Bright and Dim (HOPE AND LOSER) - Fireafy Extras

Night 1

Hope rounded a few bushes, trees flying past her as she darted across the woods, clumsily skidding to a halt as a bright, golden cube stood there, half of his head shattered off. Loser.
She panted, trotting over to him, her chin held high.
"You look happy today!" Loser smiled, his eyes twinkling with joy. Hope nodded, amusement in flickering in her gaze.
"Firey's awkward. He was trying to feel for Leafy's leaflet—or flare, but he ended up reaching for her heartbeat and saying, what a healthy baby! Leafy felt uncomfortable with him touching her chest, and corrected him that he wasn't even checking the baby. He reached too far down, causing Leafy to slap him across the face! He let out a the loudest wail, I thought you'd hear it!" Hope fizzed with excitement. "I didn't, I wish I were there!" Loser sighed, then paused. "How is erm—Flicker doing?"
"He's fine, I don't actually know because he's a fetus!" Hope joked, prodding him gently in the side, Loser giggled. "Your so perfect," Hope murmured. "I don't care about your trauma, ones who judge appearances are horrible creatures!" Hope became serious, Loser's eyes stretching wide with alarm. "Hope, we've just met!" He gasped. "I wasn't getting on that side! Hope shrunk back, blushing. "Your way too old for me, Im a teen!"
Loser nodded in agreement, then squeaked. "Snake! Behind you!" Hope shot up in terror, throwing herself into Loser's arms, crying out. Loser fell back, wheezing, he heaved her off. "Your as light as a feather and as gullible as a pigeon!" Loser playfully cuffed her flower. "Liar—ow!" She jerked back, rubbing the flower softly. "Did that hurt you! Im sorry.." Hope could see pain writhing through his coal-black eyes. She tussled down the genuine cube. "Who wouldn't forgive you?" She mumbled. "Firey, that's who." He gossiped. "Your sneaking that in!" Hope gasped as Loser wrapped his arms around her and rolled over to pin her. "Clever!" She added. "I may not be a fighter, but I sure did pick up some techniques from Firey, I fought for my life!" Loser exclaimed, his eyes bright as if he weren't scarred from Firey's ambush at all. What if he isn't?
"Race you to the river!" Hope started, wriggling with excitement as Loser prepared alongside her. "Three, two—one! Go!"
Hope and Loser dashed forward, dust flying out behind them as they kicked up clumps of the ground, pushing hard to sprint faster. Hope breathed slowly, leaning forward as chill wind ran through her face, and she felt like a two-legged horse pushing it's way towards the finish line. Her torn and ragged petals glistened in the sun and waved in the wind as she hurried past Loser.
"Look out!" Loser yowled. "Huh?" Hope glanced over her shoulder, and at once the ground dropped beneath her feet. She screeched as water swallowed her up, sending waves leaping for the sky. She thrashed around before finally paddling to the edge and quivering. "The water's cold!" She trembled as Loser halted across. "You still won," he shrugged, flinching as Hope sprayed tiny droplets at him, shaking herself up. Loser dropped in, Hope stepping back as his splashes crashed towards her. He streamed a across the skinny river and thudded beside her, heaving himself up and hugging her. "It's getting late, lets head back to our bush!" Loser stared across the lake. "I guess so!" Hope nodded.

Hope stared up at the round, pale moon. Leaves and grass brushed under and around her, Loser pressing against her side, his breath the only thing she listened to as she blocked out the crickets chirping, the leaves rustling, and an owl howling in the distance, far, far away. She felt his hand grip hers.
"I wish I were younger.." Loser whispered. "Why?" Hope's heart lurched, already knowing the answer. "Well, I've always wanted somebody to love, I wanted to have a family." He replied softly, his breath warm against her ear. Heat struck her as she felt herself blushing, Loser nuzzling her cheek. She murmured a me too before snuggling under his back and drifting to sleep.