Work Text:
There are some days where everything is grey. The blankets, the hardwood floor and the custom painted door to their room in the mansion. All colours were drained from the world leaving nothing behind but the dull black, white and greys of life.
Today was one of those days.
Helos had spent all morning sitting on their bed staring at the wall in front of them in silence. They weren’t sure how long they’ve sat there, mind empty in despair. They ignored the occasional sounds from their phone as he had no energy to reach out and read through his notifications. 'The others could wait', he thought as he yet again ignored another ping.
He was tired. So, so, tired. He just wanted to sleep. To close his eyes and rest. Until the colours come back. Until the world isn’t painted so monochromatically.
Yet he couldn't even find the strength to merely close his eyes.
And so he stared. At the grey, drywood wall filled with grey posters and a giant grey corkboard.
He wasn’t sure how long it’s been since he sat there but the sun was still up when the door to his bedroom slowly creaked open. “Helos?” A familiar voice asked worriedly, though distant from him. It felt far, far away from where he was sat. As if the opened door did nothing to make it clear and the voice was as muffled as it was. As if they were stood at the end of a 20m bridge held up with nothing but strings.
As if they were in another world entirely.
“Are you okay? You haven’t been answering anyone.”
Does it really matter if I do?
Helos didn’t reply and instead, opted to keep staring at the wall. Colourless. Everything was still so colourless and the voice only blended into the surroundings that melted into a pile of sad grey goop.
The ruffling of someone taking off their shoes came before soft footsteps leading up to the bed echoed around the room. With a low groan of the wooden bed, Helos felt a weight shifting and the presence of someone somewhere nearby him.
Next to him?
Whatever it was, he couldn’t tell.
“Are you alright?” Dark Link asked. His voice was kind and gentle.
The gentleness was familiar. He knew someone as gentle as that once upon a time..
Helos could only stay quiet. Answering was too draining and he was already so fucking tired.
“It’s a really bad episode, isn’t it love?”
The silence could only confirm it. His usual sarcasm and funny remarks were absent. Instead Helos could only nod once weakly.
“I’m sorry, honey. Is there anything I can do to help?”
Helos paused.
Was there?
He shook his head.
The easel and the paints are gone. I don’t know where they are. I can't paint. Nothing feels right. Nothing ever feels right.
“Okay, do you want me to stay with you?”
A nod.
More shifting came from the shadow next to him and Helos vaguely felt Dark pulling him back to lay down onto the bed. He could feel Dark pulling his blanket over him and he felt a slight sensation of relief when some of his comfier pillows slipped under his head. Finally, the shadow laid next to him and wrapped Helos around his arms.
Between them and the silence, Dark spoke first.
“I’m here if you feel like talking, ok?”
Helos nodded but doubted he would talk anytime soon.
“I’m here for you.”
Dark held onto Helos tighter to emphasize his stay.
“I love you.”
The two laid in silence once more but the atmosphere had changed. It wasn't as cold anymore.
From the corner of his eyes, Helos watched as a muted green slowly seeped into the potted aloe vera he kept at his windowsill.