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you cant remember the last time you slept.
in the grand scheme of this whole wormhole problem, sleep was far from your concern. every turn you took, every decision you made, all the lives you sacrificed. that made it very hard for you to get rest when the opportunity arose. it made you feel guilty for trying to rest when millions across the multiverse were suffering at your hands.
so, you kept on marching forward. a captain has to do what they must after all.
it seemed like a century ago when the novelty of visiting different universes died out. an eternity when you lost hope at finding answers, let alone a familiar face that didn't want to kill you.
it felt like several lifetimes have passed where you were blamed for this whole mess, and believed it.
as you floated wildly down the wormhole, you saw another split end to choose.
in a small fit of emotion, you closed your eyes and let your body be propelled to wherever it chose. not like wherever you landed mattered.
you felt the small jolt of arriving in another dimension peel your eyes open.
your standing in a small wooden cabin somewhere in the woods. outside the window, lusciously green grass was flowing with the wind, the sun accenting each blade with a touch of colour. a small patch of blue and red flowers not far from the home. there were the sounds of birds flowing overhead, the faint drone of a cricket somewhere over yonder, and the low but calming noise of a waterfall near the trees.
"fancy seeing you here, captain."
you swirled around frantically as you raised your hands to shield yourself. the past ten or so dimensions have been less than passive towards you, one might say.
"calm down captain," the man droned deeply, his body moving away to show no hostility. "its just me, relax."
your ears finally picked up on the high pitched ringing and your felt your shoulders relax. "dark?"
the man nodded, his eyes raking your body for the first time. "you look like hell."
"it feels like it." you groaned, turning back to the window. "i can't remember the last time i slept."
behind your form, dark stilled at your words. he's heard something eerily similar.
closing your eyes, you allowed yourself to soak in the peace of this world before you were called elsewhere. it was rare to get a place as peaceful and as quiet as this.
"hey." dark called out, oddly soft-like as he extended his hand to you. "come with me."
it wasn't a choice. might as well.
taking his hand, the man opened the door out to the view you've been seeing. the small gust of wind against your face nearly knocking you out with comfort.
dark lead you through the wide field of flowers as you approached the woods. arriving on a paved road you could hear the sound of nature surrounding you in its tranquility.
eventually, you arrived at a quaint gazebo nestled between a few sturdy trees. the roof blooming with flowers of all kinds and colours drooping down to accent the white wooded platform
inside, you saw two small benches built against the railings, and a small table with simple foods like sandwiches and juice. on the floor was a small basket of blankets and other items you couldn't tell.
dark sat you at the bench closest to the woods and grabbed a sandwich from the table. "here, eat."
you shook your head, glancing at the glowing warp crystal in your palm before showing it to dark.
the man sighed. taking your hand and gently holding it with both of his own.
"no." he mumbles, gruff yet tenderly as the glow from the crystal dies out.
you looked at him in awe and exhaustion. "thank you."
the man gives you a small smile before handing you the sandwich he had earlier. "don't mention it, now rest up. i'm sure the multiverse will be there when your back."
as dark took a seat down a bit to your left, you took a weary bite.
you nearly collapsed right on the spot from how good it was.
this continued for quite some time, you eating your sandwiches and drinking your juice, all the while telling dark of some of your adventures to different universes. despite his rather intimidating aura, you found yourself in pleasant conversation with the man as he listened intently to your stories.
he told a few of his own. how wilford managed to convince the other egos to make a TV show called markiplier TV, the excitement around the arrival of yancy, illinois, and captain magnum. you can't remember the last time you laughed that hard at bings' antics.
as the sun was beginning to set and your food was long gone, you leaned against dark with your head in his shoulder as your eyes were fighting sleep.
"captain?" dark asked quietly, he knew you needed your sleep but couldn't help but ask. "why don't you take a nap?"
you hummed in protest. "guilt."
"what for?"
"every time i close my eyes. every time i try to rest, to find comfort in this wormhole. i-"
dark wrapped a comforting arm around you.
"i can hear all their screams, their cries, their anger at me. their blood is on my hands."
dark turned to you. "this is not your fault. you can't save everyone, captain."
"i have to try." you added lamely, your voice breaking slightly at the wave of tiredness that washed over you.
dark pulled you into a warm embrace. "and that is all the universe can ask from you." he whispered, taking your words in before reaching for the blanket.
"you look tired. i think you need to get some sleep."
nodding half heartedly, you allowed dark to place a blanket around your shoulders and lean against him for the night.
as you felt your mind begin to fade into unconsciousness, you smiled softly. "thank you dark, for all this."
the man smiled, "anytime, captain."
tomorrow, you would wake up in the arms of comfort and peace.
tomorrow, you would go back into the wormhole well rested and determined.
but that was for tomorrow.
and for the first time in an eternity. you slept.