"Don't leave. Not again."

"You..."

It was a dark night, and Dottore was working in his lab. It was a new moon, and around two months after the fatui had brought Scaramouche back. Of course, when that happened, Dottore was nothing short of overjoyed to see his favorite test subject and person back to under his care. Although, tonight that joy wasn't present anymore. Instead, was a sinking feeling of anxiety in Dottore as he tried to focus on making notes on some vishaps he found, his efforts shown to be fruitless.

"Gah, damn noisy lizards not helping me focus. Nor are the anxiety meds... probably because I made them..." Dottore muttered to himself, the sinking feeling in his gut growing. He fiddled with the pen in his hand, trying to calm himself down.

"Dammit, nothings working out today!" Dottore whined, as he fell back into his chair, groaning. "I freaking hate this feeling."

The vishaps stayed silent at his sudden outburst, and stared at him for a few seconds.

"Not you guys, too."

The vishaps then went back to doing whatever they were before. Hissing, running around in circles, trying to bite the glass, etc. Dottore closed his eyes, trying to not think about something. Something that would make him break. Something that he had secretly dreaded ever since Scaramouche came back- him dissapearing again without a trace. No matter how much he tried, even the thought of it made him feel sick to his stomach with anxiety. Scaramouche pulled it off once, why not twice?

Then it came to the question again. Why had Scaramouche dissapeared? He had never given his answer to that, even when asked by the Tsaritsa. Even when asked by Dottore. A choking feeling came over him, as his thoughts wandered deeper and deeper... What if Scaramouche didn't love him? What if he saw Dottore as just a nuisance, as just a burden?

"No. That can't be right- I saved Scaramouche. I made him from... but what if he... fuck it." Dottore's voice got shakier, and he had went from flipping around his pen to clenching it. The choking feeling got tighter and tighter, his breaths starting to become shorter and heavier. He felt his hand grasp into a fist as the pen in his hand snapped.

"I- what if he left. He wouldn't-" His voice shook, and he jumped from his chair and bolted out of his lab room, going to where Scaramouche's area was.

He leaned against the door to Scaramouche's room, catching his breath as his panic increased. Dottore's hands shook, barely being able to make a fist as he knocked on the door.

"Kuniku- I mean Scara, are you in there. Please. Tell me." Dottore said, whispering sharply. He only heard silence from the other side.

Dottore knocked again, louder. He could barely keep still, and he was moments away from losing control. "Scaramouche. Are, are you in there?"

Again, there was no answer. But he heard something. He heard a soft sniffle. "Scara, are you okay?! Did- something happen?" were the words Dottore had forced out, as another wave of anxiety crashed upon him. "Scaramouche, wait, I'm going inside-" He tried opening the door, when it suddenly slammed open in his face.

"You could've just barged in, dumbass." Scaramouche said, looking up at Dottore. Then he added, "We can talk about why you're all panicky again inside my room. I'm just glad you didn't get another panic attack."

Dottore nodded, as he went inside, closing the door. Scaramouche plopped onto the bed, and patted the spot next to his leg. Dottore sat down across from him, as Scaramouche wrapped his arms around him.

"So, what's been troubling you? Also, you know that I'm fine with you calling me Kuniku." Scaramouche said, resting his chin on Dottore's shoulder.

"Hmph. I'm all over it now, so I won't tell you."

"Your pride is hurt all too easily."

"Shut it, Balladeer. Let me enjoy this moment, won't you?"

"Oh, fine. Just know that I love you, alright? Get that through your anxious head before I beat it like a dead horse." Scaramouche now put his head against Dottore's chest, making him blush.

"You... Kuniku..." Dottore sighed, and then smiled, knowing that Scaramouche wouldn't leave him again. He gently caressed the top of his head, hugging Scaramouche a bit closer.