Chapter Text
“Chosen” the taller speaks, holding Chosen’s hand softly, as he were trying to flee the situation he got himself into “come to bed. I can notice you’re tired…”
Dark was right, they were tired.
Protecting the younger sticks from a danger - more specific: one of Dark’s virabots acquiring sentience and evolving itself - costed him days of fighting, the discovery of new powers and no rest, Chosen was exhausted, but it’s okay, they’re used to that.
All of them arrived home safe, that alone managed to take Chosen’s stress out by a lot, but not all of it. The familiar feeling bugging her stomach by only standing by Dark’s side is present, but she’s not ready to clear their misunderstandings with her partner just yet.
“I’m fine.” It’s all he manages out, letting go of Dark’s hand as he heads himself towards the couch - where in the past weeks he has taken as “property”. Dark doesn’t allow that. From holding his hand it goes to a gentle embrace, Chosen can’t help but sink into the other’s hold, who never failed making him this vulnerable.
“You don’t have to stay.” Dark says, in a way only Chosen can hear his voice, and it makes a shiver go down their spine “But let me take care of you, you’re all wounded,” she’s right “and I know you won’t take care of yourself”. And it’s something she can’t argue, Chosen doesn’t answers but the silence that the black stick figure makes is familiar to Dark, she isn’t protesting against the idea and he understands as a positive response. He starts leading Chosen into his room.
Unlike Dark, Chosen refused having a room, claiming the couch as theirs at night - even if he rarely slept, Chosen never liked sleeping, nightmares from the time he was imprisoned as a pop-up ad block still haunts him. He found the colorful sticks but Dark was found by them when she was still heavily injured, still living on the remains of what used to be their old home… old home huh…
They shake these thoughts off as they realize he’s sitting on the edge of the toilet seat while dark filled the bathtub, they watch each movement that the red hollow-head stick makes, averting their gaze as he strips down his clothes, they have already taken baths together, Dark naked was no surprise, but right now, Chosen can’t look at their companion. He feels hands beginning to take his clothes off, he stops the other, he can do it by himself. Dark mouths a soft apology and tries to occupy himself with something while waiting to Chosen strip his own clothes off.
The bath is ready for both of them, and consumed by the silence, they bath together. Chosen is always quiet, reserved, which there is no discomfort when she’s silent towards Dark, but in that moment the silence reveals a lot of things they want to explain to each other but it’s left unsaid, meeting the discomfort.
Dark takes care of their own wounds and Chosen’s ones, because they know he won’t do it. As the process of the bath continue it’s noticeable how Chosen is almost out of energy, what they did in the past few days really worn him out. The bath finishes, and both of them get out to dry themselves and dress comfier clothes for bed, at least, Dark does.
“I can’t bring myself to stay with you right now.” Chosen gathers her energy to manage to phrase out, her gaze is towards the door.
“I know, but if you don’t stay with me you won’t rest.” it’s an immediate response as they approach Chosen again, gently holding his hand “I know I promised you didn’t have to stay, but I know you Chosen” Dark caress the other’s knuckles gently, trying to get her closer to them “we don’t need to discuss about… you know…” a snort comes from them, finding what they did months ago ridiculous, the creation of the virabots was ridiculous in the first place “I just want you to rest… just for a bit”
The last phrase is a plea, worried about how many days Chosen has spent without collapsing into a single nap - stick figures don’t need sleep, but a nap or two leaves them well rested and ready for a fight. She saw how much Chosen cared for the colorful gang, and how though they acted in front of them, Dark knew the black stick figure wouldn’t let a moment of vulnerability hit them in front of the group.
Reluctantly and slowly, Chosen allows Dark lead him towards his bed, they settle down easily, the black hollow-head stick with his face comfortably against Dark’s chest. It’s not long before Chosen is completely unconscious.
—-
Dark is awaken by the sound of something in the kitchen falling, very likely to be a pan, but one of the sides of her bed is heavy and warm, Chosen is still asleep by their side, good.
Removing the arms that holds her tightly she sits up to stretch herself, a pop is heard as Dark groans. He still sits comfortably on the bed, but now their attention is fully turned to Chosen, that is still unconscious. Dark wants to apologize, say the meaning of their actions, and all they ever wanted is to the black stick figure live in peace, and if she allows, with them by her side.
A long moment staring at the other - more like, admiring Chosen’s face while they sleep - he notices how uneven Chosen’s breath is, worried, one of his hands travel towards the other’s forehead.
The Chosen One is burning up, and it’s not literally