The Great War

VIII

I stand in front of the once bubbly blonde, his face void of his happiness. He's changed so much. So much that it's scary.

"Telephus..." I breathe, my back leaned against the wall as I close my arms around myself, it felt like I was suffocating. Like the world was getting smaller and I was a miniscule ant trapped in a jar.

His body loomed over mine, his face dark. "Why do you let shit like this happen? Huh? Did you like it?"

I flinch at his dead tone, his fists clenched at his sides as he slowly stood up from the fountain. "Don't fucking talk to me. Okay?"

I look down, tears swelling in my eyes as I hesitantly reach out, grabbing his arms, he throws my hand off with such vigor it makes me stumble back.

"Just leave me alone." His tone dropped and he stalked off. I felt my throat close up as I let the tears fall, hiccups stuck in my throat as I go to the one place I felt safe, Máni's café. I slowly push the door open and peek in.

"Sorry, we're closed, come back tomorrow bright and early." Máni's dead tone reaches me as his back faces me, a wicker broom sweeping away dust. I stepped in and sniffled, his ears twitched as he turns around.

His brows furrowed as his eyes raced over my face. "Ophelia? Are you okay? What happened?"

Dropping the broom, he rushed over to me, setting his hands on my arms. I let out a sob and he pulls me into a tight, warm hug. His heightened body heat encases me. "What happened?"

I sniffled and leaned into him as he walked us over to a booth sliding in and he holds me delicately. "Me and Telephus had a fight."

I felt his heartbeat pick up pace as his hands twitched. I hiccupped and reached a hand up to wipe my eyes. Lifting my head off his shoulder I look up at him, his eyes hardened and solemn as he looked down at me. A tight frown on his heart shaped lips.

"What'd he do this time?" His voice sounded strained and held back.

"Some stupid stuff, like always. I tried telling him about what that one guy did today and he just... got mad at me. I didn't mean to make him mad I promise! I tried to apologize, and he shoved me away... and— and I just, gods... I feel terrible." I whimper into my hands as I cover my mouth and sighed shakily into them.

He peeled back my hands and held them so softly in his, gently squeezing. "You don't have anything to apologize for, Telephus is just a dick sometimes. You didn't do shit wrong."

I sniffled and nodded, "Are you sure? Cause he just looked so broken up, he won't talk to me, and he walked away before I could try to talk it through with him. I just don't want him to be mad at me."

His features softened, the anger just a flicker in his eyes as he sighed and pulled me into his chest, petting my hair softly. "Ophelia, I promise you didn't do shit."

I sniffled and balled up the back of his loose shirt, "I'm sorry for just bombarding you with this."

He pulled back and cupped my face, giving me a smile, "I'm your friend, it's what I'm meant for." He sighed before getting up and pulling me up before sliding us out of the booth.

"How about something to eat? You look famished."

I push back my hair and shake my head, "No, I've been enough trouble for you."

He chuckled breathily and pulled a case of my favorite buns out, "It's fine, here." He holds one out to me, soft steam rising up from the perfectly spun top.

I tilt my head and give him a hearty smile as I take it from him. It wasn't piping hot; it was warm and soft. I look over as the bell above the door chimes and a person walks in.