Content warnings: eating disorder, negative/self degrading thoughts, mention of injury, mentioned purging, panic/anxiety attacks, fear, haphephobia (fear of touch), mentioned alcoholism, smoking, inappropriate use of drugs, implied drug addiction, bodily dysmorphia, monophobia (traditionally known as the fear of being left alone, but moreso the fear of abandonment in this sense).
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"What's this town called?" Kel asks quietly.
"Faraway. Why?"
"Is it far away from our parents?"
Hero chuckles quietly, "yes, it is. They still live back at our old house."
"…Good."
"Mhm."
Kel sighs, watching his brother cook.
"Hero?"
"Yeah?"
"What happened with Mari? Didn't you two somehow manage to stay in contact?" Kel asks.
Hero sighs, "uh, she lives here in Faraway. We haven't talked in a while though."
"Okay, but what happened between you? Did you break up? Why are you dating someone else now?"
Hero leans on the counter. "Most of the conversations we had after she and her family moved were… further and further apart. We just… grew apart I guess."
The room goes quiet, only the sizzling of oil can be heard.
"Did you know she lived here when you moved here?"
"No, I didn't. We just ran into each other at the Othermart."
…Did that mean…?
"Was Sunny here when you moved?"
"No. He moved to the city for college, that's what she told me. You said you found him though, right?"
"Yeah."
The room goes quiet again. The air smelled good. Like chicken. Kel still didn't feel hungry.
…Okay, maybe he was slightly hungry.
"I think they're in town. For their mother's wedding."
Kel perks up, looking at his brother with bright eyes. Hero chuckles, "I saw their older brother when I went out. He's not usually here, so I'm just assuming that the rest of the family is here."
Kel lays back down on his back, staring up at the ceiling. "Can we go see them?"
"Not until your ankle heals."
Kel groans. "C'mon mannnnn!"
Hero sighs, "I know, I know. But you were hardly able to walk in here on your own. What makes you think you can walk all the way across town?"
Kel huffs, unable to come up with a response.
"We'll see how you're doing tomorrow, okay?"
Kel sighs and nods, "Okay."
The two go quiet once again. Hero would probably be done cooking soon. Kel couldn't help but dread it. After the last time he purged, it was kind of worrying. Then again, Hero would probably be making sure that he doesn't purge again.
Kel sighs and sits up. "Hero?"
"Yes?"
"Do I have to eat?"
"It'd be better for you if you did."
Kel grunts and leans against the back of the couch.
"You don't have to eat that much if it makes you feel better."
