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Two Time and Azure are sitting in Two Time's bedroom for a date they both planned, and it begins to rain slightly. A faint boom of thunder is heard by both of them. "Mm... Azure, are you sure that you want to get your surprise for me... out there... alone?" Two Time asks nervously. "Of course! It's only a 5-minute walk to my study, and the rain isn't too bad. Nothing to worry about, love." Azure replies.
"...Alright. I'll wait here." they say. "I'll be back soon, flower. I promise." They both gently squeeze each other's hands, and their faces both flush slightly. Azure then leaves the room to retrieve the bouquet he made for Two Time, leaving them alone on their bed.
After Azure left, Two Time began to gently hum a hymn that the church always sang at the end of sermons. A sweet melody, glorifying the Spawn, whose steadfast love would endure forever, through life and death, first life and second life, even with the strict regulations and rules and repercussions, how beautiful that was-
*CRACK!* Thunder shakes the cabin, and Two Time flinches at the sound. Thunder had always startled them. It was so loud. So unpredictable. Terrifying, really. Not knowing how close the thunder really is. Whether or not it's miles away or seconds from striking you down.
They let out a nervous laugh. "I-I-It's just th-thunder... heh... j-just calm down..." they mutter to themself. Deep breath in, deep breath out. They weren't going to panic over something as small as a thunderstorm. Despite the slightly noticeable trembling in their hands, they begin to hum their tune again, only to be interrupted by an even louder clap of thunder.
An involuntary gasp escapes Two Time's throat. They cover their ears as rain pounds on the windows. All they can hear is the thunder.
No, they think. Nonononono! Not again, please... Their breathing had begun to quicken. Why do I have to practically gasp for air like a fish out of water? Why can't I just pull myself together like a normal person?
Oh, what would Azure think of them in this helpless state? What would Amarah think, of them not finding sufficient comfort from this storm in the Spawn? What would the Spawn themself think? Of their devotee, being so sensitive? They were an utter disappointment, a burden.
Before they can stop them, tears are rolling down their face as their panic attack worsens. They curl themself into a ball, burying their face in their lap.
How have I gone from breathing to hyperventilating?
My stomach feels even worse.
I can barely sit still.
All this over a storm.
Why am I like this?
I'm pathetic. I'm-
Knock, knock.
Azure has arrived back from his study. He enter the house to Two Time's room. Bouquet in hand, he knocks on their door. "...Two Time? I'm back! Are you okay?"
At the sound of Azure's voice, Two Time feels themself panic even more. At least he was okay, which is what mattered most. But Azure will see that they fell apart, again. They find themself unable to speak. It's as if their throat has closed on them. No, they want to scream. Why won't my words come out of my throat?
Upon being met with no response, Azure gently creaks the door open, and he sees Two Time curled into a ball, shaking.
"Two Time?!" they ask in alarm. They quickly set the bouquet down on Two Time's nightstand. Almost reflexively, he gently grabs one of their hands, and Two Time looks up slightly, only to bury their face in their lap again, crying harder out of pure shame.
“What happened while I was gone, love??” He asks, his voice filled with concern. Despite this, Two Time continues to sob as quietly as they can.
”…I’m right here, if you need anything. I’m not going anywhere,” he consoled.
What could've happened? Azure thought. I probably could've prevented this... look at what I've indirectly caused.
Two Time's voice, small and fragile, cuts through Azure's thoughts. "I-I'm sorry, Azure..." they manage to choke out. "Y-You've already seen me fall apart to storms o-once... I think that's more than enough..."
Storms... Storms!
How had Azure forgotten? How storms left Two shaking and gasping for air. Worse, he'd left them completely alone! With no one to comfort them, no one to hold onto-
“No, I’m sorry.” he blurts out.
...What?
Two Time slowly looks up, wondering how Azure could be sorry when they themself were the one to reduce to a nervous wreck, and, to their surprise, they see a tear silently trace its way down Azure’s face.
”I-I’ve completely forgotten your fear of storms!! I’m sorry, I’m so sorry… I understand if you can’t forgive me, i-it'd be completely valid...”
“Oh, A-Azure… I forgive you. It's okay.” The panic that Azure would reprimand them for panicking from earlier was starting to ebb. Their voice and breathing were less shaky now, with Azure at their side.
"I-It isn't," Azure protests. "I forgot about-!"
"I'll always forgive you, my lily."
Azure blushes slightly. He hadn't expected this. Surely Two Time was just suppressing their actual feelings. He didn't deserve their forgiveness, especially this quickly! But... they showed no indication of such.
"...Thanks." he murmurs softly.
Two Time heaves a gentle sigh. "Looks like having one of those panic episodes is really… tiring…”
"You look tired, my nightshade-“
“Is it okay if I take a nap-?”
They both chuckle slightly at the fact that’d they’d said two things at the same time.
"Of course you can sleep, Timey," he reassures them. "Do you want me to come off the bed or...?"
"No, um... actually, can I... lean against you as I nap…? Only if you'll allow me, of course!"
Azure's face has now gone from a light pink to a bright red, and Two Time begins to fidget with the sleeves on their robe as their face begins to don a bright pink, quite noticeable on their pale skin.
"I-If you don't want to that's fine!! Don't force yourself if you'd rather not..." they quickly added.
"No no!! Um... I-I'd love to."
Two Time slowly sets their head on his shoulder, and Azure gently laces their arm around Two Time, and at the sudden contact, they go rigid.
"S-Sorry. Was that too much?"
"No! Uh- It was perfect, actually."
They both settle again, comfortable, safe, and warm with each other.
After a couple of minutes, they're both sleeping, Two Time leaning against Azure, and Azure's arm wrapped around them. If you asked either of them, they'd both agree that it was the best sleep they'd had in while. Because they were together.