ChromaTober | FMS 2023 writing challenge | Hosted by @LoneRanger253

Day 11 | Lull

AU: Continuation to Day 1 (ay, day 1 and 11, should it be "Triple 1" or something?)
Type: (some hurt and) comfort
Characters: Time, Sabre, Green Steve
Note: The lullaby sung in this: "the boy king's lullaby" by Precious Jewel Amor

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Time Steve POV

After a comfortable chat, they were reminded by ever growing amount of rain, thunder cracking and their own feeling of sudden cold that it's night and they should head home. The ravine was filling up with dangerous water levels rapidly. Sabre went close to the edge to see where the water level was.

"Sabre, be careful."

"I know, I will. Just looking for a way out since the cave is a dead end."

"Wait, how do you know that already?"

"Based on the no echoes after our laughing."

"Oh, I see."

"...Time.. I don't see a safe way out. All I see is cruel some definite death."

"All we need is just a little bit of head space to teleport. I can handle some burns or whatever comes with teleporting underneath something."

"Then we have to find it- And I'm not able to jump all the way to those wines."

"And leaning over the edge is way too dangerous also.." A moment of silence fell upon us, not counting the raging water below in front of us. There weren't any options but to teleport here. I'm gonna have a concussion after this... I walked up to Sabre, placed my hands on his shoulders to which he jerked up and tried to turn around to see me, but I teleported us back home, though outside into the pouring rain. I let go of my surprised companion, my eyes closed tight and hands cramped, trying to ease the pain in my head.

"Time?! Why would you do that?? You're in pain.." I felt his hands on my shoulders, squeezing them gently to comfort me.

"I'm fine. There weren't any other options, the cave would've flooded if we stayed there." I managed to open my eyes, though only a squint. He had a panicked worried look. "Let's just go inside before we're both so sick we won't be out the house for a year.

"Not funny."

"Haha." We did suggested and entered the house, quickly closing the door so the water wouldn't get in. I wonder if we should relocate for the night to a safer place? Has Green already done that?

"Guys! You're back! I was starting to worry- Boy you look like you've just come out of a pool." Green came down from upstairs, wearing warmer clothes and a raincoat with a waterproof backpack, two of ours in his hands. "Are you two okay? The Elders advised for all of us to go to the hideout for safety. It's supposed to get stormier in the morn'." He put down the bags near the table and threw two dry towels for us. "I hope you didn't get sick already, because I hate having to hurry us up and not have time to ask about your health."

"We're fine, thanks Green. We'll try to be as fast as possible." Sabre assured him as we tried our hair and went to change clothes in our respective rooms. "Oh, Time did teleport us from underneath something!" Sabre called out to Green.

"Sabre, you filthy snitch! I'm fine!"

"Time, the moment you're done, I can fit a small talk with you."

"Oh GREAT!" I heard Sabre chuckling. "Don't think I can't hear you, mister!" He burst out laughing.

"Don't know what you're talking about!"

We done soon, though our hair wasn't fully dry. All three of us reconciled in front of the door after preparations were done.

"So, warm clothes?"

"Check."

"Raincoats?"

"Check."

"Bags with a blanket and a pillow. Also some food and water."

"Check."

"Time's painkillers."

"Taken."

"Yourselves?" What? Huh? Nani?

"... Here?"

"Excellent! Let's go then! Before we're flooded." He encouraged us, some water leaking through the door as a demonstration. "... Let's go through a window?"

"Fine by me." Sabre shrugged and went straight for the closest, aka the kitchen, window and waited for us to follow. We were by his side within a second and he nodded, signalling to take action. He opened the window cautiously so it wouldn't fly against us with the wind. We went out into the damp cold rain and in the a bit higher than ankle deep water. The ravine must've filled up in a flash after we left too unless this village in a lower place surrounded by a high enough natural wall.

Green showed us the way to the hideout since we'd forgotten. He'd lived here for much longer than the two of us. I still wonder how he navigated in the dark so well. The hideout was a cave - I and Sabre sighed internally. From one cave to another, huh? It was a large and high area. There shouldn't be any danger of a cave in and there's an escape route in the back if there's ever a problem of leaving through the main entrance. The Yellow Elder was there to greet us.

"Hello, Sabre, Green and Time! I'm glad you made it. Here, let me show you where you can settle down."

"Thank you, Yellow Elder, are we the last to arrive?" Green asked.

"No, there are four more who are yet to come to fill the number of all of our villagers. I'm not sure if they will come. All we can do is wait and hope everyone's safe. ... Over here, please make yourselves comfortable." He showed us our place and we thanked him with a bow, settling down afterwards.

The cave was relatively dark, the only light source being a few campfires scattered around near the entrance (but being far enough to still warm the cave and people) around which many Steves were gathered for warmth and comfort. They were conversing with each other and hugging or patting other.

I watched them sadly, empathy or sympathy making me feel bad for them. They were scared. Most probably have never been through such a storm. Sabre beside me stood up. I looked up at him with a question in my eyes. He looked down and smiled sadly.

"Where are you going?" was something I wanted to ask, but no words came out of my mouth, no voice was heard by either of us. Sabre walked to a campfire where most of the children were, near us, and gently crouched down. He told them or asked them something after which the kids lit up a bit and nodded. Sabre stood up and walked and sat down to a place where all of us could see him. Some of our people's attention was on him.

"Sleep, oh little one. You'll have the morning to see." He started singing. We were surprised, all of us. "The sun will rise as you should be, so sleep to this song sung by me." His voice was soothing and calming - I already felt myself being lulled to sleep. "Sleep, my brother, as long as we have each other: what has passed, even what's with today - I'll love you forever, I say."

I fell asleep soundly, my head not aching and my mid smiling calmly.