Tales Of Icarus

-Chapter 3-

"So what's new with you?" Goth asked, as the three walked down the street, "Not much. What about you guys? How's it been?" Lotus replies, staring down at his feet. "We've been good! Pastel's starting school soon, so we've had our hands full with that." "Yeah! Which reminds me, your parents are wanting to have dinner when we go over to pick up Pastel." Palette says, the three stop for a minute, "tonight? Mmm, I don't know if we can stay, but I guess we can try. Hey, maybe you can tag along Lotus! I'm sure my parents would like to have you over again. That's if we can go" the smaller of the three offers, Lotus thinks about it, "umm, I'm not sure. I might be busy" he says, awkwardly scratching the back of his neck.

"Oh. Um. Ok. Well we should definitely plan a dinner with my parents! You haven't talked to them either." Goth mummers the last bit, "Why is that, by the way?" Palette asks, and while Goth glared at Palette for such an intrusive question, he too, couldn't help being curious as well. Lotus avoids their stare, "umm, I- I've just been busy, saving up for a restraining order for my dad-" "What!?" Both his friends say, worry taking over, making him shrink into himself as they begin to crowd him.

"Why haven't you told us?" "How long has this been going on?" "Do you need us to help you to pay for it?" "Yeah, do you need a place to stay?" "What abo-" "Guys!" Lotus cut through their questions, he was shaking, and clearly overwhelmed. Understanding what they were doing, both Goth and Palette stepped back, apologising. "I just- Lotus we've been worried about you. And we really don't mind helping you out financially, we make enough-" "No. I need to do this by myself, ok? I get it, and I'm sorry I haven't been talking to you guys as much anymore... But life's been stressful, like the other day I actually talked to Rurik again-" This time, Palette physically cut him off, making it so Lotus was facing him. "You're joking right? Why would you be talking to Rurik again? Didn't that loser cheat on you?" "Palette" Goth hissed, smacking his husband's arm. "What the hell is wrong with you" Goth hisses again. But Lotus was already upset, "You know what, I think I need to go home now." Lotus says, shifting his hands into his pockets, and grabbing his keys. "Thanks for brunch and everything." Before Goth or Palette could stop him, Lotus pushed passed his friends.

When he was far enough, he let the few tears fall down his face as he quickened his pace. Wiping his tears from his face, I knew I shouldn't have come here. I knew this was a mistake. But they were right... Palette was right. It's not like Lotus forgot or anything. But he just- He's just so tired of being angry at people. He had enough to worry about. He just couldn't believe that Palette, out of all people, would be that blunt about this.... Yet again, he reminds himself that he couldn't completely blame his friends for their worry.

Lotus stopped by his car, resting his head on the roof, looking inside. He felt his phone go off, and looked at his notification

Dumber- 12:37 pm

I'm sorry for doing that... It wasn't ok for me to say that. I just don't want him hurting you again, of course that doesn't excuse what I did just now, but idk man. You've been so quiet lately and Goth and I have been worried about you... I just wanted you to know that I'm really sorry, I should've handled that better.

Lotus stares at the text, before letting out a heavy sigh. He puts his phone back into his pocket and leans away from his car, nervously picking at his fingers again. He should go home... Go home and take a shower... Or maybe make some tea? Yeah. Tea sounded good... He opens the door to his car and gets in.