he felt sick.

ill, even.

ever since fire ring left him, broken spawn was left with the overwhelming feeling of guilt and dread boring into the pit of his stomach. no amount of sleep could mask the horrible feeling, even if sleep was the only coping mechanism he had. sure, he had tried to get over losing fire ring, but since the latter really seemed to detest broken spawn now in comparison to how kindly his former best friend had treated him a few months back, this was hard to do.

he had tried talking to other people around the small town square, but cozy had been ever the rude to him as always and he couldn’t really go back to you again for comfort; he’d pestered you enough already these past days, so he thought, and had even managed to get a few free items from you despite his protests. he knew how much of a kind soul you were, but he didn’t want to push his luck, not again; he had learnt that lesson with fire ring, and if you would have ended up leaving and abandoning him as well, he would’ve been ever the more convinced that there was something wrong with himself, and not with the people he got attached to.

one day, broken spawn was feeling particularly awful. he decided to, as always, go on a walk around the somewhat empty streets of the town square, stopping at the statue, billboard and other places where he remembered that fire ring had told him numerous stuff about; stuff that broken spawn couldn’t possibly bring himself to forget, even if it would’ve contributed immensely to his health if he did so.

coincidentally, he’d end up passing by your stall set up where it always was, his walk somewhat limping in nature and clutching his aching stomach harder than usual.

spotting that you were just about to set up your limeade stand for the day, he’d pause, looking over in slight curiosity, even if his mind was telling him to ‘just leave already’ and ‘not to bother her more than he already had’.