Chapter 28 Little Bubble of Happiness Popped like a Fragile Balloon

Lyn’s eyes softened, and for the first time since I met her, she let out a real, unguarded laugh, not just her usual teasing chuckle. It was warm, genuine, and it made me feel like I’d somehow unlocked a part of her that not many others got to see. She leaned back against the cave wall, her tail flicking from side to side, her golden eyes twinkling with fond memories.

“You know, all this talk of being reckless and running off into trouble, it reminds me of my father. He used to say the same things about me, always scolding me for getting into some mess or sneaking out of the village without permission.”

She gave a little shake of her head as if she could still hear his voice, and I could see the affection written on her face. 

"Yeah, his name is Cat Boss, and he lived up to the name, let me tell you. Big ol’ guy, with paws as wide as my head! And boy, did he use ‘em." She laughed again, raising her hand to mimic the gesture.

 "Whenever I got caught sneaking out, he’d whack me over the head with one of those big, soft paws of his. Not hard, mind you, but enough to get my attention. He’d always say, ‘You’re just a little cat, Lyn. What do you think you’re doing running off into the forest like you’re some big, scary beast?’"

I couldn’t help but smile at the image of a huge cat boss swatting Lyn over the head like she was a naughty kitten. It was... weirdly wholesome. And funny.

“Didn’t stop me, though,” Lyn continued, “Every time I got caught, he’d give me one of those big lectures about the dangers out there - the monsters, the adventurers, the traps. He’d say, ‘Lyn, I’m not gonna be around forever to save you from every stupid thing you do. You’ve gotta be smarter. You’re too important to this village to keep playing like a cub.’ But of course, I never listened. I always thought I knew better. I was fast, I was clever, and I wanted to prove it. So, naturally, I’d sneak out again the very next night. And of course, he’d find me - again - and whack me on the head - again.” 

She mimed a gentle slap on her head, making the whole thing even funnier.

I chuckled, imagining a younger Lyn, rebellious and wild, getting into trouble just like I used to - though I imagined my trouble was more miserable and painful.

 “Sounds like you were a real handful,” I said, still smiling.

“Oh, you have no idea, Little Green. I think I gave him more gray fur than any monster in the forest ever could. But... he always looked out for me. Even when he was mad or frustrated, there was always that look in his eyes, like... like he knew I’d turn out alright. Like he believed in me, even when I made a mess of things. I guess that’s why I always kept coming back home, no matter how far I wandered.”

There was a pause, the cave filled with the gentle rhythm of the rain outside, and for a moment, Lyn’s playful energy dimmed just a bit. She stared off into the distance, her golden eyes clouded with nostalgia. I could tell she missed him - this "Cat Boss" who cared so much for her.

“Sounds like he was a great father,” I said softly, not wanting to interrupt her thoughts but also feeling the need to say something. I didn’t know what it was like to have a family like that, but... I could see how much he meant to her.

Lyn perked up immediately at my words, her golden eyes twinkling with playful mischief as if I had just said something ridiculous.

“Was? Oh no, Little Green, my dad’s very much alive! He’s as tough as he looks. You should see him! He’s still kicking and whacking people over the head whenever they get out of line,” she said with a grin, her tail flicking behind her like a playful cat.

She gave me a sideways glance, her playful smirk returning.

“Guess I’m gonna have to take over his job one day, huh?” she teased.

“I already saved you once - maybe I should start whacking you over the head whenever you do something dumb too.”

My eyes widened in horror, and I quickly raised my hands in surrender.

“N-No, no! I’ll be good! I-I promise!”

Lyn laughed, a light, carefree sound that filled the small cave.

“Relax, Little Green. I’m only kidding... for now.”

Her tail swished playfully behind her as she settled back into her spot on the moss, her golden eyes flicking back toward the cave entrance. The rain outside had lessened to a soft drizzle, but the sound still filled the space, cozy and calming.

 “So, h-he’s alive.” I stammered, feeling a bit foolish for assuming otherwise.

“Alive and well. What did you think? That I was telling you some tragic story? You should meet him sometime. He’s the boss of our village. Cat Boss, remember? Runs the place with his big paws, still. Every time I get back to the village after an adventure, he’s right there, waiting for me, arms crossed, giving me that look. You know, the look that says, ‘Oh, so you think you’re big and tough, huh? Well, let me remind you who the real boss is.’”

I couldn’t help but snicker at the image of a giant, grumpy catman scolding Lyn like she was still a little kitten. It was... oddly comforting. 

“He sounds... intense.”

“Oh, he is. But, come on, with a daughter as amazing as me, he’s gotta keep me in check somehow, right?”

She puffed out her chest and struck a mock-heroic pose like some legendary warrior showing off their spoils. I giggled at her antics, though I still felt a twinge of awkwardness, realizing how far off I’d been with my assumption.

“You know what he’d say if he were here right now?” Lyn added, crossing her arms and lowering her voice into a deep, gruff imitation, clearly trying to mimic her father.

 “‘Lyn, you’re dragging this poor goblin into your messes again, huh? When are you going to stop running off into trouble? You're a menace to this forest!’ And then... whack!” She mimed a big, exaggerated slap over her head as if her father’s imaginary paw was already coming down on her.

I burst out laughing at the sight. Lyn’s over-the-top impression of her father was just too ridiculous to take seriously, and for a moment, all the tension of our situation seemed to melt away.

She grinned at my laughter, clearly pleased with herself. 

“See? Told you, he’s a character. But, you know, deep down, he’s a big softie. Always worried, always looking out for me... even when I drive him crazy.”

I looked at her, my smile fading just a bit as I saw the genuine affection behind her playful words.

“He really cares about you, huh?”

Lyn’s grin softened, and for a moment, she looked almost... touched by my question. 

“Yeah,” she said quietly, her eyes flicking downward.

 “He does. More than I probably deserve.”

There was a brief silence as the rain outside continued to patter against the ground, filling the cave with a rhythmic, soothing sound. I didn’t know what to say, not really. I wasn’t used to this... warmth. This feeling of being cared for, of having someone watch out for you even when they seemed strict or overbearing. It was so far from the life I had known.

But before I could dwell on it, Lyn’s mischievous smirk returned, breaking the moment. 

“But hey, enough about him. I’m sure he’d just scold me for talking your ear off about my boring old life.”

“B-Boring?” I blurted out. 

“That doesn’t sound boring at all!”

Lyn laughed again, this time softer, and reached out to ruffle my wrinkled head.

 “You’re too easy to impress, Little Green. I’m just a cat girl running around causing trouble. But you... well, I think there’s a lot more to you than you let on.”

My face flushed, and I quickly looked away, embarrassed.

 “N-No, I’m... I’m just a goblin.”

She gave me a light tap on the nose, her smile turning playful again. 

“A goblin who saved my life. Don’t forget that part. If I was left outside who knows what might happened to me.”

I blinked, startled by her words, and then shyly glanced up at her. 

“I-I guess... I did, huh?”

“Yeah, you did. So, don’t sell yourself short, Little Green.”

I nodded, a small, shy smile creeping across my face. Lyn was right. Maybe... just maybe, I wasn’t so useless after all.

“So,” Lyn said, stretching her arms behind her head and reclining against the cave wall.

“What were even doing so deep in the forest?”

Her question hit me like a slap. My heart sank, the little bubble of happiness that had surrounded me moments ago popped like a fragile balloon. I had been caught up in her warmth, her light-hearted teasing, and the comfort of being with someone who didn’t treat me like dirt. But now, the weight of reality crashed down on me, heavy and suffocating.

My stomach twisted into knots, and my eyes darted nervously to the ground. I could feel the panic welling up inside me, the urgency of my mission clawing at my insides. My body tensed, my hands trembled, and for a second, I couldn’t breathe. I had almost forgotten. How could I have forgotten?

"I... I..." The words caught in my throat like jagged rocks, and my mouth felt dry. My face contorted in shame, fear, and guilt. Lyn’s playful expression faded as she leaned forward, her eyes narrowing in concern. 

“Hey, Little Green, what’s wrong?”