snarkyowl:

It’s late and Dark is exhausted as he makes his way down to Dr. Iplier’s clinic. Papers in hand, he runs a hand through his hair and knocks on the doctor’s office door. There’s a pause before the silence is filled by a grunted, “one second,” and some shuffling. Dark waits as patiently as he can for the doctor to finally open the door, eyes blankly set on said door.
“Doctor,” Dark says as the door opens, shoving the stack of papers at the other man. “The bills for the clinic.” 

Doc accepts the papers with a frown and a raised brow, looking from them to Dark for a moment before speaking. “Where’s Cecil? Shouldn’t you be with him?” 
Dark frowns, shaking his head slowly. “No, no. I left him with Google.”
“You left the Host with someone very easily distracted? Not to mention he’s sick and dead-set on following you everywhere.” The doctor sounds disapproving, and Dark forces himself not to roll his eyes.
“Doctor I am certain they’re both fine. Now, I’ll be going. Goodnight.” Dark leaves without waiting for the doctor’s reply, hands running over his suit to try and calm his mind. 

---

When he returns to the room he left Google and Host in, he finds Google rebooting and Host nowhere to be seen. Damn Edward for being right, Dark thinks bitterly as he turns on his heel and leaves the room. He makes a call to the other Googles to start looking for the Host on the security cameras, ignoring them when they ask why it is they have to find Host at all. 
I shouldn’t have left him. I’m his brother, I should be watching him at all times when he’s ill. Dark’s thoughts don’t treat him well, but he doesn’t have time to wallow in self pity. His brother needs him.

He finally finds the Host outside, dazed and rapidly narrating on the ground. Dark curses to himself, moving over and kneeling down in front of the other ego.
“Host?” 
“Please don’t do this-” Host whispers, and Dark frowns in confusion. 
“Don’t do what? Host, you aren’t in the right mind. We need to go back in and get you back to bed-”
“I won’t let you.” Host says next, and Dark watches in dismay as Host throws a poorly aimed and very feeble punch at him. There’s silence, Host stills and quiets, and then he speaks again.

“Dark?”
“Yes, Cecil. It’s me.”
“I hurt.”
“Well that’s what you get for going outside while ill, Cecil.” Dark sighs, climbing to his feet and gently pulling Host up with him. Host grunts, wobbles in his arms, and finally slumps a bit lifelessly against him. 

When Host is finally tucked safely away in bed, Dark relaxes. 
His brother is quite the handful when he wants to be.