If he even dares come back, I want you to contact me Who: Lady Amalthea, Éponine Thénardier, and Scootaloo What: Discussing problems and why Thea was gone so long/Scoot coming over and helping clean while she rests. When: April 1st, 2pm-9pm Where: Her place Rating: PG-13 for language. TW for mention of controlling behaviour from an ex and the usual Thénardier issues. Status: Complete!
Amalthea waited. She’d picked up a little bit, set out a plate of muffins and cookies, and put some water in the electric water canteen that kept it heated so that Éponine could select a teabag and make her own from her selection. She needed to tell someone, and really didn’t feel like paying to see someone just so she could talk. She never felt she needed any help from a medical professional.
Thea nervously ran her fingers through her hair after going through two cups of tea, her mind distraught over how nice he was and how she was trying not to connect her problems with him. He was just being friendly... But somewhere deep down she was afraid. It was a ‘nice guy’ that had scarred her emotionally and controlled her, nearly to the point of getting physically abusive.
It was this thinking she was stuck in when she heard the door knocked on and she let out a little loud shriek of terror before calming down and stood to go to the opening. Opening it she bit her lip and stood back. “H-hi... Éponine? If so come on in...”
It wasn’t often that people invited Éponine over quite so quickly, but she couldn’t complain. From what she’d seen of this woman so far, she’d been through something at least a little similar to her own situation... she knew, all too well, what it was like to live in fear of just a name.
“Yeah, that’s me. You okay? I heard the scream...”
“I... Uhm. Yes... Uhm.” She looked out the window for several moments, scanning the area for anything that could even look like him before pulling her all the way in and shut the door, locking the three locks. Thea kept her head down, shoulders drooped in a way that Éponine should know all too well.
She sat down and motioned for her to sit wherever she wanted just... not right beside her. “Can I get you anything? Tea, a meal, anything. I can do it.”
Much as Éponine wished she couldn’t, she more than recognised that kind of body language. Whoever this guy was, he’d clearly been a complete and utter bastard... “You don’t have to get me anything. Perfectly happy to just help.”
“You... sure?” Looked up to her, biting her lip. Something in her forcing her to check multiple times just in case. If he’d changed his mind and she didn’t ask it was his anger directed towards her. She’d never actually been hit, but sometimes... Words could hurt worse.
Something that Éponine knew all too well, even if, well, her abusers had been far more prone to violence. It was something she’d just gotten used to over the years... “Very, very sure. Don’t worry - not going to suddenly change my mind.”
Thea put the tea cup she’d gotten for her already and set it down, leaning back into the chair but still obviously not relaxed. Not in the slightest. “So... You’re the first person who’s been over here, that I’ve been allowed to talk to... That. I’m not going to get asked to just go home and...” Bit her lip. Social situations were harder than they were before. And they’d been hard to begin with.
Éponine couldn’t blame her, really. Even with being invited over, she was still pretty much a stranger to her, and... well, if they had anything even remotely in common, she could more than understand how hard it could be to trust strangers. “I can imagine it’s not the easiest thing to talk about in the first place.”
“He wouldn’t let me.... be around anyone. Even my parents.” Put her head down and ran her fingers through her hair again. “I wasn’t allowed to leave the house without him, wasn’t allowed to do anything even... use the phone or the computer unless he was hovering and could watch or listen.” Thea breathed in heavily. Someone besides her parents needed to know but it didn’t make it any less difficult “If he was angry, he made sure my life was hell by locking me in my room and blaming it all on me. I don’t know if I liked happy him or angry him worse or better... When he was angry I was at least just allowed on my own with a book.”
Well, that wasn’t quite the level of bastardy that Éponine had been expecting, but it was more than enough to rather piss her off. What man could honestly treat anyone like that? “I can definitely understand why you wanted me to check if he was still around or not... sounds like the worst kind of bastard.”
“He didn’t dare hit me...I bruise so much more easily. One small hit to anywhere would result in dark purple that would last weeks and we’d never be able to go out anywhere. The worst bit of it...” She cringed and looked away. “Was the pictures he took... There are a few on porn sites I think but I never agreed to them. He said he was waiting for us to get married, but took them while I was sleeping... I never agreed to them.”
This was just making him seem even worse. Considering that Éponine’d had a pretty low regard of him already, he was around about the same level as her father’s terrible ‘gang’. “Definitely the worst kind of bastard, then. Even if he never touched you, things like that... there’s a reason people make such a big deal about consent.”
Yes, even when it came to rude pictures. It was a thing.
Began tugging and pulling at her hair rather roughly, looking at the door, then the window, then the door again. Thea whimpered and just went quiet. “I shouldn’t have told you that. I should keep my mouth shut and not talk to anyone.” Began rocking forward and back, pulling the hair at the base of her neck.
And all Éponine could think to do was gently pull her into her arms, rubbing lightly at her back. True, it was probably more contact than she’d had for... however long, but it’d probably help to some level. “It’s okay... you’re allowed to talk about these things, I promise.”
“No I’m not, he said I’m not... I’m scared he’ll come back. I gave the ring back, I gave everything. I just wanted someone to love me for me...” Pushed in close to her, a rare thing for her but she needed the comforting touch at very least. Even if she wouldn’t let herself cry. Not anymore. No more tears over him.
“He dares come back, he’ll have another thing coming.” Éponine might not have known her well, but she’d told her more than enough to make her despise the bastard. “I’m sure you can find someone here who will love you like that... if you still want it.”
“I don’t know what I want anymore... I don’t deserve love.” Pulled away and grabbed the teacup and filled it, her hands shaking. “He said no one after him would love me. That they’d see me as used goods and that it was my fault the wedding never went through. It was my fault... I should forgive him. I made him angry all the time.”
Éponine shook her head. “Everyone deserves love... it took me a while to learn that, but I know it’s true. My boyfriend helped, a lot, and... if I can, I’d like to help you learn it.”
And honestly, any man who used the term ‘used goods’ was clearly one it paid to ignore. Bastard.
Amalthea shook her head slowly. “I should just go back. He’s all I’ll ever get. I’m weird and... I have quirks and issues that.... Only he ‘dealt’ with.” She’s convinced that it was all her fault. All her doing and that she’ll just make someone else do it too.
“Everyone’s a little weird. It’s part of life.” Éponine definitely wasn’t going to go into details on that. Some things just didn’t need to be shared. “You deserve better than him. So much better.”
“But I’ll just make someone do it again. They’ll get mad and do it all over again. I’m better off alone.” Took a sip of her tea when she took everything out and just focused on it. “I’m not pretty enough for anyone. Not even modelling places, not for anyone.”
He’d really done a number on her self-esteem, hadn’t he? Not that Éponine could claim hers had been any better... “You can’t say that for certain. I’m pretty sure there’s someone out there who finds you beautiful.”
“Do you find me at least a little pretty” Turned to face her, bright purple eyes hinted by the soft light from outside and her pure white hair still kind of messy from not sleeping well. If she could sleep she might be able to handle this better, but she just couldn’t sleep because of the fear.
Which was a feeling that Éponine could more than understand. Even now, she struggled to sleep some nights because of the simple fear that she and Gavroche could be found... “I think you’re very pretty. Any man’d be lucky to have you.”
“And yet... I only get disgusting men looking at me... Is it too much to ask to want a gentlemen who will treat me like his princes... Even if it seems sexist. I want that. I want to be a princess and a housewife, and show him attention when he comes home... To help him relax and be in his arms... and..”Wanting to start crying.
Éponine shook her head. “It’s not too much to ask at all... a good man will treat you like a princess, but not be afraid to... well, show you who he really is.” Or, at least, that was how things tended to be with Scoot.
Amalthea looked to her. “I don’t... I’m so sleepy. I’m scared. He’s going to find me again. And I think then he’d hit me.” Bit her lip hard, the exhaustion obvious in her eyes that she had very little sleep the the 4 weeks of being back in her home.
“If he even dares come back, I want you to contact me... then I can come over and break his legs.” Yes, Éponine was that nice.
Yawned and went over to grab a bottle of caffeine pills, then set the bottle on the table in front of her and tried her damndest to open it.
Which, clearly, was Éponine’s cue to take that away from her. “You can’t always rely on these, you know. Doesn’t do your body much good.”
“It’s the only way I’ve been functioning at school work...” Tried to take it back from her, mostly because she doesn’t want to sleep. That was a lie, she does but she can’t. The discomfort of fear would seriously ruin any chance of sleeping more than 30 minutes at a time.
“...I can stay and keep an eye on you, you know.” Sure, it might be a little odd, but Éponine was used to things being a little strange.
“I couldn’t have you do that...” At least with her all alone. Her ex was strong and she was concerned for her safety if she tried to take him on all on her own. She was allowed to have that concern for her, right? A possible new friend after all and she didn’t want to ruin that.
Well, it wasn’t like Éponine was going to take that offer back... “I could ask my boyfriend to come by? He’s pretty strong...”
Amalthea perked up. “I guess you could... But I have so much course work to do and I’m not understanding that well and what if I fail?” Yawned again and tried to stretch and not pass out right there.
“Maybe you’ll be able to understand it after you’ve had some rest?” That certainly worked when Éponine was stuck on parts of her schoolwork, even if she was fairly sure they were in completely different fields. “You never know...”
“Maybe...” She slowly began to sway to the side, resting her head on the back of the couch and her eyes began to close on herself. She might just fall asleep on the couch right there.
And really? Éponine wouldn’t blame her in the slightest! “I’ll stay here until you wake up. I promise.”
Thea leaned forward even more, managing to tuck her head on her shoulder and well... the soft warm contact is enough to nearly instantly put her sleep, lightly snoring out because it had been so long since she slept.
Oh well. She could’ve fallen asleep in much worse places! Thankfully, Éponine could still get her phone out and text Scoot, just to warn him... well, she had promised he’d come by, so... she might as well make good on her promise.
Scoot got the text and came by rather quickly. He walked in and smiled seeing her. “What’s going on? Can I know why she suddenly fell asleep on you..” Looked at the mess in the kitchen and well... everywhere else and upturned his nose.
Best boyfriend ever. Just for coming by so quickly... “It’s a long story. Basically? Abusive bastard of a... former fiancé, I think? Never anything physical, just... mental.”
“Which can be just as bad sometimes.” Moved over and in hoping she didn’t mind dropped down to her level and brushed the girls white hair back out of her face. “How can someone want to abuse this... Seriously. I ask the same question about you all the time.” Went over and grabbed a pillow and blanket from her bed. “Here, pillow for your lap, she’ll be more comfortable...”
Éponine could only shrug. Honestly, if she had anything close to a clue, she might’ve been closer to some type of closure on her own... issues. “Some people just revel in being cruel, being able to control people. Can’t say I understand it.”
He nodded and helped get them situated and gently moved Thea so her head was on the pillow on Éponine’s lap. He draped the blanket over her and stood up, looking around and sighed. “I’ll... get busy in here. There are things to clean...”
“You really don’t have to do that...” Even if, yes, the place wasn’t exactly the cleanest place right now. Éponine knew that much for certain, and she’d lived with Gavroche.
“I want to... It will help her won’t it?” He found the only apron he could find which... of course... had to be light pink and with lace. “ugh....” He put it on all the same and moved into the kitchen to start on the dishes and getting things cleaned up.
Well, it could’ve been a lot worse! Of course, Éponine was of the opinion that he still looked pretty damn manly, even with the pink, so... “I guess it will. This just proves that you’re amazing, you know?”
“Just want to help her...” Got the first load in the dishwasher then went to grab clothes and wash those and the sheets. Next was sweeping and he was glad she only had a rug that he could just sweep over. He held the broom still and leaned over to gently pull Éponine into a kiss.
It was entirely instinctive that Éponine lightly tangled a hand in his hair, responding as best she could to the kiss. This man just got more and more incredible, really...
Pulled away and kissed her cheek before going back to the kitchen to get everything done...
Amalthea woke up after sleeping for around six or seven hours and let out a little grunt as she looked around and pushed herself up, “Huh...” she looked around and everything was clean. She rubbed her eyes with the back of her hands and squeaked and looked around again. Okay, not a dream.
True to her word, Éponine had stayed. She really didn’t want the girl waking up alone, mostly because she knew how bad that could be. “My boyfriend kind of insisted on cleaning up a little. Hope you don’t mind.”
“He did the cleaning?” Blinked, that being an entirely foreign concept to her. The guy was cleaning? How lucky was Éponine, seriously? “No... I... Don’t mind. It looks amazing...”
Scoot dropped down in front of her and held his hand out. “Hey there. Name’s Steven, but you can call me Scoot.” Watched her look at his hand then duck her head in her shoulders and he sighed. “Alright. It’s fine. You only do what you’re comfortable with.” Smiled and moved to sit across from them.
She looked up to Éponine and just stared. Confused because he didn’t act anything like her ex.
“He’s probably nothing like what you’re used to, right?” Let it be said that Éponine was fairly good at guessing, especially when it came to things like this. “Trust me when I say that I’m not entirely used to how incredible he can be sometimes...”
“You... actually seem to care...” Looked to him, holding onto her thighs and let her hair fall forward. She was so rested and it was nice. She figures she could do her schoolwork now.
“It’s because I do. I care a lot...” Scoot smiled. “And I’m willing to come over and help clean again if you need it.”