Work Text:
That training room was.... weird. And creepy.
And then Gangle was weird and annoying, and Ragatha was weird and unbearable, and I think she squirted something into my eyes and now my knees are... also weird.
They feel like they're about to collapse but they aren't even visibly shaking. I know because I'm staring at them right now and they aren't shaking.
I'm dying, aren't I?
Oh, thank goodness. It's about time.
The ground is hard despite the matts as I collapse backwards onto it, and the ceiling swirls and swishes around while my eyes blink slow and uneven. My breathing slows down.
Finally... it's gonna be... over.
Beautifully... peacefully over... done and gone.
...
A ribbon shakes my chest, which I realize had stopped its simulated heart-beating until Gangle shook it.
I open my eyes, upset to be forced back into life, and go to snap at her, but-
She's... so... beautiful. I feel my pupils dilate but then, they already had from that sauce so...are they fully black now? Maybe.
Her smile is so gentle and unsure as she explains something to me. Who cares what? I just hope she continues for a while so I can watch her mouth move.
.. Didn't SHE do that training room thing to me? I should do something awful to her for that.
Oh, man... she's so soothing to look at, even with the weird array of swirling colors and nonsense behind her.
My hands block my view, and I realize I'm reaching for her like a baby wanting to be picked up.
But I do want to be picked up and I am a stupid baby so what does it matter?
I watch her sigh, and only realize my digital stomach's been queasy because it instantly eases as I feel her ribbons reach under my back and knees, scooping me up.
Look at her go... Carrying me through wherever it is we are right now (who cares?).
..
She puts me down and I let out an involuntary whine. Disgusting. Why would I do that? And why is she leaving?
She sits next to me in... where are we?
Oh, it's a the table booth bench seat.
She's right here... Oh, man. I should do something... mean.
I jerk my head to the side, smashing it against the side of her head, multiple times, but when she turns to face me more, instead of headbutting or something, I just... nuzzle my cheek against hers. Ugh, I'm so hopeless...
There's a weird vibration in my chest. Am I purring?? No... Couldn't be. (I am, aren't I?)
She turns towards me fully, and pulls me into her lap, pressing her cheek against mine again, all on her own.
I feel her tears soak into my fur.
Wait.
Are they her tears??
I open one eye. She still has her comedy mask on.
Oh, [@%!^], I'm crying.
[#&*$].
Why can't I make it stop?! Why is my chest moving so unevenly like I'm puffing and why are my eyes batting like they keep filling with water I have to press out?! Why am I such a helpless, emotional pile of slop?? And who gave me permission to cry about it?
I struggle to gasp in air, like I've ever cared about breathing before.
I can feel my pupils shrink into little dots
Why does the crying hurt? It stings my throat, and burns my eyes, and- I just want it to stop. Why can't I make it stop...?
I press my face firmly into hers, and it slips in between her mask and ribbons, lodging me right under her neck.
Hmmm... Probably not comfortable for her.
I feel her hand push me back out, and I watch through blurry eyes as she removes her comedy mask. Why...?
And she presses her face against mine.
The tears keep coming.. but I feel them slip into hers, merging into shared teardrops between us, and my breathing starts to calm down, still a bit huffy. I really am such a-
Her arms wrap around my head, and her hand slips right behind one of my ears, rhythmically rubbing.
My ear twitches in response, one eye pressing into an uncomfortable squint.
Why is she doing this? It's so weeeeeirrrr... My pupils dilate again. This isn't so bad..
My body sways side to side with each motion of her hand, my face warming up and eyelids slowly closing.
NoOoo, why am I purring again??
Suddenly, the petting stops, and she tries to squirm away. Probably to, like, work or something- who cares? She's not allowed to do that. I shove my head against her and hold her shoulders until she gives up trying to walk away and starts petting me again.
This is her life now. She's not allowed to leave, because then I'd... cry again, probably.
Crap. I'm so dramatic and stupid and-
but she is repeatedly kissing my forehead now, so maybe it's not... thaat bad..?
I lift my head up and adjust until her flat imaginary lips land on my mouth instead of my forehead.
She wraps her ribbons around my head again and my tears slide into hers again.
Might be a good thing I'm not dead yet, I guess... Just for this...
I nuzzle my forehead against hers.