Work Text:
The night air was cold, but Two Time didn’t seem to feel it. They moved through the darkness, their pale skin luminous under the moonlight. Their steps were unnaturally silent while their tail swished faintly behind them.
Two Time stopped at Aspen’s window. Their mind was a storm of delusions and fractured thoughts. The whispers of the Spawn were louder tonight, demanding attention and causing Two Time’s head to ache.
They weren’t supposed to be here, yet the loneliness Two Time felt was like a physical wound. They just stood there, motionless, staring through the glass at Aspen, the one who smelled like flowers and kindness. To anyone else, the sight of a scarred, wide-eyed teenager watching them sleep would be horrifying, but this was the only way Two Time knew how to seek comfort.
Suddenly, Aspen stirred. Aspen’s eyes fluttered open, his long black hair splayed across his face.
“Who’s there?”
But once he said that, Aspen saw the pale figure through the glass, and the fear drained from him instantly.
“Two Time?”
Aspen climbed out of the bed, moving toward the window with a gentle smile plastered on their face. Seeing Two Time standing there in the moonlight, looking so fragile and small despite their imposing reputation made Aspen’s heart ache.
“Hey there, little one,” Aspen murmured, sliding the window open. The cool night air rushed in, but his voice was warm, like sun-baked sand. “You couldn’t sleep, could you?”
Two Time flinched slightly at the pet name, their pale cheeks flushing red. They hated how vulnerable they felt, how the whispers in their head seemed to only quiet down when they felt small. They wanted to act like they were the Spawn’s chosen, but their mind and body wouldn’t obey. Their fingers twitched against their sides while their spiked tail curled inward.
Aspen noticed the signs instantly. He knew exactly what headspace Two Time was slipping into.
“Come inside,” he coaxed, reaching out a hand. “It’s too cold to stand out there. Come sit with me?”
As Two Time hesitantly climbed through the window, Aspen shut it before wrapping them in a soft, weighted blanket.
“There we go. You’re safe here. No one’s watching.”
Two Time sat on the edge of the bed, their breathing slowed while they curled their knees up toward their chest. Their spiked tail lay limp across the blanket. Aspen watched them as Two Time began to pick at the edge of a blanket. He knew with certainty that Two Time was regressing even if they tried not to.
“That’s it, sweetheart. Just let go.” Aspen whispered, scooting closer until their knees touched. He reached out, brushing a strand of hair away from their face. “You don’t have to be the chosen one tonight. You don’t have to listen to the voices, Amarah, or worry about the spawn. Right now, you’re just my precious thing.”
Two Time let out an involuntary whisper.
“N-No…” They mumbled, though there was no conviction in the protest. Their eyes were unfocused, darting around the room before settling on Aspen’s face.
“Shh, none of that shame, okay?” Aspen cooed. “It’s okay to be small. I’ve got you. Do you want your stuffie? Or maybe just some cuddles?”
Two Time shook their head weakly, a tear sliding down their face.
“I’m… I’m too big for that." They whispered, their voice cracking as they struggled to maintain some shred of dignity. “Amarah would… She would be so ashamed. If she saw me like this, she’d think I’m broken.”
Aspen moved closer, wrapping an arm around Two Time’s shoulders.
“Amarah doesn’t matter right now, Two Time. None of that matters. Right here, it’s just us. And you’re allowed to be exactly who you need to be.”
Two Time let out a shaky breath, their resistance crumbling like sand.
“Want…” They started, their voice barely audible before they blurted it out. “Want stuffie.”
A warm smile spread across Aspen’s face. Reaching down by his nightstand, Aspen pulled out a small, handmade wolf plushie that he spent weeks sewing himself. He kept it in his cottage; that way, whenever Two Time needed it, it was here.
“I know you do, little one,” Aspen whispered, pressing the soft toy into their arms. “I’ve been keeping it safe for you.”
Two Time clutched the wolf against their chest. The shame was still there, but it was a dull ache compared to the overwhelming need for closeness.
“Cuddle?” They whispered.
Without hesitation, Aspen moved. He didn’t just sit beside them; they reached down and carefully lifted Two Time up, treating them as if they weighed nothing at all. He settled them against their chest, tucking their head under his chin while wrapping his arms around them.
“I’ve got you, baby. I’ve got you,” Aspen whispered, rocking them gently back and forth. He pressed a tender kiss to the top of their head while their fingers stroked through their hair.
“Do you want Momma?” Aspen asked quietly.
Two Time stiffened for a heartbeat. The thought of calling Aspen Momma, even if it was something they'd done countless times before, felt like they were breaking every rule the Spawn bestowed upon them. But the comfort Aspen provided was just too intoxicating compared to anything else.
“Momma…” They whispered, their word muffled against Aspen’s chest as they finally surrendered and fully went into little space.
Aspen hummed as he cradled them, shifting their weight so they were nestled securely in the crook of his arm.
“That’s my good little one,” he whispered, pressing another soft kiss to their temple. “Momma’s right here. You’re so safe with me.”
Because Two Time was too small and too shy to fully articulate their needs, when they needed a sip of water or another kiss, they would simply look up at their Momma and tug on their sleeve and mutter out one word. “Want.”
Aspen read them as if they were his favorite book. Every tug and every whimper was met with instant attention.
“Do you want more cuddles, sweetheart?” He asked when they felt them fidgeting against them. “Or do you want Momma to cradle you some more?”
For a while, Two Time just lay curled against Aspen’s chest, their face hidden in the crook of his neck. But then Two Time tugged at Aspen’s sleeve twice, then three times before they began to tremble.
“What is it, my sweet baby?” Aspen whispered. “Do you need something? Do you want another blanket?”
Two Time shook their head, a distressed sound escaping from their throat. They squeezed their eyes shut, tears prickling at the corners.
“Want…” Two Time started, their voice hardly audible. “Want…. Want Momma to bite.” They immediately stiffened after they spoke, waiting for the rejection or waiting for Aspen to realize how weird they truly were.
But Aspen didn’t pull away or laugh. He simply tightened his hold on Two Time. He understood that Two Time has weird quirks and finds comfort in strange things. But that’s never a problem for Aspen.
“Oh, sweetheart," Aspen murmured. “Is that what my baby needs to feel safe? To feel Momma close?”
Two Time nodded frantically, tugging some more.
“Okay,” Aspen whispered, leaning down. “Momma will be very gentle. I promise. Just a little nip. Like a tiny kiss, okay?”
He positioned himself carefully, their lips brushing against the pale skin of Two Time’s shoulder, just above where some of their self-harm scars were. Aspen waited for one last encouraging nod before they pressed his teeth lightly against their skin, giving Two Time a stinging bite that made them arch against him.
The sting was brief, but it grounded Two Time instantly, cutting through the fog of their delusions. Momma had just claimed them and made it known that they belonged to him. Embarrassment burned in their chest, but the relief Two Time felt was more overwhelming. How could anybody ever hurt them when it’s known they're Momma's property?”
“There we go,” Aspen said softly, immediately soothing the spot he had bitten with gentle kisses and soft licks, his thumb stroking their cheek. “Momma’s got you. See? You’re okay. You’re real, and you’re safe.”
Two Time nuzzled into his neck, their fingers curling into his shirt. “Want… more?”
Aspen smiled softly, pressing his lips slightly lower, delivering another sharp bite and then another. They made sure with each bite they gave plenty of praise and kisses. Two Time just let out a relieved purr, their tail wagging happily with each nibble and kiss. They felt so comforted, so peaceful. Like they would never ever feel pain again.
“Now, let’s get you settled so you can sleep okay?” Aspen said suddenly, rocking them gently. “It’s late, and you need to get some nice sleep.”
Two Time suddenly stiffened.
“No!” They whined. They pushed weakly against Aspen’s chest. “No sleep! No want sleep!”
Their tail lashed behind them, thumping angrily against the bed. The fear of losing this moment and getting left alone with the thoughts in their head overwhelmed all of their senses. To Two Time, sleep wasn’t rest; it was when the Spawn’s whispers could finally reclaim them.
“Shh, baby, it’s okay,” Aspen murmured, trying to maintain his calm despite the burst of energy. “It’s late, little one. You need your rest.”
“No sleep!” Two Time repeated louder, their lower lip trembling violently. They began to squirm now, their fingers digging into Aspen’s arms, their eyes darting around the room as if expecting something to jump out from the shadows the second they closed their eyes.
“Want Momma! Want now!” They chanted softly, spiraling into a tantrum. “Want! Want! Want!”
The exhaustion of the night finally destroyed Aspen’s patience. He had been awake for hours, tending to the gardens, preparing medicines, and handling everything else the compound needed. When Two Time’s demands grew louder and louder, he couldn’t help but snap.
“Two Time, enough!” Aspen raised his voice, the volume cutting through the cottage like a blade. “It is late, and I am tired! I have so much work to do in the morning, and I can’t do anything if you keep this up!”
The effect was instantaneous. Two Time froze as if they had been turned to stone, a cold, paralyzing fear pulsing throughout their entire body.
Two Time’s pupils dilated until their eyes looked like black voids. In their regressed mind, the anger in Aspen’s voice wasn’t just frustration. It was rejection.
Momma is mad. Momma hates me. I’m broken. I’m bad.
Trembling violently, Two Time scrambled backwards. They curled into the smallest ball possible, pulling the blanket up to their nose, hiding their pale face while their shoulders shook with silent sobs. They didn’t dare make another sound, terrified that even their breathing would get them yelled at. Two Time just stayed perfectly still, waiting for the moment when Aspen would realize they weren’t worth caring for and leave them alone forever.
Aspen watched, horrified, as Two Time retreated into the corner like a disciplined dog, shrinking away from Aspen as if his very presence was dangerous. The sight of them trying to make themselves invisible broke his heart instantly.
“Oh no, no, no, no,” Aspen whispered, his voice cracking with regret. The anger evaporated as quickly as it had come, replaced with an aching need to fix what he had broken.
“Two Time? Sweetheart? Look at me, please,” he said, crawling across the mattress on there knees. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to yell. Momma isn’t mad at you. I promise, I’m not mad. I was just tired, baby. That wasn’t your fault. Please don’t hide from me. I could never hate you. Never.”
Two Time couldn’t stop the shaking. Every time they tried to take a breath, it came out as a sob. In their mind, the world was collapsing. The last few hours of safety felt like a cruel trick that had suddenly been revoked.
You're too much. You’re broken. You’re a burden. Even Momma can’t stand you.
“N-No…” They whimpered from beneath the blanket, their voice muffled while their eyes were wet with tears. “M-Momma go? Two Time bad? Two Time… To much?”
They squeezed their eyes shut so hard it hurt, waiting for the sound of the door opening, waiting for the footsteps walking away from the cottage, leaving them alone in the cold.
“Sorry.” They choked out, the word repeated like a prayer. “Sorry, Sorry, Sorry…”
Aspen scooped them up, pulling their small, shaking body against their warm chest. He didn’t give them the space to retreat, wrapping them in an embrace so tight they couldn’t possibly escape.
“I’m right here, little one. I’m not going anywhere. You’re not a burden. You’re mine, and I love you exactly like this.”
“No! No, stop!” Two Time cried out, their voice breaking. “I’m bad, I’m bad, I’m too big.”
Two Time raised their fists, weakly striking at their own arms and thighs. They wanted to punish the body that was being so weak.
“Hey, hey, no! No, Sweetheart, stop that right now,” He ordered gently, grabbing their wrists in his hands. He didn’t squeeze hard enough to hurt, but securely enough to prevent any further harm. “Look at me, Two Time. Look in Momma’s eyes.”
He pressed his forehead against theirs.
“You’re not bad. You are not broken. You’re just overwhelmed, and that’s okay. It’s okay to be little, even if you feel like you’re too big. I’ll help you.”
Two Time’s breath came in ragged, struggling gasps, their eyes wild with self-hatred.
“I’m sorry… I’m sorry I’m like this…” They sobbed, their body going limp as the adrenaline of the tantrum faded into exhaustion.
“I know you’re sorry, baby. But you don’t need to apologize for existing,” Aspen whispered, releasing their wrists so they could cradle their face in their palms. He began to shower their forehead, their cheeks, and even their eyelids with soft, feather-light kisses. "We're going to stay right here. We’re going to hold each other until the bad feelings go away. Just breathe with me, okay? Just breathe.”
He maneuvered Two Time until they were cradled against his chest in a way that made them feel tiny, their legs wrapped around his waist while he supported their head.
“There we go, my precious little thing,” Aspen cooed. “Momma’s got you. Let’s get those angry hands down, okay? No more hurting our sweet baby.”
He gently took Two Time’s hands and pressed them against his own chest, allowing them to feel the rhythm of his heartbeat. “Just feel Momma’s heart going thump, thump. Thump. See? Everything is okay.”
Aspen began to hum a soft lullaby while he swayed Two Time gently in his embrace. When Two Time let out another self-loathing whimper, Aspen just rocked them back and forth some more, whispering praise into their ears.
“Good baby, such a good baby. So safe in Momma’s arms.”
Slowly, the resistance began to drain out of Two Time, and soon they were no longer fighting there regression. Right now, their only desire was to be as close to Aspen as physically possible. They wanted to disappear into him, to merge their body with his until there was no space left between them. Two Time began to squirm against Aspen’s chest, pushing their face against the fabric of his shirt.
“Mmm… Momma.” Two Time muttered.
They pushed harder against Aspen, frustrated by the barrier of the fabric. They wanted to squeeze inside Aspen’s shirt so that they could be as close as possible. But their limbs were too long, and their frame was too large when their instincts were screaming at them to hide. When they realized they couldn’t fit, a frustrated whine escaped them as they began to pout.
“Oh, I know, sweetheart. I know you want to be closer,” he soothed. “You just won’t fit all the way in there, but Momma can make it better.”
Gently but firmly, Aspen redirected their attention. Instead of letting them struggle against his shirt, he pulled a weighted blanket up higher around them both, cocooning Two Time against their skin like a second hug.
“There. Nice and snug, just like a little caterpillar in a cocoon.” Aspen whispered, stroking their back. “Just relax and listen to Momma’s heartbeat. No more fighting, okay? Just sleep now.”
“N-No sleep,” Two Time whispered. Their fingers curled tighter into Aspen’s shirt. “No sleep, Momma. Scared. Dark is scary.”
Even as they spoke, their eyelids fluttered heavily, betraying how desperately they needed rest.
“I know, baby. I know it’s scary.” Aspen murmured. “But Momma isn’t going to sleep yet. I’m going to stay awake and watch over you. I’ll hold your hand the whole time, okay? You won’t be alone. We don’t have to sleep right away. We can just stay here like this. Just close your eyes and listen to my voice. I’ll tell you stories about the flowers in our gardens until you feel safe enough.”
Two Time let out a sigh of relief, nuzzling closer and not giving complaints anymore. Soon, their eyes closed.
“That’s it, sweetheart. Just breathe with me,” Aspen whispered, his breath warm against their hair. “I’m right here. I’m not moving even an inch. I’ll watch you, I promise.”
He made sure to speak as Two Time fell asleep, knowing that silence was dangerous and allowed for Two Time to spiral. Every few minutes, Aspen would press a kiss to their forehead or their cheeks. When Two Time’s breathing finally began to even out, Aspen just leaned closer.
“Sleepy baby,” he cooed softly, their heart aching with affection. “Momma’s got you. You’re so safe, so loved, and so precious. Momma loves you so much. Just let go, little one. I’ll be here when you wake up.”