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“Is this really a good idea?”
As silently as possible, they tiptoed towards the counter where he was resting at. A smile crept onto their lips when they saw the other sleeping soundly, sprawled over a countertop with their back hunched. However, that could only mean one thing. Another all nighter. Horrible? Obviously a yes! That meant that he was stressing himself out and working overtime. Both them and him knew that he did that all too often, and it was bad.
They sighed. “Well, it’s good for him,” A chill ran down their spine when they thought of the next thing they were about to say. “I am dead if he gets mad at me for this. But it’s the right thing for sure. He’s still growing like me, and needs to take care of himself.”
But he never listens, thought Medicine Pocket as they let a groan escape their lips. They were right — X rarely listened to them. He was adamant about his opinions on certain things, like his health (both physical and mental), which he insisted was perfectly fine. However, those eyebags and empty cups of coffee said otherwise. He looked so drained half the time that it was actually starting to terrify them.
What more, if they did not take action, who would? As far as Medicine Pocket knew, they were the closest to X. Even closer than Regulus, another of X’s friend’s, was since they and X worked together sometimes. Unsurprisingly, the two known Science Weirdos were the best of friends, maybe even more than that. Who would have guessed?
Their gaze shifted to the boy, fast asleep. Medicine Pocket took a good look at him this time — a thin frame with a ghastly pale complexion, thick eye bags hanging below his heterochromatic eyes. He was (supposedly) sound asleep, but he wore an expression that screamed full distress. That made them anxious. What if he didn’t wake up? Worst possible situation, he… They winced. A sudden urge washed over them to wake him up now to confirm that his doubts were true.
They had to be true.
Medicine Pocket quickly shook the boy awake. Slowly, but surely, he began to regain consciousness, bleary eyes gazing at the two of them. A soft yawn escaped his lips. And even though it was adorable to Medicine Pocket, the small gesture broke their heart even more. It showed how bad he was at taking care of himself.
First came exhaustion, and drowsy confusion on what was happening. Then, he suddenly shot up, an emotion similar to shock washing over him like a wave. He snapped his head in all directions to examine the room, trepidation kicking in.
“Oh, shit!” the boy yelped, jumping up so high that it seemed humanly impossible for him to land back down on his butt. Surprised, Regulus also jumped back, eyes as wide as saucers. Medicine Pocket merely stood to one side as they watched him snap awake. “Oh my gosh… I fell asleep didn’t I? I was supposed to work on my project… What will I do, what will I-“
“X,” went Medicine Pocket, a soft expression of concern on their face. “Calm down. No one is going to hurt you.”
A pregnant pause. X wore an expression of mixed emotions — fear, worry, and somehow, calmness. “…Why are you here? What do you mean? And why are you telling me this..?”
Was he aware that he was stress rambling?
The albino was silent. The both of them had no response to that. However, that made X even more puzzled. The boy swiftly got to his feet and walked around the laboratory, as if trying to make sense of his thoughts. Maybe he thought this was a dream. A sudden large pit of guilt formed in Medicine Pocket’s stomach as they thought about just now.
Was that their fault? They had not realised, so X had spiralled into that point of stress? The more they thought about it, the worse they felt. Medicine Pocket felt this overwhelming urge that they needed to help X. They should! They had to!
Without even thinking about it, they grabbed X’s sleeve and quickly dragged him towards his room’s couch. Even Regulus, who probably was going to act to help X, was startled by Medicine Pocket’s sudden movement. Of course, the heterochromatic boy tried to push the other off, attempts of shaking them off ending up futile. Medicine Pocket used a stronger grip than usual so he couldn’t squirm free. They gave themselves an imaginary pat on the back to applaud for themselves.
X was not pleased in the slightest. “Hey, MedPoc! Let go— Let me go, hey!”
“Nuh uh, no way! You sit down properly!” they quipped, slamming X onto the sofa. He groaned painfully, giving them a death stare. Medicine Pocket only rolled their eyes. “Oh please, that won’t work. Give me that obnoxious look again, and I won’t forgive you!”
“But-“
“No buts! You have to take care of yourself, X!” said Medicine Pocket exasperatedly, a feeling bygone even
similar to poking thorns creeping up his spine. X’s expression suddenly morphed into one of concern, one of utter frustration. But shouldn’t they be the one that's full of worry here? “I know I’m normally sort of unserious, and I’m always joking around and stuff, but I actually care about you a lot, more than you think!” Their breathing started to get heavier, their voice getting louder and louder. “Haven’t I always told you to take care of yourself?! I’ve always reminded you, even if it’s subtly, that health is everything! So why are you letting my words fall on deaf ears! Why-“
“Medicine Pocket! Calm down!” hollered X. He quickly grabbed their arm to prevent them from pouncing and/or hitting them. They then realised how it was wrong to be yelling and (awkwardly) stepped back. X grunted, sitting upright.
“..My back hurts even more now.”
“Even though your back hurts, you still have to rest! Come on! Let me take care of you! Is it that hard?!”
Dead silence.
X looked down towards the floor. His mouth wasn’t moving, and he was still and unmoving. For a second, Medicine Pocket thought that he had passed out, but actually, he was just… silent. They took it to be an agreement to their suggestion, and immediately tackled him to the couch.
“Huh?! Wait-!” he yelped, slapping Medicine Pocket square in the face. However, they did not let go of him, still hugging him by the waist. They tried their best to keep X there. After a while, he simply lay limp, being cradled by the taller.
Medicine Pocket laughed triumphantly. “So, you’re finally gonna properly get sleep and stuff?” X squirmed about once more, but gave up after a while after realising how futile it was. “Nuh uh. And anyway, you should have some water or something. Food too.”
“Then get me it,” snorted X, rolling his eyes so far that it made it look like they would never come back.
They were so happy that X was trying.
“Yes, princess,” Medicine Pocket giggled in delight, slowly getting up as they let go of X. The shorter simply stayed on the couch, unmoving.
It was a pretty silly thing, actually.
———————————- ()
Regulus was actually planning on hanging out with X on that day.
She was bored, having no one but APPLe to talk to. X was one of her closest friends, and she frequently went into X’s office to spend time with him. Because of this, most people would assume that they were a couple. And it was… gross. Regulus didn’t really like it, but her love for hanging out with X always overpowered that feeling of disgust.
Cautiously, Regulus approached X’s office, trying to be quiet whilst doing so. She knew that he normally was working at this time of day, or sleeping. The girl hoped it was the latter — he needed the rest. And he would never listen to her, or his other friend, Medicine Pocket! It made frustration boil within her. And what was even worse was the fact that no one could get through to him half the time. He would always keep to that horrendous sleep schedule no matter how much people lecture him.
If she could ever have a wish, she would definitely wish for him to be less stubborn.
She carefully turned his door open, the creaking sound from it nearly scaring the life out of her. She really hoped she didn’t awake X if he was sleeping—
Nevermind. She really hoped she didn’t wake X and Medicine Pocket while opening the door.
The girl fully opened the door to witness the two lying on the couch, soft snoring coming from the albino. They were literally suffocating X with that hug, one leg over the others and their arms wrapped around him like he was a teddy bear. The boy was also fast asleep but completely silent. She subtly took her camera out to take a quick shot, just for… memory purposes. Regulus then stared at the noticeable eyebags on his tanned skin. She really hoped those would just seep away and disappear. It showed how much in a bad shape he was in.
She took a look at his lab once more. Messy paperwork, machinery, a bunch of spare parts and— oh? In a corner of one of the counters sat a plate of half eaten sandwiches and a half empty glass of water.
Oh. Oh.
And suddenly, Regulus felt a little lighter. Good job, Medicine Pocket, she thought, leaving the room, the door giving a light click as it closed.