The week came to an end.
It was Sunday evening at the Fitzgerald residence, after training. Roy was sitting at his desk, reading a scientific paper on his laptop. He was wearing his glasses again, and pushed them up as they were riding down the bridge of his nose.
Since Roy was way behind his classmates when it came to fitness and specified training in handling dangerous situations and Morpho Mons, he wasn’t assigned for patrol yet. Instead, he had individual lessons with the P.E. teacher and the firearm tutor, to get him prepared for what’s to come.
He was exhausted. Never in his life did he have to work out this much. In fact, he had never really worked out a lot, and all of his muscles ached.
He didn’t like the individual lessons. He didn’t like being the sole focus of the teachers, and felt like he was wasting their time.
He wasn’t meant for this work. Degrading him had been a terrible decision. He wasn’t meant to be a Defender.
But still, he couldn’t help but think about Charlotte.
Charlotte was a person who’s always seen running around in the HQ, always checking on everyone, especially the apprentices. But over the last two weeks, she had barely been seen around. She was much more reserved, a shell of who she usually was.
And Roy couldn’t help but feel bad, as he was certain it was his fault.
“Darling?”
A knocking was heard at Roy’s bedroom door.
He looked up. “Famfay?”
Famfay in his Pergrandis Form opened the door. “Dinner’s almost ready. Wanna come downstairs?”
“I’m not hungry.”
“You’re still feeling bad about Charlotte?”
“... You tell me, empath.”
Famfay walked through the room to sit down on his bed. “I think it’s time you text her. It’s been almost two weeks. Enough time has passed.”
“...” Roy closed his laptop. “I’m scared she doesn’t want to talk to me.”
“Why? You’ve gotten along with her for years. And she’s always been understanding of your problems.”
“It’s different this time… I’ve never messed up this badly…”
“You’d had a panic attack mere seconds before. She’ll understand you didn’t mean what you said.”
“...” Roy reached for his phone.
He should just text her.
But what if she doesn’t want to talk?
What if she hates him now?
What if he’s lost one of his closest colleagues forever, and ruined her friendly, open personality?
“Why are you hesitating, Roy?” Famfay tilted his head. “What do you think will happen?”
The better question was...
What wasn’t he thinking?
Suddenly, a memory popped up in his head.
“How do you manage to be so carefree, with everything going on in your life?
“I guess my secret is that I don’t think.”
“You don’t… think…” Roy mumbled. “... That’s right. Just don’t think…”
Roy began to type a message.
R. Fitzgerald 07:15 PM: Miss Evans. I’m terribly sorry for what I said to you last time we spoke. I didn’t want to hurt you. Can we arrange a meeting to talk about everything? -RF
He pressed send and laid his phone back on his desk with the screen down. “There. I did it.”
“I’m glad, darling. It’s always better to act before a relationship is permanently damaged.”
“... I don’t think I can fix the damage I’ve already done, though.”
“So what is it that got you the courage to text her?” Famfay crossed his arms and looked at Roy. “I’ve been telling you to do it for almost a week now.”
Roy’s expression sank.
As much as he disliked his degradation to an apprentice, he would’ve lied if he claimed all of it was terrible.
After being exhausted from three rounds of running, someone sat next to him so he wouldn’t have to be the only one who’s sitting, panting like he’s never ran in his life.
Someone had spent lunch break with him, and talked to him, despite him being very awkward in social situations and silent most of the time.
Someone had been texting him this morning, asking him if he’d like to meet up again outside of work.
“... Toby…” Roy mumbled his name.
“Hmm…” Famfay got up to walk behind Roy. “He’s your best friend, right?”
Roy nodded.
“That’s all?”
“....” Roy took off his glasses and set them aside. “You’re the empath. You tell me.”
“Do you intend to act on it?”
“... No.” Roy looked outside his window. The sun had already set, and all that was visible outside were the lights of the city. “I’m not the right one for him.”
“Why not?”
“... I’m gloomy, nerdy, and awkward. He’s so bubbly and friendly… Meanwhile I can’t even show a lot of affection towards anyone I like as a friend. I don’t think anyone would enjoy a romantic relationship with me.” Roy sighed. “He deserves better than me.”
“Roy…” Famfay got up and hugged him from behind. “Don’t be too hard on yourself. Remember that you’re still healing…”
“... I don’t want to be healing anymore. I want to be normal…”
Famfay brushed through his hair with his fingers. “You will get over him. Focus on yourself for the time being. With time, I think you will be able to form relationships just like everyone else.”
“... Yeah. You’re probably right.” Roy got up. “I will- I will focus on my new occupation.” He turned around to face Famfay. “We will get you to reach Humanus form. Even if it’s the last thing I do.”
“Roy…!” Famfay smiled. “I will always be by your side, no matter what.”
Roy smiled back, weakly and a bit melancholic. “I know, Famfay.”
His phone buzzed.
“Hm?” Roy picked it up from the desk. He had a new message.
C. Evans 07:49 PM: Come to my office tomorrow morning before class.
Roy gulped. Then he replied.
R. Fitzgerald: 07:50 PM: I will be there.
He put his phone away into his pocket. “You said dinner is ready soon, Famfay?”
“Yes!!” Famfay bounced a bit. “I even got to help make it!! You will love it!!”
Famfay grabbed Roy’s hand and pulled him along to the dining room downstairs.
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