Here's another short little oneshot I wrote. Sorry for the slight delay. I have quite a few days off, so I've got a little time to write. This one in particular is an existing scene in the game, but goes a little bit more in depth with that's going through the characters' heads; specifically, Garry's. Anyway, enjoy!

Prompt Word #22: Smile

Garry cast a heavy-lidded glance at the watch on his wrist. The time it read was 3:43, and since it wasn't a digital watch, he couldn't tell if that was in the morning or in the afternoon. But he shrugged it off, remembering that the thing didn't work, and hadn't been working since he arrived in this place. Garry had the watch for a long time, but he felt like it wasn't broken. Like maybe time was suspended in this place.

He heavily yawned, looking to the vase that held both his and Ib's rose. His blue rose stood much taller than her red rose, just like he did compared to her. Ib was so small. Garry looked to the sleeping girl. After she fainted, Garry gathered her up in his arms and carried her down the hallway. They entered the room they were currently in now, and Garry dropped their roses in the vase and set Ib gently on the floor. He shrugged his coat off his shoulders and draped it on top of her.

Garry had been too on edge to fall asleep, so he skimmed the random books he found in the bookcases. After a while, sleep overwhelmed him and he drifted off, but only for maybe an hour or so.

The sudden familiar rustling of his coat caused Garry to shift his eyes back to Ib. She sat upright, her maroon eyes were wide with surprise. Her tiny fingers were gripping the collar of his coat unknowingly. Garry walked up to her, kneeling to her level, resting his arm on his knee.

"Good morning, Ib," he said, giving her a smile. Garry wasn't always good at talking to children, but he had to do something. "How are you feeling?"

"I.. I had a nightmare," she said, casting her eyes downward, fiddling with the artistic tears of Garry's coat.

"Understandable," he said. "You've been through a lot. I'm sorry I didn't notice sooner."

Ib turned her head back up, staring into his metallic blue eyes. The way she looked at him, it told him that even though she had been brave, she was still terrified out of her mind. Especially after the close calls they managed before arriving to this room. Ib's rose almost lost all of it's petals. Again, Garry found himself at a loss for words.

Then, an idea crossed his mind. Flashing her a bright smile, he instructed her, "Ib, will you take a look in the pocket of that coat?"

Her hand wandered inside the pocket and pulled out the lemon-flavored hard candy he carried with him. Garry could have really used that right about now. He used the candy to help take the edge off his nicotine cravings, since he was trying to quit his smoking habit. The stress and fear this day had thrown at him made him want to smoke an entire pack at once. But Garry sincerely believe that Ib needed it more than him. Her crimson eyes locked with his.

"You can have that," Garry said. "Feel free to eat it."

With that, he stood up, smiling down at her, and made his way over to the bookcase. Perhaps to read, or perhaps to maybe try and get a few moments of sleep, he didn't know. His eyes ran over the books a second time, until Ib appeared in the corner of his eye. She offered him his coat, and spread across her face was probably the best smile she had mustered since he met her.

"Oh, my coat. Thank you." He took the garment from her hands, and her smile widened. Garry felt a strange warmth rise in his chest every time she smiled. He wanted to keep her cute face like that.

Anything else was a disservice.

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Thank you all so, so much for your continued support.