"It starts with Sorry" (A Jax X Ragatha story)

Chapter 11: Manor of Freights part 2

Ragatha looked at Jax, seeing the purple bunny's distraught and raised an eyebrow. "You're scared of Math?" She asked confused.

Jax sighed as he looked at her before replying "No, but I can't do it for the life of me, This Sh!t is too hard for me"

Ragatha smirked a little bit after hearing his response. "Oh, I had no idea that the Clever trickster rabbit was afraid of A to the power of 2 + B to the power of 6~" She replied teasingly.

Jax groaned as he begrudgingly admitted his difficulties with math. "Look, I was never a straight-A student in school. I always struggled with math the most out of all my subjects and for all the showboating I've done since I joined this circus, I've never once claimed to be a math expert" He replied in an annoyed tone.

Ragatha chuckled but also tried to remain serious when hearing Jax's confession. "Why don't you sit to the side and let me deal with it?" She asked.

Jax nodded as he slumped against the wall, crossing his arms while Ragatha went up to the board and started answering the questions on the board. It took her a while when it came down to the last few Equations but she eventually got them down where she was then rewarded with a red arrow pointing to another door which she assumed was the exit.

She tried to walk over to Jax but was immediately stopped once a hole in the roof opened and dropped a massive amount of Candy and two paper bags directly on top of the Red-haired Ragdoll as she was bombarded with all kinds of Candies ranging from Chocolate bars to lollipops and Candy Corn which Jax quickly noticed.

"Oh, so that's where the Free Candy was being held, You good Rags~?" He asked smugly as he grabbed one of the bags and filled it with Candy.

Ragatha rubbed her head after all the Candy fell on top of her before also grabbing a bag and filling it with some of the surrounding Candy. "Yeah...I'm fine, just a little sore from all the Candies falling on top of me"

"Heh, I'm impressed you were able to handle all that sweetness right to the head~" Jax replied smugly.

Ragatha chuckled mildly from Jax's teasing before eventually tying a knot on the plastic bag once it was full and tucking it in one of her Dress' pockets as Jax did the same, Tying a knot on his bag and tucking it into his overalls' pocket.

The two then walked over to the door as Jax opened it only to reveal another dark room before the door shut behind them which made Ragatha jump slightly from the loud slamming sound.

"D-Did that door just shut itself?" She asked, worryingly glancing in the darkness.

"Most likely" Jax replied Nonchalantly.  "I swear to god if this another Math room I'm gonna-"

Jax was then cut off by the lights being turned on, revealing a big obstacle course that was also "conveniently" filled with Centipedes which nearly made Ragatha gag on sight.

"Well that's Awfully convenient" Jax replied, shrugging before noticing Ragatha banging on the door and desperately trying to open the door.

"Come on, Come on Please open!" She pleaded, trying to open the door and starting to pant nervously with each failed attempt.

Jax kept looking over as Ragatha's fear and anxiety continued to spiral out of control, eventually resulting in her sitting on the floor and clinging to her own chest as her breathing continued to speed up and her eyes widened in fear as tears began to fall from them. He knew Ragatha was easily afraid of Centipedes but didn't think she was THIS scared of them and just like when he had found her crying in her room, he couldn't help but feel a feeling a pang of guilt and sympathy for her given just how weak and vulnerable she was at the moment. Despite always claiming to be "Fine" and usually being seen as the most calm and collected member of the circus, Ragatha had her own issues to deal with but was more than willing to bottle them up so people wouldn't worry for her. She was way too kind to ever want someone to worry about her when she knew they all had their issues and coping mechanisms.

He sighed in a much softer tone than his usual annoyed sighs as he gently kneeled down and patted Ragatha's head while letting her regain her breath. Once she had calmed down, he offered her his hand before replying "Hey, I know I don't usually do stuff like this..ever...But since you're so clearly scared and afraid of the centipedes, I can carry you through the obstacle course so you won't have to deal with them" He replied.

Ragatha's eyes widened slightly, she was surprised but also thankful for Jax's consideration before eventually nodding as Jax then picked her up in his arms, bridal style.

"You ready?" He asked.

Ragatha nodded as she then nuzzled slightly closer to his chest. "Yeah, I'm ready" She replied back.

Jax then leaped over to the obstacle course, making his way through several gaps and obstacles with ease due to his body's flexibility, Meanwhile Ragatha clung on to him for dear life as he jumped and dodged not just obstacles but the centipedes as well and that was when Ragatha noticed that despite everything he did, said and tried to make people belief, Jax was capable of caring and being compassionate. Sure, he's no Saint and certainly not your typical Ladies man or Prince Charming but it's those flaws that make him unique. And underneath all the Pranking and Rude, Jerk behavior was a somewhat shy and sarcastic yet caring individual who was more than capable of being caring and sweet when he tried. and that was why Ragatha fell in love with him despite everything.

Eventually, The obstacle course came to an end as Jax found another door which thankfully led them to the end of the hallway that they had been looking for all along. He glanced down at Ragatha as she smiled appreciatively at him. "Thanks, Jax" She replied softly and warmly.

Jax felt a jolt of secret affection inside him hearing her response and nearly blushed from it but did a good job of masking it under his usual smug attitude. "Heh, you're welcome Dollface, now let's find the others and get this weird adventure over with" He replied as he continued to carry her in his arms.

Eventually, they meet up with Pomni, Kinger and Gangle who all similarly had bags full of candy before noticing Jax carrying Ragatha in his arms which Pomni immediately pointed out.

"Oh...Hey guys, looks like you found the ex-Uhm..what...just happened with you gu-"

"This doesn't mean anything and Don't even start getting ideas about this" Jax replied in an annoyed tone. "That goes for you too" He replied looking down at Ragatha albeit responding in a softer tone.

Pomni didn't question it further as the 5 cast members eventually came together and entered the multi colored portal which led them back to the circus with Caine already awaiting them to return.

"Welcome back my Spooky Mansion Crawlers. It appears you have finished your adventure so, why don't I treat you all to a Spooky banquet served by our head chef, Bubble himself!" Caine replied before showcasing the Dining table full of food and spooky decorations.

Jax had decided to let Ragatha down by this point and went over to the table as he was starving after such an adventure while Ragatha remained in the spot she had been put down on, staring at him with adoration in her eyes like a love-struck puppy as she placed a hand on her own cheek but was interrupted by Pomni speaking.

"Uh..Ragatha? Are you ok?" She asked as Ragatha snapped out of her Gaze immediately.

"Oh, yeah I'm fine Pomni...just a little busy thinking about..things" She replied slightly flustered.

"Oh ok, I was just a little Curious" Pomni replied before the two ladies walked over to the Dinner table.

For Ragatha, this Halloween had been wacky and Zany like usual but it also opened her mind to new possibilities and showed her more of Jax's good and caring side even if the price for seeing his Nicer side was being stuck in a scary Manor filled with Centipedes. So while it may have been a chaotic and stressful Halloween filled with plenty of scares and spooks, it was also kind of the best Halloween she had ever been part of and one she'd never forget.

🎃🧛‍♂️💀Happy Halloween Y'all 🎃🧛‍♂️💀