redfox.

Weak     

The man’s words were but a mere confirmation of that, a verbal companion to the thoughts that echoed within her own mind, the hot, guilty tears that betrayed her. 

Words. Ones that simply pressed against her fractured composure. Words that, while truly held no weight on their own (not when she had grown so accustomed to blocking it all out, the criticisms, the snide remarks she’d received in the past), they were a blade to the open wound of her pride. And what pride had she left? Surely that, too, was stripped away.

Bare, exposed. Chest opened, heart on display. That’s how it felt.

And she’d run, run to conceal it, cloak it under the heavy sheet of night, in case someone might catch how weakly it beat, how broken she was. With one step closer to her destination, the cool air of the night a healing balm on the skin it did touch, she stood half-turned toward the man. She debated whether to wipe away the tears or pretend they did not exist, professing to the weakness she’d succumbed to. 

Choosing the latter, for fear of others catching sight of her and recognize how little a part happiness played in the act, she rose a brave hand to exterminate the truth. “No, believe me, you’ve done nothing wrong… You did not hurt me…, have not hurt me.”

     ❛ ...If y’say so.  ❜

Scarlet irises observed her for a moment or two. For what one would assume was a merry and positive occasion, especially for her of all the people here, she seemed the keenest to flee through the doorway in which they stood. Gajeel was not blind to those tears, either, and though he had originally suspected that they were his doing, he began to wonder if she was crying over something else.

The thought made him cringe, internally - did this mean he was obligated to ask her what was wrong? To inquire as to why she was so upset?                                         UGH...

Maybe this entire situation was the problem - the crowds, the cheer, being put on the spot like she had been. Thinking it over, he would've DESPISED being in her position. Hell, if he’d have had a few more bottles of alcohol in his system, he might have cried, too!

Perhaps all she wanted to do was get out of here. Now, that was something Gajeel was more than capable of rolling with. And, as bad as it was, he might be able to use helping her out of the building as an excuse to leave it himself.

"Ouch! That was my foot!"

"Could you get out of my way?"

"Stop it!"

"You look lonely. Want to talk to me?"

"Your nose is red."

"Aw, you're so cute! You know that?"

"Eww, gross!"

"If you touch me again, you're dead."

"Don't eat that!"

"Gosh, you look kinda pale..."

"What is that!?"

"Oh my god, were you shot!?"

"Give me the gun. Now."

"Hello? Anyone in there?"

"Someone said you didn't feel well. You okay?"

"Do you want to cuddle?"

"I demand cuddles."

"You're hair's messed up. Here, let me fix it."

"Ohhh~ Someone's blushing~!"

"I-I-it's so c-cold..."

"It's too hot..."

"I can't...breathe..."

"Help!"

"I'm sorry, did you say something?"

"Augh! It hurts!"

"Feel my hands! They're so cold!"

"Stop! I can't run anymore..."

"Are you alright?"

"You look ready to faint."

"You're not serious."

"You want me to what?"

"Grab my hand!"

"Oh god. Oh god. Stay awake. Please stay awake. Stay with me!"

"Careful! You really don't want to fall here."

"Are you insane?"

"I can't allow this."

"I-I can't feel my arms..."

"Why are you all wet?"

"We need to get you to a hospital."

"I....I've been sh-shot..."

"Oh god, why is there so much blood...?"

"I think I'm gonna be sick..."

"Do you think you could make everything stop spinning?"

"I am NOT blushing!"

"Ugh, could you quiet down? My head hurts too much for this noise..."

"Have you been drinking?"

"Thank you. I really wanted someone to throw up on my shoes."

"I've never seen cuts like this..."

"Have you been to the doctor?"

"I think your leg is broken. I'll have to help you walk."

"Don't move!"

"Ouch! I...I think I heard something snap..."

"Don't touch it!"

"Your forehead feels kinda warm..."

"Careful with that! You wouldn't want to cut yourself, would you?"

"Why do you always do that?"

"How can I trust you?"

"You betrayed me! You betrayed everyone!"

"I told you not to kiss me when I was sick!"

"If I beat you and left you for dead, do you really think someone would come for you? They wouldn't."

"You disgust me to the point where looking at you makes me physically ill."

"Please don't go..."

"I can't live without you!"

       ❛ I ain’t going anywhere !! You go !! ❜

     Slim fingers reach up to fix the bandana holding her hair back, standing up and taking a        few steps back to actually see his face. 

            ❛ I know how you feel. I’ve been lonely, hard to do anything anymore                without anyone around, but besides that, I’m alright. How’ve you been? ❜ 

     Scarlet eyes followed her movements, a brow quirking, but no questions were asked. It wasn't as if he minded not having to crane his head down to look at her.

       ❛ I was here first, screw head!!❜

“Me? No one special.        Just a wanderer,            musician       music box maker.          Call me Jack.”