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The bedsheets ruffled as Rocket sat up in a panic; breathing heavily. His stump of arm ached, it felt like when he first left it. He hissed as he noticed the same with his leg too. He hadn’t even noticed tears were falling down his face.
Gods, he hated this. Hated the nightmares, they ALWAYS showed up once a week. Sometimes Zuka would be there for him, he felt bad that his mother had to be there in the middle of the nights. He could tell she was always tired.
He remembered when it first happened with his best friend near, Sword didn’t know what to do so he had to get Zuka. Sword was a good friend. But sometimes . . . He wasn’t the greatest at reactions. He once had a panic attack worst, of course Rocket didn’t hate him for it. He didn’t know what to do but . . . It’s rare to came to Sword for help—Most times it’s just awkward.
Rockets missing limbs felt sore, he dragged himself up for a better sitting position before grabbing his phone. He stared at the screen for a heartbeat before turning it on.
He looked through a few contacts, he needed someone. He hated being vulnerable but he couldn’t go to Zuka, poor elder probably was sick of him.
Rocket didn’t have many connections, just a few (that being: Zuka, Medkit, Sword, and Skateboard). He stared tiredly at Skates contact, debating whenever he should message him.
The two had been dating for while, maybe close to a year. But Rocket wasn’t so vulnerable around him, maybe a few times he had. But Rocket was scared too, why? . . . He didn’t actually know. Guess he didn’t want to be a bother.
But each time he HAD been vulnerable around the skateboarder, skate doesn’t judge. He just . . . Stayed. Doesn’t even touch him unless Rocket ask too.
Sucking up his fear, Rocket texted him. He immediately shut his phone off and looked away. He doubt the skater was even awake, it was like . . . Three in the morning? He doesn’t actually know.
Soon as he was about to lay down, he got a reply.
“Sure, dude! Be there in a min!”
. . . Surprised he’s even awake, Thought Rocket.
He laid down after, sighing quietly. Skate an Rocket only knew each other because Skate found him when he had fell from that place. Though a year older, he took Rocket under his wing. They ended up becoming close friends, that was until Zuka found him. The two didnt find each other for years, until the Phights. They met each other again, and later on Skate had confessed to him a year after founding each other again.
In the midst of his thought’s the bedroom door suddenly opens and Rocket shot up, scared that it was Zuka before seeing it was his partner, he had forgotten that he had a key to the apartment . . .
“Sup,” spoke the skater.
Rocket would’ve spoken back if it wasn’t for: one, he wasn’t in the middle of a panic attack, two, had a shirt on.
But nevertheless, skateboard didn’t question or waited for an answer and put his gear down, closing the door after and sat at the end of Rocket bed.
Took Rocket a second to realise anything before saying something, “. . . Come closer.” His voice quiet voice almost breaking too, a clear sign that he had been crying a little.
Rocket couldn’t tell what he was wearing in the dark but it most likely some rock band t-shirt and probably some pj pants stolen from coil (Rocket had no issue with coil and Skate sharing clothes, he couldn’t care less about it. He knew that they were just close friends, he’s done the same with Sword before it would be hypocritical if he said anything).
Rocket didn’t ask for it but he didn’t stop Skate suddenly pulling him into his arms, and holding him with head on skates chest. Skate muttered something but Rocket didn’t hear, somehow Skate holding him just made him exhausted. He couldn’t even hold him back because of how tired he was.
What he could do though was curl up against him as he couldn’t hold back being awake anymore—how did his partner have this effect on him?
Skate felt warm inside, it was rare for this . . . And each time he cherishes it. He knew Rocket wasn’t really the type to yearn to be held and such, he knew this since they were kids—before they split up.
Swords, he remembered when he couldn’t find Rocket when Zuka found him. His lover had lost both limbs then, he try to find anyone—mainly a support gear. But by the time came back (with no one) he was gone.
He remembered looking for him, everywhere. That until he stumbled upon someone else—Coil.
Coil was fighting some random ass dude, he losing until skate helped him.
He snapped out of his thoughts as he felt Rocket curl up against him and dozing off, his heart fluttered as he noticed. He looked over at his gear—de-spawning it—before kissing his partner forehead.
It was hard to sleep with Rocket sometimes, why? Their horns. Rocket curled around his head, Skates was just out in the open. But it was whatever, he held Rocket closer to him as he gently put his head on top of his and, slowly but surely, fell asleep.