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Dom shivered as he wrapped his tattered blanket tighter around him. It was raining heavily, with the wind blowing aggressively around him.
The bridge kept him and his tent relatively dry, but the wind was still able to get to him, blowing cold air and drops of rain into his tent, since the zipper on his tent was broken.
His tent shook a bit, which only heightened Dom's anxiety. He was just hoping his tent would make it through the night.
He was about to lay down and attempt to get some sleep, when he heard wet footsteps coming closer.
He froze, holding his breath. The person could be anyone, what if they were dangerous? What if they wanted to hurt him?
He hugged his stuffed bunny tight, shivering.
"Come out." He couldn't tell who was speaking, but the voice was familiar.
"It's wet." Dom's voice was barely above a whisper.
He heard a sigh, then the sound of an umbrella closing. "I'm coming in, then."
Dom was wide eyed, staring at Prime, who had just climbed into his tent. His umbrella was dripping, which made Dom grimace. His tent was going to be wet, now.
"It's not safe to sleep under here tonight." Prime was blatant about it, not sugarcoating it at all.
"Don't have anywhere to go…" Dom's head was cloudy and fuzzy, probably brought on by the intense state of fear he was in.
"Come stay at my house, at least for tonight. You don't have to stay longer, but you're welcome to." Prime ran a hand through his hair, shifting to sit in a criss cross position.
Dom shook his head. He couldn't go to Prime's house. He'd only be a burden, his head was too fuzzy for him to make sure he wouldn't bother his friend.
"Either you get your stuff and walk with me, or I'm dragging your ass the whole way. Pick."
Dom frowned, but packed up what little things he had. He stuffed his bunny and blanket into his backpack, quickly burying the pacifier that also resided in his bag.
"Come stand out here, I'll break down the tent."
After roughly ten minutes had passed, everything was packed up. The only sign that Dom had even been living under the bridge was an extinguished fire and some muddy footprints.
Prime opened his umbrella back up, taking Dom's hand and pulling him underneath.
Dom was quiet the whole walk, holding tightly to Prime's hand.
Prime had expected Dom to pull away, but he didn't say anything about it.
They got to Prime's house fairly quickly, not wanting to be in the rain any longer than they had to.
Prime unlocked his door, holding it open so Dom could step inside.
Dom did so, albeit hesitantly. He felt uncomfortable in Prime's house, worried that he may annoy him or take up too much space.
After the door was locked and everything was set down, Prime took Dom's hand, leading him upstairs.
Dom followed silently. He was a bit scared when they entered Prime's bedroom, but he kept quiet.
"I'm gonna give you some pajamas to borrow. Do you wanna take a shower or something?"
Dom fidgeted with a string on his pants. He did want to get clean, but he was scared to do so, especially considering the fog in his head that grew heavier with each passing minute.
Prime had picked up on the fact that Dom was anxious, but he wasn't quite sure what the source of his anxiety was.
"I won't walk in on you, don't worry."
Dom shook his head. "Scared."
Dom was surprised at Prime's response.
"Do you want me to wait outside the door in case you need me? I don't mind."
Dom nodded quickly, he was glad Prime wasn't upset. He knew he was probably being a bit of a problem, but he felt too yucky to care.
The shower came and went fairly quickly, with no mishaps.
Dom exited the bathroom dressed in the spare pajamas Prime lent him.
He felt warm and comfortable, almost welcoming the fogginess to take over his brain.
That is, until he saw Prime sitting on his bed, with Dom's pacifier in his hand.
Dom had never moved so fast, snatching the pacifier out of Prime's hand and hiding it behind his back.
His face was a bright red and his eyes were wide with fear.
Oh Gord, Prime probably thought he was disgusting. He was going to kick him out now, tell everyone how much of a freak he was. What if he never wanted to talk to Dom again? What if he hated him?
He felt arms wrap around him, interrupting his thoughts.
Why was Prime hugging him?
Prime pulled back, looking at Dom's teary eyes.
"I'm not mad at you, Dom."
"Went through my backpack…" Dom frowned. Did Prime think he was hiding something? Or did he want to see if Dom had anything worth taking?
"I was going to wash your blanket for you, I saw you put it in the backpack before we left. Are you… is this like that thing Grian does?"
Grian?
"What thing?"
"When he… acts like a kid. Or like a baby. I'm not sure."
Dom's face scrunched. "Not a baby."
"I… Sure. Okay, Dom. Do you… want me to clean that for you?" Prime pointed to the pacifier that Dom was clutching as if it were his life support.
Dom stared at him for a moment, shifting back and forth as he weighed his options.
He then handed the pacifier to Prime.
Prime let out a breath he didn't know he was holding.
He walked to the bathroom, Dom following behind Prime like a duckling would follow its mother.
Once the pacifier was clean, and dried with a towel. Prime turned to Dom, holding it out.
"Do you… want it? I won't make fun of you or anything."
Dom's face was flushed as he snatched the pacifier from Prime's hand.
He didn't put it in his mouth, though he wanted to. He just held it, for now.
"Okay… let's uh… Let's go downstairs, I'll call Grian and ask some questions, okay?"
Dom didn't answer, silently grabbing his backpack and following Prime downstairs.
Dom sat on the couch, pacifier in his mouth and bunny in his arms. He was wrapped in an extra blanket Prime had given him, which he used to cover his face.
Prime was in the other room on the phone, but Dom knew he could walk in at any minute.
He knew Prime knew about the pacifier, and that he didn't care, yet he still felt embarrassed at the thought of Prime seeing him with it.
"It's called regression?"
"Age regression, to be specific. It's kind of a coping mechanism? I'm assuming it's not a voluntary thing for Dom, if he seems so scared." Grian's voice was muffled by the blankets he was wrapped in. Prime's call had woken him up, but he didn't say anything. Prime needed help, clearly.
"So I'm like… babysitting?"
"Basically. You said he has a dummy and a stuffed toy?"
"Yeah and he's… he's not talking much. Should I be worried?" Prime was pacing the kitchen.
"No, not really. Regression is different for everyone, but I'd bet he's probably quite young right now. Especially with the amount of stress he's under. Just treat him like you would a kid, be nice."
"Okay… Is he… scared of me?"
"He's probably just scared in general. It's storming and he's just a baby. Put a movie on, get him comfortable. Try to get some sleep, both of you."
Prime nodded, before realizing Grian couldn't see him.
He gave Grian his thanks before hanging up. He didn't talk to Grian much, so he was grateful the other was so kind about his middle of the night call.
He put his phone in his pocket, walking back into the living room.
Dom jumped at Prime's presence, but Prime didn't say anything.
"I'm gonna put a movie on, got any favorites?"
Dom shook his head.
"Alright, I'll pick."
Prime picked up the tv remote, plopping himself next to Dom, who looked at him quizzically.
Music came from the tv, Prime having put on "Frozen."
Dom hadn't seen it before, his dad didn't let him watch 'girly' movies.
"Come lay with me, share the blanket."
Dom was hesitant, inching closer to Prime.
He yelped when he was practically pulled into his friend's lap.
After a few minutes of adjusting, Dom was laying with his head on Prime's lap, with Prime rubbing his back.
If his head wasn't so cloudly, Dom was sure he would be a blushing mess.
But right now he was too small to care.
He had his bunny and his paci, he was safe and warm. And he had someone to snuggle with.
Dom didn't even make it past the second song in the movie before falling asleep.
Prime paused the movie, Dom seemed decently invested. They could continue it tomorrow.
Prime adjusted his position until he was comfortable enough to sleep, soon joining Dom in slumber. The only sounds Prime could hear were the quiet sucking noises from Dom's pacifier, and the patter of rain from outside.
-
"You can't force me to live with you, Prime."
"I am not letting a baby live under a bridge."