Random HC #25 (Continuation of #4 - #24)
Empty?!
The feeling is overwhelming. If he had any doubts left that this actually is real, they crackle into nonexistence now. No hallucination can feel this incredibly good. His entire body is vibrating with a mixture of excitement and exhaustion and he gives in completely to the kiss, letting the hero take control. Although, you can’t really call it this way, because Sportacus only gently, slowly moves his lips a little and Robbie’s follow this lead blindly. They don’t go any further. But it’s far enough… When Sportacus slowly pulls back again after long minutes, he takes a deep breath in, before opening his eyes and noticing the tears on the villain’s cheeks, at once “…Robbie?…” slightly worried, he wipes the tears away with his thumbs “Robbie, are you all right?” Blinking slowly, the other opens his eyes again and just stares at the hero’s for a moment. Then he swallows weakly and a faint smile plays on his lips “…If this really was nothing but a hallucination…then I’d never want to wake up from it again… But…this felt too real to be one…” he takes a shallow breath in through his slightly parted lips and his grip on the hero’s arms tightens a little “…I would’ve never…thought that this would happen… That you actually…” he breaks up. It feels as if the energy is drained from his body and his head slumps forward, coming to rest against Sportacus’ chest. A dull beeping reaches his clouded brain and he mumbles weakly “…The…brats…are in trouble again…” “No. Not the kids…” Sportacus is barely able to contain the fear in his voice, when he now carefully slides his hands down Robbie’s back to carefully ease him into a lying position again. “…The…mayor?…” “No, Robbie…” the hero is starting to wonder whether the villain is trying to joke, but then the beeping of his crystal becomes stronger again and Robbie’s eyes flutter shut “Robbie? Robbie!” gently, Sportacus slaps on his cheek “Wake up, Robbie!” With a low groan, the other opens his eyes again and they start to dart around the room unfocused, his voice nothing but a weak mumble “…So…tired…” “I know…” Sportacus tries to ignore the beeping of his crystal to force his voice to stay calm “But it’s better if you stay awake now… Can you do that for me?” he smiles forcedly and grabs one of Robbie’s shaking hand to squeeze it gently. “…Hm… I can…try…” the other furrows his brows, wondering why he feels this incredibly exhausted out of a sudden “…But…you have to…save somebody…anyway… Can’t I…take a nap in the meantime?…” Sportacus’ heart grows heavy, but he manages to still sound calm “…Robbie… The crystal is flashing because…of you…” “…Me?…” he furrows his brows “…But I’m just…tired… Or…” now his clouded brain starts to slowly notice the hero’s concerned expression and his eyes widen the tiniest bit with fear “…This…isn’t normal… I’m the one in…trouble… But what…” “Robbie. I promise you, you’ll be okay! Trust me. Just try to stay awake now, okay?” Sportacus gently strokes his head “Talk to me. That will help you.” “…Okay…” maybe he’s already too tired, or it’s just because Sportacus’ presence and touch simply are so comforting and soothing, but either way, Robbie isn’t as scared as he probably should be right now, he even manages a small smile “…I…really liked…that kiss… Maybe we…could repeat that…one time…” Sportacus smiles despite his growing concern and quickly bows down to place a soft kiss on Robbie’s cheek “We’ll repeat that as many times as you like, once you’re all healthy again,” then he stands up from the bed to stand next to it and start his examination. He first takes Robbie’s temperature again, finding it even slightly more risen than before. “…Hm… I’d like that…” Robbie smiles weakly, struggling to keep his eyes open “…Sportacus?…” “Yes?” the hero has just turned the villain’s pajama top up to use the stethoscope to check on Robbie’s heartbeat and breathing and is now carefully palpating his stomach. “…Were you…serious?… Do you…really…love me?…” Sportacus holds in his move, smiles down at the other and replies softly “Of course, I do. Would I’ve kissed you otherwise?” “…But I… Until now…I didn’t even believe that love…exists… I… I’m surely going to be…pretty bad at…loving you…” he lowers his eyes and a lonely tear runs down his cheek again. “Oh, Robbie… You obviously don’t notice…but you’re already INCREDIBLY good at it! Really!…” the hero shortly cups and strokes his cheek once more, before picking up his examination again “…Does any of this hurt?…” “…Hm… No, I…don’t think so…” Robbie weakly shakes his head “…I’m just so tired… And I…” “Yes?” presses the hero gently. “…I feel a little…funny…” “Funny?” Sportacus furrows his brows in concern. “Yeah…” the villain swallows hard and he blinks several times “…I don’t…know what it is… It’s like…a black, empty hole…up here…” he presses his palms against his temples and inhales sharply, his eyes squeezed shut “…Sportacus… Am I…dying?…” “What?! Of course not!” the hero quickly takes Robbie’s hands in his own and gently pulls them away from his head “Look at me, Robbie.” Whimpering, the other follows the order, his eyes feverish and glassy. “I know you are scared and feel bad. But you won’t die! I promise! I won’t let you!” he leans down and captures Robbie’s trembling lips in another, short kiss, before he searches his eyes, struggling with himself for a moment, before he starts carefully “…But…we really have to find out what is wrong with you now…” “Please… No doctor! I-I…” Robbie bites his lower lip, trying to keep it from trembling even worse, but his eyes give away his panic, anyway “…I’m…so scared…” “Shush…” Sportacus cups and caresses his cheek with one hand and starts massaging his chest with the other, his voice low and calm “…No… No doctor, Robbie… I don’t think…an ordinary doctor would be able to help you…” “H-Huh?” Robbie swallows again, not sure whether to feel relieved or even more scared now. “I can’t…explain it to you now…” the hero smiles weakly “…You have to trust me again…and…you’ll have to answer some questions…” “…Questions?…” rasps Robbie confused. “…Yes… Mainly about…your past…” Sportacus tries to appear calm and soothing, but he fails once more, when he notices the other’s wince at his words and he murmurs “…It’s probably going to be difficult for you, I know… But it’s very important that you do!… And I’ll be here for you and help you as good as I can!” “…You…know what is going on…with me…don’t you?…” Robbie takes a labored breath in and despite his daze, he still notices the hero’s troubled expression and manages a weak smile “…Don’t…try to…lie… We both know…that you have no experience with this… It’s okay… I…will try my best to answer your questions if you’re convinced…you can help me then…” Sportacus smiles feebly and carefully wipes Robbie’s new tears away with his thumb again “…Never dare to think of yourself as weak or a coward again… You’re so incredibly brave right now!…” “…Huh… It’s easy to be…brave when you just…got to know that your…crush actually loves you…” a faint smile tugs at Robbie’s lips and he hesitatingly lifts a violently shaking hand to cup Sportacus’ slightly blushed cheek now, as well, still fighting his exhaustion to not fall asleep “…Go ahead then… Ask me what you have to know…”