Nez kept being inviting to the insect, which was irking every single nerve I possessed. How did I end this? What combination of words did i need to craft to get what I wanted? I wanted to terminate this conversation as soon as possible, but Nez would sabotage any overt attempt of mine to get this bug out of the castle. What could I do? Nez was a bit too savvy when it came to others so whatever I did would need to be subtle. Pest was looking at me cheerfully while talking to Nez, who was giving him some fantastical idea that he may have some chance. What complete and utter nonsense; I needed to dig in deep to find some solution to this that Nez would not see coming. Did Luna somehow get Nez to help her for whatever idiotic idea she had or was this just Nez being Nez? For now, I think confronting Nez directly might get me somewhere.

  I lectured Nez who gave me a deadpan stare in return.

  Nez shot back at me.

  I retorted, glaring at him.

  Nez lectured me.

  I defended myself with a huff. Nez’s expression let me know he absolutely did not buy my answer.

  Nez challenged me like I was going to concede the point.

  I snapped at him. Nez chuckled a bit at that comment.

  Nez pointed out to me.

  I tried. I was looking towards the ceiling a bit to avoid making eye contact with either of them.

  Nez shot back with zero hesitation. I tried thinking of a good example, but my mind was going blank. Come on Krahinn, there had to be an example. Wait, there was one! Ah ha! Nez clearly didn’t think I would have a single example to counter him with.

  I answered him with a confident nod.

  Nez stated. Well now he was adding rules that simply were unreasonable.

  I shot back in annoyance.

  Nez told me matter-of-factually.

  I tried, which only earned a headshake from Nez.

  Nez inquired sincerely. Well that kind of question put me in a bit of a bind.

  I told him point blank.

  Nez asked me plainly. I… felt flicked between the eyes.

  I probed, not grasping why Nez was asking me that.

  Nez clarified for me. It felt like a simple answer, so why couldn’t I think of the words?

  I told him. Nez looked at me, bobbing his head back and forth a little.

  Nez requested, clearly wanting a few more words on the subject.

  I deflected. Never interested me nor did I plan on starting now.

  Nez checked. I narrowed my eyes at him, wondering what he was getting at.

  I answered after thinking about it for a little bit.

  Nez replied. Had I ever tried? No, not really. It never interested me.

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  I admitted with a shrug.

  Nez suggested. I crinkled my nose, disliking his point.

  I snarled at him. Nez looked calmly back at me.

  Nez continued gently. I let out an exasperated sigh, hating Nez’s point. I couldn’t entirely refute it because I absolutely put out zero effort; I simply hated when people inevitably died on me.

  I mumbled back weakly.

  Nez shrugged back. I fought the urge to let out a massive, annoyed sigh at him.

  I snapped at him, wondering why Nez suddenly seemed less interested in the outcome.

  Nez informed me with a shrug.

  I mulled it over a bit, wondering if maybe I should give Pest a bit more time. I looked at the insect who was happily bobbing his tail feathers while looking at me weirdly. What was that expression? There was no bar for me to gauge if the bug was ugly or not. No idea if that meant anything; did I really put this little effort into this? Nez’s point on maybe trying to see if it was my immense reluctance or an actual lack of interest in the matter might have held some merit. Nez was grabbing a scone at this point, smiling at the bug and me like he had made some amazing argument. Uuuggggghhh. Fine. It was worth entertaining the idea for a little bit.

  I pointed out to Nez.

  Nez asked back. Like I knew the answer.

  I snapped at him. Nez let out a small laugh.

  Nez taunted me. I wanted to slap that smirk off his face, but he was currently making a ton of unfortunately good points.

  “You should really thank Nez.” I grumbled at the Pest who went slack jawed.

  “How did you do that?” Pest asked Nez, looking a bit uneasy as he was unsure of my reaction.

  “I stuck to the facts.” Nez chuckled, sipping his tea again.

  “You can stay, for now. That being said, I want to discuss something sensitive with Nez.” I snapped at the bug who did a celebratory leap.

  “Wait, where do I go for now?” Pest inquired. I used my to move him to the roof.

  “What did you want to talk about?” Nez checked, sounding sad as he likely knew the answer.

  “How are you holding up?” I probed. Nez’s face was all the answer I needed.

  “I am trying not to think about it, because it hurts. It hurts a lot. I still keep hoping I’m going to wake up and find laying next to me in bed.” Nez lamented in a hoarse voice.

  “Don’t run from it forever, it only makes it worse.” I told Nez, not entirely sure how to comfort him.

  “I just need to keep it together until the memorial. I appreciate the concern, but I am not able to talk about it more.” Nez replied, clearly seconds from absolutely bawling.

  “Whenever you want to talk about it, I will be there. For now, do you want me to go talk to the bug or talk with you more?” I asked Nez, who chuckled a bit.

  “Probably do not refer to him as a bug. I am fine for now; I have a meeting with Senna in a few minutes. I was simply tasked to see what was causing you to lash out.” Nez told me. Eh, that might change in time.

  “Do not be afraid to reach out and talk to me. I may be a grouch, but I do not want to see you drown in your sorrow.” I assured Nez, who put on a bit of a forced smile.

  “I know, Krahinn.” Nez replied as he waved and dissolved into his .

  I was a bit worried about Nez, but he did not want to discuss it currently. Time to deal with the bug, or whatever other term I came up with that was less insulting. With a single , I was next to the insect on the roof. He was looking around, seeing the carnage that had torn through Umbra. From the roof of the castle, the extent of the blaze and battle were brutally apparent. The Pest was leaning up against the spire, soaking in the scenery. From here, I could see Helga, Nautilus, and Luna down by the lakeside; with a better look I realized Luna had binoculars looking up at the two of us. I wasn’t going to entertain her nonsense right now, so I sent a small spike of at her to destroy the binoculars. Luna must have been practicing her because she dove to the side to save the binoculars. Luna got my point as I saw her pout a little and put them away. I shook my head as that was not important right now.

  “So, uh, how does this going to work?” Pest asked me.

  “No idea. I imagine spend time with you until I find you less irksome or I am going to kick you to the side.” I shot back.

  “Okay.” Pest agreed. Just like that? That seemed too easy.

  “Why are you okay with that?” I inquired, not grasping why he agreed so effortlessly.

  “Because you are agreeing to date me; I can work on better from here.” Pest chimed happily. And that made him, happy? Weird.

  “That is weird.” I quipped at him.

  “Is it? My determination actually paid off.” Pest retorted in a cheery voice, bouncing his tail feathers excitedly.

  “Eh, Nez being a busybody did more work.” I shot back. The bug didn’t seem to notice or care about that reply.

  “Nez got me in the door; he knew the right words to help me out.” Pest told me. I wasn’t sure exactly how to handle that. I noticed that the Pest was scooting closer to me.

  “At least one foot of space, ” I ordered him. The bug measured the distance between us and went to exactly a foot and an inch.

  “No problem!” Pest replied with a smile.