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 Posted: Sun Nov 28, 2021 3:19 pm
The evening was terribly crisp, and Bellite was living for it, of course, the fact that she had seen who she thought was Evan didn’t help things. He had been hurrying out of the grocery store with two bags and she waited until they were on a stretch of road where it was just the two of them before teleporting several feet in front of him.
“Evan!” The joy and relief in her voice was easy to hear and she smiled brightly at the male, happy that Michel hadn’t been lying and that nothing had happened to the boy.
“How are you? Why haven’t you had your food truck near the library lately? I’ve been craving your grilled cheese, and your mac and cheese. I’ve missed you.”
She hesitated and ran a hand through her hair. “I’ve been worried about you. Are you doing all right?” He was never really doing all right but...even so.
Bellite had to ask. He was partially her responsibility, after all. She saw herself as at least an unofficial older sister to the youma turned boy.
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Posted: Sun Nov 28, 2021 4:45 pm
Evan jumped, because some things didn’t change. He nearly dropped the two bags and had to clutch them tightly, but before he could have a heart attack he’d realized it was Bellite in front of him. He had shadows under his eyes and a perpetually worried expression--nothing new, except for the way that he wasn’t really smiling as much, and he just seemed sad.
“Bell,” he greeted, and that was all he managed before the apology tumbled out. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think anyone would notice. I just. Hit some bumps in my life, it’s just. A little hard. I’m sorry. This is the perfect weather for it too, isn’t it? I just think my food would taste bad right now. I just think everything is bad right now. I’m sorry.”
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Posted: Sun Nov 28, 2021 4:51 pm
Ah…
Bellite frowned at the male and hesitated, taking a step forward, brows furrowing. So, he was physically okay, but there was obviously something wrong. He wasn’t...actually okay.
...And that was a problem.
“What’s going on? Have you been sleeping okay? Are you being bothered by someone? Do I need to teach one of the Negaverse a lesson, because I swear to you, I will.” How could his food ever taste bad? He made the best food she had ever eaten, her own included...but.
“Why would it taste bad? Why is everything bad? Talk to me, buddy.” Sometimes she still saw him as a furry little black youma. Sometimes she still wanted to just sit on the ground and hold him in her lap, avoiding the burning spit that would leak from his mouth sometimes.
...Sometimes…
..A lot of the time. She missed that easy existence.
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Posted: Sun Nov 28, 2021 4:57 pm
He was quiet for a few seconds and his eyes drifted to the ground for longer than they needed to. He adjusted the reusable bags he was carrying with him and finally just sighed. “I’m just. Sad. And scared. And uncomfortable. I’m really worried about someone and I haven’t heard from them in a while. And I just. You know.”
He was quiet again while he collected his thoughts.
“Weird things are always happening in Destiny City. Something bad could have happened. Or maybe I did something and she just hates me, I don’t know. I’m not good at standing around waiting, but I don’t even know where to look. I don’t know what to do. I’m just worried, and I don’t think I’d make good food right now. I feel like I’d screw all of it up. I haven’t been sleeping well, no. But I haven’t been getting into trouble. But thank you for looking out for me, I really appreciate it. I just haven’t been going out a whole lot. I’m having a hard time with, well. Everything. I’m sorry.”
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Posted: Sun Nov 28, 2021 6:50 pm
Bellite finally crossed the last few feet and drew Evan into her arms for a quick, tight hug. “Nobody could hate you, Evan. Maybe she went out of town, or something happened and they had to leave suddenly, but nobody could ever hate you. I might not know you super well, but I know enough to be sure of that.”
Smoothing back Evan’s hair, Bellite moved away again. “What if she’s looking for you too? Maybe if you start going out again, maybe she’ll see the food truck and she’ll come talk again...if something happened, if you had a fight, isn’t food always one of the best ways to people’s hearts? Isn’t that one of your sayings?”
He had said it at least twice to her when she had gone to the truck as Emily, so she knew it was something that he truly believed in.
“...If you think the food will taste bad, then don’t...think about being sad while you make it. Think about finding your friend.”
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Posted: Mon Nov 29, 2021 8:08 am
He was quiet for a little while, but he was easy enough to read through his posture. He relaxed against her in the hug, and finally just rested his forehead against her shoulder. He nodded, and if that wasn't enough, he said, “I can try.”
He still sounded so sad about it, but he breathed a heavy sigh. “...Sometimes you say such nice things, Bellite. I forget that people can just do that. I mean, I have good people in my life, it’s just. I don’t know. It sounds stupid and ungrateful, but I’m not. I really appreciate it. I’ve just been so focused on worrying that maybe I haven't really been as good to them as I should have been. I’m just worried. But, you’re right.”
Food was the best way to someone’s heart. It could work miracles. Could change mood, could make a bad day better. He made comfort food for a reason.
“...Food is good for bringing people together. I’m kinda. I’m scared I’ll fail, too. She used to support me. She helped out a lot. So all of this has just been hard. I miss cooking,” he admitted. “...Now I just spend all my time worrying. I know it’s not productive, I just. You know. You fall in a pit and it’s hard to crawl out.”
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Posted: Mon Nov 29, 2021 10:59 am
“It’s not your fault. Worry makes people act different. It is a dark pit, you’re not wrong, but…” She fluffed his hair gently. “You aren’t alone. I know you’ll find this person that you’re looking for, and you’ll all live happily ever after. Because...honestly Evan? Nobody knows how to get out of the darkness better than you do.”
Bellite smiled softly. “You won’t fail. You won’t fail because you’ll end up finding the strength for her. Then when she comes back, you’ll share that strength just as you’ve always done...and you’ll find new strength to make up for it too. Evan, you can do anything, and I truly believe that.”
The Captain took a few steps back and smiled softly. “You won’t fail. I doubt that you could ever fail. Not after how far you’ve come.”
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Posted: Mon Nov 29, 2021 12:05 pm
Evan pursed his lips for a few seconds and then couldn’t help but nod. Maybe she was right about finding his way out of a dark place, but he still didn’t seem like he had the confidence to accept it. As soon as she’d stepped away, he missed the contact, but he didn’t chase after her; he raised his too-long sleeve to his eyes and wiped wetness from them.
“Thank you, Bell,” he said again, and he knew how pathetic he must look but he couldn’t help that he had to sniffle, too.
“I don’t know if I agree with all of that, but. It sounds nice. Um. Give me a few days, I’ll see what I can do about the food truck. I need some time to get inventory again. Um. I might not run for the same hours, but. I’ll try to be open by next week. If you want some macaroni and cheese, I hope you’ll stop by.”
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Posted: Mon Nov 29, 2021 4:08 pm
“Of course I’ll come by, Evan. Gladly. Take your time, there’s no rush, but. I’m proud of you, regardless.” She gave him one last look over and a little wave before teleporting away, hoping he would feel safe enough to go home. Obviously, the moment he pulled his truck into its spot at the library, she would be there...or. Emily would at least.
Perhaps she would work to keep a closer eye on Evan, just in case he needed it.
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