I'm not an expert in this sort of thing. So please don't sue or anything if I get any details wrong. I did my research and tried to fit it in with how Gretel would be affected. Plus, I don't owe these guys so you wouldn't get anything out of it
The market was rather busy as Hansel went from stall to stall. There was more variety than he'd expected of a town this size. Normally, he and Gretel had to scavenge what they could in the forest so shopping for food was a welcome alternative. Though being in a crowded street did have its downsides.
"Is that…" "Yeah, the witch hunter." "You know, I heard that he's got sugar sickness." "No way." "I can't imagine." "How can he fight witches when he knows he can collapse at any second?" "I can't imagine. It must take a lot of courage." "His sister must have to deal with so much."
Hansel just ignored them as he made his purchases. What was it with townsfolk and their need to gossip? Rumors were bound to come up if you travelled around as often as the two of them did. He'd heard everything by now. It didn't make hearing them any less annoying.
He went up to the inn he and Gretel were staying at. It wasn't one of the snazziest spots but it had a roof and four walls, which was enough for them. "I'm back." Gretel was sitting at the table in the center of their room. "You won't believe the selection they ha-"
"I can't…"
The words were barely a whisper but they were loud enough to stop his sentence. His eyes settled on the barely touched porridge on the table that had grown cold since breakfast. "Gretel?"
"I can't do it, Hansel. Every time I try, I get this feeling in the pit of my stomach and I see you…" Her gaze was on the ground but Hansel could still tell that there were tears in her eyes. Groceries forgotten, Hansel walked over to his sister and knelt down next to her.
Hansel hadn't been the only one who'd gotten something from their witch encounter years ago. Gretel had been left with almost complete loss of appetite. Hansel had even taken upon himself to go get supplies to keep her from feeling nauseous. Most of the time, she could push it back enough to have a bite or two. But every once in a while, it was too much for her to handle.
"Gretel please. You have to keep your strength up. You're the only thing I've got." He takes half a spoonful. "Just a couple bites?"
Gretel quietly nodded and opened her mouth. Hansel fed her spoonful after spoonful. Eventually, the utensil started scrapping along the bottom. "Look at that, you finished off the entire bowl." He set them back on the table. "I'm so proud of you." Hansel pulled his sister into a hug. Screw the gossips. Neither of them held the other back. They needed each other, and they'd stand by each other no matter what.