Together at The Edge of a Universe

✨Chapter 77 - about spring, and a storm.

Third Person P.O.V:

No one warned him that taking care of a kid was hard.

Black Hole didn't know much about how to raise a functioning human being. Not being given any parental love in his own childhood hadn't helped with his new found parent hood.

The first few weeks had gone by surprisingly smoothly. Cherry Jr. had bonded quickly with him, both taking interest in silly things really. Cartoons, music, and all the in-between.

But now, with Jr.'s broken arm, things have gotten...rocky...to say the least.

Sure, he's still the same sweet kid. Careful with his movements to not injure himself or others...but he's become much more agitated. Rolling his eyes when asked to do something, grumbling about going to physical therapy, or snapping at Tree when he'd talked for a second too long (Tree was in a sour mood for the rest of the day after that).

Black Hole understood, it was tough. He was clearly still in pain, and having a hunk of plaster over your arm couldn't be comfortable. So he tried still to be lenient with Jr. Even if it had hurt him a bit to see his kid so irate.

"Babe...can you hand me that plate?" Tree asks, glancing away for a second from the soup he was stirring. Black Hole looks up from the little worksheet that the former had suggested he'd try.

"Oh...sure." Black Hole responds, using his gravity warping abilities to gently float the plate over to his partner.

Tree smiles, grabbing the plate that floated idly in the air. "Thank you!" Tree sing songs, continuing to keep a careful eye on the soup he was cooking. 

It was honestly a surprise the house hadn't burnt down yet. Black Hole hadn't had the foggiest idea how to cook, and Tree wasn't exactly a Michelin star chef either. Sure, he'd learnt a few recipes from his mom, comfort foods, but that hardly counts. Mac N Cheese doesn't really have all the food groups in it.

Thankfully, Remote had convinced him to take a few cooking classes with her. So at least the food he cooked was actually edible at this point.

Black Hole glances back down to his worksheet, going back to what he was working on. These little practice sheets had been a bit daunting. He's had a difficult time with letters ever since he made it on earth.

Sure, he could speak the language...but could he understand it?

Well now he could, for the most part. They pride themself knowing that they were a semi-quick learner. 

I think it's...uh...'knowing'...not 'nowing".

Black Hole snaps out of his daze, glancing at the paper where he had subconsciously written "nowing" instead of the obvious "knowing" Drat, spoke too soon. 

Oh yeah...missed that one...

How'd you miss that?

Black Hole sighs, correcting his mistake begrudgingly. This...nagging voice in the back of his head, quite an annoying little thing isn't it? Hallucination at best, insanity at worst.

Shush, let me work in peace.

Pfft...whatever you say.

Black Hole smiles silently to himself, glad the voice decided to corporate today. Tree shuffles around the kitchen, the occasional clang of pots the only thing bringing Black Hole back to reality and out of his little work world.

"Food almost ready?" Black Hole inquires, glancing up from his now finished worksheet. Tree nods, "Hope it's good."

"Do you want me too go get Jr.?" I ask, stretching slightly from sitting hunched over for so long. They nod, grabbing a few bowls. "Yeah, that'd be great thanks."