the enemy

16 | they stumble that run fast

It had been the day after she returned from the treehouse. Her mind was greatly curious; to the point where she didn't want to run anymore. It had always been her natural response, only now she felt as if it caused more damage.
The world was so much brighter now, more inviting to her feelings it seemed.

When her eyes met his in the treehouse that night, the feeling that always lingered unknowingly had felt different now. As if it was more welcomed, in the oddest way possible. She feared running now more than a sense of security— she knew deeply that's what she always wanted, as that's what her life always lacked; only now it was so clear. She had always ran from the security because that's what she thought was evil. That's how she had been raised to believe, at least over these past few years.

Maybe it had been the dwell of being parted so long; the act had more meaning. Truly she would never know the answer as to why her mind changed so quickly.
Though it's important to note there was no change at all. It had always been there, the same emotion she felt in this moment, in the treehouse last night— it was always there.

The same smile burned on her face, the twinkle of the night sky in the boy's blue eyes. The way there mind's fit together the way puzzle pieces do; in perfect harmony. There was a reason why the two met in the field that day, why they immediately formed a bond with ease— why they would later continue to risk it all every night for the other. The pictured formed itself in her mind. She wasn't exposed to many friendships, though common sense told her something was special.

It was only know though, that her mind was thirsty; with a quench to only be solved by answered. She wanted to know now.

It was now the daylight, and Tommy was in the east— she needed to find him; to find the truth.
For him to admit how she felt, because she surely couldn't do it herself.

—
Tommy woke up with a stiff throat.
Beside him laid his brunet friend, passed asleep. He wished Tubbo was awake, even debated waking him up so he didn't have to be alone, with himself; his thoughts.

After last night, he felt so weird. His heart fluttered in a way it hadn't before, a way nobody made it. It was different than how he felt when Wilbur praised him, or when he listened to his discs with Tubbo— not even the serotonin the winning of war supplied could match this feeling.
It was far more complex to his dull mind. In which he would have to process such, not something he's ever had to do. Tommy was smart, only his mind was dense to any emotion; unlucky for a person who deals with every variation of feelings.

His whole life he was surrounded by his brothers, and other various people who worked for Wilbur in L'manberg, Tubbo as well— though nobody has ever picked his brain quite like her. In such a well that compelled him, it was just now though that he had to sit and think; think about how she made his heart feel, not just his brain. The way she made it beat differently than anyone else. Since the very first day he had met the girl the statement had been true.

Maybe that's why he hadn't pushed the girl away when Tubbo invited her despite his anxiety about a new person? Why he wanted to see her even after his brother kept telling him not to, because she was so special to him.
He had always just assumed it was the thrill of rebellion that made him continue, only it was so much more than that.

Only now it felt almost overwhelming, it felt so new; though it hadn't been. He was tripping over himself, over his thoughts.
The act of falling was hard, though the boy found keeping himself on his toes was far more difficult.

Maybe it was time for him to discover it all?
He wasn't ready though— surely not. He knows that, he's too anxious, staggered minded. Needing to figure himself out completely before dappling into what felt like a black hole to the teenage boy.
Though the thoughts kept pulling him closer, deeper, his mind wanted to know; to reason with himself, with her. He wanted more than anything to run away from it, avoiding what his brother warned him of— his subconscious wouldn't allow him; the subconscious is always right.

"Maybe a walk would help." He whispers to himself, before letting out a deep breath.
Some time alone, away from her, away from Tubbo, so he could relax himself. He did hesitate leaving, as this meant he would have to face himself, he assured himself that he would be able to relax; he wouldn't have to deal with any of that, surely. The boy knew himself, believing he could get distracted by a fly before he thoughts trailed back to her. He bit down on his tongue, sitting up to write the other boy a note.

'Went for a walk, be back soon. -Big T'
Just incase he woke up before Tommy was back.

So the blond throws his light brown, leather backpack over his shoulders, before climbing down the long ladder. He turns around, to head for the direction of the willow tree next to the brook— before he saw a shade of h/c on the horizon, bobbing up and down as it grew closer.
"Shit."