𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐄, ERIK LEHNSHERR

𝑬𝑰𝑮𝑯𝑻

Kara and Erik stumbled out of the bar at around midnight, their arms looped together as they breathed in the fresh night air. Their laughs mixed together due to their alcohol consumption and how they didn't have much care in the world at the moment.

All the two did was gaze into the other's eyes and admire them without words bubbling past their lips. They laughed and giggled at each other as they walked toward the car, thanks to Charles who decided to stay sober for the night and let the two get drunk.

He helped them get situated in the back with a knowing look on his face. He had noticed the looks the two sent each other but he never said anything, not wanting to taint something that was beginning to blossom.

Erik fumbled with the seatbelt once he saw Charles help Kara with hers, his fingers gripping the metal part of it and clasping it shut. His eyes once again found Kara and made sure she was alright before he sat back and leaned his head against the leather seat.

Charles shut the door before getting in the driver's seat, his eyes lidded with exhaustion that built up while he was at the bar with his two friends.

He glanced into the rearview mirror every few seconds while he drove, wanting to make sure no one was starting to vomit. His shoulders relaxed the moment he set eyes on Kara, his best friend.

He was happy that she let loose, knowing she wasn't a person who did that too often when she needed to. She always took care of everyone around her yet disregarded herself because of the way she was taught.

Kara was way beyond the point of drunk, her eyes were heavy and her head was pounding. She hated herself for getting to that point but at the moment she didn't care, she was content.

Her head found something soft and her hand felt warm as she shut her eyes, not thinking of what lied beneath her eyelids for once in her life. Her breathing dipped to a slow rhythm and her lips parted to let air escape after she inhaled.

Erik was staring out of the window when he felt something on his shoulder and a hand wrap into his. He turned to glance over at Kara, finding her temple resting against his side while her hand found comfort in his.

His chest tightened as he noticed how comfortable she was with him after the night they had drinking. It could've been the alcohol that messed with her head but he didn't care, he'd savor the moment while he had it.

He resisted the urge to press his lips to her scarred temple so he looked away and ended up connecting eyes with Charles' pair through the rearview mirror.

It was silent throughout the car but it seemed a million words were said aloud in the short few seconds they held eye contact.

He looked away and back to the window, his head pounding from how many drinks he had. He was tired but he wouldn't dare close his eyes and forget every last detail that occurred to him that night.

After what felt like forever, they arrived back at the mansion. As Charles got out, Erik stayed put, not wanting to disrupt the sleeping woman at his side.

"Come along, Erik. I need to get Kara inside." Charles whispered once he opened the back door.

Erik waved a hand at him, slowly easing one of his arms under Kara's knees and the other under her neck to pull her out without wakening her.

"No, Erik! You're drunk, you can barely stand on your own. Let me take her!" Charles grunted, watching the scene.

But Erik was adamant and he persisted as he handled Kara out of the car, his own legs wobbling from the alcohol messing with his head.