Work Text:
Eric sat in the Amtrak station waiting for his train back to Boston with his phone gripped tightly in his hand.
At that moment, many things were true.
His backpack was on the floor next to his feet. He hadn’t shaved for a couple days. Tears were rolling his cheeks. He had a math assignment that needed to be finished.
Just because one fact was more alarming than the other facts didn’t make it more important.
Or so he told himself.
On the train, Eric placed his bag next to him, hoping no one would sit next to him, and curled into his sweatshirt. Tears continued rolling down his cheeks.
He put his headphones in, intending to listen to Beyonce. Seeing Lardo’s name pop up in his texts, however, encouraged him to call.
“Bitty? Hey, are you on the train? What time do I need to come pick you up?” Lardo asked.
Eric tried to get words out, but all that came out was a wet choking noise. He wiped furiously at his eyes.
“Bits, hey, what’s going on? Are you safe?” Lardo asked, voice tense and concerned.
“Lardo,” Eric managed to say before breaking off in another fit of tears.
“Hey, what’s happening, Bitty? I’m listening. You’re okay.” Lardo sounded calm. It was reassuring.
Eric wiped at his eyes again, sniffling. “Jack broke up with me.” He glanced around the train, wanting to see if anyone was looking at him.
Lardo let out a breath. “Oh, Bitty, I’m so sorry. Just hold on, I’ll pick you up and we’ll eat ice cream and watch TV.”
“I want to be home,” Eric cried into the phone. “I just want to be back. I hate the train.”
He really did hate the train. It was loud and crowded and smelly and gross. The only reason he took the train was for Jack.
Jack–
Damn it, could he just stop crying?
“I know, Bits. I’m sorry. I’ll come get you. You’re gonna be okay.”
Eric sniffled again, nodding.
“Listen to some music, maybe. Text me when you get close.”
“Thanks, Lards.”
“Of course. Got your back.”
Eric waited a couple seconds, listening to the quiet of Lardo’s breathing, and then hung up.
–
Lardo was waiting for Eric at the Boston Amtrak station.
“Hey,” she said, pulling him into her arms. “Let’s get home.”
Eric nodded.
–
Back at the Haus, Lardo filled up Eric’s water bottle and grabbed Ben and Jerry’s from the freezer. “Rans and Holtzy ran out to Stop N Shop,” she said.
Eric smiled, though it was less of a smile and more of an extremely weak forced-grin, and followed Lardo upstairs to her bedroom.
In her room, Lardo climbed onto the bed. “Do you want to talk?”
Eric shook his head, sinking down onto the bed next to Lardo. He couldn’t stand anymore. He didn’t know if he could talk either.
“Okay. That’s okay,” Lardo said, rubbing Eric’s back. “Let’s put on New Girl and eat some ice cream and cuddle, okay?”
Eric nodded, leaning his head against Lardo’s shoulder.
“Kay.” Lardo handed Eric a tub of ice cream and a spoon and went to work setting up her laptop to watch Netflix. “Let me know if you want to talk.”
“Okay,” Eric got out. “Thank you.”
Lardo wrapped her arms around Eric, pulling him closer. “Love you, bro.”
She kissed Eric’s temple and pressed play.