It had been almost a day since Ruby had asked the forbidden question. The question about Ren's birthday. They had reacted so negative, yelling in such a scary way that she was sure they were mad at her. So she gave space, fleeing the area whenever they came near. And now, hoping that it had been enough time, Ruby approached. "Ren?" Her voice was hesitant and meek. "I'm sorry. About yesterday. I didn't mean to upset you. I really didn't!"
&Ā Ā it was quite the innocent question that would prompt such a seething reaction too,Ā Ā although ren hadnāt intended to in the slightest. they were so often gentle, kind, patient, such abhorrent emotions most likely looked dastardly on their face, didnāt itĀ Ā ?Ā Ā normal sombre smile twisted into bestial snarl, and exposed fanged enamel. compassionate, amaranthine eyes of understanding turnāt to bright slits, while ren breathed out darkened cloud of threatened smoke. instinct had taken over in a mere second, renās fight or flight responses triggering.Ā Ā āĀ Ā noĀ Ā ā¦Ā Ā iĀ Ā āĀ Ā āĀ Ā dragonās jaw clenched tightly, brows furrowing as their eyes became tight and glassy, pressing their lips into a thin line to stop them from wobbling. ren raised a shaky hand to shroud the upper half of their face, like they so often did when they had a headache, but this time for a completely different reason.
āĀ Ā āĀ Ā iām so sorry.Ā Ā āĀ Ā the words came out of ren fragmented, as if you could hear them shattering as they tumbled out. they laid no blame on anyone who asked, but normally warned caution to anyone who dug too deep. ren was a being composed of secrets that would never see the light of day, and while that particular one was inconsequential, the last time someone had asked that question nora had received the same scathing response. like a dragon guarding something deep, deep with the cavernous castle depths, they had no business trying to drag the past back up when they were doing fine without it.Ā Ā āĀ Ā youĀ Ā āĀ Ā it wasĀ Ā ā¦Ā Ā iām sorry.Ā Ā āĀ Ā the apology came out a rasping plea, pain warping the quality of the words until it became unmistakable why ren was covering their eyes.Ā Ā āĀ Ā i didnāt mean to yell at you.Ā Ā justĀ Ā ā¦Ā Ā bad memories.Ā Ā ā
after a few quiet moments they sniffed, turning away from ruby and wiping at their eyes with their wrist, unable to meet her eyes.
āĀ Ā itās passed.Ā Ā iām nineteen.Ā Ā ā