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The loud bang of fireworks boomed through the chunks, leaving the smell of gunpowder lingering in the air. Small pieces of debris landed on the roof of their camper van, rhythmic tapping with each shot of a firework. Ren had his back pushed up to the corner if the van, his hands gripping his ears tightly. Usually, he would be able to handle the noise, he'd just put in his ear plugs and he'd be fine. The ear plugs had been customized for his canine ears, so they'd fit in perfectly.
Ren had lost them a few days ago, he kept them in his pocket most days. He'd taken them out to show how they worked, but he'd forgotten to put them back. Another firework set off, he whimpered as the noise tore through the air. He pulled his communicator out, bracing himself for the bright light as he hit the button on the side. He scrolled through his recent contacts trying to find someone online at this time of night. He glanced to one of the lit up names, quickly sending a message. His hands shook as he typed.
You whisper to Docm77: doc ca you come hime??
Docm77 whispers to you: ?
You whisper to Docm77: I thibk gem or someboey is settung off firewotks ots loud i dont ha e my ear plugs
Docm77 whispers to you: omw
Ren placed his communicator by his side, returning to covering his ears as another crack of a firework rang through the air. The fur on his tail bristled, his heart beat like a jack rabbit against his ribs. He felt bad about bothering Doc, he was probably working on something important. He shouldn't have to come home over something as stupid as him being scared by fireworks- His thought were cut short by a loud bang. Ren snapped his eyes shut, bringing his knees up to his chest. He felt so, so vulnerable.
A uncomfortable feeling of guilt settled in his stomach, he shouldn't have bothered Doc. He could handle himself, this was stupid- he should've just got up and went on with his life. It was just noise anyway- nothing he can't get over. He shouldn't just be so weak like this. On the verge of tears over some stupid fireworks? Nobody else on the server would get this worked up over something so miniscule. If he wasn't so sensitive this wouldn't have been a problem. His ears rang as a firework rocket whistled next to their camper.
The firework was diffrent, it was one for flying with elytra rather than ones used for celebration. The sound of soft footprints padding towards the van door filled his ears. No no no- he was fine! He didn't need Doc to worry about him, no no, he was perfectly okay on his own! He was just being over dramatic, the fireworks weren't that bad! He just needed to suck it up, tough it out, he was perfectly fine! He just needed to- he just needed- something. He would- he'd be okay, everything was okay! Tears were streaming down his face, when did that happen? Ren heard the van door begin to creak.
No no no no no-
Ren hid his head in his hands, leaving his ears bare and vulnerable to the horrible crack of the fireworks. He couldn't let Doc see him like this- he was too weak. This was wrong, wrong wrong wrong. The swirling thoughts in his head made him miss the clicking of Doc's approach. No, this wasnt right! He was too open- too weak- too vulnerable. Doc could use this against him- he could get hurt! He wouldn't do that. No- wrong- this was wrong!
"Ren."
The sound shot through silence like a bullet. Doc placed a cold metal hand onto Ren's, slowly guiding it away from his face. "Ren, look at me." Doc whispered softly, gently moving his hand to cradle Rens face. Ren felt guilty, he didn't deserve to be treated softly. Doc moved his hand to Rens sunglasses, gently sliding them off his face. He tilted Rens head up to let their eyes meet. Ren could feel the soft warmth of Doc's breath on his face. A shot of a firework rang out, Ren startled, sending him tumbling into Doc's arms.
Doc carefully placed a hand to Ren's back, holding him as gently as he could. Ren buried himself into Doc's chest, tears dripping down his face. Doc delicately placed his arms around Ren, holding him close. He whined as another firework popped in the distance. Doc rubbed comforting circles onto Rens back. Ren wrapped his arms around Doc, holding tightly onto his lab coat. The calming sound of Doc's breath filled his ears. Doc softly ran his fingers through Ren's hair. He trembled as the crack of a firework rang out over the chunks, pulling Doc closer.
He moved his hand over to Ren's head, carefully petting his canine ears. Doc chuckled softly, starting to gently scratch the base of his ears. Doc was careful with his claws, making sure not to accidentally leave any cuts. Ren felt heavy, he was slowly realizing how late it had become. He yawned, leaning back into Doc's chest, slowly fluttering his eyes closed. Doc smiled, fiddling with a peice of Ren's hair. "Are you falling asleep on me?" Doc questioned, very obviously holding back a light-hearted laugh.
Ren nodded, attempting to hide his exhaustion. He shifted his weight onto Doc, giving up on supporting himself. Doc laughed softly, moving his arm to Ren's legs. Doc pulled him into a carry, slowly standing with Ren tightly in his arms. Ren yelped as he was suddenly above ground, lightly shocked at Doc for picking him up with such ease. Doc carefully padded over to his bed, keeping Ren as stable as he could manage. Doc slowly decended into a kneel, gently placing Ren onto the bed. "Okay dude, sleep" Doc stated, pulling the covers over Ren. He offered a quick smile, starting to rise to his feet. He turned away, heading for the door. Ren instinctively grabbed at Doc's sleeve, stopping him from leaving.
Rens stomach dropped, what was he doing? He immediately let go of his sleeve, snapping his arm back. Did he want him to stay? Just so he wouldn't cry over some stupid fireworks? He was stronger than that, he just needed to deal with it. Doc turned to face Ren, with an expression he couldn't read. Doc didn't have to stay, he would be perfectly fine on his own! He would've liked him to stay though. "Ren." But he didn't need it. Did he? That was stupid, of course he didnt! He didn't need Doc to feel secure, he was fine! "Ren, move over." Ren stared at him like a deer in headlights, he slowly started making his way to the edge of the bed.
Doc shifted the covers down just enough for him to sneak under them, making him shoulder to shoulder with Ren. Ren froze, he felt his heart beating fast against his ribs. He turned onto his side to face Doc, he couldn't place the expression on Doc's face to an emotion. Was he making him uncomfortable? Ren felt guilty for making him stay, he didn't need it anyway. He probably had better things to be doing. "You don't have to stay man... I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable." Ren blurted out, his voice breaking slightly. Doc propped himself up with his arm, he looked lightly upset. Had Ren said something wrong? Doc shifted closer to him, Ren tried hard to avoid his gaze.
Doc grabbed onto his arm, gently pulling him closer. He leaned into Ren, resting his head on his shoulder. "Dude, if you were making me uncomfortable I would've left already." Doc assured, nuzzling into Ren's neck. Ren could feel Doc's horns rubbing up against him. He shifted his weight onto Ren, slowly dragging himself on top of the other man. Gently wrapping his arms around him, stabilizing himself. He was frozen in place, letting Doc snuggle into him. His heart pounded in his ears, Doc held him tightly "Your all tense man, you need to relax." Doc muttered, giving him a sympathetic look. Ren let out a shakey breath, trying to release some of the tension in his body. Doc tilted his head upward, aligning his nose bridge with Ren's neck. He didn't deserve this, he didn't deserve this at all.
Doc was being so, so gentle with him. Like he was some sort of delicate pottery that could shatter under light pressure. Doc held him tightly, as if he would be striped away from his grasp at any moment. He didn't deserve such compassion, he didn't deserve the touch of Doc's careful hands. Doc shouldn't care about him, he didn't need to be coddled just because he couldn't handle some stupid fireworks. Doc had much better things to be doing other than holding him while he cried. He barely noticed the tears slowly falling down his face. "Woah, woah- what happened?" Doc prompted, quickly adjusting himself to look at Ren eye to eye. He stared into his eyes, thick worry coating every little movement.
Ren looked away from his gaze. "I- you-" He took a breath "You shouldn't waste your time taking care of me like this." Ren answered, his voice slowly wavering. "You could be doing much more important things-" "Dude," Doc cut him off, reaching out a hand to Ren, placing it on his shoulder. "Look at me." Doc urged him. He reluctantly obliged, tensing as he turned to look at him. Doc placed his other hand on Ren's shoulder. "I would drop everything for you." He started, staring into Ren's eyes. "But-" Ren tried to intervene "It doesn't matter what I'm working on, you're more important to me." Doc assured, Ren opened his mouth to speak, Doc quieted him. "I love you, man." He consoled.
Ren was speechless. He felt his face heat up, his tail starting to beat against the covers. "I- yo- I uhm.." He sputtered out, struggling to find his words. He couldn't think with Doc staring into his eyes, and holding his shoulders, and being so close to him. Ren could hear every breath he took. Doc moved his hand to cradle Rens face, cold metal against his skin. "Dude, sleep." Doc whispered, pulling Ren into his chest. Slowly lowering them both down onto the bed. Doc curled around him, placing his hands to Rens back. He held him tightly in his arms. Ren tilted his head up to look at him. He paused for a moment. "Love you too, Doc." Ren spoke, giving him a sweet smile.
Ren let himself melt into Doc, letting all the tension in his body free. He let his mind start to drift, getting lost in the warmth of Doc's fur.
Renthedog went to sleep. Sweet Dreams!
Docm77 went to sleep. Sweet Dreams!