Chapter Text
A dull, leaden weight anchored Jax to the mattress. He stirred, the motion slight, his eyelids glued shut in a futile attempt to postpone reality. A sluggish, unsettling realization seeped in: the texture beneath his cheek was alien, softer than his own pillows.
His eyes snapped open. A furious, internal heat wave—pure mortification—scorched his cheeks beneath his fur. The memory hit with the force of a physical blow: the shattering nightmare, the desperate flight, seeking shelter with Pomni. He was not just in her room; he was entrenched in her bed.
She was a warm, compact anchor, perfectly nestled against his length.
Jax swallowed a dry knot of anxiety. His arms were wrapped around her torso in a tight, possessive grip, and she was curled into him, her small, gloved hands pressed flat against the soft, fluff of his chest.
The proximity was overwhelming, a hundred times more intimate than their accidental cohabitation on the floor the previous night. His tail, betraying his carefully constructed indifference, gave a faint, involuntary thump against the mattress. His ears swiveled, listening to the soft rhythm of her breathing. She looked peaceful, her features smoothed by sleep. A dangerous thought whispered through his mind: Was it truly selfish to steal this moment, to remain encased in this fragile warmth for just a few minutes longer? When in this digital purgatory would he ever be afforded such a genuine connection again?
Jax’s muscles seized. *Stop it. Where are these thoughts coming from?*
A subtle shift in Pomni’s weight, a light sigh against his chest, pulled him out of his internal panic.
He carefully lifted one hand, his gloved fingers feathering gently against her forehead, brushing a few stray strands of dark hair away from her face. He paused, looking closer. Her jester hat was gone. Ah, right. Caine permitted them to shed their usual avatars and change into casual wear while inside their rooms.
Jax, having collapsed from sheer exhaustion, was still encased in his bulky pink overalls and pristine yellow gloves.
A low, vibrating rumble caught in Jax’s chest. He realized, horrified, that he was purring—a deep, resonant sound resonating through his fur. He inhaled sharply, trying to clamp down on the noise, silencing the unexpected, animalistic contentment.
*What in the world was that?*
Pomni stirred again, her eyes fluttering open, revealing dark, sleepy pupils. She hummed softly, her hands unconsciously tightening their grip around the soft fluff of his chest.
“Mh… Jax?” she murmured, her voice thick and drowsy.
Jax instantly went rigid, his ears flattening slightly against his head. He quickly, awkwardly, unwrapped his arms from her.
“M-morning…” he managed, his voice rough and slightly strained.
Pomni looked up at him, her expression slowly clearing as the events of the previous night flooded back.
“Did you sleep alright?… Any more nightmares?” She asked, the anxiety tightening her chest.
Jax shook his head, a smooth, definitive motion. “No.” Surprisingly, he had slept soundly, sinking into a deep, dreamless rest he never achieved alone in his room.
Pomni shifted away and sat up, the sheets pooling around her waist. She was dressed in a soft, baggy T-shirt that slipped low off her left shoulder, paired with fuzzy, light-colored pajama bottoms. She yawned, running a hand through her messy, dark hair. “I’m glad. Do you get nightmares often?… You looked pretty rough last night.”
Jax stared up at her, his pupils momentarily dilating. The question felt too direct, too focused.
He pushed himself up to sit beside her. “Oh… uh, yeah…” he admitted quietly, the confession feeling heavy and strange on his tongue. “I… I actually slept incredibly well after I came to you.”
“Really? Well. Like I said last night, you are free to stay in my room if you need to again.” She offered him a smile—a sweet, genuine curve of her lips that made his chest feel suddenly, uncomfortably light.
Jax loved when she smiled.
*Stop it! What is wrong with you!? Stop thinking like that!*
“Thank you, but I don’t want to burden you or… or disturb you,” Jax mumbled, running a shaky hand over his sensitive ears before resting them in his lap.
“You won’t, Jax. I'm offering you to stay here. I want you to be comfortable.” Pomni reassured, her hand reaching out and settling lightly on his arm. The touch was feather-light but grounding. “I’m here. Don’t push me away.”
Jax felt a wave of heat spread up his neck and into his cheeks, visible even beneath his thick fur. She was touching him, *voluntarily*. She often recoiled from anyone’s comforting gestures, yet here she was, purposefully reaching out to *him*.
His ears perked up slightly, involuntarily. “Sorry… sorry, habit.”
“I know, it’s alright.” She smiled, removing her hand after a few moments, the residual warmth fading slowly. “Are you ready to head down for breakfast?”
Jax gave a small, jerky nod.
“Alright, let me just get changed.” Pomni slid off the bed, her fuzzy pants rustling softly.
“O-oh! Uh… right, sorry. I’ll step out.” Jax scrambled off the bed and quickly retreated, closing the door behind him to afford her privacy.
Jax leaned against the cool wall of the hallway, his foot tapping a nervous, anxious rhythm against the ground.
His ears swiveled the moment Pomni’s door creaked open. She stepped out, her jester hat perfectly fixed upon her head, and offered him a bright, composed smile.
“Ready?”
Jax nodded, falling into step beside her. He consciously adjusted his long stride, ensuring he stayed precisely at her side, not ahead, not behind.
The two arrived at the breakfast table, where the others were already seated. They were a few minutes late.
Jax took a seat, and the slight thump of his tail against the chair betrayed his pleasure when Pomni deliberately chose the seat right next to him.
His good mood immediately dulled under the weight of the weary, scrutinizing glances the others kept sending his way. He couldn’t blame them, given his recent near-abstraction, but the silent observation made his skin crawl.
“Morning, Pomni!” Ragatha finally spoke, her voice warm. “…Jax,” she added, a note of hesitant caution creeping in. Usually, she avoided greeting him to prevent a snippy retort. But Jax seemed so fragile now, it stressed her.
Jax’s gaze dropped to the table before he lifted it to meet her eyes. “…Morning,” he murmured after a few seconds, the word barely audible.
“You guys just missed Caine. He said he needed to perform necessary maintenance, so we get a free day,” Ragatha announced, her smile widening.
“Really??” Pomni breathed a sigh of relief. She was absolutely dreading facing another impossible adventure.
Jax visibly relaxed, the tension easing out of his shoulders.
“So we were… thinking of watching a movie?” Gangle offered, her ribbon-body swaying slightly.
“We can watch movies here?” Pomni asked, intrigued.
“Yeah, but they are all made by Caine. They’re basically bootlegs of real movies because of copyright, or whatever lame excuse Caine gave,” Zooble shrugged, their geometric antenna twitching with mild annoyance.
“But it’s… it’s still fun!” Gangle chimed in quickly.
“Oh, it is, but definitely lower your expectations,” Zooble added dryly.
“Yeah, I’d be down for a movie… Jax?” Pomni looked up at the rabbit beside her.
Jax was tapping his fingers against the table…a nervous habit. “Oh, uh, yeah, sure.” He didn't want to be alone today.
Jax stabbed his fork into a perfectly round pancake, his movements surprisingly precise. His mouth opened, exposing his sharp, angular teeth, before he shoved the entire thing into his maw.
“How do you do that?” Pomni asked, watching the feat with fascination.
“Mh?” Jax asked, finishing the pancake and swallowing with a quick gulp. “Do what?”
“I mean, you talk, but your teeth always seem fused together, yet you can also open your mouth like that? Why don’t you just do that to talk all the time?” she asked, genuinely curious.
“Oh, uhhh… I’m not sure? It’s just not really how my body works. I don’t know. I tried to think about why once, and it gave me a headache, so I've stopped questioning it.” Jax rubbed the back of his neck nervously.
“Ah… yeah, probably a good call. Sorry,” Pomni nodded, accepting the strange logic of the Digital Circus.
Jax shook his head. “No… no, it’s alright,” he quickly reassured her.
The rest of breakfast passed smoothly, though Jax, acutely aware, noticed the occasional concerned glance from the others. It made his fur stand on end, making him feel like a volatile object they were all waiting to explode.
Jax tried to shove the paranoid thoughts away as he followed the group to the small living area.
He sat down on the familiar, slightly lumpy couch, and was surprised when Pomni settled next to him again, not leaving a comfortable gap between them.
“So, the movies kind of cycle with what choices we can have,” Ragatha explained, holding up a few DVDs. “Looks like we have… some rip-off Disney stuff.”
“Hmm… what about that one?” Pomni pointed to a movie titled *Entwined*. The box art was a badly copied version of *Tangled*.
“Oh, I don’t think we have seen this one yet. Good choice,” Ragatha smiled, sliding the disc into the player before taking a seat next to Kinger.
Gangle sat down next to Zooble, offering them a small, sweet smile.
The movie began. True to Zooble’s warning, it was essentially Tangled, but the dialogue was slightly altered, and the characters all possessed subtly unsettling, off-model designs.
Jax made it halfway through the film before the deep, restorative sleep from the night before caught up with him. His eyelids grew heavy, and his long ears drooped down until they rested against his shoulders. Soon, he had fallen completely asleep, slumped upright against the couch cushion.
The others noticed Jax’s silence. Ragatha shifted in place nervously.
“How is he doing?” she whispered to Pomni.
“I think… alright? He’s pretty tired. He came to my room last night because of a nightmare,” Pomni whispered back, keeping her voice low.
“But he’s… stable?” Zooble asked cautiously, their mechanical parts clicking softly. “He didn’t nearly abstract again?”
Pomni shook her head. “No, no. He seems much better today. But I think I should… keep an eye on him.”
“I’m just surprised he’s letting you be so close, and… he actually came to you last night?” Gangle whispered, a genuine astonishment in her voice.
Jax always maintained an impenetrable wall, refusing help, brushing off concern. Had all of that been a façade? Were they finally seeing the true Jax? someone just as scared and desperately in need of help as the rest of them?
“Yeah, well, we talked a bit. And it sounded like he wanted to let me help him, so I told him he could come to me if he needed anything.” Pomni glanced up at Jax’s large, sleeping form. “I’ll admit, I was a little surprised he actually came to me. He… he looked really bad last night. He told me he gets nightmares often.” Pomni felt a pang of guilt for sharing, but Jax needed support, and she needed guidance.
Ragatha frowned, her doll features creased with worry. “Alright, just… be careful, Pomni. I’m not saying don’t help him!” she added quickly. “Just… none of us know what could happen after a partial abstraction. He could become unstable again. And even if he doesn’t, Jax is difficult. If he suddenly decides he doesn’t want you getting too close anymore, he will make sure you stay away… no matter what.” Ragatha warned, her voice laced with sadness.
“I’m not going to just abandon him,” Pomni stated, her voice firm.
“I… I’m not saying you should! I just… I don't want to see you get hurt. Please just be careful?” Ragatha pleaded.
“None of us want Jax to go through something like this. Even if he is a complete a-hole. But there isn’t much we can do if he doesn’t let us. But he’s letting *you*. He’s trusting you,” Zooble added quietly, their tone unusually soft.
“I know… and if he will let me, I’ll continue to be there for him. I know how he can be, but I also see more… a side that he hides away, a side that he’s starting to let show. And I know it’s likely because he’s tired and can’t put on a front, but if he’s shown it’s okay to be who he is, maybe he won’t push us away again,” Pomni whispered, looking at Jax with a complex mixture of pity and determination.
“I… I think he needs that. He needs you. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Jax act softer. Something about you, Pomni, makes him feel safe,” Ragatha said, looking intently at the jester.
“What do you mean? It’s been a long time?” Pomni asked, her curiosity piqued.
Ragatha sighed. “It was a few years ago now, but there was… another. Jax was very close with them until… they abstracted.” She kept the details deliberately vague. “Sorry, it’s not my story to tell, and I don’t think he would like me telling you about them.”
“It’s alright. Maybe he will tell me eventually,” Pomni sighed. Did that have something to do with the door Jax stared at last night? The one with the frog decal?
Jax stirred slightly, murmuring something unintelligible in his sleep. His foot thumped against the ground a few times, and his ears twitched rapidly.
He looked restless, but so far, he didn’t look distressed, which was a relief.
The group returned to watching the movie, Pomni occasionally glancing at Jax to check his breathing and expression.
The movie was nearly over when Jax stirred again. His eyes slowly opened, blinking against the light. He stretched his long arms out above him in a stress-relieving yawn.
Pomni giggled softly. “Hey, sleepy bunny,” she whispered.
Jax’s gaze fell upon her. “Oh, did I fall asleep?” he asked, rubbing his eyes tiredly. He didn’t comment on the nickname, but surprisingly, he didn’t fully hate it. “Is the movie almost over?” he whispered.
“Yeah, it’s the prison break scene right now,” Pomni explained softly.
Jax hummed, turning his attention to the screen. He stayed awake for the remainder of the film, occasionally glancing down at Pomni. She looked happy, relaxed.
The rest of the day was unexpectedly pleasant. Jax found himself enjoying just being in the presence of the others as they chatted and idled. He didn’t contribute much, but he listened, letting the normal chatter wash over him.
Occasionally, he would glance over to see what Gangle was sketching. She would tense up out of habit, but when Jax didn’t mock her or grab the pad, she would relax and continue drawing.
Pomni stayed reliably near Jax for the rest of the day. Jax couldn’t suppress the warm, buoyant feeling that bubbled up again, especially when she would laugh. Her laugh was light, it was a sound that he realized he liked very much.
After dinner, Jax walked with Pomni toward their respective rooms.
“Thanks,” he spoke softly once they stopped in the hall between their doors.
“Oh? For what?” Pomni asked.
“Just… for today. Staying with me.” Jax offered her a genuine, if brief, smile.
“It’s no problem. I enjoyed it,” she smiled back.
Jax shifted nervously in place. “Well… goodnight,” he said quietly. He turned to his door, his hand resting on the smooth knob, but paused. His ears slowly fell, weighted down by a familiar, heavy dread. He didn’t want to be alone. But he couldn’t ask Pomni again. He couldn’t impose on her. *It’s okay. He’s dealt with nightmares for years. He’s fine. He’s… he’s fine…*
“Jax.”
Jax turned around. Pomni was still in the hall, watching him with an understanding gaze.
“Would you like to come to my room tonight?” she asked, having clearly witnessed the sudden tension in his posture.
“Are… are you sure?” Jax asked quietly, the question tinged with disbelief.
“Of course. Last night was nice. I mean, you didn’t kick me off my bed,” she chuckled lightly.
“I… yeah, if… if it’s alright? I don’t think I can be alone right now…” Jax admitted, the confession feeling raw.
“Alright. Go get changed, and you can come over,” Pomni said gently before slipping into her room.
Jax’s ears wiggled up and down with relief.
He hurried into his room and rummaged through his meager selection of clothes, pulling off his overalls and slipping into a pair of baggy carrot-print pajama pants and a soft, pink T-shirt.
He left his room and crossed the hall, tapping lightly on Pomni’s door.
“Come in, Jax!” she called out.
Jax turned the knob, finding it unlocked. He stepped into her room and slowly made his way over to the bed.
Pomni was arranging the pillows. She was wearing a red and blue patterned shirt that covered her shorts. “Nice pants,” she laughed, pointing at the small carrot decals.
Jax looked down. “Yeah, well, Caine thinks he’s funny.” Jax chuckled, taking a cautious seat on the edge of the bed.
Pomni climbed up beside him.
“Hey, uh… I know you don’t really like touch. Are you sure you are okay with this? I mean, I get pretty clingy at night… usually I wake up holding pillows,” Jax asked, his voice low with concern.
“It’s alright, really. You are actually pretty cozy, especially with your soft fur,” Pomni reassured him, tilting her head.
Jax felt heat spread rapidly up his neck and onto his cheeks. “O-oh! Uh… thank you?” What was he supposed to say to that? No one had ever offered him a compliment like that before. “But uh… if it’s too much, just push me away. Seriously, it’s okay, I won’t be offended.” he quickly added.
Pomni laughed, a light, airy sound. “Alright, but seriously. It’s fine.” She said, laying down and getting comfortable beneath the blankets.
Jax hesitated only a moment before he burrowed into the soft blankets beside her.
“Night, Jax. You can wake me if you need anything,” Pomni yawned.
Jax hummed in response, closing his eyes. He let the warmth and the unfamiliar security of the shared space wash over him. He relaxed into the mattress and slowly, peacefully, fell asleep.
Pomni glanced over at Jax, smiling softly when she saw his deep, even breathing. He looked utterly peaceful.
She found herself shifting a little closer to him, drawn by the residual warmth radiating from his body.
Jax shifted in his sleep, turning onto his side. His arms moved, slow and heavy, draping over her side and slowly pulling her closer until she was tucked firmly against his chest. He was clearly still fast asleep…he hadn’t been kidding when he said he was clingy.
Pomni smiled softly, adjusting slightly to get more comfortable in the tight embrace. She closed her eyes and sighed, letting sleep claim her.
Yeah, she… she could definitely get used to this.