Wearing His Clothes

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30 Days of Domestic Fluff Challenge

DAY 8

Story: To the Stars
Pairing: Jacob Henley/Lauren Seville

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Lauren watched the falling rain from the Jacob's room, transfixed at how the little droplets of water move lazily against the other side of the glass window. She had stared at them for what seemed like forever, yet she knew that only a couple of minutes have gone by.

Death slowed things down. A day can feel like an eternity yet when it passes, it seemed like it went by in a blink of an eye. Just being close to it made her feel light-headed, as if she was in a dream; as if she was going to wake up at any moment and the death of Jacob's mother didn't really happen. Yet the dread sitting uncomfortably in her stomach told her otherwise.

She was here.

She needed to be here.

Jacob's just buried his mother and he needed her now more than ever.

The funeral that morning was a dreary affair, attended by only a handful of friends and family. By afternoon, the house was finally quiet, all well wishers had already gone home. William was locked up in his room, their father in the kitchen drinking whiskey and Jacob was tinkering with his telescope, polishing the glass even though there would be no stars to see.

Ever since his mom decided to stop her medication, Jacob was constantly on the move. He was always reading through medical journals, doing his homework or studying his star maps. Lauren figured it was his way of dealing with the grief. He's not hurting himself or anyone, she figured she'd just let him be. She was out of her black dress and in Jacob's sweatshirt and boxer shorts, his scent enveloping her as if she was cradled safely in his arms. Yes, he was in the room but he seemed like a thousand miles away.

Lauren moved away from the window and turned to look at him. He was still in his black shirt and slacks, his hair still perfectly coiffed and his expression showed no sign of distress. He was polishing a circular glass, his eyebrows scrunched together in concentration and lips pulled together in a tight line. Normally, she liked seeing him like this, while he was lost in doing something that he loved. But this wasn't his usual self and she was disquieted at his restless state.

"Hey..." She called out to him softly but he didn't look up. Lauren walked towards him cautiously and gently touched his shoulder, making Jacob jerk in surprise as if he just realized that he wasn't alone in the room. "You need a break."

Jacob nodded but said nothing as he let her walk him towards his bed, her delicate hands offering a soothing sensation against his own. He kicked off his shoes and climbed in the sheets with her, sighing as she draped her arm across his middle. They stayed like that for awhile, just breathing each other in, saying nothing. Lauren knew there was nothing she could say to make him feel better. She tried to comfort before but that didn't turn out well. That was the first time he shouted at her and it still hurt whenever she thought about it. She understood why it happened but it still hurt.

But he didn't need to know that. Not now. There was no way she could know what was going on inside of his head but she knew what she had to do.

"I'm here..." Lauren said as she tightened her embrace. Jacob didn't respond, pressing a light kiss on the top of her head instead. For the first time in a couple weeks, he let himself rest.

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