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Microphone let out a small hum, plugging in her headset to charge it, before sighing as she sat down heavily on her bed, head resting on her palm as she waited for the time to come where her headset was at a decent amount of charge.
There was quite a lot of regressors at Hotel OJ; Because of this, OJ decided it would be a good idea to have a room dedicated to littles, on the top floor. Mic had been there quite a few times, usually to take care of Taco, or to simply help out anyone in general. It was no wonder that many of the residents in the hotel enjoyed her as their caretaker, and who was Microphone to say no to the faces they'd make?
Yet, despite her usually being up in that room, today had felt different. Not in a good way. Multiple times while she was watching the others play or simply be small, she zoned out, lost in her own thoughts. There was a void in her chest, and the others who weren't little asked her if she was okay multiple times. Of course, she said yes each time.
It was only until now did she realize she had been jealous. And when she did, a pang of guilt shot up inside her.
It wasn't the first time she'd experienced this feeling; she longed to be able to do the same- she longed to be carefree and taken care of so gently like them; she longed to be able to slip without worry, but..
Microphone wasn't selfish. There was already a good amount of regressors around- it would be too much hassle for the other caretakers to have one more if she were to ever regress. She was happy to give until she couldn't, yet she was afraid that taking away a droplet from the ocean would leave nothing for others who needed it more. She was scared to scared to burden, scared to take too much- take more than she deserved.
So here she was, sitting on her bed and lost in her thoughts that she couldn't escape. She hated whenever her headset's battery was completely drained; usually it took way longer for it to die, and she'd often keep it charged every other day anyways. But she didn't for around a week, and now she was drowning in her own mind, since her music was the main thing that eased her. Playing her playlist on her laptop speakers simply didn't hit the same, and she was sure her dear roommate, Test Tube wouldn't appreciate how loud the volume would be.
Earlier in the littlespace room, Test Tube had been in there, taking care of Lightbulb. Mic had watched her coddle the silly little bulb with a tight chest. Oh how Microphone would've loved to be in Lightbulb's place, being fussed about and treated gently and spoken softly to by Test Tube. Alas, in the end, she was not Lightbulb. Test Tube would never look at her the way she saw Lightbulb, or Paintbrush, or Fan or anyone else. Test Tube did not like Microphone, she'd made that very clear after season two's fourteenth episode.
Seeing Lightbulb being treated so lovingly by Test Tube made Mic so jealous it had almost been unbearable. Eventually, Microphone had excused herself, letting Soap take over in watching Taco with the wonderful and totally legit and believable excuse that being "I'm tired." Now, looking back, she felt bad about being jealous. Lightbulb had been in littlespace, of course Test Tube would take care of her. And the two were friends on top of everything else- Mic and Test Tube weren't.
Microphone sighed deeply again, pulling her legs closer in on herself against her chest. Test Tube was so wonderful, and smart, and every compliment Microphone could think of. Microphone was none of those things. Sure, she was good at a few hobbies, but another person would be better in the end. How Mic would dream of being held by the scientist, being greeted with a soft smile, having actual normal, regular conversations with her. Yet, this was reality. Test Tube clearly had no interest in Mic, whether romantic or platonic. And knowing that was true made it hurt even more. If the Hanahaki disease was real, Mic was sure she would've died because of it by now.
She checks the percentage of her headphones on her laptop. Not as much as she'd like. It was barely at 10%, it wouldn't make it past an hour or so. She closes her laptop, desperately trying to push away the fuzzy feeling enveloping in her head. Nothing was able to relieve her stress, and Test Tube hating her guts was the cherry on top; she just so badly wanted to cry it all out. But the walls in this hotel were thin, and someone would surely hear her, and then Microphone would ruin their night if they or someone whom they called would try comforting her.
Microphone rolled over, burying her head into her pillow and stifling a distressed whine. Her head was progressively getting fuzzier with each overwhelming thought. She just wanted it all to go away, without burdening anyone with her selfish wants. Every thought lead to her not doing enough for others, her being annoying and/or selfish, and Test Tube not liking her one bit and it makes her want to sob.
So, like many littles do when slipping, she does. Her mind clouded, and she quickly regressed into a younger headspace as she starts crying. God, she didn't mean to be small. The fact that she tried so hard not to and she still did in the end made her even more upset. Her grip on the pillow's casing gets tighter as she wraps her tail plug around her, subconsciously trying to mimic being hugged. Even in littlespace, she's determined not to bother anyone, doing her best not to activate her voice amplifiers. Naturally, it doesn't entirely work, her voice raising in volume every few gasps of air. She sobs harder. She's pathetic. She's pathetic and being a baby and childish and selfish and-
"Geez, Mic, what's got you being so loud at 11:30 in the damn evening?" Test Tube's voice came out, somewhat irritable. "Me, Lightbulb, Fan and Paintbrush could hear you from downstai-.." She trails off, seeing the state Microphone is in.
Microphone freezes mid-sobbing fit, an immediate wave of guilt mixed with anxiety washing over her. Great. Lovely. Wonderful. Exactly what she needed. She curls up tighter, sobbing louder despite it being mostly muffled thanks to her pillow.
Test Tube is taken aback by this, eyes furrowing in mild worry and confusion. While she didn't like the girl that much, it was still concerning to see Mic cry so much. Even if she did simply want to get Microphone to just keep quiet, a part of her, genuinely worried for her roommate, held the scientist back. She sighed, closing the door and ensuring it was locked. "Microphone?" She asked, sitting on the girl's bed. "Golly- uh- you okay?"
As expected, Microphone let out a whine, followed by something probably akin to a "No," curling in on herself more. Test Tube sighs to herself. Well done, Test Tube. Doing a great job so far.
Ah, geez. This was a REALLY awkward situation to be in. Test Tube and Mic were far from close. Who was Test Tube to attempt to console her? Despite this, Test Tube doesn't go away. She doesn't know why, it was like her own body was compelling her to stay and try soothing the microphone. She hesitantly reached out, before gently placing a hand on Microphone's cylindrical back, beginning to rub it once she sees Microphone uncurl ever so slightly, tracing whatever shapes she can think of at the moment. Mic seemed to relax with each shape she did, her tail slowly uncurling and wagging low and slow under the bed instead.
She hesitates, debating whether or not she should start talking. She hates Microphone.. right? If so, then.. why is she so.. worried for her? She was completely stuck. Her lips parted in confusion before she spoke up. "Er- are you okay now?" She tried again. Microphone, still crying hard, consented to look up from her this time, before letting out another muffled, distressed whine, fresh tears flowing out of her eyes.
Test Tube raised an eyebrow, still patting her back. There was something different in Microphone's gaze, and demeanor in general. She was curling up as if to make herself smaller, and there was just something in her eyes that struck Test Tube.
Test Tube hummed to herself, trying to recall the day's events, specifically the few times she saw Microphone earlier. Most of them had been during her time in the little's room; Microphone had stared at her and Lightbulb a lot, and seemed quite out of it as she took care of Taco. She didn't speak or wasn't as loud as Test Tube normally heard her whenever talking to littles, and there was the look in her eyes. Mic had stared long enough for Test Tube to know what that look was. Test Tube saw it on many littles- being around Fan and Lightbulb whenever they slipped lead to her being very observant when it came to this sort of thing.
She was still somewhat surprised, though. Microphone wasn't the type to regress, but here she had, and what type of person would Test Tube be if she didn't help out, even if she did dislike the girl? With a gentle hum, she spoke up again, much softer this time. "Mic, look at me."
Microphone stiffened as her connector swished slowly, letting out a soft whimper. She recognized that tone- she heard Test Tube use it on littles a lot, and the thought of of the vial using it on her was both very distressing and mildly soothing. Nonetheless, she peeked out from the pillow, looking at Test Tube with sad, worried, glossy eyes.
"Golly, what's wrong, little one?" Test Tube asked, and her soft voice and the way she continue gently tracing shapes on the little is oh so soothing Mic could do nothing but whine as she slips further into littlespace. Test Tube scoots over so she could brush away the few tears she could reach. Microphone shakes her head and lets out another whine, but leans into the touch nonetheless. She is crying too hard to answer, and she’s not sure if she wants to yet, either.
Test Tube sighs. With Fan and Lightbulb, calming them down was usually much easier, but with how hard Microphone is crying, and how Test Tube usually made it clear to the girl that she hates her, this would be a little more awkward and harder than either of them would like. Nonetheless, she opens her arms, giving the regressor the option to hug her. It takes Mic to process the invitation, but that was all it took for her to suddenly throw herself onto the vial, causing the latter to let out small yelp in surprise
"G-Golly!" Test Tube exclaimed, as Microphone sobbed into her shoulder, connector tucked between her legs.
Yes, she was a little kid, but she was also pretty much the tallest female around and Test Tube could barely reach her head. Test Tube awkwardly continued tracing shapes on the microphone's back, making small shushing noises in the hopes to soothe the younger girl. Eventually, Microphone's little wails start slowing down to the type of cries a small child did whenever they had no energy or enough air in their lungs to cry anymore but still wanted to in a way, yet she looked up at Test Tube's face with a tearful, worried expression, her plug wagging high and slow.
"Still upset?" She asked Mic in the most sympathetic voice she could manage, attempting to rock her slightly. "Want to go to the littles' room?"
Microphone instantly shot up from her position, the thought of going into the littlespace room and joining the others in littlespace apparently distressing. So much she looked like she was about to start crying again. "No!" She whined out, tears welling in her eyes again. "No.."
Test Tube was thoroughly taken aback by the tears threatening to overspill once more, not expecting the girl to get so worked up over simply joining others in comfort. "Okay! Okay." She obliged quickly. "It's fine."
Mic sniffled, nodding her head, yet she didn't sit back down on the bed. She looked hesitant, almost scared, even, as she started chewing on her fingers to self-soothe, looking at Test Tube vulnerably.
"What's wrong?" Test Tube asked her gently.
Microphone sniffled again, wiping her tearful eyes with her wrists. "Mic, bad.." she mumbled sadly, "bad.."
Test Tube raised an eyebrow, having to suppress a fond giggle at the words spewing out of Microphone's mouth. Sure, Test Tube might've disliked her a little, but she couldn't deny it was adorable to see her like this. It was also a bit disheartening too- a little should never have to think so low of themself when regressed. "Bad, huh?" She asked in the same gentle tone. "How come?"
Microphone whimpered, sucking on her thumb again. "L-little.." She replied in a mutter. That didn't really answer Test Tube's question, her brows furrowing in confusion. "Uh- how old are you, Mic?" She asked.
Microphone looks down at the floor shyly, and there's something in her demeanor that almost seems ashamed as she whispered timidly, "t'ee.."
"Oh golly, three? Good job, such a big girl, huh?" Test Tube chirped in a 'happy' tone, hoping to bring some comfort to the girl by humoring her.
Much to her confusion, Microphone sniffles, shaking her head and continues staring down at the floor tearfully and fidgeting with her hands. "No.."
"No?" Test Tube hummed. "Why?"
"T-too little.." Mic choked out. "Not s'pos t'a be small.. now Test 'T'be be mad.."
Realization dawns upon Test Tube and she lets out a sad, fond sigh. She had really never liked Mic that much since the events of ii season two episode fourteen, but she had to stop lying to herself: Mic was very selfless. Her taking care of littles most of the time proved it. From what Test Tube understood, Microphone was upset over slipping into littlespace when she 'wasn't supposed to', and now anticipated that Test Tube was going to be mad at her.
"Hey, look at me." She tells the regressor softly. Microphone stiffened, slowly looking up at her, silent tears streaming down her face again. "Come here, please." Test Tube requested. It took a bit, with Mic simply standing there, frozen in place and crying quietly, eventually shuffling to be directly in front of Test Tube. It was ironic; Mic was so much taller, especially with Test Tube sitting down; she was basically towering over the vial, yet she was so much more smaller mentally.
"Why do you think I'd get mad?" Test Tube asked, tenderly taking Microphone's hands into her's.
"T'es Tube don' like me.." Mic hiccuped, subconsciously playing with the scientist's fingers. "Mic- I lov' Test T'be swo mu', but- but you don' like Microphone.."
A pang of guilt shot up in Test Tube's chest, her face softening at her words. While what Mic was saying was (/had been?) true, it was pitiful for her to think of that in this mental state. On the other hand.. 'love Test Tube'?
"You love me, huh?" Test Tube asked.
"U-uhhuh!" Microphone whimpered, her words starting to come out in babbles. "Mic- 'eally like T'st Tube- a lot- but..! But..!"
Test Tube quickly shushes her soothingly before she can get worked up all over again. She figured she could save this conversation for another day, preferably when Mic was big. For now, her main priority should be getting her smaller roommate to quiet down. But how to do that, when she didn't want to go join the others at the correct location and get appropriate things for a toddler?
"Come on, Mic." Test Tube hummed, patting the spot beside her. "Sit down."
The said object hiccups, but obliged, timidly sitting beside Test Tube and clumsily wiping away her tears with the back of her hand. Test Tube smiles sadly, cupping the microphone's face and wiping away tears in what she hoped was a reassuring manner.
"I'm sorry," Test Tube whispered gently, "I don't hate you, okay?"
The two stayed in that position for a bit, Test Tube somewhat holding Mic and rocking her as she whispered reassurances to her. Eventually, Microphone's cries turned into soft sniffles, looking up at Test Tube with tearful, needy eyes. Test Tube hummed gently pushing her aside so she could stand up.
"Er.. will you be alright on your own? No, i'm not going to leave you- I just need to get some things for ya in the littles' room." She assured, seeing how Mic's eyes looked close to filling with tears again. Mic hesitated, but slowly let go of Test Tube, bringing her legs to her chest. Test Tube smiles, planting a tender kiss on Mic's head (with difficulty) before the scientist gently shifted Microphone off of her lap before standing up
Test Tube hated how Mic still looked so... so on edge, like she was afraid that Test Tube was never going to return. The thought sent another pang of guilt through the scientist's heart as she began walking out the door. She paused once she stood in the doorway. "...I promise I'll be right back. Just stay here for me, yeah?"
Test Tube sighed to herself, a pink tinge on her cheeks. She and Microphone weren't close, far from it, really, but her hugging her, holding her and whispering terms of endearment just felt so.. right? Even if Mic hadn't been in little space, Test Tube still had a feeling she'd have a warm feeling in her chest from it. It felt.. nice.
She shook her head; now wasn't the time to dwell on it. For now she should do her best for her roommate, then they could talk about.. whatever they needed to talk about when Mic was bigger. As she pushed open and entered the littles' room, it wasn't a surprise how it was mostly empty. She simply grabbed a pacifier two stuffies of a little pink rabbit, a yellow cat, and a purple fox. Satisfied, she returned to their bedroom quickly.
"Hey," she greeted the younger one. Mic perked up at the sound of her voice, her tail wagging upwards with less hesitancy now. Test Tube suppressed a fond laugh, sitting beside her and handing her the stuffed toys. Microphone let out a delighted little noise, happily taking the plushies before rolling over and squealing. Test Tube smiled, giving her the paci as well. She hesitates with it, looking up at Test Tube with hopeful, worried eyes, but a nod from the vial soothes her worries, placing it in her mouth and shyly crawling over beside her older roommate, looking up at her hopefully, expectantly.
Test Tube couldn't stop her heart from melting at the sight of how adorable Mic looked with the pacifier in her mouth, crawling over to her and peering up hopefully. It was endearing that Mic needed this much reassurance to know that Test Tube was going to come back.
The scientist let out a soft sigh as she enveloped Mic into a hug and rubbed her back, her touch gentle and tender. "...Mh-hm, you're okay.. I love you, it's okay."
...the soft little 'i love you' slipped out of Test Tube's mouth before she even processed it, yet it still felt.. right. Truthful. Honest. Truly affectionate. Test Tube paused, silent for several minutes as she held Microphone close, her fingers moving in slow circles on the little's back. 'I love her,' Test Tube thought—the realization making her heart thump loudly inside her chest. 'I actually love her. I love her.'
God, when had things changed? When had she... when had she started to love Microphone? Test Tube didn't know, but she.. she did. She suppressed a sigh, a faint tinge of pink on her cheeks again. 'not the time,' she reminded herself.
"There we go.. we can save all the troubling discussions for bigger Microphone, yeah?" Test Tube hummed, rocking her as Microphone closed her eyes, sucking on the paci as her plug's movement got calmer, gentler. "It's okay. Testy's got you. What we should focus on now is how sleepy you are, yeah? All that crying tired you out, huh?"
This was the treatment Mic had always longed from the girl; the kindness, gentleness. These were the words Microphone had always hoped to hear from Test Tube, directed at her. And she was finally getting it. Microphone let out a yawn followed by a high-pitched whine, the pacifier slipping out of her mouth, to which Test Tube was quick to put back. Microphone nuzzled closer to Test Tube, and squeezed the stuffies in her arms, finally at peace.
Test Tube was right; she didn't have to worry about bigger troubles right now. All that mattered was that she was in Test Tube's arms, and she was small, and she was safe.