Work Text:
Laying down their weary bones after a long night of work has become Ren's usual routine for the past six years. To keep a roof over their head, over Lulu's head, and to keep the last small thing keeping them tethered from forcing them into freefall, it's what inspires Ren's mindset. To take on as much work as possible, and to keep themself busy.
They watch Lulu, their big old lug of an Orthworm, settle into his futon with a smile; their house in Zapapico is small, but it's more than enough for the two of them. Though sparsely furnished and with a weird, musty scent that none of Ren's deep cleanings have managed to be able to get rid of (but that a few good candles will fix), it's home. It's been home since they were born, since their breakdown, since all of the years have passed them by and they're still keeping their head above water.
Sometimes they think about inviting others. It'd be nice to play host, to show people around the region that they love so much, to show them all just how good they can do and how they can make people proud--and as their vision darts to one of the only two doors in the house, that's when they realize.
Oh. That'd involve finally looking at their parent's room.
The thought of hosting people is easily discarded, once they realize that; eight years and they still haven't had the guts to open that room up to see what's become of it. Of course they haven't. That room isn't theirs and it never would be. Even with the house under their name, under their responsibility, it was never theirs to begin with. That space was always Mom and Dad's; the house only had three rooms. The living kitchen bedroom (as Ren liked to affectionately called it), the bathroom, and the 'No Rens Allowed' room. The one place their parents could have some sort of privacy, and even today, it feels like intruding on a place they shouldn't be. That they'd be bad for it, that the second they try to open that door their parents might come back, they might say something, they might finally say something after all these years and--
"Woooorm."
Ren's brought out of their strange reverie by a concerned sound from Lulu, as they look over to find his gaze drooped at them. Lulu's gotten good at knowing their tells; it's likely not a surprise, given that Ren's known him since they were barely able to walk. And it's just like that, that a switch is flipped in Ren's head and they smile down at their partner.
"Oh! Sorry, Lulu. Guess I got a bit distracted, huh?" Their chuckle is bright as ever, though Lulu's expression doesn't wane in the slightest. "Sorry, sorry about that. Kinda just overthinkin' stuff again, y'know? It's fine though, everything's all back to normal! Promise!"
"Wooorm..."
"...Aw, come on, don't gimme that, Lulu." The concerned tone of their partner gets Ren's pep to drop down a few octaves, and they find themself leaning down--though more accurately, they fall practically on their ass and meet Lulu on the ground level with a softer look. "I mean it, y'know. I'm just goin' and overthinkin' shit again. It ain't anything to worry about, yeah?"
Lulu doesn't respond verbally to that; he knows how much they've been working themself, and how tired Ren really is underneath all that showy pep they put on for others. It results in Lulu bringing himself up a bit, before laying his head on Ren's lap and wrapping his arms around them; it doesn't take long for them to respond in kind, chuckling a bit softer. A little less pep, a little more warmth.
"...It's gonna be better one day, Lulu. I promise that, yeah? We're..." Ren's voice breaks a touch, clutching their partner closer. "We're gonna have the biggest house. A buncha places for you to dig to your heart's content. Our own bedrooms. None of this 'stay in your poke ball' all the time shit. An actual arcdamn bed for both of us. We're gonna be happy, and healthy. So..."
"Let's keep doing our best, alright?" Ren grins down at Lulu again, who doesn't seem inclined to let go but agrees with an affirmative noise. The smile it gets from Ren is more than a measure brighter, as a result.
They may be lonely, and they may never be able to have company at the house...but at least they have each other.