Brian & Elise

This is my second story and I wanted to try something different. I just hope that I'm on the right path for where my writing is going. The length of this story compared to my other one is completely different and I really like how it came out. This one came out with no trouble whereas I had to almost force myself to finish the first story I wrote. As far as progression goes, I think this one's slow, but well worth the wait. Also, all the characters in this are over eighteen.

All rambling aside, thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy(ed) it!

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This day was just like any other Tuesday; except for the fact that she was having another one. One as in that his roommate, Elise had brought another guy over; and soon enough, their collective moans woke Brian Montoya from his already fitful sleep.

Brian looked at the clock and it read two thirty three am. He got home around eight and knocked out around eleven. Normally he'd be pissed at being woken up like this, but he had the day off he so couldn't give two shits even if his sleep deprived brain wanted to. He was already used to her having guys over, especially since they were roommates. They had a small two room apartment that he had called "home" for four months now. It was hectic at first, but they'd found a comfortable peace with everything and each other.

It eventually became something like his job in a sense; the second week he'd heard her with a guy, he'd elected to ignore everything. That is until he heard, "No! Stop! I don't like this anymore!!" It was with that that he chose to step in and made sure to get the shithead that she had brought home out.

After that, she had said that she felt "safe" with him home and that she'd make sure not to bring guys like the shithead over again. Sadly, she didn't keep her word for long and soon enough Brian had made it a habit to listen in whenever she brought someone over just to make sure that she was safe.

Elise was...beautiful to say the least. She had auburn hair that only complimented her bluish green eyes. Her full lips and pretty nose only made her that much more desirable. She was 5'7 and had a medium sized bust with a figure that only added to her beauty. She was the type of girl who wanted guys to just help her ease the stress of her day to day and she could get any guy she wanted easily. She wanted nothing more than that and usually got her way. It took him awhile to understand his feelings for her. He liked her, that much was true. But he couldn't bring himself to go further than that. He didn't want to ruin their repertoire. They had something good, it didn't make sense to put what they had at jeopardy.

She was training to be a nurse and didn't do much to deviate from that path. They had met through his sister, Tamara. Both Brian and Elise didn't talk to the other much but they were comfortable with each other. Soon enough, Elise asked him to be her roommate since her friend had opted out to move in with her boyfriend. He was tired of living at home so he readily accepted. And here they are.

Brian was hoping and praying not to hear the telltale signs of anything bad going on between Elise and her new boy toy and sadly heard, "Dan! We already talked about this! No means no! I said no back then and I'm saying no now!! Don't make me get Brian!"

He was starting to get up when he heard the shitstain say, "C'mon babe, you know you want to...Plus, what can that pussy do? I'd kick his ass if he tried anything!"

Elise almost laughed at him. Dan's 5'8ish height and somewhat heavy build didn't compare to Brian's. He was 5'10 with a lean body that you know had muscle. She didn't know what he did, but had heard from his sister that he did martial arts as a kid and made sure to stay fit. He wasn't built like body builders, but he had that lean muscle that she appreciated. Plus he'd already defended her multiple times from bigger guys than he was so she knew Dan was no match for him.

Brian practically ran to her room and barged right in. "Alright asshole, it's time for you to leave. I've heard more than enough and I'm pretty sure Elise has had enough too. I'm asking you nicely, don't make me ask again."

Elise was surprised when she saw Brian rush her door to her aid. She was bluffing with Dan about getting Brian to kick him out. She knew he always knocked out early after he came home, but was more than glad to see him. He was always their to protect her when she needed him.

"Ha! You think you're tough shit don't you? I'm not leaving, so you're gonna have to make me!"

Those were the last words Elise heard Dan utter before he threw a wild right hook at Brian. To say that Brian cleaned Dan's clock would be an understatement. He easily dodged the "punch" if you could call it that, and landed a nice kick to the asshole's stomach leaving him in a pile on the floor. It was satisfying to see the fuck wheezing on the floor. She could see tears welling up and tried but failed to stifle her laugh.

Brian gave the asshole a look that bore into his soul and made sure to let him know that he could and would easily kick his ass. Dan left in a hurry once he had the energy to get up.

Elise threw herself onto her protector with a contented sigh. "Bri, thank you so much. I don't know what I'd do without you."

For once, she didn't feel the reassuring hug she was used to. Brian was different this time, he was cold to her. She wasn't used to this. "Bri, you alright?"

Brian could only sigh in exasperation. Not only was she scantily clad and hoping for his customary hug, but he was getting tired of having to step in whenever guys were assholes to her. He couldn't be here all the time to save her ass, no matter how much he'd like to. "Eli, we already talked about this. What if I was dead asleep or what if I wasn't here? I'd hate to think of what would or could have happened..."

Elise couldn't believe Brian was trying to lecture her, especially at a time like this. She knew he was right, but she could never bring herself to admit when she was wrong. Her pride had a bad habit of making its way into her head and acting for her without her thoroughly thinking of what was and/or would be said.

"Bri, I don't need this right now! I already had to deal that asshole and I don't need to deal with another! I never asked you to step in!!"

Elise was immediately hit with regret at seeing Brian's face. He was always there for her and yet she just treated him like shit. His face contorted with emotions that she rarely saw on him. She saw anger, sadness, and eventually just hoped for her regret to swallow her up so she wouldn't have to see what she did. He just looked down and made his way over to his room. He didn't even bang the door, he just closed it as quietly as possible without a word and never looked back.

She wanted to go over and apologize but her pride got the best of her. She decided to sleep on it.

Brian woke up at six thirty and got ready for the day. Why so early? So he wouldn't have to deal with Elise. He wasn't sensitive to what people said or did to him, but there were exceptions to that. Family and friends. That's when it hurt. It especially hurt from Elise. They were like two peas in a pod. They'd bonded and had a good relationship. He'd always considered her to be family. He thought they were okay. Apparently not.

It was almost seven when he finally left their apartment and just walked. He walked on and on for maybe twenty minutes 'til he finally found himself in the little complex that had food places and stores. He went into the mom and pop breakfast place and ordered two pancakes with eggs and bacon. He ate breakfast slowly and made sure to savor the taste. He'd planned on bringing Elise here today. This was their spot. But now he was rethinking everything that had defined their so-called relationship.

Actually thinking about it, it looked and felt as if Elise was taking him for granted. She rarely did the chores and he did most of the day to day stuff that they had agreed to split up between themselves. With his introspection, he found a stunning realization. She was selfish. All that she cared about was herself and barely paid him any mind. The only times she did would be when he'd kick out the assholes she'd sleep with or when he'd do something nice for her. It was sad, but true. He could only try to shake the sadness that took ahold of him again.

Brian left the diner around eight fifteen and walked as slow as he could back "home." Once he got back, he wasn't surprised to see that Elise wasn't even awake yet. He just went back to his room and lay in bed going through his phone to find an album to listen to. He settled on Hiatus Kaiyote's and settled in to hopefully relax.

Elise woke up with a start and was still filled with the sick feeling that was her regret from earlier that morning. Not only had Brian stepped in when he didn't need to, he had protected her like always. She couldn't believe she said the things she did. It was half past nine and she had to get ready for class. She hesitantly made her way to their bathroom and got ready.

After getting ready, she made her way to Brian's room to find it empty. It surprised her seeing as today was his day off, but didn't think much of it. She made her way to her classes and eventually got back at eight that night.

Elise saw Brian waiting in the living room and saw that sad look come across his face again. She cringed inwardly, she still hadn't apologized. Right as she opened her mouth, he brought his hand up to stop her. "Eli, I need to talk to you. For once, just let me speak my mind. Please?"

She could only nod meekly; Brian was being unusually assertive.

"Eli, I've finally realized something. I'm the one always giving here. I give and I give and I just don't think I can give anymore." He motioned all around him and continued, "I thought long and hard about all this...It wasn't easy for me, but I think I should move out. I adore you, but I don't think I can see you bring another shitstain back home only for me to have to step in like always. Not after this morning."

She made a face and tried to retort but he shook his head.

"Eli, I can't do this anymore. I'll be staying over at a friend's place to look at other apartments. I think it's time I left."

Elise's mouth hung open. There were hundreds of things she wanted to say, but no words could or would come out. Sadly, her pride made itself known again.

"Look Bri, if it's too much of a hassle to stay here, then why not just leave now? I don't need you protecting me and I don't need to deal with this shit right now."

"Eli, I'm not trying to be an asshole, I just wanted you to hear me out. After everything I think I deserve that much, no?"

She couldn't bring herself to say anything else and just up and left.

"Well, that went well," Brian thought to himself. He looked at the time and saw that it was almost ten. It was time to get to bed. He had to get to Joe's early.

He woke up to an empty apartment and ate breakfast alone again. He made his way to Joe's, a garage that was known all across town. It was filled with mechanics Joe genuinely liked and trusted to enrich his business. It was different being a mechanic, but it was something he was proficient at and enjoyed. At twenty three, Brian was content having the job he did. College wasn't for him and the fact that he could work with cars for a guy he respected worked out for him just fine.

The day went by relatively quickly. It slowed down at lunchtime and went by even slower until his sister called. "Brian, Elise is pissed at you for some reason. What'd you do this time?!"

He almost let his anger get ahold of him and tried his best to calmly explain the situation to Tamara about what had happened.

"Oh man, this is bad. I didn't think she'd ever pull that crap with you. She's always had problems apologizing, especially when she's wrong Brian. You know this."

"Look, I get it. But at the same time, I can't live like this. I can't see her do this to herself anymore."

"Brian, I'm sorry she did that to you. I hope for her sake that she turns around. She doesn't realize what she has with you."

"Thanks, sis. I'll just keep my distance for now. Also, my break's gonna end so I gotta go for now. Talk to you soon."

It was a long day, but worth it because he didn't have to deal with Elise. He stopped at the local diner before heading back home. It didn't surprise him to hear moaning coming from her room again. "Fuck, not again," was all that ran through his mind. He moved as quietly as possible to his room and lay in wait.

It was almost an hour before Elise's session with her new boy toy ended and Brian was more than thankful that he didn't have to step in this time. He quietly lay in bed and sleep eventually took over.

Brian woke up like something out there just pushed all the buttons in his system. Adrenaline was pouring into his veins and sure enough, he heard Elise yelling. He ran to her room only to find her on the phone yelling at whomever she was talking to. "Oh! Great! Now look what you've done Tammy! Now he's up and thought he had to save me again because I'm yelling! This is all your fault!"

Elise hung up with a grim look on her face. She could take care of herself, she didn't need to be talked down to by Brian and his sister. Brian couldn't help himself and asked, "Are you alright?"

She wildly turned around and yelled back at him, "Well what the hell d'you think?!! I'm not some kind of pity case that you and your sister need to take care of! I'm fine on my own!! I don't need you here!"

Again, Brian was hit with all the emotions he hated to feel. He knew she was mad at Tamara but he couldn't help but feel that most of Elise's aggression was more so directed towards him. "Is that really what you want and feel?"

She couldn't bring herself to answer his question. He didn't deserve to be hurt, especially not by her. But she couldn't help but feel her head defiantly nod in his direction.

This was the last straw, Brian had had enough. No more. "Okay..." was all that would come out of his lips. He made his way to his room and silently packed a bag that he could bring over to Jason's house. Brian told him he'd need a place to stay eventually and had gotten the okay to come over at anytime. Now was the time.

Elise walked back to her room but couldn't help but hear the zipping and unzipping of Brian's bag. She walked to his room and was astonished to see him packing up some of his things. "So...you're leaving?"

"Eli, what d'you think? If you tell me you want me gone, why would I stay? I care about you, but I just...I can't do this anymore. I don't deserve to be treated like this, especially not by you. I've done nothing but look out for you, you know that. I'm sorry, but I have to go."

Elise stood frozen in his doorway, she couldn't believe all that this was happening. Before she could get another word in, Brian was already heading out his door and was gone. That night she had trouble sleeping and could only wonder why things happened the way they did.

After the third day that Brian was gone, it started to hit her that she had really drove out one of the few people she had and could really rely on. She decided to call Tamara and was surprised to hear her friend's tone and attitude with her.

"Tam, he's been gone for three days now...He hasn't even come back for any of his clothes and I'm worried about him!"

"Elise, what d'you think would happen if you treat the only guy that's ever cared for you the way you did! Shit! It's as if you treat the guys you sleep with better than you did him!! Do you even know how much he cares about you?"

Tears started welling up in Elise's eyes. "I-I don't understand it myself! I don't know why I acted the way I did! All I know is that I miss him!"

"Then why don't you tell him that and apologize?! D'you think he wanted to leave? You drove him out! Now it's time for you to bring him back! Get what's yours!"

"Wait, mine?"

"Elise, from the way you talk about him, it really seems like you do care about him. More so than those guys you bring over. Think about it."

Tamara hung up without another word, leaving Elise perplexed. She thought the world of Brian, but never gave him much thought. She'd never wanted to bridge that gap for two, now three reasons: one, he was her best friend's little brother. Two, she wasn't looking for anything serious and knew that if she tried, he'd want her for the long run. And three, she just didn't think he'd want anything to do with her, especially after what had happened.

Tomorrow was Monday and she decided to go to the garage he worked at to see if he was there or get anything from his boss related to him.

Elise hurriedly ate her breakfast and got ready and drove to Joe's and arrived around nine fifteen. Surprisingly enough, right as she made her way through the doors, she came face to face with Joe himself.

"Well hello there, young lady! What can I do for you? Hoping to get an oil change?"

"Umm...no sir. I'm actually here to see Brian. D'you know if he's in or not?"

"Brian? Hmm, is there an issue that you have with him? He's the best we have here and he's always respectful regardless if the person he's helping deserves it or not."

"Oh! No sir! We recently got into an argument and I'd like to apologize to him face to face...D'you think you could tell him that Elise is here? Please?"

"Of course, he'll be right out." And with that, Joe was gone.

Give or take five to ten minutes later, Elise saw him. He had his uniform on with his work shirt unbuttoned; it showed his lean but fit frame nicely and his undershirt underneath only made him look that much more desirable. He gave her an unsteady look, but was there nonetheless.

"Hey, Eli...You alright? Is everything okay? I know I've been gone awhi-"

"Bri, I'm so sorry! For everything! Please, please forgive me!!!"

As much as Elise wanted not to cry, the floodgates had opened and the tears were flowing. Brian quickly led her outside so they had more privacy.

"Eli, it's fine. Don't worry, I'm not mad. I just needed some time away to think about-"

"I thought you were going to look at other places? Are you really leaving me?"

"I-I did say that. But I never followed through. I'm sorry, El. I didn't mean to put you through that."

"No, Bri! I'm sorry!"

She got him in a bear hug and refused to let go. As much as Brian tried to get free she would shake her head profusely with tear filled eyes and tell him, "No!"

This was a nice change; Brian rarely saw this cute side of Elise and he relished in the fact that she was holding him so close. "El, can you please let me go?"

He was quickly shot down with another head shake and, "No! I'm not letting go!!"

She was adamant, that's for sure. So Brian relented with, "Alright, how about if I do something I've never done with you, would you let me go then?"

Elise was quiet and thought about it. "Hmm...maybe. But you also gotta promise to come back home!!"

"Don't worry. I'll come back, El. In fact, I have my stuff in my car. I'm more than ready."

She finally pulled back and stared long and hard into his eyes to see if he was telling the truth. Elise was more than delighted to see that Brian had that endearing look in his eyes again. "Mmm, okay." And with that she relinquished her death grip on him.

"Close your eyes, El."

Elise gladly closed her eyes. This was different. No one ever called her, "El." It was always Elise or Eli. She stood there for a few seconds, holding her breath until she felt a small kiss on her nose. A smile broke out on her face and she opened her eyes to see Brian smiling at her. "Bri, what was tha-"

He quickly held a hand up, "Uh-uh, who said I was done? Close 'em."