Found

Chapter 8

CHAPTER EIGHT: SEBASTIAN

I knew something was wrong when we picked Iris up this morning. His energy was completely changed from when we left him last night. Last night he was happy (and a little turned on). This morning when he first opened the door, he was scared. That fear melted away when he saw us, a fact that warms my heart even now as we're walking the city streets, Iris in tow, but it still worries me that there may be something in his life causing him trouble still.

After hearing Iris's story about his childhood yesterday, I've made it my personal mission to protect him from people like his father. I realize that if Iris could keep walking after something like that had happened to him, then he must be a very strong person, but often I've found that strong people try to handle their problems on their own. They believe they don't need anyone's help, or they're too afraid to ask for it. I don't want Iris to feel like he can't come to me when he needs help. But more than that, I want to keep him safe before he gets hurt.

Which is why I need to find out what triggered his sudden change from falling-in-love to scared-of-falling.

I'm brought out of my soliloquy when I feel a small hand slip into the crook of my arm and tug. I look down at Iris who has a concerned look on his face.

"Is there something wrong, little one?"

"I-I don't know! J-Just now, you looked so worried, and I didn't know if it was because of me. I didn't know if I was being a bother to you--"

I stop him by putting both of my hands on his cheeks and forcing his head backwards so that he's staring directly into my eyes.

"Little one, I want you to listen to me very carefully: You are not a burden. We could never get tired of having you around even if you stayed with us for a hundred thousand years. So don't you ever think that you're a bother to us because it just isn't true. If it looks like I'm angry or worried, that may be the case, but don't assume that any of those feelings are directed at you."

Iris looked like he wanted to cry. I softened my hold on him and gave him my gentlest smile. Then I kissed his forehead.

"It's alright. I was just thinking about some promises I made to myself, that's why I looked like that. You aren't bothering me, little one."

I leaned closer to Iris until our foreheads were touching. He closed his eyes, and I watched as the tension that had been there since we saw him this morning slowly drained away.

"But, little one, there is one thing..."

Iris opened his eyes and looked up anxiously. I pulled away and let go of his cheeks, letting my hands rest themselves on his shoulders instead.

"...If something was ever troubling you, or if you felt threatened by something, you would come to us, wouldn't you?"

Iris's shoulders gave an involuntary twitch.

"Y-Yes. I would want to be able to come to you for anything. Even if it was just a shoulder to cry on."

My brow furrowed. Luckily Iris didn't see, or else it only would have served to make him worry. But I couldn't help it; he did what any good politician knows how to do in his sleep: he side-stepped the question. He didn't say he would come to me for help, only that he wanted to. That was hardly any consolation.

But it's all he is able to give me right now.

So, for now I'll just wait until he settles whatever it is that is effecting him so much, and hopefully he can come to see me as reliable enough to confide in with his troubles someday soon.