(curious who he sees as family)
A figure sat down behind him. Cold, soft hands reach towards his shoulders, rubbing them affectionately.
Mother. That's what she felt like. She made him, in a way. It made sense.
Dan wasn't looking, but he could see her in his mind. She was all he saw in there- between existence and void. Black hair, a crimson dress, a smile so warm and loving. She smells of iron.
Once, he cursed her existence. Once, he had wished for her never to have existed.
But it's different right now.
"Heh... hey, ma." Dan murmurs in an almost slurred manner. His heart pounds with fear, but he smiles back at the gaping hole in her face. "I'm... coming back soon. Gonna see everybody. Gonna see you."
She hums. It sounds like a lullaby.
"I love you." Did he? Or was it just because he should? He can't think. He doesn't need to. Everything is fine. Her fingers dig into his skin. It's fine.
She's trying to fix him. She just wants him fixed.
She doesn't know what 'fixed' looks like.
Dan gasps awake, blinking rapidly and looking around. A nightlight in the corner, dozens of 'well-loved' plushies filling the small, cramped space, a mattress on the floor... It's his room. He's in his room.
Not thinking much, Dan scuttles towards the door and pushes it open, stepping out to a familiar laboratory. His eyes scan the environment, before landing on a nearby figure. His chest rises and falls.
Doc's asleep on his desk.
He crept quietly, closer. Closer. Sat down on the floor and leaned against the table as he stares up at Powerhouse Medic's sleeping face.
...Cute. Like a pigeon. Coo, coo. His pigeon doctor.
If he were to disappear, Doc would look for him. Doc would remember him. He has to. He's his patient, and that's his doctor. What kind of doctor just forgets about a patient? What kind of pigeon just up and flies away? Not his pigeon. Not his Doc.
Dan closes his eyes. He's gonna take a nap here instead.