Seeing Things (a Rainbow Quest fanfic)

Chapter 12: The Orange Steve

Sorry, really long wait, really short chapter. I have had a very long writer's block and I don't think it's over yet. This is just a small interlude. I hope you enjoy the update, and I'm sorry to have kept you waiting for so long.

(Sabre POV)

At last, we reach our destination. "We're here," says Red, almost hesitantly letting go of my hand. "Just... stay here, alright? I'll be back in a bit." With that, his footsteps trail away from me, stopping not too far ahead.

My thoughts turn to Red Steve's strange behavior. Now that I think about it, he didn't sound angry at all, or cold. Stiff, yes, and strained, but not cold.

He almost sounded scared...

No, not almost. His voice was shaking with suppressed terror, as if he was choking on tears. It was all forced calmness, a poorly made mask- oh colors, it was obvious. The confusion, the pain, guilt, FEAR. I just didn't hear it.

I didn't want to hear it.

I wanted someone to blame, to be angry at. I was scared, too.

Poor Red. He didn't deserve it.

...

That settles it.

The next time we get a chance to speak in private, I'm going to apologize.

Also give him a hug.

I think we both need one.

But right now, I need to calm down.

I 'look' around. The sunlight is no longer blocked by leaves, so I assume we're in a field or a clearing of sorts. To the left, I hear the sound of running water. A slow-moving river, by the sound of it. The air is humid, and filled with the subtle aromas of soil, grass, and that warm, forest-y smell that all temperate forests seem to have.

I spend a minute or two half-listening to Red talking when a second voice chimes in. I can't really hear what either of them are saying, but I know it's not Red: the new voice is higher than Red's, and has a much faster pace. Come to think of it, Red talks kind of slowly. He also has a slight accent, one I don't think I've heard before.

My thoughts are rudely interrupted by someone grabbing my hand. "And this is the guy who came through the portal to be the savior of all steves," Red says, leading me to the mystery person. "His name's Sabre."

"Uh, hi?" I say, unsure of what's happening.

"Hi, Sabre!" Says the mystery person, shaking my hand hard enough to give me whiplash. "I'm Orange Steve, but you can call me Orange!"

He lets go of my hand, and I stumble back. This man's grip is just- WOW. I could hear the bones cracking!

R.I.P, my hand.

It just couldn't handle the shake.

Hehe.

Pun.

...

Ow...

Well, at least I have a better idea of who this person is. His hand is a bit larger than Red Steve's, and much more calloused. I can feel the grainy patches of dried dirt in the cracks and folds of his palm. A gardener, perhaps?

Oh, right, socializing!

"Nice to meet you," I say, still a bit dazed.

"Orange Steve's been a good friend of mine for a long time," Red Steve comments. "I need to talk to you. It's important."

"What?" I say, slightly concerned.

"Oh, sorry, I was talking to Orange. Sorry."

"It's alright."

The tension is palpable. Orange Steve is making confused sounds, poor guy.

I should say something.

"I'd still like to know what it is, if that's alright."

Red splutters for a minute before settling on the most disappointing answer ever.

"It's hard to explain."

I sigh. Of course it is.

I wonder if it has something to do with Red's episode earlier.

I really do regret not forgiving him earlier, but I shouldn't be so worried about it. I can tell him the next time we're in private. If not today, then tomorrow.

It's not like I won't get another chance.

It's not like he'll die today.

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626 words

I used a quote >:]

I'M SO SORRY FOR THE LAST LINE...

... is what I would be saying if I didn't find some strange, sadistic joy in watching Sabre and my readers suffer.

Also, the reason Sabre can't smell the  flowers is because poppies and roses don't have a very strong scents. Random detail. Don't know why it's even here. Why did I mention this?