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The nightmares always start out the same.
Yuuta can feel the tears streaming down his cheeks as he stares down at the lifeless body of his family friend, Deckerd, being able to see all the wires and chipped paint on his face.
"Deckerd...wake up, please wake up!" Yuuta cried out, desperately trying to shake the large robot. He could hear the laughter of those...those monsters behind him, could hear Regina's voice telling him to stop crying, to get up and fight, but he can't. It was like all the motivation had been sucked out of him, just like with that case with those clowns.
Slowly, Deckerd shifted beneath him, and Yuuta brightened, expecting to see the robot's eyes light up, for Deckerd to give him that familiar, gentle smile of his.
But no, instead, Deckerd turned his head, and even more blood oil began spilling out from them, his mouth open in a silent scream of pain.
"This is all your fault. You killed me. You're weak." Deckerd's corpse mocked, the only thing Yuuta can hear now.
"No...I'm sorry, Deckerd, please-" Deckerd let out a choking laugh, interrupting him. Something was wrong-
"You let such weak emotions control your actions, and now I'm dead. You're useless, Yuuta. You've KILLED ME!" Deckerd's voice got louder, angrier, and suddenly, the corpse was pouncing forward, fingers jutting out like claws and mouth gaping out, oil spilling out of it.
Yuuta shrieked, jolting up from his bed, trembling as cold sweat stuck to his body. He could hardly hear anything, couldn't focus.
He tried to take deep breaths, pressing his hand against his chest, feeling his heart beating so fast he thought it was about to leapt out of his ribs.
"Just a dream, everything's okay...Deckerd and the others are alive." He whispered to himself, voice hoarse. Slowly but surely, his breathing evened, and his heart quieted. Yuuta glanced out the window, seeing the darkness stare back. Well...at least he didn't wake up his sisters. He knew Kurumi hated being woken up, and while Azuki wouldn't have minded, she already did so much for them, with their parents being gone most of the time, so he'd rather not bother her.
Yuuta took another deep breath, then climbed out of bed, tiptoeing out of his room and towards the front door. Deckerd would be just outside, alive and well, but...he just had to check. To reassure himself that everything was all right.
Yuuta slowly opened the door, wincing at the loud creak it made, but thankfully it didn't seem to wake up his sisters.
It did, however, alert Deckerd of his presence, the police car's lights brightening. "Yuuta? Is everything alright?" Deckerd asked, his voice a soft whisper.
Something inside Yuuta broke at how concerned the robot sounded, when really it should've been Yuuta asking that question.
Yuuta quietly shut the door behind him, then turned to the police car, staring at him for a moment before quiet tears began to drip down his cheeks.
Instantly, Deckerd transformed into his robot form, his eyes wide as he knelt before Yuuta. "Y-Yuuta! What happened? Is everything-"
He didn't get to finish his sentence before the young boy practically leapt at him, wrapping his small arms around his leg and burying his face into the cool metal. "Idiot! I should be asking that! You...you died! You died and I couldn't do anything! Gunmax and Shadowmaru were down, the Build Team were down, and...and..." Yuuta was practically sobbing now, and Deckerd's face softened as he gently scooped the boy up, settling down against the house as he brought Yuuta closer to his chest. Immediately, the boy pressed against it, trying to hug him, though Deckerd was far too big. "You lost your memory! I thought you would never remember me!" Yuuta continued, weakly hitting his fist against Deckerd's chest.
"I know, I will admit I was...frightened. All I've ever wanted was to keep you safe, and knowing that I couldn't...hurt." Deckerd murmured, sighing as he leaned back. "Never remembering you is my worst nightmare, Yuuta. You're the reason I even gained a heart. But despite everything that has happened...we're here. We're alive."
Yuuta sniffled, rubbing the back of his palm against his teary eyes. "I'm trying to be strong, Deckerd, I really am. I'm your boss, but..."
"It gets hard sometimes, I understand. From what I've seen, you're far younger than other humans, and shouldn't be having this much weight put onto your shoulders." Deckerd hummed, holding Yuuta up with one hand while the other gently rubbed the boy's back. "I think we both need a day off after everything we've been through. How about we call Commissioner Saejima in the morning and tell him about it? I'm sure the team will be alright for a day."
Yuuta slowly nodded, his tears having now stopped, though his cheeks were still wet. "I guess with Duke now in the team they should be alright." He mumbled, face flushing as Deckerd slowly lowered him back to the ground, allowing him to hop off his hand. "I'm sorry for bothering you in the middle of the night."
"No worries, Yuuta. I will admit, it's been difficult for me too, being alone out here." Deckerd murmured, and upon noticing Yuuta's troubled frown directed at the house, he gave his boss a warm smile. "Would you like to sleep out here for the night?"
Immediately, the young boy rushed back inside, careful to not make too much noise, before darting back out, a pillow and blanket in his arms.
Deckerd transformed back into a police car and opened the back door, allowing Yuuta to scamper inside before shutting it again. He rolled down the back windows slightly to allow air inside as Yuuta made himself comfortable, letting out a soft yawn as he snuggled against the plush car seat.
"Good night, Deckerd." Yuuta murmured, his voice now soft and drowsy.
"Good night, Yuuta." Deckerd whispered back, though he knew the young boy was already out like a light, but he didn't mind. Knowing that Yuuta was with him was more than enough, and the stars seemed to shine even brighter that night.