Chapter Text
"Bro, you're kinda scaring me not gonna lie" Flame laughed nervously
Can't blame him. Parrot sounded like an actual tyrant while saying that.
"Well?" Parrot doesn't ease his tone, making the air tense
Proved my point.
"I see it, yeah. I've never really been convinced with Cindercrest from the start. But like..." I can see Flame's head tilt slightly towards Lomedy
So he joined because of Lomedy? That...
I returned my gaze to Parrot's back
Sounds like something I would've done.
Before.
"...Flame... Parrot is kinda right though..." Lomedy put away his mace, looking at Parrot with guilt "Saparata wouldn't really be a better king..." he scratched his cheek
Flame burst out laughing "Oh so you're realizing that now? Okay bruh..." He shook his head and crossed his arms "At some point he like... offered to give us 64 pieces of fish for every new player we killed and that just sounds so absurd not gonna lie"
"What?" Parrot sounds genuinely confused. Who wouldn't be? It's either you kill or get killed.
For a kingdom promoting peace and equality, sure doesn't sound fair.
Lomedy winced "Yeah, even I had to double-take. I thought he didn't mean it like that." then he cleared his throat and raised his fist "Saparata is a hypocrite, a liar, and a bad leader" he said while counting with his fingers
You're in the same boat, buddy. But whatever. If it's not you, then WHO'S GONNA CARRY THE BOATS?
Probably me.
Wait, lock in.
"Yeah, and you got buddy-buddy with him just a while ago." Flame raised an eyebrow at him
"I know! I should've seen the signs. Tsk tsk tsk." Lomedy shook his head
"Yeah, you're blind dude..." Flame grinned and I couldn't hold back a snort.
Says the one with the blindfold.
Wait. Actually.
I frowned "You can't be talking, Flame"
"Wh- ohh right." He shrugged
I shook my head "Anyway, Saparata surely just likes power. And people who like power band together like a flock of stupid birdbrains." I shrugged "Take ShoeBilly for example."
Lomedy tilted his head "Is dissing your trainer a trend these days?"
"How did you know he was my trainer?" I raised an eyebrow at Lomedy
"I overheard from Cindercrest." He shrugged
Damn. My aura is too much.
"A trend? Maybe." Flame likes to shrug a lot and it pisses me off.
Also, maybe???
"What do you mean, maybe? You're talking smack right now. You also barged in here and disrespected our carpets, dude. Look at your boots! Your muddy, disgraceful boots!" I pointed at his boots staining the bright red carpet.
"Who's gonna carry the boots?" Parrot suddenly chimed in
Silence. Complete silence.
Was that...a joke?
What a disgrace!
Flame, who I know has his eyes wide behind that blindfold, pointed at Parrot "Bro, was that supposed to be a joke or something?"
I scoffed "Lame."
Parrot suddenly turned sharply toward my direction, making me jump a bit "WHAT do you mean, Theo I never call your jokes corny!"
Yo? Was he really that offended?
"Psh. I'm just being honest." I spat out, my pride not letting me look at him. "You tell me to shut up all the time anyway."
"That's not the point!"
"AwawawaI'mparrotandI'mageniusandIdon'tlistentoTheobaldcuzhe'sadumdumbidiotawawawawayapyapyap" I copied his tone and acted out flapping wings with my arms.
He looked completely red-faced in pure rage "Theo!!"
Flame grunts and it made Parrot stop crashing out for a moment "Oh my- bro can we lock in?"
Parrot huffed and his voice lowered again "Tell that to Theo, bro"
"Bro, Theo isn't even looking at you- and why is he 500 miles away from you right now?"
"Lord I'm five hundred miles-"
"Lomedy, bro, you almost died. Shut up, bro like, come on-"
"What? I'm just singing."
"Yeah, after you almost blew up, like bro, have some awareness, please, bro." Flame patted Lomedy's shoulder and shook his head "This is why we can't have nice things, bro."
Lomedy scrunched his face "Shut up, Flame, your first instinct is to fight, don't lecture me." Lomedy shrugged off Flame's hand on his shoulder all while Flame was just laughing.
I didn't want to look, hearing them joke around like nothing makes me sick.
Parrot hummed and turned to face them again. "Lomedy. I know it's not my place, but... Can you at least explain to me why you joined?" I saw him rub his fingers again. "Maybe by understanding that...I can possibly understand their side as well."
Lomedy seemed stunned at Parrot's statement.
"Speechless now, huh, buddy? You sided with the wrong team, dude." I couldn't help but put it out there
"Theo." He scolded me and I bit my tongue.
I'm defending you and you're just telling me to shut up.
Whatever then, genius.
"I was clouded by my own judgment. And, well...Saparata and I shared the same guilt at some point too... We both lost friends due to starvation and...I guess, at least in my part, wanted to escape the guilt." Lomedy paused and cleared his throat "Parrot, I can't lie, I really misjudged you like...really."
7 out of 10 apology. Only because it's too little too late.
"And to you too, Flame. I should've listened to you from the start." Lomedy fully faced Flamefrags now, looking genuinely apologetic. "I appreciate you still sticking around by my side even with...whatever decisions I made, even the dumb ones."
"Bro, yeah, you should've done that ages ago, but I'm not blaming you for that or something so just chill. I had my faults too anyway." Flame just laughed it off
I wish I could laugh it off like you do, Flame. I adjusted my shades as I felt the stupid sting in my eyes again.
Flame sighed loudly, was it relief, satisfaction? I don't know. Probably close to that. He turned to Parrot again. "I knew you wouldn't do anything without reason, Parrot. And anyway, if Cindercrest didn't exist, like, at all, we wouldn't even be here like..." Flame scoffed a laugh
"That's true... I'm sorry, Parrot. I was just...too consumed by feeling unjustified... I see that now." Lomedy scratched his cheek.
Parrot visibly slumped his shoulders as he sighed "...I've been in this server longer than Saparata has ever been. I've witnessed deaths of many... even some of my closest friends."
"I'm not unfamiliar with that ideology." Parrot lowered his voice again "But... That path is forged with hate and clouded with the mists of revenge."
Holy poet.
"Yeah, we see that. So... do we stop all this right now? And Theo stop trying to kill my best friend?"
My jaw dropped and I gasped " WHAT!? Flame. YOU were trying to kill MY best fri-" my breath hitched "-King Parrot first!"
"Huh? King Parr-" I charged toward him with a stick and tried to hit him before he could question anything.
He ran as I got closer, Lomedy's laughter and Parrot's protests drowning in the background
"Okay, okay, that's fair!" Flame yelled as I continued to chase him until we reached inside the council room "BRO! I said it's fair!! WAIT, wait wait bro don't hit me!"
"COME HERE! A̸̛̓̄̄̓͐͐̿̇̈́̉̒̏̓͐̂̈̃̋̓̀̐̚͝͠͠ͅ ̵̨̭͆̿̾̇̏͋̀̈́̂͗̇̇͌͒̀̊Ş̴̡̗̖̝͋̓̍̎̈́̊̇̀̃̀̀̒̓͌̈́̔͗̒͂̾̓́̕͘̚̚͝͝͠T̴̨̧̢̹̹̙͚̗̣̺̬̥͙͈̣̱̻̲̖̰̺̬̯̮̤͇̼̜̳̯͚̫̓̈̅̃̑̿̀̄̋̅̎̓͐̔̊̀͗͂͒̊̀̾̒́͛͋̿̀͂̑̈́̂͛̌̉̕̚̚͜͜͝Ĩ̸̡̢̧̡̧͈̝̬̙̳̮͇͓͍͖̖̞͍̫̤̗͓̭̝̤͉̬̣̠̗̮͍͈̟̪͈͉̳̟͂͌̈́̏̕ͅC̶̢̛̛͎̝͎̺̥̼̙͍̹̯͉̹̳͕̹͖̊̈́̓̔̌͊̐̏̈̉̋̍̄̈͂͊̔̂̉͂̂̿̌̀̈́̃̕͜͝͝͠͝ͅĶ̴̧̻̺̻̠̫͓̰̦͖̲̰̼̬̜͖̞̞̳̅̑̔̂͂̂̈́̍̔̾̎̓̑̾̏͑̈́͛̂͋̇̐̏͗̾͗̊̆̈͊̽̓͑͘͘͝ͅͅ ̷̧̛͎͖̣̗̣͚͕̗̖̤̫̳̹͉͍͈̰̖͔̯̪͇̝̳̳̪̱͌͂̆̏̈́̾͐͒̓͛̽̓̀̽͗̿̉̑̊̋̀͗̓̂̅̊̏͛̒́̕̕͝W̸̧̨̟͎͕̞̰͓̞̲̰͍̩͔̞̞͇͛̾̑̋̈̓̓̃̅̾͒̀̆̊̍͂̐͜͜͝͝O̴̢̡̙̘͍̺̅͒Ņ̵̛͈̙͍͖̪̻͍̥̣͕͕̝̗̩͓̇̓́̌͆̐̍͗͊̔͑̋͆̆̿͆͋̌̒̀͋̽̂̀̚͜͠͝͝'̸̧̡̢̧̧̨̨̨͚͍̹͍̯̞͈͚̜̦̞̯̓͊̕ͅT̸̨̧̢͈̮̺̦̳͓̥̠͚͍͍̗̦̱̘̒ ̵̛̹̙͕̬͇̬̰͓̬̈̋̌͆̌͑̅̈́̏͗̋̇́̃̏̽͋̆̅̚͘H̶̨̡̡̧̧̢̡͍̣͇̭̟̰̲̥̟̘̼̺̝͔͖̫̱̼̰̫̾̌̑͆̑̑͂̋̏̏̽͆̈́̏́̽̓͑̄̃̚͘̚̕͝͠Ų̵̙̗̞̺̟̺͓̮̯̦͕̦͕͚̼͎̣̬̠͖̙͕̠̰̻̜̀͊̑̅͛̅͌͋̍̌̅͑̆̉͘̚̕̚ͅR̴̛̮̤͖̪͍͉͍͖̻̘̝̣̲̣̪͕̭̭̭͚̀̉̐͒́͠Ť̸̢͕̰͈̞̝͚̝͔̤̬̥̖̰̝̫͕͔͖̪̞́̓̄̿̾͆̃̏̂̀̃̒͒́̂̄͑̍́̆̔̌̈̓̏̈́̈́̅̉͋̈̃̉͜͝͝͝ ̵̡̢̲̺̮̜͎̤̼̼̤͇̣̬̭̪̥̻̣̬͍̖̦̮̟͈͚̻̫͇̬͙̙͎̂̽̓͗̍̕͝͝Y̸̡̛̛̭̭͉̹̞̲̳̥̮̦̯̲̟̼̹̣̮̥̲͋͛̓́̋̂̓͐͑̇̋̌̚̚͠͝͝͝͠Ǒ̷̧̧̮̠̜̬͎̭̗̈́̌̿̀̓̈͛̈́̅̑͘̚͝͠ͅÚ̷̧̧̡̡̫͖̙̦̦͙̩̖̞͍̗͈͖̠͓͇̣̜̠̙̘̬̲̜̗̜̰̪̹͊͑́̈͒̏̆̾̅̃̔̍̐̈́̈́̎̋̈̓͂̊̎͊͌̎̕̕ͅ!̷͔̹̗̱̗͚͖̐̅̓̇͗̆͝"
"NOT WITH THAT VOICE!! AYO CHILL OU-"
Now, again with the roundtable, seriously we should just bring a tent in here.
"So... Cindercrest will be marching toward capital city in three days, correct?" Parrot laid the map out at the center table
"Yeah, well, there's not much troops anymore... But I guess they still have that alliance with Arachnid, so it's gonna be a problem." Flame was putting ice on his arms with the help of Lomedy, who was holding back his snorts
"Bro, stop laughing!" Flame yelled as he turned to face Lomedy
"Nah, bro. You just got beat by Theo with a stick, that's just crazy aura debt."
"We're gonna have to call you Lamefrags now."
Lomedy burst out laughing at my statement, making me smile a little too. Flamefrags wasn't laughing but I don't care.
"Okay, okay" Parrot stopped writing and looked up at us.
"Saparata having LettuceK means they can tip the scales and recruit more warriors. So, I think they're gonna try and take over Capitol city and store the items inside the Mayor's building."
"There's Arachnid's army too with Wemmbu and his orbitals or sum'n" Flame shrugged
"...Right. Flame, has he ever told you why he joined the civilization?"
Flame just shrugged "Wemmbu? I don't know, bro. I asked him one time. He kept dodgin' the question."
"Well, we can't really do much about that." I can hear Parrot's disappointment just from his tone
"I mean...it was a shock from me too. Him joining at all." Flame scratched his nape "I mean... Bruh, I think he wouldn't do us like that without a reason, you know?"
"Yeah, you're right, Flame. He must have a pretty big reason." Parrot rubbed his fingers together for a moment before speaking again "...You know where Spoke is, Flame?"
Flame paused at that "...Nah. Haven't seen him since...after the battle with Law."
"... I see." Parrot seemed to zone out again. "He asked me for help a while ago...about some missing players." He buried his face on his hands, letting out a shaky breath "Now, I don't even know where he is nor do I have any idea where these missing players are."
The whole room went silent for a bit
Flame approached Parrot and patted him on the back "We'll find him after the war is over, Parrot. I'm sure he's out there doing his best. Whatever that is, I guess."
Parrot seemed to relax slightly at that, his shoulders slumping a bit "I hope so."
"I still need to apologize to him." He stared into space again
"...So, Parrot... There's still like time left before Saparata makes his final charge so... We'll need to go back to Cindercrest to let everything go according to your plans I guess." Flame scratched his nape "Lomedy and I will keep an eye on Cindercrest after this. Make sure they don't get suspicious or sum."
"Yeah. That's probably the best. Good luck, both of you." Parrot nodded as Flame and Lomedy began to walk away
Lomedy stopped walking for a moment "Parrot...if you need more farmers maybe someday after this war... Maybe me and my friends could help you out sometime."
Parrot nods "... I appreciate that, Lomedy. A lot."
Lomedy nodded as he caught up to Flame, who paused for a bit
"Oh yeah...and Parrot... Unstable's probably not gonna get a better king than you so... Keep at it. And make better decisions sometimes, bro. You can always call us when you need." Flame flashed a grin before walking out the Northern Council with Lomedy
"Yeah..." Parrot rubbed his fingers together again "Wait, Flame. Actually...can I ask for a favor?" He said it like it pained him to even ask
"..." Flame paused and I saw Parrot tense up "I mean, yeah, of course, bro." Flame snorts "I literally just told you to call us when you need"
"Right..." Parrot sighed "Is 4C in Cindercrest's new base, by any chance?"
Flame nodded "Yeah, he's being held hostage in some cell right now...You want us to let bro out?"
"Just discreetly. Replace him with another person."
"Won't they get suspicious or sum? Like..."
"No. We just have to disguise the person as 4C."
"You mean, changing the skin? I mean...we could try but... I don't think it'll hold up... With the nametag and stuff."
"We can just make them crouch for the whole time they're holed up in the cell."
"Yeah, okay. That's kinda smart. But like, who are we even going to send?"
"I happen to have the perfect person."
"Uh..." Flame trailed "Who?"
"Oh, come on, man! I did like - 2 missions already! It should be a miracle I even came back!" The woman whined "I..I'm practically part of the Royal army now!"
"Soldier73, if you do this for us, once this war is over, we'll let you out completely," Parrot reassured
She shook her head violently "Nuh-uh. No. There's no way I'm risking it. There isn't even a guarantee that-"
Parrot turned sharply to the side and she immediately panicked "OKAY I'LL DO IT, OKAY?? DON'T BRING HER OUT."
I'm glad she didn't overreact.
"What's her deal?" Lomedy whispered to me
I pat his shoulder confidently "Post-traumatic Down Syndrome." Or...whatever it was called.
He frowned "What the-"
"Shh. No bad words." I wiggled my finger in front of his face
"Wait a minute..." Flame suddenly raised his voice "Nah! I knew she was familiar!"
"Huh? Ohh, you remember me?! Hah!! Yeah, I was the double agent!! I fooled you, didn't I?" Soldier73 laughed and looked absolutely smug.
"No! I mean, you came back after all that just to get put back in jail again? That's crazy!" Flame barked out a laugh
She immediately became red and yelled "Shut up, you still all fell for it like idiots, anyway!"
"Yeah, whatever bro. Nobody cares like-" Flame cuts himself off with another laugh
I swear, his laugh will haunt my dreams one of these days.
"Invis potions are stacked in the armory, Flame. You can use those to sneak her in the cell and replace her with 4C." Parrot gestured to the direction of the weapons room
"Yeah, okay. I guess we'll get going then." Flame nodded
"Bye, King Parrot." Lomedy waved, and Parrot waved back at them
After Flame and Lomedy left, and Soldier73 too I guess if you wanna include her, the night became peaceful again.
Parrot stood there for a good couple of minutes and I swear I could see him wiping his tears.
It almost made me forget we had a fight.
Oh.
Right.
"You should go sleep, your majesty." I said, walking up the stairs, not bothering to wait for him
"I will."
Liar.
Just like you always do, you'll act like you're about to sleep, and when you thought we were already, you shuffle back into the councilroom.
Like clockwork.
Do what you want, I guess.
Go overwork yourself for all I care.
I feel like my body's going to fall apart if I stand up the wrong way.
"Dude...what time is it...?" I checked the clock and it was still early in the morning.
"I woke up early today. Weird." I stretched as I made my way to the entrance of the northern council.
I'm supposed to patrol with some soldiers today, so it's great I woke up early I guess.
As I approached the council room, I saw Parrot was asleep with his hands awkwardly hanging from his sides.
I paused for a moment and thought about moving his hands for a bit. They were dangling there and it just weirded me out. His posture is weird too. Maybe I should adjust them. But I don't really wanna touch him right now... But like... he looks so uncomfortable and it makes me uncomfortable. But this is just the consequences of not sleeping, you know? But like, I'm still his royal guard, but I couldn't really care less about him right now.
Bro, I'll just leave.
I was striding towards the exit before groaning and turning back around. I carefully adjusted his posture and tucked his hands to support his head.
I took off my cape too and-
Nevermind. I'm doing too much.
I left it at that and went out.
I was walking across the council gates later that day, and I spotted a figure making flower crowns with white flowers for new players.
"Reina!" I called, striding towards the crowd of noobs surrounding her.
"Theobald." She nodded, her hands still busying themselves with making the crowns
"Where did these guys come from?" I asked, taking a white flower from her basket and twirling it in my fingers
"They were bored in the safe houses. I'm entertaining them." She puts one of the crowns on a girl's head and she twirled in delight.
She claims she doesn't care about anything but winning the war and getting revenge, but here she is, making white flower crowns for noobies.
That's character development, I guess.
"How come I'm never approached by noobs too?" I asked without much thought about why I even did
She turned her stone gaze toward me and glared at my outfit. What's wrong with it? It's dripping swag bro.
"What?" I raised an eyebrow defensively "I'm cool, handsome, and strong." I crossed my arms swaggeringly. If that's not a word, it is now.
"You look like you eat players for breakfast."
"WHAT?! No I don't?!?!" I defensively yelled, turning towards a the new players with the crowns "DO I??!!?!" They all screamed and ran away.
I shook my head. My aura is too much.
"Proved my point. You didn't have to yell, they would've ran otherwise." She side-eyes me
I scrunched my face as I glared back at her "Pfft. You're just jealous they all love me."
"Ew. Whatever, Theobald." She rolled her eyes "Anyway... Why is Parrot not with you?"
I froze
"Oh. Uh. He got knocked out I guess. Not my problem though."
"He's always your problem."
I bit my tongue.
"Yeah, well, not anymore."
"You two had a fight?" She asked like she already knew the secrets of the universe
I frowned "Why are you so aware? You're so weird, Reina."
"Since you're acting like that, it's probably because you're frustrated at him."
My jaw dropped. Why is she so...correct?
"I didn't even talk about it yet, chill."
"You're obviously trying not to care." She deadpans
Wow.
"...So what? You gonna say 'Just communicate' Or something? Newsflash, ReinaDrop it's not that easy."
"I know it's not that easy. It's never been ever since this war started." She sighed "But that's exactly why we need to give him some leeway."
"What are you trying to say? Just let him overwork himself to death, is that it? Just say whatever he wants without listening like, at all?"
"No." She shook her head "Of course not. But, we should just think about what he's going through."
"He's not only going to think about the Kingdom. He's also thinking about his surviving cities...the next steps of his enemies... Where and how his old friends are... And thinking about our safety too. On top of all of that, he's constantly thinking of new plans to win, with new stakes everyday, with as few casualties as possible."
"It was easy to just let me go, Theobald. But he didn't."
"If your mind is restless like that, would you even be able to sit properly?"
Oh.
"Theo, I'm sorry! I'm sorry that I can't make time for myself and for you. We're in a middle of a crisis, I can't afford to get distracted at a time like this!"
"...I guess I never really thought about it that way."
But, is it a crime that I also want him to understand where I'm coming from?
"You'd better make it up soon. We won't win a war when a king doesn't have a shield."
Rude, but whatever.
"I won't be able to get my revenge, too if both of you are falling apart."
I forced a laugh "You're right, Reina. If that happens, the whole kingdom is cooked."
"That's why you need to lock in."
"Yeah, whatever ReinaDrop. What's with you making these anyway?"
She stopped arranging the crowns for a moment
"She always made flower crowns to cheer me up."
Oh.
"My bad, dude."
"It's fine. It's just a way for me to still spread the care she gave me."
I hummed "I thought you were selling them cuz you're broke"
"Oh my- Shut up, Theobald."
I returned to the Northern council after throwing snowballs at ReinaDrop.
I took off my cape, smoothing it one more time
I approached Parrot, who was still asleep, thankfully.
"I'm still mad at you." I say as I drape the cape over his back "But I get you. At least a little bit."
"We'll talk for real when you wake up."
"But for now, I won't disturb you."
I was about to leave, but a tug on my sleeve made me stop
"Theo?"
I gulped. When I said we'll talk when you wake up, I didn't mean now!
"Theo isn't here." I tried to make my voice sound more high pitched.
"I can see that pendant."
Damn it.
"What do you want?" I say, forcing myself not to look at him
I hear him stutter a bit before he swallows "...I... I need the map for Fortfeather. Can you get it?" I feel his shaky grip tighten on my sleeve.
I hate noticing these things.
I hate it more that you find excuses instead of just telling me how you really feel.
"Go get it yourself."
I pulled my sleeve away from his grip and strode toward the training grounds.
If you were so smart and amazing, what do you even need me for?
If you can't even tell me things that bother you, what am I even here for?
If you can't even tell me to stay, what's the point?
"You really think the King sees you as a friend?"
I immediately grabbed a wooden sword and tried to attack a moving dummy.
I successfully take one down.
Then another one.
I took down each dummy one after another. Until dusk, until there were a pile of destroyed dummies on the ground.
I tried to go for another round, but my movements became sloppy.
I stumbled as I tried to swing at another moving target, but my legs gave out before I could land a hit
"Ugh! Stupid legs!" I threw the sword and I hear it bang loudly against the wall
I stood up shakily and dusted myself off. My hands and legs trembling as I walked to pick the sword up again.
Combat is my only strength yet I give out with just this?
What am I even-
I heard a soft rustle and I jumped slightly.
In the corner of my eye, I saw Parrot hovering over the training grounds.
Great. He just saw me crash out.
I tried to ignore him, but he suddenly walked towards me
"Theo-"
"Yes, your majestic majesty?" I said impatiently, rolling my eyes
"Please just hear me out."
I turned away from him and picked up the sword "Yeah whatever. What is it you want me to do this time?"
"Nothing. I just wanted to apologize."
I froze as I was putting the sword away
I shook my head and huffed "Is that it?"
"No. Of course not. I've been thinking about what you said...and I see what you mean. I'm... Putting out too much and it's affecting my decision making a lot."
"Yeah, well, because, of course why would you? Oh, don't listen to Theobald. He's a dumb, stupid idiot who doesn't know anything besides fighting."
"Theo, I didn't mean it like that..."
"Why don't you just stop making stupid excuses, dude? If...if you were really sincere about this apology of yours, then act like it."
"...I... You're right."
I hear him inhale slowly "Theo.... I'm sorry. I know I've been neglecting our friendship lately. Especially myself. I didn't mean to crash out like that... You were just worried and I know how hard it is for you as well."
"Yeah, well. I've been saying that from the start but it's whatever."
"I know." He stayed silent for a moment and I feel the lump in my throat getting bigger again
"But what's the point? I'm obviously too dumb to keep up with you. If you need help, I can't even-"
"I don't think you're dumb, Theo."
My fingers twitched
"You're the strongest, sharpest bird I know. You...always had a better understanding towards people than I do...you're perceptive with how people are feeling...and you're quick to point out my hypocrisy, and defend me against all odds." I hear him laugh. That kind when you're about to go crazy. "You even throw yourself into dangerous situations just for my safety..."
"I was the dumb one for not realizing everything sooner."
"You...noticed that?" I said, trying to swallow the pain in my throat
"Of course, bro. You're my best friend, right?"
I bit my tongue.
"Theo, I don't think I've ever said it...but...I really am so lucky to have you as my best friend." Parrot sniffed and I adjusted my shades again. Damn it, dude.
You just have to make everything harder for me.
"After everything I've done, up until this moment... You... You're still here and still by my side."
Stop talking. I don't want to look at you.
"I feel like... I've been pushing you away too much, and you just keep coming back like it's the most natural thing in the world. I feel like I don't deserve any of it."
I hate you.
"So...thank you, Theo. I hope you forgive me." He sniffed again "I don't want to lose you."
"..."
"Parrot, I can't even stay mad. I hate that I can't okay?" I grunt as I finally turn to face him "But I need you to promise, okay? Promise me you'd actually...like...not disregard my warnings at all."
"Stop rejecting my help, too." I pointed aa him
The moment those words leave my mouth, he visibly regained colors, smiling like I gave him a million dollars or something.
"What are you smiling like that for? You're so weird, dude." I crossed my arms
"Nothing. Can't I be happy, bro?" The grin didn't leave his face and I found myself smiling too.
Parrot raised a fist to cover his face "So...does this mean we're having an epic comeback now?" he cleared his throat "Brain and brawn, right?"
I raised my hands in the air "Aura."
He snorts and I began to laugh too.
"Okay, bro you're corny." He said while laughing
"So now you're calling me out? Low blow, dude."
"This is just payback! You just called me lame, yesterday!"
"That was because I was pissed, dude! What's your excuse?"
"My excuse is I'm the biggest bird, bro."
"NO YOU'RE NOT!"
He seems to love seeing me miserable because he's laughing a little too hard
"Dude, you're annoying."
"Dude, you're annoying"
????
"Now you're just testing my patience dude, like, come on-"
"Now you're just testing my-"
I brandished a wooden sword and he burst into laughter again
"Stop laughing, dude you actually need to lock in."
"Okay, okay." He wiped the corner of his eyes, still snorting.
I put the sword away and smiled at him. You're such a pain in the bum, Parrot.
You really are my problem.
"Theo...There's actually one more thing I'm here for."
I raised an eyebrow "What is it?"
"I want you to train me for combat."
Oh.
Oh!
I grinned widely and tossed him the wooden sword
"I thought you'd never ask."