Part II - Need

It was still fairly early when Grizz had finally woken up the next morning. He had told his brothers he'd be back home the next day, but he was hesitant to leave the koala alone again after seeing just how vulnerable he was upon arriving. Nom Nom had seemed better after their talk, but he could tell he was still thinking too much about everything they had discussed, especially when he was trying to sleep. Grizz remembered feeling the koala tossing and turning beside him all night. It was all he could do to keep from reaching out to hold him, but the koala's emotions were like a hairpin trigger. It was hard to know when he'd welcome the touch and when he'd push him away instead.

By the time Grizz was ready to leave, he looked over to see that Nom Nom had barely moved an inch from his spot on the bed. He had turned the TV on at one point, but after about five minutes he shut if off again and resorted to just staring out the window as though he was deep in thought, his back facing the bear.

"You know…I can call my bros and tell them I'm staying an extra day," Grizz commented as he grabbed his backpack and slipped it over his shoulders. "I mean, I don't mind hanging here with you." He appeared hopeful as the koala looked his way. "We can do something fun!"

Nom Nom shook his head, much to the bear's disappointment. "No…I've kinda got some things in mind to do today."

"Oh. Well…okay. Just remember everything I said, okay? It'll all work out in the end. Try not to worry about it too much, and if you're feeling bad about it, just call me. I'll listen."

Nom Nom nodded hesitantly as he shifted around awkwardly, barely making eye contact with the bear. "I've actually been doing some thinking," he said after a moment's pause. "I think I know what I want to do now."

Grizz's eyes lit up with curiosity as his mouth stretched into a smile. "Really?"

The koala finally slid down from the bed. "Yeah…I was actually already considering this before you got here, but I just wasn't sure. At first I kinda thought it was dumb." Nom Nom finally looked up at him, straightening his posture as a look of confidence fell upon his face. "You kinda gave me the encouragement I needed," he admitted, which only caused the bear's smile to grow.

"That's great!" he replied. "What is it?"

"Well…I think I want to go back to the zoo. Not to visit, but to actually live there."

Grizz's enthusiastic smile quickly faded and his mouth fell open in a stunned gape. "W-What? The zoo?"

"Well, yeah," Nom Nom replied, shrugging. "I mean, it's where I was born. The way I look at it, it'll kinda be like my old job, only much less involved, you know? I just sit around and act cute all day while people come by to see me. I'll have people taking care of me, but I won't have to worry about schedules and events, or little kids trying to pet me. It's all the perks of my last job without the hassle. It'll be easy!"

"But…But, Nom Nom, it's a zoo! You're giving up your freedom! Why would you want to live in a cage the rest of your life?!"

The koala rolled his eyes. "I'm not giving up my freedom, and it's hardly the same as living in a cage! I'll have plenty of food and shelter and space to move around, and people to take care of me! It might not be fancy living, but so what? I'll happily trade living in a mansion for a stress free lifestyle."

"Okay, but…what else are you supposed to do in there? You can't do anything fun anymore! You can't go to the movies, or go shopping, or even go online! How is that not giving up your freedom? Is that really the kind of dull life you want?! Dude, think about everything you're giving up here! You're not like other koalas! You've lived a human lifestyle for too long! It's going to be total culture shock when you get in there and realize there's nothing else to do all day except eat and sleep. I mean, eating and sleeping are pretty awesome, don't get me wrong. I'm a pro when it comes to those things, but I like doing other stuff, too! C'mon, man!"

His shoulders slumping, Nom Nom looked down at his feet as he let out a dejected sigh. "This is what I wanna do, Grizz. Why can't you just accept it? It's my life, after all."

"Because I don't think you've really thought this through as well as you think you have. I just don't want you to make a horrible mistake!"

Nom Nom glanced up at him sharply, his eyes narrowing as he began to seethe with anger. "And what makes you think you have any say in what I choose to do? What gives you the right?! It's my life! Get it? Mine!"

Grizz softened his expression. "Look, I'm not telling you how to live your life! I just don't want you to do something you might regret! Please just think about this first."

The koala turned away, clenching his fists. "Get out."

Grizz stared at the back of his head, his heart sinking into his stomach. "Nom Nom, I was just…" He noticed the koala make his way towards the waste bin by the small dresser and reach in to grab a hold of something. Eyes widening, Grizz lifted his arm and shielded his face from the empty eucalyptus pop bottle being flung at his head with extraordinary aim.

"I said get out! Get out of this hotel room and get out of my life!" the smaller animal screamed. "I should have never agreed to let you come here! I'm sick of people running my life for me! I'm not about to let you do it, too!"

"Nom Nom, I wasn't-"

"GET OOOUUT!"

He turned away from the bear, trembling slightly and breathing heavily as he tried to overcome his sudden bout of rage. For a moment he thought he might start crying again, and he blinked his eyes rapidly in an attempt to keep any welling tears at bay. No, he wasn't going to show his weakness ever again in front of that bear. He didn't care if he was making a mistake. It was his mistake to make, and he wasn't about to let another person make another decision for him. This was what he wanted to do. It was the only thing he could do, and he couldn't let Grizz get inside his head and convince him otherwise.

The awkward silence carried on for several seconds before Grizz finally managed to muster up the strength to give a response.

"I'm…I'm sorry, Nom Nom."

The koala stalled his shaky breathing, his body tensing up more than it already had.

"You're right," Grizz continued with a sigh. "This is your life, not mine, and I have no right to tell you how to live it. You can't live your life a certain way to make others happy. That's the problem that brought you here in the first place." The bear scratched the back of his head nervously. "I guess I just don't want you to do it because….well, because I'll miss you. I mean, you'll be here and you won't be making videos anymore, so…I won't get to see you, and well…I can't stand the thought of that."

Nom Nom winced as he thought he heard a crack in Grizz's voice near the end.

"I guess I could come to visit you, but…I don't know, it wouldn't be much of a visit with you sitting on the other side of a fence where I can't even interact with you. It just wouldn't feel right."

Nom Nom's shoulders slumped as his gaze shifted to the floor. He almost turned around, but the fear of what he'd see if he looked the bear in the eye prevented him from doing so.

"I guess I'm being the selfish one now."

The heavy guilt in his tone was unbearable, and it finally shattered the koala's resolve. He clenched his teeth and closed his eyes tightly as tears slowly streamed down his cheeks. Damn him.

"I came here to support you, and even if I don't really want you to do this, I can't tell you not to," Grizz continued as he took a step closer to the koala and knelt down on one knee. "I can't really call myself your friend if I can't respect your choices." The bear reached out a paw and placed it to Nom Nom's shoulder, gently turning him so that they were face to face again. Grizz's smile faltered slightly as he noticed Nom Nom's tear-stained cheeks. "Just promise me that…if it doesn't work out, you'll call me, okay?" he added as he reached up to wipe the other's face with his paw. "Seriously, our cave is always open."

Nom Nom nodded hesitantly, unable to look the bear in the eye.

Forcing a pained smile, Grizz leaned down and wrapped his arms around the tiny marsupial and pulled him close. "I hope everything works out for you. Take care of yourself, okay?" he managed to squeak as he fought back his own tears.

"Y-Yeah. Sure. Uh…you, too."

"So when were you planning on going?" Grizz asked as he pulled away, maintaing that forced smile.

"Today," Nom Nom muttered quickly, glancing at his feet. "Probably after the zoo opens."

The smile finally faded, and the bear looked distraught once again. "Wow, that soon, huh?" He noticed the koala nod slowly, keeping his gaze lowered. "Well…good luck, I guess."

Straightening up, Grizz quickly turned and headed for the door, certain he was going to have an emotional break down any moment, and he did not want Nom Nom to witness it. He was almost out the door when he paused and looked back at the smaller animal, who had slowly shuffled behind him to see him out.

"Uh…" His thoughts trailed off as he watched Nom Nom glance up at him curiously. The grizzly clamped his mouth shut and just stared at him for several agonizingly long seconds, knowing it'd be the last he ever saw of him. He had expected Nom Nom to get aggravated with him and snap at him for staring so long, but he simply stared back at him, his expression tinged with uncertainty. He almost wanted the marsupial to get angry with him.

"Bye, Nom Nom," he finally said after an awkward pause and turned to leave, never giving Nom Nom an opportunity to respond, as he knew he was going to lose it any second.

Nom Nom stepped into the open doorway and watched as the bear departed down the hall with quick strides. He had almost considered yelling for him to come back, but what would he tell him if he did? What was he supposed to say? There was nothing more to be said on the matter, as his mind was made up. He'll move on. Give it enough time, and he'll get past this. I'm sure he'll forget about me after a few weeks.

The koala continued staring almost regretfully at the bear's retreating form until he finally rounded the corner, likely never to be seen again. "Bye," he whispered as he stepped back into the room and shut the door, feeling incredibly unsatisfied and even more unsure of himself than he had before Grizz had come to see him. He turned and leaned his back against the door before slowly sliding to the floor with a heavy sigh, his gaze shifting to the ceiling. I'm doing the right thing.

ooooooo

By the time Grizz had rounded the corner and came upon the elevators, he could already feel his tears soaking into the fur of his cheeks. He sniffled loudly as he slammed his paw against the elevator button, while wiping at his eyes with the other. Was that it? Was that all you could say to him? You realize you're never going to see him again, right? The bear was unable to stifle a choked sob as he pressed his head against the wall, shoulders shaking slightly. Suck it up, Grizzly! This is what he wants to do. You should be happy for him!

The elevator doors rattled as they finally parted, and Grizz staggered inside, still sobbing quietly. He leaned against the wall and stared up into the yellowish overhead light, managing a few calming breaths. You gotta let him go. He knows what he's doing. You wanted him to be happy, right? Stop being so selfish!

Grizz tried to avoid the curious gaze of a man as he stepped out of the elevator and rushed towards the doors. Once he was outside, he made his way around the building to the designated smoking area and had a seat on one of the benches to collect himself. By this point, his eyes were finally starting to dry and he had managed to calm down somewhat. He took a few moments to get himself calm again before pulling his cellphone from his backpack and making a quick call to Panda.

"Hey, Grizz!" his little brother greeted cheerfully. "How's it going?"

"Uh…good. Everything's good. I'll probably be leaving pretty soon," Grizz replied with as much cheerfulness as he could muster, which wasn't much.

"Did everything go okay with Nom Nom?"

The grizzly hesitated a moment. "Y-Yeah, everything went great."

Grizz knew he didn't sound the least bit convincing, and the brief pause that followed after his response indicated to him that Panda had already sensed something was wrong.

"Grizz, what's the matter? You don't sound good."

"No, I'm fine, Pan-Pan!"

"No, you're not, Grizz. What happened?" his younger sibling pressed, a tinge of anger in his tone. "What did that jerk say to you?"

Grizz knew he couldn't blame Panda for being suspicious, but his accusatory tone still struck a nerve, and he was quick to defend the koala. "He didn't say anything! He…well…I mean, he did, but…it's not like that, okay? Don't call him that."

"Well, then what's wrong? What did he say?"

"He…" Grizz sighed heavily, running a paw over the top of his head. "Look, I'll tell you guys about it when I get home, okay? I don't really wanna talk about it right now. I'm gonna grab something to eat…and then I'll be on my way. I'll see you guys soon."

"All right," Panda responded with a bit of hesitation, the concern in his tone still present. "Send a text when you get into town, 'kay?"

"You bet. Bye, Pan-Pan."

Grizz tossed his phone back inside his backpack before pushing himself off the rickety bench and making his way off the hotel property.

ooooooo

Grizz was the last one to stagger onto the idling bus. Letting his paws glide across the tops of the seats, he made his way down the narrow aisle towards the very back of the bus, where very few people were residing. He slid his backpack off his shoulders and tossed it onto the seat before plopping down, pressing himself close to the window. After about five minutes or so, the bus gave a shudder before finally pulling out of the bus station and making its way onto the highway. The bear sighed heavily as he slumped against the seat and watched as the trees and buildings rushed by in a blur. The further the bus traveled, the sicker he felt. Why didn't you just try to convince him to come back with you? You're never going to see him again!

The bear sighed again, though it was very shaky. No, c'cmon, don't start crying again. Knowing he desperately needed a distraction, Grizz pulled out his phone and opened a game he had downloaded prior to the trip. He played the game with little enthusiasm, unable to focus long enough to even get to the second level. He found his thoughts quickly drifting away from the game and back to Nom Nom. Despite gazing intently at the screen of his phone, the koala's face was all he could see. Even after his character had been killed off for the umpteenth time and the game returned to the main menu screen, Grizz did not so much as move a paw. Every 'what if' scenario played and replayed itself over and over again in his mind, though one drove him absolutely mad: could he have said even one thing that could have changed the outcome of the situation? Would Nom Nom be sitting beside him on this bus right now if their conversation had played out differently?

It's not like I could make him happy. I'd just get on his nerves, like I always do.

Grizz finally tore his eyes away from the screen of his phone and rested his head back against the seat. He almost felt as if he was stuck in one of those cliche romance movies Panda loved to watch so much, and right now he was living out the overused trope where one or both love interests go their separate ways, one of them usually getting on a plane or some other form of public transportation and leaving town, only for one of them to realize they're in love with the other and scramble to reunite with them once again and confess their feelings. He almost laughed at the thought. After all, it wasn't as though he was actually in love with….

Oh…Oh no.

Grizz suddenly felt an odd sensation in the pit of his stomach, and his heart started beating frantically.

No, it was absurd. There was just no way. Almost every encounter he had ever had with Nom Nom had been a negative one. How could someone as mean-spirited and selfish as him possibly win his heart? Sure, he cared about him and wanted to help him, but...

He's…not all bad. Yeah, he's selfish, but…he's been hurt, and now he's really confused about life. He just doesn't understand a lot of things. He's never really had anyone be there for him. I feel like we probably have a lot in common. He may act like he doesn't want anyone around, but he needs someone! He needs…

"Me," the bear whispered quietly to himself. "He needs me…and I need him. We need each other."

There was no sense in trying to make sense of it. He loved him, and that was that.

His feelings finally realized, Grizz snatched his backpack and shot up from his seat, making his way to the front of the bus. "Hey, stop the bus! I need to get off!"

The bus driver glanced into the rearview mirror, arching a brow as he watched the bear bound up the aisle behind him. "Excuse me?"

"Sorry, but I need to get off! I uh…I forgot something important."

The driver shrugged as he slowed the bus to a stop and cranked the doors open. "All right, but I won't be waiting around for you to get back. You'll just have to catch another bus."

"That's cool! Thanks!"

Grizz jumped down from the bus and immediately started running with newfound determination, hoping he wasn't already too late.

Author's Note: First, I just want to apologize for taking so long to update this. As I mentioned, working a full time job really slows me down and sort of sucks out any desire I have to write.

So there will in fact be a part 3. I realized this chapter was going to get ridiculously long if I tried squeezing everything in here, and since it's been so long since I first posted this story, I felt like this was a better option. Had I kept it as a two parter, there's no telling how much longer it would have been before I finally updated.