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“Are you sure about this?” Bendy asked. He looked down from the tower’s ledge in apprehension. The full moon light painted the forest and village below in a wash of silvery light and shadows. “That’s a long drop.”
Alice snorted. “You’ll be fine. I’m here, remember? I won’t let you crash into any trees or walls.”
“What about the unforgiving ground?” Bendy asked nervously.
Alice laughed. “You won’t fall.”
“I beg to differ,” Bendy muttered. He looked up from the earth far below to the girl beside him. Alice smiled warmly. Her halo glowed fainting and her wings caught the moonlight, making them cast an ethereal glow. Her cheeks were flush with excitement. The wind gently pulled at her long locks. “Is this really a good idea? Maybe we should wait for daylight.”
“We risk being spotted during the day,” Alice explained. “Besides, your night vision is better than mine.”
“That isn’t comforting when you’re the teach here,” Bendy muttered.
Alice chuckled again. “Pull out your wings, remember that feathers help even if they are more effort for you.”
Bendy took a deep breath. He signed up for this. Alice watched with curious eyes as Bendy struggled to form the wings he’d been practicing to make for weeks now. It still felt strange as the freezing heat built through his body and pressed outward. It took a minute for him to pull and shape the magic how he wanted and even a bit more to grow the feathers. Alice patiently waited. Once he was done he fluttered them to make sure they would move. “Is that good?”
Alice hummed and circled around behind him. She reached out and touched his wing. Bendy flinched in surprise then laughed at himself. There was nothing to be embarrassed about. It was just a flight lesson. “Let me know if anything hurts.” She told him as she gently stretched the wing out and rotated it slowly. Bendy tried to focus on the movements and not how close Alice was. She moved his wings into a few positions, her hands ghosted over his joints and dark feathers. “Everything seems to be set right. How are you feeling?”
“Nervous,” Bendy answered honestly. “I have no idea how these things can possibly keep me in the air.”
“Oh ye of little faith,” Alice teased. “I will make a believer of you yet.”
“Just promise you won’t push me.” Bendy glanced over his shoulder at her. Alice considered. “Alice.”
She laughed. “I won’t push you.” Alice twirled around him and took his hands in her. “It’ll be okay. This will be fun.”
Alice extended her wings and hopped up on the ledge. Bendy followed her up and stood next to her. He looked down again. It was a long way down. “Ugh.”
Alice squeezed his hand reassuringly. “Don’t try to flap while standing. You’ll just hit the ground with your wings. You have to either step off a ledge like this, or jump and push down with your wings. The ledge is easier. You don't have to worry about timing like you do with a jump.”
“Okay. Is there a trick to flapping?” Bendy asked.
“Don’t panic,” Alice said instantly.
“That’s not comforting.”
Alice giggled. “It’s like swimming. The air has a natural flow that you’ll be able to feel. Some currents are strong and others aren’t there. You’ll be able to glide with the air or fight against it. Getting up sometimes is the hardest part.” Alice stepped off the side, her wings extended wide as she drifted away from the tower. She tilted her wings and turned, flapping to get higher and circle over Bendy.
Alice was the picture of beauty and grace in the air. She made it look effortless as she twirled around and out into the night sky. “There is no way,” Bendy muttered to himself. He looked down again and back up at Alice. “It’s like swimming. Wings are just arms. Air is water. I can swim. It’ll be . . . fine.”
Bendy tried to lift his leg, but his body didn’t move. Alice circled again. “C’mon Bendy.”
“I-I am.” Bendy looked up at her and down again. He still didn’t move. Alice swooped in front of him and flapped her wings to hover a few feet away from the edge.
“I promise I’ll catch you if you fall.” Alice held her arms out invitingly.
Bendy gulped and took a deep breath. He could do this. He’d done much harder things. He’d nearly died before! To monsters! This was nothing! He straightened his shoulders, widened the wings and stepped off.
It was nothing like swimming.
He dropped and his stomach didn’t stop dropping. He flailed his arms and started to fall faster. Alice was suddenly in front of him. “Don’t panic! Hold your wings out!” she called.
Bendy grit his teeth and tried to do what she said. His shoulders jerked with the sudden motion. “Ow!” His fall slowed to a drift.
Alice followed beside him. “Good! You’re doing great. Now push down and back with your wings.” Bendy did, feeling himself fall and rise. The treetops felt too close. “You’re doing good! Don’t panic. Again.”
Bendy wobbled his way higher. Alice flew above him, matching her wing beats to his. “Alice! This is insane!”
Alice laughed and went low enough she could touch him. She squeezed his shoulder reassuringly. “You’re doing great! You just got to get the rhythm, like dancing! You’ve danced with me dozens of times.”
“That’s with feet! On the ground!” Bendy protested and flapped again, tilting awkwardly and flailing to correct himself. Alice giggled as her hand on his shoulder guided him to straighten out, her wing beats matched his perfectly. Just like a dance partner.
“You know that isn’t true for all dancing. What about lifts?” Alice teased. Bendy huffed, but didn’t respond. “Left bank left and turn around. We’re getting far from the village.” Alice suggested. “Tilt our wings and let the wind do the work for you. Think you can follow me?”
“I have no cussing clue but lead the way,” Bendy said. Alice glided higher and in front of him. He could feel the change in the air from her wings. Bendy watched as Alice tilted one wing down, the other up, and gently curved to the left. He tried to follow her but quickly drifted downward. He awkward flapped until he had caught up to where she was waiting. “How did you make that look easy!”
Alice laughed. “Easy? I had to practice too.”
“You’ve only had your wings a few more months than me!” Bendy called after her.
She flipped onto her back and dropped below him before righting herself. “You have to remake yours again and again. How do you know they aren’t a little different every time? I think that’s way harder.”
“That’s harder?” Bendy asked.
Alice gave him a surprised look. “It’d be like walking with a different length to your legs every day. Sure, it’s walking, but it’d be different every time, right? You’d have to relearn something every time. How long your stride is, how fast you have to step, the height of stairs, gives me a headache imagining it. ”
“Is it really that different?” Bendy asked. Weren’t feathers just feathers?
Alice looked at him like he had lost it. “You started out without feathers. You tell me.”
Bendy snorted. Okay sure, he didn’t have to flap as much but feathers were also heavier. “Well, yeah.”
“Jake flies differently than me. He can even fly backwards with how his wings are shaped. Master Jethro also has really unique wings. Some are small and fast and others are large and great for soaring long distances without using a lot of energy. I think you should experiment and figure out what wing type works best for you.” Alice suggested.
Bendy chuckled. “I think I should figure out how to land first.”
Alice grinned. “Don’t worry. That’s easy.”
“Like stepping off a ledge?” Bendy asked dryly.
Alice looked up at him. “I’m pushing you next time.”
Bendy gasped. “You promised!” Alice laughed and worked her wings, pulling ahead of him. “Hey! Don’t you run! You promised you wouldn’t!”
“You have to catch me to change my mind!” Alice laughed and twisted up and away.
“That is so unfair! I just started!” Bendy laughed and flapped after her. He felt like a flailing ice skater next to a graceful swan. She circled around him without hardly moving her wings. It was like the wind was just carrying where she willed while he was fighting it.
“Well this is how you get better!” Alice called back to him.
“I’ll show you better!” Bendy stuck out his tongue, laughing. Alice accepted that challenge with a mischievous glint in her eyes. She danced out of his reach, teasing him the whole time with a bright smile and eyes that glittered in the moonlight.
It wasn’t until he was tired out that she suggested they stop for the evening. There was only one problem.
“How the cuss do I land?” Bendy demanded breathlessly.
“It’s like a big jump. Land running, and keep your wings up.” Alice was still in front of him. “Try to slow down as we get closer to the ground.”
“But I’ve seen you stop dead in the air without having to run,” Bendy pouted.
“That’s practice.” Alice giggled. “Look, this is a good clearing. Follow my lead and try not to trip.”
That was easier said than done. Bendy followed Alice, letting himself drift lower and lower until he was below the treeline. Alice had picked a wide field that wasn’t far from the village they were staying at. Alice angled her wings back, slowing her down quickly. Bendy titled his back and felt like he was about to fall backwards. Bendy swung his arms and didn’t slow down. To his horror, he crashed into Alice instead.
“Wah!” Alice croaked in surprise. The pair fell the few feet to the ground and rolled across the field as a heap of wings and limbs.
Bendy groaned and opened his eyes. So many bruises. The sky above was spinning, the stars twirled like dust moats. “Well, that was stardust.”
“Not the worst crash landing. Ow,” Alice’s voice answered. He lowered his eyes to see Alice sprawled on top of him, rubbing her head. “We didn’t break anything, I think. Are you okay?” She lifted her head and froze.
They stared wide-eyed at each other, neither daring to breathe with how close they were. Her cheeks dusted with a blush prettily. Bendy did his best to cover his own embarrassment. “I think I’m good. Just some scraps and bruises.” He felt Alice’s hand ball into a fist on his shirt.
“That’s good.” She sat up slowly. Bendy shifted his arm so she could pull her wing up with her. “I guess it was silly of me to slow down in front of you like that.”
Bendy pushed himself up on his elbows. “No, I mean, maybe, but I'd been able to follow so far so how would you know I’d cuss up at the end?”
“We’ll just have to try again next time.” Alice smiled and brushed some grass off her shoulder.
Bendy reached up and brushed some of her hair behind her ear. Alice looked down at him in surprise. Bendy blushed and coughed. He turned away shyly. “Oh gee, next time. I’m so excited.”
Alice smiled. “I thought you had fun.”
He did. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been able to enjoy himself so much. “Maybe it wasn’t so bad.”
Alice giggled. “We’ll make a flier out of you yet.”
“I-” Bendy stopped as his stomach let out a huge growl.
Alice laughed. “Oops. Next lesson, flying burns a lot of energy so it’s good to eat after flight practice and especially on long trip. Always bring a snack.”
“Oh, so now you tell me,” Bendy smiled. “What did you bring?”
Alice froze. She looked away bashfully.
Bendy snorted a laugh. “You forgot too!”
“I did no-okay so I did!” Alice admitted with a snicker. “We’ll just have to go back and sneak a midnight snack.”
“As long as we walk there,” Bendy sighed.
Alice smiled then shifted to get up. She blushed as she pushed back into her feet, getting off of Bendy completely. Bendy sat up. Alice offered her hand, Bendy glanced up at her before taking it and letting her pull him up. She loosened her grip to let him go, but he just shifted his hold. Alice gave him a look. “C’mon. If this is alright with you.”
Alice blinked. Her hand hesitantly tightened in his. “Sure.”
Bendy nodded and shook out his wings to get rid of some of the grass. “Stars, that was a messy landing.” He started to walk back in the direction of the village.
“I’ll probably be picking grass out of my feathers for a week.” Alice admitted.
“I can help if you need it.” Bendy offered.
Alice fiddled with a lock of her hair. “Thanks.” They found a road on the edge of the field. The pebbles crunched under their shoes as the walked along the path. The tree branches that reached over the road swayed in the gentle breeze bringing the scent of earth, pine, and water to them.
Bendy rolled his shoulders and retracted his wings. The cool night air felt good on his hot face. Alice glanced back at the disappearing wings. “What?”
“I’m a bit jealous. You can make them disappear. Really disappear and all the grass and twigs just fall off. No need for brushing and grooming.” Alice waved her hand at him.
Bendy raised a brow. “Didn’t you say making wings looked complicated?”
Alice tilted her head. “There are pros and cons I suppose.”
Bendy squeezed her hand. Alice glanced down at their linked hands. Bendy raised his brows. “Should I let go?”
“N-no,” Alice stammered. “It’s just . . . Isn’t it too soon? Aren’t you uncomfortable?”
Bendy furrowed his brows at the worried glance she gave him. Oh. That’s what she meant. Bendy considered her words, memories swirled around him. “I don’t know,” Bendy admitted honestly. “It’s not like I’m doing great, but there’s nothing I can do.”
“I understand if you don’t want to do this. You don’t feel like you owe me anything. After all, I’m the one that turned you down first.” Alice lowered her head and went back to fiddling with her hair. She bit her lip. “I’d even understand if you resent me.”
Bendy snorted. “I don’t. I get what it feels like to have people breathing down your neck. Hell, I was convinced I’d never be adopted or have a family outside of Boris.”
Alice shook her head. She sighed. “It was mostly my imagination and fear.”
“Are you like a celebrity or something?” Bendy asked. Alice groaned. Bendy chuckled. “I won’t hold it against you. I’ve ended up in the news a couple times.”
“Oh ha-ha.” Alice elbowed him lightly.
Bendy grinned. “Well, I’ll forgive if you promise not to hold my Hell reputation against me.”
“Oh stars, what did you do!” Alice gaped at him.
“Who says I did anything!” Bendy pouted.
Alice gave him a knowing look. The path turned away from the field and into the trees, gently winding itself toward the village. The branches blocked out the moonlight, swallowing them in shades of darkness. Alice didn’t hesitate in following Bendy into the dark. “Okay,” Bendy admitted. “So I may have stepped on some toes and tails.”
“No. You?” Alice asked.
Bendy snorted. “I didn’t end up in house arrest.”
“How many death threats have you gotten?” Alice asked.
“What makes you think I’ve gotten death threats?” Bendy retorted.
Alice gave him a smirk. “Because I know Hat and he is considered civil.”
Bendy grimaced. “Alright, that’s fair. You got me there.”
Alice giggled and Bendy felt his face warm. She had a great laugh. She sighed. “Back on topic, I’m serious. I understand if you don’t want a relationship right now.”
Bendy hummed. He still ached, there was no denying that. “You really hurt me, but it wasn’t my right to be hurt. You had told me.”
“But it makes me a hypocrite,” Alice said sullenly. “I was afraid and now I’m . . . well, you know.”
She didn’t even want to say it in fear that she would pressure him. Bendy smiled and squeezed her hand. “We can’t help how we feel, only what we do with our feelings.”
The walked in silence, both in their own thoughts. “I’m sorry,” Alice said after a while of walking.
“Stop,” Bendy rolled his eyes. “I am tired of you apologizing. You don’t owe me anything Alice.”
“No, I owe you everything,” Alice looked at him meaningfully. “You opened my eyes to so many things. About myself and the world. You introduced me to some of my closest friends and new experiences. I’ve loved my time with everyone here on the Surface.”
“Then don’t apologize to me. I’ve made my choices too Alice and you can’t say I didn’t hurt you.” Bendy gave her a pointed look.
“You didn’t do anything wrong,” Alice said quickly.
“You didn’t deny it though,” Bendy smirked. Alice bit her lip. “This is why I said we should start over. You weren’t ready and I didn’t respect your boundaries at least to some level. We’ve both been hurt but we’re here now, right?” Bendy lifted their linked hands.
“And we still care,” Alice smiled.
“Hell yeah we do. We’re in a different country together. You are teaching me how to fly at night. Look at all the wild stardust we’ve done. Of course I care and I know you do too.” Bendy shrugged. “So when it comes to this.” He waved a finger back and forth between them. “I don’t know. I’m not rushing, but I’m not saying no either. Let’s just take it easy for now, see where it goes. Talk and be honest and not worry about what ifs.” Bendy looked back at the road. “Sure, I’m still not ready for some stuff, but I’ll let you know. I hope you’ll do the same. I think we are both just trying to figure out ourselves and each other.”
Alice huffed. “You’d think about all these months, we’d have a good idea at this point.”
Bendy laughed. “I think it might take a lifetime.”
Alice seemed to consider his words for a long moment. The trees spread out a little, allowing freckles of moonlight so pass over them. “I’d be okay with that. A lifetime, I mean.” Bendy looked up at her in surprise. Her face had a deep blush as she looked away shyly. “Of course, if we take a lifetime there’s no reason to rush. I can go to whatever pace you set. I’m patient for the important things.”
Bendy’s eyes widened. He hadn’t expected that. Guess tonight was going to be full of surprises. They got to the edge of the village and back to the inn they were staying at. The place was empty and quiet. The pair parted temporarily to get their bags and some goodies before meeting up again. They set up on a couch next to the fireplace. Bendy got a low fire going and the pair snacked on fruit and jerky.
“So, do we keep this a secret or do I brag about your amazing flying abilities?” Alice asked as she leaned against his shoulder. She took a big bite out of an apple.
“Cuss, don’t tell Cup. He’ll wanna see. Hell, they’ll all want to see.” Bendy cringed and shook his head. “How about we wait until I can land without crashing?”
Alice hummed. “Okay, but if they ask, I’m not lying for you.”
“Oh c’mon,” Bendy faked complaining.
“Nah, I’ll go to jail and bury a body for you, but lying is where I draw the line.” Alice smirked.
Bendy gave her a look. “Really? A body is fine, but lying is too far?”
“You didn’t have to grow up with my mom and little brother.” Alice pointed out.
“Noted,” Bendy chuckled. Never lie to Alice. “They must be hard to surprise.”
“You have no idea how many surprise parties have been ruined.” Alice rolled her eyes. “I love them, but they can be a challenge.”
Bendy snickered. “I get it. I think Boris could sniff out any present I hid.”
“Hope you aren’t the same,” Alice chuckled.
“Nah, never,” Bendy shook his head. “I don’t have a reason to hunt down gifts.” Alice hummed and dropped her head on Bendy’s shoulder. Bendy pulled out another piece of jerky. He ate it slowly, something still nagging the back of his mind. “Alice, can I tell you something? You have to promise to keep quiet though, okay?”
Alice’s crunching stopped before she finished chewing and swallowed. “Sure Bendy. I’ll listen.”
Bendy balled his hand into a fist. “This isn’t me being a fatalist or gloomy. I just-I have to say it. I don’t want to pretend it couldn’t happen, so . . . if I don’t make it-”
“Bendy,” Alice sat up.
Bendy dropped the jerky and held up both of his hands to stop her. “Wait. Please, let me.”
Alice furrowed her brows but nodded.
Bendy sighed and nodded. “Okay. Like I was saying. We talked about a lifetime and that’s what I want and what I aim for. I want to go to college like Felix suggested. I want to see Boris grow up and go to Mugs and Cala’s wedding. I want to get to know you better too.” Bendy looked down at his hands. “But these attacks will keep getting worse and I can’t pretend they aren’t dangerous. I don’t want to bring everyone down. I don’t want you to worry, but I don’t want to promise you a lifetime and only be here for a few months.”
Arms wrapped around his shoulders. Alice pulled him into her. Bendy lifted a hand to her arm. “I’ll cherish whatever time I get. Be it a thousand years or a single day. I won’t complain but it’ll never be enough time with you so I will treasure it all.” She hugged him tighter. “So don’t worry Bendy. I’ll be here.”
Bendy blinked. His eyes stung, but he forced away the tears. Instead he smiled and leaned his head into her. “Thanks.” Other words came to mind. Words he wasn’t quite ready to share yet. He hoped he’d get the chance in time. He wanted to and he planned to fight in order to. He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her back.
“Can you promise me something, Bendy?” Alice pulled back enough to look him in the eye.
“What?”
Alice leaned her forehead on his. “Promise me, when those kinds of thoughts come, even if they are gloomy or unfounded, you’ll come to me and talk about them.” Bendy’s eyes widened. “I promise I won’t panic, I won’t get angry or think you are ridiculous. If you are afraid or sad or angry, I want you to talk to me. I can take it.”
Bendy searched her eyes but he only saw kindness and longing there. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
Alice snorted. “I rather we face your struggles together. Pain is going to be part of life anyway. It’s better to not be alone.”
There were those words again, this time at the tip of his tongue. He couldn’t though. He pulled back. “I can’t.” He frowned. “I can’t say it.” Alice looked confused for moment. “I mean, I can come to you. We can talk. I’ll . . . share, but I’m not ready yet to say something else.” Understanding lit in her eyes and she nodded.
“That’s okay.” She smiled. Bendy frowned. She was willing to be so patient with him and his shortcomings. He wanted to return her affection and kindness.
He lifted his head and kissed her cheek. “But I will say it someday. Those words are here. Thank you, Alice.”
Her face flushed and she ducked into her hair shyly. Bendy couldn’t help but chuckle.
Some day he’d be able to say it.