(A/N: I don't own anything Boq actually says in this story. That's from The Wicked Witch of the East. I was going to put it in italics, but I thought people would get confused with his words and his thoughts, so I didn't. I did write the other stuff, though. Enjoy!)
Torn in Two
Boq had once promised himself that he would never let Nessa get hurt. So when he sees Nessa standing—actually standing—of course his first instinct is to grab her hands and make sure she doesn't fall.
As soon as her hands are in his, another side of his brain—the side that loves Glinda—starts talking. This is his chance. If Nessa can walk, she won't need Boq to help her anymore. He can leave.
"Nessa, this changes everything," he hears himself saying. No, no! the Nessa-loving side argues. What are you doing? You want to stay here, with Nessa!
"Nessa, oh Nessa, surely now I'll matter less to you, and you won't mind my leaving here tonight…" You idiot! You've really screwed up now! Just apologize, and maybe everything will be all right.
But he doesn't apologize. He keeps rambling about how much he loves Glinda.
And then comes the spell.
He's made of tin now, and the Nessa-loving part of his brain is constantly tormenting him, reminding him how this wouldn't have happened if he'd just kept his mouth shut.
And the worst part is, Boq knows he deserves this punishment because he let Nessa get hurt.
(A/N: Reviews are love! [Also, only one more story until 200!!!])