Is this thy flop era

Was the first thought that had invited itself into Wingding’s weary mind. And maybe he should’ve barricaded entry the moment a semblance of that sentence began to form within his head. Because shortly after he did, he could almost fold under the sinking pressure weighing down his chest. Along with the ache that had been plaguing his head for the last few days. Or maybe it’s just the lack of energy entering his most probably malnourished body. The energy monsters usually feed from their own specially made food and beverage.. 

"It feels nice, being held."

‘This will be hard to figure out, but I have to do it.’

He makes sure to eat once in a while of course, but his choice of food isn’t exactly something that's considered healthy. 

For example, sometimes late at night when the integrity of everyone else’s slumber isn’t at risk, he would slip out of his densely packed lab and silently step downstairs. Take a few snacks for the long research, a soda if there even is one. Restocking on random items found to have been discarded into the endless darkness they’ve unwillingly resided in. He would slip back upstairs, and back inside his little safe-zone. 

The discarded packaging laid neatly around his desk, amongst scattered research papers messily tucked into folders. Stacked upon each other. He had tried to remind himself to arrange it in a more pleasing, organized manner one of these days. But his fatigue alongside his abstracted mind prevents him more often than not.

Tuning out the constant hum of the new environment has been surprisingly simple. He has become accustomed to it. The hums are more of a white noise if anything at all. The sound of his ballpoint pen scratching against paper. Soft crinkles forming on another paper, suspended in the air by his tight grip rather than laid flat onto the wooden desk like the incomplete paper he wrote frantically upon. It was a familiar noise, one he had zeroed in on. 

Which means he wouldn’t be able to take notice of the subtle scrape the sliding door creates once it’s slid open, shedding dim light within the darkness of the laboratory. Nor the mention of his name by one of his many alternative versions. Particularly, a certain extraterrestrial skeleton. 

“Wingding?”

The mutter went unheard, as the scientist merely continued his uninterrupted motion. Irises reminiscent of amethyst drift over to Wingding’s  hunched form. Dark cloak over Star’s broad shoulders. One hand holding a plain porcelain plate, the lukewarm food generously plated within the platter. Wingding’s supposed meal for the evening, or as the clock tells. 

He slowly inclined his free hand upwards, as if reaching out towards the unaware scientist. Star exhaled, lowering his tinted hand and taking a sound step towards Wingding. The oblivious skeleton merely placed another paper atop the "draft" pile, attempting to continue his unfinished scientific research. 

A brief yelp forced itself through Wingding as he felt the sudden, firm grip placed on his left shoulder. Wingding adjusted his glasses as he peered up, a frantic, vaguely peeved gaze locked onto Star’s, the serenity contrasting him. Yet the small frown etched onto the tall skeleton’s face indicates a hint of disapproval.

“Wingding, I understand concentration is a significant part in favor of successful research..” Star drew out, as he placed the dish down onto a less cluttered desk and placed both his hands atop the other skeleton’s shoulder, firm and quite hard to evade. Proven by Wingding’s weak attempt to relocate Star’s hands, overlooking his scolding expression. “But to this extent..? You’ve been in this exact same spot since I saw you this morning..”

Wingding gave a poorly hidden sigh, an undertone of dismay to it. “Your point?” He ceased his futile attempt to remove the hands off his shoulders and instead took his pen once more to continue writing, disregarding the other. 

“I just need to finish this certain bit,” “Wingdi-” “I know, i know, i’ll-” he inhaled briefly and tapped his pen, an attempt to draw more ink before continuing his essay, “-lay off for today in a little while, i’m so close to a conclusion and i’m certain i can figure it out. I just need a few minutes, an hour maybe-” 

“It’s unhealthy,” he's interrupted by a hand taking his pen away from his grip. He squinted, repressing a harsh exhale as he turned his accusing gaze up towards his friend— could he call them that? Friend. The word is unfamiliar on his tongue. He isn’t sure when he started associating Star with that word —and pulled a face. 

Star however was quite familiar with that face, unmoved by the sight. He deliberately pocketed the pen and lowered his skull to press his forehead to the scientist, a practiced gesture of theirs. Mainly initiated by Star when Wingding needed a little more persuasion.

As Wingding scowled to Star, the other merely observed, so much patience behind that gaze. Both unwilling to yield. 

Star’s mumble broke the tense silence, “I don’t want you falling ill because you’re too ignorant of your health..” he sighed, “I’m worried, Wingding.” He adds, steadying his unrelenting gaze against Wingding’s glowering face. 

Star examined the other for a moment. Wingding’s single white iris, with its increasingly faltering shape on his stern, violet stare.

After moments of tense silence, Wingding’s stubborn glare began to falter. Simultaneous with Star’s retreating motion, taking a folded arms position instead. Wingding didn’t know nor did he wish to understand the reason for an almost imperceptible loss he felt. Not wasting a single second to sweep that feeling under the rug.

The scientist sighed, eyes moving away from Star’s steely stare. A slight pout forming upon his skeletal face. He gave a bare murmur whilst his fingers gently grazed the unfinished paper, furrowed skeletal brows as he pulled away from the minimal touch. ".. I need this, Star, i just.." he exhaled. Fidgeting with the hem of his coat.

He’s quick to rack his mind for something to justify his behavior, something to dismiss the other. The sooner he comes up with it the sooner he returns to his tedious work. Regardless, the words died within his mouth, opening without a decisive sentence.

His eyes darted frantically over his folders, papers, and the empty mug. However it’s becoming increasingly obvious he cannot cheaply bluff his way out of this one. Why? He has used every excuse in the book and beyond by now.

".. I can’t...stop.." he eventually relents. Shoulders sagging as a sigh made its way out during the confession. Quite embarrassed to admit such a thing but this isn't the first time the particular situation happens and he's running out of excuses. 

All he could do under Star’s scrutiny is grip his elbow, trying to ignore his rising agitation.

Star blinked at the other's sentence. Intently eyeing the rigid movements as seconds pass, his expression eventually laxed. Bearing a less stern face, instead replaced with an uneasy appearance.

He had known Wingding was.. the stubborn type, the one who prefers to occupy his guilty mind with time consuming tasks to avoid ever having to confront heavy thoughts, never properly allowing himself to sit with his emotions nor grieve for what he’d lost. 

Believing that with no attention paid to his destructive emotions that it will dissipate or fix itself somehow. 

As if he believed those emotions are like whirlpools that if left alone would eventually still. But that was far from the truth.

One of few times Star had seen him show true vulnerability, showing his pure unadulterated feelings was when a former acquaintance of theirs betrayed the rest. Said acquaintance being someone who was particularly close with Wingding. Star remembers how he embraced the other during it, once he had initiated, he felt how much of a desperate grip it was. He was able to feel the hurt, the feelings of vanity and the all encompassing fear of being alone, so much so as to not want to let go, even after minutes of being in the embrace. 

But it was evident that it did, indeed, help.

“..Wi-..” Star paused for a moment. Misjudging the sudden silence, Wingding quickly attempts to elaborate, “It’s just- I need to fix my mistake, Star. I need to take responsibility and make sense of it, i can’t-”

“Wingding, I understand.. I truly do,” Star slowly but steadily murmured. Eyes moving towards another, similarly designed table instead, filled to the brim with pens, folders, and coffee stained papers. Lab equipment, beakers, you name it. 

Star kept debating with himself for a little while. He's not the best at speaking, uncertain at what sentence is best to utter at this moment, feeling the nooks and crannies of the words on his tongue before he actually allows himself to say it. 

But he decides he should say something Wingding needs to hear. Eventually he manages to push out a sentence.

 “However I've seen you push yourself to the limit more times than i can count.” he sighs, eyes shutting alongside his folded arms falling to the sides of his body. The faint image of the smaller skeleton's body slumped over the desk, unconscious from the constant experiments that increased stress, alongside the unaware whimpers formed by the sheer regret and shame. It gnaws at him.

“I’m tired of standing idly by and-.. watching you exhaust yourself for the sake of this idea of you atoning for mistakes that would’ve been and already have been forgiven.” 

Star held his breath. His eyes opened and drifted down towards Wingding, peering away. Expression tense, seeming so.. downcasted. Star focused his eyes towards the scientist’s body language. They’re rigid, fixed in a single position, avoiding his eyes as much as possible. Star’s expression falls. Raising a hand to once more place it on Wingding’s shoulder.

He noted how the other wilted at his gesture.

“We don’t hate you for what happened, you were a victim of it just as much as the rest of us.” His voice softened, lowering to a whisper. “You couldn’t have possibly known what would’ve happened.”

At that, Wingding jerks up, almost defensively. Eyes wide and frenzied. “But I could have prevented it!” He opposed it. Raising a hand to grip at Star’s wrist, attempting to pull it away from his tense shoulders. His voice betrays his frantic actions. “Maybe it was the wiring or the powergrid, o-or— or missing parts! I-i should have seen it coming- i could have fixed whatever was wrong— it! I-i.. “

Eventually his movement grinded to a slow halt.

Wingding shifted to a cowering position. Star merely looked on silently, only able to sympathize with the other. Watching as his tremors slowly grew in intensity. Unable to hide such volatile emotions. A torrent thrashing at his chest, threatening to break free from its vessel.

Wingding clenched his jaw, teeth aching from the prolonged pressure whilst his head forcefully tilted down. He shouldn’t be seen like this, fragile and vulnerable. How shameful. “..if.. Only I could've seen it coming..”

“The future wasn’t meant to be seen, it was meant to be experienced.” Star intercepts. Allowing himself to inhale a slow breath just when he gradually descends onto his knees in front of the other. His hand that previously took a hold of Wingding’s shoulder now falling towards Wingding’s own hands. Palms facing up while the scientist gazed at it longingly. 

Star tested the waters as he hesitantly nudged the tips of his fingers to Wingding’s palm.

“And I'm sure I wouldn't want to experience a future without you within it.”

After a few moments of delay. The scientist gave a slight nod, complying with the advance, his own hand twitching against Star’s. As Star took notice of the gesture, he slowly intertwined his hand with the other. Hoping to help Wingding by soothing the rising emotions.

“So won’t you please heed my words? Even for just a moment?” Star pleads. Wingding gathered the momentary courage to flicker his eyes upwards. Finding the taller skeleton’s gaze so.. Warm, filled with genuine concern. For him, of all people. The one who’s supposed to be the least concerned about.

Wingding couldn’t help feeling choked, forcefully tearing his eyes away.

While he gave Star’s hand a slight squeeze, he eased out a breath. “..This isn’t how it works.. It’s..” Wingding released an unsteady sigh. His body began to lean towards the table, seeking support by the elbow of his free arm propped atop it. The base of his palm pressing against his eye-sockets. “..It just keeps.. It.. I know it’s deserved..”

Wingding swallowed, the sentence came sounding weak. “I’m.. deserving of this retribution.. for what I've carelessly done..”

“If your standards think this is a deserved “punishment” then I'll gladly oppose it. Dismiss the mere thought of it” Star sharply cuts in. 

Wingding felt the startling shock jump at his nerves, lifting his head from his hand, a dose of bewilderment administered into him whilst his eyes darted to Star’s expression. Watching the stiffened expression and a frown etched roughly onto his face. Wingding thinned his mouth into a line. He is unsure what to make of that expression. And he hates not knowing. 

He pretends not to notice how Star's own shoulders began to tense.

“You are worth more than your missteps, you are more than your sins.” Star’s hand gave a gentle, assuring squeeze. Wingding can’t help but to take a peek at the action. His own, faint frown upon his face. Wingding tore his eyes away from it once more. 

Witnessing it made him feel.. Something. It was so miniscule, but being someone who regularly avoids dwelling on everyday emotions, he wasn’t that familiar with it yet. And thus, it was far more impactful to his state of mind than it’s supposed to be. 

Nevertheless, he returned the gentle grasp eventually. 

“you deserve nice things, to be released from this cage you’ve built for yourself.. You’re undeserving of this cruelty you damned yourself into, Wingding.” Star concludes.. He himself wasn't particularly sure about what he's trying to say, far too vexed on Wingding's behalf. His words may not make the most sense, but he knew he meant every word.

Star drew in a gentle breath before he eventually rose back up to his feet. Wingding’s hand slid off of his at the motion. Star didn’t mind though, keeping his hands to himself for now. He’s sure the other has had enough of that at the moment.

“I’m.. Not expecting you to open up, not when you don’t feel comfortable enough to.” Perhaps he took his breaths for granted. Continuously pondering and trying to conjure the right words are straining for no obvious reason. “i.. just want you to see that this isn’t the way you’re supposed to live.. At least, not to this extent.” 

“So.. will you take a break?” his eyes locked onto Wingding’s once more. “Please..?” he adds.

Wingding stared right into earnest eyes, he found himself frozen. His fist still closed on his lap while the other hand laid flat on the table. Gazing like a deer in headlights towards Star.

Star is tethering on the edge of restlessness. He kept a hand on the table, his fingers tentatively brushing at its surface. “You don’t have to say anything. Just take my hand, I promise you’ll be okay with me. Yes..?”

True to his word, he outstretched a hand for Wingding to take. Simple and yet, somehow the most dreaded thing for Wingding to face. Who hesitantly peered up to Star. seeking some sort of signal, encouragement? He wasn’t sure why. But taking the hand given to him feels like he’s going to turn himself in. 

Like he'll resign and withdraw his walls, each carefully placed brick crumbling with each thought that contemplates whether he should take the offer placed in front of him.

In response, Star’s pupils gained a warm shine to it. Encouraging the other to calmer waters, like its promising the warmth of the sun, the view of the skies. Wingding found it impossible to avoid, how could he not? The promise was far too enticing, far too ideal.

“We’ll find a way, I promise. But I can’t have you dying on me– us. From overworking yourself to death before that.. Alright..?” Star hums softly.

Wingding, despite his skepticism, is convinced. Star perked slightly.

His smile subtly grew as he basked in the familiar feeling of a hand atop his palm. Gently grasping Wingding’s hand on his own. He helped the other up from the chair he’s been sitting on for the last few days.

Star expected the scientist’s loss of footing, he had assumed Wingding hadn't gotten up from that chair in ages. He caught the unstable scientist within his embrace. It’s the second time they’ve properly hugged. He took precious time with his movements, gently massaging circles across Wingding’s back. Hoping it brings a sense of solace to the other. His left hand cradles the back of Wingding’s head, whose face is hidden within the fabric of his shirt.

Star allowed a moment of comfortable silence. Humming soft hymns while Wingding took time to collect himself. Though they can't keep standing in the midst of this lab forever.

“Good..” Star praised. “Now, how about we find something.. Else, to keep you busy..?” Star suggested, pulling his chest away from Wingding. Not allowing the shorter skeleton to hide his face anymore. Much to Wingding’s obvious dismay. Star merely gave a light, amused chuckle as the hand on Wingding’s back motioned a slight push. Guiding Wingding forward beside him.

"Wingding! Wingding!" a voice called out. So childish and bold, like the sun that's currently shining in the sky, the rays of light bursting through the trees. The leaves and branches leave silhouettes of shadows on the freshly cut grass.

Well, at least that's what Wingding thought of it.

Wingding turned his head down, towards the grassy patch underneath the tree he was currently perched on. Lazily eyeing the boy right near the base of the tree. Pouting and patting the tree's trunk, as if petting a gigantic animal.

"Ah" Wingding mumbled, "Star, what are you doing here?"

"Wingding..!" The boy whined again, huffing out his frustrations while staring at the petite skeleton, solemnly sitting atop the tree branch.

"I was looking everywhere for you!" Star yelled up, brow bones furrowed and eyes locked at Wingding's face. "No one knew where you were! And so I got worried,"

Wingding blinked at Star's words. He could've sworn he told his caretaker he would be in the garden's treetops, well, maybe not the treetops part. Wingding knows that he told them he'd be in the gardens though.

"I told the house caretakers i'd be in mother's back gardens though,"

Star pouted, his arms crossing across his chest, huffing out his next words, "Yes, I know, I asked them where you were previously."

Wingding raised a brow at Star. If he already knew then where's the problem here? Surely he would know where Wingding is and that would be it.

Star closed his eyes, an exasperated sigh befalling, "I searched around the main gardens, but i didn't know you'd be up in the trees of the outer gardens, Wingding,"

Wingding halted his thoughts, slight embarrassment lacing his voice, as a subtle blush swept across his cheeks, "Ah, i..ehem, suppose that is reasonable."

Star peered up at Wingding, an unimpressed gleam and a slight shake of his head. He then patted the tree's trunk again, calling out to Wingding, "Wingding! They're having lunch soon! The other two families will be here!"

Wingding eyed again at the boy, last time he saw the time, it was early-day. But then as he moved his irises to the sky, rather than the pale, misty blue he was expecting, the blue has now been saturated significantly, the few clouds he saw before far in the distance is now rolling ahead him, giving quite the view and the most interesting designs of the sky to see.

"Ah," Wingding hummed out, his golden coloured irises stared at the bright sky, taking in details of the way the clouds moved, or the way the light shone and rings of colour would appear in his vision.

Wingding eventually snapped out of his sight-seeing activity, when Star cleared his throat, waiting patiently under the tree for Wingding to come down.

Wingding snorted at the boy's impatience, as he carefully prompted himself up, balancing with a hand on the tree bark, and legs stiff as he prepared to come down. Wingding lets himself focus solely on his movements as he jumps from branch to branch, descending from the tree.

Unfortunately, it seems little Wingding isn't fully perceptive yet, and with a sudden yelp, Wingding's body tips backwards, his shoe caught on a smaller branch, hidden from his sight. reflexively shutting his eyes closed and clenching his jaw, waiting for impact, and the ache that would soon follow.

Except, he didn't feel anything.

Instead, he felt firm...something...tendrils..? around his torso and gripping around his little frame. Slithering around his body as the fabric of his clothing gets trapped in between them.

Wingding hesitantly peered his eyes open, he felt a tendril cradle his head, even though he's unfamiliar to whatever this is, at least it doesn't feel half bad.

Wingding's vision rolled up right as the tendril started turning him over and gently placing his feet on the ground. As Wingding's body faltered, stumbling, almost falling for the second time, the unknown tendril restrained his body from face-planting into the ground and curled around him, helping to stabilize his balance, before solemnly retreating back.

Wingding stared at the plain grass patch for a little while, eyes wide and blinking vacantly, still processing ―What he perceives to be― his near death experience. Irises dilated simultaneously, dulling, and a hazy sight from the sudden experience. 

But then Wingding blinked and returned from his stupor, stifling a gasp before finally understanding what just happened.

Wingding then whipped around to Star, who is currently lowering his extended arm, looking worriedly towards Wingding. Spouting frantic words of affirmation, trying to comfort the supposedly solemn Wingding.

A few notes of silence passed between the two children.

Star confusedly stared at Wingding, their arm still in the air, albeit slightly lower. His brows furrowed, uncertain at Wingding's sudden silence, carefully looking them over, trying to find if anything is wrong, if they hurt their head, or if something else happened. That must be why Wingding is so silent and so still, just...standing there..right?.

On the other hand,

Wingding blinked widely at Star, Unexpected glances spared towards their sudden change of appearance.

Their previous two, childish eyes, now gained another pair, narrowly squinted below the usual pair Wingding would see. Their irises now coloured slightly different, a warmer magenta, despite the feeling of a sharp gaze he felt from them. It differs highly from the bright, curious violet Wingding is used to seeing.

But that was just the minor differences.

What really caught Wingding's wide, wondrous eyes were the massive tendrils swaying behind Star. Speckled with lights and tainted with a magenta gleam, the sight Wingding would usually see when dusk fell, and the sunset would gain colours he would never see at any other given time. 

The way it sways reminds Wingding of the ribbons he and his mother used to tie up, high between the windows and moving gently, decorating the winds as it flows along with it. It also shines slightly when the lights hit it just right, usually at events father hosted, either formal or otherwise.

Star blinked back at the stiff boy, unsure what to make of his reaction. But just as he was about to take his shoulder and confront Wingding, they open their mouth and whisper out a soft,

"Whoa,"

Star stared.

Then the boy cleared his throat, a slight blush of violet on his cheeks, was that 'whoa' a good thing? Or a bad thing? What was he supposed to do here- Star blinked frantically, repeating Wingding's reaction with a stammered, "W-..whoa..?"

"You're…" Wingding trailed off, eyes moving between the tendrils and Star's face, amazed, but also curious.

Star didn't take this well, assuming the worst as he stiffened up and immediately turned away. His magic disperses into his body, taking the starry tendrils and his lower set of eyes along with it.

As Star stifled a sigh and wore an apologetic look on his face, he murmured out, "Sorry..you uh, weren't supposed to look."

"What?"

Star's eye widened slightly as he cautiously peered back to the other boy, Wingding was looking at him with such bright eyes. It threw Star off, but he guessed it was a….good..? Response from the other. Star raised an unsure hand to his face, trying to cover up...something, what was he doing?

"So that's your specialty?" Wingding's tone became curious as he took a step to Star, bearing a slight smile on his face, "I've heard stories and depictions of it, but never so close in front of my own eyes like that before! That's so cool!"

Star blinked and tensed, a stiff hand patting their head, unsure of Wingding's response. Although he does gain a small bashful smile on his face, and a subtle sigh of relief as he carefully murmured out, "A-ah, thanks but-"

Wingding immediately spouted questions, at least more than three a minute, grabbing Star by his shoulders and shaking him lightly. Which, the other appreciates the enthusiasm, Star really does- but he didn't take the shaking quite well. Growing slightly nauseous from the over-excited shaking, and because of the after-worry from Wingding's little slip up.

"D-dings- i-" Star tried to murmur from his shaken head, still being shot with numerous questions from the over-curious Wingding. 

Unfortunately he didn't have a chance to ask Wingding to calm down, so instead, Star reached out his hands and forced them down on Wingding's shoulder, firmly grasping the boy.

Wingding's reaction was far from what Star expected at first. Star almost forgot what Wingding had experienced before.

Wingding flinched, hands letting go of Star's shoulders and frantically up to his face, as if to protect himself, he halted halfway though. Wingding knows he shouldn't be scared, this is Star! But even then, he couldn't help his reflexes.

Star's eyes widened slightly before quickly lessening the pressure of his hands from Wingding's shoulders, frantically murmuring apologies to the boy.

"Sorry! Wingding, i- i wasn't thinking, so sorry-"

Star felt a hand placed on top of his mouth, muffling his words and cutting it short. Star blinked as he saw Wingding gave a seemingly forced hand wave, dismissing Star's sudden action, muttering a supposedly reassuring,

"No- Star, it's fine, it was just a reflex. I know you're not going to-"

Star calmly pulled Wingding's hand off his mouth, and let out a subtle sigh, looking over at Wingding who was currently trying to keep his composure.

Wingding continued to shake his head, taking a few breaths as he rubbed his eyes. Why? It was tiresome, probably, possibly, maybe….not.

Eventualy Wingding cleared his throat and tugged at the end of his sleeves, shifting in his place while muttering a reluctant sentence, "Uhm, anyway, You said lunch is starting soon-"

Star turned back to Wingding, cautious in his movements as to not scare Wingding again. Star tilted his head, humming in response to the boy, giving them a slow nod.

Seeing that, Wingding mustered a small and assuring smile to Star, continuing, "We should go before we arrive late, again."

Star blinked at the suggestion, right after the situation too, but he didn't ponder on it too much, maybe it's best like that.

"Ah! Right! We should be going now-"

Star then felt himself being tugged by his arm, a warm hand gripping his wrist as he was pulled forward, off into the main gardens. Cutting off his sentence as Wingding snickered, guiding him around the flower bushes, as if he knew the path like the back of his hand. 

Star saw the gates, wide and open, vines and lichen covering it, not in a chaotic way. Rather the silver shine complemented it well.

Wingding continued running, pulling Star stumbling into the main exit gates, both of the children now laughing, smiling widely, a fond expression on the both of them. Odd, how their moods change so fast.

They're children, afterall.

Wingding, as a kid, never really went out at night cause he studies a lot, wanting to impress his grandfather when he could. The absence of his parents made it easy for him to dedicate his time to study and fulfill basic needs

But well, eventually he had to take care of his siblings, with both his parents being busy contributors to monster society, he took care of child sans a lot back then. And one time sans couldn't, refused to sleep and instead pestered Wingding to stargaze for once.

Wingding reluctantly relents and he was mesmerized by the sight, despite there being few stars then, it was a sight to behold.

Years after, the memory is still there but Wingding can't really recall it perfectly. Mentioning it to star offhandedly while he's busy sorting folders of their research so far.

Star offers to show Wingding the stars one day, Wingding has seen the stars once and he said so but Star insists, because "there won't be anything blocking your view, when we get out of here, i'll show you"