Handle With Care

Apology

I was currently pacing the plain room, my nails picking at my bottom lip in anxiousness as I mulled over my thoughts.

How was I going to do this? Do I just walk up to his door and knock? What do I do when he opens it? Ask to come in, or just go ahead and tell him I'm sorry?

And how will he react? Will he just slam the door in my face? Will he yell, or snap? Will he even spit on me? I wouldn't be completely surprised if he did any of those things.

I sighed deeply, coming to a stop just in front of a pale white wall. I closed my eyes, and rested my forehead on the cool surface, my nails still picking at my lip, though it was less rushed. Either way, I would have to apologize to him sometime. It would be better to do it sooner, rather than to just hold it off and have it worry me the entire time.

I sighed again. I moved my hands to my arms and ran them up and down my biceps, readying myself to leave the confines of the room the vampires were kind enough to let me sleep in. Oh, how I wish I could just sleep instead. Perhaps the nightmares would decide not to visit me this time.

But, I had to take care of this, before I could do anything else. I really didn't fancy the idea of talking to Tajax when he was undoubtedly ticked, but I felt like it had to be done.

I gave my upper arms a small squeeze with my hands, and eased myself off the wall. I had just turned towards the door, preparing to open it, when suddenly someone was knocking on it. I jumped a little, startled as the light rapping broke the silence of the room.

I walked over to the door and reached out, twisting the handle and peeking the door open. I was met with Jasper smiling up at me. I noticed he also looked shorter than me, probably only reaching a little past my shoulders.

"Elric figured you'd want to wear something over those bandages," he greeted, and I looked down to see a thick grey shirt in his hand. I was again reminded of the fact that I didn't have my own shirt anymore.

"Oh, th-thank you," the tips of my ears reddened. He held the shirt out to me, and I timidly took it. It unfolded as it slipped from Jasper's hand, and I realized it wasn't a shirt, but a hoodie. I found the hem, and slipped it over my head, sliding my arms through the sleeves. The hoodie wasn't thick, either, but actually quite thin, and the sleeves were long enough that they covered my hands up to my knuckles.

"Oh good, it fits," Jasper said cheerfully, once I situated the hoodie.

"W-who's is it?" I asked out of curiosity. Jasper's hazel eyes looked me over, and if it wasn't for the friendly smile he was still wearing, I would have felt that he was silently judging the way I looked.

"It's Elric's," he replied simply. Without meaning to, I blushed and looked away, my fingers automatically beginning to fidget, curling and tugging at the hems of the sleeves.

"I think grey suits you,"Jasper suddenly added. I looked back at his face, a little taken back, and he grinned at me, in a polite way.

"R-really?" I couldn't help but want to know that he actually complimented me. He nodded, giggling a little at my slightly surprised expression.

"Uh, th-thank you..." I murmured, feeling my ears burn even more.

"You're welcome, Ry. Hey, Esther and I are still hanging around downstairs. Wanna join us again?" he suggested. I refrained from ducking my head, my fingers curling and digging into my palms as guilt hung itself around my body again.

"Oh, uhm, I-I appreciate you a-asking, but I feel k-kind of sore, s-so I'd like to rest, please," I whispered, swallowing thickly afterward. I truly, truly hoped he would listen to me this time, and leave me be. I couldn't handle any more bonding, I knew it would only make it worse, this feeling of guilt and shame.