Way to the Dawn [Eng Version]

Chapter VIII: Hippodown Temple

The cool sea air was gradually beginning to be replaced by a warmer, drier one... The desert was near. The brunet noticed it very quickly.

From then, his insides tightened more and more, forming only a heavy knot in his lower abdomen. He was worried sick for his friend/crush, and it showed in his body language.

- (Little Amethyst...Calm down, everything will be fine...)

- I know, my dear. I know....But...I-I...I can't help it...! I-It's the first time my heart has raced so much in such a...Painful way.

He placed one of his hands over his cardiac muscle, which was pulsing so hard the boy thought it was about to burst out of his ribcage. The Ranger then made a face before wrapping his body with his arms, trying to reassure himself.

-...It hurts. It hurts so bad....Haha...Who knew love could be so painful...?

The teenager gasped softly out of breath. He was on the verge of tears, except he was desperately trying to hold them back and stay strong.

The Staraptor then stopped in mid-air, hovering. As she ignored her partner's surprise and confusion, soft chirps came out her throat.

- F-Fischl...?

- (Shh...~ It's alright, Kell, it's alright...You can let go now. It's only the two of us here.)

The teal-eyed one blinked softly in confusion.

- E-Excuse me...?

- (You can cry as much as you want to. It will do you good...)

- I'm fine...! I-I just need 2 minutes...

The bird shook her head gently, interrupting the young boy.

- (Kellyn. You said it yourself didn't you? "You cry because you stayed strong for too long"....Remember?)

- B-But-

- (No "But". I know what you're thinking, and no you're not a crybaby. You're just a sensitive kid growing up trying to deal with feelings he doesn't understand.)

The Flying-Type sighed slightly, reassured by the fact that the human was no longer trying to contradict her.

- (So let go for this time, okay? You have the right to cry too.)

It wasn't long before the brunet's body was shaking with erratic spasms. Fischl then felt her friend curl into a ball against her back, while he was trying somehow to contain the sounds coming out of his mouth.

The gray plumage began to become wet as the tears flowed... But the Staraptor didn't hold it against him, leaving the teenager to pour out his pain without any restraint.

Several long minutes passed like this, the silence only disturbed by the sobs of Kellyn, whose emotional stability returned slowly but surely.

-...Ha....Ha....

- (...You feel better?)

- Yeah....Thanks. And...Sorry again...

- ( For what? For being a living being with functional emotions?)

The boy instantly fell silent, looking away.

- (That's what I thought. Now stop apologizing for something normal, ok?)

-...Yes Mom.

The bird chuckled while giving a satisfied smile.

- ( Good boy.)

She felt the brunet rub his head against her neck, most likely very embarrassed. However, she knew he was feeling better and was smiling despite his embarrassment.