Afraid - OUTDATED!!! DO NOT READ!!!!

Chapter Five - Everything Will be Okay

The clock ticked loudly, Oj and Trophyt were up, pretty late too. Each of them were wary, not knowing what the shadows could bring.

"You do have the journal, right?" Oj asked warily. "Of course i have the journal dumbass. Why wouldn't I have the journal??" Trophy scoffed, handing the leather book over to Oj. "Thank you Trophy, this means a lot. They meant a lot to me. I just need them back" "We'll get your dumb partners back, wherever they are. I'm sure they just got lost or something." Oj yawned. "Its late. We should really sleep." "Goodnight, Oj." "'Night Trophy"

P-2 was on the floor. Their back ached and their eyesight was blurry. They sat up, taking in the room around them. Everything was far too bright for.. what was the time? Ten am maybe? God their circadian rhythm was off from not seeing the sun.

They sat up, attempting to stand and falling immediately. Everything from the waist under hurt. It was excruciating. Lightbulb sat up, rubbing her eyes groggily. She looked at Paintbrush, eyes widening. "I- Painty? Are you okay?" She choked out, exhausted from crying. They looked back at her, the wood on their face stained with tears, eyes red and sorrowful. "Lightbulb.. I don't know."

The door slammed open, Test Tube stood there with Fan right behind her. He had a wheelchair. "L-1, P-2. You're coming with us. We have work to do." They tried again to stand up. Their legs burned agonizingly. "L-1, would you pick up your friend for me?" Test Tube said it like a demand, not a question. L-1 listened. She knew not to mess with the scientist. Test Tube was a force to be reckoned with when she was in her preferred environment.

L-1 set them down, allowing Test Tube to clip on the leash and lead her away. Paintbrush couldn't walk. They weren't a threat. Everything Test Tube did was dehumanizing. Lightbulb didn't even know her motives. She couldn't do anything to fight back. Painty couldn't defend themself and Lightbulb had the threat of being electrocuted hanging over her head. Ironic.

They turned the corner into another hall, a section of the lab she'd never seen. The door at the end of the hall was password locked, Test Tube punched in the combo. 011998. Lightbulb tried to memorize it. She failed miserably.

Test Tube had Paintbrush clamber up onto a table from the chair, making Lightbulb sit next to them. She left the room, leaving Fan on his own. "Hi guys!" the two were confused by his friendliness, "Er, what're we doing today?" Fan smiled, "That's exactly what I was gonna talk about! Both Paintbrush and Lightbulb seemed more confused after Fan said that. "Today you'll be switching rooms! Test Tube decided she trusts you enough to move rooms. I don't understand why because you've attacked her twice, but bosse' orders!! She's requested a blood draw first, just to check on your health. We're also gonna give you some food that isn't stale bread!!" He said in a cheerful voice "so, you'd better appreciate it." Fan snarled at them.

A bit of goosebumps shivered down the twos spines. Fan smiled, pulling a needle out from his pocket. Lightbulb winced at the sight of it, trying desperately not to panic.

After that traumatic experience, Fan walked (or rolled) them down another long hallway. Fan lead them to a door, opening it and letting them take it all in. It was the same as before but with beds and a table with chairs. Two sandwiches were on it. Fan let L-1 help P-2 dismount from the wheelchair and onto a bed. Fan exited the room, letting them get used to their surroundings. The moment he was gone, Lightbulb climbed into Painty's bed, she was exhausted from having her blood drawn, Paintbrush was also secretly tired, they didn't protest the cuddles, just leaning into her and closing their eyes. "I love you Painty." Lightbulb whispered. "Like a friend, I guess. I dunno." she shrugged, waiting for a response. They hummed, "I love you too, friend." "How can you joke around when you literally had your ability to walk removed." Lightbulb frowned. "Its not that bad actually, my legs can't even get tired because the nerves are dead. Test Tube probably regrets it. I'm worth much less to her now that I can't walk. I don't even know what she was doing when it happened. It hurt so much, I barely remember it. Probably the trauma response setting in.."

Lightbulb grimaced, hugging them tighter. "That's stupid." Paintbrush smiled at her affectionately "What do you think what life will be like if we get back to the hotel?" "If??" Lightbulb asked. "Yeah, we won't last forever." They shrugged. "I don't like that thought. Can we not talk about this?" Lightbulbs eyes were wet with tears and she clutched onto Paintbrush desperately. "Its okay Bulby." They smiled and hugged her tighter.

"I don't want to leave you." Lightbulb choked back a sob.
"Its okay, we'll never be apart, I'll make sure of it." Paintbrush's eyes were watering but they would never admit it.
"That's good. I don't know what I'd do without you." Lightbulb buried her face into their chest, wetting the wood with tears.
"We'll always be together, I swear by it. We're all we have left. Even if I can't walk I can still be there for you.
"Thank you, Painty."
"You're safe with me, Lightbulb."

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922 words

ive just unlocked the ability to write angst

was so tempted to make them kiss they're so cute

yes its like a month early but approx and i set aside a midnight to about 3 am and got this done after a lot of traumadumping. get u bffs who will write angst and traumadump with u there's no better friendships on rhis earth 💪💪💪

ignore the plot holes im working on jt 🤬