Repurposed | Quirrel x Sheo x Nailsmith

Chapter Twenty Four: In Which Hallownest's Ghost Is Seen For The Last Time

Something important had taken place at the lake, and Sheo had not been told what it was.

When he expressed concern about Quirrel he was told to forget about it, as if he could pretend not to notice Quirrel's scratched up shell or the dried tears around his eyes. He seemed better now at least, but his drastic change in behavior was what worried Sheo the most. Quirrel was now acting like he had just had the best day of his life, whatever he was worried about before long forgotten. He was smiling all the way back down to the stag, and Sheo swore he saw him walk with a slight skip in his step. Sheo was being left in the dark, and just couldn't understand why.

As the stag started to move it wasn't long before Sheo noticed The Nailsmith's breathing fall into a steady rhythm. As his head fell on his shoulder he was tempted to fall asleep as well, but he knew the worried feeling in his gut wouldn't go away so easily.

"Um, Quirrel?" Quirrel had been resting his eyes and slowly opened them to look at Sheo. "Did... something happen back there? At the lake?"

Quirrel simply shook his head. "Nothing important, friend."

"Are you sure?" Sheo pressed. "If I'm asking something sensitive you can tell me if you don't wish to share, but I'm concerned for you."

"There's no need to be concerned," he said in that dismissive tone again. "Nothing happened."

"Quirrel," Sheo's voice became serious, "Do you think I can't tell when you're lying?"

Quirrel went silent.

"I can see your shell, and I can see your face. If you want to keep whatever happened to yourself that's fine, I just wish you wouldn't keep me in the dark if something's troubling you. Burdens are much better shared, you know."

Quirrel guiltily looked away, shifting in his seat. "I never wanted to burden you," he said quietly.

"I know, and that's the problem. You keep to yourself so much I sometimes wonder if you're really present. I can see you, always battling something in your mind. We're friends, and as your friend I want nothing more than to help lessen your troubles."

After a moment of silence, Quirrel met Sheo's gaze. "...Has anyone ever told you you're the kindest bug in all of Hallownest?"

Warmth began to spread on Sheo's face. "I uh... I'm not sure."

"Someone should tell you more often then," he said with a smile. "It was for that reason I didn't want to trouble you. You deserve a life without having to worry about me, both you and The Nailsmith. I didn't want to take away from your happiness, so I kept to myself."

"It's our choice to worry about you. Is it so hard to believe we want you to be happy as well?"

"No, it isn't," Quirrel said with a slight chuckle, as if the truth was amusing.

"Do you want me to know what happened at the lake?" Sheo asked again.

"Yeah," Quirrel began to smile. "I finally let myself live."

-

Days after they had returned home, a visitor appeared at their hut abruptly and without warning.

The Nailsmith was the first to greet their visitor, though it wasn't so much of a greeting as it was said visitor scaring the shell off of The Nailsmith.

"Knight!" he shouted suddenly as he felt something touch his leg. "Wyrm, you're so quiet! Don't you know how to knock?"

"The Little One is here?" Sheo immediately looked up from his painting, and Quirrel from his journal.