Claimed [PaperHat] ✔️

f o u r t e e n

not alone

Flug was given days off during the week, to ensure that he was taking proper care of himself. A "day off" was a day where Flug was not allowed in the lab for any reason. On this particular day, though, things were different. Flug hadn't gotten out of bed at all. His curtains stayed closed, and his door remained locked from the inside. He was enveloped in a dark room. He had taken off his paper bag and his goggles, and they sat on his bedside table while he stared at the door blankly.

His entire body was numb.

Just outside the inventor's bedroom sat two very concerned souls. A blue bear with a giant heart, and a girl who didn't know a family outside the manor. Demencia leaned against 5.0.5 as she asked him, "Do you think he's okay?"

5.0.5 shook his head from side to side, whimpering a bit in response. He tapped his paws together lightly, worried about Flug's condition behind the locked door. Neither of the two had notified Black Hat that Flug hadn't emerged from his room. They were scared of what his response would be. Demencia bit down on her lip before she approached Flug's bedroom door, knocking on it lightly. She called, "Doctor?"

"Go away." Flug's voice was scratchy, and it was completely monotone. Like all emotion was stripped out of it. 5.0.5 whimpered a bit louder, hugging his body tightly. Demencia sighed, falling back against the wall opposite of Flug's bedroom door.

Flug didn't know what he was feeling. Mainly because he wasn't feeling anything. He didn't want to pull himself out of bed. He didn't want to talk to anyone. He didn't want to do anything. He had lost all motivation. The lack of feeling was overwhelming. He didn't want to be numb. Silent tears fell down his face, dripping onto his pillow quietly. Before he knew it, Flug was choking back sobs as he curled himself up in his blankets. He didn't know why he was crying, but he felt hopeless. All he could do was gasp to keep his breath as quiet sobs wracked through his body, making the inventor shakier than usual. His throat began to hurt, and a headache overwhelmed him.

Demencia and 5.0.5 shared a worried glance. Faint sobs could be heard from the other side of Flug's bedroom door. He wouldn't let them in. Worried tears welled up in 5.0.5's eyes, and Demencia concluded, "That's it. I'm getting Black Hat."

5.0.5 watched as she marched down the hallway to Black Hat's office. When she was out of sight, he turned back to Flug's door, approaching it carefully. He tapped on the door's surface with his paw, whimpering loud enough for Flug to hear him.

Flug slowly stopped crying. There weren't anymore tears that he could cry. He heard 5.0.5 whimpering on the other side of his bedroom door. All he could do was stare at the door. His voice was broken from the sobs. He was defeated, curled up in his blankets helplessly. 5.0.5's whimpers got quieter, and they were replaced with Black Hat's voice questioning Demencia and the bear, "How long has this been occurring?"

"Since early this morning. He locked his door and won't let us in," Demencia explained. Black Hat glared at the two. His Flug had been in poor condition, yet they hadn't bothered to tell him immediately. He didn't bother knocking on the door as he altered his physical form so he could slip underneath it. When he materialized in Flug's bedroom, a sharp pain filled his chest. He approached Flug's bed, kneeling down so he was at eye-level with the inventor. Black Hat said quietly, "Oh my."

Flug felt like crying, but he couldn't. He was completely dry. Black Hat brushed Flug's dark ginger hair back, stroking the side of his face gently. Flug closed his eyes, sighing a bit from the touch. Black Hat drew back, standing up straight as he snapped his fingers to unlock Flug's bedroom door. It was quickly pushed open, and Demencia rushed into the room with 5.0.5 in tow. She jumped into the bed, cuddling into Flug as she mumbled, "You worried us."

5.0.5 pat Flug's head gently, and he also climbed into the bed to cuddle with the inventor. Black Hat watched as 5.0.5 and Demencia fussed over Flug. They obviously cared about him, that much was known. The three were situated so that Flug and Demencia were leaning against 5.0.5, and Demencia looked up at Black Hat. She commented, "You should join the party."

Black Hat was about to reject, but he froze once he looked at Flug. The inventor looked absolutely defeated and broken. It caused a pang in the demon's chest. He hated seeing Flug in such a poor state. He gave in and joined the three on the bed, faking reluctance. Flug immediately leaned into Black Hat's side, and the demon put an arm around the human's shoulders. Flug sighed, closing his eyes as sleep slowly began to consume him. Demencia and 5.0.5 had also began to doze off, allowing Black Hat to watch Flug with a gentle smile. The inventor looked peaceful. Unbothered. Yet, he still looked broken. Black Hat couldn't imagine what was going through his head that made him so fragile, but he wanted to fix it. Though he never needed sleep, Black Hat found himself slowly dozing off as well, but not without stealing one more glance at his scientist.

Fragile.

-

I may not know all of the in's and out's of depression, but I know people who do. There are people with issues such as depression, or anxiety, or anything else. You may be one of those people. I am one of those people. If you are, you don't have to feel alone in this. While I may not know you all on a personal level, you can talk to me. I earnestly love you guys a lot. I care about you and your wellbeing. I am always here if you need someone to talk to. You are not alone in this. Keep fighting, because people out there care about you. I care about you. If you know anyone who is dealing with issues, reach out to help. No one should have to face their battles alone. Love yourself. Talk to someone if you need to. Just keep fighting.

[author-chan]