Work Text:
-🖤-
Sometimes it was hard to remember that they weren’t stuck in the office anymore.
Sometimes, Stanley woke up from bad dreams, thinking he had reset again, thinking his actual life was the dream. Obviously, he was still in the office. His mind was just playing tricks on him. But then he saw his bed. His room. The Narrator next to him, slowly waking, his voice drowned in sleep. “Are you alright Stanley? Bad dreams again?”
He could only nod.
“Ok.” he sat up with a heavy breath “Remember, we are here, and we are here to stay. Now just calm down. Deep breaths, there you go. In. And out.”
Stanley focused on his words, feeling calmer already.
“Good. Now, wait just a moment.” He pulls a box up from under their bed. Once the box is opened the both of them look at the trinkets inside it, leaning onto each other.
The Narrator pulls a plush out. “Remember this? We bought it at the zoo. You said the animal reminded you of me. A parrot was it?” Stanley nods. “You told me they could talk and I got excited. But frankly, hearing them was a bit disappointing. I found their voices to be grating and they sounded oddly arrogant. The comparison was insulting and you just-” Stanley cut him off, giggling at the memory, even when tears were still pricking at his eyes.
“Yes. That. Just laugh it off why don’t you. Oh, the humiliation.” But he wasn’t really insulted.
Well, not anymore at least.
Stanley cuddled into him and grabbed the plush to brush over its soft fabric.
“Okay, next thing then. We’ve got this pin at that amusement park. That was the first and last time I’ll ride a rollercoaster.” he chuckled, “But the other attractions were fun. Maybe we could find a smaller one though, the crowds are uncomfortable.”
He put the pin back into the box and combed through it.
“Oh look, these are my favourites. A feather and a seashell. Although I still think it’s a tad morbid to take clams as decoration for a sand castle, I must admit they are very pretty. And the beach is so nice, the warm sun, the cold water and all the happy faces.” he sighs happily “It’s even worth it to deal with the sand getting everywhere. Say, should we go to the beach again soon Stanley?” he got a snore in response. “Oh. When did you fall asleep hm? But good. Sleep tight, my love.” he leaned forward to place a kiss on his head.
The box was placed under the bed again, to be pulled out the next time it was needed.
The Narrator pulled the cover over them and cuddled with Stanley (and the parrot-plush), falling back into blissful sleep.
-🖤-🛏-🖤-