Hallow Heart

Feelings

When Bella came to she could hear the hushed voices of Dr.Xu, Cedric, Gale And Arlo. "Those wounds were deep. I'm not gonna lie. She's lucky to be alive." "How bad?" "Bad enough that I wanted to throw up. They were that deep. It ripped her side open, her shoulder was ripped up, thankfully she still has use of it. Her legs are heavily bruised and also cut up. The fight was clearly not easy. She's lucky to be alive." Bella snorted before she spoke, her voice raspy. "Yeah well, if I was going down, I was taking that fucker with me."
Multiple eyes widened before Dr.Xu walked over. "Bella, how are you feeling?" She snorted again. "Like absolute shit. It's dead by the way." Gale felt his eyes widen and Arlo's jaw dropped. "You killed it?" "Mhm, oh and Xu I killed those Jump Dancers before I came back." His eyes widened at this. "So that's why I had to force an antidote down your throat." "Of course." Bella blinked as she tried to clear her vision before she looked at Gale. "No offense but I ain't doing this again for awhile. That's enough childhood trauma to relieve for a while." Gale weakly laughed before he placed a hand on her head. "I told you to come back if it was to dangerous."
She shrugged before wincing. "Fuck that hurt." "Careful!" Came the yell of a few others. "Yeah, yeah. But I wasn't giving up. It needed to die and I had a personal score to settle with it." Arlo groaned before he took her hand. "Gave me a fucking heart attack Bells." She weakly smiled. "Sorry, But I had to go." "Coulda taken me with you. Sam and Remington everyone....they're so worried about you." "Is that so? Well no worries you can let them no I'm not dead. To stubborn for that." "I'll say. You can go home tomorrow, or whenever you can stand. Right Dr.Xu?" "Hm? Oh yes, just no commissions no fighting, no nothing. It's straight up rest for you."
Again Bella shrugged ignoring the pain. "Yeah, thats fine with me. Need a break anyway." Dr.Xu nodded and went to go check on his plants outside while Gale weakly smiled. "Welcome home Bella. Get some rest I'll see you later." And with that he left. Leaving only Cedric and Arlo with Bella. "Arlo? Watch my sister. I'll go let the others know she's awake and alive." Arlo nodded before Cedric left. Leaving the two alone. "Yeah know, you scared the shit out of me." Bella looked at him before sighing. "I'm sorry about that, I didn't expect this ya know?" He only nodded. "Hell, even Sonia screamed when she saw you bleeding out in my arms. She's also the one who ran and found Dr.Xu when we heard he wasn't in."
Now that caught her attention. "Huh, didn't think she cared ya know?" He snorted. "Yeah I know. By the way you missed my exam." Her eyes widened and she went to sit up when he stopped her. "Hey! No! For the love of gods stay laying down woman. You almost fucking died." Yet he saw the guilt in her eyes. And he sighed before brushing the hair out of her face. "You need a shower." She rolled her eyes at this. "Tell me something I don't know." He weakly laughed. The sound forced and strained.
"Yeah, I'll tell you how the exam went." Bella turned her head to look at him, silver blue eyes locked onto light blue and she held her breath. "I passed." Her eyes widened and she smiled. "Arlo that's great!" He chuckled before he brushed her hair again, the motion oddly soothing, by doing so he could see the black roots of her natural hair color. "When do you leave?" He blinked before he watched her carefully. He wanted to see her honest expression and he saw it.
Bella was to tired to hide her fear, he was going to leave her, and it honestly upset her, yet a part of her was happy. Happy because he passed, because he had reached then next part of his dream. His goal. And no matter what she would support him. He only shook his head. "Oh Bella." She raised an eyebrow at this. "What?" "You seem really upset." Bella blinked and looked away. She didn't want to be the reason he stayed after fighting for it for so long. Yet part of her was selfish and wanted him to stay. "I'm just in pain." He shook his head. "Bells I know you, I know that look. Yes you are in pain. But part of you is upset and afraid. Besides, you didn't even hear what I told Mali."
Now she raised an eyebrow confused. "Mind you, I had a lot to think about. Then the scare with you and I ended up talking to Remington. And he made me realize something." "What did you realize?" He took her hand in his own and marveled at how soft it was, despite the years of work and sword fighting. How it was small in comparison to his own but it felt so right.
Flashback-

Arlo had just walked into the Civil Corps building after leaving Bella's. He knew he had one last patrol but knew he needed to talk with Remington. "Hey man." The green haired man looked over and raised an eyebrow. "What's up captain?" Arlo rolled his eyes. "Dude you know I hate that." Remington laughed. "I know. Now what's up, because I can see it in your face that something is bothering you." Arlo sighed as he leaned against the wall. "You know how the exam is coming up?" Remington nodded. He knew all to well, especially with how much extra training Arlo had been doing. "What about it?"
Arlo was silent for a moment. "What if I don't wanna do it no more?" Remington raised an eyebrow at this. "What do you mean?" He let out an aggravated huff before running his fingers through his hair. "I don't know. I just know that my dreams changing. I don't know if I wanna leave anymore. I have or I think, I have a reason to stay here." Remington nodded. He understood now. "Ah, so you're trying to figure out why the feelings and dream have changed." Arlo nodded as he sighed. "Well, why do you think they're changing Arlo? Because for years this is what you've wanted. If it's because of the last time, dude you gotta realize Mali beat the shit out of you. You were bleeding heavily so Bella had to drag your half unconscious ass to the clinic."
Arlo winced at that. "I know, I spent that week apologizing to her and making it up to her. It's just...I spoke to her ya know?" Now Remington raised an eyebrow. "Spoke to who Arlo?" "To Bella, about part of my past. She, she was so understanding. She even gave me advice."
Remi nodded, Bella was good at that after all. "Ah, now I see." Now Arlo was confused. "Man, I can't tell you why it's happening. I'm not you. But just think on it. The answer will come to you." And with that Arlo let out a frustrated groan and left after thanking Remington. Who laughed once he was gone. "You hear that Sam?" "Yep, He's an idiot." "Definitely, but he'll realize it soon." Sam nodded in agreement. "How did he not see me here?" "Well you were laying on the sofa not moving." "True." The two shared another laugh. "Funny how he hasn't realized it yet." "Nah, good things take time." And with that the two went silent as they each hoped Arlo would figure it out and fast.
Flashback end*
"Arlo? Dude you back with me yet?" Arlo blinked before he shook his head. "Bella." She stared at him, with those endless silver blue eyes and he smiled. "Bells I'm not leaving." Her eyes widened and while part of her was happy the other part was shocked. "What? Why?" He chuckled. She frowned at this as she pulled her hand away crossing her arms. "Bells, I told you my dreams were changing. I don't want to leave Portia." Now she was confused. "I don't want to leave you." To say Bella was confused was an understatement at this point, now she was just lost. So he chuckled and pulled out a carefully woven item that was a dark shade of red. "I'm staying so I can be with you. The others. I don't wanna leave them." Bella frowned as she eyed the small object, she was unsure what it was considering he was hiding it carefully in his hand. "And this...this is for you." And with that he placed the heartKnot in her hand leaving her wide eyed and shocked into silence. "I like you Bella, would you go out with me?"