I know Flickory fanfics are sparse. So a thank you blurp for the one who got me into the ship in the first place. (Apologies for any mistakes, I made this just this night)
"I-I can't do this," Floyd gasped out.
He flinched back, as if the other's lips were made of fire. Stumbling backwards, it felt as if the air was sucked out of his lungs. His heart froze in fear.
Just as quick as Floyd was to pull away, Hickory stood with hands held up. "Sorry," He breathed out. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to overwhelm you like that."
Oh god, why did he have to give Floyd that smile.
That same warm smile he'd been giving Floyd all night. The one that felt like a tender fire after a blizzard. A blanket on a windy day. It was warm. And sincere.
Shaking his head clear, Floyd spilled out, "No, not that. That wasnt bad. I mean it was bad-but not in the way your thinking!" The pop troll tugged at his magenta locks, scrambling to find the words.
"I meant this," He sighed. "Us."
At this, Hickory just furrowed his brows in confusion, "But you just...I thought we both felt that...connection."
His voice was mild, but Floyd could still read the faint melancholy in the taller troll's demeanor.
You did it again. You messed everything up.
"No, I do," Floyd quickly reassured. "Believe I do, but..."
Taking a step back, he focused his gaze on the lanterns that lit the dirt roads below. Once again, his heart ached at the thought of letting go. But wasn't that for the best?
After all he'd learn a long time ago, that clinging too long to a fantasy would only drive others away.
"Look, I know how this goes," Floyd languished, shoulders sagging under the only truth he'd known. "We meet, get excited by all this air of mystery, and rush into what feels like love. But then, you're gonna wake up and realize just how messed up and too much I am to deal with and-"
Hickory gave a dry laugh, "Floyd, I promise there's just as much baggage on this end too."
Turning back towards the other troll, Floyd met Hickory's gaze. And felt puzzled.
There wasn't exasperation or disinterest lining the yodeler's face. Just this quiet understanding. As if he was looking right at Floyd's heart, and seeing the real him.
"All the more reason to stop this now," Floyd shook his head, taking another step backwards. "This wont work. We wont work."
For a moment everything went silent.
No more sounds of crickets filling their ears. No more echoes of laughter and songs from the other patrons below.
Just the two of them. Just two hearts trying to find another to beat in time with.
"Look, I know we both don't exactly have normal lives. And I won't make promises I can't keep. But tonight..." Hickory paused, mouth slightly open as he tried to convey what his heart had been screaming at him all night. "Tonight, I met the most spectacular troll. He's funny and sassy. And somehow always knows someone in the room."
He took a step forward, smilingly sadly as Floyd took another away, "And yeah, if you really look, you can see how lonely he feels."
"But that troll has biggest heart I've ever seen. And even through all his mistakes and heartbreak, he's never stopped believing in the notion that everyone deserves to be happy."
Expression shifting to one of determine, Hickory step forward again. "So if there's even a chance this could work. Don't we owe it to ourselves to at least try?"
Floyd took another step, whipping his head around as his back hit the balcony railing.
Turning back forward, he bit his lip as he saw Hickory take another step towards him.
So close to the edge. To the carefully curated mask, Floyd spent years making.
In all the dangers he'd come across, Bergens, criminals, and liars, Floyd had never been more scared at someone being so truthful. Someone so hopeful, and yet, just as broken as him.
And it terrified him. To know that there really was a troll like this. One who could be in pieces yet still hope for better days.
If Floyd messed this up, then he'd really only have himself to blame.
"Let's just start small," Hickory whispered, finally within arms length.
And for a moment, Floyd thought of jumping off the railing behind him. He'd made similar get aways, in even less prepared circumstances. It would be so easy. He'd run so many times before. From home. From friends. From family. And sure he'd regret it everytime. But this?
Looking back up, Floyd met the yodeler's eyes. People said you could always read the kind of person someone was by their eyes. And after so many instances, trusting all the wrong people, following all the wrong crowds, he'd gotten good at reading others by their eyes.
But looking into Hickory's? All Floyd could see were those same green eyes filled with tenderness and honesty. And despite the long silence he gave, patience.
Slowly, Floyd placed his hand in Hickory's.
sCUTTLES AWAY WITH THIS IN MY TEETH AND THROWS THESE DRAWINGS OVER MY SHOULDER
