A FIRESKULLS FIC BY ME! ENJOY!!
The dark, watercolor sky was painted in tiny gold freckles in the glorious midnight. The rooms were cold, the blankets were soft and the lovely hum of the fan above soothed the four teens in the cramped room of their unofficial leader. It was an odd feeling of gratitude , relief and muffled joy. But also guilt, nervousness and weakness. Although there seemingly were no cultists close by wanting to drag them away, the thought of an ambush at Skid’s mothers house of all places hurt deeply. But with Lila’s persistence and determination, all the teens were rested. Lucky and Rain adjusted almost immediately; collapsed over pillows and blankets beneath the hard floor. Hope slept in Skid’s closet. It was more comforting to sleep up right and Pump slept on the end of the cozy sandwich that protected him from the hard floor and cold breeze.
Minutes or hours or second later, Pump had awoken to see the faint orange glow of a lamp behind the door. Gloggily, Pump turned to the bed of his closest friend, Skid, to see nobody there. A knot immediately formed in Pump’s chest. Skid was never a predictable person. As predictable as a fifteen year old can be anyway. He carefully climbed out of the makeshift bed and to the living room of the nostalgic place. Once he walked down the hall, he immediately recognized a certain someone sat and turned to the front door with a bat in hand. The bat Skid had used plenty of times to fight off the freaky cultists and monsters. He looked so tense that Pump did not need to see his tired face.
“....Skid?” Pump softly called out from a distance. Skid’s body jumped so quickly that Pump felt his heart ache for startling him despite trying to be careful. Skid turned back around to the door, obviously pink. Even though Pump sat down next to him, Skid never even glanced at him. Pump sighed like he knew in his heart why he was here, but he still had asked:
“Checking?” Pump questioned, But of course, did not get an answer. For a while, there was an unfamiliar, uncomfortable silence between them.
“You haven't slept at all tonight, have you?”
The question quickly made Skid’s body melt even more into his knees, only his eyes slightly able to be seen past his arm. The other still clenched the bat tightly. The silent confession made Skid feel like he had been caught red-handed.
“No one knows we are here. It's safe here. We checked the windows, the doors and there is barely another soul in this area. We’re good, fella.” Pump knew Skid must hate being reassured at this point. It never made Skid completely understand that he was not alone in his fear. Everyone was scared, even Hope, and anybody could tell you she was the fighter in the group. But if it helped even a little, it was worth it. Seeing Skid slightly become less tense, Pump reached to take Skid’s free hand resting on his legs into his. Pump squeezed it firmly to keep his attention. Skid still never looked at Pump eye-to-eye, but he seemed to be getting there slowly.
“You know what’ll happen if you don't get some sleep?” Pump asked while softly looking at Skid.
“Tomorrow, you’ll be allllll grumpy.” Pump said in his silly tone. Skid could not help but smile.
“And then Hope's gonna complain."
"And Rain’s gonna make fun of you."
"And Lucky is gonna tell you to go take a nap."
The boys grinned all stupid. They would giggle and grin over anything. After a little bit of light-hearted and mostly one-sided banter, Skid finally felt safe enough to lean on his shorter buddy’s shoulder.
“....If… I fell asleep right now. Would you stay awake for me?” Skid offered. He was hopeful for a solution to his anxiety. Unfortunately for him, Pump did not just want to calm him enough for the night, but for the rest of their time there. No way in Hell are they going to go back to taking turns watching over each other each night. It was time to stop worrying about those red freaks for some time. Skid looked offended, but sleepy at the same time somehow. Pump would normally tease him for it, but not this time.
“Sorry man, but we all need a bit of sleep after all of that.”
“Bev.” Pump said in a serious tone now. Pump knew it would get his attention. Skid never loathed the name, but it always felt so… girly. Only certain people even knew of it. Pump let go of Skid’s hand and put his arm around Skid’s as he was still leaning on him. Pump was surprised he wasn't burning from it.
“If anyone or anything even tried to show up, they wouldn't stand a chance. We all aren't the deepest of sleepers these days.” Pump said softly. Skid breathlessly giggled a little. Pump smiled widely at how Skid was clearly much more comfortable and able to look at him without shame. “Fear isn't weakness,” is a lesson that Pump would help Skid with for as long as he needed. Pump tried to hide how proud he was of him.
“Let's get back to your room. We could do so much together with your mom tomorrow. Nothing is coming, okay?” Pump looked down at the black-haired boy. Skid looked to pump, then down in contemplation, until he answered with a small smile:
“Fine… I’m a bit sleepy anyways.”
“Don't have to tell me twice!”
Pump grew to his feet slowly and helped Skid to his feet while holding his hand. The bat had been forgotten long ago. They both went to Skid’s room after turning the tiny, glass lamp off. As they did went, the world behind them was still quiet. Maybe friendship is magic afterall.
The boys slid and settled under their own beds as the freckled sky still shined onto the walls past the curtains slightly. Pump waited until he heard Skid's breathing begin to slow. Until the tension finally left his body. Until sleep obviously had finally won.
Only then did Pump let his own eyes close.
This was a nice start to a new chapter. Pump then dreamed of a perfectly spooky date with his Skid. He woke up before the others with a flustered, red face.
