Amnesia: The Painter's Prison [An OSC AU]

DIRE AU REVOIR

It's been so quiet since Paintbrush returned.

Just...quiet.

They haven't talked to Test Tube since they returned from that prison they endured. They haven't really talked to...ANYONE. Not even the three they saved. It hurt. It hurt having to hear them say "nice to meet you" to them again. All the memories they made were just...gone. Oh god...

Hearing Lightbulb say it just...broke something in them.

It had...

Broken them.

...

Paintbrush sat on the side of their bed, staring at the bandages that wrapped around their handle from where the cracks were embedded. How long has it been since they even sat on a proper bed? How long have they been flipping through the computer until they found their home. Why couldn't the memories come back to them? What happened to them? Letting out a sigh, they laid back down on the bed, looking over at the pillow they used to lay their head on. Usually Baxter would crawl into their bristles and fall asleep, only being found the next morning when Paintbrush went to brush their teeth. It was always a surprise to see him. But now...just the thought of having to look into a mirror again hurt them. Then they'd have to be reminded of all the pain "Airy" put them through. They just wanted to lay down. They weren't sure how long, they just wanted to...sit down. Just...sit.

...

...

"Paintbrush?" A meek voice said from the doorway. The light from the hall peered in, being a bit obscured by the figure's shadow. Paintbrush turned their head around towards the doorway, seeing Suitcase just...standing there, A sad look on her face. "...Um, are you okay?" She asked, turning her head. Paintbrush didn't say anything, just rolling onto their other side just to avoid the light.

"...Sorry, I can go-"

"No, it's-..." Paintbrush started with a now raspy voice, "It's fine..."

Suitcase turned back around and sat down at the edge of the bed. Every time she opened her mouth to speak, she couldn't find the words she wanted to say. What...what even COULD she say? All those memories with Paintbrush were long gone. Way long gone. "...I DO believe that we met before..." Suitcase started, "but...I just can't remember anything. I don't know why or...how it all just slipped away, but...it's all just...gone."

"...It's not your fault you can't remember anything. It was-"

Paintbrush paused, "...Never mind."

"I just...want to make sure you're okay and all. Knife and Lightbulb have been...acting a lot stranger than usual. Knife's been more aggressive...and Lightbulb's been eating a lot more...Test Tube...still won't talk to anyone. Her cold's gotten better but...She's really been missing you. Fan told me she shattered the moment Lightbulb asked who you were..."

Paintbrush flinched,

"Oh-! I'm sorry! Was that not-??"

"No, it's fine. I'm just hoping I can talk to Lightbulb later..."

"...Were you two close?"

"...Really, really close. We were best friends, actually..." Paintbrush smiled a bit as they turned onto their back, "She was the team leader, I was her second in command...She was really...nonsensical at times but...she always knew how to brighten up a room."

A knee slap could be heard in the distance.

"...You two were really great together, weren't you?" Suitcase asked, to which Paintbrush sighed with a small smile.

"Yeah...I'm just glad I'm finally going to see it again...After everything I've been through...I could use a bit of light in my life."

...

...

...

"Liam!"

"Don't just stand there! C'mon!"

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