ENNUI

It wasn't strange for Fear to find letters on his bed or workplace every now and then. They were poems and romantic words in general. Love letters basically. Fear had a hard time figuring out who these letters were from.

He found another one just this morning, waking up first before anyone else and noticed a white-purplish envelope with a little heart acting as the seal. Fear scratched his head and focused, wanting to absolutely understand who writes these letters. He tried reading it but the handwriting was really bad, almost as if the sender didn't write with a pen in years.

Fear could only understand a few words like "love" or "Fear", but most of it was obscure to him. He held his chin and staring emptily until he decided that maybe Joy would be able to read it for him, but then again, it was a love letter. It wouldn't be nice to just show it to the first emotion who passes.

All of a sudden, Fear felt a chill down his spine, as a mysterious presence slowly ascended aside him. It was Ennui, her eyes fixed on the screen, squinting her eyes.

"AHHH!" Fear let out a scream and jumped back a bit. He held his chest, but then sighed in relief when he saw it was just Ennui.

She just stared intensely at the screen, then slowly turned her glance to Fear, not sure of what to think.

"W-what were you doing down there?! I hardly noticed you." Asked a shaking Fear, still somewhat took by surprise.

Ennui sighs. "Mon dieu… I must have fainted while on my phone… what a shame."

She slowly waved at Fear. "Good morning by the way."

Fear decided to not inquire as to why she was so focused on the screen but he recommended that she should definitely get some shut eye.

Ennui shook her head, saying she's used to it. "What's sleep?" she unorthodoxly scratched her cheek… not very ladylike.

Fear forced a smile and decided to show the letter to Ennui. He didn't seem too bothered and Ennui was one that didn't care much about anything. Spreading rumors about a possible love letter was something that wouldn't even cross her mind.

After all, Fear learned to know Ennui and she could be trusted.

"I need you to read this for me, if you want of course." He giggled. "I have been getting these letters but I can't decipher their arcane meaning. I tried everything, from Braille to Morse and it just isn't working! Maybe you can crack this Enigma code of a letter…"

Ennui blinked and realized something. She snatched the letter out of his hands, her eyes shot open and then… a blush spread across her face.

"You okay?" smiled Fear, reaching out to her shoulder. "You seem a little paler than usual."

The blush was also replaced by what seemed to be a little bitterness and disappointment.

"You couldn't read any letters that you received?" questioned Ennui.

Fear could sense the hesitation in her voice, the little pause she did. What she was showing right now was vulnerability, as her usual face was replaced by a saddened one. She was hurt and the raw nerve could see that.

"Ennui…" Fear reached his hand out to hers. She doesn't lift it, rather allows him to take her hand in his. His hand was warm and reassuring, feelings that Ennui always rebuked. Of her own admission, she didn't have much need of anything, but this time… something changed in her heart upon seeing Fear showing genuine concern.

"Let's just sit down and read this together, okay?" he reassured, inviting the bored emotion to sit down with him. Many thoughts crossed her own mind. She had never felt so many things at once: trepidation, sorrow and hope were only some of the sensations she was experiencing in those moments, which seemed to be so fast compared to how slow her lifestyle is.

"Whatever you're going through, like if you had a bad day, let's just talk about it. That's what Joy taught me and it helped me. I'm sure it'll help you as well." He explained, patting a spot next to him.

Ennui plops down, sitting improperly, but it was comfortable to her. She looked down at her knees and at her phone too, trying to avoid Fear's gaze, like a child who knows did something wrong.

She speaks up. "There's… someone I like… that way."

Fear nods interested and smiles through his surprised face. Ennui liking someone? Ennui thinking about someone other than herself?

"That's fantastic! Who is he? Anger? Maybe Embarrassment? I saw Sadness getting very friendly with him." He smiled more and placed a hand on her shoulder, making her clench her fists. She never gripped her phone so hard.

"W-well… it's a secret." She blushed. "I'll tell you later though, but…" she pauses. "Don't tell anyone, okay?" she presses her hands on her legs more.

Noticing her discomfort, Fear does not press her further and suddenly hugs her. Initially surprised, Ennui felt so at ease in that moment and happily returned the hug. She tilted her head slightly, to feel more of his shoulder. Moments later, Ennui reads him the letter, while he listens… oblivious as ever.

After the day had passed, it was bed time for Fear and the lot. Some emotions still had to hit the bunks, but emotions like Envy and Disgust were fast asleep already. Fear had a lot to think about. Despite everything, he could not figure out who Ennui's crush is. Whoever he was, she was really good at hiding it… or so he thought.

Weirdly enough, Ennui did not reach him to tell the secret. He hoped she would be okay and that she'd be able to find the courage to reveal her crush. It had to be Anger anyway, right?

That was tomorrow's problem, as he pulled the sheets on him and dozed off to dreamland… or at least he would have if he didn't feel something tugging at his shirt.

Mildly annoyed, he lifts the sheets, only to reveal a blushing Ennui clinging onto his shirt with both fists clenched, her chin resting on his chest, looking at him.

Fear jolts back, now sitting on his knees, but Ennui quickly puts him at ease.

"HOW DID YOU-"

"Shhh! It's alright, mon ami." She smiled weakly, still blushing crazy. She quickly gets into sitting position as well, the two of them extremely close now, touching noses, within breathing range.

Time seemed to have come to a halt now.

Fear, now he too was red on the face, found himself surprised at this peculiar encounter. Still, he did not hate it. He was glad Ennui trusted him this much but… just what is going on?

Ennui's hand unwillingly intertwined with his, as if both of them were guided by an invisible force, wanting them to feel each other's touch.

Fear couldn't help but think how cute Ennui was, something about that smile, those heavy eyelids, even her bad self care made him think he was too quick to judge her. He thought she was heartless, only looking out for herself or for Riley when it best suited her… couldn't be further from the truth.

They were lost in each other's eyes, until Fear noticed his hand was being squeezed more and more, trying to pull him closer to her.

They stayed like that for a while, but Fear didn't seem to catch the hint.

Ennui sighs and pulls away, letting go of his hand. She rubs her eyes and just falls asleep, in his bed.

"How strange." Remarked Fear, oblivious than ever.

Even while she was sleeping, he thought she was cute, he couldn't help but smile at the vulnerability she was showing earlier, even now.

Fear sighs and pulls the sheets over on both of them. He quickly dozes off as well. The bed was maybe a little too small for two.

Ennui kept waking him up with her constant moving in her sleep. She would often kick Fear almost off the bed, twist her legs with his or even go over his waist.

Safe to say he couldn't get much sleep, but he endured. For her.