i don't know what to call this
it's my very first time writing anything, i saw the episode 1 of stargaze and my brain automatically started to brew something, and since it's a one shot I decided to write it down.
• female reader in mind (specifically an oc of mine), english it's not my first language, and a cringe alert (?) idk, but it is a bit corny
Enjoy (ノ◕ヮ◕)ノ*.✧
"You know, I like it when you play the piano...I know it's the same note over and over again, but it sounds nice." Your tone is lighthearted, adding to the white noise of your pencil scribbling over your notebook as you were making a sketch of him. "Well, not that I know a thing about playing instruments. I did get taught the scales in school at the time, but it just never stuck with me. At least I can sing... In the shower." It was obvious that he wasn't going to ask you to chant right there and then, but you couldn't help but clarify the last part.
It's just the two of you in the room, with Eriks sitting on his usual chair by the window while you sat a few feet away from him, making a quick portrait of his profile. You had come to visit and see if you could help Mr Hoppered with anything around the house, that's when he asked you to keep company to the blonde man he was nursing while he had to 'work on something' in his words, you knew that was a cue to stay away from his business, so you didn't push to know what exactly he was doing. It wasn't the first time you were asked to watch over Eriks, so that's why you had the confidence to make small talk (no matter that it was one sided) and even gained up the courage to draw him (after letting him know, of course).
"Aand done." You announce before approaching him and align the page with the direction where he is blankly staring at, so he could see the result. "Ta-da. The lines are a bit messy because I rushed it, so you wouldn't get tired from posing for too long." He is peacefully sitting on his chair like any other day, but you were trying your best to make your interactions the most 'normal' you could. "Aww, stop it."
You turn the notebook towards you, and just like one of those artists you've seen, a frown draws on your face. "Now that I have a closer look I think I did your nose a bit smaller." The pencil traces the new lines with swift motions, a quiet "there" comes out of your mouth after you fix the drawing, but you don't show it to him again, this time you look down, letting out a tired sigh.
It makes you feel stupid, the uncertainty if any of this was good for him or if he actually found it annoying, not being able to know if you were being too little or too much. Then why even bother? The answer to that question made even less sense, because somehow, even with him completely unresponsive, you feel seen; not because he didn't have the physical strength to stand up and leave or mental energy to judge you, the complete opposite actually. When you are with him you feel like it's okay to be you, you could talk about anything, tell him everything or not even breath a word at all, and none of it was weird or wrong.
But what if it was only you?, you being in this little bubble while pretending to share it with him so you wouldn't feel alone, have you been using him like free therapy all along?
A glow of light takes you from your thoughts, you look up to find beautiful hues of pink and purple with a few stars on the sky through the window, making you do an expression of awe. You look at Eriks and tell him that he has to see it, when then you come to a halt, his back is facing the window, how are you going to make him turn around? The dusk wouldn't last for too long. The combined weight of his chair and his own would need a moment to push and pull, you don't have time for that; making him stand up wasn't an option either, sudden movements weren't good for him and the idea of manhandling him for a view didn't sit well with you.
You remember that you count with a pocket mirror, and fumble through your bag until you find it. You hold it up in front of him, but notice that his head is slightly down, so you carefully brush the strands of hair away from his eyes and tilt up his face. "Can you see it?"
You stand behind him, crouching down a little so you don't block the window. The sound of the main door opening and the squeak of a wheelchair tell you Hoppered is back. "What are you doing?"
"I'm helping him to watch the sunset." You answer with a sheepish smile, realizing how ridiculous the scene must look out of context. "You should go before it gets any darker."
"Right." With even more caution you let go of Eriks' head and pack up your stuff. "I'll try to come back soon."
"Thank you for staying with him."
"It's fine. Goodnight to you both."
With a wave of your hand you are off, walking into the night with quick pace.
Were you being pathetic?, were you being selfish?, or was this a delicate thread of a strange bond you shared? It has been only a few months since Hoppered found him, and the only way you'll have answers is if he 'wakes up'. Only then you would know if you had to apologize and leave him alone, or thank him for always listening and do something fun together, like watching the sunset properly and maybe stargaze for a while if he wants to.