Cosmo's oneshots / drabbles

Pull over and hold me, 'till I can't remember my own name.

sort of a vent fic lol ummm. they're humans here.

The drive home was quiet. The two of them sat in the car, Paintbrush's complete focus on the road as they drove home, the sun setting behind the car, almost completely hidden by the distant hills and mountains. Lightbulbs focus was on the radio, shuffling through the stations, trying to find a good song to listen to, something that would fit the mood from unwinding after such a busy day, the station finally just landing on a 'today's best hits' type station, Lightbulb being content enough with the current song playing. She kicked her legs against the seat, propping her arm up on the window's armrest, and resting her arm against her hand as she watched the passing surroundings.

The silence between the two was comfortable, Paintbrush not minding at all when she fiddled with the radio, it was better than just complete silence at least, surely much less awkward.

The drive home normally wasn't this long, not from where they were heading from, but it just seemed like it was taking much longer than it should... Or maybe that was just Lightbulb overthinking. Really, her thoughts were racing. They shouldn't have been, but they were. She squirmed a bit, her posture becoming a bit less excited, as she stopped kicking her legs against the seat, keeping her gaze completely out the window and away from Paintbrush as her smile dropped too. She shouldn't be thinking like this. Not now, not after such a lovely day with her partner... But she still was. Thoughts of; 'oh, I should've said this,' or 'I'm so stupid for having said this...', and so on, her brain nitpicking every little thing she had said and done today. She was so focused on trying to stay calm and collected next to her partner, not wanting them to get worried, she hadn't noticed how tense she was getting...

However, Paintbrush certainly did. They didn't say anything yet though as the car slowed to a stop at a red light. They looked at her for a moment, trying to read an expression, or her body language, but with her face being turned away, all they could really tell was that she certainly wasn't so happy anymore.

Green light. They looked back to the road, and continued driving. Paintbrush figured that comforting her-- if she were to need it, would have to wait until they were done driving. She was strong enough to stay composed until they got home, right?

Lightbulb sniffled, burying her face further into the hand she rested it in, trying so hard not to let her brain get the better of her, but it wasn't working so well. She just wanted everything to shut up. She felt like dissolving, doing anything that would stop her mind from spiraling, but there was nothing to be done. She was stuck in the car still, trying to keep herself composed. Another sniffle. She could feel the tears forming at the back of her eyes, and she dared not to look over at Paintbrush. She mentally cursed herself for being this weak. For being unable to just suck it up until they got home, or until she was away from Paintbrush. She felt horrible for making them worry, all of this sudden self loathing certainly not helping. She moved her hand over her mouth to stifle a whimper. She already knew she couldn't stop herself from crying, hoping the volume of the radio would be enough to block out the noise, but it wasn't. This was when she heard Paintbrush sigh. Her mind immediately went to thinking the worst. That she was a burden for feeling this way. That she was so dumb for letting her emotions get the better of her. She shut her eyes tight, unable to do anything as the thought that Paintbrush must've thought she was so annoying for causing a scene now, but before she knew it, the car rolled to a stop. She was ready to dart out of the car, wanting to run inside, believing they were home, but the second she opened her eyes again, it looked like Paintbrush had pulled over in some parking lot... and with opening her eyes again, she couldn't stop the tears from rolling down her face, as she moved both hands to wipe them away, leaning into the door on her side to create any distance between her and Paintbrush as she did so, but the tears kept rolling. She couldn't stifle the sob that came out as Paintbrush turned down the radio, and unbuckled themself.

"Hey, hey it's okay," Paintbrush spoke, their voice calm, and soft. Nothing like Lightbulb expected. Why were they being so kind to her when she was being so inconvenient? Another sob.

"I-- I'm sorry--" She blubbered out, barely able to even get that out as she kept crying.

"No, no dear, you don't have anything to be sorry about, I promise... Are you okay with touch?" Their tone remained calm, a bit of sadness from seeing her like this tinting it. Lightbulb could only nod, the words being stuck in the back of her throat as she kept her hands over her crying eyes. She felt Paintbrush's arm wrap around her shoulder, carefully pulling her to their side, into a hug, in which she immediately shifted, hugging them back with a tight grip, and crying into their shoulder, clinging onto their shirt like if she let go she'd lose them... Even though she knew better than that. She knew they wouldn't leave her, or just sit by while she was feeling horrible... In the comfort of her partner, she felt the bad thoughts fade away, being replaced by a tired haze. Today had really been busy, huh. She must've been more active than she thought. She felt Paintbrush pull away a bit, as she finally opened her eyes again, the tears having stopped. All that was left was a runny nose, and the occasional sniffle. Lightbulb could live with that.

"Will you be alright until we get home? I can carry you in if you'd like," Paintbrush gave a soft smile, knowing how much comfort it brought Lightbulb when they offered to carry her. She could only nod again, there was no knot in the back of her throat now, but she just felt as though she couldn't talk... But it would be fine. She'd be back to her peppy self in the morning, and Paintbrush would be there to comfort her in any other occasion where she doesn't feel well.

The hug was finally, carefully broken apart from as Lightbulb leaned back against the door, placing her hands in her lap as she let her eyes drift closed. She could hear Paintbrush buckle themself back in, as the car started back up.

They would be home soon.