Wilford was in the middle of a project that Dark wasn’t fully aware of all the details. Often, he left Wilford to his own devices since more times than not, things had a strange habit of just working out for him in the end. Dark had to maintain order with the others, yet with Wilford, his chaos was order. There was a routine despite not following a schedule. A lack of organization, yet everything was exactly where it needed to be. Dark had to admit to himself that it was one of the many things that drew him to Wilford. The impossible stability to his insanity.
But sometimes, the perfect housing that surrounded the mess was made of glass, and invisible cracks began to form when it had been too long since Wilford stopped his work for a break. It was rare that Wilford wouldn’t catch those cracks himself; always one to easily drop everything for a vacation. Dark was the only other one who could see those cracks, the small shift in his posture, the slight pitch difference in his voice, the subtle dullness in his eyes. Signs that his…abilities were being stretched too thin and far, and the cracks would cause a shatter if they weren’t settled soon. A shattering that would leave few survivors.
Dark had two techniques for getting Wilford’s attention: to get him to either notice the cracks himself or to guide him away for a recharge. He usually started subtly on his end and would find a different Ego, one he knew could make a comment to Wilford without it throwing him off too much. A blunt one. So he found Mad.
“Madrick, have you read Wilford lately?” Dark asked, casually placing a hand on Mad’s back to start leading him toward the room Wilford was currently in.
“No? Why?” Mad didn’t question the movement and walked with Dark.
“Could you do me a favor and look at him?” Dark stopped them at the entrance to the room, Wilford having not noticed them as he hummed to himself, looking over some sketches he wanted to either approve or fix.
“But he-”
“Don’t worry.” Dark cut off the protest, knowing Mad was going to talk about how Wilford could always tell if he was being analyzed by him. “I have you covered.” The hand he had on Mad’s back shifted into a deeper shade of gray, small black tendrils came out of his palm and covered part of Mad’s shoulder blades. It was a short-lived ability Dark discovered about himself, but it got the job done when needed.
“Okay…” Mad glanced at Dark before going back to Wilford, eyes shifting from showing his own emotions to those of the person he was reading. Dark watched the changing in color, a rainbow of sorts. Mad blinked, his eyes went brown, and then shifted into a light blue, showing that he was worried. “He’s really tired,” Mad stated. “I don’t think he’s noticing, it’s far down and buried.”
“Would you mind telling him?”
“Won’t he get upset? Usually, people don’t like it when I point out their feelings.”
“Trust me, you’ll be okay.” Dark knew Wilford’s list of Egos that he was the softest to. Mad would be fine.
“Alright.” Mad held out the word and walked into the room. “Wilford?”
“Hello, there!” Wilford greeted with a big grin. “Do you need something?”
“You’re tired.” Mad did exactly as Dark expected.
“Oh, Maddy. I’m perfectly fine.” Wilford’s grin turned into a light smile, and he patted the top of Mad’s head. That told Dark his plan hadn’t worked. Meaning it was time for the other trick up his sleeve.
“He didn’t believe me,” Mad said when he returned to Dark.
“I had a feeling he wouldn’t. Thank you for helping. I have it from here.” Dark gave Mad his own pat on the shoulder and then went into the room himself. Mad just blinked, shrugged, and continued on to do what he had been wanting to before Dark borrowed him.
Dark’s second technique was one that he saved for when it was just the two of them. Something that only Wilford was allowed to see. There was no shame; he just liked keeping it for them.
“Wilford,” Dark said the name as soon as he knew they were alone, having used a shadow tendril to shut the door.
“Darkling!” Wilford perked up. “What’s got you up and around?”
“I wanted to come see you.” Dark’s voice got lighter, and he placed a hand on Wilford’s chest.
“Well, here I am.” Wilford’s shoulders relaxed, showing Dark that this was already working.
“I was thinking that the two of us should go do something together.” Dark slipped his fingers under one of Wilford’s suspenders.
“What would you like to do? Dinner? A movie? Some games?” Wilford listed off the options, becoming more excited and bouncy with each one.
“I can think of a certain kind of game we could play.” Dark curled his fingers, getting a light grip on the suspender.
“Give me a hint.” Wilford’s smile was that big, goofy one that reminded Dark that the world wasn’t always so bad.
“Happily.” Dark hummed and tugged, pulling Wilford into a kiss.
“Oh~! We’re playing my favorite game with you.” Wilford sang half of his words as he placed his hands on Dark’s waist.
“Only if you want to.” Dark grabbed the other suspender, stepping back and guiding Wilford to go with him.
“Always, my heart.” Wilford’s answer got Dark to grin.
“Good.” With one more step, Dark had himself and Wilford falling through a shadowy hole in the wall he had created.
Zentangle inktober this year, using prompt list from 2018 created by a Stephanie Jennifer. Never really done any zentangling before, so this is a really interesting experience.
