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You hadn’t stopped crying for nearly an hour…and Brook felt awful that he couldn’t figure out why. He’d tried everything he could think of. He patted your head, he made sure you’d eaten, he’d tried playing music, and even tried to bring you some of your favorite toys. He was out of his element in this regard, and it baffled him that he simply couldn’t figure out why you were crying. Normally he always knew what was bothering you, so this was entirely unexpected.
Luckily the rest of the crew was out and about at the island you’d docked at, he would only feel worse if you cried in front of everyone. He wasn’t embarrassed by it in the slightest, he’d never be embarrassed over anything you’d do. It was more so he didn’t want the crew to think he was the one that did something so wrong it left you crying all this time. He was beating himself up over it, and kept trying to do everything in his power to fix it.
He sat next to you on the floor, reaching out to try and wipe your tears, but he didn’t want to overwhelm you even more. “Can you tell me what’s wrong?” He asked, voice soft as it portrayed just how hurt he was just by seeing you hurting. “I want to fix it! But I don’t know what you need…” The last few words were mumbled, and gentle enough that it almost covered up the fact that he didn’t feel like he was helping in the situation.
Despite his words, you kept crying. The tears fell down your face, and you didn’t know how to tell him what was wrong. In fact, you weren’t even too sure yourself why you were so upset. Too many big emotions, and none of them made sense in your little mind. So instead of responding you kept crying. You weren’t quite wailing, but you definitely weren’t simply letting out a quiet sob. You sniffled, rubbing your eyes on your sleeve as you tried to figure out what was wrong as much as he was trying to.
It wasn’t until you yawned that it all clicked for him. His jaw dropped entirely, and he ended up slapping himself in the face. You were TIRED. Of course that was it. Somehow he’d forgotten how you got when you were too tired, his mind going through every possibility imaginable but the one true issue just from seeing you cry. “It’s okay!” He called, scooping you into his arms and running as quickly as he could to your bedroom.
He ran with urgency, wanting to make sure you’d stop crying. He hated seeing you cry more than anything, and he felt awful that he didn’t realize the problem sooner. “I’m sorry little one!” The words came out in a noise that resembled a squeak as his bones rattled with each step. “We can put you to bed, okay?!” He rushed out his words, eager to solve the problem and prevent you from crying further.
As soon as he closed the door with his foot, he walked much slower and laid you down gently on the bed. He shushed you, patting your head and tucking you in carefully. Before you could reach for your favorite stuffed animal, he’d already placed it in your arms. It was clear you didn’t entirely want to go to bed, but the soft mattress was enough to make your eyes flutter sleepily. It was just so comfy…
You tried to sit back up, but he placed a firm hand on your shoulder. It made you whine, but you were far too tired to put up much of a fight. The sight made him smile…as much as he could. He pulled up a chair and sat next to the bed while holding your hand. You tried to reach for him, and it only left him laughing more.
“I’d love to cuddle, but we both know what you need to fall asleep.” He’d have rolled his eyes playfully if he could, but instead shook his head in adoration. “If I don’t play your favorite song we both know you’d be up all night.” Another laugh, and he gently pried his hand out of yours to pick up the violin by the bedside table.
His hand leaving yours had you let out another whine, but you paused at the sight of the violin. Finally, for the first time in over an hour you smiled. It warmed his heart entirely, seeing you happy after such a long time of being upset. He trailed his fingertips along your cheek, and you couldn’t help but let out a soft giggle. Shifting his hand, he wiped all the tears from your cheeks before poking your nose.
It made you giggle even more, and you shuffled to lay more comfortably on the bed. Seeing him play music was always fun, no matter what mindset you were in. So being able to hear it after being so sad made your whole world better. You watched him with anticipation as he checked each of the strings, and cuddled your stuffed animal closer to your chest. It seemed all worries were forgotten as soon as you’d been put into bed, eagerly waiting for him to play the lullaby he made specifically for you.
You yawned even before the song started. But just before he began playing, he spoke softly. “Remember, close your eyes so you can focus on the music, okay?” He let out a chuckle at his own words. He knew it had nothing to do with focusing on the music. If you closed your eyes when he played, you’d be asleep long before the song was over. It was his own little way of helping you sleep without as much protest. If he framed it as focusing on the music, you wouldn’t put up a fight to stay awake…even if you really shouldn’t to begin with.
Your health mattered a lot to him, and he hummed softly as he began playing. The song was soft, and he knew exactly how to play as quietly as possible so it never jostled you. He played this song whenever he could, and it made him want to make a whole array of songs just in case you got used to this one too much. While you may not actually grow tired of it, the thought never stopped running through his head that he planned to have a full song lineup on hand so he could play them for you in any scenario.
His mind was entirely musically-inclined. He knew he could never stop loving music, but even so. It seemed that when it came to you, the inspiration is never stronger…and the notes never more vibrant in his own mind. You brought out the best of him, and he’d keep playing music for you in all the days to come.