Weight of the World-p.r.s

33-i can't deny it's getting worse, it's a blessing and a curse

"Brooke? Hey, Brooke?" Jayden's gentle voice snapped her out of her thoughts. His blue eyes shone with concern and a certain kindness and love that she couldn't place. However, whatever his expression truly was, it caused a certain warmth to fill her chest.

She then realized she had fallen silent, a weak and watery laugh falling from her lips. "Sorry," Brooke mumbled as she wiped away her tears with the back of her fur-covered hand, the brown and white fur surprisingly soft. "Got caught up in my own head, I guess." She admitted, sniffling and shrugging weakly.

"You're alright, you don't have to keep talking if you don't want to. Either one you chose, I'm here for you." Jayden responded, reaching out and cupping Brooke's cheek in his hand, stroking her fur-covered cheek with his thumb. The corners of his lips twitched upwards as she nuzzled into his touch without a second thought, and he let out a quiet laugh at her actions.

His laugh caused Brooke to frown but she didn't shy away from his touch. "Shuddup," She huffed, puffing out her cheeks as her eyes flashed. When Jayden merely smiled in response, she averted her gaze. "Dunno how you can even see this," She gestured to her wolf-like features, which included, but was not limited to, her fully bared canines and fur-covered cheeks. "And think, "ah, yes, let me comfort her". Natural selection's gonna catch up to you one day, y'know that, right?" Brooke questioned, her eyes flashing as Jayden's hand dropped to his side.

The red ranger raised his eyebrows at his childhood friend's statement, a frown working its way onto his lips. "Don't talk about yourself like that," Jayden scolded, Brooke's eyes widening in response. "You're not a monster, I'm not afraid of you. If anything, you're less intimidating now than when we were kids." Plus, I love you. He refrained from conveying his true feelings, or all of his feelings because he knew that the night had already been emotionally taxing for Brooke. At least that was Jayden's excuse, as he knew his cowardice played a large role in involving his feelings of affection.

"...I've cried enough today." It was a simple deflection, they both knew that, but they both spoke nothing more about the topic.

Instead, the two stood in silence for a couple of moments, Brooke's features returning to her human-like appearance. When they did so, Jayden turned his attention to the barely-scabbed gashes on her palms. "I'm going to help you with that." He decided, and Brooke looked down at her hands, her eyes flashing.

It was true that the gashes should be dealt with, as the wounds looked swollen and raw, with the surrounding skin an inflamed pink color. Dried blood was encrusted on the palms of her hands, plus Brooke knew she shouldn't risk the wounds getting infected. Not that this was a one-time thing, she didn't even know if they could get infected. The thought of Jayden helping her was nice, but she knew she should push him away. Not even for herself, for the fact that she had told Ji that she would.

"I can-" She started, only to be cut off by Jayden shaking his head.

"No, I'm helping you." He argued, the familiar sense of stubbornness shining in his eyes.

Brooke knew it was fundamentally useless, Jayden had his mindset. So, she let out a quiet sigh and shook her head faintly. "Fine, just let me take a shower first. There's no use in cleaning it and then getting in the shower," She mumbled, but she stayed rooted in her spot. Her eyes flashed multiple times, which Jayden noticed and raised an eyebrow at. His silent question of "are you alright" caused Brooke to let out another sigh.

"No- I don't know anymore, I guess. It's just... I told Ji that I'd make an effort to stop hanging around you, so that "our relationship won't get in the way of the mission" or whatever. And it's not like I don't want you here- I appreciate everything you do and you're a positive presence in my life, but... I don't wanna get you in trouble- I mean, I'm fine with it, but it's just, I dunno, awkward I guess? It just makes me feel... I don't know, I'm sorry."