Theea
Yla
My hands fly to my mouth the moment I see her stagger back.
“Oh—oh no, Soh—”
I rush toward her, eyes wide with guilt, the sting in my own knuckle completely forgotten. She’s got a hand over her eye, and I can already see the sharp flush of red blooming around it. No swelling yet, but it’s going to bruise. It’s definitely going to bruise.
“I’m so sorry,” I say again, voice soft and horrified. “Gods, I didn’t mean to—I really didn’t. That came with real momentum, I should’ve been paying more attention—”
I’ve landed punches before. On my parents, during training. But that was always controlled. On purpose. This—this feels awful. I never wanted to hurt her. And she hadn’t even been ready.
I wince as she lowers her hand, and the skin around her eye is already darkening in a way that makes my stomach drop.
“We should put something cold on it,” I say quickly, glancing around. “Once, I got a black eye in training, and my parents kept snow pressed against it for half the day. I think it helped?” I frown. “There’s no snow here, obviously, but maybe we can find a cloth and some cold water—something.”
I hesitate, then gently reach toward her shoulder, trying to offer comfort without crowding her.
“You’re being really nice about this,” I add, sheepishly. “If you wanted to kick me across the gym I think you’d be justified.”
“Oh—oh no, Soh—”
I rush toward her, eyes wide with guilt, the sting in my own knuckle completely forgotten. She’s got a hand over her eye, and I can already see the sharp flush of red blooming around it. No swelling yet, but it’s going to bruise. It’s definitely going to bruise.
“I’m so sorry,” I say again, voice soft and horrified. “Gods, I didn’t mean to—I really didn’t. That came with real momentum, I should’ve been paying more attention—”
I’ve landed punches before. On my parents, during training. But that was always controlled. On purpose. This—this feels awful. I never wanted to hurt her. And she hadn’t even been ready.
I wince as she lowers her hand, and the skin around her eye is already darkening in a way that makes my stomach drop.
“We should put something cold on it,” I say quickly, glancing around. “Once, I got a black eye in training, and my parents kept snow pressed against it for half the day. I think it helped?” I frown. “There’s no snow here, obviously, but maybe we can find a cloth and some cold water—something.”
I hesitate, then gently reach toward her shoulder, trying to offer comfort without crowding her.
“You’re being really nice about this,” I add, sheepishly. “If you wanted to kick me across the gym I think you’d be justified.”
let go of your fears, and jump into the river
as the starlight bleeds out, let it be your new route
as the starlight bleeds out, let it be your new route
