Seeing my blood on my paw, the pain finally starts to kick in. I can only assume the thing I saw in my vision while I was dodging was Inv's claw.
I can't tell how deep the wound is but… it hurts a lot. I don't think its lethal, however.
"J-joey!" As I'm trying to process what just happened my train of thought is broken as Inv yells my name.
I look up and see Inv approaching me with an extremely worried look. His skin basically pitch dark black mixed with deep purple.
Still trying to comprehend the situation I reflexively hold my paw up towards Inv in fear to keep him away.
Seeing this Inv stops on the spot.
"J-j-joey?" Inv's voice croaks in sadness seeing my action. I feel guilt when I hear this, but the pain is overtaking my guilt right now.
Not the physical pain I feel right now but the pain of being attacked by Inv.
"I-i sory! I didn meen tu hur u! I-i wa just su focu on eatn tha I atac wit ou tinkin!" Inv says between sobs. Tears running down his cheeks at this point staining the ground around him in blue.
Feeling the sudden rush of adrenaline, I felt from being attacked by Inv wear off I start thinking more clearly on what just happened.
'Calm down Joseph… just calm down…'
Clearly Inv isn't attacking me anymore. Even more clearly, he looks completely regretful of what he just did…
"Just… just give me a moment Inv…" I slowly say to him. I put my paw down keeping my distance away from Inv.
Inv trying to wipe his tears and completely failing looks at me with a devastated look.
"I… i… I sory…" after Inv says this, he slowly walks back to the popcorn plant. Attempting to eat kernels from the plant but only taking very small nibbles.
…
'Fuck… what the hell went wrong? Everything seemed so perfect just now, so why did he suddenly attack me like that?'
I try to think why he would do such a thing.
When I attempted to rub his back while he was eating, he immediately turned aggressive… all the other times I've touched him he seemed fine, but this time was different…
…
He did also say he was focused on eating… so it was clearly an accident…
…
…
…
'God I'm a fucking idiot. I let my guard down and tried to touch him while he wasn't aware. I can only guess living in a world like this where everything wants to kill you, you would attack something that touches you while you're eating without a second thought'
I let my guard down and I paid the price…
Reaching my paw up to my face I feel the right side of my face under my eye. Gently, I can feel a deep gash on my cheek. Blood is also leaking out but thankfully it's only a small amount.
'Fuck man, this hurts like hell! I don't think it will kill me though…'
Having an injury like this isn't new to me. I've died in many gruesome ways compared to this. The only difference being when I usually get injured in this world, most of the time I would immediately die.
This is the main reason why I have no scars on my body so far even though I've survived so many cycles.
It's either one or the other. I survive a cycle without getting hurt or I get hurt and die. Getting hurt would basically sign my death for that cycle.
'Well… looks like I'm getting a scar on my face… it was bound to happen I guess…'
…
'I just wish it wasn't from Inv…'
Thinking this, I completely calm down. It was my fault this happened. I shouldn't have tried touching Inv when he was eating. I got too careless.
While the pain on my face hurts like a bitch I can deal with it. Pain is nothing new to me. But now that I've clearly thought this through…
I look at the depressed scug a distance from me trying to eat from the popcorn plant but failing miserably letting out sobs of cries. His skin is completely black at this point with very dark purple mixed in.
Seeing this I feel guilty seeing the state Inv is in. His quirk of showing his emotions on his skin gives me a clear picture on how he's feeling.
With renewed confidence I start walking towards Inv.
'Come on Joseph it's time to cheer up your partner and fix your mistake'
Getting close to Inv I can feel a bit of fear rise in me, but I push this feeling down fast.
'The fuck is there to be afraid of? A scratch? I've dealt with worse! Ain't no fuckin scratch gonna keep me away!'
I stop right next to Inv who somehow hasn't noticed me yet. The area around him is covered in blue tears even his face is coated in blue covering his black skin.
The thought of reaching my paw out to him enters my mind but I immediately shut that idea down.
"I-inv?" I quietly try to get Invs attention.
Hearing me call his name Inv's head snaps to me in surprise.
"J-joey?" Inv looks at me with wide eyes. Looking more closely I can see blue smear marks all across his face. Probably from him trying to wipe his tears.
…
We look at each other in silence, neither of us saying anything. Only the distant sound of the thunder and crackling electricity.
…
'Fuck man I don't know what to say to make him feel better… I should just apologize'
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A/N: woah woah woah... apologize? does that ever work in any story to ever exist???? No long drawn-out arc where the characters are back to square one until they fight something big and dangerous then make up afterwards???
Not realistic 0/10
Have a good day btw, hope you enjoy the story so far!