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"Timey? Hey, love?", he quietly calls out through the dimly lit small living space, only illuminated by the streetlight right outside the apartment complex; but it is spending enough light for Azure to see the frame of his partner attempting to hide in the shadows of the doorway to them tiny bedroom they share.
He isn't surprised about this at all, neither Two Time still being awake despite it being the late hours of the night nor them not showing a clear reaction. But Azure doesn't need that to know they got heard, he's always been incredibly good at gauging their general mood or if they are even mentally present in that moment just by the tiny small hints Two Time is subconsciously giving, something everyone else, Two Time themselves miss almost all of the time.
This kind of ability to understand his partner through their smallest gestures makes it easier for him to deal with the situation in the most gentlest and understanding way.
"I know you're hearing and listening to me...", it purposefully is said in a low and gentle murmur, no traces of an accusation to be found anywhere.
"And that is basically all I would like you to do, you don't need to reply, you don't need to come closer; whatever you're comfortable with and at your own pace, I'm always here.", once more they make sure to underline and highlight the importance that there is no pressure or whatsoever, just a calm and understanding atmosphere and since this seems to strike a cord within Two Time; as they remain in their spot, not moving away and relaxing just the tiniest bit, he softly goes on.
"You also don't have to say anything, let me do the speaking, please?"
Two Time, now having taken a small step closer, moving a step into the light, revealing their disheveled appearance with fresh tear tracks and majorly pronounced eye bags as well as the more pale than usual complexion standing out the most; next to the way they are holding themselves, leading Azure to a cristal clear conclusion.
Seeing the recognition of what happened play out in his partner's eyes Two Time is about to retreat again, only to pauses mid motion, not seeing the anticipated angry or disappointed look in Azure's eyes, but a hint of sadness and understanding, his calm face not once changing.
Positively surprised by this they actually take a step closer to the dark beat-up couch their partner is sitting on and nod, before quietly whispers:"Would be nice if you did the talking..."
"Looks like we're on the same page, love.", Azure takes a small pause, letting their partner sit down on the floor in front of them, before picking up the word again,"Timey, you know you can pull of the sleeves your wearing to cover your arms? We're inside... There's no one to judge or stare at you or make stupid remarks in any way. It is just us, you don't need to hide that part of yourself."
Pausing he looks at his partner who looks like he is about to interrupt, gently taking their hands and slipping off the couch to be on eye level.
"Shh, don't interrupt Timey.... Because to be honest I frankly don't care if there are any fresh wounds or that you think they look ugly and that you need to hide them away.
That is not the case, never ever, I love you and that means every part; the good, the bad and what you consider the "ugly".
I couldn't care less about them, you're still just as beautiful as on the day I first met you and nothing is going to change that.
Your scars are not something you need to be ashamed more and even less something you should have to hide away; do you know why?"
Azure takes a small pause and light breather, trying to stay calm vit also make his partner understand his point, which he by the looks of it is slowly getting across.
"Because it shows just how incredibly strong you are and just how much you survived; those scars are not a tale of weakness, bit of strength for dealing with an invisible battle each and every day, so please, please at least around me feel comfortable enough to some day remove the sleeves; I'm not gonna pressure you into doing it, but I want you to see that it is nothing you need to hide or shame yourself for, it's proof of how much you survived and how strong you are, even if you might not see it now... And I understand that I is nothing that can achieved like the flick of a light switch, that sadly would be to easy, but I am going to be here through it all and remind you of just that and I will do it again and again, even for eternity, because it's only the truth and I could never got tried of repeat it, if it is what helps you see the true beauty for yourself, all parts of yourself.
And next time you feel like you need to deal with your thoughts in this way? Please talk to me about it; I am obviously not gonna forcibly stop you from acting on anything if that is what is keeping you alive, bit I would like to support you through it and maybe we can find healthier ways to deal with it, someday.....
And even if not, please don't carry the burden on your own, I'm here and always will stay, no matter how bad it might get; we will stay together even if it is just us against the whole world....
As long as we have each other we can make it, somehow....
Both of us are living proof of that....
So please, don't deal with it on your own, even if it is just me sitting with you until it passes.....
Is that okay with you?"
Looking into their partner's they can see a complicated swirl of emotions, which he counts as a win as he got through to them.
They quietly and patiently wait until Two Time has collected themselves enough to speak, which they do through tears pooling in their eyes.
"Are you really meaning what you just said? Like a 100% honest? And not only saying it to make me feel better?"
In sad amusement Azure nods:"Yes, I swear on everything I dearly love, I am speaking nothing but the truth, us against the world if that is what it takes...."
"Us against the world....", they echo, hugging and clinging onto Azure,"I can't express how much this means to me.... I desperately wish I could, but I can't...."
"That is okay, you don't need to express it in words, I can already clearly see it, my love.... Just let it out, just let everything out....", he begins slowly and soothingly rocking them back and force, letting them bawl out their eyes on his shoulder, while gently running their hands over their back and through their hair, whispering and repeating what they just said.
Neither later knows how long they have been sitting on the floor in that position, but neither couldn't care less.
Shortly after Two Time calmed down a bit and pulled slightly away to look Azure in the eyes again Azure gently takes their clothed forearms in his hands, putting them into his lap.
With a slight intrigued look of curiousness they look down and only look back up when Azure gently asks if they can pulled the sleeves off, instructing them to close their eyes and not open them until told so.
They don't protest and listen as Azure pulls them off and gooses ten to teh side, quickly pulling out a purple marker they had in one of their pans pocket, pausing for one second:"Please tell me if anything feels uncomfortable or hurts...", waiting for Two Time's nod, that follow shortly after.
"Okay, I know how hard it is for you to look at the scars and how much you can't stand it, so why not make it more bearable for the time being....", they continue softly yapping as they start to randomly draw silly stars allow over Two Time's scraps in all different shapes and forms, their partner not once flinching.
Quickly getting done he instructs them to reopen their eyes, seeing their expression going from confusion to curiosity and finally to gracefulness and wonder.
"But why stars and not literally anything else?"
"Well, for once it's really easy to draw without really messing up and second...", they slowly get up, pulling Two Time along to the back window to look out, where no city lights can disturb their view,"because just like stars each of those scars has a background story, some closer and clearer, some more obscure...
But what they all have in common is their individualism and beauty in their own special way...
Some might fade away over time and some new ones might appear, but the memory about them is enough to make them real and valid; just because we can't see them doesn't mean they aren't there, traces can always be found and they also have their very own beauty in their own ways....
So, yeah, that is why stars and not literally anything else...."
Pulling Two Time into a side hug both of them continue standing at the window star gazing and for the first time Two Time really feels seen and understood, and oh, what for a wonderful feeling it is, overpowering any negative emotions for now.
And while they know bad times will follow, maybe they aren't as alone as their brain always pretends they are.
~
"I love you, Timey..."
"And I love you, my nightshade..."