Here There be Witches

Untitled Part 12

Both father and son were silent for a while when they arrived back home. Comfort was never either of their talents. Right not Anara didn't mind the peace, just being with his dad already made him feel safer than if he was being protected by Lord Death himself, but Stein was struggling to decide what to say.

What happened? Was that to blunt and insensitive? Are you okay? That was a stupid question. You good kid? That was stupid and insensitively blunt. If Anara's own experience with attempted comfort was anything similar, then that's probably what was going through the doctor's head.

"...Are you hurt?" When the silence was finally broken it felt like a big breath of relief for both of them.

"No. Maybe. I need a manicure." Victor's stitched on face was squished against Anara's chest, with one of his hands on top of his head, bringing the formerly perfect nails to the witch's attention. He was annoyed with himself at how frantic his voice still sounded. He should be fine now; he loathed to think of...whatever...just happened as an actual panic attack. There was no reasonable trigger!

Stein made an exasperated noise that was half relieved chuckle. "That doesn't count as an issue right now unless you're bleeding from your fingers. Are you hurt?"

"No."

"What happened?"

"I--uhmm..." His brain wasn't braining in the right way to form the right words. "Uh--I don't--um who's the other school doctor? Has she always been there? I don't remember her name but um...I don't know...she--I don't know." He fiddled with his hands as he talked, feeling very silly.

The atmosphere suddenly felt dangerous. "Did she do anything!? Did she say anything to you!?"

"No. You know it probably wasn't even her fault, she didn't do anything--I don't know, I just panicked. Over nothing." He was only really half convinced of what he was saying but nonetheless they both relaxed a little.

"...It probably wasn't nothing. You're a very smart, sensible kid, I'm sure there was a valid reason. What matters is that you're ok," He smiled and ruffled Anara's hair affectionately. "And I promise you have nothing to worry about from the nurse. There was probably something else in the office that freaked you out, so you should probably try to avoid it for a while, alright? We can always take care of you if you get hurt here."

For a moment Anara could have sworn the mood changed again, but the next he was sure he had just imagined it. "Alright. I like here better anyway."

"Well I should certainly hope so. Come here I'm gonna make some tea." He was far from what most people would call nice, but he definitely knew how to cheer his kid up.

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Whoever came up with the idea of pretty crying was certifiably insane. No one could make this graceful or attractive in any fashion. Anara declared to himself staring in the bathroom mirror. He tried not to think about the fact that not only someone, but Kid of all people, had seen him like this, red faced and puffy eyed. I could not possibly look any worse than I must have then.

Normally he would have claimed that he didn't actually believe in fate or karma, but just to be safe he reminded the universe that no, don't worry, that wasn't a challenge, I was just hating how absolutely gross I look. You don't need to try and prove me wrong.

He let out a sigh that was bordering on being a moan and splashed some water on his face a couple times and gently toweled off. He already missed the borrowed lab coat and Victor, even just being away from them this long, so he was grateful to walk back out again and sit down at their table. He wrapped himself up again and held the bear close. A moment later his dad brought the tea. From the look if it he had already added honey the way Anara liked and this made him smile. He always felt a little extra loved when someone cared enough to know those little details, even if they had been living together for nine years so it shouldn't be that surprising.