Chapter Text
Well that day was.. dark, to say the least.
Tisha, Astro, Razzle and Dazzle went on a run, because it was like a daily thing they did at least once a week. Well, Tisha died, she didn't make it into the elevator in time, and Dazzle was badly injured.
And it was a - bad, to say the least - habit for Dazzle to.. age regress after.. bad -- to put it mildly -- experiences. He would regress to ages usually around 0 - 4. Young. Too young.
It wasn't anything bad honestly, just something that happened way too often. Astro could usually find him sleeping on the floor or making chocolate milk in the middle of the night or-- to put it lightly, the list goes on and on.
Well, today was one of those nights. Dazzle was sneaking down the stairwell because he had a 'good' idea. He got to the kitchen and decided to heat up some leftover burger patties from last night because he had no time to eat after the run. He got the patties out of the fridge and got a glass plate out from the pantry cupboard to heat the food on. He was putting the patties on the plate when his elbow accidentally knocked the glass container the patties were in onto the floor and it shattered.
Dazzle didn't even notice until he was going to put it in the microwave when he stepped on a piece of glass. It pierced through his sock and into his foot. It took him a few genuine moments before he was suddenly on the verge of tears, trying not to cry. He still somehow -- shaky handed and teary eyed -- put the food in the microwave. He thought it would help him -- somehow -- but the ear-splitting beeping of the microwave just made it worse.
Fortunately, but not so fortunate for his sleep schedule, Astro woke up to the loud beeping of the microwave. He went down the stairs to see what was happening and the sight was.. odd, to say the least. His boyfriend was in-front of the microwave, on the verge of completely breaking down with glass in his foot. He rushed over to him and picked him up and brought him up to their shared room and laid him down beside him, whispering reassurances to him the whole way.
Someway in the time it took to be brought up, Dazzle had failed to not cry and cried into Astros shoulder the whole way, and still was. He was -- convenient or not -- still age regressing.
Astro's arms were a warm, solid embrace that lifted Dazzle away from the glaring fluorescent lights and the sharp, echoing beeping. The sound had been like an electric shock, cutting through Dazzle's already frayed nerves and turning the kitchen into a scene of utter panic. He wasn't just crying; he was a silent, shaking wreck, with hot tears streaming down his face as he buried his head in Astro's shoulder. His foot, throbbing with the sting of the glass, was an afterthought in the storm of distress.
Astro moved down the stairs cautiously, whispering reassuring words. These were not complex, but were simple promises of safety and support. The physical closeness of the embrace provided comfort, and Dazzle instinctively sought shelter.
In their bedroom, Astro placed Dazzle gently on the bed, supporting him with pillows. He sat beside Dazzle, holding him as he sobbed. The bedroom became a safe space, a low-pressure environment where Dazzle could feel secure. Astro continued to speak softly. He reassured Dazzle, validating his feelings without judgment.
After the crying lessened, Astro got a first-aid kit. He addressed the glass in Dazzle's foot quietly, as if caring for a wound on a child. Astro spoke softly, using a pet name that Dazzle needed.
As Astro removed the glass, he hummed a familiar, comforting tune. Dazzle held onto Astro's shirt. With the immediate issue addressed, Astro continued to provide a sense of security. He offered Dazzle a snack, and when Dazzle accepted, he got it for him and then he covered them both with the blankets. Sleep came slowly, but it came with Astro's support and the understanding that he had a safe harbor.