yo hank's the new nice diesel busters?? yeah uhh some shit went down between my mom and brother, and while that happened all i could think of to calm myself was hank comforting me and lulling me to sleep. this is entirely self-indulgent and i apologize for making hank's entire personality wrong. tw for mentioned abuse and suicidal thoughts. i do NOT ship myself with hank at all. ——- (Aries is kneeling on the floor of their bathroom, crying softly and shaking. Hank is sitting next to them, rubbing their back in a soothing manner.)
Hank: Aries... what happened? Can you tell me?
Aries: My... m-my mom... s-she was yelling at my b-brother and v-verbally abusing him again... *sniff* Hank: I'm so sorry... has this happened a lot? Aries: Y-yes... it, it's gotten m-more frequent now that he has to d-do stuff for his Eagle rank... *sniff* I-I can only imagine how she'll be w-when I h-have to d-do mine...
Hank: Aries... come here. (Hank pulls Aries to him, and hugs them close.)
Hank: It's okay... your mom isn't near you currently and Deimos and Sanford are outside of the door if she decides to return. You're going to be okay, I promise. We're going to protect you from your mom and make sure you can sleep without disturbance.
Aries: I... I j-just don't know w-why my mom h-hates my brother...
Hank: She's cruel to him. But you're not like her. You're kind, caring... honest, funny... creative, witty... I could go on.
Aries: T-thank you, Hank... b-but... I-I know t-that I'm not s-smart at all...
Hank: *worried* H-has your mom said you weren't smart, Aries..?
Aries: No, n-not directly. *sniff* She implies it, though... whenever s-he lectures me over me not doing good o-on my homework... s-she over-explains it to me like i-i can't understand it...
Hank: Honestly... indirect insults can hurt more than direct insults. Do you want me to carry you to your bed? I'll have Deimos and Sanford watch your bedroom door as well.
Aries: Y-yes, please... b-but can w-we stay here a-a little longer? Hank: Of course. I'll help you go to sleep as well.
(Aries leans against Hank, and closes their eyes. Hank begins rubbing their back again, but slower this time. He lifts them so that they're sitting on his lap, and begins slowly rocking back and forth.)
Hank: Breathe in, and out.... in... and out... there we go, just like that. Breathe slowly, and rest yourself. Rest each muscle, starting from your feet, to your calf muscles, then your thigh muscles, then your core, stomach, and glute muscles, your arm muscles, your chest muscles, then rest your most important muscle, your brain. Imagine yourself, in a calm, quiet, comfortable place... like a library, or in a dark, damp, warm cave... where you're safe, and you're protected and loved. Breathe in, and out... in, and out...
(Hank's words echo in Aries' mind, and soon, they're fast asleep, leaning against Hank while breathing slowly and softly.)
Hank: There we go...
(Hank picks them up bridal-style, and walks out of the bathroom. Deimos and Sanford turn around.)
Deimos: Are they asleep?
Hank: Yep. That breathing, relaxing, and imagination thing worked like a charm. Thanks, Deimos.
Deimos: Thank Doc, he's the fella who taught me all that.
Sanford: Let's get them to their bed. Hank, you should stay with them in their room in case they wake up, have an accident, or have a bad dream. Hank: Alright.
(Hank walks into Aries' room, changes them into their bed-clothes, and lays them in their bed, under their bedsheets.)
Hank: Sleep well, Aries...