Third person pov

Ethelia woke up next to something warm. She vaguely noted that it was Obito as she let herself sink into his side further. When was the last time she woke up on her own, without an alarm or someone telling her it was already one in the afternoon? She knew it was the weekend, but even then Mark or her father would stage an intervention. She couldn't blame them.

Obito was warm, and for a moment it was like she hadn't had plates thrown at her like her dad. She didn't like that: being vulnerable and unsure of things. She didn't like that Obito brought her comfort, either, yet she also did. It was a weird... weird feeling. It was unpleasant, yet warm in the best way. Despite all that had happened, Ethelia felt she could stay here in this position forever, and be content the whole time.

"Are you awake?" Ethelia heard Obito whisper. She felt fingers brush lightly through her hair, which was no doubt a mess. She felt like she wanted to cry when she realized Mark wouldn't be coming through her window and ruining her sleep this time. She'd always hated it when he did that, but now she just... she just missed it. She bit back the waterworks and shifted a little, eyes moving to gaze up at Obito, who's cheeks turned red as her eyes met his. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I guess so." Ethelia mumbled, lowering her gaze. "Thank you." 

"I-I didn't do anything." Obito sputtered out. She felt the arm he had around her tighten a little, as though he were debating something. Ethelia should have been uncomfortable with all the physical contact, but she couldn't bring herself to care right now. She was too comfortable and just... so fucking done. Could her luck get any worse? First she found out she could fly and was destined to be a super weapon, then she had to become a ninja. During her training, which was hellish in and of itself, she was coerced into a friendship she actually valued with Obito via food and rapists. Now her father was an abusive drunk, she still had to work out, and she couldn't even get that upset because she'd blow up if she did!

Basically, she'd redefined 'hell on Earth' just by existing. 

"Ethelia... I... I think you should stay here for a while." Obito's voice was quiet and hesitant. Ethelia tensed immediately. She really didn't like the idea of staying with Obito. Being within shouting distance of him twenty-four hours a day didn't sound fun. She grimaced realizing that going home probably wasn't a good idea, her lips down-turning and her eyebrows furrowing. She, momentarily, contemplated getting an apartment of her own. She was legally an adult now that she was an adult. She brushed the idea off quickly. She still needed to take care of the house, and her dad. With him out of work, money would be... tighter.

"I don't know." Ethelia sighed, glancing up at him again. He looked oddly serious.

"Ethelia, I'm not going to let you go back there. Not until your dad has been sober at least a week." Obito said, moving to brush her bangs out of her face. She pressed her lips together. "I care about you, okay? I don't want you... to get hurt."

"Fuck getting hurt. He's my dad, and he's... he's going through a hard time. He already lost my mom; he's just worried." Ethelia tried to sit up, but Obito tightened his grip on her waist. She glanced at him to see that he'd propped himself up on one elbow, and was staring at her with steely eyes.

"He threw a plate at you." His statement made her flinch. "He hurt you, Ethelia. If he did it once, he can do it again."

"I-" Ethelia almost made a joke, but stopped herself. This wasn't a joking manner, even if brushing things off was her favorite way to cope. Obito was right. Her dad had thrown a plate at her. He had hurt her. 

"Just stay here. You can take the bed if you want; I don't mind. I just don't want you in the same house as him." Obito sat up completely. Ethelia shifted, settling next to him. She sighed heavily, weighting her options. 

"I have some things I have to get." Ethelia frowned. "Shoes and... clothes, I guess. God dammit." She ran a hand through her messy hair.

"I'll come with you if you want." Obito eyed Ethelia. Her hair was messy, but not in a rats-nest sort of way. It was... perfect. He knew he shouldn't be gazing at her like this at this time. That he shouldn't be thinking about how much he likes her, and he knows he shouldn't be happy that she gets to stay here with him. He just... can't help it.

"No, he's bound to be passed out by now anyway. If he's not, I'll get that trick ass bitch, Mark, to come with me." Ethelia grumbled, standing up. She glanced down at her feet. She could walk there in socks just fine. "This is going to suck."

"Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?" Obito asked.

"No... if I'm going to be staying here, there's bound to be some things you want to do, right? I'll leave you to it. Let you have your last taste of privacy before I come in and rain on your parade." Ethelia's lips quirked up.

"I love the rain." Obito quipped back with a grin. Ethelia scoffed and rolled her eyes, not bothering to respond, and instead heading toward the door. She looked like she'd been thrown through a hurricane, and tornado, and an earthquake all in one, but she didn't care. She'd gone out into public looking worse in the past.

"Be safe!" Obito called.

"You wish!" She responded, closing the door. Obito tried to push his nerves down as she left. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.

Very, very wrong.