INKNESS - a BABTQFTIM fanfiction

9. Healing takes Time and Acceptance.

Mickey held the little rabbit in his arms closely, a small frown deepening on his face. The little rabbit in his arms looked up at his uncle with deep concern; They hadn't seen Mickey like this since the passing of their mother.

He sat in silence inside his dark room for a while, allowing his thoughts to run wild. There is so much he is disappointed about, Boris for example. There is so much he could do for him and yet he can't, he has no right to. Bendy was right when saying that Mickey was a little too opening and encouraging for Boris. Mickey had overstepped some of their boundaries as Bendy told him sternly.

Why, why couldn't he just have the ability and right to help everyone?

He heard the sounds of soft feet pattering on the wooden floorboards and then the sound of heavier ones following close behind. "Help him, Papa!" He heard one of the bunny's voices call out to the one who had followed, most likely Oswald.

Mickey looked down at the floor below his feet, feeling Oswald rest a hand on his shoulder. Mickey didn't look at him, but he saw Oswald lean down to try and look at his face. The mouse tried to stop the tears from forming in his eyes.

"Donald was right... I just- can't help everyone..." Mickey whispered quietly. His voice slowly went from a whisper to just soft sounds. "The kid needs help, but he has his own life- a life with his siblings.." Mickey spared a glance at Oswald then back down to the small blue rabbit in his lap. "And I... I have a job and a family to take care of.." Mickey ran a hand down the head of the small rabbit in his lap, feeling their fur in his fingers. "I can just- only... wish him the best of luck.." Mickey mumbled sadly.

Oswald stared at his younger brother sadly. "Here I am again, fussing over simple non-important stuff... Pathetic, right?" Mickey mumbled.

Oswald wouldn't stand to hear his brother degrade himself anymore. "You're too good for this world, Bro.." His croaky voice mumbled. Oswald winced slightly at the croak, but it was to be expected as he hadn't really spoken in months. Oswald spoke once more as Mickey snapped his head over to finally look at his older brother. "This is why I used to get so jealous of you.."

When Mickey didn't say anything else, Oswald grew a little embarrassed of his voice at the time. Letting out a cough or two before excusing himself. "S-sorry about my voice.. It's been- way too long since I've said anything.."

Mickey watched as Oswald gently scratched the back of his head and his cheeks went slightly pink. The tears in his eyes slipped but quickly faded, the other blue bunnies around him clearly just as shocked. However, their shock faded very quickly as they swarmed around their father, very eager to hear his voice again.

By the time Mickey fully comprehended the fact Oswald was finally speaking again, he had his arms wrapped around his older brother's neck and pulled him into a tight hug. The tears that had previously disappeared formed just as quickly, wetting his own shirt as he cried. "I missed your beautiful voice. A-and your sweet smile.. I- I missed them so..." he stuttered out through the hiccup and sniffling.

Oswald didn't hesitate to wrap his arms around his younger brother, a slight feeling of guilt rising in his stomach.

"I only talked to make you happy bro.. Why are you still crying?" Oswald slightly teased as they pulled away from the strong hug. "I can't help it, sorry." Mickey still had a tear or two in his eyes, but they weren't streaming down his face anymore.

One of the rabbit's rushed over to their father, hugging his arms tightly. Oswald felt a fabric he didn't recognize and looked over to his kid, easily noticing the brown hat on top of their head. "Wait- is that that guy's hat?" Oswald questioned his kid, remembering the cat he yelled at a few days ago for 'overstepping boundaries'.

"Yeah! He gave it to me!" The kid smiled. Oswald frowned once again, his eyes drooping. "He was a really nice guy.. I ruined your time with him- didn't I kids?" Oswald mumbled, only to receive a wave of disagreement from his kids behind him and hugging him.

Oswald simply nodded at his kids then beckoned them to go back to their rooms as he'll stay behind with his brother. He received a lot of protest, but the kids left anyway, leaving Oswald with Mickey.

The moment all of them had left, Oswald's ears drooped down once again, resting just behind his shoulders. Sure, he spoke to get his brother into a better mood, but just convincing himself was hard. He didn't feel like talking much anymore. "Let's get to bed Mickey.." He mumbled as he stood up from Mickey's bed, slowly making his way to the door to go to his own bedroom to call it in for the night.

The hallways were dark- silent. The rest of the crew and performers were asleep in their rooms. Oswald sighed to himself, feeling his voice want to fade away and his throat going dry.

Slowly opening the door to his room, his eyes drew straight to the portrait on his bed-side table. Ortensia.. His mind wandered to his late wife. He remembered the nights he'd spent comforting her as their bedsheets were spilled in black ink.. Ink dripping down her face as she screamed in agony. He remembered every moment vividly.

Sitting on his bed, he grabbed the portrait in his hands and looked down at his wife. She'd want him to heal-... move on.. He'd already taken the first step by talking... maybe that's just the start?

He carefully placed the portrait back down on his bed-side table and looked over to the hatrack across the room. The only hat he ever let on it was his late wife's pink hat. He was never one to learn the specific types of hats, but maybe he could learn her favorite ones? It could be a way to heal.

At the same time, he didn't want to heal; he wanted to hold onto her memory as much as possible.

Tearing his gaze away from the hat stand, he laid back on his bed, looking up at the ceiling. So much in such little time. Looking to his left, the space where Ortensia slept. Smiling softly, he finally made up his mind.

He'd try to heal. Healing isn't the same as moving on after all. He can hold onto her memory by healing and accepting. For Ortensia...