Prompt: (Support, carrying, enemy to caretaker)
Triggers: Self doubt
Fandom: MCU

Footsteps walked down the office halls with a purpose in their step.

"Good morning Cassidy!" 

"Heya Cassidy!" 

"Good to see you Cassidy!" Greeted her ears as she moved down the hall.

"Morning!" She greeted everyone with a smile. Her hair was in a high ponytail and she was in a nice dressy yet casual shirt and some capris. Her converse tapped on the floor softly as she headed towards one of the offices toward the end of the hall.

She held a bundle of neatly stacked papers and folders in her arms as she approached the door and knocked.

She expected an immediate reply as per usual but... silence greeted her instead. She frowned a little and hesitated before pushing the door open. She looked around and found it empty.

That was odd. Dark was always in the office by now and always greeted her here...

She turned and knocked on one of the other office doors.

"Host tells Cassidy to enter." A voice greeted her and she stepped inside.

"Good morning Host." She greeted him with a smile. "I have a question though I'm sure you know that already."

Host smiled back at her, looking up at her despite the bandages over his eyes. "Host knows you want to ask about Dark's location this morning."

"Right. Can you tell me?"

"Host informs Cassidy that Dark hasn't come into work today. He believes Dark is in the manor in his room."

That made Cassidy frown. "But he always comes into work."

"Host suggests that perhaps it would be wise for Cassidy to check on Dark. Host noticed Dark seemed a bit off last night."

"Off how?"

"Host believes it is not his place to say."

Cassidy sighed before nodding a little. "Alright. Thank you Host."

"Cassidy is most welcome. Host wishes her well on her endeavor."

Cassidy reached over and gently squeezed his hand, her version of a wave goodbye for him and left the room. She set the papers in Dark's office and headed for the exit, letting Google know where she was headed.

---

It didn't take long to arrive at the manor and step inside to locate Dark's room. She had been brought here a couple times by both Dark and Wilford for various events or reasons.

She made it to the master bedroom and hesitated before knocking. "Dark?"

She heard something heavy fall in the room and panicked, pushing the door open. She ignored the harsh piercing rings in the room and hurried over to Dark's form that was lying on the floor, trying to get up.

"Dark! What happened?" She asked, putting her arms on her shoulders only to be roughly shoved away with no answer.

She frowned, her concern turning to a bit of stubbornness.

"Dark, tell me, what's wrong? Why didn't you come into work?"

He tensed up, the noise growing louder, a sign of his stress and emotions.

Cassidy put her hand on his. "Please... I want to help you-"

"STOP IT!" He roared, not looking at her but the yell making her flinch back a bit. "STOP TRYING TO HELP ME! STOP GIVING ME YOUR ATTENTION AND CARE!"

She sat there, shocked before realizing he was shaking and something fell and landed on his hand.

"I-I-" his voice was always a bit distorted but the way it shook made it sound so broken... so tired... hopeless. "I don't deserve it..."

Cassidy's eyes softened as she watched him cry. "Dark, I-"

"Don't. P-Please... just... don't... I don't deserve your pity... not after everything I've done... especially not your pity..."

"It's not pity-"

"Then what the hell is it?!" He snapped, glaring at her, making her slightly flinch but stay put. "What is it that makes you think I deserve whatever the hell it is your giving me?! I ruined your life Cassidy! I know you remember what I did! I know you know what happened and all the things I've done to you! Yet you stick by me anyways! Why is that?! Huh?! Is it because you think I'm still him?!"

It wasn't till those words left his mouth that he realized what he said and stared at the hurt expression on Cassidy's face.

"C-Cass- I-I didn't mean-"

She looked away from him, her own tears starting to fall as she sat in silence.

Dark looked away and wrapped his arms around himself. "...I won't stop you if you want to leave... I-... You deserve a better life than this Cassidy..."

Dark was startled by the response.

Cassidy's arms were wrapped tightly around him, holding him close as tears spilled down her face. "...So do you... So did they..." She replied quietly.

He took a shaky breath. "Why...? Why do you keep giving me your pity?"

"I told you... It's not pity, Dark. I care about you. I'm not sure if love is quite the right word for our relationship now... After all, you aren't..." She sighed softly. "But, I know he's a part of you. Just like she is." She put a hand on his chest, looking at him. "But you aren't either of them. You are you. And I'm here for all of you. Not just them." She gave him a warm smile.

"And I know the others are too. You mean the world to so many of them. After all, you're the one who took them all in and gave them a home and place to belong. Please, don't let any of your pasts keep you from what you want for a future."

He stared at her hand before looking up at her.

She could've sworn she saw two distinctive figures in his aura, one blue and one red, watching as well.

".... Thank you... From... all of us... Cassie." He replied softly making her gasp softly at the nickname and tears spill down her face at the slight change of his voice before hugging him tightly again.

"I promise... I've got you... all of you... Don't ever forget that." she told him softly.

He returned her hug with a tired smile on his face. "I won't... I promise."