Aku/Isaac

I awoke surrounded in humid warmth. The type of warmth I'd wake up to when Alice was up for spooning. It was right on the border between uncomfortable and comfy. If I had even the smallest ounce of energy I might've been uncomfortable.

The truth was my body felt awful. My head was throbbing. I could barely move. It felt like if been hit by a bus. I had a horrible fever that seemed to be radiating out of my bones. Wait was that… breathing I felt? Hold on a second!

I tried to crawl out of bed, but the person behind me stirred in their sleep, reaching out and pulling me into a hug. I yelled, “aaah!” it was like being dragged under the bed by a hungry monster. I tried struggling, but I couldn’t break free. “Let me go!” I cried.

“Stop your yapping and go to sleep. You’re my bed warmer.” Oh thank Cosmo, It was only Zubu. She pulled me closer to her, putting her leg over me.

“What’s going on?” I asked.

“You need rest so were sleeping in today.” She answered.

“No, I can’t do that. I need to get stronger.” I complained.

“You need to rest. Now if you keep struggling, I’ll have to burrito you up in a blanket.” Said Zubu.

“But Zubu, I could really use some water.” I whined.

“No. If you get up all the cozy aspects will scatter. Now stay put. The only reason you’re here is to warm my bed.” She said.

Were cozy aspects a thing? It was a concept. Now that I thought about it. Whenever I went to bed it would take at least an hour veggie the bed became really comfortable. Getting up usually meant you had to start over. I bet it’s attached to heat aspects. “But Zubu, remember! I’m a man!”

“Oh please, I’ve seen you naked. You’re harmless. Even if you were to swap genders now you would still only be working with a babies water gun.” She insulted.

That one actually cut deep making me feel like some kind of pet. “That’s not true! What if! What if I grab your chesticles! What then!” I threatened.

“I’ll spank you and make you stand in that corner naked until I wake up later.” She said, pointing to the one side of the room where the window was constantly leaking cold mountain air.

I thought about doing it, but there was no winning situation here. Even if I claimed my manhood by copping a feel, she would not only take it away a moment later, but leave me in a far less manly position. I also didn’t think Alice would understand. I was only trying to assert dominance, please don’t stab me.

Activating my aura and fighting her seemed like the way to go, but I also didn't want to hurt her and Make her mad at me. I really did value our friendship. There was also a chance one of us would die, since fighting with auras was very dangerous.

After all, there was a reason people training with guns used targets instead of people. Well that wasn’t quite right for this scenario. If we were training both of us would hold back considerably.

In a real fight we’d keep pushing harder and harder until one of us submitted to the other. By then one of us could get really hurt and there was a chance the friendship would be over.

I really didn’t feel like going through another fight with Zubu. We’d just made up after the last one. There was nothing I could do. It was really frustrating. So frustrating that I almost cried. There was only one thing I could do.

“I’ll pee on you.” I threatened. If she was going to treat me like a child. Then I would just have to weaponize it.

“Well, now that I know you’ll do it on purpose and not as an accident. I have no choice but to punish you, if you do.” She said.

“What! But what if I do have an accident! You know I’ve got a really small bladder.” I cried.

“You’re the one threatening to pee on people. You can’t expect me to think it was an accident when it’s premeditated.” She argued.

“Zubu please let me go to the bathroom! I’ll come back just please let me go!” I whined.

“Comfy cozy aspects!” She emphasized. “Go to sleep and you won’t have to worry about thirst or needing to use the bathroom.” She added.

That was solid reasoning. I remember sleeping in the basement to make the day go by faster, and to ignore the pain my body was in. Still there was no need for that now.

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I tried reasoning again. “But what if I wet the bed! You’ll be super mad!” I cried as I kicked my feet to show urgency.

“Nice try, but the real Isaac would never admit to having accidents. Which means you’re either an imposter, or you’re trying to trick me. Either way you’re not going anywhere. Also from now on you sleep with me. You generate a crazy amount of cozy aspects.” She said before snuggling up against me.

“I’ll bite you!” I threatened again.

“I’ll bite you back. Then I’ll tickle you until you pee and punish you for wetting the bed.” She countered.

I was nearly in tears. “That’s so unfair! You’re a bully!” I whined.

“Go to sleep, before I gag you with one of my dirty socks, burrito you up in a blanket, and stuff you inside a pillow case. Then use you like a body pillow.” She warned, before letting out a long yawn.

Every word out of her mouth made me super duper upset. “Zubu your being really mean.” I cried.

“I don't care. You’re the one lying through your teeth. You just want to run off and work yourself into dust. Rest is important. You need to take a little time off so that everything you’ve worked on can settle. Then you can go back to it with a fresh mind and get even better results.” She explained.

It was only now that I understood what she was up to. Zubu just wanted me to take a break. “But I can't waste time.” I said.

“I'm not going to let you leave. It’s out of your control, so you might as well make the most of it and rest. Do I need to sing you a lullaby? Maybe get you a cup of warm milk? How about I just hold you and keep you nice and warm?” She said before curling around me like a cat sleeping in front of a fire place.

“I’m sorry. “ I apologized.

“What do you have to be sorry for?” She asked.

“Making you worry. Making you take care of me. My friend Shadow says I’m a handful.” I answered.

“Do what I say and it won't be an issue.” She commanded.

Feeling tired I gave up and let out a yawn. Then cozied myself deeper into the comfort of the bed. I hope Zubu never has kids. She is such a bully. Also, why did she get an actual bed while I had to sleep on the floor? It was so unfair.

Later

It was now around 9 o’clock. Zubu had finally let me get up. All three of us were at the table and had already scarfed down our brunch.

I was so happy to make it to the bathroom. I was so close to not making it. There was no way I’d ever let that happen to me again. I’d rather be licked by Shadow a 1000 times than have another accident.

I’d thought about using a clothes pin to clamp it shut, but I wasn’t sure where the pee came out, since whenever I went to the bathroom, I tended to look away.

I held my glass of milk up to my mouth and finished it off with a few gulps. Lorie warmed it up for me and put honey in it. It was sweet with an aftertaste that I could only describe as uncooked oatmeal. It was delicious.

I gave a warm smile to everyone, only to realize they weren’t all that happy with me at the moment. Lorie looked like she was holding in a bowel movement. Zubu just looked worried. Neither of them was even close to being done with their food. They seemed more focused on me at the moment.

The atmosphere was quiet and awkward. Like someone had just let out a big wet fart and no one knew who it was. It wasn’t that though. I almost did something horrible… again.

No one had said anything. No one had punished me. Not even so much as a simple scolding. My butt might be safe, but somehow this felt so much worse.

I couldn’t stand this awkwardness. If no one was going to bring it up. Then I’d have to be the one to rip the band-aid off. “So… are we going to talk about it, or what?” I asked doing my best not to meet anyone’s gaze.

It was silent for a moment before Zubu leaned back in her seat letting out a long breath. She didn’t say anything, almost like she didn’t know where to start.

Lorie took over. “Isaac… you were lacking sleep and became delirious. Nothing more. Next time you are having trouble sleeping, please say so. We have plenty of methods to deal with nightmares.”

She was being nice. They now knew how I felt about being called, or seen as crazy. From now on they would most likely try to walk on eggshells around me.

For the longest time I’ve been afraid of being called crazy, because I was sure they would lock me up again, but just because people didn’t say it, didn’t mean they didn’t think it. I could ask the world not to call me crazy, but all that did was put a band-aid on an ever growing crack. You cant fix a dam with band-aids.

“It’s okay if you think I’m crazy. I don’t want to be treated differently just because you think you’ll hurt my feelings. My mental issue’s are my responsibility, not yours. I refuse to be pitied by everyone.” With that I got up from the table and started to leave.

“Where do you think you’re going!” Said Zubu, getting up from her seat.

She looked like she was going to stop me. “I’m going to practice what I know. Then I plan to hit the books.” I turned my attention to Lorie. “Lorie can you watch me cast spells and let me know if I’m doing okay?” I asked.

Before Lorie could answer, Zubu butted in. “No, you need to rest. You’ve been training yourself ragged every day and night.”

“I’ve slept more than enough. I only have today and tomorrow before I have to save a whole world. I’d rather perfect what I have than become rusty.” I said.

“Lore keeper say something to him! He can’t keep going like that!” Yelled Zubu.

“It’s his decision. Just don’t burn my home down.” Said Lorie.

“Isaac, I’ll stop you.” Said Zubu. She rushed over to me and took hold of my arm. “You might have gotten some sleep, but your body can’t handle that much stress.”

“It doesn’t matter if I break. This body is temporary. My real body is currently bleeding out in a monster infested area. I need to get stronger. Otherwise I won’t just die. My core will be swallowed by my own demon.”

Zubu knew I was right causing her to sigh and release my arm. “Okay, fine. Then let’s train together. I’ll help you improve your skills by fighting with you. Without a partner the only thing you can do is perfect your form.”

“Are you sure? I can’t promise it won’t go the same as last time.” My words made her wince reminding her of the ash covered grave, she was once left to die in.

“Do not worry, I’ll be here to make sure nothing goes horribly wrong.” Said Lorie. She got to her feet and began to head out of the room.

Lorie seemed to bolster Zubu’s confidence. Now with a safety net in place we were both feeling somewhat optimistic.