As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the city, Azure found herself standing outside Lotte's house, a bouquet clutched tightly in one hand and a box of chocolates in the other. Her heart raced with nervous anticipation as she took a deep breath, steeling herself for what lay ahead.
She had spent the entire day wrestling with her guilt and shame over the events of the morning, the memory of Katie's hurt and betrayal still fresh in her mind. But as she stood there on Lotte's doorstep, she knew that she couldn't let her fear and insecurity hold her back any longer. She needed to make things right, to apologize to Lotte for her reckless behavior, and try to salvage what little remained of their friendship.
If friendship was the word to define their relationship.
With a knot in her throat, Azure knocked at the door, her heart pounding in her chest as she waited anxiously for a response. The sound of footsteps approached from inside, and Azure's breath caught in her throat as the door swung open, revealing Lotte standing on the other side.
Lotte's eyes widened in surprise as she saw Azure standing on her doorstep, her expression a mix of confusion and concern as she took in the bouquet and box of chocolates clutched tightly in Azure's hands. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the air thick with tension as they stood there in silence, each waiting for the other to break the ice.
Finally, Azure cleared her throat, her voice barely above a whisper as she spoke. "Hey," she murmured softly, her words tinged with nervousness. "I, uh... I wanted to apologize for what happened earlier. I know I messed up, and I'm really really sorry."
For a long few seconds, Lotte didn't reply, simply looking up and down at Azure. Then, she crossed her arms, leaning against the door frame. "I don't like chocolate." She said, her voice
firm yet gentle, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes as she spoke.
Azure's heart sank at Lotte's words, a pang of disappointment washing over her as she realized that her peace offering had fallen flat. But she refused to let her spirits be dampened by the setback, knowing that she needed to keep trying if she wanted to make things right.
"I, uh... I can put them away then," Azure replied awkwardly, shifting the box of chocolates in her hands as she tried to hide her disappointment. "I also brought these flowers," she added, holding out the bouquet for Lotte to take. "I thought... well, I thought they might brighten up your day a little."
Lotte took the flowers from Azure's hand, taking a second to smell their perfume, then stepped away from the door, inviting Azure in with a nod.
Azure's heart skipped a beat as Lotte stepped aside, a faint glimmer of hope sparking in her chest as she hesitantly crossed the threshold into Lotte's house. She followed Lotte into the living room, her eyes darting around the unfamiliar space as she tried to gather her thoughts and find the right words to say.
Lotte's place was very... Lotte. To say the least. Plants everywhere, big windows to let the sun in, colorful artwork on the walls, and cozy furniture arranged in a way that invited relaxation and comfort. It was a reflection of Lotte's vibrant personality, filled with warmth and vitality that seemed to radiate from every corner of the room.
Even the couch Lotte had gestured Azure to sit on was of an intense shade of yellow. Azure took a seat, her hands fidgeting nervously in her lap as she waited for Lotte to join her.
Lotte settled into an armchair opposite Azure, her gaze steady and unwavering as she studied Azure with a mix of curiosity and concern. "So," she began, her voice soft yet firm as she spoke. "What happened this morning?"
Azure shifted uncomfortably in her seat, her gaze flickering nervously as she struggled to find the right words to explain her actions. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for what was to come as she prepared to confront the demons that had plagued her since that fateful morning.
"I... I don't really know," she admitted, her voice tinged with regret and self-doubt. "I guess I was just... overwhelmed. With everything that's been going on lately, I just... I lost control."
Lotte nodded in understanding, her expression softening with sympathy as she listened to Azure's confession. "I get it," she murmured softly, her voice filled with warmth and compassion. "We all have our bad days, our moments of weakness. And I know your life is... complicated. But that doesn't excuse what happened. You hurt me, and you hurt Katie. And that's not okay."
Azure winced at Lotte's words, the weight of her guilt and remorse pressing down on her. She knew that she had let her emotions get the better of her, that she had lashed out in a moment of weakness and hurt the ones trying to help.
"I know," Azure replied softly, her voice tinged with regret as she met Lotte's gaze with a mixture of shame and remorse. "And I'm truly sorry for that. I never meant to hurt you or Katie, and I hate myself for letting my emotions get the better of me." She explained. "I... I know I'm not being the best teammate right now, but I'm trying. I'm really trying. To be a good friend, to be a better person."
Lotte smiled softly at Azure's words. "I know you're trying. We all see it. And we really appreciate that, Azure. I know coming here to apologize must've been hard for you. But you did it, and I'm very grateful for that." Lotte assured. "Oh, and that was a joke, by the way, I do like chocolate."
A sense of relief washed over Azure as she realized Lotte's words were meant to ease the tension between them. She couldn't help but let out a nervous chuckle, a weight lifting off her shoulders as she felt the first glimmer of hope flicker back to life within her.
"Thank you," Azure murmured gratefully, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips as she relaxed into her seat. "I'm really glad to hear that. And I'm glad we could talk about this... I was afraid you might never want to speak to me again after what happened."
Lotte shook her head at Azure's words, laughing softly. "Don't be silly, Azure. Do I look like someone who holds grudges for long? And it's not like you actually ended up punching me." She replied, shrugging.
Lotte's laughter was like music to Azure's ears, lifting her spirits and dispelling the lingering tension that had hung in the air between them. She couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude towards Lotte, for her forgiveness and understanding, and for giving her a second chance when she felt like she didn't deserve it.
"I guess not," Azure replied with a soft chuckle, her heart feeling lighter than it had all day. "You definitely strike me as someone who knows how to let things go and move on."
Lotte grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she leaned back in her chair. "Life's too short to hold onto grudges," she declared, her voice filled with conviction. "Besides, we've all got better things to do than waste our time being mad at each other," Lotte said, and Azure nodded in agreement. "Anyway. Tea?"
Azure shook her head at Lotte's offer. "I can't, I don't have the time. But thanks for the offer." Azure replied, standing up from the couch, followed by Lotte.
"Of course. You can come by anytime. My door's always opened." Lotte said, and they made their way to the front door.
"Thank you. I appreciate it." Azure said sincerely, earning a smile from Lotte. "Could you do me a favor, please?"
"Sure, what do you need?" Lotte replied, her tone warm and accommodating.
"Could you maybe... not tell Katie I came here? I don't want her to think that I apologized to you just so I could get back to her." Azure requested, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
Lotte's expression softened with understanding as she nodded in agreement. "Of course, Azure. Your apology was genuine, and I believe you came here to make things right," she reassured. "I won't say a word to Katie. Your relationship with her is your own, and it's not my place to interfere."
A wave of relief washed over Azure as she thanked Lotte for her understanding. With a final smile and a heartfelt goodbye, she stepped out into the cool evening air.
The next stop was Katie's flat.
And she knew the woman wouldn't be as comprehensive as Lotte had been.
They would most certainly fight. All in all, Azure was going to get shouted at, and there were chances she wouldn't be able to fix anything between them.
As Azure walked towards Katie's flat, her steps felt heavier with each passing moment. She had never been good at apologizing. Never had been good at fixing problems. Only good at creating them.
With a deep breath, Azure knocked on Katie's door, her heart pounding in her chest as she waited for a response. The seconds stretched into eternity, each one filled with anticipation and dread as she braced herself for what was to come.
Finally, the door swung open, revealing Katie standing on the other side. Her expression was a mixture of surprise and suspicion as she took in Azure's presence, her eyes narrowing slightly as she crossed her arms over her chest.
"What do you want?" Katie demanded, her voice sharp and cold as she glared at Azure.
Azure swallowed hard, her throat tight with nervousness as she met Katie's gaze with a mixture of guilt and remorse. "I... I came to apologize," she began, her voice barely above a whisper. "For what happened earlier. I know I messed up, and I'm really sorry."
Katie's eyes narrowed further at Azure's words, her expression hardening with disbelief. "You're sorry?" she scoffed, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "After what you did? You expect me to just forgive you?"
Azure winced at Katie's words, the weight of her guilt and shame pressing down on her. She knew that her apology might not be enough to mend the damage she had caused, but she had to try. She had to make things right, no matter the cost.
"I know I messed up," Azure replied, her voice tinged with regret. "And I hate myself for it. But I'm trying to be better, Katie. I'm trying to make things right. Please, just give me a chance to explain."
Katie's expression softened slightly at Azure's words, a hint of vulnerability flickering in her eyes as she looked at Azure. "Fine," she sighed, her voice weary with exhaustion. "Come in."
As Azure stepped into Katie's flat, she couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation hanging in the air. The tension between them was palpable, thick with unresolved emotions and unspoken words.
Katie led Azure to the living room, her movements stiff and guarded as she took a seat on the couch. Azure followed suit, her heart pounding in her chest as she prepared herself for the difficult conversation that lay ahead.
For a long moment, neither of them spoke, the silence stretching between them like a chasm, the only sound being Cooper, meowing loudly at Azure for her to pick him up.
Azure could feel Katie's eyes boring into her, her gaze intense and unwavering as she waited for Azure to speak.
"I know I hurt you," Azure began, her voice quiet yet determined. "And I'm truly sorry for that. I never meant to lash out at you the way I did. I was... overwhelmed, and I let my emotions get the better of me."
Katie remained silent, her expression guarded as she listened to Azure's words. Azure took a deep breath, steeling herself for what was to come as she continued to pour her heart out.
"I know that words alone won't make up for what I did," Azure admitted, her voice tinged with regret. "But I want you to know that I'm committed to making things right. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to earn back your trust and friendship, even if it means giving you space or stepping back if that's what you need."
Katie sighed softly, crossing her arms. "I'm just... I'm tired, Aze. All we do is fight then make up, only to fight again the next day. You realize we never ever talk about light subjects, never just have a good time together without it turning into some kind of drama. It's exhausting, you know?" Katie's voice was heavy with weariness and frustration, her words tinged with sadness as she looked at Azure. "God's sake, I don't even know... your favorite color, or what type of movies you're into."
Azure's heart sank at Katie's words, a pang of guilt washing over her as she realized the toll their constant conflicts had taken on their relationship. She had never stopped to consider how their dynamic might be affecting Katie, too caught up in her own emotions and struggles to see beyond herself.
"I... I'm sorry," Azure murmured softly, her voice filled with genuine remorse. "I never meant to make you feel that way. I know I can be... difficult sometimes, and I hate myself for it. I want things to be different between us, Katie. I want us to be able to talk about light subjects, to have a good time together without it turning into a fight."
Katie's expression softened slightly at Azure's words, a glimmer of hope flickering in her eyes as she looked at Azure. "Do you really mean that?" she asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
Azure nodded earnestly, her determination shining through her eyes. "Yes, I do," she replied, her voice steady with conviction. "I want to try to be a better friend to you, Katie. Or, or whatever it is that we are. I want to get to know you better, to understand what makes you tick. I want us to be able to laugh together, to have fun, instead of constantly being at each other's throats."
Katie's expression softened further at Azure's sincerity, a flicker of warmth lighting up her features as she looked at Azure. "I want that too, Aze," she admitted, her voice softer now, tinged with vulnerability. "But you need to make amends. Especially to Lotte. I don't want a relationship where all you care about is me and not the team. They're my friends. They matter. I know it's hard for you. I know you're scared to get attached, but we're a team. And you can't keep pushing people away every time things get tough." Katie's voice was gentle yet firm, her words carrying a weight of truth that struck a chord within Azure.
Azure stayed silent for a moment, scratching her forearm anxiously, her eyes lost on the ground. "I... I need help, Katie. With... with the alcohol, and the anger. I don't know how to deal with it on my own anymore. I've tried, but... I keep messing up." Azure's voice was barely above a whisper, her words tinged with vulnerability and self-doubt.
Katie reached out and gently squeezed Azure's hand, her expression softening with empathy. "You don't have to do it alone, Aze," she reassured, her voice filled with warmth and understanding. "We'll figure it out together. I'll help you find the support you need, whether it's therapy, counseling, or whatever else might help."
Azure shook her head, sighing. "I had a therapist, in Barcelona. We all know how it ended. I don't think it's going to be any better here."
Katie squeezed Azure's hand again, a reassuring smile on her lips. "Maybe it's time to give it another try," she suggested gently. "I know it's scary, and I know you've had bad experiences in the past. But sometimes, finding the right therapist can make all the difference. And this time, you won't be alone. I'll be there to support you, every step of the way."
Azure finally looked up at Katie, offering her a gentle smile, squeezing her hand gently. "Red."
Katie frowned at Azure's words, not sure what she meant. "What?"
Azure's smile widened at Katie's puzzled expression. "Red," she repeated, a soft chuckle escaping her lips. "You asked about my favorite color earlier. It's red."
Katie's lips curled into a genuine smile at Azure's response, a glimmer of warmth in her eyes. "Red, huh? Can't say I'm surprised," she remarked teasingly, her tone light and playful. "Well, you know mine too, right?"
Azure nodded, her smile widening as she met Katie's gaze with a twinkle of mischief in her eyes. "Green?"
"Spot on, mate," Katie laughed, her laughter like music to Azure's ears as it filled the room with warmth and joy.
"Wanna watch me favorite movie together?" The Irish asked.
"Can I kiss you?" Azure replied with a question of her own.
Katie's smile faltered at Azure's words, and she bit her lip anxiously. "Maybe we should wait until you feel better, before we... you know, start that again." Katie suggested gently, her expression filled with concern.
Azure nodded understandingly, a pang of disappointment washing over her as she realized the weight of her actions and their impact on their relationship. "Yeah, you're right," she agreed softly, her voice tinged with regret. "I don't want to rush things or make you uncomfortable. I'll wait until I'm in a better place, until I've... figured things out."
Katie smiled gratefully at Azure, her eyes shining with appreciation and understanding. "Thank you, Aze," she murmured softly, her voice filled with warmth and affection. "For being honest with me, for trying to make things right. I... I appreciate it more than you know."
"Thank you for giving me another chance," she replied sincerely, her voice filled with gratitude. "I promise I won't let you down."