I sit down, exhausted. Running for 3 hours straight is not the best idea. I sit down on a patch of grass, I'd say I am around the edge of Utah right now, or at least somewhat close to it. It doesn't matter, I am far away. I am safe, for now at least. No one is close enough to hurt me, and I will survive. I got this!
I sigh, and look at myself, tired, and out of breath. I just want to sit there and sleep, but I doubt that's the best idea, I am on the run. Best to stay out of sight and always alert for a few days. I sit there, and just let myself calm down. I don't like being on the run, but it is for the best… I don't want anyone to get hurt, I can not let that happen.
I try to find a good way to spend my time, but I doubt building a shelter would be a good help. It might bring me out of sight of others. I look at my phone and see if I have any service, like I expected, none. I am in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by mountains. It is common sense that I'd get none. I walk around the area, it is decently covered by trees. A good place from what I can tell, but for my own safety, no shelter. I won't be making one as well, I don't need to, and I want to stay safe.
I Sit there and hum to myself, no idea what tune it is, but it is simple, and I have heard it multiple times before. I calm down and examine the area for anything I can do. There isn't much, but my eyes land on an abandoned bow, and a quiver with a few arrows in it.
I approach the weapon carefully, making sure it isn't a trap. When I see that the coast is clear, I sit by the bow and quiver, to see if anyone would be near. No one came nearby as I sat there. I take the bow and quiver and look at it in awe. It was a fairly decent bow, and it was left-handed! The arrows are used, but still in good shape! The quiver is in decent shape, not the best, but not the worst. I pick up the set in awe, trying to find out how to use the bow.
Being left-handed, I pick up the bow with joy, at least that wouldn't be a problem. I try to line up the bow with the arrow and point it to a tree. I get it decently straight, I shoot. I didn't get it on the tree, but it was good practice! I pick up the arrow and shoot again, and again, and again.
****
"I did it!" I say, as the arrow hits the tree for the third time in a row, It might have taken longer than I wanted it to take, but it is done! I look around, to remember that I have been fast-forwarding for who knows how long! I snap my fingers twice, slowing time to what it should be. I don't know how much time has passed, but it has been at least a week. I didn't go too fast, but not too slow.
I had a little place for myself, not a shelter, but a place comfortable for sleeping. I had found a good amount of food, some wild berries, and some fish. It wasn't much, but it was enough. I enjoy the comfortable silence for a moment. It wasn't a lot of noise I had heard for a while. Only the sound of the leaves falling, while the wind blows.
It is late Fall, the temperature has cooled down. The leaves turn from a vibrant green to an ombre of red, yellow, orange, and brown. At the tops of the mountains, you can see snow scattered in different areas. A beautiful sight. I sigh as I sit down in the pale yellow grass, losing its color from the promise of winter. It is usually a very quick Fall, only lasting a few days at most in Utah, it is a pretty sight.
I hum the tune I have been humming for a while, not knowing what to do—the pretty scenery filling my eyes. "The only thing that can make this better is Teardrop," I reassure myself. Though I only met her once, this isn't the same. With her, I would have someone to talk to or sign to.
Alas, she is up there in Goiky, where that show is being held. Busy with her own life. It does nothing to reminisce about her. I can't go back up there. It's pointless if I do, there is no way I could find her, that place is huge! There is no way I can find one object over millions there, it is practically impossible.
I sigh in defeat, it's stupid to like an object you have absolutely no chance with. I would lower my standards and try to find someone on Earth, but that seems impossible! Teardrop is the only one I like right now, and nothing can change that right now. As much as I wish I could change it, her face is the only one I have fallen for. With her smile and sweet nature. She is irresistible! I wouldn't be surprised if she was already taken.
"Love is stupid," I mutter under my breath. It is the truth. You fall for this one person that you really like and would do anything for, but then something happens and you have no chance with them anymore. No matter what you do, it will never be the same without them. Then you're stuck in this loop of trying to find someone, you get them, and then you fall apart. If lucky, you do get to stay with them for the rest of your life, but it doesn't happen often that your first love is "the one."
I look back to my past when I was innocent and oblivious. I had liked people, and "dated" them to the consent of a Jr. high relationship. Sure I wasn't supposed to, it was against SPW law, but I was young and oblivious, and TckTck didn't rat me out, they couldn't, they had fallen in love before, and only saw me enjoying life as a good thing, none of these relationships worked out anyways.
The first one, a Trombone, wasn't really the best, he was manipulative, and a bit of a know-it-all. The second one, a sprout, they were kind and all, but we didn't really fit together well. They were much more monotone, and not as energetic. Then the last one I had was a potted plant. She was really sweet but ghosted me out of the blue.
All of those don't matter, what matters is that I am in the present, where I have an actual life, and I am not just some number, I am Lotti! Not SPW74, not EXP.14, Lotti, Lotti Der. No one is going to change that! I can be who I want to be. I am… free.
I look up to the sky. The clouds are coming in slowly. It's not a surprise, Winter should be here soon. The question is, where will I go? There isn't really anywhere I can really get to without a struggle. The only thing I can really do Is hide here, maybe find a cave, and wait it out, or if I want to be risky, go back to where I lived. Both options are not ideal, but I have to pick one.
A thought crosses my mind… "I haven't called Chezzy," I mutter to myself, mad that I have not said a word to him for who knows how long! I check my phone, and by some miracle, it has one bar of service, somehow. I sigh, and pick up my phone, and text him, "Hey! I'm alive, how have you been?"
Seconds pass, then a few minutes. I turn off my phone. Only to get a response from him, "Hey…" I can tell by the way he sent it, something had to have happened.
"What's wrong?!" I text quickly.
"Mason and I… We uh, had to spit ways." He texts, and my heart shatters.
"WHAT?!" I reply.
"He wants to be a doctor and has to move, and we both decided it was best if we spit up and move on. I don't think I am ready to let go of him yet." He answers.
"I get that… But you two were so cute together! I am so sorry!"
"It's okay, I'll find someone else, but I doubt it will be soon." He replies I am on the verge of tears as the truth sinks in. The most wholesome couple I have ever met, broken up. I feel the need to comfort him.
"Listen, next week, meet me at the library, you need a hug." I text, trying to help him as much as I can.
"You sure? I don't want that… Incident to happen again." he replies.
"You need a hug, I am coming in a week to see you," I answer.
"Okay, thanks Blep"
"No problem" I turn off my phone and sigh. I am going back to talk to Chezzy in a week or so. This can turn out well, or horribly wrong. I stand up as the weather seems to change. "Bipolar weather" I mutter to myself, It is normal for Utah's weather to change drastically in under an hour. I walk around and grab the arrows in the tree.
I examine the arrows, they have a lot more wear on them now, makes sense, I was using them for a good amount of time. I look at the bow, and notice a decline in quality as well. Shooting non-stop can do that.
I sigh and walk around to grab some fish and some wood. I start a fire, and sit there, basking in its warmth for a moment before cooking the fish over it. Watching the fish cook, I sigh, I am not the best at cooking, but food is food.
I hear a ringing in my ear, something sort of loud. I turn around to see a bright light. Out of fear I jump up and clutch to a tree branch, and quiver like a scared little puppy. The light was a light blue, shining brightly as I fell back in fear. It took the shape of a Star, with 6 points instead of 5.
"P-Please don't hurt me!" I whimper, looking away from the shining blue light, "I don't want to die!" My tail tucks behind my legs, and my side buttons flop down to their normal position.
The bright light vanishes before I can look up, I get a hug from behind. I can't see them, but I can tell by the way they hug me, I must know them. I look up to see the face of the one and only Teardrop. My scared look falters, as I look at her, her smile gorgeous and adoring. I lean against her touch, like a touch-starved puppy wanting love from their owner.
She chuckles, and pats my head, before turning me around and signing, "Miss you!"
I sign back a little flustered, "I missed you too! Why are you here? Are you supposed to stay in Goiky?" She just smiles and pats my head more, and without me noticing, my tail starts to sway happily.
"I missed you Blep, It is lonely without you," She signs, I can tell she had felt the same way while I was alone on Earth.
I nuzzle my head into her chest, a puppy seeking affection, I sigh and stay there for a moment, enjoying the affection she is giving me. I sign, "I might have only met you once, but after I left it felt like I had met you so many times before, and I hated every second without you."
I look up at her to see her face a bit flushed before she signs back to me, "I felt the same way. I don't like it without you. I know it sounds childish, but it's the truth, I prefer to be with you Blep, you actually make me smile."
I start to feel a blush creep up on my face. It has been years since I was in a relationship, but this one, this one felt right, like I should be with her. Maybe she feels the same way, or she just sees me as a friend. Both ways, I think I am actually in love.
"Same here," I sign, "Same here Teardrop, I haven't felt this way in a long time, you make me smile as well! I wish it was always like this."
She pulls me closer to her, comforting me in the way I like most, and then She signs, a little shaky, "Blep? Can I do something?"
I sign, "yea, go ahead." Teardrop looks at me, and takes a deep breath, before pulling me into a kiss.
Startled, I just blush there, before closing my eyes and kissing her back for a moment. I break the kiss, both of us flushed and a little giddy. I smile a little blissfully Not believing what just happened. She looks at me, flushed, but happy as well.
She signs," I wanted to do that for a while, sorry if you didn't like it or, you don't feel the same way."
I look at her, kiss her cheek, then sign, "There is no way that I don't like you, you're amazing, and I don't want to be without you."
Her face flushes, and she hugs me again, before signing quickly, "Mine." I chuckle, before she signs again, "That okay with you?"
I nod quickly, and lean into her touch, "Always, as long as you can be mine as well."
She pats my head and nods, obviously liking the mutual agreement. My tail wags in response, and I stay in her grasp. I have never been this happy. For once, I am getting cherished by a person I love, in a good way, and they have no intention to hurt me.
"So, does this mean… that we are partners?" I sign, and Teardrop nods in response.
"I like the term Girlfriend a bit more, don't you?" she signs playfully, loving the small blush that has taken over my face.
I nod, and nuzzle my face into her chest, not caring about anything besides her. She is the only thing that matters right now, her smile, her touch, just everything. I look into her eyes, these shining navy blue eyes, and hold her close.
She leans in a bit, trying to see if I am on the same wavelength as she is, and I do the same, making our lips meet, in a simple sweet kiss. I chuckle while our lips collide, and I keep that way for a moment.
I beak the kiss after a moment, I have honestly never felt so appreciated before. I love the feeling. She looks at me with loving eyes, then signs politely, "Want to come to Goiky with me in a week or so? I only have a week Before Star yells at me to come back."
I nod as I cuddle up to her, my tail wagging at the sight of this hot object cradling me in her arms. I sign, "I'd love to join you!"
She smiles and holds me close, trying to show me some affection, which I adore. I am pressed up against her fully now, trying to get as much affection as I possibly can. She signs, "You are such a puppy!"
My heart flutters as she says this, I love being called a puppy! I yip out of pure excitement, loving the pet name. I bury my face into her chest and lovingly nuzzle her chest as I do so. I sign, "Indeed I am!" and push her down on the floor, making it so I am lying on her. I curl up into a little ball on her chest and snuggle into her.
She chuckles and strokes my tail as it wags, almost a complete blur. I don't want to get off her anytime soon. After a moment, she signs, "You're my puppy."
I blush at her comment, and sit there, not knowing what to do. I have all I need and she is letting me cuddle with her. I lay there for a good moment, and just forget everything. All my worries of that Chuckle, all the pain of my past, being dysphoric of who I really was. She is the only thing that matters.
The cold Utah breeze falls upon us, but the small fire I made provides a little warmth, the fish is still cooking, almost completely burnt, but it doesn't matter. Teardrop scoots closer to the fire and wraps her arms around me. My eyes close and I slowly drift off to the best slumber I have gotten since I was 14.
I wake up to a pleasant feeling of being held by Teardrop. The cold winter air had blown out the fire, but the warmth of Teardrop's embrace kept me comfortable. Even when she was sleeping, she was beautiful. There is no one that I can think of that can compare to her.
I lay on her as she sleeps, wrapping my tail around her as a makeshift blanket, to give her more warmth. She shifts in her sleep to a more comfortable position, moving me with her. I stay in her embrace, comforting her to the best of my ability.
She stirs, looks at me with a smile, and presses me closer, leaving no space between us. I look at her, and she caresses my cheek. I lean to her touch, loving the affection a little too much. She cups my cheek and kisses my forehead affectionately.
I tiredly smile, then sign, "I love you."
She chuckles softly and signs, "Love you too." before wrapping her limbs around me, clinging to me as much as she can. I hug her and stretch a little bit, but not too much to take her off of me, I roll over so she is on top of me, getting both of us in a more comfortable position. She responds, by tightening her grip slightly, trying to get impossibly close to me.
I chuckle and smile at her efforts. I keep her as close as I possibly can, craving her touch despite her being all over me. I sign, tiredly, "C'mere, I need to give some kisses to ya."
She chuckles, and leans in, too tired to think straight. I kiss her lovingly, not thinking straight as well. I break the kiss after a few seconds, not wanting to get too heated. Teardrop pouts slightly in response. I sigh, and kiss her again, too tired to complain, not that I don't like it.
She leans in as close as humanly possible, and kisses me for a good moment, only stopping for air. She goes back to kissing me, and honestly, it feels great to be loved, I wish I had felt this way before. Before the experiments, before well, everything.
I break the kiss and sit up, pulling Teardrop into my lap. Teardrop smiles and goes along with it, but I can tell she wants me to lie instead of sit. I momentarily hold her in my arms, trying to bask in her warmth.
After a moment she signs, "Want to go somewhere warm?" Teardrop looks at me with loving eyes. I can tell she is cold. I pick her up with a nod, startling her while doing so. "Next time warn me!"
I smile sheepishly, then sign with one hand, "Sorry Teardrop, I didn't mean to startle you." She hugs me in response, with a playful slap to the face, which I deserve.
She signs back, "It's okay, but next time warn me if you are going to pick me up." She clutches onto me and nuzzles her head into my embrace. "Let's go somewhere warm, please?"
I chuckle and walk closer to society, but not too close to be seen. I walk to the cabin I made and open the door. Teardrop looks at the small cabin and smiles, thankful for the shelter I have. I set her down sweetly, and she sits down, and pats the spot by her, signaling me to sit by her.
I sit down and sigh. Glad to be with someone. She sits by me for a moment, and looks at my wrist, to become startled to see a bandage over it. She signs, "What happened? Did someone hurt you?" Teardrop looks very concerned, and traces over the bandage, causing me to subconsciously wince in pain. She retracts her hand and moves it to caress my face.
I look down and start signing, "Remember when we first met, I was running?" She nods, and I continue, "Well I was running from this guy, his name being Zenophile, but he goes by Z. He is this pill bottle and he was trying to as always experiment on me." Teardrop cups my face, and nods for me to continue. "Well he kept on following me, and after a few hours, he stopped. When I came back to Earth I kept on hearing this, eerie High-pitched Chuckle. And well, one minute led to another, I got burned by the source of the chuckle. I am pretty sure Z has something to do with it."
Teardrop hugs me, trying to comfort me to the best of her ability. I sigh and hug her back, she signs to me, "What experiments did he do to you?"
"Well," I start and take a deep breath. "This Experiment was the main idea of what to do for me. It was called the 'Golden Eyes.' It seems cool, but in all reality, it is horrible." I shutter in memory of that wretched experiment tested on me.
Teardrop nods, and signs, "What was it about?"
I sign, and continue signing, "The whole thing was to see if they could possess me. When I feel strong negative emotions, like anger, sadness, fear, and stress, Z can use me as a puppet. Make me kill and do whatever he wants. I have been close to overcoming it, but the truth is, I can't. I sadly have to fall to the urge."
She looks me in the eyes, and smiles, "That doesn't stop me from loving you. I know we are not the oldest couple and understand each other's quirks and kinks, but it doesn't stop me from learning and adapting to them."
"Thank you, it means a lot coming from you," I sign back. She smiles warmly and looks around the cabin.
"Did you make this?" she signs curiously. I nod in response. "Well, you did a good job!" She smiles and stands up, "You need furniture."
I chuckle, "I know I do," I cuddle up to her and remember Chezzy, he might want to know that I know Teardrop now. I look at Teardrop, and sign, "Love, mind If I call one of my friends real quick?"
She signs, "Go ahead! I don't mind, but I am not leaving you," I smile as she lays her head on my lap, "You're too comfortable."
I blush at that comment, "Alright, I don't mind!" I grab my phone, and call Chezzy, hoping he will respond, after a moment, he picks up.
"Hey Blep! What's up?" he says enthusiastically. I smile at hearing his voice, glad to know he is alive in the cold winter.
"Chezzy! I was calling because I wanted to tell you something!" I say ecstatically. I am pretty sure he can hear my tail wagging through the phone.
"Yeah? Did Something happen with you and Teardrop?" he asks curiously.
"Yeah! We're finally friends now! Can you believe it!" I slightly lie, technically we were always friends, but right now, girlfriends and friends are the same thing!
Teardrop plays with my tail as he responds, "Really!? No way! You're Friends with a Goiky person!"
"You bet I am!" I chuckle, as a teardrop pulls my tail lovingly. I hear Chezzy's car back up in the background.
"Wow, imagine being able to visit Goiky… too bad it's in a whole other world," he states, I look at Teardrop, who is listening in, and she chuckles softly.
"Yeah," I stutter, "Well I'll see you at the library tomorrow!"
"Okay! Cya Blep!" he hangs up, and I look at Teardrop, who is now playing with the gray blur of a tail.
I sign to her, "What? Do you like playing with my tail?"
"Yes, very cute, like you Blep!" She smiles, and I look away, blushing. My tail wags more and Teardrop adores it, she messes with it playfully.
"Hey!" I sign, flustered, "You're cuter!"
She chuckles quietly, and smiles at me, "Shut it! You are, and I am not changing my mind Blep!"
"Well, I am not changing my mind either TD!" I sign jokingly.
She gives me a small smirk, "I'm not letting you go to your friend tomorrow, you are staying with me! We are going to Goiky and you have to deal with it!"
I look at her with a pout, "But I haven't seen him in a month!"
She signs, keeping her smirk, "I haven't seen you in three! Let me snuggle with you!"
"Clingy…" I sign and pull her into my lap, she smiles and wraps her arms around me. She can't sign due to hugging me, but I am not complaining. I hold her close knowing I can't escape her anytime soon.
She pets my head, subconsciously I lean to her touch. She chuckles and rubs behind my side button sending a feeling of comfort around me. My tail starts to wag. I lean to her touch as much as possible, knocking us both over.
She bursts out laughing, finding it funny how much I act like a dog. She pats my head and signs, still laughing, "Oh my, you are a little puppy!"
I blush as she says that, my tail wags faster and I can't stop it. "No, I am not!" I sign, secretly liking the pet name.
Teardrop laughs a bit more, then signs, "Yes, you are! Who is a good little…" She stops, realizing something. She looks at me, "Enby?"
I nod sheepishly, and sign, "Just call me a girl, or pup. They work better than Enby, it feels more comfortable, Y'know?" She nods in understanding, before I sign again, "Don't tell anyone about this… I don't want other objects to know I am a herm."
She nods, before signing, "What is it like?" I smile, knowing she is trying to help and find ways to comfort me.
"Well, Imagine this," I start signing, "you are never fully identified, there is no, full thing you can categorize in, it's just, nothing. You are nothing, at least that's what it feels like. All pronouns just don't fit you." I say, slightly curling up. "Not just like there is no actual place for you."
Teardrop's smile fades slightly, and she pats my head affectionately, signing, "It's understandable, but you do have a place, even though it might not feel like it."
I look at her and hug her without warning. "Thank you…" She smiles and pats my head.
"No problem, I'm here for you, and I will always try to be." She signs.
"I will too." I sign back.
She smiles, and puts her head on top of mine, making a small 'beep" sound from my button. I flinch slightly But ease into her embrace again. She looks puzzled at the noise, and presses it again, giggling at the noise it makes. I sigh in relief as she only presses the top button. I hide the fact that when pressed once it gives off a small dose of pain, her smile is more important right now. I let her press the top button, looking at her happy face as she does. I am just glad she is happy, that's all I need. I lean to her touch, liking the attention, despite the pain, I love the feeling of her pressing the button. My tail wags slightly, and I just curl up next to her, basking in her attention.
I sit there in silence, slowly falling asleep in her arms, ignoring the pain. Though I experience it, it doesn't back off or fade, it stays there, like a little reminder that you will die if more buttons are pressed.
I wake up to Teardrop cuddling me, patting my head affectionately. I look up at her, and sign, "What time is it?"
She looks at me and grabs my phone, checking the time and showing it to me. The time being 12:30 AM, not really a surprise. I shrug, and look up at her, "Well it is still cold outside, do you want to stay here? Go into the city?"
She shrugs and just holds me close. Signing, "I don't really care, as long as I am with you. That's all I want right now."
I blush and look away, singing, "You're too good at that., stop being a good flirt!"
"How about, no?" She smirks, and boops my nose.
"Fine, only because I like it!" I stick out my tongue. My tail wags softly as Teardrop chuckles and pats my head once again.
"You're too cute, little puppy." She signs. I Yip in response, it's not often I do that, I look away and blush out of embarrassment. "Awh, did you just yip?"
I nod, "don't question it, It happens out of my control."
Teardrop just smirks and pats my head again, singing with one head, "I like it, it's cute! You are too cute for your own good."
"Stop it! You're gonna make me a mess!" I sign like a little kid, pouting.
"You are already a mess Blep! Why don't you just deal with it!" She signs playfully.
"Fine!" I sign and look away blushing. I cross my arms and huff in embarrassment. She chuckles playfully and ruffles my head.
She just looks at me, then outside, then back at me, then signs, "Snow?"
I nod, and sign, "Yea, want to play in it?"
She jumps in excitement, "Yes! Goiky doesn't get snow often!"
"Let's go outside then!"
She jumps and rips me out of where I was sitting, and takes me outside to play in the snow. She seems really happy to see snow for the first time in her life! It's honestly adorable to see someone who seems so emotionless to others warm up to you and be so happy. I wish she was like this to everyone, but I don't think she can. I mean I am one of the only ones she can speak to, and I can communicate with her back in her actual language she is used to.
She prances in the snow, bouncing up and down. She pulls me into the snow with her, despite it being almost one in the morning, we are both energized. I play in the snow with her, making snowmen, and snow angels. The harsh weather doesn't bother me. We just play around in the snow, enjoying each other's presence.
The sun starts to rise, making a beautiful clash of colors in the horizon. A pink mix with some blue and orange, and white in it as well, making a pretty picture. Teardrop looks at the horizon, and then at me. She tackles me into the snow and sits on top of me playfully. "I like the sight of you more than that horizon." I blush and look at her on top of me.
"I-I like the sight I am seeing more than the horizon as well" I stutter, looking up at her. "C-can you get off? Please?" As much as I liked seeing her, I didn't like the feeling of the snow on my back.
She nods, and gets off me, understanding why I didn't want her on top of me. She signs, "Sorry!"
"It's all good! No worries!" I say getting up with a smile. I stand by her and put an arm around her shoulder. She leans towards me and rests her head on my shoulder. A dust of blush creeps up on my face. I look at her to see a small blush on her face as well. She hugs me while we look at the sunrise, I find a stump, and I brush off the snow, then sit down on it, and pat the empty space, signaling Teardrop to sit by me.
She sits by me and smiles. I look at myself, I realize that I am not SPW-74, but my own person now. I am Blep, or Lotti Der, A female presenting stopwatch. I have a Girlfriend, a best friend, and honestly, that's all I need. There is nothing else more important than these two people right now. I am safe, I feel like I am on top of the world.
Teardrop looks at me, and grabs my tail, and starts stroking it. I suppose she likes the texture of it. I sway my tail lightly, and sit there, enjoying the feeling of being loved. Before this, the closest I got to a family was TckTck, but since they got corrupted, I haven't seen them. They never talk to me, and I doubt they will talk to me soon. They are in pain right now, because if they don't want to talk to me, they most likely want to deal with their own life problems.
I look off into the distance, and sigh, the way I feel right now is what I have always wanted most, love. I don't think I can deal with it anymore. I don't think I can even be without Teardrop for over an hour without thinking about her. It doesn't matter. I am safe, and there's nothing crazy happening.