THE END IS NEAR ? TREECH

We're Not Alone

He would've been nineteen in a few weeks, and now he would never age again. Forever eighteen.

She had always been younger than Sejanus, and now in a few months she would be older than he ever was. It didn't feel right.

She finally managed a deep breath, Treech still cooing words of encouragement in her ears, "That's it. Good, now take another deep breath, you can do it."

She did as he said before she finally removed her head from his shoulder.

Treech took a good look at the broken girl before him. Her red puffy eyes, pink nose, and trembling lips. He had never felt such a need to protect something so sweet.

"Evie?" He held her face in his hands while he used his thumbs to erase any trace of tears from her cheeks.

"He did this." Evie finally choked out.

Treech seemed perplexed, "Who?"

"Coriolanus. I know he did this."

"Blondie? You think he..." Treech didn't want to bring up Sejanus if it would sent her into another spiral of tears. She was finally starting to breathe normally.

"He was with him, in twelve. How could he just watch as they hung him?" Her eyes started to water again.

"I don't know—"

"Because he did it. I don't ever want to see him again, Treech." Silent tears rolled from her eyes, Treech pressing a quick kiss to her forehead to try and reassure her.

"Okay, Sweet. You don't ever have to see him again. You're hundreds of miles away from him, alright?" Evie nodded in recognition of his words.

Treech took a glance outside, it was getting late. He knew needed to get home soon, but he couldn't leave her. He would've leave her like this. It seemed like she read his thought.

"Please don't go. I don't want to be alone."

He hesitant for a moment, before answering, "Alright. I'll stay."

He quickly phoned home to let them know he would be staying with Evie tonight, trying to ignore the way his brother and sister made teasing kissing voices over the phone.

Evie was glad she didn't have work the following day. Not that she would've went if she did.

The two remained together on the kitchen floor near the phone for a while, sitting with their arms around each other.

"I'm so sorry, Evie." Treech murmured against her hair as she lay her head on his shoulder.

"Thank you for being here."

"Anything for you."

Eventually, Evie had fallen asleep, her crying had worn her out. Treech lifted her as carefully as he could before carrying her to her bedroom. He gently tucked her into her blankets, leaving her with a kiss on the forehead before going to the guest bedroom.

He lay there for a while, thinking of the girl in the next room over.

He considering leaving while she slept, but he was too worried that she would wake up wondering where he was.