It Started With a Spinny

Last Regret

Vee stares, "H-hunter?"

He blinks, "Sorry, I... sorry." He turns to go, walking deeper into the dark alleyway.

"No wait!" Vee rushes into the alley after him, the sickly sweet smell of rot growing as she approaches his turned back. She blinks, trying to adjust to the low light, his forest green cape looking almost black, his long brown hair making him look like someone else, someone sinister. She reaches for him, hesitates as she hears him breathe in shakily, makes herself reach anyway. "H-hunter?" She touches his shoulder, "What's wr-"

He turns on her, his eyes bright with tears: "I've ruined everything!" His voice breaks on the last word.

Vee barely hesitates, rushing forward to embrace him tightly! He tenses, then hugs her back all at once, his words muffled by her shoulder and his heaving sobs!

"Shhh, it's okay," she holds him against her shoulder, "it's okay, you're okay!"

He grips her back above her wings, grabbing desperate handfuls of her t-shirt as his sobbing intensifies! Vee tries not to wince, tries to ignore the smell as she keeps soothing, keeps stroking his hair and just lets him cry.

In time his sobs lessen, then subside, his shaking gasps becoming quieter, slower. After a long silence he whispers something into her shoulder.

"What was that?"

He repeats a little louder: "thank you."

She smiles, "You're very welcome!"

"But you don't even know what's wrong."

"Are you ready to tell me?"

His breath shakes, a sob gripping his body.

Vee keeps stroking his hair, and after a long while he takes a step back.

He's taller than her, but right now he does not look it. His shoulders are hunched, tears staining his pale face as his mauve eyes look down morosely at nothing. Vee reaches up, careful of her claws as she uses her large thumb to wipe one cheek, apologising: "Sorry I don't have a tissue or a hanky or anything."

He shrugs mutely.

"I need to start wearing pockets so I can carry one. Clothes are so much more complicated than I once thought."

He nods.

"Did you want to tell me what's wrong?"

He nods.

She wipes his other cheek, then holds his shoulders, patiently waiting.

His voice croaks out a word.

Vee leans closer, "Sorry, what was-"

"Flapjack."

"What about him?"

He winces. "He HATES me!"

"Oh Hunter, I'm sure that isn't-"

"He runs away from me!" he wails, "Every time I see him he flies away! He's terrified of me!"

"I'm, I'm sorry," she doesn't know what to say. "Have you tried, giving him space?"

"OF COURSE I HAVE!"

Vee flinches.

"Sorry!" Hunter steps back, holding up his hands, "I'm doing it again! I'm-"

"Shhh," Vee steps forward, holding his hands, "it's okay, I promise, it's-"

"But I lost it again!" He breathes in shakily, "I just, I keep getting so angry!" He lets go with one hand, gripping his chest, "In here, it's," he shakes his head, "it's not fear, I know fear, I've always been afraid."