THE OWL HOUSE

"Kindness and Forgiveness."

CHAPTER 30

BY W.A. STOKINS

FIN 7/7/23 AT 9:21 PM.

A/N:

It's time, it's time, it's finally time!

I've wanted to do more with Phillip & Bump's relationship for a long time, and- not to give too much away, but you better be ready for some moldy old man yaoi.

It's what the world needs right now.

The rest of the gang's journey home was uneventful. Just as the sun began to set on the 4th day, they'd arrived at the doorstep of Blight Manor. Amity & Phillip gave a small 'goodbye', as King and Luz waved and hopped on her palisman staff - flying off back to the Owl House.

Amity and Phillip entered the manor, immediately met by Alador and Darius. Of course, She'd kept her parents in the loop on what'd happened through text messages and calls, but…It was still nice for them to see their daughter home safely.

…Oh, And Belos too, I guess.

Considering how late in the day it was, and how a proper meal would take a few hours to cook - they all just mutually decided to order out for the night. As they waited for food to arrive, they all gathered into the living room to discuss their tumultuous trip.

Phillip's new disability was obviously the hot topic, but he mostly kept quiet and let Amity tell the tale. She had to make a few things up in the middle, but otherwise it was pretty straight-laced retelling of the battle with the Slitherbeast. Alador crossed his arms, and admitted "Perhaps I'd misjudged you, Phillip." Although Darius whispered "I wouldn't be so sure."

Dinner soon arrived, and everyone ate their fill. But, Phillip mostly stayed silent as everyone else spoke. As soon as it was appropriate to do so, he excused himself and returned to the guest bedroom. Well, it was mostly his bedroom now…

He sat down at his desk. He tried to start on a diary entry, but- it felt like he couldn't. This frustrated him. Everything was frustrating him. He grit his teeth and clutched his pen, his breath hot. Before, the pressure just got too much and he snapped - letting out a hellish roar and slamming his one hand against the table.

Taking a deep breath to calm down, he buried his face in his arms as hot tears began to flow. Even if it was behind closed doors and away from prying eyes, he felt a sharp twinge of shame from such a childish display.

Currant did her best to calm her owner down. Cuddling up on his shoulder, and pleading telepathically - "Are you okay? What's wrong?"

Phillip raised his head, peeking at his Palisman. His eyes wet, but- he tried to calm himself down. "I'm sorry you had to see that." He said, wiping his face on his sleeve. "It's just- it feels like, no matter what I do, everyone looks at me with suspicion for…Crimes I can't even r emember."

This had been a feeling he had for a while. People always treated him as if he was about to backstab them, Even when he genuinely had the best of intentions. He would still have his blooming arm, if he didn't!

His words were heavy. He said nothing else. Further words choked in his throat, so- he just gave up in trying to talk about it. Bottling it back up inside. He just walked over and laid down on the bed. Perhaps it was just nerves from a high stress trip. Maybe if he just got some sleep, he'd feel better in the morning.

Although he'd wished nobody heard his little breakdown, Amity did. And she couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for him, and…how alone he really was. Even if it was his fault, he'd burnt every bridge he'd crafted. But, that was- all before he'd returned like a phoenix from the ashes.

She remembered hearing about Luz's trip into his mind from way back when, and…how he initially appeared in his own mindscape as a scared little boy. Of course, it turned out to be a manipulation tactic to get Luz's guard down, but… in this moment, as she listened to him softly weep through thin walls, all she could hear was that same scared kid.

But even the Girlfriends couldn't bring themselves to trust him, not fully, even after he'd sacrificed his arm just so they would have a chance at escaping a ferocious beast. There was just… Too much in their past to truly bury the hatchet and start anew.

But she hoped that maybe, with someone, he could. He needed someone he could truly trust, a beacon of light in the darkness. Not just a friend, a…a partner.

A partner, huh?

You know, she remembered how a little while ago he'd confessed to finding Hieronymus Bump attractive. So…Maybe she could play matchmaker, at least shake the tree and see what came out. It probably wouldn't work out, but there was a tiny chance it would…

Phillip tossed and turned, his mind having turned from thinking about his current circumstances into his past circumstances - Freshly unlocked memories replaying in his mind. The last thing he remembered was his brother being taken away to the land of witches and swearing he wouldn't rest until Caleb was rescued.

But.. Considering the fact that he was IN a land of witches, then- that must've meant he was successful, right? Perhaps…Perhaps, he discovered that the Witches were innocent, that they'd not been harming the village, and the brothers found the land so beautiful they decided to leave their old lives behind.

Hunter was his nephew, right? That means Caleb had a son. If he raised a child, then, he must have lived for a decently long time…

His soul tried its hardest to keep that flame of hope burning, even though at this point it was embers. In his heart, he knew it was just a lie he was telling himself to keep going. He was once 'A great criminal', as Amity put it. Was he forced to turn to thieving to survive? What did he possibly do at Gluteus? No, it couldn't have been just Gluteus…What could he possibly have done to the entirety of the Boiling Isles?

Eventually, he ran out of mental energy, and sleep once again took him.

Amity awoke as the crack of dawn. The first matter of business was to try and get Hieronymus on board as well, so she rang his phone number.

It rang several times, but after a minute he finally picked it up. "Good morning, Amity…" He grumbled. Very clearly having been woken up by the call.

"Heyyyy, Bump…" Her voice trailed, she tried to be confident but she knew how hard of a sell this was going to be. Going through a half dozen different ways to phrase it, she just spat it out - "Do you wanna go on a date with Belos?!"

Hieroynmus began to laugh. He laughed hard, assuming it was a joke. Through tears, he squeaked "Good one!"

Amity felt her stomach drop, having to physically stop herself from just hanging up and burying her head in a pillow. "No, no, I was- serious." She mumbled.

"Oh." He muttered, his body tensing. Now he felt like a dick. But, still, he tried to let his former pupil down easy. "Look… I really appreciate the offer, and it's really noble how you two are trying to help him become a better person, but…Do you really think I'm the right person to bring on board?"

"B-but…" She mumbled, rubbing the bridge of her nose. She *really* should've gotten Luz to do this, she was better with emotional stuff… "We really need your help. We're…We're struggling a lot with him, but- you have the experience to truly lead him on the right path."

"Amity, I was a high school principal. Not a social worker." He said in a deadpan manner.

"Cmon, Bump. He…Really needs another friend outside of us." She resigned, her final defense. "Whaaat if we make it a double date? Me and Luz can come along, and- we'll keep an eye on you two in case anything happens."

"...Alright." Bump said, after a momentary pause. He'd been thinking a lot recently, he was getting a bit lonely in his old age. Maybe someone to keep him company with, to settle down with…Would be nice. Maybe this would turn out good for him. "When?"

She should feel relieved that she got him to say yes, but…She also couldn't blame him for saying no. She felt like she pressured him into it, and felt kind of guilty for that. This entire situation just…Sucked. "How does tonight at 8 sound? We'll pick you up."

"I'll see you there." Bump said, giving a small nod.