So it's 2 in the morning and I got an impulse to write this. So here you go. I'm sorry.
TW: Eating disorder.
Four months had passed since Augsburg and not much had changed. Their team of four had returned to two; Ben had decided witch-hunting was not his thing and Edward had a family he wanted to return home to. So now it was just Hansel and Gretel, and honestly, that's how they preferred it.
The brother and sister were camped out in the woods. It wasn't the most comfortable place, but at least they weren't in witch territory. That would have been suicide. The night was still and quiet, with the exception of the crickets. Hansel and Gretel sat beside the campfire, their backs against a log.
"Here," Hansel said as he handed Gretel a bowl of soup. He poured another bowl for himself and settled down. His food was gone in a matter of minutes, while Gretel simply mixed her's around with her spoon.
"Do you want mine?" Gretel eventually asked, sounding lighthearted, and offered the bowl in his direction.
Hansel immediately grew worried. He pushed the bowl away and caught her eye. "Gretel, you have to eat." He said softly.
She smiled and tried to give him the bowl again. "I'm just not hung-"
"Gretel." Hansel interrupted, speaking much more sternly. "You have to eat."
Her smiled faded and she knew he was on to her. She sighed and slunk further away from him and the bowl, which she had carefully abandoned on the dirt. She tucked herself together, bringing her legs to her chest and wrapping her arms around them.
Hansel's sugar sickness wasn't the only thing they had left the witch's cottage with all those years ago. Gretel had almost completely lost her appetite and, as the last 15 years seemed to prove, it was permanent. In the early days, when she was faced with food it made her feel sick just looking at it. Over time she had gotten better with it, and a few years ago they found an herb to help with it. But she still had her weak days, days when she couldn't bear to let anything touch her lips.
"Gretel." He warned, picking up the bowl and scooting closer to her. He tried to sound as though he wasn't almost overwhelmed with fear that she might never eat again. Which happened every time she had an episode.
Hansel took a deep breath when she moved away again. "Did you take your medicine?"
"I ran out." She mumbled.
"When?"
"Two days ago."
He groaned. "Why didn't you tell me? We were in town two days ago!"
"I didn't want you to worry."
Well you failed, he thought to himself. Carefully and gently he tried to move closer again; this time she didn't move away. When he got close enough, he wrapped his free arm around her shoulder and held out the bowl.
"Just a few bites. Please." He pleaded.
Gretel very hesitantly reached for the spoon and brought it to her lips. She shut her eyes tightly and forced herself to swallow the liquid. She did it again, and then a third time. And then the look of hope on her brother's face was enough to make her to finish the bowl.
"See, look at that. You ate the entire thing." He gave her a smile. "I'm proud of you."
Gretel nodded; she felt shaky- but okay. The soup was settling in her stomach and she didn't yet feel the urge to throw it up. All was well. "Thanks."
Hansel patted her shoulder. "We'll try to hit a town tomorrow, get you some more of that stuff. For now, get some sleep." He kissed her forehead and got up. They both retreated to their mats and were soon sound asleep.
I know, I know, shittiest ending ever. To be honest I lost the will to try. The story part was over and I realized that I was very tired. I might fix it tomorrow, or I might delete it. Either way, Happy 4th of July.
-Clover
