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It was the 1st of December; a rather cold, unforgiving night. Bud slowly dragged his lanky figure across the dim lighted hallway upstairs with those tired half closed eyes stuck to the floor, barely paying attention to the path in front of him. To say he felt exhausted would be an understatement at this point. He wouldn’t even have to say anything; that dry, almost blank expression on his now completely desaturated face would explain it all for him; it seemed like one of those days again. Not that he wasn't used to it, this wouldn't be the first time he felt this way. He was just so good at hiding it throughout the day, nobody would even suspect he had faced something like this before. And luckily there were no tenants invading the home that day, meaning he could actually catch a break this time. So when the calm yet looming darkness of the night had engulfed his surroundings, Bud made his way up to the attic, hoping he would, at the very least, find some sort of comfort behind his beloved TV screen.
Once he opened the door, a sudden wave of chilling cold air harshly welcomed him before he could even step inside. It would have him shivering on the spot for a brief moment, but that didn’t seem to stop him from entering the room anyway. The desire for his most common distraction appeared to be much stronger than his body's need for warmth; he simply didn't have the energy to care right now. And so, he abruptly prevents the gentle breeze from escaping the attic by closing the door shut, dropping his shoulders with a long relieved sigh; now that he was alone, he could finally let go and quit the act. But even then, he didn't seem to enjoy the loneliness. Truth be told; he never actually wanted to be alone, especially not at a time like this. He just didn't want to be a bother to anyone around him, they had their own problems to deal with after all. Adding up to them wouldn't make him feel any better. Regardless, he was glad he could catch a break either way. He would put his worries aside, dragging himself towards the lonely couch placed not so far from him to take a seat. When he did so, he immediately noticed the TV was already on, left alone to play a few commercials. This mildly surprised the alien as he didn't remember leaving it on like that. But he didn't complain; at least it spared him all the extra work. And so, he continued carelessly staring at the screen before him, hoping the distraction would free him from this repetitive state of mind.
After several minutes of mindless TV watching, Bud could feel the awfully familiar cold breeze dashing through his body, followed by the sudden gentle click from the door closing. Slightly shivering in response, Bud switched his attention to the source; It was none other than Stereo! His right side carried a thick blue book while the left carefully held onto a steaming cup of apple cinnamon tea, nothing unusual coming from him, really. The calm winter night made them feel rather relaxed so the idea of just peacefully sitting by the TV reading his favorite book while sipping on the sweet warm liquid seemed tempting enough. Bud's eyes widen, getting an odd sense of comfort from his best friend's mere presence. That was until Stereo got close enough to notice Bud's hunched down figure sitting in front of the screen, their sleepy eyes immediately glowing up with pleasant surprise:
“Oh! Hello, Bud!” Both heads give him a happy welcome, showing off their warmest smile.
The corners of Bud's mouth twitch a bit as somewhat of an attempt to smile back. “Hey.” His somber voice would finally speak up to greet them.
This wasn't the sound of his usual sleepy voice, no. It sounded more weak, almost fragile, like a cracked vase about to shatter at any given pressure. That, along with the subtle cries for help hiding behind those hanging eyelids made the two-headed fellow worry for his dearest buddy, so they'd hoped he could use some company for tonight in case he needed it.
“You wouldn't mind if I join, would you?” The left head asked rather awkwardly, his occupied hand vaguely pointing at the tiny open spot next to Bud. “I mean I did get here first, so it's only fair!” His raspy voice let out a teasing chuckle.
“..Did you?” Bud tilted his head a bit.
“Well-..DUH! Who do you think left the TV on before we got back, silly?” Their bubbly side added, “I was just on my way to make myself some tea!”
He remained enthusiastic before letting his right side take a sip, finishing off with a satisfied sigh once the sweet steaming taste reached his tongue. Normally Bud wouldn't want to be seen like this, but he could let it slide just this once. Simply kicking them out would be rude and the idea of just getting up and leaving the room would feel more awkward than anything. So, without a word, Bud slightly pushed himself to the side, inviting his two-headed pal to sit with him.
“Thanks!” Stereo understood the gesture as they would immediately hop in between the freshly given space, slightly pushing Bud aside with their body.
Bud could feel a glimpse of Stereo's warmth touching his side, vaguely being reminded of one of the many reasons why Stereo brings him so much comfort. Their touch always felt so warm no matter the temperature, yet never too hot to be uncomfortable. Not to mention how soft their chubby little body felt whenever he got to hold him in his arms as the two heads wrapped up to his shoulders, nuzzling him. Boy, he could never get enough of that. Just thinking about it made him warm up and smile a little, making his gaze slide towards Stereo who already had themselves sucked into their own cozy little world, one reading, the other having his eyes stuck on the telly screen softly flickering in front of him while occasionally taking small sips of the tea. They both looked so calm. So happy and comfortable, how can one not find that cute? Bud certainly did. The longer he stared, the more it felt like tons of warm colors were spilling over his gray mind, filling his head with the bright inviting glow he hadn't seen nor felt in a long time.
It didn't take too long for Stereo to take notice of Bud watching him, having his left head turn to the side to face him first before the right head joined him. All they saw was a dazed, distracted creature with his pupils dilated, practically glowing and sparkling upon Stereo's sight, subtly reflecting each head's face from both eyes. His smile being so wide yet genuine, only getting himself to let out a mindless giggle as a response to his pal's sudden attention. Stereo's curious stare softened as his left side couldn't help but let out Bud's most favorite little chuckle as the right head would cheekily comment on Bud's loving gaze:
“Pfft-..You look so stupid right now, you know that?” He teased.
“I'm sorry, Romeo!” Bud would respond, now sounding a bit more cheerful than before, “I can't help it! You just-..” He lets out a longing sigh before finishing off rather softly,
“..You make me so happy.” His eyes were now facing the small green carpet below him with his face faintly blushing, “You always have. Even if it's for a little while.”. Despite knowing his good pal for years, Bud still seemed a little shy to admit it; generally, he was never really good at expressing his thoughts, but he knew Stereo would never judge him either way so, for once, he'd allow himself to speak his mind: “I-...don't deserve you, Stereo.”
The cheeky expressions would mold into the ones of soft concern, their heart melting at the weight of Bud's words. “Now, why in the gleaming universe would you think that, Bud?” His left side would approach, subtly tilting his head in curiosity.
Bud hesitated for a moment. Is he really going to fully open up to Stereo out of all people? They are his closest friend after all, he knows they would listen if he had something to say. But what is there to say? How could he even begin to describe his feelings to anyone when neither his own mind could do that for him? After a minute of dreadful pondering, Bud sighed, simply ready to spit out everything trying to escape his mind at this point:
“..You know..this might come outta the blue, but-....sometimes, I wonder if-..if someday…you'll leave me too.” His once dim orange coat would desaturate a bit further as his eyes were now glistening with tears, “I know there's still Gorgious, Candy and Etno, and they are my friends too and I do care about them just as much, but-...” He quickly stopped himself to wipe off a few tears of his face before bluntly continuing. “...You're just-...special, okay? You're so very special to me and I love you! There are so many things in the universe I love, but I could never love any of them as much as I love you, alright?...I-...I just wish I was special too so you wouldn't leave me.”
“What??” Stereo jolted back in mild shock. It was sweet hearing those words until the ‘leaving Bud’ parts.
“Look. If-..when this happens..i-if you do actually leave me, I won't blame you. If anything, I'm impressed it lasted this long hahah!..” Bud's unstable chuckle echoed through the attic, “.....Maybe I should just let myself slowly rot in here. It's all I'm good for anyway.”
Bud’s eyes would suddenly widen as he immediately regretted that last sentence, quickly covering his mouth. He really didn't want to spill himself onto Stereo like that out of literally nowhere, not when he was clearly having a nice evening. He looked up to see Stereo's concerned faces, making him look away in utter embarrassment; He ruined it, didn't he? Just like everything else. Typical.
“I'm sorry.” He let out a devastated whimper, still not bearing the guts to face neither of them. Yet all he got was the silence of processing from both heads; Does he think so lowly of himself? He wouldn’t, right? No, he shouldn't! He shouldn't and Stereo HAD to be the one to remind him of that!
“...Awe, Buddy.” Right head decided to kill the silence, his voice sounding a lot more soft spoken and gentle, nearly to his left side's level.
’Buddy’. Bud's eyes subtly softened the moment he heard it. That nickname; It's definitely not a new one, he did get called that by many people, including his family sometimes. But when Stereo calls him that, for some reason it just strikes. Something about the way he says it feels..special. Very, very special. Not that he had much time to process this however, as in an instant, he could feel one of the heads gently nuzzle his side, fully spreading their warmth onto Bud, taking the grayish creature by surprise as the other head joined in, nuzzling his face. He looked down to face them when one began to speak: “Don't you start that nasty talk..!”
"You don't deserve any of this.” The other head joined, “Who would want to leave such treasure behind??”
“Such an adorable little face..”
“..Lovely voice..”
“..Intriguing mindset..”
“..Good taste!”
“..One of the kindest souls I've met in my life..”
“You actually inspire us, Budiovitch!”
“..I'm really not that special, Reo.” Bud averted, all of his insecurities bleeding out into the open. “No, you just don't think you are!” “But that's okay, because we'll gladly remind you just how much you mean to the world!” “..to us.” Silence engulfed the room the moment Stereo's answers were heard. How was he even supposed to answer that? Perhaps many words weren't needed, rather a weak, but genuine smile as a simple ‘thank you for everything’.
“....You need a hug?” Stereo finally offered, putting his cup and book down to face his dearest Buddy again. Bud's smile subtly widened, he could never reject such an offer. Getting to hug Stereo was like a sweet kiss from the wide, beautiful universe itself. “Of course!” His eyes glowing up in light excitement. “Hah! That's my Buddy! Now c'mere!” Stereo chuckled before he slithered in closer to fully embrace the shriveled body of their beloved. Bud couldn't help, but dissolve into such a soothing hug; Despite still having a hard time understanding why his old friend cares for him so much after everything, he accepted the love they were giving him at the moment, wrapping his arms around his little crimson body, breathing in the brief scent of cinnamon and apples from earlier. It was so much more pleasant than that musky odor Bud plagued himself with for several months. Not that Stereo minds the smell too much, at least he never really seems to complain about it. Both heads rested on each of Bud's shoulders, their ears catching the vague vibrations of those familiar calm purrs as Stereo got to see Bud's coat turn much brighter orange the longer he held him; A color he hadn't seen on him in a long time since they crash-landed on Earth.
They've stood like this for a while, leaving the TV to aimlessly play in the background as one nuzzled the other after a minute or two, letting each other shift and subtly change positions whenever they got too uncomfortable. But once Stereo had the bug eyed buddy leaning his head against his soft belly, they could see his eyelids drooping, slowly getting heavier by the second. His attention switched to Stereo's book and tea laying on the floor in front of them, catching a quick idea. To the red scaled critter's mild surprise, Bud wouldn't have to try too hard to stretch out for said objects below, grabbing each one in both hands before slithering back to hold them up to both of Stereo's faces.
“You know..I wouldn't mind you telling me what you've been reading over here!” Bud offered, “..I-If you want, of course! I…kinda miss hearing you reading to me.” Both heads’ glares would melt, his pal's interest molding a soft smile on both faces as they got a hold of both hanging items, gently pulling them away from Bud's hands. “Gladly!” Left head chuckled, “But under one condition..” he added, waiting for Bud's upcoming curiosity: “Uhh..?” The only response he got was sheer confusion and anticipation, as expected. Stereo's right head would speak calmly one last time: “Please be kind to yourself. I know you're capable of doing that..Even if it ain't always easy..” “-But just know that we'll always love you, alright, Buddy?” Left head quickly finished for him. In response, Bud took a short pause, but eventually nodded in agreement: “Alright. I'll try..for you.” “Not just for me, dummy!” Right head returned to his cheeky side as he would tease the space between the goof's eyes and mouth with a gentle poke from the edge of the book, “You mainly do it..for you! Alright? You go first. Always.” The same book-occupied hand would then point at the one and only orange body in the room. Bud smiled, feeling beyond flattered by now. “Yeah. I'll try…..I'll try my best hahah!” He tried to come off as confident as he could at the moment, satisfying Stereo. “Now that's what we needed to hear!” They squealed enthusiastically, “Now get comfy, Buddy! This is gonna be a long read!” Bud didn't need to be told twice; He would huddle, slipping himself closer with his head leaning against the side of Stereo's tummy once more as he got ready to listen to the voices he had adored so much. Maybe this was all he needed to hear tonight, the voices of his beloved Romeo. It didn't matter how temporary the comfort might've been, it was the present that truly mattered. Right here, right now, partly in the arms of his dearest friend as he slowly drifts away to sleep in front of the TV..With Stereo by his side, the night didn't feel so cold and lonely anymore. He knew he would be alright. For now at least.
Two hours later, the door had opened once more to reveal the three remaining pastel Aliens of the house; Candy, Gorgious and Etno as they had finally decided to hit the sheets after hanging out together. All three of them would decrease their volume the moment they saw the two best friends piled up on each other, an empty teacup left on the floor and a closed blue book laying on the couch’s armrest next to them. All three heads snoring loudly as the weak glow of the screen’s flickering static would faintly reflect on their relaxed figures.