Chromatober 2023

Day 1 - Hunted

Series: Original Rainbow Quest

--- Happy Orange Steve P.O.V. ---

I clutched the blanket more tightly, curling into a smaller space on the couch.  All around me, the colors of the room were blurred by tears.  The Green Steve across from me was no exception, although I got the impression his expression was concerned.

"Do you want to talk about it?"  he asked softly.  I nodded, but didn't know where to begin.  Rainbow had been one of my best friends.  It was hard to believe that he was gone.  Even when he had been corrupted, there was still the faint hope in the back of my mind.  The hope that he would come back to us.  Now, I knew that could never happen.

"I feel like a coward."  I admitted.  "I couldn't help him when he was still alive, and now-"  I choked on the words.  "I can't even attend his funeral!  I'm a terrible friend."

"You're not a terrible friend."  the Green Steve consoled.  "It's okay if you're not ready to face it yet.  Death is a difficult thing to deal with, and all steves experience it differently.  Personally, I didn't know the hero well, but when my friend died recently, it was hard for me to figure out how to deal with it."  I remembered the whispers of a second Green Steve who had come to the Second Rainbow Hub.  Blue said Elemental had destroyed him after finding him corrupted with darkness.  Sadness hung over my heart.  The death had seemed so unnecessary.  So did Rainbow's.

"Funny and Light were the only ones brave enough to go."  I let out a mirthless laugh.  "Even Nerdy didn't come.  I guess he's still processing it, too."  It relieved me a little to know that I wasn't the only Orange Steve not going.  I wondered if the Leader would have gone if he weren't... corrupted.

"The grave will still be there."  The Green Steve, Thera, reminded me.  "For whenever you're ready.  The funeral isn't your only chance to visit him."

"I guess not."  I agreed.  "They are taking a long time though."  I rubbed the tears from my eyes, glancing around to the clock.  "The others returned a while ago.  It's been hours."

"Funny and Sabre knew Rainbow Steve for a long time."  Thera reminded me.  "They probably have more to go over than the rest.  I would presume Time Steve remained for emotional support."  I nodded.  That made sense.  It just didn't explain the concerned look on Light's face when he had returned.  I was too scared to ask him what had happened.  It was probably just the grief.

"Hey, Thera?"  Speak of the devil.  Light's snowy white head popped through the doorway.  My Green Steve friend glanced up questioningly.

"Yes?"

"Can you talk to Funny and Sabre when they get back?  They had a fight."

"A fight?"  I squeaked, surprised.  "At Rainbow's funeral?"  I had never known Funny and Sabre to fight before.

"Yes."  Light's head drooped.  "Funny blamed Sabre for not preventing Rainbow's death."

"What?"  My mind raced as I tried to piece the idea together.  What Light was saying didn't make any sense whatsoever.

"That happens sometimes."  Thera noted solemnly.  "Grief leads to outbursts, even if they are unfair.  I'll meet with both of them after they've calmed down, and see if I can sort it out."  Light nodded his thanks.