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Slingshot stood at the counter. Body feeling like it’d fall apart any second from the mere idea of moving slightly. If he moved wrong it would crumble, if the wind blew too hard he’d fall over.
Day and Night.
Nothing changed.
He couldn’t even bring himself to fully react to Coil’s attempt at angering him or getting a reaction. His reaction was so dull it made even Coil start to worry despite his persona.
Shuriken was blanked out the moment he tried to bring up the fact that Slingshot looked like he could barely stand up, the fact that even customers were worried. Slingshot merely brushed him off, saying it was a one time thing.
But it wasn’t a one time thing.
Maybe it was the way he watched Coil be so flirty with Skateboard.
Maybe he shouldn’t have grown feelings.
Maybe he should get over himself.
It wasn’t worth it afterall.
He was never worth it.
Slingshot served Coil his usual way too quickly this time, as if he was trying to get Coil out of his face. As if he didn’t want to see the wolf-like inphernal anymore.
“ Sling? Are you okay?— “ But before Coil could ask further, Slingshot turned away, “ I’m closing up, you should go. “
The feline-like inphernal’s words weren’t a suggestion, the cafe owner meant what he said. And it was quite simple what it meant.
It meant Coil should leave, right then. Right now.
“ Slingshot, seriously. What’s up with you?— “ Coil tried to push further, moving to go behind the counter to confront Slingshot further. Though the other only wiped around far too quickly for comfort.
“ Coil. It’s past closing hours. “ Slingshot reminded the other, his tail didn’t flick with agitation, it didn’t even move. It was horribly still, like terrifyingly still.
“ Well yeah but— “
“ Please. “
It sounded more of a plea to himself then to Coil, but the taller inphernal stilled before sighing. “ Fine. “ Coil finally said, taking his stuff, a chocolate muffin and a sweet coffee, and leaving the cafe.
Slingshot let out a heavy breath, every day felt like. a burden.
He hadn’t felt like this since he first opened the Cafe.
It was showing far too much.
Maybe he should take a break, like..not coming to the Cafe for a bit. He could just..not.. come in for a day or two.
Shuriken & Vine Staff could handle the cafe without him for a few days.. maybe.
But, maybe he should apologize to Coil.
…
He thought about it for a moment, sighing into his hands as he slipped his jacket on, locking up the cafe fully and rushing out to catch Coil before he left for Crossroads of course.
He knew how fast Coil was, and how far he left to head back to Playground of course.
After a bit of searching late at night, he saw a familiar sleeveless orange jacket in the distance, watching the figure disappear into an alleyway as Slingshot’s eyes lit up.
There he was!
Slingshot jogged a little, feeling the coldness of the air burn his lungs a bit but he didn’t care as he panted a little once reaching the Alleyway.
Tail flicking with somewhat recognition.
What would he say? What could he say?
He could just apologize, saying sorry should cut it. He was, ignorantly, too verbally dismissive of Coil. Which wasn’t like him, he should’ve just told Coil he wasn’t in the mood. ( Though, after everything, Slingshot doubted that Coil would listen. )
Once finally gaining courage, he moved to check into the alleyway, eyes closed for bracing himself to say something.
He was so ready to face it, to face the fact he was rude to Coil despite his mind wanting him to just wait for Coil to come back the next night like he always does despite everything.
Though, his hopes were shattered, crumbled in seconds.
His smile dropped, his demeanor dropped completely and he could only feel fear and worry at such.
Blood clouded his vision as he could only see the blood corpse of the boy he once loved, Coil, and what seemed to be one of Blackrock’s Biografts.
Coil’s chest impaled clearly and bleeding out in the alleyway, on his knees and head pressed against the floor. Blood everywhere like it was a damn bloodbath.
“ COIL!— “
Slingshot screamed, running to try and help Coil despite the scene telling him everything that happened.
Nonononono—
This was his fault, if he let Coil stay longer in the Cafe, or offered to walk him back to Playground despite the lateness, or suggested that he should go to Boombox’s place, or anything—
Slingshot sobbed, the Biograft long gone. Seemingly running off somewhere.
Coil’s body felt colder, which was the first sign he was dead. Coil’s body was never cold.
This seemed to only make Slingshot cry further, sobbing like a child without his blanket, a child begging for food. An inphernal begging for their friend back.
Slingshot held the other close, blood all over Slingshot’s clothes as he sobbed further. His uniform messed up but he didn’t care.
He screamed as if it would bring him back.
He was past saving.
Not even the deities could probably reverse this.
Oh god he lost his friend-
He lost Coil—
And he woke up back in his apartment, the headache running back and the sound of the tv down stairs replaying itself once more.
…….
What the hell?