Work Text:
Knock knock
Discard quietly knocked on Nimbus's door, trying his best not to be too loud so he doesn't wake anyone else. The poor sheep who he was waiting for had asked him earlier that day to come over to his room. Well, more or less, he only asked if Discard was free that night, and the dolphin immediately agreed to go visit him. So there he was, waiting infront of Nimbus's door at 11 pm, without even knowing what the sheep needed, and hoping he didn't wake him up. Atleast Discard had patience, a lot infact, he could wait until midnight, as long as someone who came up to him for help was happy and without trouble. While humming to himself and quietly tapping on the floor with his foot, the door he was standing infront of slowly opened with a creak.
"Oh! You came."
The short sheep was standing inside. Of course he was, it was his room. He looked drowsy, well, he always did, but this time it seemed like he was also tired. And that was definitely a rare occurrence for the sheep who is able to fall asleep anywhere. Maybe it was because of the eye bags he had, or the fact he let out a biiiig yawn, but it didn't seem like Nimbus had his precious sleep time in a while.
"Of course I'd come! Whazup lil guy?"
"Well it's..a little embarrassing to admit but.."
Nimbus's hand started playing with one of the edges of the pillow he was holding close to his stomach, while keeping it secure with his other one. He was looking at the ground, the poor guy didn't really want to trouble anyone else, even the dolphin who literally came to his room to ask if he needed help.
"I couldn't really sleep well recently..and you once told me about those lullaby style sounds you were working on for the past few weeks. I was wondering.."
"Ohhh that!..They..aren't finished, I'm sorry."
Discard looked away while scratching the back of his head. He hated how he had to let Nimbus down, but there was nothing he could do..or was there?
"..B-But I bet I can go and cook something up right now!"
It was no secret how locked in Discard was when he focused on something, especially if it was related to music, but Nimbus didn't want that to happen now. It was enough that he was already staying up past the usual time everyone went to bed so he can help his friend, but having Discard stay awake the whole night because of him, and work himself out aswell? He didn't want that.
"Stay right there, I'll be quick and I promise it would-"
"N-No, no need. Please, just go to your room and..yawn go sleep."
Nimbus reached for the handle, pushing the door to close it. The sudden words caught Discard by suprise, but he still managed to put his hand on the doorframe, stopping Nimbus from closing the door on his face.
"Are you sure dude? I don't mind doing ya a favour, ya know? It would be quick, I promise-"
"It won't be!"
The sheep quickly covered his mouth, mumbling a tiny "sorry" under his breath. Of course it wouldn't be quick, it usually takes Discard an entire day to complete a soundtrack, and with no soundtrack Nimbus couldn't go to sleep.
"S-Sorry, you're right, it won't be and I can't expect you to stay up til I'm ready.."
"What? That's not what I meant, I.."
Nimbus didn't really have any energy left to raise his voice, but he really wanted to make it clear he wasn't even thinking of himself right now.
"..I know you don't get sleep often, I noticed..how out of it you are most days. You stay up to work on music because you always run errands for others during the day, right?"
"What? Haha, don't be silly, that's.."
Discard looked away, forcing a shaky smile. He didn't want to get others to worry for him now, even though he is rather tired.
"Don't think I haven't noticed how often you..need others to repeat themselves for you..because you have trouble paying attention..it takes one to know one.."
"No, that's..sigh fine, you're right. I am tired, but I still wanna help you? Can't I do anything?"
"You can help me...by going to bed for me."
"But I want you to rest too! Please, I'll do anything, I'll even sleep in your room if it makes you feel better!"
Nimbus stopped for a second. His cheeks grew slightly pink at the thought of having someone sleep in his room, it took him by suprise, that's for sure. Discard also didn't even realise what he mumbled until it was already out of his mouth.
"I-I mean, only if you're comfortable..! It's just a suggestion, so.."
Nimbus slowly pushed the door aside.
"Come inside.."
Discard slowly nodded, making his way into the room and quietly closing the door behind him. Nimbus's room was really pretty, it already was from the hallway, but the ceiling had tiny stars and other decorations you couldn't see from there. The main color was dark blue, and it looked more or less like a giant bed, with pillows over the whole room, and a fizzy carpet that covers the entire floor. There was an actual bed, of course, with a nightstand next to it. The lamb on it had tiny moon shaped holes, that made the light coming from it make those shapes over the walls. Nimbus quickly plopped over the bed, resting his head on the pillow, while Discard carefully sat on the edge of it.
"There's..room for both of us..you know."
"R-Really? I-I mean, are you sure you are fine with it?"
"Are you fine with it?"
Nimbus has slept on many people's shoulders, so sleeping while being in touch with someone else wasn't all that new to him. Discard on the other hand, let out a forced laugh, which sounded more like a giggle, trying to divert the attention away from the fact his cheeks were hot red.
"The ceiling is even prettier when you lay on your back."
Nimbus patted the spot next to him. The dolphin let out a low sigh from under his mouth, and laid down carefully, making sure not to accidentally touch the other's shoulder. He didn't want to make Nimbus uncomfortable, yeah, exactly why he avoided physical contact! Not because if he accidentally bumped into the sheep's shoulder, he would become as red as a tomato, definitely not that!
"They really are pretty."
"I told you. I..know someone who is prettier though."
"You do? Who is it?"
"I..I'm not telling. But you know them."
"I..do?"
Nimbus slowly got closer to Discard.
"Really..really well, you both are really close."
Well, he was close with all of his friends, and did know them really well, so...
"Tell me more, I wanna know who that is!"
"They..well they are so cool..I really, really look up to them."
Discard nodded, still looking at the stars on the ceiling.
"Honestly I..kinda like them."
"Well, it's nice to like others."
"No no, I..I like them alot.."
Maybe it was because Discard was tired, but he could feel like Nimbus was hinting something at him. Yeah, probably just imagining it, he continued to look at the stars. There was something so fascinating about them.
"When I see that person..I feel at ease, I feel safe, you know?"
Discard nodded. The stars were to bright. So small, yet so shiny, enough even so he could see them, despite his blurry vision.
"They..are really generous, but I often worry for them.."
They were so small, yet so beautiful at the same time. Despite the ceiling being the same color, they still outshined it, grabbing Discard's attention, especially the one in the corner.
"They care for others, which is nice but..they care more about that...that they often forget to look after themselves."
The tiny star in the corner, maybe Discard really was tired and just imagining it, but it was shining brighter than the others..and..it reminded him of Nimbus..
"Recently, I've started looking out for them..I noticed they didn't get alot of sleep, so.."
Suddenly, thinking of Nimbus started making Discard blush. His heart skipped a beat, his hands started sweating a little. Why was he feeling like that? Why did the thought of Nimbus being on the same bed as him suddenly make him tense up? Was it because..
Yaaaawn
"It's already midnight..we should probably go to sleep."
"Y-Yeah, you're right!"
Discard closed his eyes, maybe it really was because he was tired, maybe all he needed was just some goodnight rest. And that was partially true, because the moment he closed his eyes, he was already cold asleep. In such a deep slumber, he didn't even notice how Nimbus had his arms wrapped around him, comfortably laying next to him, finally being able to fall asleep too. Maybe tomorrow morning, both of them will get to talk about those "people" they like so dearly.