Secrets Make You Sick

Door smiled to herself at Thatch's bemused expression.

"Don't--" Thatch said before she could speak, "--say a word. You're done with your food, go away. And I mean that in the nicest, most loving way possible," he added as his sister made a face at him.

"Yes, of course you did, big brother," Door agreed, swatting him gently as she rose to her feet.

Ariel laughed at the siblings.

Alex opened the door for Door (lol). "We'll be back shortly." he promised.

{{Lol sweet irony, how good it is to have you back.}}

"Don't be," Thatch yelled after them.

Door snorted, shaking her head as the door closed behind her. "That kid. Sometimes, I swear..."

"How do you put up with him?" he laughed good-naturedly.

He paused. "How does Aislin put up with him?"

"They harp on each other," Door replied matter-of-factly. "And by doing so, satisfy each others need to be beat up on." She paused, chewing her lip. "...I think."

"Well, they act like an old married couple." he laughed.

He held his arm out for Door to take.

Door nodded, a 'you're telling me' look on her face. She took his arm, grinned, and sighed. "So. Where're we off to today?"

"Anywhere you like. The fountain, the river, Kakariko...you name it." he said innocently.

Door's heart ran cold when he mentioned the village, and her hand tightened around his for just a moment. "N-not Kakariko," she said almost too quickly, voice going high. "Not today."

{{Great, Door. Now you've alerted him. And you know he won't let it go until you tell him.}}
{{Door: }}

Alex looked at her oddly. "Is something the matter, Door?" he asked, concerned.

"No," she affirmed, shaking her head and gaining control of her expression as quickly as she had lost it. "Nothing."

You'll have to tell someone sooner or later, or this will kill you.

I can't!!

You can tell him.

I can't!!!

If you can't tell him, who can you tell?

This internal struggle lasted all of three seconds, during which Door bit her lip in distress. Alex was the one she trusted most, but if he knew the truth, how would he react?

Alex studied her, carefully squeezing her hand. "You seem like something's bothering you." he said quietly, "If there is, don't be afraid to talk to me."

He smiled. "About anything."

----

Aislin returned to the table. "Y'know, Thatch...I've being doing some thinking..."

"Here we go..." Ariel laughed.

"...And I've noticed your plight. Everyone always ganging up on you. Tremor, on the other hand, is much less subject to torment. And when I'd pondered on this for quite some time, I arrived at the conclusion that his silence probably contributes to that. Largely."

She grinned at the object of her playful affection.

Door gave a tiny nod, swallowing. "I know... It's just that... I... I..."

She broke off, staring at the ground. "I don't think I can."

-----------------------

Tremor grinned, much amused by this conclusion.

"So... what you're saying," Thatch said slowly, eyes narrowed in thought, "is that I just need to stop talking? And you'll quit ganging up on me? Just like that?"

Alex searched her face, his eyes compassionate. "Alright," he said quietly, though his face betrayed the tiniest twinge of hurt. "I understand."

He held her hand. "Where to, then?"

-------

Aislin shrugged. "Iddaknow. It was just a hypothesis."

Door heaved a sigh, closing her eyes. Doing this to him wasn't helping her struggle, but what else could she do?

"Let's just... walk," she said at last, meeting his gaze. "And see where life takes us."

------------

Thatch frowned. "But you were insinuating something..."

Aislin smiled. "Just that perhaps you talk your way into troubles." she laughed.

--------

Alex nodded. "Alright." he nodded, lightly squeezing her hand. "After you."

"At least I do talk," Thatch pointed out.

"Checkmate."

----------------

Door smiled faintly, setting off in a random direction.

Deep inside, that little caterpillar sat and poked at her.

Alex followed, linked at the hand. "Your hair's gotten longer," he observed with a smile.

-------

Aislin laughed. Out loud.

Ariel grinned. "Such a good distraction you are."

Door smiled, wrinkling her nose as she self-consciously reached up to touch her hair. "Yeah. I haven't bothered to cut it lately... Does it still look alright?"

-----------------

Thatch blinked at the board, gaping in dismay. "Ahawwww," he moaned, face crumbling. "Are you serious?"

Aislin patted his shoulder. "You gave it your all." she half-solemnly consoled.

-------

Alex nodded. "I like it a lot. I didn't realize it was as curly as it is."

Thatch stared gloomily up at her. "Gee. Thanks."

-------------------

"Haha, yeah. It was a nightmare when I was younger," Door laughed, "but now it's tamed... somewhat. "I'll probably trim it before it gets too out of control again."

"You should take a break." Aislin noted, "Seeing as how you're not going anywhere with your current endeavor."

----------

Alex smiled. "I used to wish I had curls."

{{HAHA! Nancy boy with th' curly 'air!!}}
{{...I've had WAY too many chances to use that lately.}}

"You want to try?" Thatch grinned, standing and stretching. "Be my guest."

---------------------

Door almost didn't laugh. "You? Really?" She leaned back and squinted. "No, I can't see it."

[[KOH has way too many effeminate men.]]

Ariel grinned, but it was gone in a flash.

"Don't mind if I do." Aislin said, taking a seat across from Tremor.

-------

Alex shrugged. "I also wished by red hair would turn brown, my fair skin would tan, and that I would magically become not-as-tall overnight." he grinned.

"Aww, but then you wouldn't be the funny, tall, awkward Alex that I fell in love with," Door grinned, pecking him on the cheek. "And we would've missed out on all those adventures."

--------------

{{I knows. And most of the ladies are way too domineering.}}

Tremor raised a brow, then grinned, setting up the board.