Chapter Text
Theo hated the dark. More specifically, he hated dark caves. They were too cold, too desolate, too lonely. Theo hated being in one because it reminded him too much of his old life. (He claws at the bars, his voice all but crackles with static get him out geT HIM OUT-)
They were exploring when the ground caved in. Theo’s fingers had slipped from Bobby’s grip as he and Bubba fell. The others had run off to find some sort of solution. They had waited for hours until the sun had set.
The moon wasn’t out tonight. Theo couldn’t see anything.
“Theo? Are you alright? You’ve gone quiet.” He hears Ben call out.
Theo presses himself against the wall, a pitiful whine from his throat. He couldn’t see Ben at all. He hears the other sigh and some sort of shuffling.
“Theo?”
“I- I can’t-“ he stutters out, trying to calm his nerves.
It doesn’t work, as he begins to see shadows in the corner of his vision. Long, bony fingers that he once worshipped, only beckoned his inevitable doom. He grabs at his arms - trying to make himself smaller. (He screams and cries as he struggles against his restraints. He doesn’t want this; he doesn’t want to change.)
Someone’s calling him. Theo can only respond with a whine. They’re trapped here. Trapped without any food and he’s suddenly starving. He doesn’t want to go hungry. He doesn’t want these memories to play all over again. There’s nothing left they’re going to die Catnap’s falling-
There’s a burst of light, as the walls glow orange. Theo stills, his shoulders relaxing once he can see. Ben stands before him, staring down. Theo follows his gaze, dumbfounded.
“...That was your handkerchief.” Theo said numbly, “Your favorite one.”
“I can have Carys make another one.” Ben responded, “Are you back with me, Theo?”
Theo takes a deep breath. He looks down at his hands, gripping them. He was not Catnap. He was not a monster. He was not back at Playcare, he was merely stuck with Ben in a cave. He was Theo, a normal cat going on an adventure with his friends.
“...Yeah. Yeah, I’m here.” Theo said after a moment.
“That’s good. I’ve figured out a way to get us up, but I’ll need your help.” Ben said, “Think you’re up for it?”
Theo looks up at Ben. There were so many thoughts that swirled in his mind. Ben was the smartest one, of course he had a plan ready. But Theo didn’t want to stay in this cave any longer. He couldn’t wait for the others to save them. His body itched and shivered at the thought of staying trapped here.
“I’m fine.” He says shakily, standing up, “What do you need me to do?”
***
Ben was able to get them out. He had Theo form a few cloudy platforms. Though he couldn’t make enough to climb all the way out, Ben had a few supplies to help them climb up. Through sheer willpower and resource conservation, the two could get out of the hole.
Theo jumped into the grass, the cool blades soft in his touch. (When was the last time he touched grass? Not that long, but it felt like ages) Ben pulled the rope they had used up, sitting by Theo’s side as the two looked up at the moonless sky.
“Are you scared of the dark, Theo?” Ben asked, finally breaking the silence.
Theo paused in his joyous reunion with the ground, a frown on his face. It made sense Ben asked that – Theo did his best not to shy away when it got too dark. Usually, being around the others would quell his fear, but being trapped in such a small space made his skin crawl.
“I hate being in such a small dark room.” Theo said instead, “It makes me feel small. Trapped.”
“I see.” Ben said, crossing his legs, “…Is that why you’re always the first to cast an illumination spell when we go into caves?”
“I do that?”
“It’s hard not to notice it when you cast it right before we enter a dark area, even if we have another light source.” Ben shrugged, “But I doubt anyone else has made that connection yet.”
Theo slumps his shoulders, sighing. He’s relieved, he didn’t want to explain why he feared being in the dark. It was all in the past, anyway. Even if his powers followed him, Playtime Co. couldn’t have followed as well. It wasn’t possible.
“That’s good,” Theo said, “…Thank you. For snapping me out of it.”
“Don’t mention it. All the others have gone through that one way or another.” Ben said nonchalantly, “I’ve done my fair share of calming everyone down at least once.”
“And they help you when you panic?”
“I don’t panic.”
Theo frowns at that, “Really? How do you stay calm?”
“I just don’t.” Ben says, “Look, Theo, don’t worry too much about it. I’m the most levelheaded person out of all of us. I have to keep calm when everyone else is running around like headless chickens.”
Theo frowns at that. There was more to the story, he was sure. Ben wasn’t being truthful. (He sees the skittish look, the curl of a trunk he’s learned that shows nervousness. Catnap sees the underlying terror Bubba had when he was lying to Catnap’s face when he-)
He lets it go. They all had secrets, no matter how small they were. A shout interrupted their conversation and Theo could see the flickering of a torch. He sees the outline of their party quickly approaching. Ben gets up, dusting off his shorts.
“There’s our rescue party.” He says, extending a hand to Theo, “Ready to go, Theo?”
“…Yeah, I’ve gotten my fill of grass,” Theo says, grabbing Ben’s hand. Maybe when they’re closer, Theo would understand how Ben could ignore the thoughts that claw him.