The Return
Finally. Getting out of the god damn hospital even though it's been one day it's utter hell. He wore his collar up rather than folded so it would cover a bit of the bruising. He'd put it down later. He just didn't want to be questioned about it by the civilians.
He bit into an apple Elias had given him when he left. They both had promised to keep in contact with one another. Hopefully he'd introduce him to the group. Well , what left of the group for now. Just Porco, Pieck, Zeke, Miles, Colt and the kids. Plus , himself. The others were on paradise so, and they still weren't back which was fairly concerning to him.
They were his family. He didn't know what he'd do if they weren't alive. He really was honestly scared for four of them. Porco had gotten really anxious about it over the last 5 years. Miles was doing his best to keep the other relaxed. Pieck was doing her best to. Things had really only seemed to have gotten worse.
He finished his apple by the time he got to the base. He really pissed his father off with working with the warriors rather than what his father does. Magath let him. Even if his father is higher command. Can't do much about a child who doesn't listen and will take the beating and move on and continue.
The base was fairly quiet for once. It was a fairly hot day like those in the past when they were kids. He tossed the apple core in the garbage walking out back where the kids were training. He stood in the shade for a moment till one of them noticed and actually screamed running over. Udo. He's something special. He's always had a connection to the younger with glasses. He really was just a copy paste of Bertholdt.
The others looked and smiled. He hugged Udo back rubbing his head. Udo was kind of like a son to him even if he wasn't old enough to be a parent. He cared a lot for this kid and would do whatever he could for him. Same goes for the other three. Gabi, Falco and Zophia. The whole group took care of the kids. What was the shocker is Porco caring for Gabi being she's related to Reiner. Miles was happy he was getting along with a Braun for once so that was a good thing.
Ely stood up letting Udo run back to his friends. He looked around a little frowning not seeing Miles. Porco walked over and hit him in the side carefully. "Welcome back even if I saw you yesterday" he smiled. Eli shook his head and hugged the other.
"Elias said they are sorry about scaring you yesterday."
Porco stared.
" Huh who the fuck is Elias?"
"The doctor you bone head. They want to meet you guys actually. He's with us. He sees you like I see you guys. Human. No difference." Ely smiled softly.
Porco stayed quiet for a moment and nods a bit. He was getting a bit more trusting of Ely. Took him five years.
Porco then snapped looking at him.
"Wait they?" He stared wide eyed.
Ely just nods a bit.
"Yes. They are a they, them. They don't mind really any pronouns. Guess for them it depends on how they are feeling for the day. Like me but I still prefer to use he and him" he pats Porco's head.
He just stood there astonished.
"Do they respect them there?"
Ely shrugs.
"I would think not but I don't know... Maybe... I'll ask next time I guess"
Porco just nods silently.
Something was off with him. Ely could tell but he didn't push it. He just rubbed his shoulder. What has he missed.
"Well would you look at that. The fuckin ghost" Ely froze in place smiling a little.
"Says you. You didn't even visit me. He did" he points to Porco turning around.
"Hello Miles" Ely smiled softly at the other.
Miles walked over hugging the other.
"I'm glad you're okay. I'm glad your safe.." he could feel the other shaking.
He knew he scared miles half to death. He felt bad about it.
Ely rubbed his back softly trying to sooth the other.
"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry I scared you. Worried you... He blames you. He always does and it pisses me the fuck off. I'm tired of his shit" Ely let go.
He was shaking now but in rage. Miles shook his head.
"Don't worry about me. No one would even believe him. Calvi and Magath favor me , so they won't let him do anything. I'm a precious and fragile being" Miles grins a little soothing the other's nerves.
Ely just nods smiling a bit. The two didn't even realize one of the was missing from the equation. Porco wasn't there. He just disappeared. He's been doing that a lot lately. No one really gets why. Ely noticed and started to worry. He was going to stay with Miles , but he couldn't just not worry about the other , so he split off for a bit to go find the other.
-
Ely walked around the base looking around for the other. He walked down a silent hall. Or was it even silent. He walked down the hall closer to the end. Bathrooms. He paused hearing someone either dying or was throwing up their whole breakfast. He continued his way down the hall and peered into the room. A familiar brunette bleeding into blonde was hunched over one of the toilets clearly puking his guts out.
"Porco?" He spoke softly.
He didn't really want to scare the other , so he kept his voice low. Porco flinched a little looking back.
".... " He couldn't say anything.
Ely walked over sitting down with him and just hugged him. Porco hugged back shaking.
"Your alright" Ely spoke softly.
"I'm here. Don't worry... I'm not leaving you"
The other stayed silent but nods against his shoulder. Ely shut his eyes rubbing circles on his back. He hummed softly trying to keep the other relaxed. Porco shut his eyes listening to the other. Honestly thank fuck Ely followed him for his sake.
The first words out of the other froze him.
"I think I'm pregnant...."
Ely pulled away a bit and stared at him.
"Oh god Porco..." He hugged him again.
Porco sighed slightly.
"I've been refusing to eat.... I know it's bad for me but it's bad for it and I don't want it..... Maybe I can stress myself out enough my body rejects it or something... I-"
Ely grabs the others face making him stop talking.
"You'll only cause yourself to seize. Don't.... I get it.... I can see if I can do something.... I'll help you I swear "
Porco stared quietly and nods a little. He got out of the other's hands putting his head on the others shoulder. Ely moved his hand up running it through his hair.
"Should let me cut your hair and re bleach it"
Poe just grunts in response.
Ely chuckled.
"Okay fine I won't. Still could use a haircut bud"
Porco sighed. He couldn't argue about it because he was right. He did honestly need a hair cut. At least the undercut anyways. He didn't mind having his upper part a bit longer.
"Fine I will agree to the cut. Not the dye" he muttered into Ely's shoulder.
Ely nods.
"Gotcha covered mate" he pats his back a bit.
The two ended up staying in the bathroom for a while more. Ely wanted to make sure he was okay. One of the other training warriors did ended up finding them after an hour or so. They are switched places with him. Porco ended up having to tell them that he just wasn't feeling good. Something he ate didn't settle right. Ely stayed as emotional support for the boy. Porco was thankful he had Ely at his side.
Ely walked back outside where the kids, Colt and Miles where at. He leans on the wall sliding down it. The bricks scratched at his back leaving red marks as he slid down. He didn't really feel the pain of it. He just held his head feeling overwhelmed. Miles walked over sitting with him trying to see if he was okay.
He nods his head a bit saying he was okay. He just had to deal with a lot of shit at the moment. Miles just nods. He stayed by his side rubbing his shoulder a little trying to help. Ely leans against him shutting his eyes smiling a little.
Colt watched the two smiling a bit before Gabi cut in.
"Ewwww gross boys love ."
Colt shook his head. "You'll see one day Gabi. You'll see" he smiles again.
"Like the other two know" he looked over to his younger brother who was a blushing mess sitting by Udo who was doing something to impress the other of some sorts.
Gabi sighed crossing her arms.
"I ain't into anyone ."
Colt chuckles .
"you will be one day I'm sure of it."
She just grumbled at the other walking over to Zophia.
Miles had been smiling the whole time she was talking about him and Ely. He shook his head and sighed.
"You tell her Colt"
Colt looked back and smiled softly.
Colt had fun off to deal with the kids while the two stayed side by side. Ely had mostly dozed off on Miles's shoulder in the 20 or so minutes of being against each other.
Miles looked over blushing ever so slightly.
' Ya know your gorgeous... ' Miles thought and put his head back against the wall. His blush stayed in his cheeks for a little while longer before slowly disappearing.
Porco kicked one of these legs to wake them and let out a soft chuckle .
"you guys are adorable" he spoke in a teasing voice.
Ely looked up at them rubbing his eyes.
"Huh?"
Porco rolled his eyes and sat down with them. Ely smiled a bit and put his head on his shoulder now. Porco flushed out of embarrassment of the other. Ely just chuckled softly.
"Just messing with you. Feeling better?" He spoke.
Porco just nods hiding his face.
Miles reached over rubbing his shoulder a bit.
"Relax bub"
Porco just nods shutting his eyes letting himself relax. Ely rubbed his lower back a bit when Miles retracted his hand.
-
Thunder clouds started to roll in around noon time. They all started to pile back inside so they didn't get wet. Well most of them. Ely was still outside as the rain started to fall. He put his arms out shutting his eyes.
The kids stared out the window looking at him.
"He's insane- Ouch!"
"knock it off Gabi. He doesn't get to do this a lot. We barely even get rain. Let alone a thunderstorm" Zophia crossed her arms at Gabi .
Gabi sighed and shook her head.
"Stupid"
Miles chuckled a little.
"He isn't stupid. Well... I mean thunder isn't a good thing but he isn't stupid. Let him have his moment" Miles leaned on the door frame watching the other. He really didn't know what he'd do without the other.
Ely looked over and chuckles a little.
"Geez y'all really don't want to get wet huh?"
Miles shook head a bit but came out to the other.
"They called ha stupid for being out here. Guess I am too" he chuckled softly.
Ely pats his head.
"Indeed we are huh" Ely nods a little bit.
"Yes we are" he looked around a bit.
"Yea we should go in" he hugged himself a bit shaking.
Miles nods and pushed the other inside and went off to get a towel for him.
Porco looked. "The fuck. Your drenched and you were only out there for like 3 minutes!"
Ely Chuckled
"mhm it's pouring out there."
Porco shook his head slightly and sighed.
"Least we are getting rain" he hugged himself.
Ely nods again.
The group sat around playing a simple card game. Once the kids went to their little rooms , they went to play their games there. Colt stayed with Ely, miles and Porco. They continued the card game till Colt one. Porco jumped him fake choking him out. He wasn't mad he was just acting like he was. Ely chuckled shaking his head while Miles got up telling him to not hurt him. Porco only laughed and said he was playing.
Miles narrowed his eyes and sat back down.
"Jesus Porco" he shook his head rubbing his temple.
Porco sat back down chuckling still.
"Gotta ya good , didn't I?"
Miles just responded with a simple nod to the other.
Porco smiled a bit and sat down yawning a bit.
"Damn" he shut his eyes trying to rest a little.
Colt grabbed a blanket putting it over him. Ely smiled watching the two.
"Softies" he spoke quietly.
Miles nods. "Mhm. Cute tho"
Ely elbowed him in the side a little. Miles gasped and narrowed his eyes at him. Ely grins with his eyes shut.
"Hehe"
Lightning cracked outside and the four flinched turning to the window.
"..... Lightning or.... Lightning" Porco spoke quietly.
Miles hopped up over the back of the couch waking to the door looking out.
"..... Lightning. Regular. But a Titan Flash would have lasted longer."
Porco nods relaxing a little bit.
"By the way shouldn't you me with Pieck still?" He spoke up.
Miles looked
"uh no she was called away with Zeke. They won't be back for a bit I believe. Island issues or some shit like that. They split off when we got back so I got back and wondered around town avoiding you know who. So I was back for a while already" Miles turned back and sat down with Ely once more.
Poe nods silently.
"I see..."
Ely frowned a little. He didn't away from Pieck much so her leaving without saying something hurt him more or less in a way. Ely did feel bad a bout it but it is what it is. Can't do anything about it.
The group of them stayed quiet kind of just relaxing eventually dozing off to the sound of the rain hitting the window beside them. Ely stared at the ceiling though his insomnia making it a struggle. Porco was dealing with the same shit. Course he kept falling back asleep every time he woke up.
Ely looked over to Miles who had slumped over the side of the couch against one of the pillows. He smiled softly standing up slowly , so he didn't wake him. He walked over looking at him. He reached down moving some of his hair out of his face and smiled.
"Gorgeous" he said quietly before walking to the kitchen area in the other room.
Miles opened his eyes staring at nothing. A blush covered his cheeks while he reached over covering his face. He was internally screaming at himself.
' He called me gorgeous? Seriously!? Oh god... Oh god '
he shut his eyes pulling his hands down his face letting out a sigh.
"Damn" he spoke quietly and just let himself fall back to sleep.
Ely was staring at his reflection in the window coming from the light being admitted from the oil lamp. He stared at himself death glaring. He's never hated his own reflection so much. He looked away before he'd shove his fist through the window. He rubbed his arms a little his shirt snagging on the scabs on his arms.
Old cuts he left to heal on their own. He didn't really clean them , and they never got infected , so he just never bothered. He sighed holding his head a bit pulling his sleeve up. His arms itched. His scars itched.
He looked at his scars being faced with angry red older cuts. His body was having a nervous break down. He could tell he was spiking a bit so he just sat down and pulled his legs to his chest putting his head on his knees breathing in through his mouth and out through his nose.
Panic attacks were highly common for him being he has to deal with his dad so often. His father makes him very anxious and actually scared. He hates him with a passion. He wouldn't really care if he ended up dying. If he dies by him. He'll leave him for dead for all the cared. He was done with his shit. He hopes the other dies.
His mother, he never knew her, though he'd love to meet her one day. He wants to spend time with her and get to know her. Get to know her people. Apparently, she's from the north or something. She isn't a Hizaru resident of any time if person like that. He didn't really know what.
He shut his eyes just letting himself fall asleep with his head on his knees. It really wasn't comfortable at all , but it is what it is. He's dealt with worse than this before. Slept under this bed a few times hiding away from his drunk father. His closet. Bathtub. Whatever it was. This was honestly better than those places.
When he met the others , he started to be able to sneak out and go stay with them. He was more comfortable with them than he was comfortable at home. And that just shows something. Miles he's always been better close with and connected to. Miles wasn't never not on his mind. He loved him as a friend...
A friend? Really....
Ely woke up being shook awake. He looked up squinting.
"Sorry miles... I didn't mean to actually fall asleep here" a soft chuckle was heard.
It wasn't Miles's laugh. He rubbed his eyes a bit trying to get the sleep out of them. Everyone was awake. He could hear them chatting. How long was the out for.
He squints again for a moment then screamed. The other covered their ears wincing and backing up. Miles came running like a mother hen. Ely shot-up hugging the other.
"holy fuck! Marcel" tears started to fall.
Miles smiled a bit. "Glad you're okay"Ely looked and nods a bit.
"We're good" Marcel spoke rubbing Ely's back.
"Missed you" he chuckled softly.
"Missed you too you ass hole" Ely spoke through crying.
Bertholdt walked in smiling putting a hand on Miles's shoulder. He didn't say anything. Ely saw the taller figure and looked over freezing.
"... Bertholdt? Holy fuck dude" he covered his mouth laughing.
"He's a tree. I know" Marcel crossed his arms.
Bertholdt frowned a little waving them off.
"Dude" he spoke quietly.
"Still are the quiet one of the bunch" Ely walked over hugging him.
"Welcome back"
Bertholdt hugged back and sighed letting himself relax.
"Glad to be back L"
Ely smiled. He missed the nickname from him.
They had made a deal back before they left. If he could call Bertholdt, Tolto. Bertholdt got to call Ely L. They both agreed to it and stick to it. It made the two smile and be happy about it. It made the comfortable with each other. Marcel stuck with Mars or Mar Mar from Ely.
Bertholdt rubs his head a bit and sighed.
"I wanna go shower let me go"
Ely only squeezed tighter earning a groan from the other. He let go after he got his fill of a hug. Bertholdt sprints away before the other could grab him again. Marcel let out a harty laugh .