18

Glisten's eyes fluttered open sleepily, his arms disappointingly empty and the couch cold.

He could've sworn he had fallen asleep with Boxten...He must've woken up and started his day.Without Glisten.

"Boxy?~ Where are you, dear?.."He said, sitting up and looking around the dark commons room.

If it was morning already, which explains the box's disappearance, the lights should be on and Sprout would've been making breakfast, maybe with Cosmo.

But no sound of laughter rang in his ears and no light filled the halls.

He swung his legs off of the couch, knocking off the throw pillow as he got up and walked over to his bedroom.

No toons were talking either.Not even the thump of maybe someone running around upstairs.Even Shrimpo's room was free from the sound of walls being punched and paper torn to shreds.

"Hello??"Glisten called out the first time, receiving no reply of the sorts.

He made it to his room eventually, peaking inside to see nothing but a made bed and the lights turned off.

He walked across the hallway to Boxten's room, being met with the same outcome.

Kitchen? Empty.He took the elevator down.Lobby? Somehow even more barren.Not even Dandy sat at his shitty shop.

(I am NOT introducing Dyle to this so i'm just gonna pretend that his area is still the merch shop)

The elevators did not make a sound. No slamming around food, no train running in and through the station, no music played in the old speakers or radios.

Just silence.Just Glisten.

Suddenly it felt as if the emptiness had transformed to a darkness that crept along the walls, on the floor and towards Glisten.

It was like black quicksand had unexpectedly came to be underneath the mirror's feet as it began to consume him.

He tried to step out of it, but of course that wouldn't have worked.He didn't have time to scream for help before his face had fully submerge and he drowned in the darkness.

Then with a painfully sudden shove, he saw light once again and his breath was brought back.

And he was on the couch.Next to Boxten.

"W-... What the hell..!?"Glisten said, panting and looking around violently like it would all vanish in an instant.

"You were having a nightmare! You started breathing really hard and then just stopped breathing all together I almost called Cosmo in here! And then Sprout showed up and slapped you awake-"Boxten said, half relieved and somehow also terrified.

Glisten's heart rate was still up and pounding like a percussion solo, but his breathing had evened out.

"You looked kind of funny, to be honest."Sprout said, gigging to himself before he turned and walked back to the kitchen.

Glisten cussed him out under his breath as he left. (how many times am I gonna mention glistens breath holy crap)

Boxten smiled and leaned in slowly, letting his arms make their way around Glisten's torso.

"Are you alright now?"The box said, resting his head on the other guy's shoulder affectionately.

Glisten smiled as well and returned the hug, also leaning down to embrace his partner."Yeah, I'm glad you're here, Boxy."

And almost as if Boxten had guessed exactly what the dream was about, he inhaled and whispered something. The exact thing Glisten just so desperately needed to hear.

"I'm right here, always."