Your hands were shaking as you clocked out of work- You picked up your phone, just buzzed, a text from Crystal Ball- You two weren't super close, but you've been attending his seminars for about 2 months now- once a week, and you've noticed your stress levels going down bigtime. So why was your mouth dry when you read the text?
"Can you come down to the studio today after work? I want to talk to you."
It was so blunt, yet so vague- about what? Why? Did you do something wrong? As your thoughts raced and raced and raced, you barely even noticed yourself opening your car door, starting the car, and driving down the road.
When it came to the intersection- It was like time slowed down as you turned in the direction of Crystal Ball's studio. What were you doing? He obviously didn't mean directly after work- But you were itching to see what he wanted to talk to you about. You still had your work keys on a lanyard around your neck. You pulled up to the studio, nestled inbetween two other businesses, almost hidden- the outside of the building was unremarkable, but inside the pane window you could see half-burned candles and colorful beads lining the walls from top to bottom. You opened the door- a gentle jingle from the bell attached to the swinging door. You were immediately hit with the overwhelming smell of warm incense. Behind the front desk- decorated top to bottom in knicknacks and good luck charms, Crystal Ball was rooting around in the back, seemingly organizing. You kicked off your shoes at the door, as was customary.
You tried to get his attention by knocking on the desk, but it took him a couple seconds to register. He turned around, and when he saw you, he smiled.
"You made it!" He said, walking up to the front desk and grabbing both of your hands with his. His giant mitten-like hands were able to instantly and effortlessly envelop your small fists.
"Yeah, hahah..." You say, "I was just wondering if something was up, you know?"
He paused. "You're shaking really bad," He said, "Is something wrong, friend?"
You hadn't even noticed, but yeah, you were still trembling. "Hahaha- No, I'm just... a little nervous." Your face was hot, creeping all the way up to your ears.
"Come with me," He said, and held your hand all the way to the back room where you usually practice meditation. It was kind of nice.
"C'mon, let's sit down." The room had no chairs or tables, but the walls were lined with shelves- all of the floor was completely covered in all manner of pillows, blankets, and other soft things. The light was low- and the contrast between the bright afternoon sun and the dim, soft light of the meditation room was pleasing and lifted your slight headache. You followed Crystal Ball in, he was still holding your hand- and he sat down in the very middle of the room, with you directly across from him. You were expecting for him to say something- but it seemed like he was trying to get you to talk first.
"So... what did you want to talk about with me?" You ask.
"You're distressed- Right? I can see it in your aura," He continues, "That's the reason you started showing up here."
".....Yeah." You say. Admitting that felt kind of... nice.
"Whenever I have a friend- er, client come in with something heavy weighing on them, I like to see if I can help them. You trust me, right?" He said, placing one of his large paws on your chest, right where your heart would be. You didn't recoil- instead, it felt like you melted into his touch. His gaze was so gentle yet so intense that it felt like it would be a crime to look away. You hadn't really noticed, but he was a little bit... close. He was strange, that's for sure- but it was the type of strange that was refreshing. The type of strange that you are too scared to ask for.
"Hahah-" You try to laugh it off, but he remains serious, like he's trying to coax an answer out of you. "I... I trust you.."
Crystal Ball smiles again, his eyes twinkling- something about it is so genuine, it tugs at your heartstrings.
"Do you want to come cuddle with me for a while?" He says, and his voice is so gentle...
".....H... yeah.. How did you know..?" You say, and you start to get choked up.
"You read like an open book," Crystal ball continues, and he lifts his hand off your chest and uses a soft, pink blanket to pull you into a hug. Not too forcefully- But he was so strong he could handle you like a doll. You were wrapped up like sushi, being rocked back and forth gently, slowly- His hands were so huge they pinned you close and covered your whole chest. His legs were folded into a crisscross position, and you were placed in the middle of them, your feet appearing teeny tiny by comparison. The big, pink fluffy socks he wore were so soft as your bottom half was sandwiched inbetween them- and all at once Crystal Ball layed down on his side, sighing. He stroked your side over and over with one of his mittens.
"Comfortable?" He asked.
"Y-yeah..." You say, and just then, you realized that there were tears streaming down your face one after the other.
"It's good to cry." He said. "It helps you feel better," His language was simple, but the point got across well- after a good cry, your stress would go down.
"Hnnn... Sorry, sorry sorry.." You sob, and Crystal Ball holds you closer.
"No no no, it's okay. It's all okay." He continues, and grabs a long pillow to keep as a buffer between you two. After all, he is made of crystal- which isn't the most comfortable thing to cry into. You bury your face into the pillow, pleasantly cool, and it makes you realize how hot your face is. Crystal Ball holds you and snuggles you, stroking your back and holding you with a nice pressure- not squeezing you, but making sure you know he's there, he's there.
You stay there for a long time.
"Are you doin' ok?" He says after a long pause in conversation. "Do you feel better?"
"Y-yeah..." You say. "Hah- Hah- You were right about the crying thing." Sniff, Sniff.
"Its science! I read it somewhere, a chemical release or something..." He says, and you laugh. "Hey, it's true!" You laugh again.
"But.... I'm glad I could help. I know we don't know each other very well, but sometimes it helps to just be vulnerable for a little bit. Somebody to hold you while you cry, you know?" He continues. "I care about you."
With that, you bury your face back into the pillow.
"What?? It's true. I do care about you," He says, "You goofball. We're best friends now, and I want you to call me or text me whenever you want to do something together. We can totally just hang out and chill if you ever need someone to just like... Be there for you. I promise! I promise." You look back up at him.
"Sniff... Yeah. That sounds good." You say, and sit up.
"Wait here. I'm gonna get you something to drink. Water, or juice? I've got watermelon, mango-" He starts,
"Water is ok." You say.
"Alright, I'll be right back-" And Crystal Ball leaves the room. While he's gone, you have a moment to reflect- everything seems peaceful now, and you aren't shaking- There's a smile on your face as you try to reacquaint yourself with your surroundings. The rest of the evening, you and Crystal Ball just sit down and... Talk. It's nice. Everything about this is nice. Crystal Ball is nice.
You're going to have to text him back sometime.

---

I hope you enjoy this one!! i thought i'd write something a little bit emotional and a little bit personal- I hope you've fallen in love with this character as much as i have. Hurt/comfort is something i haven't written in a little while- i hope i did ok :D let me know what you think in the comments!