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There was one memory from Ashswag’s childhood he would never forget.
He was five years old, still not accustomed to the giant world he lived in. He had woken up in tears, a nightmare that had shaken the small boy. He remembers getting up from his bed, bringing his stuffed animal and blanket with him as he stepped out of his room. He couldn’t see a thing, the entire house pitch black from the late hour, but he knew the route by heart.
Ash scurried to his parents room, a long walk for the child. He struggled with the doorknob, failing to open the door a few times due to his hurried state. When he finally got the door to open, he pushed inside the room quickly, standing in the doorway.
His parents had woken up from the sound of his sniffles, so Ash didn’t have to shake them awake. His mother had looked slightly annoyed at being awake, but the sight of the distraught toddler made their entire mood melt.
“Ash, honey, what’s wrong?” His father had said, worry dripping from their voice. Ash only stood there, sobbing quietly. He had a death grip on his stuffed animal, a stuffed shark he had since he was just an infant. His mother had gotten up from the bed, picking the small boy up. Ash leaned into his mothers embrace, sniffling into their shoulder.
“I’m going to guess a nightmare.” His mother had mumbled, patting his back. Ash was put down onto the mattress shortly after, right next to his father. He cuddled up to his father, who in turn wrapped an arm around his small body. He felt his mother settle on the other side of him, humming softly.
Ash felt his eyes droop, his tears coming to a stop as he laid between his two parents. He fell asleep quickly, his mothers heartbeat and his fathers embrace lolling him to sleep.
-
Now here Ash was, laying in bed, and now a grown ass man. He had a long day, people constantly testing his patience. And now he was laying in bed, staring at the ceiling, and deeply annoyed. That memory from his childhood was the only thing coming to mind, and it wanted to make him bash his head against the wall.
He was a grown man. Imagine him, Ashswag, sleeping with his parents. At his age. He’d rather lose ten hearts then admit he actually wanted that. His parents probably wouldn’t even let him. Clown would turn him away, for sure. And he didn’t want that embarrassment.
Still, he was desperate. And it wouldn’t hurt to try. …Actually it might, knowing his mom.
Ash sighed heavily, getting up from his bed like it physically hurt to do so. He sat at the edge of his bed, wondering if he really should do this. Sacrificing his dignity, for one restful night of sleep?
Who was he kidding? He hadn't slept for days. Sleep sounded like heaven at the moment.
Ash stood up, walking out of his room. The walk to his parents room felt like a walk to his execution, kissing goodbye to his dignity. He stood in front of his parents room, contemplating how he got to this point in his life before opening the door.
The cruel world of Lifesteal made every one of its members' senses develop into a rabbits, the smallest disturbance easily waking someone up. His parents, Branzycraft and Clownpierce, were woken up by the mere sound of the door opening.
Ash saw the two of them stiffen, with Clown grabbing his mask from the bedside table before being stopped by Branzy. “Ash?” Branzy muttered, his voice rough and delirious from sleep. He saw his mom stop what he was doing, looking over at him in confusion.
It reminded Ash that he was only one out of two people to be able to see Clown’s face and live. He always forgot it wasn’t a sight people were used to.
“The hell are you doing here?” He heard Clown say, a heat rushing to his face, that was thankfully masked by the darkness of the room. The script he had been rehearsing this entire time had vanished, leaving him to come up with something on the spot.
“Uhh, I was wondering.. If I could sleep with you guys. Like, how I used to.” Ash muttered, uncharacteristically sheepish. He saw his parents look at him in confusion, and he began to hope and pray the floor would just swallow him whole.
Then he saw his mom move out of the way, holding up the mountain of blankets up so he could get in. Ash stood there dumbly for a second, before going onto the bed. He took the place Clown had previously been, feeling his father wrap his arms around him.
“I can’t remember the last time I held you like this.” Branzy mumbled quietly, and if Ash looked up, he would see a dumb grin on his fathers face. He felt his mom lay down right next to him, Clown’s tail wrapping around his leg.
It was hot, under the many blankets that were on top of Ash. The heat was obviously for his mom, since a Netherborn was sensitive to the cold. But it was nice, bringing him a sense of nostalgia. It reminded him of when he was little, and his mother.
Ash felt Clown bury his head in his shoulder, his tail tightening on Ash’s leg. “Don’t scare me like that again.” He heard his mom mutter. His parents were at both of his sides, just like when he was little.
Ash laid there, feeling his father fall asleep easily. His mom, who usually took forever to sleep, was passed out soon after. The knowledge that their son was safe and with them had given them an easy rest.
As Ash felt the promise of sleep pull at him, he realized one thing. He didn’t want to be anywhere but here, in his parents arms.
That night, Ash got the best sleep of his life.