Chapter Text
“You know, you staying here is only hurting them Bob,” Void’s voice echoed through Bob’s mind as he sat legs crossed on the couch. The sounds of the kettle boiling water for his instant hot cocoa being lost behind the dizzying sound of his own voice.
“Us existing around friends isn’t hurting them,” Bob sighed as he reached for a blanket to wrap around him.
“Oh please, if not for you the others wouldn’t have voids of their own, they would still be normal. You’re hurting your friends Bob,” the inky black of the void clawed for his slippers as he walked over to the stove, “You always make things worse.”
Bob turned to face the figure, it’s glowing eyes watching as he lifted the kettle and poured the water into his mug, “No, I’m not.”
The kitchen lights flicked on as Yelena walked down the stairs, still rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Void watched Yelena for a second before disappearing back into Bob’s shadow, hiding away from Yelena and any others who might join them.
“Bob?” Yelena yawned, “Who are you talking to? And what are you doing up so early?”
“Oh, no one! I’m just getting some cocoa,” Bob smiled lifting up a mug with lightning bolts forming a heart, “I can make you a cup if you want?”
Yelena laughed, pulling out a chair from the bar, “Yeah, I would love a hot chocolate!”
Bob watched her shadow, it’s movements just a little sharper than her own. It’s form just a little too spidery to be human.
“You sleep okay?” Bob asked, as he handed her a mug.
“Hmm?” She looked up at him, rubbing the back of her neck, “Oh yeah, I’m good. Just a light sleeper, you know how it goes.”
“Haha, yeah lots of light sleepers around here,” Bob pulled the blanket closer around his shoulders as he walked around the bar to sit next to her, “You know, I’m here if you want to talk. Or if you don’t and just need a hot cocoa at four in the morning.”
Yelena let her head fall onto his shoulder, “Thank you Bob.”
“You’re welcome.”