Wiping down the mugs, Gelatin was bored out of his mind. Since his last shift, no one had come in. This late at night, he wasn't sure anyone was going to come in.

That was, until the bell rung.

Spinning around, he faced the door, gasping and dropping the mug in shock. Leafy was standing there. He quickly picked up the shards of glass.

She knelt down, an apologetic look on her face. Gelatin rose his hand. "No no! I got it!" He said, picking up the last piece. He dumped them into a nearby trash can.

"Sorry about that." He said, smiling at her. "I just wasn't expecting anyone to show up." He chuckled, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.

"Especially not the Snow Queen herself.." Leafy flinched. "A-Ah...so you did see..." Gelatin nodded. "Don't worry, I didn't tell anyone."

He picked up a menu. "Is a bar seat fine?" She nodded. "Right this way." He said, as she followed him to the dining room.

A few months later.

"You look upset." Gelatin said, wiping a plate dry in his hands. "Mind if I ask what's wrong?" Leafy sighed slightly. "Firey..." She said, as he winced.

"What did he do this time?" He asked, placing the plate in one of the cabinets. "It's only been a few months since the incident, but..." Leafy paused for a moment.

"He's acting strange." Gelatin passed her a small glass. "What kind of strange?" He asked, as she took a sip. "Nice, friendly even." She sighed, setting the small glass down.

Leafy shivered slightly. "That's strong..." Gelatin chuckled. "I figure you'd need a good drink, this is Firey we're talking about." He told her.

"I'll say..." She smiled slightly. The smile fell, after a minute. "Can I say something...a little bit crazy?" Gelatin nodded. "Lay it on me."

Taking a deep breath, Leafy closed her eyes.

"Do you think...it would have been better if I had just stayed alone in the old mansion?"

Gelatin frowned. "Leafy." He said, in a stern voice. "Absolutely not. You would have died!" She shrugged. "Not really a problem for me..."

She glanced to the side. "No one really cared about me, until I decided to try to make friends again. So maybe I would have just done everyone a huge favor."

Gelatin placed a hand on Leafy's, causing her to flinch. "Look at me. Leafy, look me in the eye." She did. "You are not the same person you used to be."

He stared at her, a serious look in his eyes. "You have changed, and these powers are living proof of it!" Gelatin explained. "Do you know why you got these powers?"

Leafy looked away slightly. "Because I deserved to suffer for all the torment I've caused...?" She hesitantly answered. "Wha- No-" Gelatin facepalmed.

"The parasite fed off of negative emotion, Leafy. Meaning..." Gelatin said, waiting to Leafy to finish. When she didn't, he sighed.

"Guilt, Leafy. You felt guilty after all you had done." He answered. His gaze softened. "You can't tell me you weren't." He said, taking his hand off of hers.

"The parasite could feel that." He told her. She looked at Gelatin, and he smiled at her. "So stop beating yourself up for this, otherwise another one of those things might infect you again."

Leafy smiled back at him. "Thanks Gelatin..." She said, leaning against her arm. "I guess...I guess I needed that..." Gelatin grabbed the small glass, filling it up again.

"Anytime." He said, sliding it back to her. "But...can I ask something?" She nodded, downing the drink. Gelatin sheepishly smiled. "Well..." He started.

"Is there any chance I could see you use those powers again?"

She gave him a playful look. "Oh, is this what the drinks are for?" She joked. "No!" He fake gasped, putting a hand over his chest. "How could you accuse me of such a thing?!"

Leafy stood up, chuckling. "Come on." She said, as Gelatin excitedly followed her outside. They both walked to the back of the building.

Gelatin watched in excitement. Leafy waved her hands, firing ice into the air. He gasped, for real this time, as snow covered the ground.

She fired a bit more ice into the air, smiling at him. "This is probably going to be the last time I use these powers." She admit. "So take it in while you can."

Nodding, Gelatin plopped down into the snow. For the rest of the night, Leafy forgot what it felt like to fear her magic.

Instead...

She remembered the first time she embraced it.

Watching Gelatin enthusiastically playing in the snow helped her remember that feeling.

And she'd be lying if she said it didn't bring a smile to her face.