#written short

[babbleandtea]

Day 009: Let Me Help

“Huxley, I’m fine,” I protested with a whine.

We were out on our usual hike, out to the grotto, which was something we had done many times in the past. Unfortunately there had been rain the night before, so some parts were a little muddy and wet. I had slipped on a rock and had successfully managed to roll my ankle. Nothing bad, and something I could easily heal with the little healing magic I had learned, but the earth elemental was persistent.

“No way, Bro,” He knelt down in front of me. He turned to offer his back to me, “I can carry you! I mean, if you are okay with me giving you a piggyback ride, that is. I mean, I suppose I could carry you in my arms instead, or I uh, I could do a firefighter's carry, but that seems like it would be a little uncomfortable for you. Hmm what about-”

“Okay okay,” I laughed, waving my hands in front of me. He had the biggest heart and I knew he just wanted me to be okay, so who was I to keep arguing. He looked at me silently, waiting for me to continue. I sighed softly in defeat and smiled, “You can give me a piggyback ride, BUT only to the grotto. There I will heal it up and we can take a little break until my energy comes back.” 

He fist pumped the air and turned back around so that I could wrap my arms around his neck. With ease, he stood, tucked his arms under my knees, and hoisted me up farther onto his back. The quick movement caught me off guard and I gripped tightly at the front of his shirt. He let out a little giggle before looking back at me, “You good?” I nodded in response. With one more hoist, to make sure I was securely on his back, he headed down the trail.

[babbleandtea]

Day 015: Record Breaking

Author Note: I started writing this after I watched Huxley’s qualifier video for the E & E Games so thought I would finish it up for today’s writing. I had so many feelings listening to the audio and just, my heart was so full, I love him so much. ANYWAYS I don't really know who the MC is and its kinda of an AU cause it derives from the original audio but it sums up my feelings. So, tadahhh 

He wasn't nervous but gods I was. My legs felt like jelly as I watched him make his way out onto the pitch. I wanted him to show the world how strong he was, how capable he was. 

The announcer called his number and I watched as he centred himself, deep breaths in and out. I followed subconsciously. His eyes opened, sharp and focused, as his muscles tensed. The sound of the ground rumbling could be heard but couldn’t feel anything yet as the wards around the pitch kept his magic contained. It wasn't for long as he fought harder, forcing all his feelings and determination into this push. I felt the ground beneath me shutter and my knees gave way, already weak from nerves. The way he stood his ground, almost rooted in spot, I was amazed. He was amazing. Finally finishing his routine the crowd grew with cheers and applause. I remained on my knees stunned and unable to do anything else as I watched him jog off the pitch. He had a bashful smile, as he waved up to crowds in thanks.

I stumbled to my feet as he made his way over to me. Just as I gained my footing he spotted me. His smile grew and he picked up speed, charging right at me. He enveloped me in the biggest hug he could muster, lifting me from the ground. His arms tight around my waist as my arms found their home around his shoulders, my face tucking into his neck. The two of us giggling with excitement and adrenaline.

"That was incredible!" I finally exclaimed with excitement. I had seen him do things like this before but to this scale left me awestruck. Before he could say anything I saw the score go up onto the board. My jaw dropped and my hands slowly covered my agape mouth. He looked at me with concern and I just pointed in response. He turned, with me still in his arms. There on the scoreboard showed his astounding accomplishment, he had placed first by setting a new record. 

[babbleandtea]

Day 027: Gnarled Trees

A breeze slid under her hair and chilled her neck and her body responded with a small shiver. All the trees here looked like they struggled to grow. Some of them were growing sideways and some towards the sky, some had grown into the fence and some had knots and gnarled branches. These trees seemed to be darker than most that she had ever seen. It almost looked like the trees painted with a black tar.

“Don’t stare too long, the trees will begin to weep,” She ignored his words and continued watching the dark trees. Long branches began to reach to the ground as if gravity had tripled. Like small hands of the frail, they reached for the two of them. He pulled her away faster and with a firmer tone he told her, “If you don’t look away. You will join them!” “Join who?” She finally peeled her eyes away and looked at him with a creased brow.

“The trees,” He hissed, “They absorb the life of the earth. Birds that get too close, rodents that make their homes in their trunks and humans that stare too long.” She couldn’t help but glance back to the trees. She could see now that the deformities and knots that the trees adorned did seem to resemble humans. As if they had only sat to rest their heavy eyes and would never wake. Their years added to the trees’.

“Is that even possible?” She asked. There were plenty of trees that she had seen similar markings on. Like birch trees and their strange knots that look like eyes. It was just how trees grew and aged. He didn't let her ponder the thought anymore and pulled her farther down the path.

[babbleandtea]

Day 052: Street

The street was packed, filled with people leaving work and trying to make their way home. To add to the chaos it was snowing, and heavily. There were so many people passing, lost in their own worlds, that she was surprised to meet the eyes of a stranger. She was knocked suddenly, pulling her attention away but as soon as she looked back, they were gone. She looked down the street and back up to see if she could spot them again but they were gone, vanished. She continued walking, feeling a prickle in the back of her neck, like something wasn’t quite right. She shook her head trying to shake the feeling, but it wouldn’t leave. When she looked back up she caught the same eyes watching her through the crowd. She felt like she couldn’t look away, like if she did, they would disappear again. This time they turned, back now facing her and walking away. The prickle turned into a pull, a strong desire to either know who they were or what they wanted. She gave in to the feeling and pushed her way through the crowd, fighting to keep her eyes on them. Who were they?

[babbleandtea]

Day 028: Important

Oh stars. Oh Gods. Oh- oh no. 

The sight of her caught me off guard, she was supposed to be back in the city tomorrow, not today. Caught off guard, I fumbled with the screwdriver in my hand. I scrambled to try and catch it but was unable to grasp it again and it fell to the ground with a clatter. The bell to the door chimed and I immediately fell to the ground after the screwdriver. Her laugh, as she parted ways with her comrades, was music to my ears. My face felt warm, my heart crashing in my ears. I had found my screwdriver but still I hid behind the counter, unable to compose myself.

“Mechanic?” Her voice boomed as she called curiously, “Are you in today?” I cursed under my breath. I could just stay quiet, maybe she would think that I had left for lunch or maybe in the back, busy and puttering away. Before I could come to a conclusion her voice interrupted my thoughts, “What are you doing down there?” I looked up to see a smirk pulling at her scarred lips. 

I swallowed nervously, my face hot with embarrassment. I looked down at the screwdriver in my hand and stood up immediately, “I had dropped my screwdriver. Sorry I hadn’t heard you come in.” She raised any eyebrow clearly seeing through my lie with ease. I cleared my throat, “Can- Can- How can I help you today?”

She didn’t say anything else as she brought her arm down on the counter with loud clank. Her mechanical arm has been ripped apart, wires torn, metal scratched and dented and even pieces missing. Immediately all previous jumbled thoughts were gone and a clear focus of my destroyed work was all I was focused on. I hurried around the shop, finding tools and checking the damage to see what I would need to do. I ushered her to come into the back where my work bench was, I had much better lighting back there. I stopped cold and looked at her. My eyes scanned her quickly in search of injury, “I’m so sorry, I hadn’t even asked. Are you okay?”

She let out a boisterous laugh that I could feel in my chest, it made my stomach flip and fill with butterflies, “Oh my little Mechanic, you’re sweet. I am fine. Don’t worry about me, your work is more important.”

But it’s not as important as you are to me. I nodded and gave a weak smile before busying myself with the repairs. I sighed under my breath.

[babbleandtea]

Day 022: Into the Fog

There are portals that live deep in the fog. If thick enough and in the right spot you can see glimpses of them glowing. Talks of ships disappearing in the fog, or people getting lost are quite common. They come out with stories of lands, times, and even creatures that are not known in our world. People assume it to be a sort of panic response, but after today, I understand what they had seen.

I had been walking down by the harbour when the fog seemed to materialize around me. My pace slowed as I did my best not to walk into anyone else or walk myself right off the edge of the docks. I started noticing fewer and fewer people as I went, probably all deciding to get out of the fog. Maybe I should do the same. As I contemplated this I could see a blue glow from my left. I thought maybe it was just one of the lights used to brighten the harbour at night but it seemed oddly bright. 

I turned just in time to watch as a small ball of light started to expand and swirl around with the fog. It was odd so I tried to move closer to see what it really was. I was confident that it must be something playing tricks. Even being right in front of it I couldn’t tell what it was, it had grown to be the height of me and still the contents inside were swirled and masked. Suddenly a ripple shot through the fog and light, clearing it to a world that was not mine. The other side was a cemetery, with a few headstones visible in the opening. 

“Wait! Wait!” a raspy voice echoed from the other side, they sounded frantic, desperate. I could see the opening edges start to ripple as a figure hurried into view. A gentleman in all black. He seemed out of breath as he looked at me and his eyes widened, “It is you. It has to be.” I instinctively stepped back, my heart beat began to thump in my ears. I swallowed nervously, unable to speak, I pointed to myself. The portal started to swirl and I knew it must be closing. The man on the other side noticed this as well. He looked at me with a very distressed look, “Please, you have to help us. They need you– I-- I need you.” Before I could react or resist, he had grabbed hold of my wrist and pulled me into the unfamiliar swirls.

[babbleandtea]

Day 003: Scraps and Smooches

TW: very slight blood mention/cleaning wounds

"Darlin--"

"Don't" I responded curtly. I took their chin in my hand and turned their face, so I could continue to clean the scratches that covered their face. I carefully tried to wipe away dried blood with a damp cloth. It earned a sharp inhale as they pulled away from my touch. I mumbled a soft apology. My frustration faded into soft worry.

I met their eyes and they nodded, indicating I could continue with my work. I took in a breath and poured more warm water onto the cloth. They watched me as I worked, doing their best not to flinch away. My touch softened as I went, my heart ached to see them in this pain.

Finally, I pulled my hand away and I met their eyes once again. It was hard for me to hold their gaze, remembering why they were in this state. Suddenly very aware of how close we were, I avoided their eyes and let out a shaky breath. The breath was caught between our lips as they leaned in, and kissed me.

[smerraldo]

distance grows exponentially when the only contact is through a screen, and the heart always yearns for more, more, more. humans need touch to survive, we yearn for physical closeness as a form of comfort. but what becomes of the one who cannot obtain such simple comfort? what becomes of the one who is unable to seek it, unable to receive it, unable to give it? what becomes of such a human deprived of a lesser-known, but just as equally important need? such an ignorant one such as i would not know, what exactly becomes of them, but i imagine one so deprived would shrivel up, just an infinitesimal amount, with each and every day that passes. unknown to the world, they become smaller and smaller, knowing of their loneliness and knowing of their need, but unknowing of their changing state, until the pain becomes unbearable and they open their eyes, really opening their eyes in a long time, and they look down at their hands and feet, and look at their face, and only see a small, gaunt, pitiful reflection. they are hollow, deprived, sad, and oh so, so sad. 'we only wanted to live, how did we end up like this?' they will say, as they see the reality of their existence. they suffer, and suffer in silence, all while knowing what has become of them, and knowing what will become of them, shriveling smaller and smaller, day by day, until one day they are gone, gone! like a gust of wind that suddenly died, gone! like a vase you notice missing when you had never really looked at it before, gone! gone, gone forever.

comfort \ moonchild