Chapter Text
Minute was traversing the forest, his dragon wings folded against his back. His white eyes examined the trees, catching small movement which made him stop.
The small voidling hid in the woods. He saw a taller figure wandering, so he crouched behind a bush quick.
"Hello?" Minute called out, looking by the spot where he saw the movement.
He drew his sword quietly and shakily. he hadnt really been good at using it but he could try...
Minute could see a small shadow and stopped moving.
"Hello?" He asked calmly and softly.
He took a few small steps back, crunching some leaves by accident, and flinching.
"Hey.. it's okay." Minute kneeled down to the ground to look less threatening.
The small voidling's white eyes shone in the dark, looking at the tall stranger, similar- looking like a voidling himself.
“Who- what do you want.” he tried to sound threatening, but his two hand shaking on his sword told another story.
"Come on out. Lemme see you." Minute held out his hand, waving him over gently.
“no..no…” he looked like someone from a distant memory.
he took another step back, eyes widening, scared more than menacing.
"Hey.. no need to be scared. Are you hungry? I have some food." Minute slowly reached into his pouch and pulled out some steak and bread.
"You look hungry- please. Take it."
He was. He was thin, having have survived off of only rabbit and berries for a while.
He hesitantly reached out, grabbing the food, and then scurrying back.
"My name is Minute. What's yours?" The voidling asked, his dragon wings drooping to the grassy ground so they didn't look as tall.
The voidling carefully knawed on the food, quickening at the taste and feeling of it.
He couldn’t bring himself to speak.
"Hey.. remember to slow down. You don't want to choke." Minute said with a soft but concerned voice.
He did, the persons tone feeling calming.
he didn’t trust him. They all lied. Then they all said he was weak. They left because he was weak.
"I have some water too if you are thirsty." Minute held a water bottle in his hands, placing it on the ground in front of him.
The small voidling scooted closer, this time not moving back, slowing drinking the life giving liquid.
"What's your name." Minute asked gently.
“I don’t… like it” he said in a small whisper.
"Tell me. I won't judge I promise."
“no…..” His name was weak they said. it was always used against him. He wouldn’t let anyone else.
"Okay.. if you aren't comfortable with it, why don't we come up with a new one."
The small voidling slowly nodded. why did this person care?
"Any preferences?" Minute asked, tapping his finger on his knee.
He shook his head. he wasn’t much of a talker.
"I don't know.. M.. M something.." Minute snapped his fingers, a name almost on the top of his tongue.
He liked the sound of this. it was similar to something this 'Minute' man was saying.
"M... uhh...."
"Mugm?" Minute asked.
"It's not really an actual name-"
Mugm's eyes glowed a little brighter, nodding. That name was nice.
"Okay, Mugm." Minute chuckled lightly at the smaller voidling's smile.
Mugm smiled, gently eating more of the food.
"Better?" Minute asked him gently.
"ye- yes..." Mugm's voice was kind of crackly, not having talked much recently.
"Can I ask you a few questions? You can tell me if you don't want to answer them." Minute's drooped wings twitched against the blades of grass.
Mugm hesitantly nodded again, looking at the mossy ground in front of where he kneeled.
"Why are you out here all alone?" Minute kept his white eyes on Mugm.
Mugm shrunk at that.
"weak..." was all he managed to get out.
they left him because he was weak.
"Mugm.. you aren't weak. You are brave, especially brave for letting me talk to you." Minute encouraged, his thin tail swaying against the grass.
The small voidling had little beaded tears forming in his eyes. was he though? He tried to hide it.
Emotion is weakness
"Did someone say you were weak..?" Minute kept his calm exterior up but inside he was growing disappointed.
"I- am." Mugm sounded so sure. Why else would he be alone.
"You aren't Mugm. Whoever told you that is lying." Minute responded back, not harshly but clearly angry at whoever told him that.
Mugm made a small frown, shifting his gaze to the sword next to him.
"p-promise?"
"I promise. I would never lie to you." Minute pressed his hand to his chest where a rose sat. He took it out of his pocket and handed it to Mugm.
"How long have you been alone Mugm."
It had been what now- 13 months? Mugm had lost count. A while though. A while ago they dropped him off here, telling him to reflect. A while ago he never got picked up, nobody coming back.
"Long. Time."
"I'm sorry." Minute said with a genuine and sad tone. "No one should be left alone for a long time."
Mugm picked up and sheathed his sword. He didnt want to look at it any longer. If this guy hurt him, he probably wouldnt stand a chance anyways.
"You can come a little closer if you wish. I don't bite." Minute smiled softly.
Mugm scooted a few inches towards him, pushing himself with his arms.
"Is there anything you like?" Minute ran his hand through the grass.
Validation.
"mm..." Mugm had to think on that one. was there anything?
"Like foods or walks? Maybe games?" Minute fixed the hair out of his face.
"I like... swords?" Mugm liked seeing the different sizes, shapes, colors. that is what he grew up around after all.
"Do you like yours?" Minute moved his eyes to the sheath.
Mugm felt indifferent about his. hed seen some cool ones though.
they really hurt though
He shrugged.
"Do you.. have any friends?" Minute asked calmly.
Mugm looked away, and shook his head.
"I would like to be your friend." Minute smiled.
"....y-es.." Mugm said in a whisper.
they werent there to stop him- but it didnt feel right. have friends made him vunerable.
"Yes? That's great." Minute's wings fluttered to show off his happiness.
Mugm let out a noise close to a laugh, but not perfectly sounding like one.
He looked back, shaking his head in embarassment.
"Do you want to come with me?" Minute asked gently, holding out his hand.
Mugm looked over his shoulder.
what if they were still watching him?
Mugm shook it off. and nodded. maybe he could find a place to stay?
you dont belong
And grabbed his hand, smaller one resting on Minute's.
Minute lightly squeezed Mugm's hand, standing up.
"Don't worry. It's just us here."
Mugm stood with the other, legs slightly wobbly, and took a step so he was at the others side.
Nodding firmly when he felt the small squeeze. It would be okay.
they never really left him did they? They were right here, in the doubt, in the worry, in the fear. We are always here.
"Can you walk?" Minute rubbed his hand across his back, reassuring him.
Taking his first step Mugm lightly stumbled, but took a breath and nodded again. He was ready.
"If you can't I can do something cool." Minute smiled, moving his hand back to Mugm's tiny one.
He probably could, but was tired and legs brusied from attempts to hunt.
Mugm widened his pale eyes in curiosity.
"Can I pick you up?"
Dont open up. Dont be weak.
Mugm tried to chase the voices out of his head. Minute was different.
".. yeah.."
Minute carefully lifted him in his arms and extended his wings, launching himself off the ground.
Mugm clutched onto his coat in surprise, slightly jolting.
Minute flew up next to the top of the trees, a smile on his face. He tapped the leaves.
Mugm let out a broken up laugh again, a small smile forming.
It was so cool up here...
"You like it?" Minute looked down at Mugm with a soft smile.
"pretty..." Was what Mugm said as they flew over a glistening lake, everything flying fast by.
"I see this everyday. I'll bring you along more for them if you like it." Minute smiled.
Mugm would love that- he couldnt hear anything up here either.
He nodded into the others chest quickly. It was comfy up here.
Minute dove down once the trees were out of sight then flew back up when he was close to the ground.
The wind felt nice, and everything just was perfect. for once. the first time in a while.
"Thank.. thank you..."
"Of course! You deserve it Mugm." Minute ruffled his hair, a tower silhouette coming into view.
Mugm curled into Minute a little more, shutting his eyes for a bit.
Minute sighed, diving down a few minutes later and landing gently on the grass infront of the tower with Mugm in his arms.
Mugm opened them at the gentle impact.
"woahhh..." he said in astonishment. It was a giant blue and white tower- it looked so pretty, overlooking a city of sorts.
"This is my home." Minute opened the door, walking in with Mugm in his arms.
This place looked so innocent, and well.. pure?
nothing like where Mugm had come from.
"Want to pick a room?"
"near you please...." Mugm said. He didnt- couldnt be alone.
"We could set up a mattress in my room for now. How does that sound." Minute slowly fixed Mugm's messy hair.
Mugm liked that idea.
"mm yes.... if- if thats not too much."
He spoke, the longest sentence he said so far.
"It's not much at all." Minute reassured him, walking to the kitchen and placing him on a chair carefully.
"Still hungry?"
Mugm peeled off his shoes, pulling his legs up and into his chest.
He didnt want to take too much... Minute had been so nice...
he'll hurt you soon. just wait. nobody likes a fool. especially a weak one.
he flinched when they returned.
Minute's smile faltered a bit but stayed on his face.
"It's okay, I don't mind and you deserve it. Everyone does."
How could someone so genuine find him? It- it might have just saved him.
"y-yes then... s-sorry." Mugm spoke quietly still.
genuineness is all a lie. think of us.
"It's okay. You don't need to apologize. Anything specific?" Minute walked to the kitchen counter.
Mugm rested his chin on his knees and shook his head. how could he be picky, hed take anything....
"We can have breakfast even though it isn't breakfast time, I have some more steak, stir fry, whatever you want kid."
Mugm honestly didnt know what half of that was, but it sounded better than good.
"What did you like to eat." Minute kneeled in front of him, taking one of Mugm's small his hands.
Mugm hand shook a bit at the touch, and his loud mind.
"mm i like breakfast...?"
"Ever tried waffles?" Minute kept that grounding touch on Mugm's small hands.
Mugm tilted his head slightly.
“no..”
"Oh you'll love them. Want to learn how?" Minute smiled softly, pointing to the kitchen.
Mugm cracked another genuine smile.
“Yes…!” his tone was more upbeat, voice slightly more confident.
don’t get excited now young one.
"Okay, come with me." Minute let go, walking towards the kitchen counter again.
Mugm pushed himself off the chair, taking tiny steps, following behind.
"Oh." Minute smiled and laughed softly. Mugm was barely the height of the counter.
"Let me grab you a chair."
Mugm stood on his tippy toes, looking at the few things laid out.
Minute pulled over a chair, letting Mugm climb up and stand on it. That way he would be able to see what he was doing.
"Okay so.. we need this bowl first. We need to mix a few things together first to make the batter." Minute put the bowl in front of Mugm.
Mugm stood up on it, almost reaching Minute's height, just the wings towering over him still.
He nodded, watching Minute slide some thing over to him, helping him delicately pour it in.
"Now we just need some flour then we can mix it up." Minute found the bag, placing it next to Mugm.
"Just two cups."
Mugm measured it, slightly spilling some from his hands trembles, getting some on the both of them.
"oops..." he said softly, waiting for him to do something.
hes going to hurt you. hes going to leave you. HES GOING TO-
Mugm shut his eyes. so loud but so quiet.
Minute laughed, a hearty and happy one. His and Mugm's void black skin was somewhat covered in flour.
Mugm opened one eye, and slowly the other. he was happy? i mean it was a silly situation, the powder puffed on both of them, looking like some sort of black and white nebula.
He laughed too, and nothing in his head told him he couldnt this time.
"We can clean up soon. Do you wanna mix?" Minute held a whisk and spoon in his hand.
Mugm had a look of confusion on his face, but hesitantly grabbed them, and began stirring, not hard enough to combine the ingredients much to his dismay.
"Start with the whisk first, then use the spoon to make sure it's all mixed." Minute explained.
Mugm tried that, smiling when it worked.
"Good job!" Minute assured him, gripping his shoulder.
Mugm kept going, mixing hard until it looked good.
"Okay. Now with everything mixed, pick up the bowl and put a little bit on this." Minute gestured to a waffle maker.
Mugm had never seen a machine like that before. he picked up the bowl bigger than his own head, and poured some onto the grided surface.
Minute pushed down the top, a small sizzling sound coming from the waffle maker.
"Now we wait a bit."
"hm..." Mugm watched it work, leaning on the counter. It made a nice sound..
After a few minutes it made a ding sound.
"Want to open it and see what you made?"
Mugm nodded eagerly.
Minute picked him up, bringing him to the counter next to the maker.
"Be careful it's hot."
Mugm sat on the counter where minute placed him, opening it carefully by the handle.
it was somehow cooked…? And was golden, crispy on the outside.
Minute took out a spatula and quickly moved it to a plate.
"There! Your first waffle."
“…how- never mind….” Mugm was astonished by the magic that just happened. For as long as he could remember it was disgusting soup, or shreds of rabbit over a fire.
“Thank you so much…” he took a bite of it, pure joy and ecstasy filling his mouth.
"Yummy?" Minute asked, with a small smile as he stepped away from the counter and opened a cupboard. He pulled out a small container of syrup and shook it.
"Try it with this." Minute also brought over a plate.
A few crumbs fell onto Mugm's lap, but he didn’t care. He put it on the plate, watching a sappy looking liquid flow onto it.
he smelled it unsure… it smelled.. so sweet!
he’ll drug you like we did. Don’t fall for it again you brat
Minute handed him a fork and a knife.
"Just cut off a small bit. It's delicious."
Mugm was still unsure- but it was tempting so he did.
he took a bite. It tasted like liquid gold…. He closed his eyes, slumping where he sat in happiness.
Minute chuckled. "It's good?"
Mugm slightly kicked his legs grinning more.
“yes!”
Minute's grin grew bigger at Mugm's happiness. "You finish this up and I'll be right back. I'll set up your mattress in my room."
Mugm nodded, crossing his legs and taking another bite.
“mmm…” he watched Minute leave, feeling trapped again suddenly.
he’s not coming back. He’s leaving HES NOT-
Minute set up the mattress in his room, grabbing a few blankets and pillows for it.
Mugm finished the waffle, and pulled his knees up again. They were getting louder since he was alone again.
run now. Come back to us. Crawl back again. We will always find you.
He put his face in his hands, trying to drown them out.
Minute dropped the items on the mattress and came back around to the kitchen.
Mugm shook a little, a small whimper leaving him, burying himself into his own sleeves.
"Hey, hey. You okay?" Minute walked over, taking both of Mugm's hands.
"See? I'm back."
Mugm's hand was limp and trembling in minutes, feeling grounded the other was there. Would they leave now?
Leave? Laughable.
“They- they won’t.. leave….” he muttered.
"..Don't listen to them." If Minute could guess.. the void could amplify those.. insecurities. Fears.
"I'm right here. I'll always come back."
LIES
“p-please… make them…. stop…”
Mugm tried to say. It was so hard to speak with all of that in his head as well. Yelling. Shouting.
Lies dressed up are just pretty ones. Stop looking so weak and pitiful.
Minute hesitantly hugged him, rubbing his back. He picked him up off the counter but didn't let him go, his wings wrapping around him.
"I'm sorry Mugm."
Mugm breathed heavily, trying to get a grip. They were right- they were right?
yes. pathetic. that’s what you are.
“No-no…”
“They are- so much louder-“ at least in the forest they had less to hold against him- no. Don’t think like that.
"I know.. I know." Minute moved his hand to his hair, slowly combing through it.
"Just.. listen. Listen to my heart. Right here." Minute pointed his void claw at his chest, steadying the rhythm.
Mugm leaned his ear against the others clothes, listening to the steady thumping of his beating heart, quietly whining. why now? Why did they have to….
To show you. Show you who you really are.
Mugm flinched again, trying to count each beat he heard instead. anything else.
"They can be loud sometimes. But I know you're strong. You won't let them get you right Mugm?" Minute said calmly, his hand in Mugm's longish hair. His fingers slowly and lightly rubbed the back of his head.
Seven, eight, nine…. Onwards from there. Mugm's breathing matched the rate, as he melted into minutes soft pets. it felt so nice in his unkempt hair.
they seemed to be more blocked for a moment. A pounding in his head slightly better, nobody yelling in is ears anymore.
Minute rested his head on Mugm's shoulder.
"Little better?" Minute smiled though it was soft and sad. Sad someone his age had to deal with this.
Mugm nodded into him, doubling as a nuzzle to get closer.
The weight of the other on his shoulder was nice. Such a small and reassuring feeling, maybe he.. wouldn’t leave.
Minute sighed, continuing to rub the back of his head. "We can clean you up tomorrow how does that sound?" Minute asked quietly, hoping Mugm would at least be able to sleep tonight.
“….that would be nice.” Mugm said after a pause. Maybe he’d get used to talking more if they were gone….
"Let's get you some water and get you comfy. I have some of my older pj's you could wear." Minutes smiled softly.