A/N: Sorry I forgot to mention this yesterday, but if you're confused why there are suddenly fewer chapters and haven't noticed yet, I moved the Cut and Spare series out to separate stories. Messed up some stuff on tumblr and I'll get around to fixing that but for now I don't really have the time to do it.

This is taken from an anonymous request for extending the depression!April idea into a one-shot revolving around her and helping Chris when he was having some issues. Not precisely April/Andy, but I hope that's fine.

April could see some of the mannerisms form in Chris before he even knew what was happening, and she knew immediately what was going on. She knew all too well what a practiced veil of that inner turmoil looked like, and further she knew that his suddenly ended relationship with Jerry's daughter was only the catalyst for something much bigger. It always seemed like things started simply, with something apparently minute, when she knew just how massive and important those small things could be.

It's why, for a week, she reminds him that they're going to see a movie that weekend. Them being, namely Andy, Chris, and her. She knows he'll decline at the last minute - it's what she'd do - but she has to make an effort. It's why, when earlier in the day he doesn't seem like he's aware they have plans, she stops by his office before leaving to go home.

"Hey Chris," she says calmly when she enters the City Manager's office. "You ready?"

"April Ludgate, movie night with the Ludgate-Dwyers sounds phenomenal," he points to her half-heartedly, and April tries her best to keep a smile. "I don't think I can go, though. I have some work I need to finish up. You and Andy will have an amazing time, I'm sure."

"C'mon," she pleads, unsure why she still cares until she remembers.

She remembers and sees that fake smile - that feigned nonchalance and the way he pushes her away. April doesn't really like Chris all that much: he's too happy, too chipper, and he keeps trying to make her do work. Then again, she doesn't think it'll be very cool if he remains this down on himself or where that could lead. He might deadlift himself into the grave if he kept spiraling.

"I'm flattered that you'd think to ask me," he nods, sitting on his desk and crossing his arms, "but there are some obvious code violations down by that waste dump on Main, so I really have to look at those."

"Oh wow, that sounds so exciting," April groans, looking around before shaking her head. "Look, I think you need to go out and- and you need to hang out with us."

"Really?" Chris looks surprised, tilting his head.

"Ugh, yes," she tries to hold back the scowl but it's too natural a response. "I mean, yes... c'mon you'll have fun. And you can walk Champion after, if you want."

"Champion? The world's greatest dog?" Chris smiles widely again, his eyes lighting up instantly. "Except for the three legs-"

"Yeah, yeah, but-"

"He is literally the greatest dog with three legs there has ever been," Chris interrupts, accenting every syllable with harsh pokes of his fingers in the air, "and that there ever will be."

"Sure," April agrees, nodding slowly.

They both quiet, April standing against the wall and Chris still smiling from his desk. She might say she doesn't like him, but that one brief moment of watching him light up again - returning to the usual Chris - made her feel like somewhere she had done something right. As much as she hated that feeling, if it meant that he wouldn't make her days horrible by forcing her to worry about him then April could deal with it. April hated doing something right if it meant work - this, this was different. Right meant she could help him.

"Y'know," April moves over to sit on the desk beside him as she speaks, "if you're... feeling down or whatever, you just need to find something."

"Oh, I never feel down," he replies, shaking his head, "I have exercise, an incredibly carefully structured diet, and myself to make me happy."

"Sure, I bet all of those are very satisfying right now," she answers knowingly, watching his mouth purse thoughtfully. "I mean, whatever it is that's got you in a... if you need to talk to someone-"

"I've never talked to a 'professional' and I don't think I need to, April," he interrupts, his face stony in its determination.

"Maybe that's the problem," she turns her head to give him eye contact. "I found Andy, and he always listens to me when I have... when I have the same problems, so - it doesn't have to be a relationship or whatever. That's dumb, anyways. Just talk about it with someone."

Chris looks like he's ready to say something, his eyebrows bunching up like he's just figured something out, but April stands up and leaves before he gets the chance to. April never talked to anyone that could have helped her, or at least anyone that had a fancy piece of paper saying that they could help her, but if that's what Chris needs he should try it. Still, she knew he wasn't going to. In the early stages she never wanted to talk about it at all, and she figures he won't be much different from her.

When she's halfway out of City Hall she hears footsteps following her at a brisk pace. It's annoying to admit that she smiles at that noise, but its barely even a whisper of one so that's okay, and when Chris eventually shouts for her to wait up it gives her the time to straighten her demeanor out. After all, she does feel kind of all right later that night when Chris takes Champion out for a walk.

Almost like she did something right.