“Thanks,” Elliott looked away to the floor at the compliments, wanting to believe them but struggling so hard to do so. It just didn’t seem comprehensible that Blaine could see him so vulnerable and still think he was attractive. It was why he dressed and acted like he did – a comfort blanket that Blaine had just seen right through.
When Blaine spoke so directly and bluntly to him, Elliott had to keep looking away, sniffing slightly as he nodded. There was a moment of silence before he reached forwards and wrapped his arms around Blaine’s waist, pulling him into a tight hug and burying his face in the others shoulder as his eyes watered. He couldn’t cry, he couldn’t do that to Blaine or to his own image. No crying allowed, even if he was pretty damn close to it.
Blaine’s expression softened to a gentle understanding. He knew Elliott was struggling to believe him. But they were from an honest place of first-hand understanding and he wished that Elliott would take them for what they were. Truth. Not seeing himself like that was not only an injustice to himself but one Blaine wouldn’t stand for letting dig itself into Elliott’s mind any further. Now that he knew about it?
A silent promise to the other was made that he’d make sure to do everything in his power to show Elliott–somehow–that he deserves to give himself far more credit and accept that when it comes to people? Elliott was pretty far up on Blaine’s list of the good ones. Inside and out.
Being pulled in against him was unexpected. Though Elliott was the hug captain extraordinaire and he should have known it was coming–he didn’t. Surprise or not–Blaine wrapped his arms up around Elliott’s shoulders, keeping one elbow bent so he could card his fingers through his hair and stroke the back of the other’s head. A brush of his cheek against Elliott’s and he whispered comfortingly into his ear. “Hey.. Shhh. You’re okay. I got you. And I promise I meant everything I said.”
pianokeysandbowties 