Chapter Text
A bloodied blade dropped onto Fanny’s bathroom tiles.
God, no wonder he doesn’t love me. I’m absolutely disgusting. She sat there, staring at her thighs. Hesitantly, she reached out a shaky hand to the fallen blade.
She pushed herself off the ground, groaning.
She would have to clean herself, as much as she really didn’t want to.
She walked over to the sink, turning on the tap. The water splashed onto her hands and dripped down her wrists, washing away her actions from the metal she was holding.
Her hands stayed under the running water for a few more seconds. The feeling brought her back to reality, making herself look back at her reflection for the first time in awhile.
Not much has changed.
———
Tree turned on the kitchen tap, letting the water spill onto his hands and wash the soap away.
He should’ve been with Fanny right now, yet he wasn’t.
He missed when they used to hang out often, the times when they could have a break from everything going on and focus on each other for once.
He never really realised how much he cared about her until she started isolating herself. He wanted to be there for her, but every time he tried to help, it was like his words meant nothing to her.
She didn’t want him around her, that was obvious, but it’s not like they could just act like nothing had ever happened between them.
He turned off the water, flicking it off his hands before reaching for a nearby towel.
Yeah, he had Marker, but it wasn’t the same. Marker was a great friend and always cheered Tree up, but Fanny was different.
Vastly different.
Fanny had always been there for Tree, to be the one to stand up for him and call out whenever something happened that she didn’t like. She would be the one to reach out when he was unusually quiet sometimes.
So, it was odd she was suddenly withdrawn and isolated like that, especially out of her own will.
Tree let out a sigh and let go of the towel. He turned around and walked over to the kitchen counter where Black Hole was sitting, waiting for something to do.
He approached him.
If he wanted someone to give him advice, it would be Black Hole for sure. He always went to Black Hole if he ever needed help, which in hindsight is kind of embarrassing, but he always seemed to give the best advice, no matter the type of situation.
He rested one arm on the counter, looking to the wall.
“Hey, Black Hole,” Tree thought for a moment, contemplating his choice of words.
“I have a problem and I wanted advice.”
Black Hole redirected his attention, nodding. He rested his head in one of his palms.
“You okay?” He asked, and Tree rubbed the back of his neck.
Fanny. He wanted to help her, but it felt a little strange talking about her, especially to someone else she is somewhat close with. How does he even mention the problem? Would Black Hole even see the problem, or is he just overthinking this just like everything else?
“I don’t know. Its just… How do I reach out to someone who obviously needs it but is refusing to talk to me for some reason?”
Black Hole sat up straight, looking at the countertop. It was silent while the two thought things over.
“Well, how do you know they don’t want to talk to you?” He looked up at Tree, who returned the gaze for a second.
Does she really not want to talk to me? All she said was she wanted space, but he wasn’t used to that. He didn’t think he ever would be.
“They won’t answer my messages, and they never respond when I check up on them. I don’t know, it’s like they want nothing to do with me,” He let out a breath, pulling at the ends of his hair.
“Are you sure this is about you?”
Tree paused his actions, looking back at Black hole for a few moments.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean,” He sighed, glancing around the room.
“Maybe it isn’t about you. Maybe they just want a break from everyone, not just you in specific.”
Tree leaned further onto the counter, debating the possibility of Black Hole’s words. It wasn’t entirely impossible, seeing how Fanny hadn’t spoke to Marker or even Black Hole either in a while.
Of course, his first thought was that it was completely about him, that’s just how egotistical he is. No wonder she needs a break from him.
“Everyone is complicated, Tree. They likely don’t hate you, despite what they say. Sometimes, people just need a break from everything, and that’s okay. I know you’re concerned about them, and that shows how much you care; you’re a good person, and I can guarantee whoever this is wouldn’t throw away your relationship for nothing.”
Their relationship.
Tree supposed they did sort of have a positive relationship, but he could never tell if Fanny truly meant the things she said to him or not.
She wouldn’t throw it away for nothing.
Is that actually true, though? He never really thought about it, too afraid of the answer.
Tree nods back to Black Hole.
“I guess you’re right. Thanks, Black Hole, I really needed that right now,” He stands up straight from the counter and gives Black Hole a small smile, which gets returned.
“It’s nothing, really.”
Tree turns to go leave, but Black Hole makes a noise as if he is about to talk again. Tree pauses, looking back at him.
“Tree, take care of yourself, okay?” He tilted his head a little, bringing his hands together.
He gave Black hole another nod.
“Okay. I’ll… See you around?”
“Yeah, for sure,” he said, giving Tree a small wave as he went back to his route, leaving the kitchen.
Tree couldn’t sleep that night.
Something about what Black Hole had said to him earlier got him lost in his own thoughts. Maybe all Fanny needed was a break. After all, who could blame her?
Everyone needs a break sometimes. Right?
All he wanted was for Fanny to be okay.