He just knew you had to leave the house, and go somewhere quiet.
And it was a weekday, so the chances of kids screaming and running through the aquarium hallways were slim to none.
So while you walked in the tinted blue light, eyes scanning over information plaques and watching the multi-coloured aquatic animals lazily drift past the glass panes in a comfortable silence, you reached out to give his wrist a gentle squeeze.
His hands had been sitting in his pockets, giving you your space, but hovering close enough to you to let you know you weren’t alone.
“Thank you,” you croaked out softly.
When you turned your head to look at him, he had been looking at you, a smile of heartwarming endearance on his face.
If you hadn’t been so consumed by the exhibits, you’d have known that he hadn’t taken his eyes off you the entire time, and you’d have known he also hadn’t stopped smiling. Smiling at you, seeing just how happy you were, even though your eyes were still watery and worry was still thick in your throat.
He slid his hand out of his pocket easily to lace your fingers together, loose enough for you to pull away if you had wanted, but tight enough for you to know that he had no intention of letting go first.
But you didn’t pull away, instead strengthening the intwining grasp.
And so you continued, walking through the aquarium in that comfortable silence. And at some point along the way, you found laughter again, pointing out the ugliest fish and saying it was him, only to have him gasp in mock surprise.
“My God, you’re such a flirt,” he’d say.
And then he’d point out the most beautiful fish he could find.
“That’s you.”
——————
The second time was a week later.
It was your grandfather again, but the issue had been more serious than any one of your family members initially believed.
You didn’t cry this time, but Chris could sense the immeasurable sadness in your posture, the way you sat on the couch, staring blankly ahead.
He came to stand in front of you, and gently knelt down so your eyes would focus on his. Everything about his stature screamed concern as he caressed the hair away from your face.
“Quiet or loud?” He had asked so softly, so simply.
“Loud.”
He helped you up, careful with your fragile state. He walked you to your room, into the bathroom, and left you to take a calming shower by yourself.
When you’d gotten out, gotten ready for whatever surprise excursion was next – dressed casually in a t-shirt and jeans, scuffed sneakers on your feet but Chris would claim you looked prettier than he’d ever seen you – Chris was waiting for you by the front door.
You knew better than to ask him where he was taking you this time. And honestly, you were too drained to even muster the words.
YOU ARE READING
ocean eyes || c.evans
Fanfiction"He looked at her the way an immortal would describe Galileo's first look to the Milky Way. And if you hadn't been so entranced by the splendor of it all, that look that Robert wore would seem familiar. Because right beside you, Chris was looking at...
