LU 217 - Dr. Thornberry 56

I woke to the sound of Space’s voice today and watched blurry-eyed as he stretched besides the bed. I smiled at him, and quickly brushed my hair to the side, today was a new day.

I talked with him a bit, and we brainstormed ways to fix up my leg. I mentioned that water may work, and he brought a bucket of it from outside to try and clean up my wound. But before we could do that..

*”Vice, I’m gonna need you to do something about your pants- they’re kind of in the way.”*

I stood there with wide eyes for a second before coming back to my senses and pulling the pants up. What was I thinking?

*(God, Vice get your mind out of the gutter.)*

We got a lot of the old blood and grime off the wound, and then Space held me still while he wrapped some cloth around it, placing a stick along the side, and tieing it all up with some rope. ..It definitely wasn’t the best splint I’ve seen, but it would do. All I needed now was the thick water I had left brewing in a corner. As I went to reach for it, Space stopped me in my tracks.

*”Good job sitting through all of that Vice.”*

I looked over my shoulder at him and he *winked at me.* I did my best to not get red before shaking it off and grabbing a bottle. But to my surprise, Space reached over me and grabbed one for himself as well. We both gulped down the creamy thick water, to which I was surprised he could drink now. I guess its an acquired taste? But before I could ask him why he didn’t grimace at the taste of it, he brought up something else.

*”You need a new outfit. You look dirty and your clothes look like they’ve never been washed.”*

*”That’s surprising coming from the man who hasn’t changed in 500 years.”*

*”Yeah well I’ve changed now, and it’s time you do the same.”*

*”…I can get my old lab coat, it should be somewhere in my lab.”*

*”No, you shouldn’t go outside yet, you’re not healed.”*

I sighed, he was right in a way. I could only really limp a little ways with my water, and if I didn’t have enough on me, I’d be like a minecart out of fuel. He offered to lend me some of his casual clothes until I could get myself something new.

*”I didn’t know you had something so comfortable and simple.”*

I looked down at the blue shirt and grey jeans he’d given me, smiling as they reminded me of what I used to wear as a child. He came up to me and wrapped a jacket over my shoulders as well before commenting,

*”I don’t wear suits all day Vice, here I’ll get out of this thing too.”*

He dug around one of his chests and brought up a pile of fabric before taking of his armor and then taking off each piece of clothing.

*(What is he DOING?)*

I stared him for a few seconds before my eyes darted to every part of his body and back up to his face. He wasn’t even paying attention to me, just changing as if there was no one else in the room to see him. ..Did he maybe forget I was right here? He continued on and I diverted my eyes, when I looked back, I saw him putting on a hoodie, and he looked at me smiling.

*”What do you think?”*

*”N-nice! It uh- you- I mean it looks great!”*

*”I’m glad you think so.”*

He roughly patted me on the head before going back to his chests. I watched him fold up his suit and place it in the box along with his crown when he muttered something I could barely hear.

*”You’re one of the first people to see me like this you know. Only Kory and Boulty have.”*

As the words hit me, I remembered Boulty. I went pale, and my hands suddenly felt numb, with a small tingles at my fingertips.

*”…Space.”*

*”Yes Vice?”*

He was humming softly, looking quite content. This was such a horrible time to tell him the truth.

*”So- uh.. you know Boulty right?”*

He stopped humming and looked at me.

*”Yeah Vice, he’s my kid.”*

*”…And you know how he’s been gone?”*

Space straightened up.

*”Vice, what is it?”*

*”And do you remember back when I got mayor, and you made an army to try and take that away from me, and I hated you..”*

I trailed off as I watched Space’s face shift into shock.

*”Vice did you take my kid.”*

I quickly put on my armor and started backing towards the door as I laughed nervously.

*”Ahaha-I mean- I don’t have him anymore! And I only had him for about a month!”*

*”Where is he now.”*

*”With Funnii! I can- I can help you go look for him, just give me a week, he’ll be back in no time!”*

I put my hand behind me and touched the cold metal of the door handle, trying to twist it open.

*”You’re not going anywhere. Funnii is in our police force. I’ll go find him myself.*

*”Noo- but Space! I put him in that position, it would be best for me to go get him instead!”*

I kept rambling on, getting panicked that the door handle wasn’t moving.

*”And I didn’t treat him badly, really! I even gave him food…once.. but I also gave him a workbench, and a furnace, and a little chest and bed.. and oh! He had a chicken! Oh and, and! I even let him say goodbye to his pets in the castle before I took him! AND PLUS! When I took him, I didn’t beat him down, I just told him you were away!”*

*”Oh how kind of you.”*

The tone in Space’s voice had completely changed from a few hours ago, and he sounded like his old self again; controlling.

*”ANYWAY! I’ll go find him!”*

I felt the doorknob finally turned and I almost fell through the frame, trying my best to turn around and skid away, when I head Space’s armor clink behind me.

I turned around for a split second to see if he was going to kill me, but he was just standing there.

*”Vice. Turn around, and get in bed.”*

*”Whahahhaaattt? I’ll be back soon, don’t even worry!”*

But he pushed into the hallway past me and stood in front of me. Our height difference was more apparent than ever, and looking up at him from this angle seemed scary for the first time in a while.

*”I said, go back into the room, and get in bed.”*

I nodded, fast walking back, and crouching down.

*”Armor off, though you couldn’t do anything to me here, I saw you wincing with every step.”*

I did as I was told, and started to apologize.

*”I’ve heard that enough. I’ve had to save you, time and time again, I’m tired of hearing that from you.”*

*”You haven’t saved me that many times.”*

*”Oh really? Tori, Frezz, and now Electric. You’re constantly getting yourself in trouble. Now stay put here, and I’ll go get Boulty back myself.”*

I tried to retort back, but nothing came out, I knew he was right. I just sighed and sat up on the mattress, asking him one more question while he raced back into his royal clothes.

*”How long will you be gone?”*

*Not long, only two or three days. Just- please stay put okay? I know you have a tendency of running off.”*

He mumbled something else but I couldn’t catch what he had said. I moved over to the door to wish him safe travels. He just smiled at me, his vibe from a few minutes ago had melted away.

*”Be a good boy for me Vice, I love you.”*

And as soon as he said it, he was out the door, leaving me to the clanking of him shoes echoing down the hall. I stood there dumbstruck for a few minutes, a harsh blush dancing along my cheeks.

I staggered back over to the bed, and fell down, screaming into my hands like a teenage girl. I was weirdly happy? I wasn’t sure but I couldn’t get his words off my mind. I couldn’t even sleep, it was all too much. I mentally kicked my legs as I thought about what I would do before he came back.

…When I remembered. The final fight with the trees was supposed to be.. tomorrow right? Shit, if Space doesn’t come get me, I’ll have to go on my own. I won’t be fighting but- I haven’t seen any of them in a while and I’d really like to surround myself with familiar faces. I better not have to break Space’s trust by running out of here.