TW// Mentions of nightmares, needles, PTSD, and experiments!!
First impression matter. Especially when it comes to the human race. While many are born in the warmth of a hospital bed, held by their mothers and soothed by warm words, Cinder was born in a cold, harsh laboratory.
Where he should’ve been held by his mother, he was being assessed by humans in white labs coats and holding clip boards. Instead of being soothed by his mother, she was begging for the chance to even hold her son as she was forcefully removed from the room.
Even at such a young age, Cinder could remember almost every little detail. He could still see the faces of those humans as they injected ‘medicine’ into his veins, he could remember how they would note how his body reacted afterwards. He remembered how he was never given the opportunity to see either of his parents, how he tried hiding in the corner of his room whenever he heard the footsteps of humans echoing through the halls.
And their words. Their words.
“You little shit— can you stay still for just one second?!”
“I won’t hurt you, this will only be a pinch.”
“You’ll see your momma after this, I promise.”
“I’ll be back, stay put.”
Every night, Cinder would shut his eyes and block out the sounds of the laboratory, imagining himself in a better place.
“Cinder?”
A voice called to him, low and gravely. Cinder shrunk in place, strangled sobs escaping his mouth as he quivered.
“Cinder!”
They spoke again, their voice raising in volume. Cinder yelped, his head shooting to look at them.
“Cinder! You doin’ okay, buddy?”
It was his Papa— Beetlejuice. He was knelt down next to his bed. His arm was partly outstretched, his brow furrowed with concern despite how he struggled to even keep his eyes open due to his tiredness. It was late, how did he even know to come here? Cinder wiped the tears from his eyes, his eyes darting around the room.
He was in his bedroom, huddled in the corner of his bed. The horrifying sounds of experiments now replaced with the gentle ticking of the analog clock above the door. Cinder blinked away tears, his sobs fading into shaky hiccups. Cinder latched onto his blankets, his body relaxing but still shaking. Beetlejuice smiled softly as Cinder began to calm down. “Hey there, Bud… you with me now?” He asked, keeping his voice low as to not startle Cinder any further. “How are you doing, Bud? Not well I assume…” Beetlejuice added as Cinder tentatively crawled over to him. “I heard you crying from the other room. Did you have that nightmare again?” He asked as Cinder wrapped his tiny arms around Beetlejuice’s neck. Cinder nodded, giving his Papa a slight squeeze.
“Hey, Cinder? Look at me.” Beetlejuice gently nudged Cinder, getting the child to look at him.
“You’re safe with me, alright? I ain’t letting no one hurt you like that again. If they ever plan to come back for ya, they’d have to go through me. As you already know… your old man’s pretty tough.” Beetlejuice snickered. His smile faltered when Cinder didn’t laugh.
“All I'm trying to say is that you’re okay now, Kid. You aren’t in that place anymore.” Beetlejuice said, patting Cinder on the back. He held Cinder in silence, letting Cinder calm down and regulate his breathing and shaking. Once calm, Beetlejuice spoke again. “You know, I have nightmares too.” Cinder tilted his head and looked up at Beetlejuice. “Sure did. We all do sometimes. Mine aren’t that different from yours either, even I get scared from em’.” Cinder’s interest piqued. He sat on the edge of his bed, looking up at his Papa. “You know what helps me with my nightmares, Kid?” Beetlejuice asked, a smile tugging on the corner of his lips. Cinder leaned closer, his head still cocked to the side.
“It helps me to know that it won’t happen again. Because I know I’m safe. I’m under your mother’s protection now.”
Beetlejuice chuckled, tucking Cinder back into bed. He planted a gentle kiss onto the top of his head and spoke again.
musical beetletina lives in my mind like a rot. unnoticed and unliving until i see content about it and then BAM it invades my headspace for the next forever
