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Glisten emerged from the build-in-bathroom within his room, tying the soft pink robe around his body. He had just finished showering and doing his night routine, polishing and cleaning his already shining glass. The bathrooms were truly a convenient idea, Glisten's products would never fit in a public restroom.
He glanced at himself in the vanity mirror, the reflection as perfect as ever. He shot himself a grin, twirling on the heels of his feet. Despite not having any make up or his amazing bow on, he was still marvellous!
With a small, content sigh, he turned off the lights, setting his room into complete pitch black darkness. He sat on his bed, quickly getting under the plushy covers. Of course, he put his sleeping mask on, succumbing to the slumber of eternal dreams. He was added into tomorrow's scheduled run, so he needs to get his beauty sleep and feel fresh. The last time he went on one while being sleep deprived costed Sprout a healing cupcake and him almost throwing up from his teleportation.
To be honest, he didn't really like being sent on runs, to descend far, far down, all away from safety. . . Brr! Nonetheless, the job has to be done and they needed supplies.
He pulled the covers up to his face, fully relaxing now. Nothing could ever ruin this night's sleep now.
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. . .
The door to his room creeked open, making Glisten's eyes shut open behind his sleeping mask. How come he forgot to lock the door? Oh right, he hasn't been closing it because. . .
"Boxten?" Glisten murmured tiredly, his hand coming to his face, gently peeling off his sleeping mask. He sat up on his elbow now looking at his front door, seeing the familiar silhouette standing in the doorway.
"Sorry for disturbing you.. I.. uhh. . . Well, you know-" Boxten spurred with shame in his tone, fingers trembling and fiddling together, trying to form a proper sentence.
Without a word, Glisten gently rose his fluffy blanket, petting the space beside him, silently inviting Boxten to lay down. It wasn't the first time the music box came by uninvited (in reality he was always welcome), plagued by the nightmares he couldn't truly shield from.
The music hurriedly shuffled over, his body trembling with nerves. He lay down beside the mirror who had already made some space for the other. He wrapped the blanket around the shorter toon, pulling him into a hug.
It wasn't the first time this had happened, it was almost like a tradition for them to cuddle during Boxten's reoccurring nightmare. He'd come by and they hug, while Glisten repeated the same reassurings in his ear.
They lay silent for a few moments, their limbs intertwined with ease and care, before Glisten felt light shaking in his arms. Boxten was shaking, his hands gripping the mirror's robe, trying to keep himself at bay. He sighed, his slim arms tightened their grip around the box.
". . . Another nightmare?" Glisten asked softly, his fingers absent-mindedly doing circles on Boxten's back, trying to usher the music box to calm down. He heard a quiet, sappy 'mhm' below his head, causing another sigh to escape his lips.
"Darling, I know the. . . Twisted versions of us are scary, but don't let it frighten you, yeah?" He went quiet for a second, before continuing. "Everyone's safe here, we get hurt, yes, but we are still together, all of us. As long as we have each other there's nothing to fear, m'kay?" He spoke with a little smile, watching how the shaking had subsided, yet still he could make out the sniffling and heavy breathing.
"I-I know, I know! But I can't imagine losing you. . . or poppy. . . or-" His words were cut off with a hiccup, his boxy face glistening with fresh streaks of tears. His glasses were askew, barely holding on.
Upon noticing the same, ugly sobbing, Glisten ushered his hands to Boxten's face, cradling it. "Hey, hey, it's okay, don't worry..!" He whisper-yelled, his tone reassuring. "None of us will die, alright? I can easily teleport if I'm in danger, and poppy- well, if she gets scratched, she swiftly runs away! She gets so fast, you know?" He spoke with a little laugh, trying to force one out of the toon. His thumbs wiped tears away off the music box's cheeks, gently petting his cheeks. "I promise you, no one will ever get hurt so bad that they die."
Boxten fell silent, his body jerking, breathing still heavy. He pulled himself impossibly close to the mirror, shoving his head under Glisten's head, trying to stifle his cries. Somewhat comfortable silence fell over them, broken by occasional sniffles, hiccups and little sobs.
Glisten's thoughts drifted to mentally cursing Astro. Yes, he knows that no matter what he does he can't do anything with Boxten's nightmares but... Can't he try a little harder? This precious box has been made to be an anxious wreck and these nightmares weren't helping one bit. Especially during hard times like these.
". . . I had a nightmare of you dying in my arms" Boxten suddenly spoke up, breaking the silence. "I-It felt so real! I thought I actually lost you and. . . And that I'm all alone down there. . . Wth no way out. . ." His voice got quieter, before he fell silent again, sniffling once more.
Glisten hummed, deciding not to reply. Instead, he hugged the music box tighter, as if proving to him that he's still here, he's alive and he's thriving just as before.
Lately, Boxten has been getting the same nightmare. Someone close to him dying- usually quite brutally and gruesomely... Though, Glisten always went with the same tactic: show the toon that everyone is alright and healthy.
"I'll always be with you, I'll never leave you, I promise."
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. .
. . .
"Pinky promise?" Boxten asked quietly.
"Pinky promise." Glisten replied with a soft smile.
They hugged once again, with Boxten's face buried in Glisten's chest. Even through the thick fabric of his robe, the mirror felt the smaller toon's hot breath reach his skin, causing mild shivers and goosebumps.
Boxten seemed to have calmed down, his shaking and crying gone. That let Glisten finally relax and focus on the comforting silence between them. His eyes fluttered shut, ready to fall back asleep.
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. . .
"I know you have. . . uhm, a run tomorrow and I'm deeply sorry. . . For disturbing. . ." Boxten spoke up once again, the vibrations and the sound of the box's voice making Glisten open his eyes once again. He snorted, petting Boxten's back. "You always apologize and still come to me" He replied with a laugh, placing a soft kiss on top of the boxy head. He grinned, feeling the grip around his waist tighten. Even through the pitch black darkness, he knew the music box was blushing.
"Sleep now, will you? I have a run tomorrow, just like you mentioned." With that, Glisten pulled his sleeping mask back on.
"Good night. . ." Boxten murmured against Glisten's chest.
"Night, Boxy"