𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐘 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐐𝐔𝐀𝐃𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐋 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓'𝐒 𝐁𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐍 𝐏𝐔𝐒𝐒𝐘

Chapter Eighteen: Latibule

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la·​ti·bule | /lə'tibjul/

(n.) a hiding place; a place of safety and comfort

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It wasn't long before police and paramedics arrived at my apartment, filling the cramped space with important strangers and medical equipment. I had shoved Ballora into the closet before they had arrived, not wanting her to get arrested just yet. After some time of clamoring about, they took Sans, who was thankfully not dead, and Chara, who would soon be arrested for genocide, to the Big City Hospital.

Vision was there as well, and offered me comfort from the shock I experienced at what had just happened. This relief didn't last long, unfortunately, since the police began incessantly asking me questions about what had happened. I told them everything, but twisted the story to make it seem like I had fought Chara off, since I didn't want to mention Ballora to them. Thankfully, they ended up leaving after some time. Vision, after exchanging a few final words with me, departed as well, and soon I was alone.

I walked over to the closet where I had hidden Ballora and opened the door. She was sitting on the floor with her knees drawn to her chest, a hand at the wound which had flared up when Sans attacked her. A pang of guilt hit me as I saw the state she was in. I should've been able to protect her from Sans, but his magic was too strong. There was nothing I could've done.

"The police are gone," I told her softly. "Vision left to take care of Sans. You can come out now."

Ballora reached up, and I took her hand, pulling her to her feet. She winced, swaying slightly and nearly falling against me due to how unsteady she was. I placed my other hand on her waist to keep her upright, feeling the warmth radiate from her body as I held her. I could've sworn I saw a faint red tint spread across her cheeks at the touch, but that was likely a result of the lighting.

"You alright?" I asked, watching her closely.

"Yeah..." she muttered, looking up at me and nodding. "Better than before. It still hurts, though."

"I'm really sorry he hurt you," I told her sincerely. "I didn't want that."

"I know," Ballora told me, watching me curiously. "You asked to take my place."

A faint blush crossed my own face, and I looked down in a weak attempt to try and hide it. "Oh yeah, I did..." I said softly. "Almost forgot about that." A small pause. "You saved my life."

Ballora managed a weak chuckle. "Almost forgot about that," she retorted, and I smiled. "I was just returning a favor, Wonder. You saved mine."

"Yeah, at the cost of your own," I warned. "Quackity's going to kill you if he finds out that you helped me. I'm his worst enemy, remember?"

"I..." Ballora paused, her beautiful magenta eyes looking troubled at my words. "I've thought about it, Wonder. Ever since I had that dream, that dream where Quackity stood by and laughed as I was tortured..."

I let go of her hand and placed mine on her shoulder reassuringly, and she seemed to relax a little at the comforting contact.

"I don't want to go back to Quackity, Wonder," she said at last. It may have been my imagination, but I could've sworn I heard a faint tremor lace her voice. "I know that I must, but I don't want to."

I tilted my head. "Ballora, if you don't want to leave, then don't leave," I told her. "Stay here with me. We can hide out and watch Marvel movies together until the warrant for your arrest goes away, and you don't have to worry."

Ballora shook her head. "I can't stay with you. Every second I'm with you, I'm putting us both in danger. The longer I remain in this apartment with you and refuse to take your life, the more angry Quackity will be with us."

"Us?" I softly repeated. "You mean... you care about if I get hurt or not? That's what it sounds like."

"I'm just returning the favor," Ballora said, though I could've sworn I heard a hint of hesitance in her voice, like that wasn't the entire truth. "You helped me, so I feel obligated to help you as well."

"You don't need to do that," I reassured her, moving slightly closer to her. "I promise, I can take care of myself, and I can take care of you just fine. Glitch and the rest of the gang will help, I'll get them to warm up to you. You don't ever need to worry about Quackity or the rest of them again."

Ballora looked down. "I can't help but doubt you, Wonder..." she murmured. "You'll get hurt because of me."

I softly sighed, letting go of her shoulder and placing my hand on the side of her face, not quite registering what I was doing due to my determination to help. "Listen to me, Ballora," I softly insisted. "You are safe here. You are safe with me, and you always will be. I'm going to make sure you don't get hurt by Quackity or anyone else any more, you have my word."

Ballora's face was tinted red now, and I could tell it wasn't due to the lighting. Realizing what I was doing, I removed my hand from her face and let go of her waist, taking a step back in order to give her some space. "Sorry," I muttered. "But yeah, I'll do anything to keep you safe, even if it means putting myself in danger."

I could've sworn I saw a hint of disappointment and guilt flash across Ballora's face at what I said and did, but it was gone as quickly as it had come. "Alright..." she murmured at last. "Thank you, Wonder... for everything."

"You're welcome, Ballora," I said, smiling. "Now, let's go watch the second Iron Man and pretend that none of this ever happened."

I walked off, blissfully unaware of the guilt coursing through Ballora's soul as she followed me to the couch.