CW: Minor swears.

Biffle was breathing very shallowly. That was worrying to SSundee.

Biffle winced, curling into a ball on the couch. He shivered. SSundee offered Biffle a bowl of fresh soup, but the man didn't move. He showed no signs of response. Biffle hadn't said a word since SSundee had found him, curled on the ground and fighting cries of pain.

SSundee knew exactly what happened. He knew the feeling. He knew the pain.

"Biffle, please eat." SSundee murmured, setting the bowl on the table beside the couch, "Or say something."

Biffle did not respond, just glared at SSundee with glassy eyes.

SSundee sighed, and took the bowl, "Fine then."

He sat down in a soft, leather chair off in the corner of the room. Biffle trembled.

SSundee started to eat, "You know your bond broke, right?"

Biffle glanced at SSundee, holding his gaze. He blinked a few times, eyebrows knitting in confusion.

"I don't know what argument y'all had but it was bad enough it seems almost worse than when Nico died," SSundee scoffed dryly, "Let's see how long your pain lasts."

"How-," Biffle whispered hoarsely, "How long has yours lasted?"

"It hasn't ended."

Biffle went silent again, eyes unfocusing. SSundee snapped his fingers and Biffle's eyes snapped back to attention.

"Stay with me, alright?" SSundee raised an eyebrow, "Focusing on something other than pain usually helps."

"Healing potion?" Biffle asked shakily.

SSundee shook his head, "Only dulls the pain momentarily. You have to learn to live with it."

"Is it always this bad?" Biffle asked quietly.

"You get used to it."

SSundee stood up and turned to the kitchen, now empty bowl in hand, "There's still some soup left if you want any."

"Please." Biffle whispered, shuddering.

SSundee strolled to the kitchen and retrieved a new bowl of soup while discarding the previous one, then turned back and delivered the food to Biffle. Biffle shifted and sat up, wincing as he did so.

SSundee turned and sat back down in his leather chair, crossing his legs and leaning back.

"Let's talk about your lack of a bond, ok?" SSundee started, folding his hands in front of him, "You won't die, first of all. It's going to suck, and you are going to feel like crap for a while, and you won't have motivation, and you're going to be very tired all the time. You can either fall to it and let it overcome you, or get off of the couch and go do something, because there's no reason that pain should stop you from doing anything. It sure won't be easy, but it sure will make you stronger."

Biffle stared tiredly at SSundee. SSundee leaned forward. He flicked his hand and the infinity stones unlatched from the golden gauntlet in the other room and drifted to hover around his outstretched hand, offered to Biffle. All were accounted for except two.

"It sure as hell made me stronger."

--------------------

Word Count: 468