Resentment -- MCD S3 Zenix x Laurence

Chapter 10

quick AN: if you wouldn't mind checking out the authors note at the end, that would be appreciated :)

Laurence POV:

My eyes fluttered open. The sun was shining in slightly through the tent, but thankfully not in my eyes. I groaned, sitting up and stretching out my arms. I looked down to my left, Zenix's empty bed made up like he never slept in it. My cheeks burned a little remembering the previous night. That happened right? The same guy who was always bored or annoyed listened to me and comforted me?

I shake my head.

No. He must have had an ulterior motive, I just hope he doesn't hold it over my head.

I get up, making my way out of the tent, squinting up towards the sky. The sun was a bit over the horizon, a couple hours past sunrise.

"Morning sleepyhead."

I snap my head to the direction of the voice. Zenix was laying lazily next to the small fire he had built earlier in the morning. He yawned, closing his eyes basking in the warmth of the fire. He reminded me of a cat the way he was laying on his side, bathing in the sun.

I felt my ears burn as I sat across from him by the fire.

"Were you able to sleep at all?" He asked. 

I nodded. "Yea, though it took a bit to fall asleep, I eventually did."

He hummed in reply. "That's good."

We sat in silence for a bit. It was awkward but comfortable. I shifted in my spot, attempting to be physically comfortable even though my mind was racing.

"Were you able to sleep at all?"

He hummed. "Yes. For once you weren't tossing and turning."

I glared at him.

He chuckled lowly, then got up and stretched.

"Since we were both able to sleep for once, today should be pretty productive. We still have a long ways to go, but I think we should be near O'khasis by the end of the week at latest."

He paused and turned to face me. His expression was once again neutral, his eyes tired. The walls that almost seemed to be falling last night were back up.

"This time we should actually try to walk all night."

I nodded in agreement. "We should probably leave right away, get the most out of the day."

We silently began to take down our camp and pack everything away.

·̩̩̥͙＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚　　˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊·̩̩̥͙

Zenix was a couple paces in front of me, holding the map out in front of him. We had been walking for a couple hours now. The sun was directly above us, rays of light gently shining through the canopy of leaves shading the forest floor below. Though today's journey was quiet, there was no tension in the air-- I didn't have the nagging feeling to fill the silence or go crazy in my thoughts. My brain for once felt at ease, I was able to take deeper notice of my surroundings and truly appreciate the Overworld. It had been three years since I was last up here, and up until now I was too engrossed in my thoughts and the mission I didn't even take the time to acknowledge the world around me.

I took in a deep breath, feeling the cool air circulate within my chest.

"How you doin' back there?"