In Control

(Image credits belong to Mythicaliity and CuttyRen on TikTok)
((If you haven't read 'Please, Take It' I suggest you read that before this.))

Switching was annoying and sometimes uncomfortable especially when it was sudden. But after a few hours the rush would pass and things tended to settle. This particular switch was different. It was rushed and forced. Learning that he was capable of more than what Nex let on to at first was confidence boosting. Sitting in what was oddly a quiet part of the studio Shawn cradled his head.

'I've told you that rushing it would make you sick. Why don't you ever listen to me?'

Shawn lifted his head and rolled his eyes at Nex's voice coming from inside their now shared mind. It had taken some time but talking outloud to them was becoming normal. Even to Dark. At first it was difficult deciphering whether Shawn or Nex we're actually talking to him but after some time it got easier to tell.

"I wanted to spend time with Dark and you kept wanting to search the studio for more lost ones," he sighed, rubbing his head to help the headache he was experiencing.

'Look at what that got ya.'

Shawn could honestly feel the glare that Nex was giving him mentally. He knew they were right in scolding him but he wanted time with Dark. He and Nex spent a long time exploring and searching the studio for other employees that hadn't been corrupted by The Creator and the Ink.

'Keep doing that and you'll have something worse than a headache to deal with.'

He and Nex were doing well at coexisting but there were still things to figure out; like consequences. Nex has informed him of the pains of switching. The two usually need to be aware and prepared because it takes a lot of energy. Attempting to switch alone was always risky. Nex never did it. Shawn on the other hand had done it several times and each time resulted in a massive headache that seemed to last for hours. Each time Nex would scold him and vaguely hint at what might happen if he continued to do it.

"What could be worse then this headache?" He questioned while another wave of pain coursed through his skull.

'Ceasing to exist.'
They said it so flatly that it almost didn't register with Shawn what they had said.

"Excuse me? Ceasing to exist? Ya mean as in dying?"

'Yeah. Well...,' Nex paused.

"Well what?!?" He shouted.

'For one of us that's what it means.'

Shawn was confused which was making his head hurt more. "Explain yourself, Nexis. Now." Using their full name tended to express Shawn's lack of patience. He didn't know how he found himself surrounded by others that seemed to enjoy long winded and riddled filled conversations but somehow that seemed to be the case.

'Taking lessons from the demon.' Nex was impressed. Shawn had been able to speak with power and command something of them. As much as they would like to annoy him and play with wording they thought it best to just give him the information that he wanted. 'If you keep forcing the switch without my help it's as if you are fighting for control.'

Was that what he was doing? Was Shawn subconsciously fighting Nex for full control again?  Was that a bad thing?

'Yes it's a bad thing.'

Shawn hated that his thoughts were no longer private. He couldn't fawn over Dark secretly or criticize something he or Nex did without fear of exposure. He especially could question and think on things without getting Nexis's opinion.