◀AT SOBEK'S MERCY▶

Pt. 2 - Encouragement?

"Has anyone told you that you look ridiculous?"

"Not yet..."

"Well, you look ridiculous."

Hantei rolled his eyes at Rodent's comment. He looked back into the mirror, staring at the small cut in the side of his head. He poked at it a little, trying to get any idea as to what it was. He'd almost gotten used to the sight of himself, but he still had no idea what had happened. His team hadn't mentioned anything about his missing hair, but really, they had barely said anything to him at all. Rodent leaned against the wall nearby, his reflection staring right into Hantei's eyes. He took a few steps closer to see the wound as well.

"What the hell is that?"

"I don't know."

The air was tense. It had been a few days since his return, but he felt like a stranger. Hantei had been avoiding talking to the crew, the air around them feeling frigid and judgmental. The guilt, shame and regret were still dwelling in the back of his mind, forcing him to shut himself off. He felt it was better to stay out of the way and not bother them. He could tell they were disappointed, and didn't want to trouble them any further with his grievances.

Why was Rodent the first one to approach him?

He turned around to face him. He noticed a bundle of clothes in Rodent's arms.

"What's that?"

Without a word, Rodent dropped the bundle into his hands. Confused, Hantei looked up at him.

"Those are for you. So we don't have to deal with you walking around half-naked anymore."

Hantei felt embarrassment creeping onto his face at Rodent's words.

"Where did you..."

"They're mine. I'm not wasting any more of my money to go clothes shopping for you."

Hantei looked down at what Rodent had just thrown at him, mostly to hide his face, which he could feel heating up. A pair of sweatpants and a white t-shirt with some print in Japanese he didn't understand. He didn't ask about it. The clothes were rather big - after all, Rodent was almost a foot taller than him. Not the most glamorous thing, but better than what he had on now. He hesitated for a moment, a little apprehensive about wearing Rodent's clothes, but soon understood there really weren't any other options. He dropped them on his bed, put on the sweatpants and went to pull the tank top over his head, but paused as he realised Rodent was still behind him.

"Do you need to stand there?"

"Guess not."

He didn't move. Stubborn fuck. Hantei turned his back to Rodent and tossed the top somewhere out of sight, trying not to care about his eyes on him.

"Look", Rodent began after Hantei had gotten his shirt on, "you need to stop thinking that you're the center of everything going on. It's infuriating watching you sulk in your bed day in and day out."

"Why do you care?"

"I don't. I'm just annoyed that you've become so passive. It's like you don't even want to get better. I get it, you feel like shit, but you need to stop avoiding us. Like it or not, we're in this mess together because you dragged us into it. If you think you can get out of this alone, you're even more of an idiot. You fucked us all over, and now you want to play the hero and act like you can handle everything on your own? Come on."

Hantei didn't quite know what to think. Rodent's words had their familiar, patronising edge, but there was a hint of sincerity in his tone. What was he even trying to do? Was he trying to cheer him up? Because it wasn't working. But it didn't really feel like he was trying to make him feel worse, either.