Together at The Edge of a Universe

✨Chapter 32 - joy mirages kingdom Come

Black Hole P.O.V:

I feel a weight be lifted off my chest as they leave. Not that they were bad company, just I was nervous.

"You okay?" Tree asks, brushing their hand against mine. I nod shakily, sitting on the couch. They giggle a bit, sitting next to me. "You really are an introvert..."

"What's that?" I ask sleepily, Tree smiles, "It's like...a person who would rather be alone than meet new people..." They explain, rubbing my shoulder.

"Yeah...that does sound like me..." I admit, cuddling up close to them. They laugh, letting Jr. sit next to themself.

"That was fun! Grassy is really nice!" Jr. smiles, Tree smiles back to them. "What's wrong with dad?" Jr. asks Tree...I attempt to laugh, Tree does to.

"He's just a bit tired. That's all." Tree explains. CJ nods, kicking their legs around. We sit in a comfortable silence, I slowly begin to drift off. My eyelids heavy.

*Ding!*

I grumble incoherently, not really wanting Tree to get up. "Babe...c'mon..."

"Noooo..." I groan, letting them slip away from my hug. They chuckle, "It's probably just because they forgot something, I'll be back..."

I sigh, "Promise?" They smile, kissing my hand, "I promise."

"Yeah you better..." CJ grumbles, giving me a hug. I give a weak laugh as Tree leaves.

Tree P.O.V:

Who can that be?

I slowly open the door, "Did you guys forget something or....?"

...

Mom?

"M-mom...?" I ask, she smiles. "Hello Tree..." She says softly, I feel tears well in my eyes as I flung myself on to her.

"I-I haven't seen you in forever..." I whisper, hiding in her shoulder. She pats my back, "I know...I know..."

I wipe my eyes, "D-do you want to come in?" I ask, still standing at the door way. She nods, "If you're not busy."

I shake my head, "I'm not, come in." I say, smiling. We enter back in, "I forgot how nice your house was..." She laughs softly, I rub the back of my head. "Y-yeah..." I stutter, this was all so...strange?

Familiar yet foreign...Strange yet calm...

"Tree...?"

I see Black Hole holding CJ in the doorway. They look confused, "Who's that?"

I smile, urging them to come over here. They do, standing besides me. "Uh...Black Hole...this is my mom. Mom, this is my boyfriend...Black Hole." I explain, letting them meet. CJ is fast asleep, figures, he could only stay awake so long with Grassy over.

"It's nice to meet you dear," she says, extending a hand. Black Hole takes it wearily, shaking hands with her.

"Are you hungry? I can get you something?" I tell her, leading us all into the living room. She shakes her head, "I'm alright."

We engage in small talk, Black Hole almost falling asleep for most of it. Making half-hazard attempts to stay awake.

"...are they okay?" My mom whispers to me, I nod sheepishly. "Yeah...he just didn't sleep well last night..."

"I see..." She says, I nod, wrapping my arms around him. He sort of registers the contact, but doesn't move at all. "Does he have trouble sleeping?" She asks, I shrug. "Sort of."

She nods, "Does he want to head to bed...?" 

"N-no...I'm okay..." Black Hole mutters, smiling weakly. She chuckles softly, "You can leave if you would like sweetie..." My mom reassures. He shakes his head, "N-no...it's okay, I'll stay..."