The next day was slow; the hours would pass like they would any other normal day. Bug was feeling on the slow side as well, trying to avoid confrontations that could potentially break his emotion status. With thoughts of Bugette lingering inside, Bug felt strange talking to the other Bugs. Even his thoughts were still wrapped around her slender, green body and that he never had the chance to give her a reason to stay alive.
There wasn't much to say for Bug either. His human body felt tired and stressed, feeling lonely. He tried to divert his thoughts away, but memories were too strong and he eventually had to leave on his own for a while to find himself in a quieter space.
It's not your fault, Bug, it never has. The only thing that was ever there was the feeling of being alone. Bugette was always there, no matter what, and she still is here. I may not have found my real thoughts for her, but she's still here. C'mon Bug, she's still here inside of me. I know she is…
"Bug?"
Bug turned around, but saw nobody.
"Over here, Bug!"
Still, nobody was seen except for the same voice.
"Who are you, and why can't I see you?" Bug cried out, scratching his black hair in question. "This is just weird, so give me some help here!"
"Oh, Bug, I miss you."
"…Bugette? Is that really you?" Bug's eyes opened, a tear falling past his right-side cheek. There was clarity now, and Bug could finally imagine Bugette inside of his mind, but this time, something would be much different than the last time.
Taz didn't mind that Up was starting to become more familiar with himself as a person. His softness was there more obviously when Bug was around, but it was something Taz was at least comfortable with. That's why Up had such appreciation for Taz: looking out for him, protecting him in dangerous scenarios, and just being like his younger sister. Taz grew up to look out for Up, and it was her job to know what to do in the case of him being lost or confused.
"So, what do you think?" Up asked.
"Well, I don't think you're loco if that's what you mean. You're the best, Commander, so I'm okay with what you go through. You know that." She responded.
"Yes, but I…I feel weird inside. Is that normal?"
"Sí, and don't forget that. It's not because you're soft now, just different. But there's nothing wrong with being different, mi amigo. What's wrong? Something else doesn't feel right?"
"Taz, you know I've known you for a while. But, I just can't seem to be sure you're okay with this. You know I love you like a sister, but is that really okay? Surely there's something you do find strange about all this. Talk to me Taz, what am I doing to make you feel strange?"
"Nada, everything is fine. Really. But around the rest, you know I have to lie to make sure you stay tough and like yourself. They wouldn't understand, those idiotas. They don't know you the way I do, no pun intended. Just listen to your heart, and everything will be fine for you. No worries, Up, believe me."
Up sighed, hoping that Taz was telling the truth. She knew how to be controlling at times, and Up still had to realize when she was just trying to make a point to make him feel better. In this case currently, Taz wasn't trying to make Up feel better because she knew that would create anxiety upon her own self. The one thing she regretted was telling him constantly he was no longer soft in her mind. He always had been, and always will be. But that wouldn't change him, so why mention it?
"Taz, thanks, I can always count on you to help me. I still can't believe I've known you so long, back in those Robot Wars. I've grown a lot since then, but still I am a little boy. I owe you something."
"Gracias, but no. I owe you nothing. Just keep your head high and know I'm here for you. I should go let you go, though. Wherever Bug is, he probably needs you. See you later, Commander."
With that final remark, Taz straightened her gun on her back and casually walked into the G.L.E.E. starship whilst leaving Up alone outside in the shade. There was nothing that Up couldn't say to Taz, but there was so much that had to be said to everyone else…and Up wasn't ready for that just yet.
Her slim body was unfamiliar with the mere reflection of the caterpillar hidden inside. The long blond hair flowed through her tenderized skin and her curves were just like the form Bug had dreamed of for a human. The light green highlights accented the golden hair; her eyes a shallow grey that remained calm.
"Bugette, you look so…beautiful. Are you a figment of my imagination right now, or are you really here?"
"Depends on what you think, Bug. But regardless of my being here or not, I stand before you if I was in human form. I wish I could see myself through a reflection, but I see nothing except my bug-appearance." The blond femme replied, her raspy voice was gone and replaced by a sweet and tender voice instead.
"You just look amazing, Bugette, honestly. I never knew that you could look so good. I mean, without that mucus sack you have to carry around, I can actually see who you really are inside. I feel so lonely these days…"
"Bug, you don't have to say anything. I know you don't miss me much, but at least I'm still here inside of you."
"Are you crazy Bugette? I do miss you! Every time I come out here to myself, all I ever to seem to think about is you. And I'm not just saying that either. Bugette, I miss you so much and I wish you were here. There's so much to tell you, how much things have changed, everything." Bug fell to his knees on the brown soil, almost like he was in desperate need of comfort.
Bugette walked over to Bug's remorse body and laid a hand on his left shoulder; which Bug could surprisingly feel. "You're tense, Bug. What's wrong?"
Bug looked into Bugette's eyes, a feeling that he never could really experience before until now. Her grey eyes were a different type of sense now, as if she had never really left. Maybe it was the sudden feeling of loss that Bug just now was getting acquainted with, or the mind-set that he never had the chance to tell her everything she deserved to know. But now was his chance, and who knew if she would come back? Besides, it wasn't every day when Bugette would come to him in human form.
Bug ran his hands through his sleek, black hair and took a slight inhale before relaxing into a seated position. His hands were shaking, now knowing he could reach out to the human in front of him and actually feel everything there. There was a sense of sensitivity hidden beneath his insecurities, and he wanted to at least pursue one feeling.
"Bugette, may I…" he couldn't even find the words, and before he knew it, he and Bugette were in a warm embrace.
"Bug, you know I loved you when I was alive. It's okay that things weren't mutual, but I wish you could've realized the potential we had. But you just had to go with February, that…human. I don't like her, Bug."
"Well Bugette, let me tell you something. I thought I loved February, but honestly, I don't know why I did. She's not the one I really loved, Bugette, and I regret not having something for you. But things are changed now, and I really miss you. I wish you were here." Bug stroked Bugette's hair and the tops of her broad shoulders, almost as if he was about to do more than comfort.
There was something there for Bug, and he knew it too. Things made sense to him now, but the only problem was it was now too late.
