So I've realised that I can't belt out the chapters as fast as I thought I'd be able to ;-; However, I am definitely going to finish this story not matter how long it takes. This I strongly assure you. I've just taken so long because my story mojo keeps failing me and my DC muse isn't as strong as it used to be :| In any case, the solution to this round's writers block was a simple change in the point of view. Hope you enjoy ;)
The lady doctor -she knew the nice lady was a doctor because her momma and papa had to take her to the doctor pretty often- was really nice, Asha thought. She'd rubbed a cooling cream on her hands and made them really comfy by wrapping them up with pretty white band aids. She'd even given Asha a lolli! A strawberry lolli! Strawberry was her favourite colour and she really, really, really, reallyloves strawberry tastes. The nice lady doctor secretly slipped the lolli into her pocket and made the "shhh" sign and gave her a wink! Then, they'd both giggled secretley at Depth Charge because he looked so weird standing there 'cause he was so big and the ce-ci-cl-oh yeah!Ceiling! The ceiling was pretty short. Maybe just a little taller than the nice lady doctor? Anyways, the nice lady doctor had scolded Depth Charge, then let him carry Asha away. Asha gelt really happy at first, but then she saw Depth Charge looked really sad, then realised that he'd been looking pretty sad every time he looked at her hands. With this thought, Asha thought that may be if she told Depth Charge her hands didn't hurt anymore, he would be happy?
But, even though Asha kept on saying her hand didn't hurt, Depth Charge still looked sad. But then, after a while, Depth Charge had put on his thinking face, and although he wasn't happy, at least he wasn't sad. With a smile, Asha sighed as she lay her head against Depth Charge's shoulder, happy that she was being carried -she loved being carried. It was so fun!- espi- es- es-pe-ci-ally by Depth Charge, 'cause he felt so warm.
Then suddenly, Depth Charge held her tighter. Not an uncomfy type of tighter, but a tighter that meant something was wrong. Just a few seconds later, Depth Charge stopped all of a sudden. Asha slowly pulled away from Depth Charge's body and froze, butterflies starting to flutter about in her tummy when she saw the scary frown on Depth Charge's face. He looked really angry. Why was he angry? Was it something she did? Was he mad at her? Was... Asha swallowed nervously as she looked at Depth Charge in slight fear. Was he going to beat her? NO. Depth Charge promised! He promised he wouldn't hurt her! He said it himself! Depth Charge wouldn't hurt her! Depth Charge was warm an- and he was also really gentle and he was also really nice to her. He wasn't like Uncle Jo. He wouldn't hurt her like Uncle Jo. Only Uncle Jo would hurt her. He didn't like Asha and he would beat her and-
NO! NO! BAD THOUGHTS! NO BAD THOUGHT! BAD THOUGHT GO AWAY! BAD THOUGHTS GO AWAY NOW! GO AWAY! GO AWAY GO AWAY GO AWAYGO AWAY GOAWAY-
Asha screamed in her head.
Her body was shaking. She felt like the butterflies had become more butterflies and they were flying around in her tummy. And the butterflies were all smacking against her tummy and making a very big, scary feeling. Asha shook her head roughly, hoping that that would shake the bad thoughts out of her head too, but ending up whimpering quietly when the bad thought didn't just only stay, but also suddenly become even badder. Asha bit her lip and shut her eyes so hard it was painful, but she didn't really mind, 'cause it helped to take away the bad thought a little bit, so she didn't stop doing it. However, the bad thoughts slowly started coming back and becoming worser and worser and- she ScrREaMEd DEPTH CHARGE!!
But Asha was so scared her voice didn't say his name loud enough, and she was so scared and she wanted Depth Charge to save her like he had done before on her home, but she was so scared and shaky that she thought she was gonna start crying -and she hated crying 'cause crying meant that she was weak and she didn't wanna be weak; she wanted to be strong- but then Depth Charge had heard her and he was suddenly looking at her with his pretty eyes and he was speaking to her in that low, gentle voice and she could see and she could hear,that he cared,just like the nice lady doctor said he did, and the feeling inside of her was growing and growing and suddenly she couldn't hold it in anymore and-
She cried.
Asha could feel the salty tasting tears that were streaming down her face. Her nose became runny and her mouth had so much drool in it and she was drooling and she was crying and she was boogering all at once but she didn't feel so sad. She actually felt happy and thankful -her momma had taught her that word- because Depth Charge was here with her and he was stroking her hair and he was speaking to her gently and he was bouncing her and he was safe.
Asha didn't notice Depth Charge'sfierceandscaryprotective expression as hecradledher in his strong arms. She didn't notice that they had arrived at the motel they were staying in. She didn't register the warm, comfy bed nor the comfy quilt that Depth Charge had pulled over the both of their bodies. All she knew was that she was finally safe with Depth Charge and that she never wanted to leave him. And for the first time in a long, long time, she felt that she was home.
The first thing Asha noticed when she woke up was how warm she was. As she opened her eyes, a small smile came onto her face as she saw how pretty and calm Depth Charge looked in his sleep. He had taken off his mask and she could see a really, really, really tiny smile on his face, is she looked really carefully. Asha giggle softly as she raised one of her hands and gentle reached up to one of his head-fins and gently ran her fingers over it. She gasped and shoved her fist in her mouth quickly to keep herself quiet because when she rubbed Depth Charge's head-fin, he purred like a cat and smiled really prettily and pushed his head against her hand. Giggling softly, Asha made a big grin as she continued to rub Depth Charge's head-fin like she was giving him a massage, tiny giggles escaping from her mouth as she did so.
Asha sighed quietly, not wanting to accidentally wake up Depth Charge. He looked so... peaceful. Yeah! That's the word! Asha thought grinning at her great success. Her grin soon fell back to a sweet smile as she watched Depth Charge sleep- this time without having nightscares. Soon, her mouth opened really wide and let out a big, quiet yawn. Licking her lips sleepily, Asha snuggled closer to Depth Charge, pressing her body as tightly as she could against his and resting her hands on his warm metal chest, falling asleep just a few minutes after.
If she had stayed awake a little longer, she would have seen Depth Charge cracking an optic open and looking down at his young charge with a soft smile before pulling the blanket over both their heads and craddling Asha to himself and falling back into recharge.
So, fluffy ending :D How'd you like this chappie? Please do review :3
A.N. - Also, just to clarify, Asha will not -not now and not ever- have romantic feelings for Depth Charge. Not even a crush on him. The only love she has for him is platonic, familial love. He's given her a home and a second chance -and right now, she worships him for that. But once she's older and matured, she'll express her feelings in a much more professional way (though she'll occasionally resort to the lovely sloppy kisses and bear hugs)