#bito

The bedroom door opened with a soft creak, letting in the dim glow of the hallway light. Tobi was already half-sitting on the bed, legs folded awkwardly, Chiquito’s happy colors shining from the nightstand. His gaze lifted when (Y/n) walked in, struggling under the sheer weight of the grey blanket in her arms. It was folded wrong, lopsided, heavy, and looked like it might swallow her whole before she even made it to the mattress.

-You brought it?

She let out a breathy laugh, nearly dropping it onto the floor. -Barely. It’s heavier than it looks.-

He was on his feet in an instant, moving to take it from her with both hands. The ease with which he lifted it made her laugh again. -God, you’re the one handling it from now on.-

-It’s not that heavy,- he said, though his brow furrowed as he studied it like it was some alien object. -It’s supposed to… calm me, right?-

-Exactly. Weighted blankets help ground the body. The pressure releases—

-Happy chemicals,- he finished, nodding a little too seriously. -I read that. Serotonin.-

-Yeah. You read that, huh?

He nodded again, fingers smoothing the fabric before setting it neatly over the bed, surprisingly precise about it. -Obito thought it was just a fancy quilt,- he murmured. -Bito said it looked like something you could bury a body in.-

-And what do you think?

He hesitated, eyes softening. -I think it feels like quiet. Maybe.-

They climbed onto the bed together, she on one side, he on the other, and she pulled the blanket over them, letting it fall until its weight pressed her softly into the mattress. Tobi lay utterly still, his eyes fluttering closed for a fleeting moment, as though testing the quiet that had finally come to rest between them.

For a long beat, the world seemed to stop. The stillness between them thickened with the heaviness of the fabric, grounding, steadying.

Tobi’s chest rose with a deep breath. -Feels strange,- he said calmly. -Like… someone’s holding me down, but softly.-

-That’s the point, baby. You feel safe?

He nodded, but then his eyes flicked open again, concerned now. -What about you?-

-What about me?

He frowned, serious. -What if I roll over in my sleep? I’m big. And with the blanket… I could crush you.-

-You won’t—

-No, wait—!- he interrupted, sitting up slightly, panic over his face. -It’s risky. You’re small. And this thing’s heavy already. Double pressure.- He looked truly alarmed now, his mind spinning through the possibilities like he could see the headlines: local woman flattened under boyfriend and anxiety blanket.

She tried to hide her laughter, but it slipped anyway. -Tobi, relax. You’re not going to crush me.-

His gaze darted over her face, then to the blanket, then to her face again. 

In a single fluid motion, he reached across and pulled her toward him. The weight and precision of his hands, gentle but firm, guided her up and across his body until she was straddling his torso.

-Tobi—!

-Better...- he muttered, as if to himself. -This way, you’re out of the danger zone. I’m below. No crushing hazard.-

Her breath hitched, half amusement, half surprise. -Overprotective much, baby.-

He blinked up at her, utterly earnest. -I’m not letting the blanket take you out.-

A small smile tugged at her lips as she settled against his chest, because Tobi was never still, and this was already a huge accomplishment for him. Of the three souls inhabiting that body, he was the restless one: always in motion to keep his emotions in check, tapping his foot against the floor, biting at his nails, scratching at his head or face. For the first time, (Y/N) could feel him at ease, truly at peace, as though all his constant paranoias and restless worries had sunk beneath the weight, along with the other men haunting him.

The rise and fall of his breathing beneath her cheek was steady, heavy. His arms came up slowly, hesitantly, then folded around her with a care so delicate it made her heart ache.

-You’re my mattress now.

He huffed a quiet sound that could’ve been a laugh. -A mattress… yeah, I can be that.-

-Warmest one I’ve ever had,- she teased softly.

Silence followed, the good kind. His heartbeat thudded against her ear, slow, even. The tension that usually lived in his body seemed to drain out under the pressure of the blanket, replaced by something softer, serener.

After a long while, his voice broke the hush, low and sleepy. -It’s so quiet in here. Like they can’t talk. Obito’s… far. Bito too. Just me.-

She lifted her head slightly, enough to meet his gaze. Tobi never stayed in control for long. Obito’s logic or Bito’s cruelty would soon drown him in the turmoil of that fractured mind, only letting him surface when the world outside felt safe, when danger no longer lurked, or when the other two simply lost interest in holding the reins. None of that was present now; his expression stood as quiet proof of the harmony that had, at last, taken hold of his body. His eyes looked clearer than usual, unclouded by the pull of the others. -That’s the blanket doing its job, relax, baby.

He shook his head faintly. -Feels like you’re doing that.-

Her lips parted, but no answer came. Instead, she just exhaled and lay her head back down. Tobi’s fingers threaded through her hair, slow, aimless. -You should stay here. Please?-

-I planned to,- she murmured, smiling against him.

He hummed in response, a quiet sound that vibrated through his chest and into her bones. -Feels… like a truce,- he said at last, his voice fading toward a whisper. -Like my head’s finally quiet enough to sleep.-

-Then sleep, all you want. I’ll keep watch; they won't come near you.

He made a small, almost content noise, arms tightening just enough to remind her she was safe there, too.