Chapter Text
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The bathroom door was locked, Ingo had made sure of that. He looked over himself in the mirror - oh despair he looked like a mess.. His eyes then shifted from his miserable reflection to the stash of razors he brought with him.
Some were rusting.
Some were covered in old blood.
Some were brand new.
Ingo then ran a hand through his hair, he had barely done anything that day and he was sweating like hell - although the lack of AC in the room was a reason for this state. He never usually did this "routine" during usual hours where he should be monitoring contestants and their oh so careless lives. Besides - Cassie had it all figured out! He was made to be that way anyway..
He then grabbed whatever blade he did - not like he cared which one he got anyway, none of them were ever dull anyway, he always double checked and if they were they'd just be sharpened again! Ingo then looked in the mirror again, the image of himself with the blade he admired, not as much as Cass- Vincent! He could never fall in love with another person after Vincent - he made a promise after all, to devote himself to him and never love another person ever.
Enough about past yearning, he came into here to let out some stress from this god awful game he's put himself into. He breathed in for a moment, his grip on the blade was tightening the more he hesitated. The blade then made contact to his skin, tearing it open to reveal the blood inside, to Ingo, this was relief of some sort, and the wounds just kept coming and coming.
Both of his arms were covered with dried blood and new blood dripping onto the white floor of the compact room by the time he was finished, Ingo looked down at his arms and just sighed pitifully - he knew he was in for a lecture sometime soon by Cassie for this, that would make it worse for the both of them. Not like he minded being lectured, Cassie's voice was dreamy to listen to.
Scrap that thought..! Ingo's expression was filled with conflict, he couldn't be falling for another man already, he was still yearning for Vincent's love after all.. Even if he passed away years ago - his love for his late husband never really faded away, it never faded away at all. But this new-found love for a man who's so similar to Vincent, and was made to be just like him was playing with his feelings more than he had hoped for.
Ingo's thoughts were then interrupted by light knocking on the door, startling the Casino Host. He grew a small cold sweat, Ingo knew exactly who was on the outside of that door, he didn't bring himself to open it yet though. He still looked like an utter mess, and looking presentable in front of others was a huge ego boost for the man. Although the person on the other side of the door wasn't in the mood for patience.
" Ingo.. Open the door. Now, please. " Cassie's voice rung out with authority, Yikes.. Can a man not make himself look neat? Ingo huffed, he wasn't a fan of how impatient Cassie could be with him, especially in moments like these.
Ingo then decided to unlock the door - although he did it quite slowly, he was being very petty with Cassie at the moment. Which, the older man on the other side of the door wasn't a fan of. Once the door was finally opened after Ingo took his time with it, he was greeted with a not so very happy Cassie on the other side.
The robot sighed with disappointed at the sight of Ingo's state and spoke up, not breaking eye contact with the Host at all times, " You're just making yourself worse the more you continue to do this to yourself, you know that? " Cassie just asked, it was an honest question.
Ingo looked away for a moment, guilt was written all over his face the more he didn't answer. " I do know thatt.. I'm no idiot, why do we think this is called an "unhealthy coping mechanism".. Gee I wonder, maybe it's because it does mentally ruin me more, did we not get that through your thick metal head? " Ingo replied back with hostility, he wasn't going to take being called stupid lightly - his tail flicked with irritation as he spoke so.
Cassie looked at Ingo for a moment, taking in the man's features and figure then began to walk away - which quickly got Ingo's attention.
" Where are you going? " The aggression in his tone had died down, it slightly being replaced with worry.
The taller man then turned his head, staring at the other's expression for a moment before speaking, " To get supplies for your injuries, I'm not going to leave you like you've just been mauled by a savage animal " Cassie then continued walking from the bathroom and over to storage.
Ingo meanwhile huffed at the reply he received from Cassie, from what he took out from what he was given, it was like Cassie was calling him a savage animal! Oh how could he.. Such a cruel comparasim, although slightly true - he was impulsive and aggressive when he could be. Enough on that topic though, Ingo wasn't a fan on talking on the subject of how he acts within aggression, it wasn't his favourite subject.
Thinking back to what he said to Cassie though before he left, he felt a little bad for being so aggressive and snappy to him - now, Ingo would apologize for this, but his ego is far to massive for that.. But the idea that Cassie would hate him for what he said and how he acted was gnawing at his brain, almost eating him alive even. He groaned for a moment, putting his hands in his head and leaning on the doorframe for the time being.
Cassie soon returned to Ingo with medkit in hand, he sighed - looking at Ingo's state, his expression didn't change though, he didn't know what to say really, he knew Ingo wasn't mentally alright in the head - that's for sure.. But the amount of care it takes to keep him alive and well is unreal.
" Come on.. I need to clean those wounds so they don't get infected " His voice was calm and collected, acting worried would stress Ingo massively - which would cause another issue that he didn't want to deal with at all.
Ingo didn't look at Cassie - but replied anyway. " Alright.. " His voice was slightly hesitant, but he didn't want to argue with Cassie over this - so he complied. He then sat himself on the edge of the bath, he found it a little uncomfortable but it was only temporary
As Cassie was cleaning up Ingo's arms, he noticed a shift in Ingo's body language, but didn't point it out verbally as to not bring attention to it just yet. He knew Ingo would deny it so he'd rather not deal with that - but he still had to at least change how he acted towards Ingo, he didn't want to cause any damage to him.
Ingo looked at Cassie's movements, they were gentle and soft - it was comforting, comforting enough to start causing him to slip a little, he didn't expect it to be so soon, but with how Cassie was caring for him, it was bound to happen soon. He just watched the other man's caring mannerisms with attentive eyes.
Once Cassie had finished cleaning and disinfecting the wounds, which Ingo did not enjoy at the slightest, he hated it a lot in fact.. He made that extremely clear for sure, which Cassie slightly worried about considering what he thought was Ingo's current mindset and mentality, although it was a prediction at the moment, knowing how this man can give him mixed signals if he really felt like it.
The wounds didn't hurt as much now that they were disinfected, now, Cassie had to move onto applying bandages so Ingo wouldn't mess with them and make them even worse, although before Cassie began to cover up the injuries, Ingo spoke up.
" How long are you going to take.. It's been ageeeees " He whined, a small pout forming on his face. Cassie looked at Ingo's expression for a moment, his suspicions may just be more correct than he thought, but that's a problem to be sorted after he sorts out this issue with the killing game host. " We're almost done with this now, and then I have something to ask you after " Cassie replied, his tone soft and low but had undertones of parental strictness.
Ingo perked up at the mention of Cassie wanting to ask him something, he was the tiniest bit worried about if he had done something wrong - but that was extremely doubtful considering how he's been acting in recent days. Cassie then grabbed the bandages he was supposed to apply then began the simple process, all while Ingo was sat down, kicking his feet slightly.
When Ingo's injuries were all covered up and slowly healing, the two then moved from the small, confined bathroom and into Ingo's room - which they both shared most of the time since Ingo absolutely hated sleeping on his own alot of the time. It sounds a little stupid considering how Ingo acts when he's professional, but it's just how he acts towards people who care for him - and he cares back.
" Ingo, how old are you again..? " Cassie suddenly asked, sat down next to the shorter male who was leaning on him, head resting on his shoulder.
Ingo looked up at Cassie, he didn't answer for a moment. This wasn't the question he was expecting, not like he hated it! Cassie had no ill intentions of course, he was his coworker / employee kinda and also a primary caretaker for him. " That's a.... Stupid question. You already know that.. " Ingo huffed a little, he didn't think Cassie was this stupid though.
Cassie rolled his eyes, that didn't exactly answer what he meant by the question - but usually he gets a more straightforward answer from him. " Not physically, I already know that. I mean mentally, because you sure aren't acting 27. " His expression hardened a little, but there was no real malice behind it, it was just the kind of gentle strictness a parent would use on their child, which is what Cassie felt like at the moment with how Ingo was acting towards him.
Ingo clunged onto Cassie, hugging him softly before speaking " I dunnooo, child.. I think " He whined, burying his head into the robot's neck, he was craving affection desperately at this time - he was very touch-starved so it was bound to happen that he would latch himself onto Cassie.
Well, it was certainly the kind of answer he was looking for. Cassie then wrapped an arm around Ingo, his hand gently stroking through the childish one's hair as a sign of comfort. " I would have assumed so.. But that's alright, I don't mind it. " He said with a soft smile as he looked around the room. " What do you wanna do now though, other than constantly clinging onto me? " Cassie then asked, looking down at Ingo.
Ingo shifted in his position a little, yawning before saying " I'm too sleepy to do anythingg " His voice was filled with tired childlike dreaming. Cassie slightly envied how Ingo saw the world in this state, but didn't go beyond that. He then lifted himself up with Ingo in his arms, which startled them a little.
" W-What are you doing...? " Ingo mumbled, rubbing his eyes for a moment and then moving a little to wrap his arms around Cassie's neck.
Cassie looked at Ingo's exhausted expression and then said " If you're tired, then you're not sleeping in those clothes, you need those for later. " pointing out the childish one's attire, which was mostly made for when he was actually hosting within the Casino.
Ingo looked at what he was wearing for a moment before nodding, he had no energy to argue with Cassie at the moment, and if he did have the energy to, it would probably end with him changing his clothes anyway. " Ok.. " He mumbled softly, putting his head back into the crook of Cassie's neck.
Once Ingo was changed into something more comfortable for sleep, he dragged Cassie back to his room by his arm, not wanting to be away from him for a single moment.
Arriving into Ingo's room, he then turned around to Cassie and asked. " Are you able to read to me..? " He pleaded, pawing at Cassie and using his puppy eyes to convince the older robot, which was effective - like always. It worked on a lot of people, more than it should.. But Ingo didn't really care, as long as he got his way and what he wanted, he was happy.
Cassie rolled his eyes a little at the sight, " Alright, no need to plead at me like a lost puppy.. What book do you want? " He smiled softly, watching as Ingo wandered over to a small shelf of books in the corner of the room and picked up a book that seemed appealing to him and then went back to show Cassie. " This one " He said, raising the book up to Cassie's face.
He looked at the book for a moment, before taking it out of Ingo's hands.
" A Very Hungry Caterpillar.. Alright, simple enough for today. " Cassie patted Ingo's head as a small rewarding gesture, which Ingo thoroughly enjoyed.
Cassie then sat down on the edge of Ingo's bed, with the childlike male next to him, leaning on his shoulder as he stared at the book in the other's hands. Cassie then opened the book and began to read.
" In the light of the moon, a little egg lay on a leaf. " He read, showing Ingo the picture before flipping the page. " One sunday morning, the warm sun came up and pop! out the egg came a tiny and very hungry little caterpillar. " Cassie then turned the page again. " He started to look for some food. On Monday he ate through one apple, but he was still hungry. " He turned the book slightly for Ingo to see before turning the page.
" On Tuesday he ate through two pears but he was still hungry " Cassie once again turned the page. "On Wednesday he ate through three plums but he was still hungry " He went on, continuing to flip through the pages as he read. " On Thursday he ate through four strawberries but he was still hungry. On Friday he ate through five oranges but he was still hungry. "
Ingo yawned a little, leaning a little more onto Cassie as he went on. " On Saturday he ate through one chocolate cake, one ice cream cone, one pickle, one slice of swiss cheese, one slice of salami, one lollipop, one piece of cherry pie, one sausage, one cupcake and one slice of watermelon. That night, he had a stomach ache! " Cassie then turned his head slightly to look over to Ingo, who was slowly but surely being lulled to sleep.
Cassie then turned back to the book and started reading again, flipping the page. " The next day was Sunday again. The caterpillar ate through one nice green leaf, and after that he felt much better. Now he wasn't hungry anymore - and he wasn't a little caterpillar anymore. He was a big, fat caterpillar " He flipped to the next page. " He built a small house, called a cocoon, around himself. He stayed inside for more than two weeks. He then nibbled a hole through the cocoon, pushed his way out and.. He was a beautiful butterfly! "
Cassie then closed the book shut and looked over to Ingo, who had finally fallen asleep after a long day. He smiled and stared at the peace that had formed on his place before slowly picking him up and laying him down, making sure he had put his bunny stuffed animal with him or he wouldn't hear the end of it later.. Cassie put Ingo's blanket over him, making sure it was secure before then placing the book back.
He looked over at Ingo sleeping again, walking over silently to make sure not to wake him up and sitting down on the edge. He sighed before speaking softly, " What am I going to do with you..? " He said, running a hand through Ingo's hair. He stayed seated for a while longer before getting up and stretching, walking over to the door - but before he left he said one final thing.
" Goodnight Ingo.. I love you " His words and smile were genuine, he loved Ingo deeply - in a platonic sense, unless Ingo stated something entirely different then that would change. But for now it would stay a platonic bond. Cassie then left the room, leaving the door slightly open to let some light through as he slept.
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