Starting New: A World Apart

Chapter 19: Sleep Aid

Gumball felt the world around him again. The soft sheets, the cool air, the warmth. The warmth of Nicole...

Nicole...

'Shit. What do I tell her?' He thought as he felt her arms around him.

He knew he had explaining to do. But how would he go about it? Casually, or bluntly? Either case, he knew it wouldn't be easy. The looks from Nicole that she had given him during their meals were more than enough to tell Gumball she knew he wasn't feeling himself.

'I hope she understands all of this when I tell her...'

Nicole slowly gained consciousness and fluttered open her eyes. She saw Gumball still in her arms. She was glad he had finally fell asleep. His seemingly degrading mentality and lack of affection to her was impacting her more ways then one; especially compared to their lifestyle only a few days ago.

As she felt him stir in her embrace, she then remembered his wound from this morning. Quickly, she checked the back of his head. Luckily for her, she saw it had completely healed. Despite this strange ability they had both apparently gained, it was nice knowing that this seemed to be a reliable thing; especially after what happened to him.

"Gumball?" She whispered softly to him.

He slowly turned to face her. She still saw tiredness in his eyes, but they seemed to have a hint of liveliness in them now.

"How do you feel?" She asked him, now able to stroke his soft hair.

Gumball seemed to think for a moment before replying.

"I...I think I feel better."

Despite being able to properly think now and not feel bombarded by his previous headache, he still felt partly clouded in a way. Sleeping only a few hours after what he had endured these past few days didn't seem sufficient enough for him.

Nicole stopped his hair play.

"Gumball. We need to talk. About these past few days. And about this morning..."

Gumball let out a small sigh. The time has come. He now had to tell her. No casual build up to the conversation. He would tell her bluntly. With that, he closed his eyes briefly before opening them and sat up on the side of the bed with her. Nicole reassured him by rubbing his back gently.

"It's alright sweetie. Take your time." She said quietly.

"I...I first couldn't sleep because of a headache I got from, I guess, straining myself a little the first night. But...the next day..."

Gumball paused. He knew this would be hard, but he had to do it. For her...

"The next day, when you wanted me to let go of my harsh memories of the past...I remembered something very bad."

Nicole leaned in every so slightly, keeping her gaze on him with full attention.

"What was the memory about?" She asked cautiously.

Gumball felt his temples throbbing, and his toes scrunching the floor tightly. He let out another small breath before continuing.

"The memory...was about you. You and Dad..."

Nicole stopped rubbing his back.

"Go on." She spoke, this time with a monotone voice.

"It was when I was a baby. I was inside a playpen or something in the living room. I remember hearing you two arguing in the kitchen before you came out into the room I was in. You kept talking about his food binges and how he needed help. He thought you needed help more for your outrages instead."