Crowned

Arc 3, Chapter 59: Through The Thicket.

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//TW\\

HYPOTHERMIA/FROSTBITE

SUICIDAL THOUGHTS

SELF DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOURS

IMPLIED TRAUMATIZING EVENTS

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As morning Came, and Paper's consciousness soon followed. He opened his eyes and felt the crisp morning air on his copper skin. The boy resting atop him shivering from the cold morning and prior night had brought. He rubbed the young boy's back softly, which stirred him from sleep.

"Mmmh..." He opened his eyes and looked around at the surrounding forest covered in a blanket of yellow light from the encroaching dawn.  "Whhh..."

Paper felt his aching joints creak as he sat up straight, shifting balloon to sit on the ground next to him. "Good morning..." He chimed softly, then yawning and stretching out his metallic arms.

Balloon yawned and leaned against Paper, slowly taking in his surroundings once more. The pain throbbed in his back, and he winced harshly at the feeling of his wings he hadn't fully taken in the night previous. The panic that should've properly seeped in the night before, now fully took hold. He tried to jolt up—but he doubled over, his wings causing him to stumble and collapse. His body began to flood with anxiety, the shock of four new limbs. Balloon noticed the overwhelming taste of blood and gagged.

Paper gasped and quickly grabbed him, pulling him close. "Balloon! You're still injured! Be careful...!" Paper cried, checking him over.

"Where are we—?! I thought—I thought that I was dreaming!? WHAT HAPPENED?!" He yelped, looking around at the sky, then back at his wings, to which he found he now had six instead of two. He opened his mouth to scream.

"Heyheyhey, hey! It's okay... Calm down... It wasn't a dream, you're okay...!" Paper hushed, giving Balloon a reassuring squeeze.

He grabbed onto Paper, a pain jolted through his body and his eyes and markings that decorated his face and body began to glow. He winced and let out a sharp cry. Shakily clutching his face. He glared back at the feathered limbs that twitched in pain from his back.

"Stop moving! Stop! STOP!" Paper shouted removing Balloon's hands and holding his face to look into his eyes. "C-calm down! Deep breaths.....!" Paper soothed.

Balloon took a shaky breath, one after the other, but they only seemed to quicken. "I WANT TO GO HOME! I WANT TO GO HOME—A—AND FOR ALL OF THIS TO JUST GO AWAY!!!" he screamed through gritted teeth as the glowing markings on his face flickered brighter.

"I know—! I kn—" Paper froze at the intimidating energy radiating from him. "B-Balloon?! I think you should stop! Like probably right now!" He pleaded, not knowing what to do. His own body aching and in shock from what had happened the night prior.

Balloon let out a sharp yell, and clutched the part of his face that was glowing. He could feel the energy seeping deep into his rubber and skin.

"Balloon! You're going to hurt yourself! Please—!" Paper sat up straight, and attempted to help him. A hand firmly grabbed Balloon's wrist and tried to force it away from his face once more.

Balloon panicked,

He jolted out of instinct, the sharp movement winding up as he yanked his hand away towards his face, and slapping Paper's arm back. The same luminosity that decorated his eyes and face filled his hands, and the light that came from either became overwhelming. The shimmering collection of colours exploded into a large blast which tossed Paper into the tree. Paper's copper joints firmly implanted into the tree.