Chapter Text
Soul was stressed.
More than usual.
The day started as normal - Soul being awoken by the bickering of Sun and Moon at 6am, him having forced to split up the fight and then proceeding to have some accumulation of food to be considered a satisfactory breakfast.
(In all honesty, it was just a monster and half a bag of nachos, but Soul had deemed it "good enough", despite Heart's protests. Something about needing a "proper" breakfast to maintain the Whole - he wasn't really listening.)
After his "meal" he started his duties; caring for the Whole, writing songs, etc.
However, when he could start to hear the halves arguing again, he started to lose his concentration. Lyrics no longer easily flowed onto the paper, instead became a jumbled mess of non-sensical lines. This truly pissed off Soul. If he couldn't do his job, how was he meant to keep harmony?
The voices became louder with each passing minute.
After a few more unsatisfactory attempts at rhyme, Soul slammed down his worn pencil and growled in frustration. It was starting to become overwhelming.
His clouded thoughts.
The constant back-and-forth between the Sun and the Moon.
The ringing in his head that wouldn't stop.
"Fucks sake.." he uttered, dragging his hands down his face. He spun around on his chair, moving around to find his one comfort in these trying times - Darrell.
Walking with heavy footsteps - why was it suddenly so hard to walk? - he made his way over to where Darrell usually resided. It was a relatively large fenced off space in the corner of Soul's room, with all of Darrell's needs (food, water, bedding - you get the gist).
Soul reached into Darrell's pen and-
Wait.
Where WAS Darrell?
He wasn't where Soul usually put him..
It was at this point Soul began to breakdown. His only closeby grounding method was gone, and worse, Heart and Mind were still fighting.
He frantically ran around his room, tears starting to drop down his face. During his panicked search, he knocked down items from his desk and shelves, leaving the floor a cluttered mess.
His chaotic rummage was unsuccessful, and ended in him sitting uncomfortably in the middle of the floor, sobbing uncontrollably with his hands balled up in his hair, surrounded by crumpled music sheets and empty monster cans.
There was a light knock at the door.
Soul didnt know who it was. He couldnt process what they were saying. All that he could hear was his cries and his rapid breaths.
They came closer.
He quickly shuffled away, afraid of what they would think of him, what they would do to him - Soul! The only mature one, the only level-headed one, having a breakdown in the middle of his room?
Surely they wouldn't need him anymore. They needed a mediator, someone who could ground them, not some useless control freak that couldn't get a hold of himself-
Sometime during his overthinking, the figures had held him close, one rubbing gentle and soothing circles on his back, providing a feeling of safety that Soul needed. He fell into the warm embrace that they provided.
Colder, rougher hands wiped away his tears as they fell, and brushed away the hair that threatened to block his eyes.
They stayed like this for awhile - Soul didnt know for how long. Soon, his sobbing turned to quiet sniffles, his eyes able to focus on his carers.
It was Heart and Mind, sandwiching him inbetween them. Moon was still rubbing his back, while Sun held his face. He leaned into the hand.
"Stars? Are- are you ok? You had us worried," whispered Heart, gently putting his hand on Soul's knee.
(Soul didnt miss how Moon said "us", but decided not to comment on it, he'd rather live in the peaceful moment whilst it lasted).
"Soul, we must know if you are ok, this behaviour is more alike to Heart's, not yourself," came a monotonous voice to his left. It was nice that Mind was showing Soul concern, even if it was in his own, forward way.
He only nodded his head slightly, but that was enough for the duo to understand.
"Do you- do you need anything?" quizzed Heart, ever so slightly holding Soul closer.
"Darrell. I need Darrell."
"Mr Mind?"
"I'll be right back," Sun started to move away, Soul whining slightly at the loss of touch. He slumped into Moon as he waited for Mind to return with his beloved pet.
"Stars?"
"Yes, Moon?"
"What happened?"
"What do you mean?"
"We- we heard a lot of noise coming from your room and- and we weren't sure if you were ok. And- then we saw you and- is- was it because of us? Our fighting, I mean." Heart looked sorrowfully at Soul, waiting patiently for an answer.
Soul sighed gently, placing a hand on Heart's.
"It's- complicated. A lot of things were building up and- I guess it all came crashing down at once. I'm sorry for worrying you, Moon."
"It's alright Stars, just- take better care of yourself, ok? Don't tell Mr Mind I told you this but, we both deeply care for you, you're very important to us."
Soul just hummed in content. It felt as if a small weight had been lifted off his shoulders. A slight smile appeared on his face.
They really did care for him. That's all he needed to know for now.
Sun walked back into the room with the small animal in his arms. He made his way over to Soul, sitting down and allowing the pet to approach his owner.
Darrell excitedly jumped out of Mind's arms and quickly settled into Soul's lap.
Soul's face brightened immediately. His beloved pet and friend was reunited with him. He removed the hand resting on Heart's to pet the chicken.
"Thank you, Sun. Thank you, Moon," said Soul in a low voice. He was grateful for what both had done for him.
"No problem, Stars," replied Heart.
"Of course, Soul." Mind responded, shuffling closer to the pair.
They all sat close together, relishing in the rare, peaceful moment that they all shared.