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Strength In Numbers

Summary:

For once, the owl-winged man finds the strength to sit himself up. Builderman has to fight to suppress his surprise. He doesn’t move much when he gets like this- if at all… Yet here they are, Shedletsky with his head on Builderman’s shoulder, arms wrapped around his friend like he’s his sole lifeline.

Work Text:

Builderman leans a shoulder against the doorframe to Sheldetsky’s room, hand instinctively reaching for the handle without knocking. He stops his hand just short though, and lets it fall to his side. He's not even sure his presence is wanted- but at the same time he hates leaving Shedletsky alone for so long… He decides against listening to his doubt and raises his hand, his knuckles making a sharp, hollow sound against the wood.

 

There is, of course, no answer. So he calls through the door. Nothing again, so he's either asleep or despondent. Builderman opens the door to check which one it is… It’s the latter, okay- cool.

 

Slowly, he crosses the room to the bed and sits down next to his friend. “Shed…? How’re you feeling?” He leans his arms on his knees and tilts his head to get a slightly better look at Shedletsky's face. 

 

He doesn’t really respond, just extends a wing, throwing the blanked off of himself to put it around Builderman. It’s something he does a lot now, and he knows well that it means he doesn’t want to be alone, and just can’t say it.

 

Instead of saying anything further, Builderman just scoots himself a little further up the bed, reaching one hand to rest lightly on the edge of his wing, the other finding a place on his shoulder. Builderman shakes Shedletky gently, “Yer alright, Shed. Yer not alone.” He mumbles, trying to be reassuring.

 

For once, the owl-winged man finds the strength to sit himself up. Builderman has to fight to suppress his surprise. He doesn’t move much when he gets like this- if at all… Yet here they are, Shedletsky with his head on Builderman’s shoulder, arms wrapped around his friend like he’s his sole lifeline.

 

He can’t really help it; Builderman leans into the hug. He’s miserable himself, it can’t hurt to accept comfort where he finds it.

 

“I know ya miss ‘er… I’m sorry.” He knows sorry doesn’t mean anything- not when it comes to this anyway, especially not coming from him. ‘Sorry’ doesn’t bring back the dead. It doesn’t fix the fact that he wasn’t there to help them. It won’t bring Brighteyes back to them. “ I’m sorry. ” His voice betrays him and breaks slightly when he softly repeats the sentiment like it’ll make it hold any more weight.

 

Shedletsky squeezes him as a response. Part of Builderman wishes he’d speak. Say anything at all, let him know what he’s thinking. Maybe then he’d be able to help beyond offering his presence- and apparently a hug… He won’t talk though- maybe for a few hours, maybe for days- and when he does he’ll try again to act like he’s fine, a lie nobody who knows him has ever fallen for.

 

Builderman hesitates before speaking again, “...Are you going to sleep again once you let go?..” He asks, already knowing the answer.

 

Shedletsky shakes his head ‘no’ without lifting it off of the other’s shoulder.

 

Buidlerman blinks in surprise, trying not to react too much as to deter him. “...Oh- What were you going to do?” He asks cautiously.

 

He gets a shrug back.

 

“You don’t know.” He says flatly.

 

A nod.

 

“You are-” Builderman bites back a slightly meaner comment. “..Somethin’, aren’t you?”

 

Shedletsky shoves himself off of Builderman’s shoulder, slight offense peaking through his demeanor. He really didn’t mean it to be something bad, but if it even begins to get him out of this slump.. Maybe he’ll have to try being a little meaner next time. He watches the brunette push himself off of the bed and then put out a hand expectantly. 

 

Builderman honestly isn't sure what the hell is happening anymore, or why he’s being offered a hand, but sure, why not. He takes it and Shedletsky pulls him up off the sheets as well, and then without missing a beat starts dragging him towards the door. He knows he’s not going to win if he tries to fight whatever Shed wants with him, so he just goes along with it. Shedletsky is a hell of a lot stronger than him now- maybe in more ways than just physically.

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