I'll Do My Best To Keep You Warm

There's A Ghost In My Home And My Heart

I like to consider myself kind. I like to think I would be there for my friends; no matter the circumstances.

My underground city is still under construction; my only resident is Ponk, who never leaves their room.

It isn't my business, I leave them be.

Puffy is never around anymore, and she's always scribbling away in her notes when she is.

She says Tommy needs help.

I turn away.

Tubbo hasn't left his room in over a week.

Ranboo asks me if I'd ask him to bake with me.

I say I'll head over when I get a chance.

I don't.

There's a blonde at my front door. His eyes are blue, and it isn't Phil.

"What do you want, Tommy?"

I don't want to see him. I make that apparent, my glare is sharp. His eyes are wide.

"Niki. I- uhm, Me, as a big man, wanted to talk."

I scoff. Always the same.

"Well I don't, so leave would you?"

He tenses, and for a second I think he's going to attack.

"Uhm.. P- please Niki, I just need a minute."

I clench my fists. Can he not take the hint?
"Well I don't want to give you a minute! I don't even want to give you a second! Even seeing you for half a second, even being near you, it's already too much. You're such a waste of time. God, you're so annoying."

The blonde shrinks into himself, he's cowering. I can't help the furrow that croaks in my eyebrows.

"I'm- I- Oh. I see. I'm sorry. Uhm. Okay, alright."

Tommy is shivering, his eyes are glassy.

"Well? Leave, go, get out."

I rest most of my weight on one foot; popping my hip out slightly.

Tommy is suddenly frozen, so I move to push him away from my porch.

I didn't expect the terrified yelp, I didn't expect the full body flinch as he leapt away from my slow moving hands. He rambles.

"I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry-"

He runs away.

Something uneasy settles in my throat. I swallow it as I watch him go.

Where were his wings?

. . .

Ranboo is late. Techno is absentmindedly fiddling with a netherite dagger, he's bored.

Phil is running his hands through his good wing; the other still wrapped in bandages. I don't think it'll ever heal.

The door is thrown open half heartedly a moment later. A tall hybrid enters the room.

"I'm sorry I'm late.. I got caught up in some snow."

Techno hums uninterested, Phil offers a polite smile. Dicks, the two of them.

"Are you alright, Ranboo? Snow burns you, doesn't it?"

Ranboo gives a warm smile, he appreciates my concern.

"Yeah, no damage; just tripped over a hole and got stuck. It was kind of embarrassing honestly.

The ender-hybrid settles into the seat next to mine.