### Chapter 59: Cracks in the Facade
**Safari's POV**
Safari couldn't ignore the gnawing feeling that something was off with Bing. At first, he chalked it up to the usual stress that came with their jobs—everyone was on edge lately, after all. But as days passed, it became clear that Bing wasn't just stressed; they were struggling.
He watched them from across the room, noticing the small signs that were beginning to add up. Bing moved slower, their usual sharpness dulled by what seemed like constant fatigue. Safari's heart ached every time he saw them rub their temples or take a deep breath as if just trying to get through the day.
Bing had always been private—too private sometimes. But this was different. They were withdrawing from him, and it was driving him crazy. He wanted to help, to be there for them, but every time he tried, Bing would brush him off with a tired smile that never reached their eyes.
One afternoon, Safari caught himself staring at Bing, who was hunched over their desk, massaging their temples. The sight made something twist painfully in his chest. Bing had been skipping meals, saying they weren't hungry, or worse, eating a few bites only to excuse themselves shortly after, looking pale and unwell.
The most alarming change, though, was the mistakes Bing had been making. Small things, like forgetting to file a report or misplacing documents—things Bing never messed up before. It wasn't like them, not at all.
Safari couldn't shake the worry gnawing at him. He knew Bing well enough to see that this wasn't just a bad day or even a rough week. Something was wrong—deeply wrong. And it scared him to think that whatever it was, Bing felt like they had to face it alone.
He leaned back in his chair, watching as Bing stood up, moving slowly toward the break room. The hesitation in their step, the way they clutched their stomach briefly before continuing, didn't escape Safari's notice.
Enough was enough. He couldn't sit by and watch them suffer in silence any longer. Whatever was going on, they were in this together, and Safari was determined to make sure Bing knew that.
But how could he get them to open up? How could he break through the walls they were so determined to keep up?
As Safari pondered these questions, he knew one thing for sure: he wouldn't give up. Not on Bing, and not on the bond they shared, even if it was complicated and undefined. Whatever was happening, they would face it together—because, to Safari, Bing was more than just a partner in the physical sense. They were someone he cared about deeply, someone he wanted to protect.
And he wasn't going to let them slip away. Not now, not ever.
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how long have we had chapters on these guys.... sorry for consuming y'all's Brains w these two
