Helluva Deal

27. Trigger Points

After the imp finishes his work, he closes the first aid kit again and stands up with a half-suppressed grunt of pain, his arm reflexively holding his side.

Loona winces and quickly looks down, squeezing her eyes shut, knowing that now they come – the words that hurt her far more than they should after everything that she's already been through and that happened.

But when the imp now talks, his words are nothing like she feared, "If you're hungry, I prepared some lasagna. I can bring you some...or you can get some yourself... You don't have to eat with me, I mean. You can eat here if you feel more comfortable this way..."

Her ears stand up in surprise and she carefully looks at him, "What...do you mean?"

"I... Well... I wasn't sure...whether you want to have dinner, so..."

"No. You... I... I nearly killed you. Why... Why would you..." she swallows hard and hugs herself again, her fingers digging into her arms again, but she manages to keep eye contact.

The imp looks at her, his eyes changing from confusion to understanding...and finally they become almost unbearable soft, "Sweetie. You didn't kill me. Not even close. Yes, I know, you easily COULD, and that's why I know that this today was...an accident. And...I am very sorry for that, Loona."

Now she is the one who becomes confused, "Why are YOU sorry?"

"Because of my gift. I... I didn't know that you don't like shirts that close in around the neck. But still... I should've asked what you liked instead of just getting you new stuff to wear. I just thought..." he sighs weakly, rubbing his bandaged-up arm and winces, "I thought it would make you happy... If I had known what it triggers with you..."

"How could you know? It's not like I told you. And..." Loona roughly rubs her cheek, trying to fight back new tears, "...I... I thought... Aren't you going to...kick me out?"

"What? Kick you out?" the imp's tail twitches from side to side, "Why would I kick you out?!"

"Because..." she gestures at his hidden bandages.

"Girl. You were in panic. I could see that. I knew what would happen. But I'm glad that I have these now and not you! I mean... Loona, I adopted you. If I am not taking care that you are all right, then FUCK ME! What kind of adoptive dad would I be?!" he shakes his head.

Loona feels a strange tug in her heart and suddenly, she buries her face in her arms again and sobs lowly.

"Loonie... Hey..." the imp kneels down in front of her again, hesitates for a moment and then she feels him very carefully pressing his forehead against her arm, murmuring, "It's okay, Loonie... I promise you, no matter what, I will never ever kick you out. I will always be here for you. And if you ever feel scared of anything again – remember, I'm there for you."

"D-Dad..." Loona finally lifts her head, seeing her adoptive father still pressing his forehead against her arm now, just like he did all those years ago, "Dad!"

"Loonie!" Blitz straightens up now as well and cups her face, looking her over, "Loona, are you hurt?!?"

She shakes her head, wipes her tears away and manages a faint smile, "No. I'm fine, Dad... I just... I had a flashback and...got scared..." she looks at Stolas, who's kneeling behind her father, looking at her just as worried and swallows hard, "I... I'm sorry, Stolas... I broke a vase..."

"Kid, are you serious right now?!" Stolas takes her hand, his eyes filling with tears, "Who the fuck cares about a stupid vase?! Your Dad and I thought who knows what happened to you! Are you really sure you didn't get injured?!?"