The Hyrule Paradox: Worlds Collide | BOTW Isekai (Book 1)

Chapter 36: The Work of Words

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He draped his wet clothes on the drying wire and took a deep breath, preparing himself for what he might see when he walked through the door. He stepped through the doorway and found it was better than he had expected. Everyone was still lying around the living room, but the tears had stopped and there were whispers of conversation now. However, nothing could seem to vanquish the dark cloud hovering over them.

Jordan looked around, trying to figure out where everyone was at. Besides Olivia, Oscar and Matt looked the best of the bunch. Ronny was also sitting with them, but didn't seem to have the confidence that the other guys had. Owen was sitting by himself cross-legged with his brow wrinkled looking quite confused. A wave of relief washed over Jordan now that he was seeing his brother unharmed for himself. Across the room, Leenie was fussing over her younger brother, and Will was trying to fend her off.

"Leenie I'm fine, I swear! Olivia used her powers to heal me, I'm fine!"

"Are you sure?! I'm not saying Olivia did a bad job, but are you sure you are okay?" she questioned worriedly.

"Yes, I'm totally okay! Relax!"

Drew was sitting with his sister, and they were having a conversation that Jordan could not hear. They looked a bit more like they were trying to shake each other out of shock. Jordan nodded to himself, glad to see positive signs of recovery. He had been worried that people would be left in a depressive funk, and that was the last thing he wanted. He was no medical professional, so he had no idea if things really were looking better, but he was doing his best.

Amber had started trying to convince Leenie to stop annoying her brother. Amber looked a bit scared and confused, but she was trying to mask it by doing something else. Jordan had known Amber long enough to recognize the mechanism. She was doing a good job of hiding it, but Jordan could tell that she was close to losing it. After all, Maria had been one of her closest friends.

Jordan hadn't had much time with Amber since she had started fishing with Leenie, and he was starting to miss being around her. She had never been the comedic type, but she was always keen to have conversations about complex topics and abstract ideas. Jordan worried that Amber would get stuck in her own head, and he suddenly felt the urge to do something about it.

Lynn had been crying into Olivia's shoulder, but she had calmed down and was now reduced to sniffles and hiccups. Olivia was rubbing her back with a bit of a solemn look on her face, but once she saw him she gave him a beaming look that told him she was thankful that he had returned.

He felt a small tap on his shoulder and saw Mayla standing there, and he saw tears in her eyes. Jordan's demeanor changed as he calmly asked her what was wrong. She opened her mouth but was only able to choke out a few words.

"...I need, mmm...go outside?"

"Of course." he gestured at the door, "After you."

They stepped outside, right where Jordan had been talking to Olivia earlier. Mayla seemed more comfortable now that they were alone, but he could still hear her shaky breaths.

"Do you think you can explain how you feel? I'm here for whatever you need." he told her soothingly, giving her space.

Silent tears were pouring down her face and her voice died in her throat, and she shook her head frantically in response. Jordan was filled with pity watching her break down like this. This wasn't going to be one words could fix. "Okay...how about a hug?" he offered.

Her watery eyes widened in yearning but she quickly glanced towards the door in fear. "B-b-but wh-what if s-s-s-someone sees us?! Th-they're g-gonna think–"