Yet Another Side Swap AU

Chapter 3: Do I Have Depression?

     (Warning for: Heavy topics of depression, mentions of self harm, mentions of former suicidal tendencies, and swearing.)

     "What's up... everybody?" Thomas yawned. His hair was a mess hidden beneath his beanie. He wore a house robe over a stained white shirt and sweat pants. Dark bags existed under his eyes without him having to draw them on as a fashion choice. He looked like he had just crawled his way out of a washing machine.

     "How would it be... wait, no. How weird would it be if one day I say: 'What's up everybody?' And the camera replies. That... That would be freaky." Thomas murmured tiredly before exploding into giggles.
     "Hey, Thomas... uh... What the hell are you doing?" Virgil questioned after rising by the staircase.
     "Oh look, hi Awareness... You know, I think I'm way too tired to be making this video. Maybe I'll do it tomorrow." Thomas decided. He then nodded, as if he had said something wise and sagely.
     "But... Your last one was two weeks ago. You'll lose your place in the algorithm and you won't be able to get this as a consistent channel you can monetize off of." Virgil warned.

     "I know, I know, I'm just... Geez I'm exhausted. How much sleep did we get last night?" Thomas asked.
     "Nine hours. Six hours for a couple before that. Eight for three before that. Five for one before that." Virgil listed.
     "Ah... That's the problem then. Inconsistency. Heh, inconsistency? More like, inconspicuously." Thomas joked.
     "What?" Virgil questioned.
     "What?" Thomas repeated.
     "You're not making any sense." Virgil huffed.
     "I'm too tired to go to work!" Thomas complained.
     "What?" Virgil asked again.
     "You said I'm not making any cents." Thomas pointed out,

     It took Virgil awhile, but he groaned loudly when he got the pun Thomas was making.
     "You're being ridiculous." Virgil told Thomas.
     "Am I?" Thomas questioned.
     "Yes! Thomas you have been resting all weekend. Your Self Worth has been making sure of that. You haven't even been doing much creatively. So what the hell gives?" Virgil demanded.

     "I know... I know. I'm being a silly little guy." Thomas mumbled. "A silly... silly guy... wasting all my time... heh. You know, I shouldn't even be wasting my time working on all these stories anyways. They're never going to get anywhere. I should be doing things that mean something. Like feeding the homeless and volunteering. What the hell am I doing, wasting time making this stupid video? No one's... going to watch it anyways." Thomas rambled, almost incoherently.

     Now, Virgil was concerned. The bags under his own eyes grew darker and he quickly pulled Thomas's attention towards him using the lighting in the room. "Thomas, listen to me. Your videos and stories mean a lot to a lot of people, okay? It's stressful enough that we have to have the stupid lawyer job for money and routine. Do not sell out more of your time for stressful things when you could just work on improving your projects." Virgil scolded.

     "I don't know, Awareness. I'm just not feeling it today." Thomas sighed.
     "If you don't make this video I'll keep you up all night with nightmares." Virgil threatened.
     "Night horses?" Thomas asked hopefully.
     "What?" Virgil questioned.
     "You know. Cause mares are horses. Night mares? Night horses?" Thomas joked. He then laughed as Virgil stared at him with only stark confusion. Then, Thomas gasped, his eyes lit up with glee. "I nightcare about you." Thomas declared.

     "Okay... You're acting strange." Virgil muttered. "Not that you haven't been like this before, but... Today it's all over the place." Virgil added, examining Thomas carefully. Thomas only nodded, nodded again and again, and then he slowly dozed off. With an impatient sigh, Virgil snapped his fingers to wake Thomas up. "Hey!" Virgil shouted, causing Thomas to snap out of it.
     "Huh? What?" Thomas asked, his eyes watering as he looked around. He quickly dried his tears, and tried his best to smile. "Oh, sorry Awareness... How bout I have a nap and then do this later?" Thomas murmured while rubbing his eyes.
     "No, because if you go to bed, you won't get out of bed." Virgil huffed. He then took a deep breath, and wore a softer, more understanding expression. "Thomas... is something wrong? Usually you act like this when something bad is happening, or when you're under a lot of stress." Virgil then asked, trying to think over anything that had been stressing Thomas lately.