Havenfell

Chapter 20: In Need of Anything

The morning light filtered through the thin curtains of the hotel room, casting a pale glow that did little to dispel the lingering shadows. Felicity felt the weight of the previous night's events pressing down on them, a heavy, unshakable burden. The room was quiet, except for the occasional rustle of sheets as Bree stirred beside them, lost in her own fitful dreams.

Felicity glanced over at Rin, who sat slumped in a chair by the window, staring out at the fog-shrouded town. The look in their eyes was distant, haunted, a stark contrast to Rin's usual spirited demeanor. Felicity's heart ached for their friend, knowing that Poppy's death had hit Rin harder than anyone else.

Slipping out of bed, Felicity padded over to Rin and gently placed a hand on their shoulder. Rin turned, eyes red-rimmed and glassy. Felicity offered a small, comforting smile.

"Hey, how about we get some breakfast?" Felicity suggested softly. "It might help to get out of this room for a bit."

Rin hesitated but then nodded, seemingly grateful for the distraction. They both dressed quietly, careful not to wake Bree, and made their way to the hotel's small restaurant. The air was heavy with the scent of coffee and freshly baked bread, a comforting aroma that did little to ease the tension knotted in Felicity's chest.

They settled into a corner booth, the low hum of conversation and clinking cutlery providing a semblance of normalcy. Felicity ordered a pot of tea, hoping the ritual of pouring and sipping might soothe their frayed nerves. Rin sat across from them, their gaze fixed on the table, fingers tracing absent patterns on the wood.

"Poppy meant a lot to you, didn't she?" Felicity asked gently, not wanting to push too hard but knowing that Rin needed to talk.

Rin nodded, a tear slipping down their cheek. "She was my best friend," they whispered. "We did everything together. I can't believe she's gone."

Felicity reached across the table, taking Rin's hand in theirs. "I know it's hard," they said, their voice steady despite the ache in their heart. "But we're all here for you. You're not alone in this."

Rin squeezed Felicity's hand, drawing strength from the connection. "Thank you," they murmured. "It just feels so surreal. Like, one moment she was there, and now... she's not."

Felicity nodded, understanding all too well the disorienting feeling of loss. They poured the tea, the steam curling up between them like a fragile bridge. "It's okay to be upset," they said softly. "Poppy was special. She wouldn't want you to forget her, but she also wouldn't want you to be swallowed by grief."

Rin sniffled, wiping their eyes. "You're right," they said. "It's just so hard to move on. Every corner of this town reminds me of her."

Felicity took a sip of tea, savoring the warmth. "I know," they said. "But we'll get through this together. One step at a time."

A comfortable silence settled between them, the shared understanding deepening their bond. After a while, Felicity took a deep breath, feeling a twinge of nervousness. "Rin, there's something I wanted to tell you," they said.

"Last night, Juno and I... we kissed."

Rin's eyes widened in surprise, a faint smile breaking through their sorrow. "Really?" they said. "That's... that's amazing, Felicity."

Felicity felt a blush creeping up their cheeks. "Yeah, it was. She's been a pillar of strength for me in all this chaos. I just... I thought you should know."

Rin's smile grew, a spark of genuine happiness lighting up their eyes. "I'm glad," they said. "You deserve to be happy, Felicity. And Juno... she's pretty great."

"She is," Felicity agreed, feeling a warmth spread through their chest. "And so are you, Rin. Poppy would want you to remember that."

Rin nodded, a new resolve settling over them. "Thanks, Felicity. For everything."

They finished their breakfast, the conversation turning to lighter topics, each word helping to ease the weight of their grief. As they left the restaurant, Felicity felt a renewed sense of hope. They had each other, and even in the darkest moments, that connection would guide them through.

Together, they walked back to the room, ready to face whatever came next, knowing that with friends by their side, they could find the strength to carry on.