TNN ONESHOTS

Ill look after you - E & SS

Eric was in the office putting up shelves next to all the desks as Recce had asked him to do. Well asked was an overstatement, he demanded. Eric may not be the smartest, but he certainly knew what he was doing when it came to practical activities like gardening or DIY.

The young boy hadn't really had the childhood everyone dreams about with the loving parents, playing with friends, going out, and making memories. His life was controlled a lot by his mum, and with his dad not there, it made things harder. This caused him to not have any social life apart from one online that he had never met and talking to people at the nursery. His world was very isolated.

Eric got lost in his job, humming softly as he fixed the shelves to the wall. Little did he know he wasn't alone. Siobhan stood by the door as she watched Eric be unapologetically himself.  Her mind drifted slightly, thinking back to when she was his age, longing to go back to it. Siobhan was in her thoughts that she hadn't noticed Eric.

"Oh um hello miss Serpent, sorry mrs Serpent, umm Siobhan, miss Siobhan Serpent." He stuttered nervously. "Eric, call me Siobhan. Nothing else, and please not this formal nonsense, just Siobhan." She told him in her normal tone. Eric nodded before bowing towards the blonde. "Eric, give it up. You dont need to bow or be formal towards us. Just act like you would at home or with your friends."

She told him, but as soon as the words left her mouth, the boys face changed completely. Siobhan noticed the cha ge and sighed. She hated being like this she was known for being cold towards everyone. "Eric, if you ever need a friendly face, Reece is great with advice or Marjorie." Siobhan told him. She was never great when it came to comforting others, but she was trying.

"Well um Reece isnt to keen on me because i hit on Autumn but i didnt know they were related and they both love Carly and Carly isnt to keen on me so i dont think they really care that much. The only time they talk to me is if they want to ask me about jobs." He rambled.

Siobhan listened to the young boy. He clearly needed someone to vent to the same way she did when she first met Viv. "Listen, i can see that you need a listening ear..." she started before being interrupted. "I dont need hearing aids but thank you." Eric told the blonde, innocently making Siobhan roll her eyes. "Hang on, let me re-word that. I can tell that you might need someone to talk to, and considering the people who i thought would be there, aren't. I am happy to be here for you."

Eric looked at Siobhan, his face full of uncertainty. "Thank you, Miss Siobhan." He said with a smile as she smiled back at him she could tell he was thinking.

"Eric, what is it?" The blonde asked the young boy as she looked at him. She watched as his face changed. Thinking of how to ask his burning question. "Can we, umm, could we have cool nicknames for each other? Like you could be shibster, and then you can think of one for me?" He asked hopefully while scratching the back of his neck nervously. "No, just be grateful im even talking to you, dont push your luck with nicknames because it's not happening." Siobhan told him coldly. She watched the boys face drop slightly. All he wanted deep down was a friend to love him.

"Oh, okay. I guess i never had a friend that isn't online before, and i guess it would be fun, but it's okay, i understand. You said no and no means no. I won't ask again unless you give me consent to first." Eric told Siobhan confidently. For a second Siobhans heart broke for Eric.

He was still young and really only a child himself. To have no friends to make poor decisions with and make the memories that would last a lifetime with was hard for Siobhan to stomach. Even though things hadn't been easy, she still had a childhood before she stupidly fell in love.

Siobhan snapped from her thoughts as she noticed that Eric had opened the office door. "How about Shibs?" She asked him while looking away. He stopped in his tracks before looking at the older woman. "Wait, really. I-i can call you Shibs?" He asked quietly, in disbelief. Siobhan nodded at him.

Eric went up to Siobhan and, without thinking, wrapped his arms around her gently. The blonde froze slightly before placing her hand on the young boys' back. "You okay?" She asked awkwardly. Siobhan had never been the one for physical affection and wasn't naturally material in any way, so comforting Eric was out of her comfort zone.

"Thank you, Shibs. I really mean it." He giggled with slightly as he used the nickname. "Right, get back to work. You aren't paid to stand around talking. Get on with it." Siobhan told him, going back to her colder self. Eric nodded before heading out of the office.