still had a fear tears left.  

".... You have me.   I won't leave you alone unless you want me to.  I can't replace your parents nor would I want or ever try to, but I can be your big brother if you want."

His words just made me cry harder, it wasn't what I wanted to hear.  I wanted him to tell me he would find my parents, that he would bring my daddy back.  But I knew why he didn't...they were gone and I was alone now.  The thought made me feel so much pain I gasped audibly as I struggled to breathe.  I didn't want to be alone, it brought back memories of the attic and the terror I felt as I hid there while my world crumbled around me.  

But I have never had a brother before.  I was scared he would replace daddy one day and I would forget about him.  I didn't want that; the thought was almost as bad being alone.  It came down to trusting him and his promise not to replace them or being alone.  It wasn't a hard choice but neither was it easy.

"Don't leave me alone.... big brother."

I whispered, the raw fear and emotion I was feeling causing my voice to tremble.  His eye's softened as he smiled sadly and wrapped me in a hug as I continued to cry into his chest.  

"Never...little flower."

AN:  Shorter chapter than usual but it's more of a bridging chapter from the sort of prologue arc and the first arc.  

Hope you liked it and thanks for reading,

Ren Waya