Chapter Text
The temperature had plummeted after the power was cut. They decided the fireplace would be their best bet to wait out the storm. Min started the fire with some newspapers and matches. While she and Rose gathered every soft, warm thing they could, Eden tended to the fire. Teruko sat on her own, watching Eden watch the fire with a frustrated expression.
“I should be helping,” Teruko grumbles.
“You can,” Eden soothes with an encouraging nod. She had grown comfortable enough around Teruko to figure out what her silences meant. They were mostly thoughtful and comfortable, but Eden had picked up on her frustration through sighs that escaped through the crackle of the fire. “I mean, you don't have to, but I'd love it if you did.”
That wasn't the right thing to say. Teruko let out a low hiss through her teeth, “It's my stupid luck. I'd end up poking you with the melted end of that metal stick or setting the whole cabin on fire.”
Eden had her doubts- things went wrong around Teruko, but from her experience, it wasn't as bad as Teruko had explained in the past. Plus, Teruko would be careful around her, especially if she held something even potentially dangerous, Eden was sure of it.
“What about Min and Rose?” she suggests, blowing air into the fire. Min suggested they did this until they couldn't anymore- the blizzard hit unexpectedly, leaving them little chance to gather firewood. The only thing they had was what was stocked and the couple chunks of log Rose managed to cut before it wasn't safe to be outside anymore.
“They don't want me there,” Teruko countered bitterly. Knowing her mistake, she paused and sighed, “Okay, Min suggested I sit here instead. She seemed apprehensive about letting me follow them. I think she's… scared of me.”
Eden stood up abruptly, taking Teruko's hands in hers as she paced over, “That's not true, I- I know it. Min looks up to you- we all do. There could be another reason, like–”
“How do you know?”
“Huh?” Eden was taken off guard. Teruko's tone hadn't been snarky, castic, or anything, but it still hurt Eden like accidentally poking a needle into your gut. “Th- that Min isn't scared of you? I… I just know she isn't.”
Teruko slips her hands from Eden's with a shake of her head. Her lips pressed in a fine line, clearly disapproving. Eden’s mind shot like a rocket. She was sure Min wasn't scared of her. Totally, (semi) confidently sure. Min hadn't told her, but–
“Eden,” Teruko stared. She paused to swallow and collect her thoughts, making Eden’s pulse race. Gosh, she knew Teruko's thoughts on how Min perceived her were different but why– “You’re my friend, and I understand that you choose to see the best in people, but… you don't have my talent. You don't know what it looks like to be avoided by people who think you're dangerous.”
Eden’s foot tapped, hands resting on her lips as she grew frustrated. Teruko hadn't said it out loud, but she knew she was thinking it. “Teruko,” she starts fiercely, resting her hand over her heart. “This isn't naivety. I know Min, she's my friend.”
“You never really know someone,” Teruko counters gently– sadly. Eden's teeth grit in further frustration. She closes her eyes and allows herself a moment to breathe and think of something that Teruko would understand, but when she opens them again–
Teruko's gone.
Eden spins in a confused circle before spotting her at the door, tying a scarf around her neck. Their eyes met. “I'll be right back,” Teruko explains, avoiding her gaze again. The smile on her lips was– well, worrying, to say the least. “Maybe I can turn the fuse box back on.”
“W- wait, you shouldn't be leaving,” Eden panics. “I- it's the worst of the storm. You could get lost, or if you're out there for too long…”
Teruko rolls her eyes over Eden's shudder of horror. “Stop worrying; I'll be fine. Tell the girls not to come after me.”
“Teruko–”
A blast of stinging wind cuts off Eden's protest. She's left breathless as, a moment later, the blast of air is cut. The cold still lingers. Eden shivers.