𝚋𝚞𝚛𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐. 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗮𝗱𝗲

𝚅

☆゜+ . * . +゜☆

Rock slowly rolled over onto their back, not worried about the phone that Olive was laid on given that they had earphones in. The worse that could happen really was either Rock rolling out of the bed, or Olive deciding to chew straight through the wire of their headphones. Neither would be a surprise. On the other end of the line, came the warm voice of one Alastair, more commonly known as Eret on the internet.

"Y'know, last I recall you were the one who mentioned being alone for Christmas, Achilles."

A just as warm chuckle came from Rock, thinking about their best friend on the other end of the line. One of the first people they had picked up on their adventures, finding a family of their own. Alastair had made her way so quickly into their good books because of how alike their thinking was. That and Rock had very much been a lost puppy back then, so to speak. Still was really, though they just did better at hiding it.

"Well, Eret, that would be because I am going to be alone for Christmas. I leave Orlando on the 23rd."

A moment of silence followed, and Achilles could very nearly hear the cogs turning in the others head. Rock had never been good at attachments. There was more than one reason for that, and all answers would lead back to the same place. The past. Rock had never been one to let go of the past. It always seemed like too much of a daunting task.

"What does your brother have to say about that?"

"I'm an adult. He can't-"

A quiet 'hey' left Eret, and it made Achilles grip the wire of their earphones between thin fingers and twiddle with it, squeezing their eyes shut.

"I'm not criticising you, just trying to show I care."

"I know. I'm sorry, can I call you later? I need sleep."

"Of course you can. Love you bud."

"Uhuh, love you 'stair."

Running away was a lot easier than confronting, after all.

☆゜+ . * . +゜☆

[346 words]