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There was nothing Yellow loved more than watching Blue dance. Well, except for Blue himself. But Yellow was perfectly content watching him from afar, enjoying the occasional touch on the shoulder, or 'hello dear', or peck on the cheek he liked to pretend was more than just friendliness.
It was precisely because he loved watching Blue dance that he could easily tell when something was off. And tonight, something was certainly off. Blue's jumps weren't quite as high. His butterfly wings flapped a tad slower. The movements of his arms seemed slightly stiff.
The other flowers didn't seem to notice. At the end of the performance, everyone clapped and cheered as the curtain fell, Blue's smiling face disappearing behind it. In the commotion, Yellow rose from his seat and slipped away from the group. His spurs jangled as he walked up the wooden steps that led towards the backstage door. Something was wrong. He could feel it.
The cowboy gently opened the door, and there was Blue, sitting on the floor slumped against the wall. The dancer appeared startled by Yellow's sudden entrance.
"Yellow, dear, what are you doing here?" he asked, rubbing at his eyes.
Yellow suddenly felt a flash of shame. What was he thinking, barging in on Blue like this? Yet a feeling much stronger than shame compelled him as he stepped forward. He took a seat beside the other flower.
"Blue, evenin’. I um, just wanted ta check on ya."
"Check on me?"
"Yes, I just thought you looked...earlier I mean, you seemed a bit..." Yellow trailed off as Blue frowned.
"A bit what?"
"Tired," Yellow finished. "Just a little tired. Maybe I'm wrong, and if so I'm real sorry for intrudin' and all. I just reckoned I'd be a real lousy cowboy if I didn't make sure you were okay. After all, yer--"
Yellow halted his speech as Blue leaned to the side slightly, allowing their shoulders to touch.
"I'm what, dear?" Blue encouraged.
Yellow blushed and removed his hat, turning it over in his hands. "Yer the reason I wanted ta be a cowboy. Ta be able ta protect you from anythin'."
Blue smiled weakly. "You are so sweet, dear Yellow. Unfortunately, my problem is not one that can be solved with guns or lassos."
"Whadissit, then? Yer problem?"
Blue hesitated for a moment, considering whether to share his concern. But if there was anyone he could trust, it was Yellow. He looked at the floor as he spoke, fidgeting with the ribbons of his pointe shoes.
"I have been having trouble sleeping. This new body, this new consciousness, it is overwhelming. I have been having dreams that are rather..." Blue's voice became quiet. "Unpleasant."
"Oh no! That sounds awful, Blue."
Blue's face twisted with worry, his eyebrows furrowing. "So was it that obvious? During my performance, was I--?"
Yellow perked up. "No! No sirree! Why, everyone thought you looked just stunnin’. Just gorgeous. Just beautyful. An' perfect. An'--” Yellow stopped himself and took a breath. “Hah, I mean ta say that I love watchin’ ya..." Yellow’s blush darkened.
Blue sunk further into Yellow's side, resting his head on his shoulder. The cowboy inhaled sharply and froze, as if moving would scare Blue off.
"Thank you for the compliments, dear," Blue smiled. "You are truly the finest flower I have ever met. So kind, just, and so very cute."
Yellow blinked, unsure whether he heard that right. His heart swelled in his chest.
"M-me, cute?!"
"Of course, you, darling."
Darling. Cute. Those were new. And those words sounded wonderful, coming from Blue’s lips. Yellow couldn’t have stopped himself from smiling even if he’d wanted to. But he needed to stay focused. He was here to check on Blue, after all. He swallowed, closed his eyes, and tried not to think about the warmth of Blue's skin pressed against the sleeve of his shirt.
"S-so this dream. Bad dream, yer havin'. Didja want ta talk about it?"
Blue lifted his head from Yellow's shoulder. He remained silent, shifting slightly in place until finally, he responded.
"Perhaps later. I do not feel quite ready to discuss it. Not here, at least. However, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to you, Yellow. Thank you for your endless care. I will treasure it always." Blue squeezed Yellow's arm, then stood. "I will see you tomorrow, dear."
Yellow's words caught in his throat as the dancer turned around and left, the door swinging shut behind him.
...
That night, Yellow laid wide awake in his bed. The analog clock on his wall read 2:05am. Would he ever get to sleep? He could not stop replaying the events that took place earlier that evening. The cowboy felt guilty - Blue still looked sad when he left. He wanted nothing more than to wipe away the other man's worries for good. But how could he protect him from a dream? Blue was right - guns and lassos would be of no use.
Yellow's brain kept conjuring images of Blue, alone in his room, tossing and turning in the night. What could he be dreaming about that was so bad, it kept him from sleeping? Kept him from dancing the way he loved to do? Kept him from smiling how he used to?
Yellow couldn't take it any more – he rose from his bed and hastily threw on a button up shirt and jeans, then slipped on a pair of socks. That was all he needed to take a quick look around his and Blue's shared hallway.
He crept out his door and closed it slowly, careful not to make any noise. The sound of his footsteps was muffled by the sand as he approached Blue's door and pressed his ear against it.
It was silent. Maybe Blue was sleeping. Maybe he was okay! Yellow felt a wave of relief until, faintly, he thought he heard a sniffling sound from the other side of the door. Then a quiet sob. The cowboy's heart sunk. Before he had a chance to process this feeling, it was replaced with panic as he felt a tickle at the back of his nose.
Why now?! Curse this human body! He tried helplessly to stop the choppy inhalations until...
"haa-haa...HAA-CHOOOO!"
Yellow covered his mouth with both hands and froze, his cheek still pressed against the door. He heard Blue's sobbing come to a halt and a long silence followed.
Then, soft footsteps approaching the door. Yellow's heart raced as he tried to think of what to do, what to say, what could possibly excuse his presence in the hallway at this ungodly hour. But his mind went blank.
Blue cracked open the door. "Yellow?"
"Blue?" he replied, sounding just as bewildered.
Blue sniffled. "What are you doing?"
"I'm..." Yellow scratched the back of his head. "I'm just here ta check on you again, I s'ppose."
Blue opened the door wider now. He wore a loose white robe and his eyes were droopy and reddened. He sighed, wiping at his cheeks.
"I must admit, I am quite glad to see you, dear," Blue looked to the ground. "Would it...would it be improper if I asked you to come in?"
Yellow's knees wobbled.
"I-I can't say I know what's proper and what ain't, but golly I'd be real glad to come in if you'd like, Blue."
The dancer smiled weakly and made way for Yellow. Yellow stepped inside and took in the surroundings - the room was spacious, dimly lit by a butterfly-shaped night light plugged into a wall. There was a large dresser with one door hanging open, still swaying slightly on its hinge. Inside were various articles of clothing. Blue's sheets hung halfway off his large bed, which was littered with many pillows and stuffed animals. Blue led Yellow to his bed and sat against the headboard, then patted the spot beside him.
"O-oh, ya want me ta sit in yer bed?" Yellow tugged at the collar of his shirt.
"If you are comfortable to do so, dear. I would like it very much."
Yellow's heart hammered in his chest as he pushed aside pillows and stuffed animals to make a space for himself.
As he settled in, a stuffed cow caught his eye. He picked it up and examined it, feeling the fuzzy texture and looking into its beady eyes.
"You must find it childish I sleep with toys," Blue murmured.
"What? Naw, I was just thinkin' this little guy is real cute."
Blue smiled. "Yes, I am quite fond of him. He reminds me of you."
Yellow's heart skipped a beat. Cute. He reckoned Blue was cute, too. He set the cow aside, then twisted slightly to face the dancer.
"Oh, your buttons, darling." Blue chuckled. He scooted in front of Yellow. The ballerino sat cross-legged and reached his arms forward, taking hold of his shirt. "Here, allow me."
In Yellow's haste, he only managed to do about half of his buttons. And of those, none were in the correct hole. Blue carefully unbuttoned his shirt and Yellow felt dizzy, wondering how he found himself in such a situation. And just when he thought he couldn't feel any more jittery, Blue traced his finger across Yellow's chest, leaving a pleasant tingle in its trail.
"You have a cut here, darling. What happened?" he frowned.
"Cut? H-huh? I...I..." Yellow processed the question slowly. "Oh, this? Well, well, I- it's nothin'. Just a little scrape from fightin' criminells round' these parts, I g-got em all over."
"You're hurt," Blue's voice caught in his throat. He opened his mouth to speak, then stopped as tears welled in his eyes. He sniffled and breathed in hard, then suddenly broke into a sob, covering his face with his hands.
"Sorry dear," he choked out. "These dreams of mine are so worrisome. I- I don't want to face them alone anymore."
"Oh! Sorry, I mean, um, you don't need ta, I'm here!" Yellow stammered. He placed his hands on Blue’s shoulders and rubbed soothingly up and down the fuzzy sleeves of his robe.
"I'm here,” he repeated, his voice steadier.
"You're hurt," Blue muttered, "just like in my dream."
"I'm in yer dream?"
Blue chuckled. "Would it truly be a dream without you in it, my dear?"
"Oh- heheh! Shucks, Blue!" Yellow giggled, grinning.
Without thinking, the cowboy pulled the other in closer. Blue moved into Yellow's embrace, crawling into his lap and pressing his face against his chest. Yellow gasped as the ballerino wrapped his arms around his torso, hands sliding underneath the fabric of his open shirt. He shuddered, breathing in Blue's scent. He could hardly believe how close they were now.
"It may sound absurd, but my dream feels so real," Blue sighed. "When I awake, it feels as though it really occurred."
"Didja want ta talk about it now?" Yellow asked gently.
Blue nodded.
“Well, what happened?”
"There are these monsters..." Blue began. "Well, I mean, I should explain- hmm, how do I put this?" He paused to collect his thoughts. "The dream always begins with me falling into a large hole. And I find you there- but you are different."
"Different how?" Yellow questioned, resting his cheek atop Blue's head.
"You are a child. A human child. And I am too," Blue continued, rubbing Yellow’s back. "And we are trying to find our way out of this underground place. But the monsters...they are after us. Danger lurks around every corner."
"Aw, Blue, you know I'd never let a monster gitcha," Yellow reassured.
Blue mumbled something into Yellow's chest. The cowboy could feel damp tears against his skin.
"Sorry, can ya say again?" Yellow asked.
"I said--" Blue sniffled. "I said you put yourself in harm's way to protect me. And always, without fail, you--" Blue let out a shaky exhale. "You end up hurt. Badly. By a terrifying fish monster with an eye patch and red hair."
For reasons Yellow could not explain, he shuddered at that description. He held Blue tighter as he continued.
"Always, she tries to attack me. And you...you shield me with your body and--" Blue broke into a sob. "Sorry, I am sorry, it is just so realistic. Her spear- it goes right here..." Blue traced along Yellow's chest again. “And you bleed. And you die.”
Yellow felt a pit of dread in his stomach - something about this story resonated deep in his soul. He brought a hand up to the side of Blue's head, gently stroking his temple with his thumb.
"That sounds real scary. No wonder yer havin' trouble sleepin'."
Blue cried, and cried. Yellow held him there, massaging his backside and murmuring reassurances.
“Yer safe, Blue. I gotcha,” he cooed.
"I know I just...I just wish to make it stop. I am so exhausted," Blue sobbed.
"W-well, I sure ain't an expert on dreamin' but...maybe you could try ta change it? Ta somethin' else?" Yellow suggested.
"I have tried for days, dear. But I cannot stop this dream from recurring."
"Hmm. Er, is there somethin' you could do different in that dream? When that big ol' monster comes, whaddya want ta do?"
"I..." Blue pulled away from their embrace and thought for a moment. "I wish I was not so useless. In the fight, all I can do is stand and watch as you jump in front of me...but, if I could..." Blue trailed off, pressing his palm against Yellow's chest.
Suddenly, a green glow filled the dim bedroom, and a bright "blip" sound echoed across the walls.
The two froze in place, wide eyes locked on one another. Yellow felt a sudden surge of energy as his hairs stood on end. Cautiously, Blue pulled his hand away from Yellow's chest.
"Darling, your cut--!!"
"H-huh?!" Yellow felt his chest, smoothing over where his injury once was. He then rapidly pressed on various spots across his limbs. "Ma bruises too! What in tarnation was that, Blue?"
Blue stared at his own shaky hand. "I did not realize I was capable of such a power. That was healing magic, dear."
"Healin? Gosh, no wonder that felt so nice!"
The dancer burst out into a delirious fit of laughter, tears falling from his eyes as he felt the weight that had haunted him for days lifting from his shoulders.
“Wha- Blue? Blue, are ya okay?”
“Better than okay, my love!”
"Luh-love!?" Yellow's heart fluttered.
“Of course, dear.” He examined Yellow’s stunned expression, then spoke with a more serious tone. "Do not tell me you believed your feelings to be unrequited?"
The cowboy tilted his head to the side. “Un-ree- what now?”
Blue giggled, then cupped the other’s jaw in both hands. “What I am saying, darling, is that I love you. The same way you love me.”
Yellow's eyes widened, heat rising to his face. “R-really?!”
"Oh my, after all this time? I thought I made my feelings towards you quite obvious, darling. You certainly made yours clear."
"I DID?!" Yellow exclaimed, embarrassed and excited all at once.
Blue tipped the other's face down. Both of their cheeks flushed dark as he slowly brought his lips to Yellow's, brushing them lightly together. Yellow's hands naturally found their place on Blue's waist and they both remained still, hearts pounding. After a moment's hesitation, Blue tilted his head to the side and pressed in, closing his eyes and moving his lips gently into Yellow's. The dancer's hands glowed green once more, sending a surge of energy through Yellow's face. The cowboy jolted forward in response, deepening the kiss and gripping Blue's sides tightly.
The ballerino smiled into his lips and leaned back, pulling Yellow on top of him as he laid flat onto the bed. The feeling of the other’s weight was comforting and exciting - another burst of healing magic surged through his hands and into Yellow's body. Yellow whined, adrenaline coursing through his veins as blood rushed to his...
"Blue--" Yellow pulled away, gasping for air. "You gotta stop doin' that so much, y-yer makin' me feel all funny!"
"My apologies, darling, I cannot control it," Blue panted, pulling his hands off Yellow. "Perhaps we should take an intermission."
Yellow couldn't help leaning down and kissing Blue one more time before backing away and leaning against the headboard. Blue joined him at his side and held his hand.
"Blue, I love ya. Always have, since the day we were a boo-kay!" Yellow confessed, entwining their fingers together. "I can hardly believe you feel the same about lil ol' me! I sure hope I ain’t dreamin’!"
Dreaming. Yellow felt a pang of guilt as he realized how distracted he had become.
“Gosh, what was I thinkin’? About that dream, Blue - didja need ta talk about it more? I’m still here ta listen.”
“I do not believe that will be necessary, my love. I am beginning to realize that perhaps that dream had been occurring for a reason. I feel much better now.”
“So, you’ll be able ta sleep again?”
“Well…” Blue began, a coy smile creeping across his face. “Perhaps, just to be safe…I would sure feel at ease if I had a cute, strong cowboy to keep me company while I slept.”
“Y-you mean...me?!”
“Yes I do, darling,” Blue assured as he reached over and pulled up his bed sheets from the floor.
“W-well, if it’ll help ya!” Yellow beamed, settling on his side and holding his arms out for Blue. “C’mere, I’ll keep ya safe.”
As Blue snuggled up in Yellow’s arms, he felt a wave of calm wash over him. After all these sleepless nights, he finally felt confident he would get the rest he needed. He closed his eyes, sighing into Yellow’s chest, allowing himself to drift off.
Yellow’s heart never stopped racing as he enjoyed the warmth of Blue’s body against his. He stroked the side of the dancer’s face as he felt his breathing slow. He watched his smile fade away as sleep overtook him. Yellow traced his fingertips along Blue’s side, still half-doubting that these sensations were real. That this night was real.
“I love you,” he whispered into Blue’s ear.
Blue hummed in his sleep, lazily pressing his palm against Yellow’s chest.
Another flash of green.
Yellow didn’t sleep a wink that night. And he wouldn’t have had it any other way.