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He had no idea what happened or how it happened but Jimmy was sitting in the small hole that he called home. His arms were bleeding. A lot and he was crying.
The only thing he remembered is seeing Apo get killed by a cat. As the safety rat that definitely wasn’t safe. And of course, Jimmy took the blame all himself. He stormed off to his “house”. After that everything was a blur. His face was stained with tears.
Now he’s sat in a small part of his little hole and is crying. His arms bleeding a lot. Probably way too much blood. He knew he has to move and get his arms bandaged but he doesn’t own bandages. So he takes the next best thing. Which is one of his safety jackets and he wraps it tightly around his arm. His other is still bleeding-free. He slowly stands up in case he’ll get dizzy as soon as he moved too fast. Still walking very slow he’s making his way to his so-called kitchen area. Once he pushes open the small door he gets absolutely jump scared.
The person standing there is wearing a small hat with some light blue hair poking out from under it. He immediately recognizes this rat as Scott. He tries to back away but runs right into the open door.
Scott turns around seeing Jimmy there. His eyes were puffy red and tear tracks on his face. What he doesn’t notice at first is Jimmys arms. He sees that the so-called safety rat is slowly backing away like he’s trying to get away from him.
“Jimmy? Are you alright? Why are you trying to get away? Did I scare you too bad?” The Scottish rat asked him.
He gets no response from Jim only a small sniffle and a sob escaping the poor rat's lips as he tries to speak. Scott runs to him and tries to catch him before he collapses. He manages to catch the falling rat before he hits the floor. He sits both of them on the floor. Laying Jimmys head on his knees. As he layed him down he took a glance at Jimmys body and notices the left arm being wrapped in one of the yellow safety jackets which is now stained a light red while the other one is bleeding free from small cuts.
“Oh Jim. You poor little rat”
Jimmys head jerks up at the sound of Scotts voice. He’s still shaking very badly. His breathing is very unregular and messy.
Scott tries his best to calm him by whispering in his ear:
“Okay, Jim follow my breathing alright? I’ll put your hand on my chest so you can feel it as well. In and out.”
The shaking rat tries his best to copy Scott and manages to do so. Slowly he regains his regular rhythm. Tears still falling from his cheeks. Scott’s still looking down at the blonde while running his hand through his short hair.
“Scott… I-I’m so sorry” Jimmy hiccups. “I didn’t know what came over me. Please don’t be mad. I’m supposed to keep everyone safe”
“Jim.. Calm down I’m not mad at you. It just shocked me to see you like this. Now, do you want to move to your couch and talk about it?” The Farmer carefully asked.
The blond nodded slowly and began standing up and pulling Scott up with him. They walked to the living room, Scotts arm swung over Jimmys shoulder to support him if he needed it. When they arrived in the room both rats sat down slowly.
“Okay, Jim. I’ll go get some fresh bandages and some rubbing alcohol alright?” Scott said and left the room.
Now here he was sitting. Alone. Scott saw him being at his breaking point. Not the tough, smart safety rat but the Jimmy who just broke down entirely. He feels like crying again but he’s got to be tough. Not weak.
Scott entered the living room with some rubbing alcohol and bandages in his hands. He feels horrible. How did he never notice that Jimmys mental health is so bad? He should probably push these thoughts to the back of his head and just take care of Jim he needs him.
As he made his way next to the smaller rat Jim looked up. He has removed the safety jacket from his arm which Scott is grateful for.
“Okay, Jim I’ll have to clean the wounds now. This might sting but do you mind telling me why you did this while I clean and bandage them?”
Jimmy sniffles:
“Alright, I’ll tell you. But don't get mad at me.
So you know how I’m the safety rat? Wel- OW. A warning would be nice”
“Sorry, Jim warnings would make you stop your story now go ahead and talk about it alright?”
“Okay so keeping everyone safe is so mentally draining. Every time someone gets hurt it’s my fault. I should’ve paid more attention and then Apo would’ve survived. If I was faster and told him to be more careful he would still be here.”
He squeaks as Scott finishes his right arm.
Scott just hums sometimes but he listens.
“So well it puts so much pressure on me I can’t bare it anymore. It would be better if we just had a real safety rat. Not me. A pathetic small rat”
“Oh, Jim… Apo dying hit us all very hard but it’s not your fault. We didn’t see or hear the cat. You couldn’t have warned us even if you tried. And everyone gets hurt sometimes. You’re doing your best. Not everything is your fault.”
Scott carefully bandaged Jimmys arms paying close attention to putting them tight but not too tight. His heart couldn’t handle seeing him like this. But he promised himself that he’ll take care of Jimmy from now on.
“So Jimmy. Let’s get you to bed. Today has been a long long day for you and me. If you don’t mind me staying the night.”
Right as Scott said that Jimmy noticed how tired he actually was and he yawned and let out a little squeak. He blushed out of embarrassment and saw Scott giggle in the corner of his eye.
Both slowly walked to the blonde's bedroom. He took off his signature yellow jacket and layed down in his bed not bothering to take off any clothing he was wearing. Scott slowly tried sneaking out of the room but he heard Jim whisper:
“Please stay with me just for tonight Scott”
He couldn’t say no to this adorable rat. He stalked over to the bed took off his shoes and his hat and layed down next to him. Instantly some arms wrapped around his torso and someone drew closer to him. Soon after that Jimmys head was resting against his chest. Scott gave a small kiss to the top of Jims head before drifting off to sleep.