Sleeping With Sleep

XIII

"Fuckin' hell, II, can you not with the 'meat-suit' thing?" II looked up at Vessel, confused.

"Why's it a big deal?" Vessel shook his head.

"It's just... Even if someone isn't a vessel, being inhabited by a deity is still really damaging, mentally. You would know that... It took a while for Sleep to get to me and even before I became a vessel I was still fucked up. Between one of the times I rejected and re-accepted Sleep, you know what I tried to do... But you saw me jump, so..." II finished off his coffee and stared at the floor.

"Y-Yeah... I'm still afraid of going on over-sea bridges with you, no matter how healthy you are..." Vessel took and shaky breath and held a hand out to II. II took it and held it tight. The image made my heart ache. After hearing what they've been through together, I fear what being a vessel meant for me.

"Wait, do you guys not have runes? Why do I have these?" II stood and threw his cup into the trash.

"Nah, we do. They just aren't like yours. Yours are crazy. I have mine on the back of my neck. Where V's arm was when I carried him to the shore... That's when Sleep started to chip away at my resolve." Vessel nodded.

"Mine are... Technically everywhere... But they're not always there for some reason. They randomly pop up when my emotions go haywire. I'm shocked they're not here now, considering what happened earlier..." I nodded, looking Vessel's body over, imagining what they looked like. II laughed and slapped my shoulder.

"Hey, now. No undressing him with your eyes while I'm here. You got all day tomorrow before the show." Vessel shot up in the bed, eyes panicked.

"Oh FUCK, the show! My leg is fucked, what are we gonna do? I can't bounce around like this!" II paled and chewed his lip.

"Shit, good point... I mean, you do have that... Healing thing, right? You can do a little of that?" Ves flopped back and rubbed his face.

"Not really? It's only worked for really minor things. Like Y/n's bites." II's eye twitched.

"Bite- suh? Like, plural?! Dude, are you fucking kidding me?" Ves groaned and dropped his head back onto the pillow.

"Look, I'm sorry... It's already been done, no one important was hurt. Or worse, killed. I... I've got it under control." II threw his hands up and paced the small room.

"'No one important', huh? Mother fucker, we have a show in less than 24 hours and your leg is shredded, your girlfriend was possessed and was almost beaten to shit, and we're all kinda scared shitless because you fucked up. You are important, man. To me. To the guys. To Y/n. I'm not sure who you mean by 'Important', but it should include you." My hands shook as I watched II get fired up. I almost worried if it was going to escalate like earlier, but he just sighed and punched Vessel in the shoulder, earning a whine from Ves. Vessel nodded, keeping his head down.

"You're... You're right... I apologize..." Ves looked up, tears welling in all of his eyes. The beautiful glimmering greens held shame and I reached for him, hugging him tight.

"If it's any consolation, I'm not mad at you. Everyone makes mistakes. Everyone has their weaknesses. It's not your fault you were cursed the way you were." I only got gentle sobs in return. I cradled his head to my chest and ran my fingers through his hair, comforting him. II sighed and stepped over, rubbing his back gently, his other hand massaging his shoulder.

"It's ok, Ves... Everyone is ok, it's over... We've done it before, we can do it again if we have to. But for now, everyone is safe. You're ok, man..." Vessel sniffled and rested his hand on top of II's.