Red Thread of Hate

Cheat Code to Happiness

You would never ever say you knew how to live, but you even more didn't know how to die.

You appreciated the hell out of Maha coming to help you, even if it meant being questioned about what made you the way you were. Initially, you wanted to complain, say all the harsh words that were on your tongue, caused by your supposed husband. But the more you thought about it, the more you didn't want to say anything, feeling like it was somehow your fault.
It wasn't that he threw you into the wall, that was his fault, but what happened next…
You weren't exactly sure what caused the situation to change one hundred and eighty degrees. You knew it was something from what you said, but that didn't mean you were able to pinpoint what exactly. Plus you started to think that maybe his help wasn't so weird after all and he felt guilty or something…

“Hey, kiddo.” you started hesitantly, glancing at her as she made something to eat, “Got a question.”

“Shoot.” she replied without turning to face you.

“Look, uh, hypothetically, would you believe it if someone you didn't like very much decided to help you? Like, imagine you have an enemy-”

“Did Alastor accidentally do something to you and then want to apologize? Is that why you're in this state?” she stated more than asked, turning to look at your face, “And what? He wanted to apologize and help and you kicked him out of the house?”

You felt your cheeks turn red and you closed your mouth, looking down at your lap. She raised her eyebrows, half-amused, watching you try to find the words to defend yourself, but nothing came to mind. You groaned and ran your hands over your face, lingering on your cheeks longer, wishing they could cool them down.

“Well, more or less…” you sighed and she rolled her eyes for some reason, “What?”

“You argue constantly, even though you're up to your eyeballs in the same shit. If you tried to talk, I think it would solve ninety percent of your problems.” she shrugged and then turned back around

“First, language, young lady. Secondly, I've already tried to talk! He's paranoid and thinks I'm trying to kill him or something!” you waved your hands, causing pain to shoot through your back and you hissed

“Really?” she said, looking at, “Is he paranoid?”

“Yes? Of course, can't you see it? I was being nice and he thought I was planning something against him! Absolute madman! How can I come to an agreement with such an idiot who can't see anything except his imagination?” you groaned in annoyance, wondering how she couldn't see it

“Really? Let me guess, you tried to help him and he tried to throw you out of the house?”

You frowned. “What? No. Where's this- Oh.”

Oh indeed.

Maha walked up to you with a plate of macaroni and cheese, and her expression was so obvious that you felt stupid for not guessing that she was going for it. You pursed your lips in irritation, you didn't like the pseudo argument at all and you were almost sure that she would soon make you apologize to him. You couldn't say you liked the idea, any attempts at compromise so far had ended in failure. On the other hand, you can't say you tried hard to do it.

“Listen, I know you hate each other and you act like preschoolers fightin’ for a toy, but you won't get far like that. Honestly, I don't normally want to get involved in someone else's business, but if you don't want to talk to him first, I'll be happy to do so.” She sat down next to you on the couch, crossing her arms. “Unless you have another idea. But any excuses like runnin’ away from the problem won't work, especially since you can't run right now.”