Falling on Dead Ears

Elli watched as Travis sat on the front couch of the RV. He didn’t look at her, just at his shoes. He was upset. She could tell that much. Wandering to the couch she sat next to him and placed her hands on his knees.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Ellie looked down, pulling her hands back to her lap. Travis’s fingers tapped under her chin and lifted her gaze to his. “I’m not mad. But why didn’t you tell me?” Ellie let out a deep breath.

Because I was finally happy and didn’t feel the need to look over my shoulder making sure they weren’t following. I’ve been pretending they don’t exist to the point I guess I actually forgot.

Travis nodded licking his lips.

“I won’t let that little prick get to you.” He sighed. Kissing her forehead he hugged her closely. Licking his lips he pulled her closer. “Your mine, not his.” He grunted possessively. Ellie smiled touching his cheek gently, nodding at his words.

Are you staying with me tonight? She asked gently, nervously. Still afraid he was angry with her she watched his expression closely.

“I can’t.” he breathed sadly. Watching her frown he sighed softly. “I think that little prick you’re running from is following me around like some sorta vicious lost puppy.” He huffed with a roll of his eyes. Juan wouldn’t leave him alone more than anyone. Ellie’s frown deepened.

Please be careful around him. Travis frowned. He could take on the skinny little punk. If he finds out your knees not fully healed he’ll go for it Travis. I’m not hiding from him simply because I’m being forced to be with him. He has no respect for others and will hurt who ever get’s in his way. You’re standing between him and me He’ll hurt you. Please be careful.

“Ellie,” Travis took her face in both his hands. Staring at her he watched her eyes. “Has he hurt you?” Ellie looked away before back at him. “Has he hit you?” She swallowed nervously. “When?”

Which time? Travis growled at the question. I ran for a reason Travis not simply because I didn’t want to marry a random stranger. licking her lips she glanced away. I would’ve done anything to make my father happy before. Travis nodded slowly.

“Okay. Well…I’ll try to come back to night if I lose my new puppy.” Travis kissed her gently, smiling at her scent filling his nose and her soft lips against his. Ellie reveled in his smell. It was musty, almost sweaty and dirty as if he’d been out in the dirt all day long. “I brought you this.” He pulled one of his shirts out of his sweater. “I know how you like to sleep in my stuff.” He smiled

Whimpering Ellie wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him close to her. She didn’t want to lose him. She didn’t want him to go. All she wanted was to go lay down in the bunk they’d had on the road and cuddle to make everything better.

“I’ll protect you.” He whispered into her hair.

Pulling away Travis stood slowly with a frown. He wanted to stay with her. Gently touching her hair he heaved a heavy sigh and licked his lips. Ellie touched his arm just as gently as he touched her with a sad smile.

Everything will be okay. She signed watching him. Travis smiled leaving back down to capture her lips in a heated kiss.

Pushing her back onto the couch Travis couldn’t help his hands from roaming her body as her hands tugged at his shoulders, pulling him closer to her. Growling gently Travis pulled his lips from hers.

“I’m suppose to tell you that.” He breathed heavily. Ellie giggled running a hand through his hair. “I am going to protect you and I’m going to help fix this. And I’m not going to let some snot nose, abusive, gets what he wants from daddy prick keep me from you.” Ellie giggled again. “But I do have to go beat the shit out of him now.” He stated getting up.

Travis grabbed some random gear off the other couch to look like he’d been doing something. Smiling over his shoulder at Ellie he nodded her head lightly.

“I’m locking the door. Don’t open it for any reason. Anyone that’ll need you will have a key and let themselves in.” Travis stated. Ellie nodded. “I love you.” Travis left before he could see her response. Locking the door he turned around to see Juan sitting on one of his quads. “What the hell are you doing? Get off my stuff and get the hell out of my garage.” Travis growled picking up his gear, fumbling with massive amount filling his arms.

“She’s in there isn’t she?”

“Yes.” Travis snorted. “I left her in their by herself at night when I’m going to be up all night worrying over her because I’m not use to sleeping without her by my side. Yes.” Travis snorted again as he passed him. “I left her in there.” Rolling his eyes he dumped his armfuls into the back of a rhino so he wouldn’t have to walk the whole way.

“You were talking to someone.” Juan pointed out.

“Yeah, swearing at myself. You wanna smell this?” Travis shoved one of the over worn jerseys that had been sitting in the RV, needing to be washed, for a few months.

Juan jumped back coughing and sputtering in Spanish.

“I made those same sounds.” With that Travis got in the rhino waiting for Juan to leave. “Leave.” He stressed at the man staring at the RV. “Now. I’d lick to lock up for the evening.” Juan snorted.

“You’ll lock her out of here? The best place for her to run too?”

“It’s not the best place for her to run too. There’s no heat, no food, and people like to steal my stuff.” Travis tacked on the last part. “So, leave.” He pointed at the open garage door. “Now.” He added.

Juan did as told stepping out of the garage. Travis started his Rhino and pulled out, closing and locking the door behind him.

“You don’t seem worried about her.” Juan pointed out once the garage door was fully down. “You do know where she is.”

“I do.” Travis stated getting in his Rhino. “She’s with a friend of mine.” Juan opened his mouth. “Good luck finding out which one of my hundreds of friends who all me massive favors.” Driving up the hill he began whistling in pride at the angry look that had painted its self on Juan’s face. Travis was going to torture the crap Juan if it was the last thing he did.

“Did you hit him?” Travis jumped at the voice and spun around.

“Jesus. You’re almost worse than Ellie.” Travis breathed. She laughed. “And no, Mrs. Raymundo, but got damn close to it.”

“How’s my baby, is she okay?” Travis smiled at her.

“She’s fine, upset and worried. But fine.” Travis breathed. She nodded. “Every thing’ll be fine. I promise.”

Travis sighed after he’d started his laundry and now lay in bed by himself, he couldn’t help but really worry if Ellie was okay. Did the RV have enough blankets? What about food, was any of it still good? Sitting up he ran a hand through his hair. He couldn’t sleep and if he did he knew he really wouldn’t want to see the images his brain would create.

Ellie on the other hand had herself wrapped up in all the blankets she could find and Travis’s shirt, inhaling his scent. She wasn’t use to sleeping in a bed by herself anymore. After months of sleeping along side Travis, even during naps, she was use to his presence and his warmth.

Sniffling she hid her face in the blankets trying not to cry. It felt as if Travis had walked out of her life completely.

Travis couldn’t stand it. Getting out of bed he pulled on his shoes, forgetting the socks not wanting to waist the time looking for them, and grabbing a sweater. Pulling his hat on he snuck through his own house and down the back hill. He was suddenly fifteen again on a race and school night trying to hang out with Jim so they could play video games.

Unlocking the side door he slipped into the garage. He smiled at the RV in the dark and began feeling his way to the RV. Unlocking the door he made his way to the back, the amount of blankets falling out of the bunk made it easy to find Ellie.

His heart dropping at the soft sniffles emitting out of the flush of cotton. Removing his shoes and sweater he tunneled his way in scaring Ellie half to death.

She slapped at him till she felt Travis familiar lips against her knuckles. Sitting up she grabbed her phone for light and let it shine on his face.

“I was worried.” He smiled. Ellie smiled, dropping her phone and pressing her lips to his. Both settled into bed once Travis set and early alarm on Ellie’s phone for himself.