Bucky Applebees, eventually, starts following Kristen's advice. He does the scary thing, he learns he doesn't have to be scared. Rinse and repeat. He leans into the unknown, the drop-off into deeper waters. His smites glow less golden and more silvery. He sends a quick prayer to Cassandra before trying something new.
He starts to spend time with his adventuring part, for real. They are loud and kind and willing to teach him what he wasn't allowed to learn. They have study sessions and slumber parties. They give each other makeovers with nail polish and hairbands and cheap makeup. (Bucky takes it off before going home.)
They call Bucky "Bee," short for both his first name and last. They don't say anything when he starts wearing the clothes Kristen left behind. It's mostly tie-dye and sweatshirts, anyway.
They let Bee find herself at her own pace. It's slow at first, breaking down the lifetime of fear, and then the dam bursts. She stops asking why and starts existing, lets some things be unknown.
She reads books about The Nightmare King, and the Church of Cassandra blog Kristen started. She sees herself in the story. An angry, terrifying being, isolated. Making a real connection and being given a name. Becoming calmer, fiercer, more herself.
The summer before sophomore year, she shows up at Mordred. She sees Kristen's room, Cassandra's chapel. She whispers a prayer and the altar flickers with starlight.
They sit on Kristen's bed and Bee talks quickly and quietly.
"I don't want to be there anymore. I can't be anything other than your sister."
And Kristen, the girl she looks up to more than any other, smiles.
