Stuck With You [FIREAFY]

Chapter 4 // Distress

Leafy's POV:

Silence.

I couldn't get myself to say anything.

I shouldn't anyways.

I slowly catch up with him, and we continue our escape from the flooding rain. Only occasional drips would echo throughout the freezing cavern. Despite the bitter cold, I chose to keep my distance from Firey as we walked. There wasn't much I could do other than reflect on old times. The only things on my mind were all the moments we spent together in the past, and how it all fell into a drain.

All because of me and my dumb, impulsive actions.

Or, maybe, it was because of him, and his reason for hurting.

I rub my arm as a means of comfort. We were close before. We spent time together after each challenge, and just wanted to make each other laugh without a care for what went on in the world. It was a time when all we needed was each other. I glance over to Firey, who seems to be puzzled by the cavern's layout. A sudden idea popped into my head. That's it! I'll..I'll fix this. We're never alone like this together! Well...I'm never with him in general. This is my chance to mend what was broken, I only have to be careful with it...

Before we leave this cave, I'll make sure we leave with a mended relationship.

"Leafy," Firey calls, stopping in his tracks and turning to face me. "You...don't supposedly know the directions around here, do you?" he chuckles awkwardly, before clearing his throat and awaiting a response.

The cave suddenly looks so interesting to me. I glance around to avoid any eye contact, leaving his question unanswered.

"..I'll take it as a no," he let out a heavy sigh. "Well, since these tunnels seem to never end, I say we sit here and wait. I think we're safe from the flooding water now...we could go back from where we came to get out. If we tried looking for another exit, I feel like that'd be a completely different story."

I only nod. It was better to play it safe, and this would give me the time I needed to gather my words.

* * *

We sat in silence as time went on. With my heavy eyelids, I figured I might as well get some shut-eye before we headed back. The whole situation has been draining without even me realizing so. I begin to lay back, trying to make the best out of the hard, dirt ground. I put one leg over the other and rested my hands over my chest, before directing my eyes to the ceiling of the cave. I'd stare for as long as I needed to for me to get some rest. My actions seem to have intrigued Firey, and he raises a brow.

"What are you doing?" Firey asks.

I tilt over to face him, "I'm trying to get some rest before we continue." I speak, struggling to keep my voice steady. "And I'd suggest for you to do the same."

I shift my eyes back to the ceiling, chills being sent down my spine from the cold air. I soon felt a tint of warmness and noticed Firey had come close to where I lay. Though of course, the space was maintained between us. I close my eyes and give a small exhale, knowing that there is much to be done.

Third POV:

Leafy rubs her head as she begins to wake up. She sits up and looks around groggily at what she was not expecting to wake up to; a completely different area. It was a forest, greenery seeming to cover every inch of land she laid her eyes upon. She rubs her eyes, unsure how to go about it.

'Where...am I? Was I not just in a cave?'

There was not a single object in sight. It was only her and the vegetation surrounding her.

'...I must be dreaming. Or...did I just wake up from one?'

She feels paralyzed. All Leafy could hear was the rustling of the leaves and her breathing.

Suddenly, a black figure emerges from the bushes, and slowly approaches the leaf who remains frozen. The black silhouette looked to be herself, but she was still unsure what it was. Leafy feels herself break into a cold sweat watching the figure come about. It soon stops in place, maintaining its distance from Leafy.

"How pathetic," the voice echoes throughout the forest. "Something so fragile and weak, how could you have ever had someone so dear in the first place?"

'Who are you...what are you?'

Leafy tries to speak, but no word comes out. Soon enough, darkness begins to consume all around the figure. It covers the live bushes and trees with its unpleasant color, before slowly inching towards Leafy. Her eyes go wide and she struggles to move, but it is as if she lost all control over her body. The darkness begins to consume Leafy, and she makes one last attempt to escape its dreadful wrath.

But it was to no avail. Her vision slowly begins to fade, and all she can feel is the warm liquid forming within her eyes.

* * *

"Leafy!" Firey yells as he shakes the sleeping leaf.

Immediately, she shoots up and lets out a sharp exhale.

"What's going on?! I woke up to you twisting and turning, mumbling about something! Looks like you were really struggling-"

He stops speaking as he listens to Leafy fast pants, and stares as she looks at her shaking hands. Firey soon breaks out of his thoughts and gulps. He didn't wish to help her, he couldn't, he's still mad at her! He had to keep it up, no?

'...Maybe this can be an exception.'

"H-hey!" Firey says as he scoots closer to face Leafy. "It's fine-you're fine! Whatever happened wasn't real."

Leafy brings her tearful eyes up to Firey, before shutting them hard as she brings him into an embrace. He feels his heart drop by the sudden hug. Unsure of how to react, he only rubs her back as she attempts to slow her breathing.

"Hey now...you're gonna be alright."

He still wasn't sure how to go about it, but he felt like he needed to be there for Leafy.

Leafy soon begins to calm down. She feels her shoulders ease and her breath finally begins to regulate. As her embrace loosens, Firey scoots back to give her space.

'...Do I keep going?'

Hestitately, Firey reaches out and takes ahold of her hand. He gently caresses in an attempt to comfort her. Leafy lets out a long exhale, before opening her eyes to see how Firey held her hand.

"I-I'm sorry for...that happening all of a sudden," she couldn't get herself to say anything more.

Firey could only shake his head, "it's okay."

It was only then that Firey realized all that he'd done for her. He felt a lump form in his throat, it was like his body had moved for him. Was he simply out of control? Has his brain decided to take action for him?

Or perhaps, his heart?

'What am I doing...'