Boboiboy Oneshots

Underneath the Ice

It was just supposed to be a quick walk to the park. Ice didn't even tell anyone where he was going, slipping out in his usual silent way, hoping for a few minutes of solitude. The evening breeze was cool, and the sky stretched above him in faded colors as the sun dipped lower. The park was quiet at this time; everyone else was at home, winding down after the day. But Ice—he just felt like he needed to be somewhere else, away from the house, away from...everyone.

He barely noticed how close he'd drifted toward the main road, his mind a blank slate, when he heard a loud honk. Ice froze, blinking as he realized a truck was barrelling towards him, headlights glaring.

Before he could move, a hand yanked him back hard, and he stumbled into the gravel with someone yelling, "What the heck were you thinking?!" Hali's voice was filled with anger, but also a wild fear that made Ice look up.

Hali was breathing hard, his grip tight around Ice's arm, practically shaking him. "You almost—don't you realize—"

But Ice didn't respond, his gaze blank as he stared past Hali, his usual calm even more unnerving in that moment. Hali's anger flickered into worry.

"Ice?" he asked, his tone softer, tinged with concern. He bent down to look his brother in the eyes. Ice's usually gentle face seemed oddly vacant, like he was staring off into something too far away. "Hey... Ice, what's wrong?"

Silence. Ice just blinked, his lips pressed together, looking anywhere but at Hali. He seemed almost...distant, as though he wasn't fully present. Hali felt a wave of helplessness he wasn't used to. His brother was always quiet, sure, but this—this wasn't just Ice being quiet.

"Come on, we're going home," Hali finally said, his voice firm but gentle as he pulled Ice by the shoulder.

Ice gave him a faint tug in return, stopping Hali's steps. "Let's...stay here," Ice murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. Hali frowned, concern etched deep in his eyes, but nodded, letting go. They made their way to a nearby park bench in silence.

The silence stretched uncomfortably between them, and though Hali wasn't one to pry, something felt profoundly wrong. It wasn't just that Ice had wandered too close to the road or that he'd looked at Hali like a stranger a moment ago. It was something deeper, something Hali could sense even without words.

"Ice..." Hali finally spoke, his voice lower, almost hesitant. "Are you okay?"

Ice looked down, his fingers idly tracing patterns in the gravel by his feet. For a while, it seemed like he wasn't going to answer. But then, he murmured, "It's...me. That's what's wrong."

"What do you mean?" Hali's brow furrowed, his frustration melting into worry.

Ice's gaze was distant. "I just feel like I'm drifting, Hali. Like I'm watching everything from a distance... like I'm there, but not really there." His voice was soft, almost too soft for Hali to hear.

Hali sat beside him, placing a hand on Ice's shoulder. "Hey," he said, trying to sound reassuring. "You're here with me. Whatever it is, we'll get through it, alright?"

Ice nodded faintly, but his eyes didn't carry the usual spark. He looked so small, so weighed down by an invisible burden Hali couldn't see. Hali's heart clenched, realizing that this silence wasn't just Ice's normal quiet. It was a cry for help he'd been too good at hiding.

Ice finally met Hali's gaze, a hint of vulnerability flashing across his face. "I'm just...tired, Hali."

"Then rest. I'm here," Hali murmured, moving closer. He kept a protective hand on Ice's shoulder, making sure his brother knew he wasn't alone.

Without a word, Ice leaned into Hali, letting his head rest on his shoulder. For a long moment, neither of them moved. The city around them seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of them under the fading evening sky.

As they sat there, Ice's breathing slowed, his exhaustion catching up to him. His eyelids grew heavy, and he murmured with a faint, tired smile, "You make a pretty good pillow, you know that?"

Hali chuckled softly, ruffling Ice's hair. "Didn't know I signed up for pillow duty."

"Hmm," Ice mumbled, his voice drowsy. "Guess you're stuck with it."

And just like that, Ice fell asleep, his head resting on Hali's lap, breathing soft and steady. Hali watched his brother, brushing a gentle hand over his hair, feeling a fierce protectiveness well up inside him. Whatever Ice was facing, he'd be there. He'd make sure Ice knew he didn't have to carry the weight alone.

Carefully, Hali lifted Ice into his arms, carrying him home with the kind of gentle strength only a brother could offer. The house was quiet as they entered, and he took him to his bed, tucking him in, watching as Ice finally looked at peace.

As Hali sat beside him, he whispered softly, "You're not alone, Ice. I'll be here, every step of the way."

And with that, Hali settled in beside his brother, determined to stay until Ice knew, truly knew, he wasn't alone.