Chapter Text
˗ˏˋ ꒰ ☆ ꒱ , , The room was dark, no noise could be heard aside from a quiet buzzing and Croissants own breathing. She had recognised this plain, anonymous area. She knew what was coming.
She got up and began to run, but that little slice of light, her only chance to freedom, only seemed to be getting further and further away. She couldn’t stop now, she knew she couldn’t, not again. She kept running, feeling her lungs slowly get more and more sore with every quick step.
Eventually, it was too much, and she collapsed to the floor. Not again, she couldn’t have failed again. Hearing a click noise, she reluctantly looked up, not at all surprised by the familiar figure in front of her. None other than Timekeeper themself.
"Tsk tsk, Croissant… I expected more from you…" They smiled, reaching their hand out to assist Croissant. "Take my hand, friend. It won't hurt you."
She sighed, she knew what was going to happen if she touched that hand, it’s only happened a million times. She reached her hand out, disappointment washing over her as she touched it, seeing herself slowly turn into a picture perfect version of the person she saw in front of her.
She felt her breathing start to speed up. Not again. She failed again. How could she do this, when she has so many people that depend on her… ‘ ‘
…
Croissant shot up, heavily breathing as she quickly turned her head side to side examining her surroundings, making sure everything was where it was meant to be.
Sesame was still at the end of the bed instead of her own bed, a basket of dirty clothes that the two had been procrastinating washing was still peaking out from the bathroom, the several books on her nightstand with bookmarks spread out in each one was still there, and of course, her precious girlfriend was still next to her, seemingly almost awake after Croissants little panic attack.
"Croissant? Hun, what’re you doing up?" She sleepily asked, sitting up as she rubbed one of her eyes. Croissant felt her heartbeat settle down, as breathing started to feel easier and smoother.
"I— Just, just a weird dream." She mumbled, wiping any sweat from her forehead as she huffed.
"Hm? What was it about?" She asked, putting her hand on top of hers as an attempt to comfort her.
"Oh just uh, just— I don't know…" She stumbled over her words, not really sure of how she’d talk about it. She’d never really bothered to talk about her problems to Coffee Candy before, well… she’d never really bothered to talk to anyone about her problems before.
"Take your time…" Coffee Candy reassured her, making her softly smile.
"Okay, well… I have this recurring dream a lot where I’m completely alone, in this dark room, right?" Coffee Candy gently nodded. "And basically, I try to leave the room but I never make it in time, and then Timekeeper always appears and puts their hand out for me, and when I grab it, I turn into them. Like, I look exactly like them." She said, starting to fidget more with her hands. Coffee Candy looked at her with a slightly confused face, quickly ignoring her confusion to continue comforting Croissant.
She asked softly, "Why do you think you have this dream?" Croissant looked at her for a moment, looking away to continue thinking of the answer.
"I think it might be ‘cause, I’m… I’m terrified to end up like Timekeeper." She said nervously, "I just, look, Timekeeper is great. They’re a nice person, but I… I don't want to lose my sanity like they did. I can’t lose everything like they did." She said, the weight of guilt beginning to form on her shoulders, how could she talk about a friend in such a way?
Coffee Candy stayed silent for a moment, giving Croissant a gentle hug. "Don't worry Croissant. You wont end up like them, even if that's not exactly a bad thing." She said. Croissant didn’t know if the way she worded that sounded wrong because she was tired, or because Coffee Candy was tired. Either way, she understood what she meant.
She softly smiled as she hugged her back, "Thanks, Candy…"
Immediately, Coffee Candy hugged her tighter, forcing her to lie back down onto the bed. Croissant looked up at Coffee Candy, her face turning red.
"Even if you do turn into Timekeeper, you’ll never lose me." She smiled, kissing her forehead. Croissant looked up at her, before gently laying her head down on Coffee Candy’s chest.
Maybe she won't have to worry about her future for now, as long as she’s with Coffee Candy, she’ll be okay.