Pandemonium | Dream SMP

71. You're kissing the wrong part of me.

I watch as Ponk slides his hands along my arm, applying pressure to my joints and checking the rotation of my shoulder.

"Looks like you're all healed up." He nods, allowing me to drop my arm back to my side. "You got lucky that it was just dislocated. If it had broken you'd be in some serious pain right now. Regen potions can only do so much for a person."

"Thank you. I'll try to be more careful next time." I take my suit jacket and slide it back over my shoulders.

Ponk doesn't move to leave. Instead, he rubs at his elbows and glances around my room.

"Hey, I know this isn't really any of my business. But are you okay? You haven't been very...I don't know. Yourself?"

I smile softly and rub at the scar on my neck. "I've just been distracted lately. Nothing I can't handle."

"You sure? I may only be a doctor of the body, but I am available to talk to if something is troubling you."

"You're sweet, Ponk. But I don't think my problems can be solved that easily."

The man looks a little glum at my rejection, but he respects my wishes and gathers his bag.

Before he leaves he stops at the door, hesitating. "I...don't know if I should say this, but Mr Schlatt. His condition is getting worse. He's overdosed the potions beyond what I expected of him and they've started to lose their effect."

I nod stiffly, holding my elbows. "Yeah, I've noticed. His cough has gotten worse. He hardly sleeps at night."

"He won't last long if he keeps up this lifestyle. Are you aware?"

"Yes. I am."

No more is said as he leaves the room and I'm left to stew in my thoughts.

It's been five days since the festival.

Since the death of Tubbo.

I still see the bright colours and hear the bang every time I close my eyes. The little body sprawled across the podium stage...

I've hardly slept since then and it's starting to show.

I haven't seen Dream.

I haven't been allowed a moment to myself to even try and contact him. I've been beside Schlatt every hour of the day. Every hour of the night, too. He wasn't joking when he said he wanted me by his side at all times. I haven't slept in my own bed since then, instead sharing a mattress with him. Thankfully the bed-sharing doesn't bother me too much. It's the snoring that's the real problem. As if sleeping weren't hard enough for me right now.

Opening my door I find Quackity stood in the hall, staring down into a mug clasped in his hands.

"You okay there?" I ask, making him jump.

"Hey, you're done? What did Ponk say?"

"That I'm in the clear. What are you drinking?"

The boy chuckles awkwardly and presses the mug into my palms. "Eh, it's for you. It's coffee."

I blink, my heart swelling at his gesture. "You made me coffee?"

He shrugs, trying to act nonchalant. "Fundy said you liked coffee so I thought it might pep you up a little. You look like dog shit, ya know that?"

I smile warmly and sip the black liquid. I missed the bitter taste more than I thought.

"Thank you. It's appreciated."

"Yeah yeah. Shut the fuck up. Just don't say I didn't ever do anything nice for you, okay?"

"So you have a cute side too? Noted." I hum, giving his beanie a teasing ruffle as I begin to walk.