Hold Me

I am really grateful for all of the support that I have recieved for this story. This chapter is actually two original posts combined, but they were both on the shorter side ^^; When I can, I will merge posts together for longer chapters, however a lot of them aren't easy to merge... so I can't. So, technically this is two updates in one!!! ^^ Anyway, this is the introduction of one of the major characters in the story. Enjoy!!!

Jono: here's the update, thanks for reviewing! you decide for yourself about Eric
epica: yes! it's the comic relief character!
dut: I'm glad you're enjoying the story! Thank you for the compliment *bows*
Zoe: don't we all have moments where our brain does something on its own? lol. I'm glad you're enjoying the story!

“THIS is your friend?” Evan demanded, staring in dismay at the guy in the doorway.

“Well, you certainly are a rude punk,” the man in the doorway stated, entering the house.

“Now, now... you two play nice. Eric, this is Evan, and Evan, this is Eric,” Alex said, gesturing between the two. Evan lifted an eyebrow as he studied Eric. One thing was definitely certain, the pink silk shirt, complete with frills, was the most awful piece of clothing Evan had ever seen. Eric, in turn, was taking his time to study Evan.

“Most of the cats you pick up are at least cute... This one is probably the dirtiest one, however, you have ever let into your house,” Eric stated, and Evan colored darkly. He was about to make a come back, but Eric continued, “First thing that needs to be done is giving him a bath.”

“All right, just don’t traumatize him. I need to hurry, or I’ll be late,” Alex said, before slipping past Eric and out the door.

“Well then, I believe I remember where the bathroom is,” Eric said. “Come on then, we don’t have all day,” Eric said, walking past Evan and into the house. Muttering curses under his breath, Evan got up and slowly managed to stumble after Eric.

“Are you gay?” Evan demanded, once they had successfully reached the bathroom. Eric turned and regarded him for a moment.

“Your point?” he asked. Evan instantly turned a brilliant shade of red.

“I can take a bath by myself,” he growled.

“Well, I don’t see any reason to believe you since it looks like you haven’t in months. Besides, it’s not like I have never seen a male’s body before. And I doubt that you have anything better than my man’s,” Eric stated with a smirk, going over to the tub and turning the water on. Evan scowled and stripped off his clothes, not wanting to appear weak or childish in front of this man.

“How does a guy like you know Alex?” Evan demanded.

“He and my boyfriend went to the same high school and were close friends,” Eric said, smirking.

“I knew he’d never get involved with a guy like you directly,” Evan huffed.

“Oh? And why is that?” Eric asked.

“Because, just judging from the way you look, you seem completely unreliable. You’re probably just a leech that stuck itself on Alex,” Evan sniffed.

“I am too reliable! That’s why he called me here,” Eric growled defensively.

“Oh yes, you’re very trust-worthy, that’s why he called you to baby-sit a seventeen year old who is perfectly capable of taking care of himself,” Evan muttered.

“What was that? Damn brat,” Eric growled, turning off the water since the tub was full. Evan glared back, the tension mounting until a musical ringtone suddenly filled the room. “Damn it. Get in the tub for now, I’ll deal with you later,” Eric grumbled before pulling a cell phone out of his pocket and storming from the room.

“Good riddance,” Evan muttered, slipping into the tub. He let out a sigh of delight as the warm water ran over him. How long had it truly been since he’d had the leisure to relax in a bath. After a few moments, he realized that it was certainly far too long as the water was already taking on a brown hue. He scowled and quickly scrubbed himself clean. By the time he was done, the water was completely tainted.

“I’ll suggest to Alex that he should have his couch cleaned,” Eric said, as he entered the bathroom again.

“Get out! It was nicer without you in here,” Evan growled, glaring up at Eric.

“And miss the chance to get a clean view of that nice, supple body? Not a chance,” Eric teased, causing Evan to blush again.

“I thought you said you had a boyfriend,” Evan growled.

“I do, but right now he’s missing,” Eric said with a shrug.

“Missing? What did you do?” Evan exclaimed.

“How the hell should I know? I just woke up one morning to find him gone! No note or anything! He even went so far as to change his cell phone number! It’s been nearly a year too, so don’t get me started,” Eric growled, reaching into the dirty bathwater to unplug the tub. Evan clambered up as the dirty water swirled around him, and Eric took the chance to turn on the shower, not even waiting for the water to heat up. Evan yelped and launched out of the tub, still wet, on top of Eric who tumbled to the ground.

“That was completely uncalled for!” Evan shouted, getting off of Eric and seizing a towel to dry himself with.

“You started it,” Eric replied.

“What are you, a child?”

“I like to think that I’ve retained my youthfulness.”

“That just makes you sound like an old man.”

“Well then, make up your mind!” Eric snapped. Evan merely shrugged and wrapped the towel around his waist.

“What am I supposed to wear?” Evan demanded.

“Oh, that? I took the liberty of going through Emelia’s closet, since she’s closer to you in size then Alex,” Eric said, holding out clothes to Evan. At least they aren’t pink, Evan thought sourly.

“Why do I have to where girl’s clothes?” Evan grumbled.

“Because, like I said, there aren’t any other clothes in your size around here,” Eric replied easily.

“Fine then, get out while I change,” Evan ordered.

“Why? You were naked in front of me five seconds ago,” Eric pointed out.

“Just get out!” Evan shouted, pushing Eric from the room and slamming the door on him.

“Boy, he’s awfully touchy,” Eric said, loud enough to be heard through the door. Evan decided that it would be best not to respond.

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To Evan’s embarrassment the clothes Eric had given him fit, and didn’t look all that bad. He wore a red Chinese-style top and black pants that hugged his hips and fanned out by his feet. At least it wasn’t a skirt, Evan thought bitterly to himself as he exited the bathroom.

“You look adorable!” Eric exclaimed when he saw Evan, and Evan returned the comment with a look of pure malice. “Don’t worry kid, I’m sure Alex will get you some more fitting clothes,” Eric said with a smirk. Evan was about to make a return comment about he’d better, but stopped himself, remembering what Emelia had said about their financial situation. He’d already made himself look like a child in front of Eric, he definitely wasn’t going to make himself sound like a bastard.

“He doesn’t have to,” Evan mumbled.

“Yet, we can’t have you going to school with only one pair of clothes, considering I doubt Emelia will be thrilled to hear her enemy is sharing her wardrobe. So, I’ll take you shopping. When my boyfriend finally decides to reappear, I can leech off of him again,” Eric announced.

“Two problems with that,” Evan growled. “Number one, what makes you so sure your boyfriend’s ever coming back? I wouldn’t hold my breath from what you told me. And two, I am not going outside in this.”

“Your first problem is simple, you don’t know Asterik. I’m sure he’s going to come back, no doubt. He’d never leave me, his body craves me. I’m surprised he’s lasted as long as he has on his own. He’s probably taken other lovers, but I’m sure none of them have satisfied him,” Eric said with a smirk.

“That... was way too much information!” Evan growled, blushing furiously.

“You’re the one that brought it up,” Eric replied. “And as to your second problem, I don’t care. So tough luck.”

“That’s not very nice to say!” Evan protested.

“Like I said, I don’t care. Now, let’s hurry up so that we can be done before Alex gets back,” Eric ordered, turning away from Evan and heading towards the door. Evan shifted uneasily, but didn’t want to seem childish, so he eventually followed Eric out of the house. To his surprise, he found himself on the doorstep he had collapsed on two nights ago. It seemed like an eternity since then, Evan thought as he gazed out at the street. What had once seemed so cold and heartless was now warmed by the sun’s light and teeming with life. Children were playing on the sidewalk, the occasional car drove cautiously past, and people strode with purpose to and fro, running errands. Evan could hardly believe that this was the same place. “What are you doing just standing there? We don’t have all day!” Eric called, having already started walking down the street before noticing that Evan wasn’t following. Mortified by being seen standing there like an idiot, lost in thoughts, Evan hurried down the steps to catch up to Eric.

“I know that!” Evan mumbled, once he reached Eric. In response, the older man had the audacity to smirk!

“Despite what you said, you really do need a babysitter,” Eric proclaimed, continuing on his way.

Evan colored and angrily responded, “I do not!”

“That was one of the worst comebacks I think I’ve ever heard,” Eric replied with a laugh. Evan was still blushing, but decided to keep his mouth shut before he made a bigger fool of himself. He trailed behind Eric in silence, but was impressed with the number of people who knew Eric and greeted them on the street. That was, until one young man’s greeting.

“Hey Eric! Since when did you get a girlfriend? I didn’t think you swung that way!” the man shouted, grinning. Evan was completely mortified, there was no way he could really be mistaken for a girl, was there? I mean, he was sure that he wasn’t that girly! He was about to retort something about the guy needing to get his eyes checked, when Eric held up a hand to silence him.

“You’re wrong Paul, the kid’s not my girlfriend! Can’t you tell he’s cross-dressing?!” Eric shouted back, and the guy named Paul laughed. Evan wasn’t sure which he wanted more, to kill the guy, or to kill Eric at that moment. Deciding to extract pay-back on the one target in range, Evan rammed his elbow as hard as he could into Eric’s side and took pleasure in the gasp of pain he heard.

“I’m neither a girl, nor a cross-dresser. So both of you can take your laughs elsewhere,” Evan growled before storming off.

“Wow, Eric! Must you always attach yourself to the feisty ones?” Paul asked with a laugh. Eric returned some colorful curses before chasing off after Evan.

“That was hardly necessary, don’t you think?” Eric growled, once he had caught up to the other boy. Evan only scowled and continued walking, refusing to acknowledge Eric’s existence.