The Night Belongs To You | Vessel

𝑿𝑽𝑰 - 𝑪𝒂𝒏 𝑰 𝒈𝒐 𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌?

𝑫𝒂𝒉𝒍𝒊𝒂'𝒔 𝒑𝒐𝒗
—❦—

Vessel soon entered the cabin again. It seemed he had been talking with III as I saw him when Vessel opened and closed the door. I was curious about what they were talking about but didn't ask as it probably wasn't any of my business.

« So... what was I saying before...? » Vessel asked as he looked back at me as I was still sitting on the couch.

I looked at him. « You had something important to talk to me about. » I said.

« Right... Do you mind if I sit next to you? » He asked, walking closer to the couch.

« I don't. » I answered.

Vessel then sat down next to me, keeping a respectable distance between the two of us.

« What I wanted to talk to you about was... well... you want to go back home, right? » Vessel asked.

Why was he asking this? I felt my heart bearing faster out of nervousness as I was lowkey afraid to know where he was going with that.

« Yeah... » I said, a bit hesitantly.

He took a deep breath. « Okay, so, I talked with Sleep... and unfortunately, Dahlia... it doesn't sound good for you. » Vessel said. « I'm sorry to be the one announcing these... well, bad news... but I dont think Sleep is going to allow you to go back in your own world. » He continued.

I felt my heart drop. Why wouldn't Sleep want me to go back home? Who even was this bastard to decide this?

« No... » I whispered. « Are you sure? Isn't there a way I can go back?! » I asked, trying not to panic but miserably failing.

« Calm down, Dahlia... » Vessel said, placing his hand on my shoulder but quickly removing it after he noticed how I felt about physical contact right now.

« I didn't say it was impossible for you to go back home. » Vessel said calmly.

I calmed down slightly. « But there's still a chance I can't go back home? I can't just spend the rest of my days here... I have a house, a family, a literal bakery, and two cats! Whos gonna take care of them? Who?! » I asked, starting to panic once again.

« Dahlia... » Vessel said softly, trying to calm me down again.

I didn't react to him calling my name and kept panicking.

« ... Dahlia. » Vessel said a bit more seriously.

Same thing again.

« Dahlia. » He said louder and in a serious tone.

I got a bit startled, not expecting Vessel to raise his voice like that. I looked back at him and calmed down again.

« Sorry. » I said once I was calm once again.

He sighed. « Listen, I can send you back home, but only if the portal doesn't close when you try to get out. Sleep always has a reason for everything, and if he wants you to stay here, I guess it's for a good reason... » Vessel said.

« Okay... so if he doesn't close the portal or whatever... can I go back today? » I asked.

It was obvious that I didn't like it here and wasn't feeling comfortable, and I wasn't trying to hide it.

He looked at me in silence through his mask for a few seconds. « Come with me. » He said, standing up and extending his hand out towards me.

Without really thinking, I grabbed his hand, and he pulled me up on my feet. It's only when I let go of his hand that I realized I had actually taken his hand. Well, it wasn't the end of the world... he had... warm hands, I guess.

As my hand made contact with his, Vessel smiled at me. When I let go, we headed out of the cabin. III and II, who were already awake, greeted me and Vessel as we walked by them. I simply smiled awkwardly at them as it still felt weird having them acting like they knew me for a long time. Vessel and I continued walking, and we soon entered the woods. The trees and leaves of the trees hid the sky, and only a few rays of sunshine could peek through the many leaves, making the forest slightly darker. I admired my surroundings as we walked. There were colorful flowers growing here and there... a waterfall near the camp... the grass was greener than the grass at home... It was truly a beautiful world, but I preferred being home rather than here.

Soon enough, Vessel stopped in front of a larger and thicker tree farther in the woods. He looked back at me.

« So... there we are. » Vessel said, sighing.

Why did his mood drop like that? Was he sad that I wanted to leave? Whatever it was... it wouldn't stop me from going home.

I looked at the tree and recognized the portal inside of it. Slowly, I approached the tree and put my hand through it for a second before removing it. I looked at Vessel.

« You can go, Dahlia. It's open. » Vessel said, a sad tone to his voice.

It's not that I wanted to make him happy in some way, but I honestly felt a bit scared to go through the portal. Who knows what would wait for me on the other side? Would I fall unconscious again if I went through the portal? Would I be able to find my way home?

« Can you... come with me? » I asked, feeling a bit embarrassed to ask.

Vessel didn't even take a second to think about it. « Of course. » He said, smiling at me.

I looked back at the portal and sighed softly before going in for real this time, Vessel following behind me.

—❦—