- Text Size +
Author's Chapter Notes:

MWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

 

I HAVE RETURNED!

S-Sorry for being away for so long... ;-;

I hope I still have fan's who love me and leave me reviews so I won't be lonely. T^T

 

Sorry for not posting for so long. I had, some real life things I had to take care of. But, those are done now, so I'm back! Expect frequent chapters again and more writing goodness!

Hopefully... x'D

 

I'll try to get back to my old writing schedule soon, so please bear with me. It was somewhat hard to get back into the swing of writing after I got back, so I hope you'll forgive me if there is some errors here or there.

But, none the less I hope you enjoy. This chapter goes by quickly, but like I said, I'm trying to get back into the swing of things so forgive me if it seems rushed at times. That's just the pace and the tone I wanted to set for this part.

 

Regardless, enjoy!

 

 

 

“So… where are we headed?”

 

“You’ll see~.”

 

“Is it the place we saw you at earlier today?”

 

“N-No…”

 

“Casey?”

 

“I-It’s not there! I mean it!”

 

 

Smiling coyly as she sat atop the redhead's shoulder, Abby was quiet as she watched her Dullahan guardian scaling a small cliff outside of the commons. She didn’t honestly expect them to go outside, but this did make her believe what she had thought prior.

“Casey, is this a date?” Blushing a bright shade of red, the headless girl sputtered for a moment before craning her neck to look back at the teen. “N-N-No! I… I just wanted to come out here with ya! D-Don’t make stuff up!” Biting back a smirk as she saw right through the redhead's fib, Abby simply nodded.

She was doing it again, trying to act like Eve. ‘I wonder who told her that we had a date…’ It had to have been one of the twins. But, then again she couldn’t rule out Eve simply wanting to rub it in the younger Hominal’s face. Their rivalry over her was disconcerting…

She’d have to eventually sit them both down so they could talk about it… but, at three inches that was easier said than done. “A-Alright, we’re here. Take a look Abby, I think ya’ll like it.” Casey grinned. Peeking her head up as she watched the giantess crawling over the edge of a small cliff, the teen was mute as she waited for… something.

“Casey, what am I looking for exactly…?” Scoffing as she pulled herself all the way up onto the ledge, the Hominal gave her smaller companion an exasperated look before waving her arms in front of them. “Well? Doncha see it? Look around us!”

Furrowing her brow, Abby grew quiet once more as she turned her head in every direction to see what it was Casey was trying to make apparent to her. They were on top of a cliff, a high one too. But, not the highest point of the mountain from the looks of it.

Peering out over the ocean as she watched the waves gently crashing into the rocks far below them, the brunette shook her head before looking back at the younger girl. “All I see is rocks and water Casey. I think I’m missing something…” Watching as the Dullahans face turned discouraged, the smaller teen sadly shook her head.

“The view… I, I thought you would like it…” Blinking as the realization hit her; the brunette almost palmed her forehead now. Why didn’t she just tell her it was the ambiance! Now she felt rather bad about saying that she saw nothing new…

Looking back out over the ocean, Abby grew quiet again as she watched the vast shimmering expansion of water before nodding. “I-It’s beautiful Casey!” “Tchh… don’t give me a pity compliment, I know ya don’t care…” “N-No seriously! I like it up here Casey! I just didn’t know what it was you wanted me to look for, I’m sorry…”

Brooding silently as her small surprise was rendered pointless, the child sighed before her shadow set down the small basket it had been holding for her as she climbed. She thought this would be a nice setting for the both of them since the cave was always so dark and dreary… But, it didn’t look like the smaller girl cared much either way.

“Well, we’re here regardless… I found this small peak when I went out a few days ago. It ain’t much in ways of movin space… but I thought it had a hell of a view…” Feeling a small hand pressed into her cheek, Casey scowled once more before her face grew a bright shade of red as she felt a small kiss planted on her cheek.

“Thank you, Casey, this was very thoughtful.” Sputtering as she had earlier, the younger girl turned her head away sheepishly as a crooked smile spread across her lips. “Y-Ya… A-A-Anyways… I… I thought it a good time to, take a break… ya know? So, here…”

Watching the stuttering girl as she moved her basket forward, Abby was quiet as she observed Casey pulling out its contents. Setting down a small cloth over the rocks, the Hominal soon pulled out a couple small loaves of bread, some fruit, and surprisingly even some cheese. ‘Where did she get that from?’ There was never any in vendors who sold it in Darrowford…

Bringing out a small jar of water as well, the redhead soon folded her basket back up before looking back at Abby… with an almost hopeful look on her face. Was she worried about her not liking this? “I… I thought that you might enjoy it if we eat out here for a change… So… do ya?”

Smiling warmly back at the younger girl, the brunette nodded before stifling a laugh as she saw a wave of relief pass over the younger girl's face. “If you just wanted to have a date with me you could have said so. You didn’t need to be so secretive about it Casey.” “I-I-IT’S NOT A D-DATE!”

Shaking her head in amusement, Abby gave a curt nod before sliding down the redhead's black dress, something she had grown rather good at after the amount of practice she had the past few days. Skidding to a stop on Casey’s lap, the teenager looked out over the ocean once more before closing her eyes.

This was actually pretty thoughtful of her. The redhead wasn’t generally one to do stuff like this. It meant she was going out of her comfort zone for her. “To be honest, it does feel good to be out of those caverns. I didn’t even think about it until this morning when Amy took me flying with her.” “SHE DID WHAT?!”

Cringing a bit, the brunette chuckled softly as she peered over her shoulder at Casey as she gritted her teeth. “Calm down, she just wanted to play a little. It was really fun actually. And, it made me realize something… None of you girl's like these caves that much, do you?”

Growing quiet, Casey’s eyes shifted away from the smaller girl as her lips curled into their usual scowl. “How’d ya come to that conclusion?” She didn’t remember ever telling her that. Cupping her hands together as she continued to look out over the ocean, Abby shook her head before smiling.

“When I first came here, I was blinded by fear… fear of you girls. But, that went away after you and I talked Casey, or at least, most of it did. You put me at ease, and I started to notice something… something that should have been apparent from the start. You’re still people, children, or otherwise. So, it’s just a guess really. These caves are ideal for your kind. Their secluded, no one would think to come here… But, you’re basically giving up your freedom to live a life of solitude in return…” Abby whispered, her tone turning darker now as she tried to explain herself.

“Since no one would come here without a reason to… it means safety. That’s why Najia made you girls a home here. You told me, that every few months you would all move around so to never be found out, but you’ve stopped here for so long because of how peaceful it is. But… even just being here for a few days, started to get to me. Not because I was shrunken and held captive. And not even because I was surrounded by Hominal and Beastial from all sides.”

Peering down at the teenager thoughtfully, Casey soon lowered her head onto her folded arms before humming. “So what was it then?” Mimicking the Dullahan’s stature, Abby closed her eyes once more before shaking her head.

“It was the lack of space around me. Even if I was surrounded by friends, new friends… friends I’ve never had… I felt like I was forced to be somewhere I didn’t want to be.” Abby whispered. It was idiotic. She was basically being held prisoner there so of course she was supposed to feel like that… but, it went deeper than that.

“You girls all have each other. Even if you don’t get along very well… you still have people you cling to. Najia, Kari… maybe even Nya for you now… But, having the freedom of choice being stripped from you… It had to have crossed your mind, right, Casey? You don’t just live here because it’s safe after all. You’re all here because anywhere else you go… you’re not allowed. Your choice is being taken away… How am I doing so far?”

Sitting with narrowed eyes, the redhead was silent as she listened… but, for once… even after all the thought the teenager had put into her claim, she was wrong. “I won’t speak for the lot… but as for me, ya got it spun… I love it here.” Looking back up at Casey in genuine surprise, Abby was about to ask why on earth she would… but, the dark look the Dullahan wore silenced her before she even began.

‘C-Casey…’ The look in her eyes… it reminded her of when they first met. It was a look… full of hatred. Watching as the smaller girl started to shake, Casey’s eyes suddenly snapped back to normal before she shifted her head away. “I don’t know about the nonsense yer spouted Abby… but, I wouldn’t think hard about it. It might hurt ya like it does the Boyd if ya do it too long…” She mumbled.

Staring up at the Hominal quietly, the teen couldn’t help it now. As much as she hated to say it… there was a lot about Casey she still didn’t know. “Hey... Casey?” Keeping her head turned, the redhead’s only form of acknowledgment came from her eyes peering back down at the smaller girl as she continued to brood.

“If you don’t want to tell me… that’s fine… but why do you hate us Human’s so much?” Growing wide-eyed by the startling question, Casey leaned up before raising her hands defensively. “H-H-HEY! I, I NEVER SAID I HATE YA ABBY! I, I just…” Biting her lower lip as she tried to find her words, the redhead soon silenced her stutters as she saw the smaller girl shaking her head.

“I didn’t mean me, Casey… I know, that you kind of like me… but what about other humans? I learned when I first came here, that there were four of you girls in these caves that hated humans unbiasedly. You were one of them. And, after everything that happened to you and your mother… I can’t say that I really blame you. But, I get the impression that there’s more to it than that.”

She didn’t like opening up old wounds… even though she had done that with everyone she had met. But, her words for some reason brought most of them closure, and in some cases, love and adoration. If she wanted to ever call Casey her friend… then she needed to put the same amount of effort into understanding her that she had with everyone else. She just hoped that the younger Hominal would reciprocate her probing… and not take it the wrong way…

Sitting with a blush that draped both her cheeks, Casey’s eyes shifted back and forth as she tried to think of a way out of this. The damned girl was a bit too intuitive when it came to things like this… But, she had given her one… She did say that she didn’t have to talk about it…

Moving her arms back up as she rested her chin on them once more, the silent redhead stared off into the distance almost absently as she watched the ocean in front of them. Why did she have to be so smart? First the fox, then the Boyd… and now her… damn it all…

Closing her eyes as she thought about her question, Casey parted her lips briefly, before letting out the quietest of sighs. “It ain’t like I hate ya for no reason. N-Not you specifically Abby… Humans…” Feeling some movement beneath her, the redhead glanced downward before smirking as she saw the brunette trying to climbing up her dress.

“Hey, are ya even listenin?” Smiling back at Casey, Abby quickly nodded. “I just want to see your face when we talk. C-Could you give me a hand…? I’m still not very good at this…” She pouted. Sliding off of people was easy… scaling them, not so much…

Blushing from what she had hoped was a compliment, the younger girl smiled weakly before scooping the teen up and setting her on her raised knee. “That’ll do?” “Yeah, this is good. Sorry… I didn’t mean to interrupt you, Casey. Please continue. I really do want to hear what you have to say.”

As the child stared back at her smaller companion, the redhead soon had to smile. ‘Where were you when I was growin up?’ Perhaps… none of what she was about to tell her would have come to be if she had met her Abby back then… Though, she probably wouldn’t have understood her feelings for her either… Hell, she still kinda didn’t know…

Resting the back of her head onto the rock behind her, the larger girl stared up at the clouds as she thought about her past. What was there to say really? She had never talked about it with anyone… not even Najia. Though, the fox probably already knew enough. She was pretty much omniscient to them all…

Looking on at Casey as she silently stared away, the brunette was about to speak up, before Casey’s jaded eyes drifted back down at her. “Have I told ya anything about what had happened after I got away that night? The night, where me mum and I were caught?” Sighing as the teenager shook her head, the Dullahan nodded before crossing her arms. She couldn’t remember everything she had told Abby over the past few days they had been together… So basically, she’d have to start from scratch…

“I guess… the reason I don’t like ya human’s that much, not you… is because yer kind’s never given me much of a reason to.” Looking into the giantess’ eyes as she spoke, Abby quietly nodded. “So, you never encountered any humans you’ve liked being around? Is that it?”

Scoffing, Casey quietly clenched her knuckled beneath her folded arms. “I guess so. Every time I’ve ever seen one… they’ve always either been greedy, filthy, haughty or ah sod. Why should I like yer kind when all of ya are just a bunch of ass’?”

Biting her tongue as she watched the teenager cringe at her words, Casey sighed again before giving the shrunken girl a deadpanned expression. “Stop thinkin I mean you! Damn it, Abby, ya ain’t like the rest. I told ya already… Yer different…”

Smiling quietly from her reassuring words Abby looked back up at Casey before shaking her head. “I glad you think so… but, I’m just as bad as anyone else sometimes… After all, I did think all you girls were a bunch of mindless savages when we first met. And… even now, I still feel scared when I’m near some of you. I think you might have hit the nail on the head, Casey… even with me.”

Yipping as her forehead was flicked, the brunette reeled back in surprise. That hurt! “H-Hey! What was that for?!” Feeling her anger diminish as she saw the disapproving look written over the Hominal's face, however, Abby soon soured. “W-What…?” “Never, say that yer like them…”

Blinking in surprise as she heard the dark tone the younger girl was using, Abby simply frowned. What did she say that upset her so much? It was true after all. She wasn’t the perfect person the larger girl was making her out to be. No one was perfect…

“Casey… I’m not-“ “Shut it!” Cringing once more, the brunette frowned as she saw the angry look being directed her way. It was one the redhead rarely gave her anymore… Keeping her fingers clenched beneath her arms, Casey’s eyes narrowed as she stared the teenager down.

“Ya know nothing about what ya humans are truly capable of Abby… if ya did, you'd never compare yerself to them. Yer as much a child as me when it comes to life! When I say yer different, take it ta heart. I’ve seen plenty of people who make ya a saint in my eyes.” She whispered, her tone holding no mirth, no anger… just, conviction.

Staring back at one another in silence, the smaller human felt her heart beat faster as she tried to comprehend the younger girl’s words. She spoke with such certainty that it caused a shiver to roll down her spine… Licking her lips as she tried to finds the right words to say, Abby soon closed her eyes to calm her nerves. She wasn’t so certain of herself after hearing that…

“Casey… I’m… I’m not saying, that I’m a bad person… But, I’m not perfect either. That’s all I meant when I said-.” Shutting up instantly as the redhead’s fist slammed into the wall behind her, Abby winced as she watched the younger girl trembling.

“Well, yer perfect in my eyes! So stop spoutin yer not! You’ve never tossed words at me. Ya never threw stones because I looked weird or acted differently… Ya never spat in my face and thought me trash! Ya never refused to give me a chance! YA NEVER WISHED I’D NEVER BEEN BORN!”

Sitting in absolute silence as her words were taken from her, the brunette’s mouth hung agape as she watched the younger Hominal in front of her… crying? Panting softly as she tried to calm down, Casey soon bit her tongue to stop herself from speaking any more. Damn it, why did she have to be such an eejit!

Glaring back at the teenager sitting stunned on her kneecap, Casey began to shake her head furiously. “I… I hate all ya humans… that’ll never change. I’ve been picked on my whole life, as short as it may be. Najia be damned for wantin me to befriend yer kind! I hate all of ya! But…”

Growing silent, Casey sniffled softly as a light trail of tears slid down her cheeks. “But, yer different… yer… Abby. Yer you… and, and that’s why I don’t think of ya as Human. I think of you, like my… my…” Clenching her teeth as she tried to say it, the redhead soon slammed her fist into the wall again out of anger.

“M-My friend…” It was such a weak word. Why couldn’t she say the real one…? Damn it! Shuddering as she looked at the broken wall before her, Abby’s eyes grew sullen as she processed it all. ‘Never wished she had been born…’ Who would say that to her…?

Moving a trembling hand forward, the brunette rested it down on Casey’s knee before gently stroking her. She wanted to say something, but she was still at a loss for words after hearing all of that. Their little outing felt rather depressing now… And, it was her fault for asking these things, wasn’t it?

Looking at into the redhead’s miserable face, the teenager had to frown. She never meant to cause her such grief… all for humilities sake. “Casey… What, what did you mean, when you said never wished you were born? Who would say something like that to you…?” It was just, horrible…

Raising her eyes silently, the Hominal looked back at Abby in absolute silence as she tried to reel back her outrage. She hadn’t meant for that part to slip out. But… now that it was, there was no point keeping it a secret. She was bound to find out one way or another. The brunette was persistent like that…

Letting out an airy sigh, the larger girl removed her fist from the small indent she had made before rubbing the bridge of her nose tiredly, and, to cover her eyes. It was hard to look at her and say what she was about to say next…

“I… That last one… uh… I thought it of myself actually…” She mumbled, no coy or mirth in her tone once more, only regret. Looking back up at Casey shocked now, Abby’s eyes beaded as she tried to grasp what the Dullahan had just told her. Was she serious?!

No… she was. She could tell by now when the younger girl was messing with her… and she definitely wasn’t. “C-Casey… w-why? Why would you ever think that! WHY WOULD YOU EVER SAY SOMETHING LIKE THAT?!” She was talking about her life! Life her mother had given her… A life that was sacred for her to continue living...

Breathing deeply through her nose as she felt a small pit in her stomach beginning to form, Casey continued to rub her eyes in refusal to look back at the brunette. She already knew the anger expression she was likely to be sporting… and she didn’t care to see it.

“Look… I… I don’t have to explain anything to ya! It was a mistake, forget I said it alright?” Standing up angrily, Abby shook her head as she tried to assert herself… or, at least do as much as she could, given their height difference. It was hard to do that when you were only three inches tall…

“No, I will not let it go, Casey! All life is sacred… you told me that. And, I believe that too. How could I drop something like this?! It’s your life we’re talking about!” That was like asking her to stop breathing! She wouldn’t do it, not even if the Hominal asked her to.

Growling in anger now, the redhead lowered her hand before directing her glare towards the equally angered teen standing atop her kneecap. “Yer right, it is my life! So don’t make a scene about it! It’s mine to do with as I see fit, not yers!” She barked. She had no room to preach at her after saying the same thing a few days prior!

“Casey, knock it off! This… this isn’t you. You’re not one to give up and say such a thing… So, why did you?” Pouting as she was pressured by the smaller girl, the child turned her head away before scowling further as she felt her skin being gently rubbed by the shrunken human. Damn it, was that really necessary?! How was she supposed to stay mad at her when she was acting all caring and shit!

Kneeling down silently as she gently stroked the younger girls knee, Abby continued to frown as she waited. She knew how to play this game after doing it to each of the girls. And, Casey was no different. She wanted to talk about it whether she wanted to admit it or not.

Gritting her teeth as she blushed harder from the comforting petting, the Dullahan cursed under her breath before glaring back at Abby with disdain. “Yer a pain, ya know that?” “I’ve been told… by you mostly…” Scoffing, Casey blushed further before folding her arms together and slouching into the rock silently.

Staring back at the younger girl a few minutes longer, a sad smile crossed the teenager’s lips as she felt the gentle pulsing beneath her fingertips. “If I let you hold me, will you tell me then?” Puffing out her cheeks, the redhead sulked further as her eyes shifted back over to the diminutive girl.

“Sheesh… how desperate do ya think I am for attention?” “You tell me.” Biting her tongue as her eyebrow began to twitch, Casey snarled before reaching forward and pulling Abby into her. “Yer an ass…” Why did she have to be such an ass… It was a bother…

Feeling the gentle caressing returning, however, the Hominal soon sighed as she gently clutched the teenager into her chest. How did their date turn out like this…? She just… she just wanted to make her Storeen happy… and this was about as depressing as it could get.

‘Fuck… I suck at this lovey-dovey shit…’ Why did she have to care for her? Looking back down at Abby as the teenager continued to rub her fingers comfortingly, the Dullahan quietly banged her head back into the rock before sighing. She was tired of this…

Did it matter if she told her anymore…? She would always get what she wanted with them all wrapped around her little finger like they were. ‘And I’m the worst of ‘em all… damn it…’ Staring up at the child as she said nothing in return, Abby waited patiently, for one of them to speak first.

‘Come on… just tell me already…’ Why did she want to hide it from her? For the most part, the younger girl had been open to her about everything else. So why was this harder for her then even telling her about what had happened to her and her mother?

Chewing on her lower lip, Casey’s eyes soon fell before they shifted back towards Abby dejectedly. “I… I just thought it, because I hate my life...” Looking up at the Hominal in worry, Casey soon shook her head before scowling. That didn’t come out right.

“Look… Me and me mum had it rough, alright? She worked her arse off day in and day out to just get by, and I was by myself every day… Do ya know how much that hurt? Being all alone… No one to talk to… No one to play with… No one cared about me… That’s just how it’s always been…”

Watching the younger girl remorsefully as she saw her haggard face, Abby quietly nodded. “I, kind of get it… but still, you weren’t alone. Your mom worked all the time to support you two, right? So, it can’t have been bad enough that you wished you’d never been born… r-right?”

Staring off at the ocean as she watched its reflective waves, Casey’s face didn’t change much as she silently listened to the older girl. She didn’t get it. Who would, but her? “It wasn’t that I hated the situation Abby… I hated, that I was such a burden to her…”

Gawking at the redhead, the teen was about to speak up before the Dullahan’s fingers surrounded her as she was gently clenched in the child’s hand. “Every day… She would go out, and do so much for me… and, I never did a thing for her. Hell... I can't even recall ever thankin her! I caused trouble… I got into fights… I hated em. Ya humans would pick on me every single day… I was just that weird girl that everyone disliked…”

Watching as a faint trail of tears reappeared on the younger girls cheeks as she lightly cried, Abby felt her heart ache for her. Why would she try to hide this from her? “Casey… You know that you’re not a burden, right?” Feeling her stomach drop as the Hominal remained silent, the brunette began to scowl.

“Casey… You are not, a burden! Say it!” Shifting her eyes back over to the teenager as she saw a fierce look present over her features, Casey soon closed her eyes as she chose to say nothing at all. However, that didn’t last very long as she let out a loud squeal of pain. “THE FUCK! DID YA JUST B-BITE ME HAND?! WHAT THE HELL ABBY!”

Wiping the saliva off her lips, the teenager glared back at Dullahan angrily before slamming her fists on top of her fingers. “Casey… You aren’t a burden. Why would you still think that? I know you had it rough… I understand… But why would you think that now of all times!”

In the last few days alone she younger girl had saved her life more times than she could even count! Not to mention she went out of her way to help her and Kari cure Najia! She could even list off all the things she had done for her that she couldn’t due to her loss of height! She could name off a dozen different things off the top of her head!

Growling herself, the Hominal matched the smaller girl’s glare with one of her own before releasing the brunette as she let her slide into her lap. “Why?! Ya want to know why?! How about how I keep messing up! If I hadn’t been such an eejit then Ebon would have never known ya were here! How about that?! Oh, here’s one! How about all the time’s I’ve failed to keep you safe?! Huh! Ya got some kind of answer to that?! I can’t protect a freaking human who’s the size of my pinky! How special is that?! FOR FUCKS SAKE ABBY, I CAN’T EVEN TAKE YA ON A DATE WITHOUT FUCKIN IT TA HELL!” She screeched angrily…

Staring back up at Casey in silence, Abby felt her mouth growing dry as she listed off all the things the redhead had said. They were all about herself… this wasn’t about the younger Hominal at all… Feeling her cheeks dust red as she got to the root of the Dullahan’s anger, Abby breathed deeply before sighing.

“Casey… I don’t think you’re a failure… You know that, right?” Clenching her fists bitterly, the child looked away as she tried to control herself. IT SUCKED! EVERYTHING SUCKED! SHE SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE ONE TO PROTECT HER ABBY! SHE WAS SUPPOSED TO GUARD HER! SHE WAS THE ONE LOOKING AFTER HER! And… and she kept failing her…

“I… I think we should head back… I’ve lost my appetite…” She was mad… embarrassed… and on the verge of tears. Why did it have to end up like this? She just wanted to make the smaller human happy. Feeling her finger gently touched, Casey trembled as she continued to stare away. She didn’t want to look at whatever face the teenager was giving her.

Holding onto the redhead’s finger as she lightly gripped her hand, Abby stared downward as she felt a strange onslaught of feelings rising. A part of her understood now why she was acting the way she was. But, that still didn’t justify what she had said before.

“Casey… If you want to go back, we can. But I’d like to stay here. I don’t care what you think… You’re a great friend. In fact, one of the best I’ve ever had. If you weren’t here now… I’d… I’d probably cry. Do you really think that I don’t appreciate everything you’ve done for me? Everything that you’re still doing for me?”

Turning her head back to Abby wordlessly, Casey tried to speak… but, she just couldn’t get any more words out. She just wanted to protect her mate… Smiling weakly back at the younger girl, the brunette continued to hold her hand as she locked eyes with the redhead.

“Don’t ever wish something like that again Casey. I want you to promise me that. If you weren’t here right now… how could we enjoy our date?” Hearing the faintest of chuckles from the smaller girl. Casey soon closed her eyes before pulling Abby back into her as she hugged her silently.

‘Eejit…’ What a dumb thing to say at a time like this. “I… I-I promise… I’m sorry…” Nodding warmly as she was cradled into the child, the teen nuzzled her face into her as she embraced the Hominal. She understood now why she was acting the way she was this morning.

The bruises over her body… the secrecy as she went out to do things on her own… the strange new ways she used her shadows whenever they got into trouble. She just wanted to keep her safe, and she kept blaming herself every time she couldn’t.

It wasn’t her fault, and it never would be. But, she kept shouldering that burden and blaming herself for it. That stopped now. And, she knew just what to say to make the Dullahan feel better. Clinging to the redhead affectionately, Abby sighed softly before looking out over the ocean with her.

“Is the reason you wanted to take me out here on a date because you wanted to make me want to stay here with you girls… or more, with you Casey?” Biting her lower lip as she was called out by the diminutive human, the redhead grew sullen as she tried to find the right words to say. Her mind was all sorts of messed up after what they had just talked about…

“I… That’s, not it… not, just it, I mean… I do want ya to stay with us, Abby. B-But that’s not why I wanted to take ya up here, I mean it! I… I wanted to say…” Looking up at the Hominal as she trailed off, the brunette soon frowned as she saw her fidgeting as she grit her teeth. She almost looked like she was in pain with how bright her face was turning. ‘SAY IT ALREADY! FUCK!’ Why couldn’t she get it out!

Clenching her eyes shut as she fought to speak, Casey bit her tongue before huffing in anger. “D-D-DAMN IT ALL!” Jumping in surprise as she was moved away from the larger girl’s chest and back onto her lap, Abby watched as the redhead’s hands moved up towards her neck.

Pulling on a small strip of the white bandages she had on off, the Dullahan kept her eyes closed as she started to unravel them before her head balanced freely now on the stump of her neck. Tossing the cloth aside and tilting her body forward, Casey’s eyes opened back up as she caught her head in her hands as a now calmer smile formed in place of her previous look of discomfort.

“Casey… A-Are you alright?” Closing her eyes once more, the redhead made her head nod as she continued to smile. “It’s hard to say stuff sometimes, ya know? But, it ain’t when I’m like this, I guess. It’s easier for her to say what I’m feelin… so... I… I’m sorry that I made ya come all the way up here with me Abby. I just… I just wanted to be somewhere nice and alone, when I told ya how I really feel.” She whispered, her eyes remaining shut as she chose to disregard whatever the brunette was looking at her like now.

She had already taken her head off. She had to commit to what she said next. Hearing silence in return as she waited, Casey chewed on her tongue for a moment more before taking a deep breath to relax. She didn’t want to have to resort to her shadow telling her Storeen how she felt… but, she was just too embarrassed to say what she was about to say next without her.

“The truth is… I like ya Abby. A bit far more than like, actually… What I’m trying to say… Is… I-I want you to be my mate!” Looking back at the redhead silently, the teenager frowned as she saw the trouble expression Casey wore. It must have been hard for her to get that out. She was always rather timid with her feelings towards her… But, she had a feeling the Hominal wanted to ask her that when they came out today. And she had already prepared an answer for her, if it did come down to that…

Licking her lips, as she gathered her own baring now, Abby frowned before quietly shaking her head. “I knew you liked me more than just a friend Casey. It was kind of obvious… especially whenever Eve’s around. But, I’m afraid I’m going to have to tell you the same thing I told her when she asked me that last night… I can’t be your mate Casey. I’m just not ready to be… that.”

It was just too much of a commitment for her to make without thinking it through or sorting out her own feelings first. She felt, conflicted. And she wasn’t sure of why either. She needed to figure it out before she could tell either of the two girl’s pining for her affection what she was going to do. Expecting a dejected or a tearful look in return from the redhead, the teenager was somewhat surprised to see, neither of those on her features. She actually looked, rather relaxed by her statement.

Smiling softly as she opened her eyes back up, Casey grinned before chuckling lightheartedly. “Ya… I figured you'd say that. But, I needed it to be known to ya… In case it wasn’t. I, I love ya, Abby. Ain’t no two ways about it. It was hard to look past yer Human side. But, I’m glad I did. I can tell just by lookin at ya, that yer perfect. I’ve never been around someone, who can just make me smile for the hell of it. I feel like, whenever we’re alone… I can act like myself around you, and ya don't judge me for it. Ya don't hate me or think me ill. And, it’s why I want to know… Can… Can you look past, me… and tell me if you'd ever considered mating with… a Hominal like me… Or, if you'd consider it?”

Frowning as she was asked such a thing, the brunette moved forward before resting her hand on the younger girl’s cheek. “Casey… why would you ask me that? Of course, I would. I don’t care that you’re a Hominal. Or for that matter even another girl… anymore. I just can’t commit to becoming anyone’s mate right now. It’s a sacred thing for your kind… and if I went through with it… I’d have to be certain. And, I’m just not.  It doesn’t have anything to with our species. I promise.”

Smiling warmly at her answer, Casey sighed before nudging her head forward into the smaller girls comforting hand. “Heh… I guess that’s good enough for me. Havin a shot is better than nothin. I just wish you’d say you’d stay… It would mean, we might have more time to ourselves like this.”

She really wanted to have the brunette become her mate before she left them, but that was out of the question. The most she could do was just wait and see what happened. Hopefully, her Abby wouldn’t go too far away. And maybe, that would mean they could still visit one another once she was returned to normal…

 

“Oh… I never told you~?”

 

Blinking her eyes back open, Casey glanced back down at Abby now confused as the smaller human smiled brightly back up at her. “Told me what?” Holding back her laughter for what she was about to say next, Abby hummed as she continued to gently pet the younger girls cheek.

“I came to a decision about what I’d do once Najia woke up. If she lets me, Casey… then I’m going to stay here with you girls. I’m not going anywhere.” She smiled. Looking back down at the shrunken girl wide-eyed, the redhead felt her mouth grow dry in seconds as she tried to process what the smaller girl had just said.

She… she wasn’t leaving them…? Biting her lower lip as she saw the gobsmacked face Casey was giving her back, Abby nodded cheerfully. “I know you wanted me to stay here with you. And, I kind of wanted to stay also. So, I guess I just sort of-“

Being cut off spontaneously as her face was enveloped, the brunette had to all but relax her body as she was thrust forward abruptly, as the Hominal in front of her pressed her own lips back into hers. Calming down from the startling move on the Dullahan’s part, Abby smiled weakly as she felt the younger girl holding onto her tightly as she kissed her deeply. Was there really any other response she should have given her statement?

Sinking her face into the larger girls lips as she kissed her back, the diminutive human leaned into her loyal guardian as she embraced her back. She couldn’t wait to tell everyone else. Feeling the hand that held her prisoner fall away, Abby remained stationary for a few moments longer before breaking away from Casey, as she stepped back from her lips.

“I-I guess you’re happy, aren’t… you…” Trailing off once more, the brunette looked up at the child’s head in surprise before a quite smile graced her lips, as she saw a long trail of tears traveling down the Dullahan’s cheeks as she sniffled weakly.

Trembling as her hands fell limply to her side, Casey whimpered as she tried to contain herself. Fuck! She was just… just so… happy. Picking her head back up as she buried it in her own chest to hide her tears, the redhead continued to cry softly as she felt her heart weeping happily. This was the first time she had ever cried in happiness…

It felt, kind of nice for a change. But, she needed to get ahold of herself! She was weeping like a tot! It was time for her shadow to go back since she had said what she needed with her head off. She just hoped she could control herself. She wanted to keep kissing her Storeen. This was the best news she had heard all day… and the Boyd had even told her Najia would make a full recovery earlier!

Watching Casey silently as she continued to hide her face, Abby smiled back up at the Hominal before her expression changed as she saw a long tendril of shadow seep out from the larger girls neck and crawl towards her head.

Pulling her limb back into place as she adjusted it with her hands, Casey sniffled quietly as she tried to compose herself. “I-I-I… I’m really, happy that yer stayin with us Abby. Hell… I think this might be the best thing anyone’s ever told me.” She snickered.

Smiling back at the younger girl, the brunette nodded before sitting down gently on her lap. “I thought you’d like to know. I haven’t really had the chance to tell the other yet, but I plan to. I’m just hoping by the time I tell them I’ll be back to normal, and Najia will be up and moving around again as well.” She smiled.

Shivering in delight at the thought of the teenager back to normal, Casey nodded as a faint blush dusted her cheeks. As much as she liked playing around with the smaller girl like this… she wanted to really have some fun once she returned to her former height. She had never done anything like that with another person until Abby, so the thought was very much appealing... Wait…

Furrowing her brow momentarily, Casey’s eyes widened before a crooked grin spread across her face. “H-Hey Abby… Ya made a deal with Kari, and she said she’d change ya back to normal once ya healed Najia, right?” Looking up at the younger girl confused, the brunette nodded as she saw her grin threatening to get stuck the way it was as she smiled from ear to ear.

“Well, the way I see it… the fox is healed now. So doncha think it’s time that the wee Boyd made good on her promise to ya?” Letting her statement sink in for a moment, Abby’s eyes widened much like the child's had as she thought about what she had just said.

‘S-She’s right…’ She had fulfilled her promise to Kari. That meant, she could return to normal now… Looking at Casey silently as they stared back at one another, a mutual grin formed as they thought about it. “Come on, I think it’s time we got ya back to yerself Abby.”

Attempting to stand up, the Hominal only managed to prop one of her feet beneath her up, before the teenager's voice rang out. “W-Wait, right now…? But, what about our date?” Stiffening up, Casey gawked in surprise now before looking back down at the smaller human like she had grown a second head.

“W-W-What?!  But, don’t you want to be changed back already?!” Nodding happily back up at the Dullahan, Abby smiled as she rested her hands behind her for support. “Of course I do Casey… But, I’ve been like this for a week now… I don’t think a few more hours is going to change my mind. Besides… we haven’t really eaten yet and I’m kind of hungry.”

Looking back at the brunette befuddled now, Casey scowled before rubbing the back of her head sheepishly. “F-Fine, b-b-but I’ll take ya back to Kari right after this! Alright, Abby?” Nodding affirmatively, the brunette had to stifle a laugh as she saw the younger girl pulling some of the food she had brought closer for them as she tried to hurry things along.

 

She almost couldn’t tell who was more excited about her returning to normal.

Though, she had a hunch why by the tone of red that streaked across the Hominal’s cheeks.

 

‘Like an open book…’

 

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

 

“Kari! Hey Kari, we’re back!”

 

Lifting her head up wordlessly, the little blonde turned around as she looked towards the entrance to her caverns as she watched both Casey and Abby return. She hadn’t expected them to be back so soon…

Letting go of Najia’s hand as she stood up, the little Witch dusted off the bottom of her cloak before smiling back at her friend. “H-Hey… I was wondering when you two would come by again… I just didn’t think it would be today…” Usually, wherever Abby went, the redhead did. And that happened to be for prolonged periods of time recently.

Stopping in front of the younger girl excitedly, Casey looked back at her shrunken companion as she saw the same excited smile she wore as well. This was going to be great! “Hey Kari, guess what? Ya told us this morning that Najia’s gonna recover, right? So, that means you can change Abby back to normal now doesn’t it?”

Feeling her smile leave her face in an instant, the little witch all but stopped breathing as she looked back at her friends in both surprise and shock. ‘C-Change… Change her back? But, Najia’s not…’ Licking her parted lips as they grew dry, the toddler took a small step back before looking down at the ground. She hadn’t even considered this. For all intense and purposes… her friend was right. Abby had done her part, and healed Najia… Meaning… she had to fulfill her end of their promise now... didn't she…

Staring back at the little witch with a warming smile, Abby soon had to scowl, as she saw the fearful look Kari wore. It was the same one that she had on that morning. “Kari, are you alright?” Looking up at the brunette confused, Casey had to frown now to as she saw the younger Hominal inching away from her.

“Huh? Hey, whats goin on with ya, didn’t you hear us? You can change Abby back! Isn’t that great?” The smaller human would no doubt be overjoyed when she was returned to normal. Something the redhead was counting on taking advantage of~.

Keeping her eyes locked on the little witch as she saw tears forming in the corner of her eyes now, Abby silently crossed her arms before looking over her shoulder to face Casey now. “Hey… Can you give me and Kari a moment Casey? I need to talk to her for a second.”

Interrupting her gleeful thoughts by the odd request, the Dullahan had to pause as she stared her smaller companion down. “Huh?! Why?” They had already waited long enough! However, the look she was being given was a stern one. What the hell got into her?

Plucking the smaller teen off her shoulder, Casey scowled before nodding her head begrudgingly. “I guess… But why do ya want me to leave? Yer not hiding somethin from me are ya?” Watching as the littler Hominal cringed as she shrunk in place, Abby closed her eyes now before shaking her head.

“No. I just need to ask Kari something personal. Why don’t you put away your stuff and come back? I don’t think we’ll be that long. Alright?” Abby smiled. Huffing in annoyance for basically being told to get lost in a polite manner, the redhead scoffed as she moved next to the small cot Najia rested on before setting the teenager down.

“Fine, fine… have it yer way. I’ll be back in a few. Don’t get into trouble while I’m gone ya eejits…” She mumbled bitterly. Smiling dryly as she waved back at Casey as the redhead started to walk away, Abby waited till she could no longer see the outline of the younger girl before shifting her eyes over to Kari sternly, the little witch still cowering in place as she said nothing at all.

“Alright, now that we're alone, what is it you’ve been hiding from me, Kari?” Stiffening up as she was questioned, the dirty blonde whimpered before turning her back towards Abby, not so much as to be rude… but more, because she was too scared to look her in her eyes…

Seeing the distraught way the child was acting, the brunette silently frowned before walking along the length of the small bedframe before she stood right beneath the younger girl. “Kari… Look at me.” Waiting for a moment, the little blonde fidgeted before inevitably turning her head back to Abby, the smaller human looking back at her just as surprised as she saw tears streaming down her cheeks.

“Kari… I know you need to get something off your chest. You've been acting guilty ever since I came back this morning. You need to tell me whatever it is you don't want to talk to me about. We’re alone now, so whatever's going on, it's just between us now. I get the feeling whatever’s bothering you has to do with me. So please, just tell me what it is so we can fix it. Together. I don’t like seeing you like this. So what did I do to upset you?” Sniffling weakly, the younger witch whimpered even louder now as she heard the concerned tone the shrunken girl was talking to her in. It sounded like the same one Najia used whenever she was upset…

She… she didn’t want to lose her. She didn’t want to lose her friend! Sniffling some more as she fought not to burst into tears and cry right there, Kari turned away again as her lips parted, shallow breaths escaping her lips as she tried to form words. What she said next… would no doubt, end their friendship… but, she couldn’t call Abby her friend… if she kept lying to her.

 

She had to tell her the truth.

 

“A-Abby…”

 

Standing at attention, the brunette nodded her head before reaching out to touch the little Witch’s arm but was soon shocked as she watched Kari flinch away. “Kari… Please, you can tell me anything...” She didn’t like pressuring the toddler… but this had gone on far too long. She couldn’t help her unless she let her.

Cupping her crossed arms as she continued to shiver, the little blonde sniffled some more before craning her neck partially to look over her shoulder at the smaller teen. “Y-You… you’ll, you’ll hate me…I’m s-sorry… I-I'm so, s-s-sorry...”

Looking back at the Hominal wide-eyed, Abby was about to speak up and tell her that wasn’t true, but it seemed the blonde wasn’t finished, as she whispered her next few words… ones that she almost didn’t register in her ears.

Stiffening up, Abby felt her breath leave her, as she processed what the little Witch had just murmured. That... that wasn't right. She... she had to have heard her wrong... “What… W-What did you just, say…?” Digging her fingers into her arms as she bit back her tears, Kari sputtered as she failed not to cry.

Turning her head fully, as she looked back down at the shrunken teen in hysterics as she sobbed, the little Witch whimpered before shaking her head. She knew what she had just said… “I… I-I can’t… I can’t, change you back. I can’t do it…"

 

 

"I CAN’T UNSHRINK YOU!”

 

 

 

 

To be continued…

 

 

Chapter End Notes:

 

Well, the truth is finnaly out. I wonder how many of you guessed it. Sorry it took me over a month to reveal it. It wasn't my intention, I swear...

 

I'll be posting sooner, for sure this time and we'll now see more into the story, that is Kari's past. Amongst other inquiries.

 

Please review and tell me if you still like me. ;-;

I wouldn't put it past you if you forgot about my writing after all this time but I'm going to be hopeful... T~T

 

I'll see everyone soon!

And I'll try to post again shortly.

You must login (register) to review.