Beta wasn’t surprised when Elliot was the one that stayed by his side after the Pack’s demise. Though, he made an effort not to put too much focus on him, to not get attached. After losing his Alpha, Lydia, and the Pack, he could not afford losing anyone or anything else that he cared for. The giant maintained brief interactions with the other, only sparing a word or glance when he had to.
Leaned against the oak, lost in thought over something he didn’t even know, Elliot’s approach broke him out of his trance. A scowl dared to pull at his lips when he got close— a little too close for comfort. The way he stared up at him, it was unlike anything he’d been spared during the past decade. He was used to being gazed upon with nothing but terror in another’s eyes, but there was no fear in the other man’s gaze. It was almost caring in nature.
Instinctively, the giant flinched when he felt arms gently wrap around his torso, eyes widening with shock and a fear of his own. He stared down at Elliot with troubled eyes, unsure of how to process this spontaneous gesture. Then he spoke. Two words nobody had dared to utter to him since he lost his best friend— the other face he was wearing alongside Alpha’s.
“What..?” Was all he could manage to mutter. His tone was not a deepened growl, nor a gutteral rumble like normal, it was laced with a genuine bewilderment, as if he’d never been faced with comfort in his entire life.
He knew Beta wouldn’t exactly be comfortable or even welcome the gesture, but he trusted the leader to not hurt him. They were about the same age, Beta a lot taller, and yet it reminded him of hugging one of his troubled teenagers. A soft smile tugged at his lips, turned his head to rest a cheek against the chest. “You’re okay. As a person, I mean, uh... you’re good.” Beta didn’t have to believe him or agree, as long as the message carried through.
There was only so much Elliot could take of others’ emotions before he had to do something about it. With a smaller group it was easier to pick up on individual people, instead of being overwhelmed and confused by many.
He turned his face up to Beta again. “I.. I’ve learned, whatever you have in here-” he laid a hand softly on Beta’s chest, right above his heart, “-needs to come out here-” fingertips brushed just by the lower lip “-to even start to make sense.” He offered Beta a gentle smile. There was nothing forceful in his voice, no fear, only warmth. He did a small shrug, let both of his hands slide to Beta’s front and idly fiddled with the jacket. “You still have people who care about you.”
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