Handle With Care

Official Claim

Ryder POV

"U-uhm, s-sure..." I stuttered quietly, uncurling my legs from under me to stand up from the couch. My muscles felt weak and trembled feebly, though not too noticeably, as I stood and walked around the couch, approaching Elric as he smiled warmly at me.

I looked into his eyes as I came near enough for him to intertwine his hand with one of my own, and although they were as equally warm as his smile, I still spotted a certain wariness in their depths that gave me the impression that something was wrong.

I furrowed my brows, tilting my head quizzically at him. He only widened his smile, which made the edges of his eyes crease in a way that made his laugh lines stand out. The wariness seemed to diminish at the action, but I was still concerned, and unconvinced.

"Come on," he whispered to me, turning to ascend the stairs, pulling me along through our interlocked hands. I stared at the back of his head in worry, following him to the top, and then down the hall to his room. Once in, he turned around and closed the door quietly, before pivoting on his spot to face me.

His smile was still there, along with the wariness in his eyes, yet this time it was accompanied with a shimmer that made it look as though he was expecting a rejection of sorts. Though for what, I didn't know, and not knowing as such made my worry escalate.

"Let's sit on the bed," Elric suggested, and I followed him again, keeping silent, though no less tense, as he sat us both down on the edge of the bed. I was briefly reminded of last night, and the few nights before that, of having laid in this bed feeling sorrowful and vulnerable.

Two fingers placed themselves under my chin, nudging it upwards to direct my gaze squarely at Elric. His expression still hadn't changed, and I drew my brows up at the sight.

"It's okay, sweetheart. I just need to ask you something, and I want you to answer truthfully. Can you do that for me, love?" he assured me, his voice quiet. I nodded, suddenly getting a sinking feeling in my gut, and swallowing nervously.

Elric placed his other hand on top of mine, which was still resting in the palm of his other. He stroked his thumb over the back of it, sending a miniscule yet comforting feeling all along my forearm, and I suppressed the urge to shiver.

"Ryder, do you think you would mind if I claimed you as an official member of my family?" he asked me gently, his voice light and quiet, open for any type of response. I suddenly understood why he looked as though he'd be rejected of something.

I furrowed my brows again, looking away from him to glance down at my wrist. It was then I noticed that Elric was holding my left hand, cradling it as though it were precious, and fragile. My wrist was blank, nothing there besides faint winding lines of veins underneath the skin.

If I were to accept, his mark would lay there. A black design of weaving lines, accompanied with a certain assurance, I assumed. I didn't know how it would feel, but a part of me seemed open to the idea. I felt like it'd mean I'd be able to be closer to him.

Though, being the anxiety-burdened person I was, a swarm of thoughts began overworking my mind.

How would he do it? Would it hurt? Was I ready? Was I ready to sign over myself to Elric, to become completely apart of his family? Would it mean I'd be abandoning my own family?

I was hesitant, through the idea that I was still far too terrified of losing them, of being engulfed and suffocated in so much pain I would most likely die of literal heartache. This mark might seal myself to them entirely, and I'd have no chance of leaving. Even though it's far too late to do that, either. Besides, I promised Elric I wouldn't ever leave him. Not again.