[CLOSED] still holding on.

[aubri 'bee' ella-paige reed]

Aubri wanted to snuggle closer, but felt as though it would be wrong. She straightened her legs out a bit, her eyes turning to the TV again. She drew her hand close to her chest, chewing on her lip. She was scared, of August and of this boy dying. She didn't want to leave because he made her feel safe. She closed her eyes, her hand still trying to find that necklace.

[trez matthew steele]

Trez felt her moving around a bit, stretched. A commercial came on and he got up carefully, grabbing a bundle of firewood from the closet. He crouched by the fireplace, knees cracking softly as he pulled the vented glass open and stacked the wood and some paper, starting it and sliding it closed again.

He returned to the couch, lying back down beside her again.

[aubri 'bee' ella-paige reed]

Aubri watched him carefully, then blushed as she laid back down beside her. She pulled her jacket up over her arms, sitting up at his feet. She started watching the TV again, hugging her knees close. She shivered, then laid her head down at the arm of the sofa, curling up. She pressed her hand to her mouth as she yawned again. She sent a text to Marc, asking if she had work, then put it back into the pocket of her jacket.

[trez matthew steele]

Trez gazed over at her with a faint smile as she moved around. He shifted his weight a bit more so he wasn't invading her space, just in case.

He wasn't tired after his considerable nap, but when his stomach growled, he frown faintly. "You hungry at all..?"

[aubri 'bee' ella-paige reed]

She glanced over at him then shook her head. "No.." She mumbled, hugging her knees tighter. She felt her phone go off and looked at it. "Oh.." She sighed, pulling on her jacket. She put her phone back into her pocket before she sat down on the floor, about to pull on her shoes when she realized she only had one.

"Okay, well.. That blew that out of the water. I gotta go.." She tied the laces together, hanging the shoe from her wrist. "I guess I'll just.. find my other shoe or something." She said, walking towards the door.

[trez matthew steele]

Trez hopped up, catching her wrist, then frowned and drew back. "Sorry.. I ah, keep clothes and shoes and stuff in the closet. He pointed towards it, shrugged. "They're not too bad, have had enough people need something to learn to keep it stocked."

Slinking towards the kitchen, he pulled open a drawer and tossed her a key. "I change locks after every person leaves, usually. If they leave a bad impression at least. If I get the key back I don't change the lock." He smiled sheepishly.

"But yeah, if you planned on coming back. I dunno. I..have work tonight."

Slinking towards the bathroom, he muttered "Stop rambling you fucking idiot," Under his breath.

[aubri 'bee' ella-paige reed]

Aubri blushed when he grabbed her wrist. Then he let go and she felt like she was missing something, like she was supposed to do something and didn't. 'Fucking idiot. See? This is why no one likes you!' She scolded. She watched him, gently taking the key from him. She wanted to keep it, even if she never came back just because he had shown her kindness no one else had bothered to. But then she didn't want to because he might think she was coming back. She watched him walk away, then sat the key back on the counter. She hated to intrude.

She walked out quietly, closing the door gently behind her. It wasn't until she was back into the woods, looking for her other shoe when August popped out from behind a tree.

"Problem?" He asked, holding up Marc's phone with a tilt of the head, his eyes red and angry.

"August, please.." She pleaded, keeping her voice low.

"There is no please." He told her, then reached out and grabbed her dragging her further into the woods, his hand over her mouth.

[trez matthew steele]

Trez shook his head, jumping in the shower for a quick few minutes before throwing on a fresh set of clothes. Slinking from the bathroom, he eyed the key on the counter with a brief frown, tossed it into the drawer again. What was he thinking? She was like the others, needed a place no matter how brief or long. He knew better than to get attached.

Grabbing his water from by the couch, he finished it before reaching for a picture of Xander. He smiled down at it, a single tear rolling from his cheek to spatter on the frame. Absently brushing it away, he sighed. "Love you, Xan..." He mumbled, getting up and tossing his bottle before reaching for his sweatshirt. He needed toget something to eat, locked up the area and started down the road in silence.

[aubri 'bee' ella-paige reed]

It was later that night when Aubri stumbled into the club, bruises on her arms and legs. Marc walked around the bar, scooping her into his arms. She curled up against him, and he carried her into the break room as if this happened often. He laid her down on the sofa, but she grabbed his hand, refusing to let him go.

"Please Marc.. Don't go.." She pleaded, tears falling down her cheeks. He knelt down beside her, running his fingers through her hair.

"It's okay, bumble bee. I'm not gonna leave.." He whispered to her, kissing her forehead gently. He played with her hair until she fell asleep, then took off his jacket, laying it across her. He sat down next to her, refusing to break his promise and leave her.

[trez matthew steele]

Trez huffed as he clocked into work. Night shifts were never a bother, it wasn't like he had much to go home to anymore, anyway.

So working all the clubs and bars when he could made him enough money, what with living alone and not having to pay hospital bills in the last two and a half months.

He ran a hand through his hair, taking someones order and turning to mix their drink, catching another order on the way, and soon returning with both in hand.