The New Toppat (Curtisson)

35: The Saying

Sven stood up and narrowed his eyes, picking Melody up off the ground.

"I love you and hate you at the same time," he growled.

"Pretty bird!"

"Yeah, I mean, you are a pretty bird, but that doesn't mean you can just scream 'kiss' all the time," Sven told her, putting her down on his desk.

"Sven?"

Sven turned around to see Carol standing in the doorway.

"Oh, Carol..." Sven mumbled. "Hi..."

"What on earth were you thinking, running off like that?!" Carol demanded, stalking forward.

"I-I-"

"Burt's worried sick about you!" Carol continued angrily. "He gave you utmost respect, and you just ran off!"

Sven sniffed.

"I-I'm sorry... I-I just..." he stuttered. "I-I-I-I-"

Carol seemed to see that he had been crying.

Apparently, he didn't rub his tears and wet cheeks dry too well.

"Oh, Sven... What happened?" Carol asked, placing their hand on Sven's shoulder.

Sven couldn't take it anymore. He hugged Carol, sobbing, and told them everything.

"A-A-And-" He sniffled. "W-W-We c-c-can-can never l-l-love e-each o-o-other..." he finished, stammering. "B-Because... H-H-He gave up... Th-Th-The role..." Sven hiccuped.

Carol sighed.

"Sven, you didn't tell me this was the problem. I have a solution, if that's what's bothering you," they replied quietly.

"Wh-What is it..?"

"Burt's high-classed. Even if he's new, and not RHM, he's high-ranked, being the head of communications. You have a chance."

Carol looked him right in the eyes.

"But it'll never happen if you don't try."

"He just said th-that he only th-thought of me as h-his boss..." Sven muttered.

"Then why is he so worried about you?" Carol asked.

"B-Because... Of course h-he's worried about his b-boss... And f-friend..."

"Sven."

"Wha..?"

"That doesn't make sense."

"How?"

"I'm not worried about you."

"Huh-"

"I know you'll get through anything on your own. You always do. You just always need a helping hand. But you're not very dependent, in other times when you don't need emotional support," Carol pointed out. "Burt has no reason to be so worried about you, unless there's another reason."

"It can be any other reason... Than liking me..."

"Well, that's true. But there aren't many reasons he'd be worried about you. You're his boss, you're his friend, or you're his crush. Sven, those three don't clash. It can be all three at the same time." Carol gave him a little shake by the shoulders.

"I don't know what I have to do to get you to see it. Sven, are you going to listen to your best friend, and your best bird, or your anxiety?"

Sven hesitated.

"B-Best friend... A-And Melody..." He slightly smiled.

"That's what I thought. Sven, here's something to always follow. Your anxiety is wrong. Your anxiety doesn't know anything."

Sven was a bit reassured, but not enough to get him to stop listening to his anxiety.

"Here's a saying as old as time, Sven." Carol smiled.

"The journey of a thousand miles starts with one step."