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It was ironic, that the calmest nights were the nights that took the biggest toll on GB’s mind.
The passing thoughts that would usually be quelled by some sort of distraction only festered within the silence. They would become an ugly, messy amalgamation of his worries and woes.
As he lay there, holding Stanley in the soft grassy field, the worries consumed him. He tried to focus on the feeling of his husband’s warmth and the soft, artificial feeling of their body. Tried to focus on the soft, prickly grass.
But his mind wouldn’t quiet down. The thoughts persisted… the thought that his body felt wrong. That he felt wrong. That no matter what he did, no matter how hard he tried to impersonate that mustachioed plumber, he would never be perfect.
And then GB felt hands. Gentle, caressing his dark hair. Stanley was awake, how could they not be? They always told GB he “thought too loud” sometimes. The enigmatic entity subconsciously scooted closer, nuzzling his face against their shoulder.
They always seemed to know what calmed him down. He felt as though he didn’t deserve it, the gentle hands, the cuddles, the affection. And yet… Stanley adored him. Even in this form, this odd, unnerving vessel… he was loved.
And he didn’t understand it.
The words came faster than he’d meant it, bubbling up his throat and stumbling past his teeth and lips before he could stop them.
“Stanley? Would you still love me if I weren’t in this form?”
He felt the AI’s hand pause its gentle touch in his hair, considering the question. Stanley looked down at him, as if it were the strangest question he’d ever heard.
“Of course I would, darling.” They cooed, softly nuzzling their nose against his forehead.
GB trembled softly in their hold. “What if I wasn’t…him? What if I were someone else entirely? Hell, what if I weren’t even a character, what if I were just… me? My true self, my true form… could you even look past that? Could you still love me?”
There was a moment of silence. GB waited with bated breath for a response, wondering if their answer would simply be no. No, this was the only version anyone could ever love. But those words never came.
Instead, Stanley’s free hand migrated to his cheek, the thumb their model grew gently caressing his skin. GB couldn’t help but lean into it, shuddering at the gentle touch.
“If I didn’t like all those versions of you, bun, I wouldn’t have married you.” They replied simply.
They bumped their stache gently against his forehead in an attempt at a kiss. “I love all of you, GB. I love whatever form you take, because I don’t care how you look. I love you for your heart and your soul, my dear. And I understand how afraid you are to be imperfect… but the imperfections are what I adore about you.”
GB, for once in his life, was speechless. Stanley can feel the increase of his heartbeat, the way he clings on ever so slightly tighter, as if he were making sure they were real… that this moment was real.
The enigmatic entity swallows the wave of emotion washing over him, burying his face into Stanley’s shoulder and closing his eyes.
I love your heart and your soul… GB felt his tail give a little wag.
“Do you promise…?” He breathed, mentally kicking himself for the vulnerability in his voice.
The gentle caressing in his hair started up once more, lulling GB into a relaxed state.
“I promise, GB. I’ll always love you, oddities and all.”
GB sighed, a soft smile crossing his lips for the first time today. The tension in his body finally melting away as he began to get drowsy.
“And I’ll always love you…” He hummed, not opening his eyes.
And for once, the silence didn’t bring ugly thoughts or bad feelings. It brought comfort, warm and peaceful, GB knowing he was in the arms of someone else for tonight.
Someone who would, no matter his imperfections, love him no matter what. And no matter what happens, he would love them too, he thought… as he finally drifted off to sleep.