Ch. 13 Road to Recovery
"Alright Miss Harper you're free to get up and move around; just don't over exert yourself. I'll be at the desk down the hall if you need anything." A cute bunny nurse said as she unhooked the last of the angel's IVs. She beamed.
"Thank you nurse," The nurse just smiled sweetly before waving goodbye and leaving the room.
"So...uh Harper do you wanna go to the café to get something to eat with me?" Cross asked nervously as he watched her observing her brother, she sighed. Grabbing a chair she positioned it beside Cayne's bedside and sat down, totally forgetting about the fallen angel behind her. His tail flicked nervously as he lightly fluttered his wings, he frowned.
"H-Harper?"
"Huh? Oh, did you say something?" She asked absentmindedly tilting her head, he sighed running a hand through his hair.
"It's nothing, I'm gonna go to the café if you need anything….." He turned to go when he heard her chair scoot back.
"Cross wait."
"Yes?" He turned back around only to be bombarded with a hug, in an instant his face flushed.
"Could you get me some chocolate milk please?" Gazing up at him with large violet eyes she held his gaze for a moment not noticing as the flaming toon appeared in the doorway. Nodding his head, Cross said nothing. She smiled snuggling into his chest for a second before letting go.
"Thanks Cross."
"U-Uh huh…" He stammered blushing as he turned to go stopping in mid-turn as he saw Johnathan smirking in the doorway. He sighed shaking his head as he walked passed him heading toward the café with the flaming toon's quiet laughter echoing in his ears.
"Good morning, Harper. How are you feeling today?"
"Oh, hi Johnathan! I'm doin good…I can walk around now if I want." She smiled seeing the teasing glint in his eye; he nodded his head smiling as well before frowning. Turning her gaze back to her brother, her happy smile faded.
"How is he?" She shrugged tearing up; walking up to her side Johnathan laid a gentle hand on her shoulder as they both watched Cayne sleep.
"He still hasn't woken up…but he's alive…I hope he wakes up soon….." Harper sniffles with a stray tear running down her face as she gripped Cayne's hand. Aside from hearing occasional wheezes from him the room is pretty quiet until Abel and Bendy walked in.
"Hey Harp. How you doin? How's Cayne doin?" Bendy asked as he entered the room, she shrugged again, remaining in her quiet trance watching as Cayne's chest rose and fell slowly before a cough caused her heart to race. Panicking she watched in fear as Cayne's machines started to beep loudly, his blood pressure dropping and his heart rate racing for only a second before everything stabilized again. With a hand on her shoulder still Johnathan squeezed lightly trying to get her to calm down, with glassy eyes her shoulders began to shake.
"I can't handle this anymore…I feel like I'm gonna loose him again every time he coughs his machines go crazy and then steady…" As tears start to fall, they hear the light footsteps of someone walking close to their room. Abel glanced toward the doorway catching a glimpse as a familiar fallen angel walked passed, a list in his hand and a bat in the other as his white and black wings fluttered lightly the two nodded to one another in mutual respect before he disappeared down the hall.
"He's alright Angel Cake, he'll wake up soon." Bendy cooed lightly as Cross entered the doorway with a worried glance to Abel.
"Was that…?" He mouthed and Abel just nodded lightly, he frowned exhaling a sigh of relief.
"B-But what i-if he doesn't?" Johnathan glanced up to see Cross in the room and nodded for him to comfort her as he leaned down and gave her a shoulder hug before backing away to give Cross space. With a quick nod the flaming toon walked out of the room as his phone began to ring.
"Don't think like that..." Kneeling down to her level, Cross smiled lovingly at her as he gently wiped her tears away. She sniffled and hiccupped as another round of fresh tears threatened to fall Cross opened his arms to her, a kind gesture which she readily accepted. Rubbing circles into her back as he carefully avoided hitting her wings he cooed trying to get her to calm down.
"He's a fighter he'll pull through…" Bendy and Abel glanced at one another shrugging with a smile as they leaned against the wall and watched as Cross comforted Harper while Cayne slept peacefully.
Le Time Skip - 4 days later….
As the sun's rays peaked over the horizon rising high into the sky, Harper slept with her head on the side of Cayne's bed with her wings folded around her like a blanket. With her arms as a make-shift pillow she exhaled softly, her quiet breathing a faint echo amongst the beeping machines. As chirping birds flew passed and golden rays crept into their room, Cayne began to stir. Slow at first, his fingers twitching slightly as his eye's squeezed tight for a moment before opening slowly, a blurred and fuzzy picture at first before slowly fading into clarity.
Exhaling quietly he gently turned his head left and right to get his bearings before a little squeak caught his attention, directing his gaze downward he smiled lightly as Harper yawned stretching her arms out over his legs before sitting up straight. Chuckling lightly at her morning mannerisms she tilted her head confused for a moment as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes only for them to widen a second later at the sight of her brother awake.
"C-Cayne….You're Awake!" She exclaimed in excitement as happy tears started to fall, in the heat of the moment she pulled him into a hug before jumping back remembering his extensive injuries that were still healing. Smiling softly at her he reached out with a gentle hand and wiped her tears away, she smiled sniffling as she held his hand to her cheek.
"…Don't….cry….you'll ruin….that beautiful….face of…yours..." He wheezed.
"I-I thought y-you were going to l-leave me again…" With a weak smile he titled his head slightly to one side.
"I…would never…leave…you….." With a ping of guilt her happy eyes filled with sadness, for a minute making him frown. Gripping her hand softly he pulled her onto the bed close to him; he smiled again hugging her around the waist.
"Don't….fret on….the….past….I'm….here now…." As his ocean blue orbs stared up into her violet ones they shared a collective smile as the happiness returned and the past faded away.
"Well ain't this a sight for sore eyes?" Abel said with a grin walking into the room with a drowsy demon and fallen angel following close behind him.
"Yea…Angel cake I don't think I've seen you this happy before…." Bendy stifling a yawn; tightening his grip on Harper, Cayne pulled her closer as his eyes wandered around the room at all of the new faces.
"Uh… Cayne…You can let go it's okay." Shaking his head he glared for a moment before his hardened gaze softened at the sight of Abel and Bendy.
"Cayne…Can you at least loosen your grip? That hurts." Glancing up apologetically at her he loosened his grip but still held firm.
"Y-You two…I…saw you….before…out…outside…..my window..."
"Hold on there buddy no need to over exert yourself just to talk. And yes that was us." Bendy grinned waving a little, as his tail swished calmly behind him Cayne smiled a little moving his tail up to the beside. The mob boss's grin broadened realizing what he wanted to do, he walked over and gently shook tails with the horned angel just like they did the night they met.
"T-Thank y-you….."
"Cayne maybe you should keep the talking down until you can breathe again." Harper said trying to get up only for her brother to tighten his grip once again preventing her from moving, she sighed as the mobsters chuckled.
"Cayne I need to use the restroom." Pulling her closer he playfully shook his head no. Rolling her eyes Harper gave him a quick peck on the forehead, pouting he let her go. Standing up she straightened her blouse before disappearing into the hallway. After a few minutes she walked out of the restroom bumping into someone, with the sound of something clattering to the floor she glanced down at the object.
"Oh excuse me, I-I'm sorry I didn't see you there." Reaching down she picked up the object before handing it back to its owner.
'A bat? How strange…'
"Thank you…Are you okay miss?" Nodding her head she gazed up into a familiar face.
'Abel? No…Abel doesn't have a black wing…or a horn for that matter…'
"Y-Yes thank you…uh…My name's Harper. I'm sorry I didn't mean to bump into you sir." She smiled apologetically making him smile.
"It's alright. I'm Axel." She nodded politely, her violet eyes shining happily as held out her hand to him drawing a confused look for a second he shrugged it off and shook her hand.
"It's nice to meet you Axel, well I better be getting back. I'll see you around." Waving goodbye she turned away and walked back to her room. Gripping the parchment in his pocket he sighed as he turned to walk away the list glowed for only a second before going faint.
'Well that was interesting….'
"So…Cayne….How you feeling?" Cross asked curiously forgetting that Harper had told Cayne not to talk.
"I-I'm…ok…." He wheezed as Abel and Bendy gave the tall toon a deadpanned stare.
"Cross, Harper just told him not to talk and you ask him a question." Bendy sighed pinching the bridge of his nose when Harper reentered the room; Abel glanced over to her with a slight shiver feeling something was off she glanced at him.
"Abel are you alright?" He sighed nodding for a second before realizing that she had taken longer than expected.
"What took you so long?" Cross asked as she sat back on Cayne's bed as he grabbed her by the waist again pulling her toward him so he could nuzzle her shoulder. Giggling for a second she spied the chocolate milk that Cross had brought for her, with a large smile she grabbed for it but like before Cayne wouldn't let her go. She sighed.
"I accidently bumped into someone in the hallway." She paused smiling happily as Bendy handed her the cup, Abel and Cross glanced at one another for a second.
"Who did you bump into?"
"I think he said his name was Axel, it was kinda weird I thought he was you for a second Abel. You two look a lot alike." Abel nodded his head in thought for a second before sighing.
"Yea, his creator modelled him after me so it's not a shock that we look a lot alike."
[A/N: This is referencing the comic "Graveyard Shift" by the talented artist MsCreepyGreen20/ askaxelthefallenangel on Tumblr she is also the owner/creator of Axel….okay let's continue.]
"Oh? You know him?" Again he nodded, catching sudden movement out of his peripheral vision he watched as Cross took a tense step away from him.
"Mhm…Anyway Harper, shouldn't you introduce Cayne to everyone?" Abel said changing the subject, she perked up and smiled. He sighed relieved.
"Well…You've already met Abel and Bendy." Cayne nodded as the two mobsters grinned.
"This is my partner Cross…" Cross and Cayne just glanced at one another and waved a light hello, Cross's tail swished nervously around his legs as Cayne's rested calmly on the side of his bed. After a few minutes of awkward silence Johnathan walked into the room, with a brow cocked he glanced between the two as Cayne held Cross's gaze.
"Oh and this is my friend Johnathan!" Harper exclaimed excitedly drawing everyone's attention to the flaming toon as he nodded a silent hello.
"Are you feeling any better Cayne? Your sister has told me a lot about you." Cayne nodded yes smirking up at the angel he nudged her making her blush a little.
"Yea she really missed you." Cross smiled to her, she smiled back giggling as he flinched under the horned angel's gaze. He sighed.
'I don't think he likes me too much…' He thought defeated catching a glare from Cayne, from beside him Abel snickered. Taking a few steps forward the two angels locked eyes for a moment, as quickly as the tension rose around the two it deflated with a warm smile. Giving Harper a quick hug and hand shake to Cayne he waved goodbye as he turned on his heel to go.
"Harper we must be goin' but it is good to see you up and movin' around…Cayne we should get a drink together once yer up and able to chat. Come on Bendy. Cross time to go." Cayne just nodded watching the three go when a new group of visitors entered.
"Hi Belle!" Harper chirped making the bunny smile as she entered the room with her sweet children following close behind her.
"Simon! Rosanna! Meet my brother Cayne!" She smiled grabbing the children's attention; they smiled back before frowning as her brother watched them closely. Belle smiled stepping over to her husband as the two watched them siblings interact with one another.
"Cayne this is Simon and Rosanna, they're Johnathan and Belle's children." Glancing up at the flaming toon and his lovely wife Cayne smiled shyly for a moment as he released Harper from his death grip. Smiling the two waved at him before rushing over to hug his sister; with a slight pout he sat for a second before Harper pulled the two kids onto his bed.
"Wow so you're Miss Harper's brother huh? That's so cool!" Simon beamed while his sister remained silent; Cayne smiled nodding his head for a second before leaning against one of Harper's wings. He tried to stifle a yawn but it didn't work, Johnathan and Belle smiled to one another before walking over to retrieve their children.
"Looks like it's time for us to leave so you two can catch up and get some rest." Chuckling lightly Johnathan watched as Harper squeaked a yawn blushing in embarrassment when he laughed.
"Don't over exert yourselves…Harper we'll need to talk when you're both discharged." She nodded yawning again. Waving goodbye the flaming toon and his family left, leaving Cayne and Harper to sit in silence. Cayne yawned.
"My you're the popular one."
"What? They are all your…friends…"
"Sounds like your breathing's getting better."
"Yea a bit." Cayne grinned pulling Harper in for another hug snuggling with her until they both fell asleep.
Three days later….
"Hmmm….Alright it looks like you've both healed nicely. Harper keep an eye on your brother and Cayne…please don't overdo it. The last thing is for you to wind up here again." Doctor Hanson chuckled as he signed off on their discharge papers, the two siblings grinned to one another before waving goodbye.
"Alright now that you two are free, who wants to go to Toon Palace?" Cross asked glancing around at their little group.
"What's at Toon Palace? Now that we are out of the hospital….um….Where do we stay?" Cayne asked in a worried tone as his eyes scanned their surroundings.
"Oh that's right I forgot to tell you I have a loft across town, we live right under Abel! So if you ever get tired of me you have a buddy right upstairs." She grinned glancing at the rebel angel who smiled back.
"I could never get tired of you." Cayne whispered pulling Harper in for yet another hug as Bendy pulled up in his car. Whistling Cayne stared in awe and fascination at the sleek black vehicle.
"Wow. I like your car Bendy." The demon boss smirked.
"Do you want to go for a ride?"
"Sur-"
"NO!" Abel and Harper exclaim making Bendy pout.
"Why not?"
"He's not the best driver." Abel said shuddering a little.
"Well it's not like I can fly with only one wing, so why not catch a ride?" ["Catch a Ride!" Sorry I LOVE Borderlands XD]
"Oh yea…..Bendy drive like a sane person will you?"
"You've never even ridden with me Angel Cake, what are you so afraid of?" Bendy smirked making her blush and cross her arms.
"I don't have to when I've heard Abel's horror stories of your driving….Please be careful Bendy." He sighed rolling his eyes.
"Sure thing Angel Cake, Cayne and I will meet you at Toon Palace….Hey Abel you want to make it a race and the winner buys drinks?" Grinning mischievously Bendy smirked at the angel drawing a small grin from him as well.
"Su-."
"NO YOU'RE NOT RACING!" Harper exclaimed glaring daggers at the two male toons.
"Fine…Buzz kill. We'll just run by my place real fast then and meet you at Toon Palace. Come on Cayne we're going to get you some clothes…You can borrow some of mine. You're probably about my size so they should fit." Waving wearily to his sister he frowned.
"Uh….ok….um…bye Harper."
"Don't look so sad you'll see her in about 20 minutes. Come on." Opening the car door Bendy hopped in followed by Cayne as they waved goodbye, taking off Harper glanced back at the sleek vehicle before catching up with Abel.
"Do you think he'll be alright?" She asked after a few minutes of silence, he shrugged.
"Bendy hasn't killed anyone yet so he should be fine." Abel winced mid-flight as he glanced at his companion's saddened face.
'Shit, shouldn't have said that…'
"Oh…Um…Sorry Harper…D-Do you need help picking out an outfit?" He asked nervously trying to change the subject. She sighed.
"No I'm good…"
Upon arriving at her loft, Harper quickly unlocked the door and went inside with Abel following close behind. Looking around at her quaint little loft he calmly took a seat and waited for her to change.
"I'll only be a minute then we can get going." Harper said as she walked back to her room to change clothes, he nodded his head for a moment before hearing her come back into the room. Blushing shyly she cleared her throat to get Abel's attention.
"A-Abel? C-Can you help me please? I can't reach the zipper…" Turning around at the sound of her shaken voice he just stared for a few seconds, his face turning red as a tomato. Blinking a few times he shook his head and stood up walking to her, he smiled. Hiding her face she turned around, the flowy skirt curling around her as she turned her back to him. From front to back her skirt flowed from thigh high to just behind her knees as the deep violet faded down into a faint lavender, a thin mesh of soft yellow floral patterns overlaid the purple making it pop just enough to be enticing but not over bearing. She wore her white gloves that cut off halfway down her palms and deep violet flats with just barely a heel, her wings fluttered through the open back as Abel gently zipped up the back allowing it to fit snuggly. Around her neck her silver wing locket sat with a violet band hugging her throat, smiling in satisfaction Abel moved back and took in the view as she stretched making sure that her wings wouldn't rip the back.
"What do you think Abel?" Glancing up slightly she could see the blush grazing his cheeks, after a second he smiled gently taking her hand and gently placing a kiss upon it like the first time they met.
"You look lovely Harper; now let's get going before they beat us there." She smiled with a blush nodding her head she quickly ran back to her room putting on some shorts before dashing back out again.
"Ready…"
"BENDY WHERE DID YOU LEARN TO DRIVE!?" Cayne exclaimed holding his chest like he was gonna have a heart attack.
"I'm self-taught!" Bendy exclaimed proudly laughing as Cayne continued to hold on for dear life.
"No wonder Abel doesn't want to ride with you..."
"Yea well he has those hug wings of his so he can fly."
"Man I miss having both wings."
'Gawd Cayne, if he drives like this calm just imagine how he drives when he's in a hurry. And we're stuck with him driving us unless we can find another way to get around.'
'Great...'
"Bendy do you think you could slow down just a little?"
"Nope!" He exclaimed with a large grin, hiding behind his wings Cayne holds on tight as the car came to a sliding stop. [Like literally, have you seen the comics where Bendy drives? He slides his car into everything.]
"We're here."
"O-Oh t-thank gawd." Cayne stuttered opening the car door as he removed his claws from the dashboard.
'Cayne we can't handle him driving us around!'
'You scared?'
'No….I just want to arrive places ALIVE.'
"Alright Cayne follow me to my penthouse upstairs and I'll get you squared away with a new suit."
"Ok."
Later…
"Here try this on."
"Ok thanks." As Cayne goes to change Bendy walked over to the large window overlooking the city glancing down he smiled as two familiar angels landed in front of Toon Palace before walking inside. Turning around he sees Cayne walk out all dressed.
"Very nice, You like it?"
"Yea…It's nice, I'll give it back when I get changed later."
"No that's for you man. Keep it."
"Really?"
"Yea I'm not much of a blue fan anyway." The two smiled at one another for a second.
"Well let's get going."
"Ok…Hey Bendy?"
"Yea?"
"Why do you have a blue shirt if you don't like it?" Bendy stopped at the door thinking a moment, he shrugged.
"I don't know…"
"Looks like we beat everyone here," Harper said looking around at the half filled bar.
"Yep I guess so." Abel shrugged as he directed the angel over to an open booth, sliding in Harper smiled as he sat across from her.
"Hey Angel Cake can I ask you something..?"
"Sure thing Abel, what's up?" He blushed for a second.
"Harper…Do you like me?" She blushed, hiding her face a little as Elymas brought by their usual. A Blue Angel for Abel and a hot chocolate for Harper…
"That's a little vain isn't it? But…" She paused hearing him chuckle.
"I guess in a way…Yes I do. But it's more like a brotherly way rather than a romantic one." He stopped laughing as his blush returned making her smirk.
"Why?" He asked making her smirk disappear only to be replaced with confusion, but he was being serious.
"What do you mean why? Why a brotherly way or why in general?"
"Why in general…I guess…I'm not entirely sure why women would like me I-."
"You can't be serious Abel." Harper deadpanned making him recoil a little in surprise.
"Women are drawn to men that intrigue them, some like bad boys because of the sense of danger of excitement that comes with being with them. They like to know that their man is strong enough to save them if anything goes wrong; most women take a rebellious man as a challenge…Someone they can fix like a project. Me? I'm one of those who like a sense of danger and risk but at the same time I like a man that's not afraid to show his softer side. You're interesting and a fun toon to be around, you're a smooth Casanova but not overly so to where you'd hurt someone on purpose. You genuinely care about those you're around and yet you're afraid to show emotion unless it's around a group that you highly trust and even then it's only a few emotions. And quite frankly I love hearing you talk, something about an accent makes someone all the more interesting and unique." She pauses sipping her drink like a lady before smiling innocently.
"Does that answer your question Abel?" Sitting in silence he just nodded having not expected such a wise answer to come out of the little toon's mouth, blinking a couple of times he titled his head.
"So does that mean that you like Cross too?" It was silent for a moment as a small smile grew into a devious one as he watched her face flush and her halo start to melt. Her grip tightened on her mug as the very thought of Cross made her heart melt; a dreamy smile crossed her face as she sighed.
"Can I tell you something Abel?" Harper asked as she watched a couple of patrons walk by not noticing that Cross had entered the bar from the door behind them. Abel noticed him, flicking one of his large wings he caught Cross's eye as he directed them to the booth behind them. He nodded.
"Have you ever felt like you want to tell someone how you feel? Like your mind wants to but your heart doesn't?" She asked gazing down at her glass as Cross's eyes widened, Abel coughed lightly before shaking his head.
"I'm afraid I don't know what you mean kid, care to elaborate?"
"Um…Like you want so much to tell the person your feelings toward them but you're afraid of getting hurt?" Abel smiled gently and nodding his head in an understanding manner.
"Yes, actually I do…and I take it that's how you feel about Cross…" Sitting quietly Cross sighed as Bendy and Cayne walked through the doors. Spotting the fallen angel they joined him at his booth snickering lightly as Abel signaled for them to stay quiet.
"Y-Yea…I mean I really like him but…I don't want to get rejected you know? I mean I guess I'm still new to this since my only relationships have ever been family but…" Her voice started to quiver a little as a lone tear slipped down her cheek, quickly wiping it away she coughed nervously.
"H-he already likes someone…a-and it hurts…I don't know why I mean we're not even that close but there's something about him…" A look of shock crossed Cross's face as Bendy smirked at him, and Cayne just watched him calmly. Quickly, Cross's breathing became labored as nervousness took over; placing his hand over his rapidly beating heart he leaned back just a little to hear what she would say next.
"He's funny in a way…He's like you and fun to be around and very easy to talk to." She chuckled lightly drawing a blush and a smile on his face.
"It feels like I've known him all my life when we only met a few weeks ago, but…and this is going to sound really dumb but I feel like I can see myself with him you know? Plus that accent of his is to die for." She giggled lightly a smile on her face. Cayne snickered quietly to himself as they continued on with their conversation.
"But…The thing is even though I like him there's probably very little he would find interesting about me." She said finally looking up at Abel, he frowned.
"And why do you think that?" Cross said from behind her but she's too deep in thought to notice.
"Well because look at me! I'm short and don't have much color, I don't have a cool accent or anything I'm pretty sure I have…um…What's it called when someone goes through something traumatic then has like nightmares and stuff about it?"
"PTSD?"
"Yea that, I mean I'm a traumatic mess! I'm not that strong, I'm unattractive and blind in one eye and I'm too easily trusting and…and…" She sighed for a moment, making the group of toons hold their breath.
"I…I…I'm just…me…a weakling, a complete mess…no one would ever want to be with me…"
"That's a load of bull."
"W-What?" She glanced up expecting to see Abel angry when she saw Cross behind him, a heavy frown playing on his face.
"H-How much of that did you hear?" She stammered as she sank back into the booth.
"All of it sweetheart."
'Oh gawd…what do I do?' As she sat there having a mini panic attack Cross just smirked. Gently grabbing her hand he lightly pulled her out of the booth and into a hug. Kneeling down to her level he let go before cupping her face gently in his hands, as stray tears rolled down her face he smiled and softly wiped them away with his thumbs.
"That is the biggest load I have ever heard, and whoever told you that needs to get shot." Giggling lightly at his statement his frown softens to that of a sweet smile.
"Now there's the beautiful smile I love, Harper you are one of the most complex and confusing toons I have ever met…You come from a horrible background and yet you're one of the sweetest and most kind toons I have met in my life. You can shoot like a pro even though you can barely handle a gun and you have the wisdom of someone beyond your years that only a few people have at your age. You are a very lovely and beautiful angel so don't let what other people say get to you, because believe it or not you're loved by everyone you meet whether you realize it or not. Now I know our little group isn't the most 'normal' of families but you're stuck with us kid." He paused smiling as he watched her saddened expression brighten with every word, looking up at Cayne and smiling he grinned back.
"And that's what I like about you, Harper." From crying saddened tears to blushing like a mad woman Harper's heart melted from pure joy and love as what she had been told since she was created got thrown out the window. As the two starred at one another for a moment, their eyes locked in a loving gaze Cross smirked pecking her quickly on the lips before standing back up to stretch, looking up now locking eyes with the over protective brother he smiled nervously.
'Did he just?' With face a light Harper's eyes closed tightly as little hearts began to pop up around her head making the toons laugh as Johnathan casually entered the bar; hearing familiar laughter he glanced over to see Harper red as fire with little pink hearts floating above her head. Cocking a brow he chuckled lightly walking closer as Cross scooped the blushing angel into a tight embrace before putting her back down.
"Good evening everyone, did I miss something?" Johnathan asked as Harper's face slowly changed back to its normal color.
"Nothing much, just Cross and Harper indirectly admitting that they like one another." Abel shrugged like it was nothing new as he lit up a cigar.
"Oh? This isn't going to compromise anything will it you two?" The flaming toon asked receiving shaking heads as an answer.
"No sir, it won't." Cross answered professionally as his smile slowly disappeared, Johnathan nodded in approval when a sudden look of realization crossed Bendy's face.
"Hey Angel Cake, I just noticed something…He picked you up around the wings, and you were sitting in a booth with your wings pressed against the booth…Don't they still hurt?" Bendy asked curiously as he watched the happy angels stand beside one another, she thought for a moment before shrugging.
"You know to tell you the truth I can't feel the pain anymore…I guess I just got so used to it that it doesn't bother me anymore." She smiled up at Cross as he smiled back, she giggled.
"Wait you're blind in one eye?" Cross asked remembering that part of the conversation, she blushed hiding her face as she nodded.
"How? What happened?" Cayne inquired, she sighed glancing up at her brother.
"Well…um…It's from when y-you attacked me…Back when the experiments first started." He gasped in shock for a second before turning away, sighing she grabbed his shoulder making him glance at her.
"What kind of brother hurts his own sister?" Cayne said as his lip trembled.
"Cayne it was an accident…it wasn't your fault…" He sighed, gently grasping her hand he removed it before turning toward the door.
"I blinded you! How can I forgive myself for hurting you…?" As he spoke, his halo began to melt as black ink dripped down his face, with glassy eyes he sniffled before walking away.
"I-I'll… See you guys later." With a tear in her eye, she watched him go. Bendy sighed glancing at Cross and Abel he nodded before leaving, patting the little angel on the shoulder as he walked passed; the demon quickened his pace as he walked out the door.
Outside with Cayne…
'Why are you so upset? I'm the one who did that to her not you.'
'It was still me though you weren't completely established yet. I did that to her…..my own sister…..I hurt her and I didn't even know…..'
'Aww I didn't know you were so sensitive.'
'Shut up'
'And well actually you did know...You just didn't want to admit that you had done that to her. It's a favorite memory of mine you know….' Payne said starting to replay the memory. Closing his eyes tight, Cayne gripped his head.
'Stop it!'
'Why Cayne you don't like it?'
'STOP IT PAYNE!'
"CAYNE! Hey buddy wait up! Where are you going?" Cayne looked around for a second before spotting Bendy.
"Uh….I…" He sighed. "I don't really know..."
"Cayne...Buddy you alright?"
"I hurt her Bendy…my own sister…..I-I blinded her…." Sighing he ran a quick hand through his horns.
"Look Cayne that was a time when you were getting experimented on it wasn't really you…." Noticing the solemn face on Cayne he smiled sadly.
"Cayne…That was in the past and she doesn't hold that against you. She loves you. You have her back and that's what you need to focus on. So let's go back and grab a drink huh?"
"Ok…Bendy?"
"Yea?"
"Thanks…"
"Anytime pal…"
Back inside…
"Can we see?" Abel asked curious, looking down she sighed before lightly pushing the hair over her left eye over to the side. Lifting her head she glanced at everyone before diverting her gaze back to the floor. Cross smiled kneeling back down to her level he gently grabbed her chin making her look at him, she blushed making his smile widen.
"You hate it." She frowned trying to cover her eye again but Cross grabbed her hand preventing her from doing so.
"No short stuff, I think it makes you more beautiful. You shouldn't be ashamed to hide your scars; they don't define you they just show what you've overcome." Smiling sweetly she nodded for a second.
"Wow Cross that is probably one of the most intelligent things I've heard you say all day." Bendy snickered walking back over with Cayne, a small smile appearing on his face. Standing back up he smiled popping his back.
"Yea I get those every now and then."
"Did you call me short?" Harper asked pouting making the group snicker.
"I did but that's what makes you so adorable." She huffed crossing her arms over her chest.
"But I'm the same height as Abel and Elymas!"
"Yea and they're short too, but I remember the last time I said that to Elymas and it wasn't pleasant… Plus Abel'll shoot me if I say it to him. You won't." He smiled with a large grin on his face making the little angel roll her eyes as Abel glared daggers at him.
"Who's to say I won't shoot you too?" She asked smirking deviously.
"You won't shoot me, you love me too much." With eyes narrowed into a glare and her face red as a cherry she looked away.
"S-Shut up."
"It's alright short stack."
"I'm not short, you're just freakishly tall!" Cocking a brow the he laughed.
"What are you talking about? I'm average height, Johnathan is freakishly tall." Cross chuckled for a minute before being smacked upside the head by the flaming toon.
"Ow." Rubbing his head he frowned for a second as the sound of laughter made him pout.
"Is it too late to take back all those nice things I said about you?" Harper asked smirking playfully as Cross faked a look of hurt.
"That hurts Harper, and no once they've been said you can't take them back."
"Darn." She chuckled a little rolling her eyes.
"So are we like a thing now I guess?" She asked as Cross blushed in a daze before his award winning smile returned.
"Yea, heh…I guess we are…"
*End. Ch. 13*
(6,129 words)