"I don't know." Bing is sat up in his bed, his leg almost completely restored, his arm still missing and King passed out in the bed behind where the Host is currently sat. "No offence, but I don't like the idea of you being in my head."
"Apprehension is understandable. You've been through a lot. However the Host believes it may be easier to show him what you saw in your nightmare, than to try and put it into words."
Bing's nerves are almost palpable on the air and the Host waits for a few moments before carefully offering the cyborg his hand again. The Googles can, and are, handling the physical recovery but the difference in Bing's mind is something that could easily take months to recover from. The Host is merely offering a slight cheat, so that it can be less of an uphill struggle for him.
It's a few minutes before the Host feels Bing's hand slip into his own, the cyborg quietly muttering "Just…try not to knock anything over in there. Please?"
Host gives what he hopes is a reassuring smile. "The Host will do his best."
…Of course King doesn't care about him. He has to take care of his trees now. He has real responsibility. ..
…As though Google could ever see him as anything but a defect. There's a harsh tug on his wrist. "Stop shifting, or I'll leave you like this another week." Google's words are harsh and biting…
…It's one thing to say you're sorry Bing. But have you ever considered just not being a jackass?…
…he's done his best to hold in the pain, as he felt something just rip through his chest like a serrated knife, he feels a tear roll down his cheek. Stuttering out an apology, he reaches up desperate to hide it…
…There's blood. There's panic. It-It can't-! This can't be real! Jim is howling as he scrabbles to pull his brother closer, lashing out at any of them who come near…
Every thought and emotion slams into him, every moment feels as real as any actual memory ever has and the Host is taken aback by the sheer intensity of what he sees. It actually takes him a moment to realise that that strange raspy sound he can hear is Bing, gasping for breath. The cyborg's grip on the Host's hand is impossibly tight and each breath sounds more and more labored. Bing's panicking.
"Breathe." Host orders as he shifts, taking Bing's hand in his left, while he moves his right one to the cyborg's shoulder, doing what little he can to ground him. "Breathe." Bing must have seen it all as well, and the Host silently curses himself. He should have realised such an experience would cause Bing to panic. "You're safe. You're home. Breathe."
It's not easy to talk Bing down from the panic attack, unable to see what words are calming him and which aren't, but gradually the Host feels Bing's breathing slowly begin to even out, his own concern calming along with it.
"The Host apologises, he should have warned you."
"It's-it's…." Bing tries to say 'it's okay', but he doesn't quite finish the phrase. His chest hurts, still occasionally spasming, and he figures that maybe it isn't that okay.
Taking a breath, the Host begins to speak, comfortable in using his narrative powers to try and help to calm Bing down now that the initial panic is over.
'Bing's breathing slowly returns to normal as he realises that remembering what happened does not give these memories their power.' Bing follows the guiding without struggle, sinking slightly in the bed and giving a relaxed sigh as he continues to listen. 'They may feel real but they are not the truth. King of the Squirrels did not leave, the Jims are still alive, and Google….'
The Host stops as he realises something he saw in Bing's memory. Or more accurately, something he didn't see.
"Google hasn't visited." There are plenty of instances of Red and Green coming in to work on Bing's leg, and Oliver has come in more than once just to say hello, but Google hasn't come through that door even once.
The cyborg's arm is carefully pulled from the Host's grip and half wrapped across Bing's chest as he turns away. "It's okay." his voice is quiet. Even if the Host hadn't just had access to Bing's mind, he knows that's not true.
"No." Host pushes himself to his feet, a little unsteady, his mind still working it's way through everything he witnessed in Bing's brain. "The Host will speak with him."
"Please don't."
"Bing." The Host places his hand on the cyborg's shoulder. "This is not that world. You do not have to earn your brother's attention. The Host is certain that Google is simply having some emotional issues. You might remember that he's not as in tune with them as we often think he is."
"I guess." Bing concedes and the Host continues to make his way out. I mean, it wouldn't be a terrible thing if Host could convince Google to come visit.
The Host stops as he reaches the door, turning back to glance into the room. "Oh and Bing." Bing glances up, seeing the smirk on the Host's lips. "The Host thought you might like to know that Google broke Dark's nose when he found out you were missing." Bing's mouth drops open as the Host makes his exit.