Chapter Text
Impulse was sore,
Stupidly sore
Annoyingly sore!!
All because he pushed himself chasing his brothers through the walls of his Family’s quaint apartment.
Their three human siblings occupied the living room, kitchen two bedrooms and bath-
While the three Borrowers got their own pathways and spaces through the walls and shelves across all the spaces.
But all accommodations aside, Impulse had always prided himself on how agile he was.
How skilled he was when borrowing from humans in the past
And How quick he could traverse unusual terrain.
But now?
After a simple game of chase while their humans were at work, Impulse’s muscles were screaming and his bones ached.
the slow realization of dread pooled in his gut as Impulse pegged exactly what was happening.
He had gotten too comfortable, too dependent on Skizz and the others, his once prided strength has been fading away.
Bdubs and Tango didn’t seem to bothered or affected probably because they were a decent bit younger than Impulse-
Their bodies could maintain physical strength a lot easier.
As much as it pained Impulse to admit.
Now all he could bring himself to do is lie down on his cotton ball ‘bean bag’ that was positioned one the coffee table and prayed that the soreness his body was experiencing would fade in time.
And maybe also pray that Bdubs and Tango’s “old man” teasing would be met with some swift karma.
But perhaps his hopes were too high.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Just before the humans returned home Tango and Dubs had relented their mockery-
If even just slightly.
Instead shifting their focus to the TV where they had turned on master cook or forge the sword….
Or Something like that, Impulse wasn’t really paying attention.
He was just trying not to wince every time he shifted in his chair.
But When Skizz, Zed and Scar came back into the home, the quiet apartment suddenly was filled with laughter and excitement.
And no matter how badly Impulse WANTED to hop up and greet his best friend, all he could managed was to roll off his bean bag chair with a groan of pain
Bdubs snickered as he just laid there
star fished on the table.
“Oh geez, what did you guys do to Impulse?” Scar Asked, his voice light and teasing.
“Notin’!! We were just running around and now he’s old or somth’” Bdubs added super helpfully
“Yea this Geezer over here got to winded trying to keep up with us in the walls, he had to retire due to his frail bones-“ Tango sniped.
“Shut up both of you jerks-“ Impulse grumbled wearily swatting at them, even though they were quite far away from him.
“Oh DippleDop-“ Skizz’s voice mumbled sympathetically overhead. “Push yourself to hard today? Been there-“
“Pfft- of course you have Skizz, your the oldest here- your practically our Dad half the time-“ Zed chimed in
“Well if that’s the case your grounded young man-“
“Wha- Hey! You can’t do that-“
“Just did Zeddle Bop-“
Amongst all the teasing Skizz reached out, and gingerly wrapped his fingers around Impulse’s Aching body- before gently lifting him to rest in the giant’s palm.
The motion was familiar and most importantly Skizz’s hand was warm, like a full body heat pack.
Skizz’s thumb found its way to Impulse’s chest, letting it carefully massage around each of the borrower’s aching ribs.
The rest of the world faded away. Much like a cat in a sun beam he leaned into the warmth and stretched out so Skizz’s digit could massage his sides and arms as well
Impulse had no idea how long it had been but he felt his body slowly relax and a soft sigh escape his lips.
A low chuckle from above finally tuned the borrower back into the present world.
Although time had definitely passed, Skizz was now sitting on the beat up couch, Zedaph leaning against him quietly knitting something while watching TV-
Distantly he heard Scar and Bdubs in the kitchen debating the best snacks
Which left Tango working on some kind of electronic one of their humans brought home for him.
“Feeling better Homie Buddeh?” Skizz’s voice was low and quite to not disturb the peace that had settled over their chaotic family.
Impulse nodded, hoping it hid his mild embarrassment- this is exactly why he was getting slower and sore, he was far too comfortable… but….
…
He didn’t want to push away his best friend because of it-
“I’m good-.. better .. yeah,.. everything just hurt but.. you definitely helped- I’m good now-“
“Well I’m… glad to hear that-“ Skizz gave him a curious look, a knowing look- a look at Told Impulse his best friend has a direct link to his own racing mind!
Well… maybe not that but still.
Impulse sighed
Leaning back into his Brother’s hand hoping to hide from the loaded ‘non-question’ (tm)
in his warmth-
Skizz stared at him-
Impulse stared back
Skizz furrowed his brow-
Impulse huffed a sigh before sitting back up-
“Fine fine- whatever. I’ve gotten too dependent and it’s making me weak and slow….”
Skizz’s thumb pulled back and Impulse instantly mourned the loss.
“Oh…”
“I don’t mean it like that I just,,, … .. it’s not bad… but… I used to be better at these physical activities and… now I’m less good…. It…. It seriously sucks…”
“Oh Impy Dimpy Dop-“
Skizz’s thumb returned pushing down lightly on Impulse’s chest- securing him in place before he lifted him up and placed a gentle kiss on top of the borrower’s head.
It was strange to be kissed by a giant at least 50 times your size but-
Impulse couldn’t bring himself to hate it-
It was Skizz after all-
He should count his blessings that he didn’t try to plant on of his sloppy cheek kisses he teases Zed and Scar with.
“Dipple dop-“ Skizz’s voice was tender as he spoke-
“Don’t be discouraged buddy- you’ve gone through hell and back over these last two years. Let your body catch up-“
“Wha? What’s is that supposed to mean???”
“Trama doesn’t just go away instantly Impulse-“ Zedaph interjected- the young blond’s indigo eyes still focused on his knitting project as he spoke- like it was the most obvious thing in the world- “after everything you’ve been through- with.. being caught in the first place- to Skizz finding you- to then finding your family again- and then Skizz getting hurt again….
…
It’s a lot… your mind might have processed it- but your body might still be reacting to that stress-“
Impulse’s brow furrowed “shouldn’t that make me better at moving around tho?? Stress has always helped me perform better- kept me alert-“
“But I think that’s just it Impy-“ Tango Added from his spot on the coffee table. “Ever since we were young you’ve always been on edge- it saved out butts a lot during that time but now-“
“Now you’re safe, and your body is finally ALLOWED to be slower- it doesn’t have to react instantly because you’re safe here.” Skizz finished.
“I can’t stay like this though- if anything WERE to happen I need to know that I could handle it like I would have before!”
“Maybe- and we can find ways to help get stronger together if you really want- but-…. I think you should also listen to what your body is telling you Buddeh-“
It made sense, in a very roundabout sort of way-
And as much as Impulse didn’t like accepting being weak right now-
Getting stronger along side Skizz sounded kinda fun.
“Yeah… alright… I’ll try my best.”
Skizz smiled warmly down at him- “I know you will Dipple-“
With that Skizz planted another kiss atop Impulse’s head- this time with the borrower playfully trying to push him away-
“Oh get out of here you big sap!”
“What you don’t like my kisses dude?” Skizz began to pepper Impulse with a bunch of micro kisses from the top of his head to his belly-
All the while Impulse was giggling and trying to push the giant away, vaguely protesting with no real bite or venom behind any of his words.
“Hah- I least we’re not the only ones who get attacked by Skizz kisses-“ Scar Said as he rolled back over into the living room, Dubs perched on his shoulder.
“I know right- I felt so targeted for so long“ Zed cried with mock sorrow lacing his voice-
Skizz finished off his assault with a final nuzzle with his nose into Impulse’s side before looking up at the other two humans-
“Oh there’s more coming your ways buddies- don’t think you’ve gotten out of them-“
It drew a couple of laughs out of everyone- before Tango piped up-
“None for me thank you- I’m not a touchy feely guy y’know?”
Zedaph, Impulse and Bdubs all laughed at that statement-
“Suuuure you aren’t Tango-“ Zed teased, before reaching forward, Gently ruffling tango’s hair with a few fingers and moving down to his back to lightly scratch there.
The result was practically immediately as Tango leaned into the warmth of his friend and melted further as Zed hit the sweet spot on his back. “This is cheating By the way- using your warmth for Evil Zeddy-“
Zed took it as a sign to scoop up the red clad borrower bringing his close to his chest-
“Whatever you say Tang Tang-“
Impulse Snickered rolling over onto his belly and resting his chin down on his arms.
“See Dop- you all deserve to be spoiled once and a while- it doesn’t make you weaker or less great than you were in the past-
It just means you’ve got people on your side looking out for you as well.”
As he spoke Skizz brought his thumb back to massage out Impulse’s still slightly sore muscles
And this time there was no protest from the yellow borrower.
“Thanks Skizzy… I really.. really appreciate it.”
“Of course Brotha-“
<><><>
“SCAR! Pamper me! I wanna be pampered too!!”
“What?? No your an absolute menace today- no pampering-“
“But you see my traumatic life is so rough some times-“
“Nope- nice try Dubs- but no-“
“But Scar! Your family bought me- i was bought to be your pet you have to pamper meeeee-“
“Nuh uh- you had your chance to leave- you came back as my friend-“
“Gasp!! Your brother- I came back to be your brother you Jerk!!!”
“All the more reason I’m not gunna pamper you- you’re fine!”
“You’re the worst!”
“Yeah well you think M&ms are better then Smarties so you get what was coming to ya-“
“M&Ms are better than smarties! They are the superior chocolate!”
“Not true-! Smarties make you smarter-“
“Do not!”
“Do too!!”
<><><>
Everyone else let out a collective sigh-
“Youngest….”