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After Caine revived the abstracted members, everyone finally had peace.
Kinger reunited with his wife, which kept Jax up for the longest time. Because how was she going to approach Ribbit after pushing her into abstraction?
She fidgeted with the bow Ribbit had left outside the front door this morning.
Jax knows she has terrible skills with keeping her friends close. She pushed Ragatha, Pomni, everyone she knew. Not because she didn’t like them, but she was just scared.
Jax barely slept that night, but she decided to walk up to Ribbit’s door first thing in the morning.
The colors on the walls were the only thing she could stare at to distract herself from lashing out like last time.
“Ribbit?” She nervously called out.
Jax stared down at her hands. This was the only door in the entire circus she would never use her key on. She didn’t want to disrupt Ribbit’s sleep, and more than anything, she knew Ribbit needed her space.
After a tense moment of silence, the door swung open. “Yeah?” Ribbit mumbled.
Jax nervously stared at them, then stepped back as if she were about to run off again.
Ribbit grabbed Jax’s hand. “You’re not leaving, alright? I know you came here for something.”
She pulled Jax into the room, and the lock behind them clicked shut.
“Now, I know you came to apologize. I understand you.” Ribbit whispered, her voice gentle. Jax’s eyes widened. “I-I’m sorry…”
Ribbit smiled, “It’s okay, Jax. Your secret is safe with me. Can you trust I’ll keep it this time?” She held out her pinky towards Jax. “Pinky promise?”
Jax’s finger reached out to hers, hesitant. “Ribbit…” She mumbled slowly.
She firmly locked fingers with Ribbit, her eyes squeezed shut. She slowly opened one eye, just to see Ribbit inches away from her face, still smiling.
“Wuh– ha-oh!” Jax stumbled backwards. “What the hell are you doing?”
Ribbit chuckled. “Oh, Jax! I’m just messing with you!” They gave her a small pat on the back, then pointed at the bow. “Are you gonna wear that?”
Jax’s face immediately flushed. “Pfft, me…?” She paused, staring into Ribbit’s eyes. They weren’t judging.
She nodded quietly, then Ribbit took the bow from her hands. Jax muttered as they secured the bow in place, “I really hope nobody interrupts us this time…”
Ribbit grinned, “If they do, I’ll tell them off. I don’t want you to leave again, okay?”
Jax nodded. She finally felt safe.