Work Text:
Work was tiring, nothing new. Being wired to the screen, writing paperwork and articles was already the fate they had accepted. It was the only reason one had to survive anyway. But this day, it was different. Not that their boss finally gave them a raise or their workload was reduced. In fact, it was worse. They have been feeling sore in a lot of places in their body. Head, shoulders, knees—heck, even their toes. Coming to work was a literal pain, now that they are feeling something more intense.
The time passes and it's finally the end of their shift—after praying that it would pass by more quickly. However, the pain intensifies once more. They fight it back, hoping that they don't collapse somewhere on the street. Fortunately, they didn't and they managed to get home safely.
Entering their apartment and into their bedroom, they drop everything in their hand and plop down on the bed, sighing heavily, with their face down on the pillow. The pain isn't going out anytime soon and they need something to ease it. Now.
They slowly get up from the bed and into the bathroom to look for some painkillers.
There was none.
They try to look at the kitchen drawers and cabinets.
None, there was.
They give up, deciding to just lie on the bed and surrender themselves to the aching pain instead. Closing their eyes and getting to sleep is the hard part, as every position induces discomfort from the soreness they are feeling. It's truly a tough battle.
In the most desperate of times, they thought of doing something incredibly idiotic. Something that never once crossed their mind.
After dialing someone, their phone rings,
Ring, ring, ring,
And then it gets picked up.
"Hey, what's up?”
“Hey…” They pause for a moment, "Can I, uh… stay in your place?”
🌸
The atmosphere suddenly changes and everything feels fresh and somewhat light. Maybe calling Bamby was a great idea after all.
“Are you sure you want to sleep on the couch?"
“Yeah, it's fine. I probably just need a change in scenery to feel a little better." Their statement incites a giggle out of Bamby, “What's wrong with that?"
“So, the severity of your pain made you want to come to my house and sleep? That's cute.”
"Hey! I was having a hard time sleeping on my own bed!" They almost forgot about Bamby's tendency to tease them,
“Okay, whatever you say." He gives a small wave and goes to the bathroom.
They plop down on the couch in the living room and hug the throw pillows left there. They sigh, and the pain in their body still persists.
When they think there was no hope in getting better, Bamby stands next to them and hands them some painkillers with a glass of water,
“Here, looks like you've been dying to have it."
They sit up straight and take the painkillers and water out of his hand,
"Thanks.” They swallow the pill and chug the entire glass down, setting it after near the table,
“I'll get you some blankets and pillows."
“Ah, you don't have to" Before they could even finish their sentence, Bamby already ran to the bedroom to grab it.
🌷
Having taken the painkillers and left with a nice, big, comfortable blanket, they can finally rest peacefully without any pain hammering in their body.
Or so they thought…
They wake up from a horrible nightmare, sweating bullets and heart racing. They sit up and try to breathe in and out. Suddenly, the pain came dashing in like a bullet train, more stronger than ever. They curse under their breath, frustrated with the stabbing soreness around their entire body. At that moment, they hugged their legs and started to lightly sob, the sob became a cry and the cry slowly became a bawl. This causes Bamby to peek out of his bedroom to check up on them.
Noticing that they have been crying, he immediately rushes beside them.
“Hey, hey, what's wrong?" Bamby places a hand on their back, gently caressing it, “Are you okay? Do you need something?"
They stutter, "I can't sleep. The pain keeps getting worse and worse and I can't take it anymore."
Bamby, out of pity, pulls them close to his chest and continues rubbing their back,
“It's okay, it's okay…” Bamby continues to comfort them. Trying to think of a way to somehow ease their pain, he decides on a thought he has, “How about you stay in my bed instead, hm?”
They look at him, "But what about you?”
"Don't worry about me.”
"Are you sure?” They sniffle,
"Yeah, I'll be fine.” Bamby stands up from the couch and offers a hand to them. After they take it, he leads them to the bedroom.
The inside is small with a twin-size bed propped near the wall and a lowly lit lamp on the nightstand. Everything inside feels relaxing.
“Lay here, I'll get you a glass of water and more painkillers.” Bamby rushes out.
As they lie down, shame starts to kick into their head—going to his house with such a late notice, kicking him out of his own bedroom, and letting him worry in this hour.
He gets back with the things and sets it down on the nightstand,
“Get some rest, okay? Let me know if you need something else.” Before Bamby can turn his head, they grab his hand,
“I'm sorry for making you do all this.” They look up at him, teary-eyed.
Bamby smiles and lightly caresses their hand, “It's the best I can do. I don't want to see my friend suffering.”
His smile and touch set off something in someone's chest.
Bamby turns the light off and leaves the room, closing the door. They are now alone with their thoughts with some questions running around their head.
The bed they're on is the most comfortable thing they have ever laid on in mankind. The futon added extra cushion while the pillows hugged their head. It feels like sleeping on a cloud, like a baby being cradled into a good night's sleep. The room’s temperature was not too hot and not too cold, just right. And the room, especially the bed, smells like flowers—relaxing and lulling them to sleep.
They didn't want to linger on those details too much, as it might make them seem like a weirdo.
The throbbing pain slowly left their body after a few minutes and everything felt calming. Sooner or later, they succumb to slumber.
🪷
They wake up, the sunlight casting down on their face. They sit up and yawn, stretching their arms and legs. It was the best sleep they probably ever had. Never once did they get to sleep like this back in their apartment. The morning air gives a refreshing smell around the room, complementing the flowery scent.
The pain was eased and everything feels like it's back to normal. They stand up and step outside the bedroom.
Searching for Bamby, they look around the living room and then notice him lying on the couch fully covered with the blanket and lightly snoring. It made them giggle. They decide to go to the kitchen to make breakfast—cracking two eggs, frying some bacon, and toasting bread.
Hearing the clinking of dishes and utensils in the kitchen, Bamby wakes up.
He walks in, his hair a mess and his eyes half open,
“What're you doin'?" He says, walking a little sluggishly, stretching his hands up and then rubbing his eye.
"Making breakfast.” They set two plates on the table and placed the utensils.
Bamby takes a seat and brings one of the plates forward, “If sleeping on my bed gets you to make me breakfast, I guess I should let you sleep on it more.”
Their ears turn red to Bamby's comment, “I'm doing this because you helped me during my crisis, but I'm not going to be enslaved to you, Bamby-ssi.”
Bamby’s laugh somehow brightens up not only the room but also their mood. Now they know who they’ll put on the speed dial.
They both eat their breakfast while sharing a little conversation,
“Hey, in all seriousness though, if you're feeling really unwell, please call a clinic and get checked up.”
“Yeah, yeah, I'll… I'll do that.”
💐