Reclaim What's Ours | The Promised Neverland (Emma x Ray) |

In My Head

Dizzy...

The world is spinning.

Ray feels like he's staggering. It must be because of that sickening smell in the air, as if every piece of rubble around him is rotting. Despite all the emotions bottling up inside of Ray, Norman's voice got through to him, his words as clear as day.

"Do you, Ray, like Emma in the same way I do?"

With these words, Ray couldn't help but stare at Norman in disbelief. Out of all the things Norman could have asked him, this was the last thing Ray expected.

"What... is this?" Ray thought to himself. Ray wanted to escape, to get away from all these emotions running through him. But here Norman was, coming right in with Ray just to anger the man even more. What kind of question was that? If he liked Emma?

Ray started glaring before he knew it. "What are you talking about?" Ray asked in a low voice.

Norman stared the man down. "Do you want to protect her? Do you want to make sure she's safe?"

Yet another dumb question. Ray continued to stare at Norman, almost doubting the absurd words coming out of the boy's mouth.

"Look, Norman, what does asking that question have to do with you?" Ray said with a smirk, unconsciously holding his hands out. "I like her or I don't like her. What does it have to do with you? All you should know is that you should be up there, protecting her."

"Ah, but it has a lot to do with me," Norman replied with a smile. A cold smile, quite befitting of the man. "Emma..." Norman continued. "...is a precious person to me."

"But you already know that, don't you?" Norman said with a chuckle. "You see, she has always been brightening up my world... for years and years, as steady as the flow of time. Every time I see her, it's like my chest can't sit still. It beats like crazy, it shocks even me sometimes! Just her smile brings my heart out of rhythm. The way she laughs causes me so much joy that I find myself smiling too. Must I say it, Ray? You already know what I call this feeling, don't you?"

"So I must confirm, do you like her in the same way I do?" Norman repeated. "Because if so, you're doing the opposite of what you should be doing right now."

Ray chuckled. "The opposite, you say?"

Norman nodded. "The opposite of cherishing her," Norman replied, "Of making sure she's happy. Of keeping her safe."

Ray couldn't help but grimace.

Ray had this suspicion for the longest time... That Norman had those feelings for Emma. It's been obvious for the longest time, the man even admitted it himself a long time ago. Surprisingly, they haven't died down at all. No, they were as strong as ever. Still, Ray wasn't about to get all sappy with romance in a place like this. Especially not around dead bodies.

"Get out, Norman," Ray hissed at him.

Norman stood there, still smiling an icy-cold smile. "That, I can't do," Norman replied, "I promised Emma I would comfort you."

"And you call this comforting?!" Ray snapped at him, turning towards him with his fists clenched.

"Emma..." Norman interrupted, his smooth voice carrying the same, steady tone, "...Is hurting. You're hurting the girl I like. If you feel the same way as I do, you're doing the opposite of what you should be doing."

"But more than that..." Norman continued, "If my suspicions are right, you're the one in the most pain right now. As much as you're trying to protect her right now, it's not working, Ray."