Have Courage and be Kind

Ella hadn’t noticed the stare or the overflowing of the kettle. She had jumped straight into action the moment the other had asked her to do something. She had filed through the cabinet and pulled out the tea tin and walked over to her a little less hurriedly after she had gently closed the cabinets. “ Do be careful. If that water was hot you could’ve burned your hand!” She held out the tea for the other. “ Well, it’s so good to hear everyone’s doing good! I was so worried for so long.” She looked down at the tea and held it a little closer to her. “ I have no clue about my animal friends. I can only really hope.” She smiled and looked at her. “ But having hope. Is really all we can do here right?”  Ella looked down at the chair and forced herself to pull one out and sit down. She looked up at the other brushing back a stray strand of blonde hair. “ You have been alone as well? How long? That seems rather lonesome. I’ll just have to come to see you every day then.” 

Aqua froze at the question, staring down at the opened tea box and its cute little packages. Her heart quivered in fear, and her blood pounded in her ears. She glanced into the mirror-shine glass of her cabinet; over her shoulder stood a phantom of her own, watching with hungry, golden eyes–

She shut her eyes tight. Swallowed once, hard, and slowly blinked them back open.

The phantom was gone. If she’d ever been there to begin with. 

“I…The Realm of Darkness.” She forced the words from her mouth, trying to find her footing again. “I was trapped there for um–well…a while. That’s why I didn’t try to visit sooner.” 

She cleared her throat as the kettle steamed, and quickly poured and put the tea bags into the mugs to let the steep. With her free hand, Aqua scratched the side of her neck, prickles of uncertainty rankling under her skin. 

You’re welcome here, she wanted to say, whenever you’d like. But that was far too close to vulnerability, and Aqua still felt as if her phantom were watching her just within the shadows, waiting for a chance to strike. The burn of that gaze made her skin crawl terribly.

❛❛ I took your hoodie and I’m not giving it back. ❜❜ 

❛❛ Please just… just hold me. ❜❜ 

❛❛ C’mere. Lean on me. ❜❜

❛❛ You look like you need a hug. Come here. ❜❜ 

❛❛ I’m never leaving this blanket nest ever again. ❜❜

❛❛ I know you don’t like hugs, but… I could really use one right now… ❜❜

❛❛ Just stay a little longer. Please. ❜❜

❛❛ It’s so cold outside, but you’re so warm… ❜❜

❛❛ I’m sorry. I should have asked first, just… it reminded me of you. ❜❜

❛❛ Let me hold you for a while. ❜❜

❛❛ It’s okay. I’ve got you. ❜❜

❛❛ Everything hurts. Being with you is the only good thing in the world anymore. ❜❜

❛❛ Hey, hey, don’t cry. It’s okay. C’mon, come sit under the blanket with me. ❜❜

❛❛ All I want to do is sit and eat cookies and watch cheesy romcoms right now. But I’d love some company. ❜❜

❛❛ I brought blankets, takeout, and your favourite movie. I know it won’t fix everything, but it might help. ❜❜

❛❛ Please stay with me tonight. I don’t want to be alone. ❜❜

❛❛ I made some tea. Now, do you need to talk? Or should I just put on some music? ❜❜

❛❛ I’m not going to leave. I’ll stay as long as you need me to. ❜❜

❛❛ Your hair’s soft… I just want to pet it until I forget everything but how soft it is… ❜❜

❛❛ Shh, shh. It’s okay. You’re alright. You’re safe now. ❜❜

❛❛ I know you’re hurting right now, and I’m so sorry. Tell me what will help and I’ll do it. ❜❜

❛❛ I just want to see you smile again. ❜❜

❛❛ This is stupid but… could you sing to me? You have such a nice voice, and I think it might help calm me down… you don’t have to, but… ❜❜

❛❛ Lay your head in my lap and try to get some rest. ❜❜

❛❛ wait , did you just say you love me? ❜❜

❛❛ i’m so happy! ❜❜

❛❛ is this a gift for me? ❜❜

❛❛ hey! i’ve got something for you! wait right here! ❜❜

❛❛ i love you. ❜❜

❛❛ wow … your smile is breathtaking. ❜❜

❛❛ let me take you out on a date. ❜❜

❛❛ so what will it be tonight? ❜❜

❛❛ you know , you’re really cute. ❜❜

❛❛ shh … don’t cry. ❜❜

❛❛ so … do i get a goodnight kiss? ❜❜ 

❝  i’m here for you.  ❞

❝  let me help with that.  ❞

❝  i’m here.  ❞

❝  nothing’s gonna hurt you.  ❞

❝  if they do it again, you tell me.  ❞

❝  i’ll protect you. ❞

❝  i’ll make sure nothing bad happens to you.  ❞

❝  let me take a look…  ❞

❝  i’m a phone call away.  ❞

❝  you should have called me.  ❞

❝  here, sleep.  ❞

❝  if you wanna talk, i’m here.  ❞

❝  hey, shh, it’s okay.  ❞

❝  i’ll never let you go.  ❞

❝  you’re with me now.  ❞

❝  nothing’s gonna take you from my side.  ❞

❝  i’ll do what i have to.  ❞

❝  i need you to stay here, okay? i got this.  ❞

❝  it’s safe here.  ❞

❝  i’m fine, let me see your face.  ❞

❝  we’re gonna have to keep ice on that.  ❞

❝  i like seeing you smile.  ❞

❝  you’re so beautiful.  ❞

❝  you don’t have to talk, we can just sit together.  ❞

❝  i miss/missed you.  ❞

❝  let me do this for you.  ❞

❝  i’m on your side  ❞

change pronouns as needed for things you DON’T WANT to hear, click here!!

❝ you’re good enough. ❞

❝ you’re important. ❞

❝ everything’s gonna be okay. ❞

❝ she pulled through. ❞

❝ i forgive you. ❞

❝ i love you. ❞

❝ you’re not alone. ❞

❝ you’re my favorite person in the world. ❞

❝ i’m so glad you’re doing better. ❞

❝ it’s so nice to hear you laugh again. ❞ 

❝ your laugh is contagious! ❞

❝ you can do this on your own. i believe in you. ❞

❝ you know what i love about you? ❞

❝ i love spending time with you. ❞

❝ i’m here for you. ❞

❝ you’re right. ❞ 

❝ i can’t stop thinking about you. ❞

❝ you look amazing. ❞

❝ we’re in this together. ❞

❝ you’ve got this! ❞

❝ i missed you. ❞

❝ i did the dishes! ❞

❝ last night was incredible. ❞

❝ if you wanna talk, i’m here. ❞

❝ i don’t understand, but i want to try. ❞

❝ how can i help? ❞

❝ breakfast in bed? ❞

❝ dinner was great. ❞

❝ let me make dinner tonight? ❞

❝ lets go to the park. ❞

❝ thank you. really. ❞

❝ you’re wanted. ❞

❝ i got you a coffee. ❞

❝ can i ask your opinion on something? ❞

❝ there’s my beautiful bride! ❞

❝ i’m the luckiest man alive. ❞

❝ so, i made plans for us. ❞

❝ don’t worry, i’ll take care of it! ❞

❝ go do something for yourself. ❞

❝ i took a day off work tomorrow. ❞

❝ go hang out with the girls tonight. ❞

❝ what do you need from me? ❞

❝ tell me about your day. ❞

❝ i trust you. ❞

🌻 a worried text.

🐰 a goofy text.

🦋 a loving text.  

🧦 a half-asleep text.

🌳 a happy text.

🍎 an apologetic text.

⚠️ a text meant for someone else.

🕰️ an early morning text.

💫 a late night text.

🗑️ a text that wasn’t sent.

💡 a scared text.

💀 an urgent text.

🥇 a supportive text.

🔪 a hateful text. 

🌊 a sad text.

⚡ an angry text. 

*dips and kisses you*

*hands you an ice cream cone*

*pokes your cheek*

*turns off the lights*

*spills coffee on your lap*

*throws ball at you*

*hands you a bouquet of flowers*

*drops a sandwich in your lap*

*boops your nose*

*hands you a kitten*

*hits you over the head with a book*

*pats your head*

*runs right into you*

*hands you a puppy*

*pours a bucket of water on the floor*

*slams door in your face*

*hands you a gun*

*tosses video game controller at you*

*puts tiara on your head*

*splashes water on your face*

*throws glitter on you*

*hands you a hamster*

*pushes you into a lake*

*ties a bowtie in your hair*

*pushes you against the wall*

*offers you a doughnut*

*puts hand over your mouth*

*smacks you with a shoe*

“How lucky!” Aqua laughed softly, easily, which startled her. How hard was it for her to be so…carefree like this? She couldn’t recall the last time it’d happened; Ai and Adachi could get her to laugh, but it took some work, and it never left her feeling…

…Somehow lighter for it. Weird…she thought to herself.

“I guess we’re neighbors, then. That’s a relief, I really didn’t like the thought of you out alone…”

She listened To Cinderella’s story and nodded along. Her hands faltered at the mention of Cinderella’s world falling–she bit her tongue to keep from replying. I know. I was…there for the aftermath. Seeing that palace, shrouded in Darkness like that–

She’d been so scared. The idea of Cinderella and her little mice friends alone, preyed upon by Heartless, had driven her to running when she hadn’t been exhausted to do it. Before the Realm of Darkness and its monsters had sucked the fear out of her, replacing it with a chilling numbness that haunted her still. 

“I’ve been there,” Aqua said. “To Radiant Garden, I mean.” She blushed at hearing herself compared to a knight, and opened her mouth to protest such a claim when she found herself distracted by Cinderella’s actions. From a ponytail to a bun, the effortless grace in her motions–

The kettle overflowed and Aqua yelped, turning off the sink and correcting her mistake. The heat in her face only increased; embarrassment flooded her. 

Stop getting distracted, idiot! She’s talking to you!

“–Oh! Um, well. Um. That’s a bit of a long story–” Aqua managed, pouring out excess water and safely setting it on the stove. She chanced another look and saw in Cinderella a type of anxiety she hadn’t anticipated. Her heart ached; perhaps Cinderella…needed to help. 

“Could you grab the tea out from that cabinent?” Aqua nodded over. “Terra and Ven are fine; they’re probably worried about me, but…you know, they’re fine. I’m fine. We’re all fine.” Aqua brushed a bit of hair from behind her ear, grabbing two mugs and setting them at the table. “I–you don’t have to apologize. I like the questions. It’s better than silence, ha, reminds me that I’m not alone anymore.”