#let this be a lesson to you

[backtothedrawingboard]

Take a Break

Ler!Doey + Lee!Reader

Summary: Poppy has been pushing you way too hard. Doey notices your unusually erratic behavior and encourages you to rest.

CW: Tickle fic, mentions of starvation, momentary spiraling of negative thoughts, cussing

TW: None

AN: Poppy is portrayed as a bit of a villain. I don't like or trust her, so I'm showing my true feelings of her XD

Part 2

~~~~~~~~~~

Help. Help. Help. That's all you ever had to do. You used to be an employee at this hellscape of a factory but faced experimentation. Now here you were. Stuck as one of the only adult figures in the Safe Haven. The children naturally gravitated towards you. You were an adult, and thus all-knowing and all-caring. The truth was, you had no idea what you were doing. You just unwillingly took the burden.

Poppy always put everything on you, Doey, and to a lesser degree Ollie. You supposed Kissy Missy was also given a lot to do, but she basically served as Poppy's own personal slave. You never liked that. The poor toy was used primarily as a body guard and escort and treated with minimal care by Poppy. You understood why Missy put up with it, but it was still...not right.

You rested on a sleeping bag in your little corner of the Haven. Since you served as an authority figure, you were lucky enough to get a tent and string lights around the area. You shared the space with Doey, but he usually slept infrequently. You snatched a pillow from his pile and put it behind your head.

The last couple days were hell. Food was so scarce that whenever you went in search of anything to bring back for the kids, you had to eat it for your own sake. The couple scraps you did manage to bring back were gratefully devoured by whoever could get to it first. Unfortunately, this led to you breaking up fights. The little smiling critter kids could go feral for any crumb and you, Doey, and Missy had to pull them off each other almost every time food was distributed. You were just glad that they were so small that they were easily stopped.

You rubbed your face tiredly. Poppy wanted you to get spare parts for lighting. You managed to hold your ground and insist on going tomorrow. You could still feel the hard glare that the doll gave you. You rolled onto your side and curled up. You could feel a headache starting to pound in your artificial skull.

You should just go ahead and get the scavenge over with. It's just one less thing you'll have to deal with tomorrow. That way all you'll have is scavenging, reading to the kids, repairing any instability in the Haven's fortifications, and-...

You covered your head with Doey's pillow. It didn't stop the thoughts from flowing in. Keep the kids happy and safe, stay alive, keep the kids happy and safe, stay alive, keep the kids happy and safe, stay alive, keep the kids ha-

You rolled onto your back and screamed into the pillow. Dammit, stop thinking. Stop. Thinking. Everything was fine. No one was lost to the Doctor or the Prototype in a while. Everything was running smoothly. The kids were happy- well, as happy as one could be here- and Poppy had a plan in the works.

You twisted and turned fretfully on the sleeping bag. Any effort to shut out your thoughts was met with even more aggressive reminders and memories. You kicked the blanket off of yourself without any intention of getting up.

"Hey, pal...Something wrong?" You stopped moving upon hearing the gentle voice. You kept the pillow over your head. The soft thumping of Doey's footsteps were heard approaching your cot and a soft hand pressed on your shoulder.

"Hey..." he started. "What's wrong?"

You shook your head. "Nothing..." you mumbled back.

You could feel Doey try to pull the pillow off your head. "Come on, Y/N. I'm not that gullible." As you pulled the pillow back down over your head, the doughman huffed and yanked it off. You curled in a ball to block out the light from the string lights.

"Stooop," you mumbled. You were met with a light smack of the pillow.

"Alright. Enough pouting. Get up," Doey teased. You grumbled and hid your face in your arms and knees. He was used to an occasional bout of grumpiness from you and figured this was what it was. He smacked you again a few more times.

You snatched the pillow and yanked it violently out of his hand, smashing it against him several times angrily. "Stop! Just fucking stop!" you yelled. You attacked him with the pillow more before bursting into tears.

Doey flinched and stood still as you hit him. It didn't hurt. It was just a pillow and he was just dough, after all. But the shock of it left him motionless. Once you're done attacking him, he shifted a little and gave you a sad look. He sat down next to the bag and put a hand on your back.

"I'm sorry..." he whispered. "I didn't realize. What do you need?"

You shook your head and covered your face with your arms. "I don't-" You were cut off by your sobs. "I don't know." You sniffled and sobbed louder as you felt the doughy hand rub your back soothingly.

"Shh...Take your time." The doughman stayed with you and rubbed your back and played with your hair soothingly through your entire meltdown. You didn't know what was happening. It never happened before. You wiped your eyes and sniffled pathetically.

After a few minutes, you took Doey's arm in your hands and hugged it to yourself. He cooed softly and ruffled your hair with his free hand.

"Feeling better?" he asked gently. You nodded and nuzzled his hand. He scratched under your chin.

"Y-yeah..." you mumbled. "Thank you..."

"Of course." He continued scritching your chin as he spoke. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Ordinarily you would decline immediately...But your head still hurt, and your chest hurt, and you just...couldn't do it anymore.

"Y-yeah," you answered shakily. "But, um...Can I get some water first?"

Doey nodded and stood up, drawing his hand away from you. "I'll be right back."

You curled in a ball and stared at nothing while he was gone. You didn't think, which was a relief. But you didn't feel either. You didn't know what to do, but you didn't bother trying to figure it out. Doey returned with water and a light snack.

"Hey, pally. Here you go." He tried to sound cheery, but his voice had a hint of sadness in it. You rolled onto your back and sat up enough to drink the water and eat. Your headache immediately lessened.

"Thank you..." you mumbled. Your friend nodded and smiled sympathetically.

"Of course, Y/N. Now, do you want to tell me what's wrong?"

You closed your eyes and nodded a little, rubbing your eyes. "Yeah..." You took a breath to steady your shaky voice. "I'm just...tired. So tired. I don't...I don't know what to do." You stared down at your lap glumly. Doey sat next to the cot again and took one of your hands in his own, giving it a little squeeze.

"I know exactly what you mean..." he muttered gently. You looked up at him. "I'm guessing it's Poppy?"

You nodded and wiped your eyes. "Y-yeah...She just-" You growled. "She won't stop. I'm so...so tired. And she's always nagging me to keep going stuff again and again and...I can't." You sniffled as your eyes prickled with tears again.

Doey reached up and wiped your tears. "Hey...I know. Don't let her walk all over you. You gotta be strong and flexible." He smiled and stretched out a hand inhumanely far. "Like me!"

You couldn't help but giggle a little, your laughs cutting with a short sob before turning back to giggling. Doey smiled more and ruffled your hair.

"There we go. I'm here to help. Take all the time you need," he ordered happily.

You couldn't help but frown a little and looked down at your lap again.

"Um...I was actually thinking of going out for lighting like Poppy said...I was just resting a bit first..." you said carefully. You could feel the disapproving scowl from your friend without even looking up. "I know...But it's just one less thing I'll have to deal with."

"Absolutely not. You are taking a break," Doey demanded. You could already tell he wasn't going to give up easily. He was stubborn. But you were too.

"But it's better to just get stuff done. I've kept up with everything and want to get ahead on it," you said with a determined pout.

The doughman shook his head firmly. "No. You are taking a break. Digging yourself into the ground is not going to help anyone in the Haven. And more importantly, it's not going to help you. You need to take care of yourself."

"I am. By taking care of the others," you retorted. You crossed your arms and glared at him. He glared back. The truth was, deep down, you did want a break. Just some time to relax and let someone else deal with your worries. But you weren't going to admit that without a fight.

Doey just glared right back. "Come on, pal. You need to rest. Please. Burning yourself out isn't healthy." He poked your belly for emphasis. You but your lip and couldn't stop the squeak that escaped you. Unfortunately, it didn't escape your friend's notice.

Doey raised an eyebrow and smiled a little. He didn't bring it up and continued on his lecture. "Taking breaks is important both for your physical-" Poke to the belly. "-and mental-" Another poke. "-wellbeing." You squeaked and squirmed a bit at every poke.

The doughman frowned in fake offense. "Why're you laughing at me? I'm trying to help you," he sighed.

You shook your head and narrowed your eyes. "Oh, stop. I know full well what you're trying to do," you growled. He tilted his head in "confusion."

"What?" he asked innocently. "What am I trying to do?"

You pouted. "Tickle me."

You immediately regretted your words. Doey grinned widely. "Whatever you say."

You squealed as he pounced on you, his doughy fingers digging into you sides. You wriggled all over the sleeping bag, grabbing the hands on your waist frantically. "Doey! Nohoooo!" you shouted. You didn't really mean it...No. Yes you did. Shut up.

"Awwww," Doey cooed. "What's wrong? You told me to." His hands morphed to precisely dig between your ribs. You shrieked and kicked, laughing madly. Your hands scrabbled against his helplessly. Dammit, he already knew where to get you!

"NOHOO!" you yelled. "Not thehehEHEHEhere!"

Your friend laughed and continued to vibrate his fingers in your ribcage. "Not here? Why's that? Is is baaad?" he teased. You nodded frantically, squirming and squealing. You hugged yourself in hopes of getting him off, but he just flattened his fingers to fit under your arms.

"Thanks for the new spot, pal!" he said cheerfully. You squeaked and squashed your arms down.

"Doey!" you cried through laughter. "Not there!"

Your friend grinned evilly. You closed your eyes and pressed your face against the bag as you felt one of your arms get raised above your head. You giggled nervously.

"D-Doey...? What're you doing?" You stiffened as you felt his fingers thin to tendrils and wiggle against the inside of your elbow.

"Why, I'm not doing anything!" You giggled and scrunched up as much as possible. The feeling moved up just above your armpits.

"Eee! No! Doey! Pleaaaseee!" you whined. You couldn't even fully laugh. It was just the anticipation!

"No? But you look like you're having so much fun!" the doughman giggled. He poked your belly, causing you to flinch and squeak. "Come on! You've been stressed lately. This is a nice way to take a break." His doughy fingers inched to your armpit. You squealed and giggled, trying to pull your arm down.

"Stop teasing and get on with it!" you managed to shout.

Doey squeaked excitedly. "Oh? Get on with it, you say? Whatever you want, Y/N!" He dug his fingers into your armpits and wiggled them ruthlessly.

A shriek escaped your lips. You found yourself wriggling back and forth like a fish out of water as loud laughter spilled from you. You grabbed at your friend's hands, but it was no use. He was too strong for you.

"FAHAHAHAHAAAACK! DOEHEHEHEHEE! NOHOHOOOO!" you laughed.

Doey giggled and scritched down your ribs. "Awwww. Is my little friend a little sensitive? Tickle tickle tiiiickle!" he teased.

You thrashed from side to side, squealing and laughing. Your hands didn't pull at the attacker's wrists but instead sat limply on top of them. This didn't escape his notice. He scribbled his fingers all over your belly and ribs.

"D'awwwww! You aren't fighting back! Just squirming!" he cooed. You felt your face heat up and pressed it against the cot like you had it before.

"Shuhuhut uuhuhuuup!" you whined through laughter.

"What's that? You aren't telling me to stop? Guess I'll keep going then! Coochicoochicoooo!"

You shrieked with laughter, kicking weakly and keeping your face hidden. As much as this was absolute torture, it was also...nice. All your worries and anxieties were out the window and you could let loose and enjoy some fun. Not that you would ever admit that. That would just give your friend another way to mess with you.

"You ahahahAHAHAHAAA! NOT THERE!" You arched your back away from Doey's fingers. They were poking and drilling between your shoulder blades experimentally. The doughman giggled and kept digging into the sweet spot.

"Oh! So your back is ticklish too? That's unusual," he observed.

You kicked and flailed with renewed vigor. "DOEY!" you shrieked. "STOP STOP! PLEHEHEHEHEEEEASE!"

Doey's smile softened and his fingers drew away from you. You wheezed and rolled onto your belly, resting your face in your arms. You wiped the gleeful tears from your eyes. Your panting slowed to peaceful breaths and a soft hand settled on your back.

"You ok, Y/N?" You looked up from your arms. Doey sounded...so sincere and warm. His smile radiated care and concern, and you couldn't help but smile back a little.

"Um...Yeah..." you answered breathily. "I am now...Thank you."

Your friend grinned and crawled in a little circle on his pillow pile before settling down. "Of course. I'm always here for ya, pal. Don't forget that."

You watched him a second as he kneaded his pillow a bit to get comfortable and then spoke up. "Um...Doey?"

The doughman's head perked up. "Hm?"

"Can I...um..." You looked down at your hands. "Can I-...?" You beckoned at the spot next to him.

Doey smiled and nodded, patting the pillows. "Of course. Come here, pal."

Your eyes lit up and you scooted over to the edge of the sleeping bag, crawling on the soft pillows. Your friend grabbed you and pulled you over, nuzzling you affectionately. You giggled and nuzzled him back.

"Awwww. You're too nice. How did the Haven get yoouuEEEE!"

Doey dug his fingers back in your ribs with a snicker. Good luck.

[23swife]

HI LAILA HOW ARE YOU ???

also i'm giggling at that anon ask you just answered it's actually so funny HAHA... because like. it's not a fact LOL it literally happens. the first one is potentially less likely, but big age gaps exist, and the second one is even more hilarious because wdym people don't have romantic/sexual relationships with people the same age as cousins or siblings... my aunt is married to a guy the same age as my mom. fact disproven you silly goose

anyway not the point just wanted to say hi and then i saw that and found it incredibly funny

YESS like guys idk how to tell you this but I kinda like older guys too… they’re not ready for that convo unfortunately so I tried to keep it brief for them LMAO

HEY DARLING!! miss u so much why is school kicking my ass WE NEED TO INTERACT MORE HOW ARE YOU??

[moss-cant-sp3ll]

If school taught me anything, it's how to write a strongly worded email

[disgruntledseagull]

🫵🏻DESTITUTE🫵🏻

Game studios learn to optimize your fucking games challenge.

Who the fuck do you think you are? You are a toy. A glorified slinky.

[devonhale]

actually one of the most beautiful things about hacks is that we can be changed by anyone and at any period in our lives. deborah was in her forties when ava was born. she’d lived a life longer than ava’s before ava even existed yet they both have had a profound effect upon each other. it’s never too late. you haven’t met all of the people who are going to change you yet.

[godbirdart]

「 catharsis 」

[hypo-critic-art]

Will you Bill my Valentine?

[poorly-drawn-mdzs]

Another year has passed, and with it the opportunity to reflect back on all that has happened. While my growth was not as dramatic as last year, I can still see lots of positive change.

I'll never have enough ways to say thank you for all the love and support you have given me this year. On to 2025!

(2023 summary here!)

[donaviolet]

Words cannot explain how in love I am with Will Wood's new song titles

[baja-blast3r]

DONE AND DONE!

Part 1… (drawing it was actually the push I needed 😭💀)

[mocking-the-bird]

late night sketches cause I don't have computer rn

[stump-not-found]

dude it's just like the tv show ....

[ezlo-x]

drawing LF ganondorf n sheik after a while (been feeling a little down and drawing them always cheers me up) and ain't no fucking way I figured out Ganondorf's travel outfit

[tejennnn]

(Please click for full view!)

All Hetalia x Drinks Around the World series I drew from 2022-2024! From the most recent to the earliest (Nordic bros are the first ones!).

More to come soon (they are still rotting in my WIP folder) (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧

[selfhealingmoments]

[far-away-from-tulsa]

confession time: when i was reading dally’s death scene i was so screwed up from johnny’s death that i read dally as darry the whole time. i full heartedly thought that darry got himself shot up and was SO CONFUSED