Archive of Our Own

Nightmare about Buddy committing suicide like Lisa??? I'll make this when I know more about the game

Brad jolts upright in his bed, roaring with staggered breath. His forehead has beads of sweat and his calloused knuckles are white from gripping the sheets. His field of vision is tunneled, blinded to the size of pinpricks as a sickening sensation courses through his veins.

More monologue about Brad's initial reaction

He calms down and returns his breathing to normal rather quickly, which is something he'd developed a knack for over the course of his life out of necessity. As he regains composure, he notices the room is lit up. He glances left to see Poniko sitting up in bed herself and staring at him somberly.

His teammate seems to have turned on the lights before he even woke up. It isn't unusual for her to keep some of the lights on. She never liked the dark. She always has that lantern by her side, even in bed. Susie initially complained about it being a fire hazard, but a cold glare and a dejected whimper changed her mind.

Poniko also keeps a few dim lights on at night too, to stave away the apparitions of her active imagination. She's still only a child, after all. Right now though, every light is switched on and she's sitting on the side of the bed with her feet dangling off the side, covered by the drooping pant legs of her slightly oversized pajamas. She's already been up. Something's already happened.

He grumbles in response.

Brad rarely dared to probe into the subject of Poniko's condition. All he knew is that Poniko needed that lantern on her at all times... and frankly, that was the most he needed to know right now. He can empathize with the wish that some people would just mind their own fucking business.

Still... a dull ache lingers in the numbness of his hardened heart, watching this girl keep so much in. Maybe she would open up her shell one day. For now though, that's not his place to ask.