Tree Hugger

“Just watch yourself, Alma,” shouted Hwalín as she stepped out of the greenhouse-like room. “I don’t want to be the one finding you inside a plant this time.”

The various vines guarding the entrance slithered closed, leaving the two girls alone among the lush greenery.

“I have at least five plants that can eat a man alive,” stated Heloise, chuckling to Alma. The hedge witch leaned back and planted her butt against her desk. "But you knew that. You even named one of 'em. So I know that's not what you wanted to talk about, is it?"

"I know I tried asking earlier, but—has something been bothering you? Like, lately?"

The sorceress' s face stiffened. "Huh? You mean besides you traipsing back into my life after destroying a prized possession and acting like it never happened? Which you still haven't apologized for, by the way. So yes, babe, something has been bothering me."

"Really? Is that why you've been up at all hours conjuring who knows what? Hunting monsters way out of your league and all alone? What exactly is the horn for? Did something happen?"

"Alma, stop. You're worrying way too much about nothing. I mean, I'm glad you're thinking about me, but I'm fine. I've been doing just dandy without you, and I plan on keeping the streak going. Besides, you're the one someone should be worried about. I'm gone for a tiny bit and suddenly you're mixed up in some crazy goddess's plot. You really are hopeless without me, ya know?"

"I was really mad—the way we left things. I couldn't even fathom apologizing for saving your life. You mean everything to me, Heli. You're in the very exclusive club of people I would take a bullet for. And so far, it's just you and family. Every other day, I would worry about you. Wondering if you were eating okay, or lost in a dungeon somewhere, or Macha knows what."

"I have other friends besides you, dumbass." Heloise spat out with a giggle.

"I know! But they also haven't saved your life twice over. They wouldn't know something is bothering you like I would."

"Someone's got a high opinion of herself. Have you always been this horny for me? I'm flattered, but I really have no idea what you're talking about~!"

"Damn it, Heli. Don't play dumb. You've always been terrible at lying to me. It’s not like you to keep something from you. It’s actually really odd. You usually never shut up. So why don’t you just tell me what’s bothering you?”

“Alma.” The witch’s expression turned sour. “You’re starting to get on my nerves. If I'm telling you nothing is wrong, it means stop asking questions."

"Heli. If you're lying to me and I find out you somehow ended up hurt because I didn’t push enough, or worse, I'm going to be fucking pissed. It feels like we finally patched things up today and I don't want to leave here now with any lingering regrets."

The witch hopped off her desk, bare feet slapping the ground as she stood up and without uttering a single word, wrapped her slender arms around her best friend.

The tension in Alma's body melted away as the witch's warmth spread around her. The nostalgic fruity smell of her organic shampoo lingered off her silky hair as it brushed against the sniper’s face, leaving her in a trance.

"Girl, please." Heloise's voice came out muffled as she spoke through Alma's shoulder. "Just sto—"

The protesting witch cut herself off with a sharp inhale as Alma returned the embrace and held her friend tightly.

"I want to trust you, Heli. I want to believe there's nothing wrong. So why do I have this awful feeling that there is? I love you and would do anything for you. You know that. If there's something you need help with—something you can't handle on your own—I'll do what I can to help."

"I—" The strong facade of the witch Heloise finally began to crumble. There was a trembling in her voice as she spoke and a hot, stinging sensation in her eyes. "I've missed you so much, ma chéri.”

“I’ve missed you too.”

Choking and sobbing, the witch continued struggling to get her feelings out. “I'm sorry I got mad at you. I'm sorry I left you. I didn't mean to run from you the way I did. I spent every day wishing I could see you again. But I was too stubborn. Too much of a bitch to just give you a call. I was scared. Terrified of so many things I wish I could've just talked to you about. Every night for a long time, I cried myself to sleep, regretting the words I said to you. Afraid I might’ve lost you forever. Worried that you’d die in some far-off country where no one would even be able to identify your body. I never—I never want to go through that again!"

"I'm here now. And you aren't gonna lose me again. I'll make sure of that."

Heloise pulled back and looked deep into Alma's amber eyes through a bloodshot gaze of her own. She continued, still sniffling and sobbing, "You mean it? But… you're leaving right now. How can I be sure?"

"I swear I'll come back to you." Alma grinned at her friend, attempting to put her at ease with a warm smile. The tangle of emotions caused small tears to form at the edge of her vision as well. "This is only temporary."

"You better mean it!" Heloise embraced her once more, pummeling Alma’s shoulder with a small fist. "I don't wanna have to come up there and bring your frozen ass home. And since I'm too tiny to carry all three of you, your dumb friends are totally on their own!"

“Well, I guess I’ve got no choice then, now do I? Plus, theeey can take care of themselves.” The ex-soldier chuckled. “Wow. Been a while since we’ve had one of these big ugly crying moments.”

“Don’t call me ugly.” The witch’s voice came out muffled once again. “And don’t tell those two I cried. I have a reputation to upkeep. Don’t forget, I’m supposed to be the cool one.”

“Heli, I can’t understand you when you’re mumbling into my arm like that.”

The witch remained silent for a moment before mumbling, “Je t'aime.”

“Huh?”

“I said good luck.” Heloise planted a gentle kiss on Alma’s cheek before letting go. “Your friends are waiting for you.”

“Okay.” Alma breathed a reluctant sigh. “But promise me that you’ll talk when you’re ready to tell me what it is that’s bothering you. It’s bad to keep things bottled up. Which I never thought I’d be saying to you. Weird.”

“Yeah. If you really do love me, Alma, you’ll trust that I’m a big girl who can handle her own issues. And I promise I won’t be too proud to admit when I need help. Is that good enough for you?”

“It’ll have to be.” Alma gave her friend a pat on the shoulder. “By the way, I didn’t get a chance to tell you earlier but that’s a really cool shoulder tattoo. Very ‘witchy.’”

“Oh, uh. T-Thanks. Listen. Go meet me outside. I have to go clean myself up.” The witch rubbed her eyes with the front of her wrists. “Oh! Before I forget, let me go pack you some of that green coffee for you.”