Ten Thousand Lightning Bugs

Spider paced toward the rapids as the sun set with his head characteristically low and his ears pinned back. He had wanted to avoid isolating himself after the healer training but he’d done little to meet the other members. In his mind Toad flung his insecurities to the forefront of his mind, tormenting him endlessly and bringing his low spirits further down.

“You don’t deserve anyone.” He whispered quietly into the night and continued to skulk in silence. A sudden interruption came to him with a lightning bug landing gingerly on his nose and forcing his speckled eyes to focus on it. It glinted like a star then just as suddenly as it came, it flew away, flying daintily toward the rapids and drawing his focus to the dark male.

He felt a chill of fear rise in him, afraid that the male had heard him talking to himself and would consider him a freak. He waited, unable to help but let out a small whine of apprehension escape him.

Spider speaking  Toad's voice You