Bad raced to his heart's content. What was he running away from? He didn't know, but let's just say that he was running away from his problems and responsibilities. He was surprised at how his legs didn't hurt, or how no one was awoken from the loud clanging of his feet.

He slowed down and saw that he ran to the bakery. Guess he missed this place more than he'd admit.

He walked to the front, and sat down. He closed his eyes peacefully.

~~~

"Oh, my boy." The old lady said, opening her arms for Bad as he ran over to hug her.

"Mmm... G'mornin." He yawned, trying to remove the drowsy feeling that's making everything fuzzy.

"Still sleepy, ey?" She chuckled. "Hopefully you've been getting enough sleep, my muffin."

"'M tired." Bad muttered out, barely holding himself uptight.

"Well, here. Have some food first, love." She removed a fresh baked patch of muffins, which seemed to have done the trick as his eyes lightened.

"Ah, ah, ah. You need to eat real food first, okay?" Bad let out a small whine, but didn't complain any further.

The old lady rubbed her hands behind Bad's pointy ears, smiling when his tail wagged.

~~~

Bad slowly opened his eyes, shaking his head with a nod. Not right now.

Please.

He looked at the other shops surrounding him, no signs of anyone. The only things here are all the insects crawling up the lampposts. He looked away.

Walking boredly along the path, he saw the Luna tree. He loved this place dearly, the view there makes him feel peaceful.

He placed his hand on the rough bench, and sat there, hands and legs together as he admired the moon.

At least the moon's there for him, and he'll never leave.

~

Zak walked downstairs, carefull not to wake anyone. Or, at least not let anyone know he's awake. He'd be lying if he said that more than half the people here had functioning sleep schedules. It was almost laughable, how the idea that everyone has it as messed up as him is both unbelievable yet so real.

He moved around his lamp, checking for anyone. He placed it down on a nearby table and began to fetch a glass to put water in.

He wasn't exactly been drinking a lot too. Of course that'd catch him when it's almost near sunrise.

His breathing was quick, making his hand all shaky and his thinking all fuzzy and messed up. The stress was really getting to him.

He needed a break.

He ran up to the stairs after lazily placing his cup wherever.

He took his book, his mask, and his cloak, not bothering to change out of his nightclothes that drooped over his body.

After jumping out, safely, of course, he guiltily stole on of the lamps on the side of the walls. He'll bring it back later, he swears.

He walked, thankful that the path was safe and nowhere near the woods.

After a while, his legs was giving out. Guess he shouldn't have skipped exercising before swordfighting, eh? He really regrets going on a long walk, but he keeps going anyways.

Soon, he reaches the Luna tree.

He saw someone sitting there. Defeated, he turns away and plans to return back. He let out an audible sigh, which seems to catch the attention of someone.

"Hello?" The voice said. Zak grumbled, he did not want to talk right now. Unintentionally leaving him unanswered, he built an awkward atmosphere for the two.

He heard the voice mumble, something about hearing an animal. He guessed that the 'animal' was him.

"Greetings. Pardon for interrupting your private time." Skeppy said, sitting down in an odd distance away.

"Oh, no, good sir! It's quite alright. I was feeling lonely, anyways." he said, smiling sadly to himself.

"And why is that?" said Skeppy, who unnoticeably raised a brow.

"That's the thing. I, sadly, have no clue." he muttered hopelessly, Skeppy barely comprehending the words.

"That's unfortunate." Skeppy said, looking away as the other looked to the opposite direction.

Bad only hummed in acknowledgement, leaving the two in an awkward silence, only hearing the gust of the wind, and the ruffling of the leaves. Skeppy shuffled uncomfortably around his seat, bringing his legs to his chest as Bad stared at his mask.

"Skeppy?" said Bad. That seemed to catch Zak's attention as he quickly looked him in the eye.

"Bad?" he said in response.

Bad chuckled. Who knew that they'd meet at the same spot this late?

"Hey." He let out a little wave, making Skeppy smile underneath his mask.

"Your mask really makes you stand out, y'know?" he explained, sharply looking at the mask covering his eyes, making Zak look down at the feeling of being watched. Bad quickly looked away after Zak was silent.

"So, how was that book?" he said, hoping to spark a conversation.

"It was--" Zak paused. He's been so busy lately, he forgot about the book. "I haven't read it yet. Life always gets in the way."

"Awe, that's fine. Do you want to talk about it?" said Bad. He struggled to talk about his problems himself, but maybe this could make things easier for the both of them? Maybe.

Zak looked at Bad with his head tilted. Yes. He badly wanted to say yes. Bad is a stranger anyway, so that could make things easier.

"Sure. I -- I do." he said breathily.

"Everything -- its just way too heavy. There are so many things I need to do, to hide, and just- It just sucks! It's my life, so why can't I live it? I'm so sick of sacrificing my happiness for other people's satisfaction. It too heavy to hold and everything hurts." he cried. The pain and anger building up his chest overpowered all of the fear and doubts he had of oversharing.

"My- my sister, she... She left me. My mother has never been in my life except for now, now that she wants to give me away to marry. My father is drifting away from me. I made my old friend left. The only person I have now is my swordfighting instructor... and I keep pushing everyone away so that when they leave, it won't hurt as much." he finally said it. Everything that's been building up. The pride he felt was soon turned by embarrassment.

He quickly wiped the tears flowing down, mumbling apologies, but when he looked up,

Bad was crying too.

He pulled Zak into a hug and held unto him tightly. He hugged back, moving slightly to avoid wetting Bad's clothes too much. Bad rubbed circles in Zak's back, and if he wasn't uncontrollably sobbing before, he is now.

08/15/21

That took a while to write :))

Note to self: writing makes motivation, so writing is the best way to gain it, rather than waiting.

Goodbye luvs <33