Don't Leave Me Alone

~12~

⚠️TW: Mentions of violence

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~Emma's POV~

I was running very quietly(if that's possible) down the halls, praying that no one would wake up. After turning a corner, I found Don and Gilda.

"You guys." I ran over to them.

The both of them stood up when they saw me. Don hastily wiped his eyes.

Oh no. Did we make him cry?

I shook my head. "I'm really sorry. I was naive, and I couldn't fully grasp the situation we're in. I guess wasn't prepared to believe in you two. So I want to thank you guys for two things. For believing in me, and for making me realize all of this."

~Don's POV~

Two pairs of soft footsteps approached behind Emma. It was Ray and Norman. They stopped walking, and then Norman spoke.

"I'd like to apologize as well."

I noticed Ray glaring at me behind Norman's back. I'm sure it was because of what I had did and said to Norman, but even Norman wasn't as mad as him.

"No. I'm sorry." I fidgeted under Ray's glare. "I lost it and punched you. I took it out on you, and that was unfair of me. Are you alright?"

Norman just kind of blinked, like he had tried and failed to process what I had just said.

"Of course he isn't, dumbass. He has a giant bruise on his face!" Ray walked up to me and grit his teeth.

Norman lightly touched Ray's arm. "I'll be alright. I bruise easily." (I headcanon him as being iron deficient)

Ray sighed. "Fine. Whatever."

"We're also sorry." Gilda stepped forward. "You know, about acting on our own. It's no wonder that Ray got mad."

Ray glared at the two of them before glancing Norman, who smiled and nodded. Ray rolled his eyes and turned back to Gilda and Don.

"Ugh. It's okay, I guess. Even if it's worst case scenario, I'll be able to fix it." Ray paused and placed his hand on the back of his neck. "I'm sorry, too. For other reasons."

I wanted to know what these "other reasons" were, but we were already moving forward with the conversation.

"Now that we're all being honest with each other, can I ask you two something?" Emma asked me and Gilda. "If we screw up, we're done for. We die. Escaping means going outside into a world full of demons. Despite all of this, will you two still run away with us?"

Gilda and I glanced at each other before nodding. "Of course. You can count on us! We'll do our best!"

Emma hugged Gilda, but Ray still seemed a little salty toward me.

"The next step in the plan is scoping out the vicinity." Norman smiled at me and Gilda. "Can I ask you two a favor?"

~Ray's POV~

Norman and I were in the dining hall together. J made him sit down at one of the tables. I began to treat the bruise on his left cheek (I have never treated a single bruise in my entire life, so idrk what to put here) while he protested.

"Ray, you really don't need to. You should go to bed." He kept on trying to grab my hands, but I kept swatting his away.

"Shut up. I want to help you, so let me help you."

He sighed in defeat, and I heard the beads of his bracelet begin to click together. I placed a bandage over the bruise once I was done, my hand lingering a second longer than needed.

"You're fidgeting. What's wrong?"

"It's nothing, really. Just kind of stressed with our situation right now."

"Mm." I sat down next to him. "You still like Emma?"

Norman giggled. "That was random."

I threw my hands up like I was surrendering. "Hey, I'm just curious."

And jealous. But Norman doesn't have to know that.

Norman's face flushed. He pulled his knees to his chest and rested his chin on them. "I...didn't actually like Emma in the first place."

I wasn't exactly expected that. But this was definitely the happiest I've felt in a while.

"Well, I have about a million questions now." I smiled at Norman.

He laughed quietly. "You can ask a few of them."

"Why'd you tell me you liked her if you didn't?"

"I didn't want my emotions to get in the way of us escaping. So I lied to push my true feelings down." 

I nodded. I could understand that. "And do you like anyone else?"

His face turned red, and I smirked.

"So you do!" I gently poked the cheek that wasn't bruised.

"Yeah, but I'm not ready to tell anyone who it is yet..."

I gently rubbed his back. "It's alright. I won't force it out of you."

Norman smiled. "We should go get some sleep now."

"You're right." I stood up and extended my hand to Norman.

We walked up the stairs and into our dormitory room. Norman climbed into his bed, and I climbed into my own.

"Good night, Norman."

"Good night, Ray."

And then, though I could have been hearing things, he whispered almost silently.

"I love you."

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A/N: Sorry for not updating for a bit. I was on vacation and my parents wouldn't let me online long enough to write. My mental state is also shit rn, so updates might be slow.

I hope you all have a good morning/afternoon/evening/night! <3

Feel free to comment and vote :>

Word count: 916 words