reality is a lovely place, but i wouldn't want to live there

He took in a deep breath, glad to have someone to hold right now. He couldn’t run to his mom and dad. That couldn’t happen. He knew he could go to Io or Meadow, but they were authority figures too. He didn’t know how they would react. He knew they wouldn’t make him feel bad, but sitting here with Rue wrapped around and in his arms he was glad he’d come here. For how much he hurt Rue was more appreciated than she realized.

He tried to harden his heart before he bled out, it was just too much all at once. He knew what they’d said, how had he not realized this was what was going to happen. Indigo swallowed hard and let out his breath in a long sigh that filtered through Rue’s thick fur. ”You’re my best friend.” Meadow had gone to the Hallows, Io was trying to make a family and she’d been so sick. He didn’t want to give her anymore grief than she already had to deal with.

Rue kissed him and held onto him tight, willing him not to bed sad. ”I’m trying.” He told her, the desperation in his voice showing how deep the wounds went. ”It just hurts. So bad.” He shook his giant head lightly and curled in on her even tighter as he willed the emotions away.