Watching the Paint Dry

Redrum listened intently as Hag responded, her words revealing a bit of her inner world, a world where affection wasn’t expressed and words didn’t mean… what they meant. It wasn’t too hard to grasp for him, what with Medusa as his mother. He observed her face for any subtle change, searching for any signs that his presence might not be welcomed.

Her cherry gaze, wide and bright, met his own, and he stared back. She didn't know if she liked the water, just as she didn't know if she liked him. As she listed off the names of those she liked, Redrum grinned at the simplicity of her affection. Her mention of wanting to like him stirred something within him, and he thought it wouldn’t be so bad if he made that list too. “Red– probably wants—- to like –you too.” It was a simple declaration, his words soft but sincere, unsure if they would resonate with her.