Chapter 25 : Hope spot

Fiskmeyer was in his apartment, taking care of old files given by his employer. However, his mind was wandering on his meeting with Larry. Their reunion left him quite dreamy.

When he contacted Larry again, he had the clear intention of fixing their relationship. After all, they had been together for so many years. He couldn't let it end on bad terms. Especially due to a stupid argument…After that, they had a kind of date. One of best moments of his life…Though not the best one ever. The best moment of his life was when Larry appeared in his apartment, after an argument. Then, the two of them confessed their love for each other and slept together.

This one, had been the best moment of his life.

He wanted to live with him. Indeed, Larry didn't want to move in with him because of Otto and Tuddrussel. He couldn't resent him, after all. Otto was adorable. As for Tuddrussel, well…He wondered if there was something going on between Larry and he. That was much more than Fiskmeyer could offer, especially by now.

So the robot offered him another option: quitting his job and living on his satellite along with Tuddrussel and Otto. However, while the idea was extremely tempting, Fiskmeyer didn't want to feel like an intruder in Larry's new family. Then…they could be in trouble because Time Squad rules forbad them to bring someone in their Unit. After all, they already brought Otto from the past.

He stood up again, heading for the kitchen. He had to prepare his meal. However, while he opened the fridge, a loud noise coming from the lounge interrupted him.

"What?" Fiskmeyer suddenly went scared. Was it a burglar? He immediately took a knife, ready to face them.

"Otto, are you sure it is a good idea?" A familiar voice left him open-mouthed. He put his knife down to check.

In his lounge, three people of his acknowledge arguing with each other. Fiskmeyer's eyes widened. "Larry? Tuddrussel? Otto?"

"Oh! Hello, dude!" Tuddrussel greeted him.

Larry gulped, giving him a shy and awkward look. "Fiskmeyer"

"What are you doing here?" He couldn't help but stammering. "…Not that I mind you being here but-"

"We came to offer you to go in an amusement park!" Otto immediately answered. Larry looked away.

"…An amusement park?" Fiskmeyer raised one eyebrow.

"Yes! Larry liked this evening with you so we decided to do it again. Though this time in an amusement park." Tuddrussel chuckled, patting Larry's shoulder.

Fiskmeyer's stare focused on the robot. Larry nodded. "Yes. I would like to do one more evening with you all, Fiskmeyer."

Why? Fiskmeyer didn't understand. He wondered if Larry doubted anything about his state of health. Impossible…How could he know?

"I have a lot of work to do, Larry. I'm sorry. Maybe another time"

"Fiskmeyer" Larry began though he didn't finish his sentence. His tone was pleading.

Why?

"Hey! You can give this to us, dude!" Tuddrussel glared at the ex-Senator. He noticed a gun at hand. Impossible…he wouldn't use it against him? Fiskmeyer was completely astonished right now. "After all, we welcomed you on our satellite" Tuddrussel kept on.

"Yes." Otto approved. "Your work can wait. Let's go together, all four of us."

Larry smiled to him. "Yes. It would be a pleasure, Fiskmeyer."

Okay, he didn't understand anything. However, Larry's look was enough to convince Fiskmeyer. "Very well…Let's go, since I think your friend will shoot me if I refuse."

"Exactly!" Tuddrussel replied.

"Tuddrussel…Stop with your gun."

"Let me take my coat."

"HAHAHA! That's awesome, baby!" Tuddrussel laughed, tossing his head in a roller coaster.

He and Otto were in one carriage while Larry and Fiskmeyer were in another one. Fiskmeyer's face turned green. If Larry had been human, he probably would have been in the same state…though it wouldn't prevent him to puke.

"Why did I listen to Tuddrussel?"

"Don't worry, Larry…That's fun." Fiskmeyer chuckled.

"I'm very afraid for Otto" Larry and Fiskmeyer's wagon slowed down. "…What if he fell?"

Fiskmeyer took this opportunity to grab Larry's chin in with his hand and kissing him. "Nothing will happen, Larry. His safety is ensured with Tuddrussel."

"You don't really reassure me but—AAAAAAAAAARG!" Larry screamed the moment the wagon fastened up again. He felt Fiskmeyer's hand on his again, probably to reassure him. "I WILL NEVER DO IT AGAIN!"

Afterward, the quartet wandered around the amusement park, Otto and Tuddrussel eating a massive candy-floss. Larry and Fiskmeyer held each other's hands, smiling to each other.

"Hey! Let's go to bumper cars!" Otto cried out.

"No, Otto" Larry shook his head. "That's too dangerous for you. You could get hurt."

"Hey, don't worry, Lar!" Tuddrussel laughed. "Nothing wrong will happen. That's for fun. I'm going up with the kid. You and Fiskmeyer could take another car."

"Fun means danger with you, Tuddrussel." Larry frowned when he noticed a kid crying, his arm broken due to collision with another bumper car. He stared down at Otto before switching to Fiskmeyer. He actually hesitated: whom should he go with? They decided to go back here to enjoy more fun with Fiskmeyer. Nevertheless, he felt responsible of Otto.

Fiskmeyer tightened his hand, whispering in his ear. "It is okay, Larry. You can go with Otto if you wish. I will be with Tuddrussel so."

"Are you sure?" Larry felt bad. Nevertheless, Fiskmeyer came closer to steal another kiss from him. "It will be alright."

Larry felt heat radiating him while Tuddrussel rolled his eyes. "Sheesh…Take a room."

"Don't be jealous, Tuddrussel!" Otto chuckled. The man glared at him. "Otto!"

"Let's go, Otto." Larry followed the boy.

Larry let the boy driving while checking all around them. "Here!" He pointed at Tuddrussel and Fiskmeyer in another bumper car. "They are after us!"

"He will beat them, Larry" Otto laughed before turning to left in order to follow them.

"Otto! Don't drive too fast, please!" Larry shouted. However, the moment he said these words, they collided with another bumper car. Larry flinched, out of pain.

"It's alright, Larry!" Otto chuckled. Not very far, they watched Tuddrussel and Fiskmeyer having good fun together. Tuddrussel drove in their direction, ready to attack them. Indeed, Larry forgot about the others bumper cars. That was only about four of them.

Otto kept driving faster, despite Larry's warnings to not do. Nevertheless, four minutes later, Tuddrussel and Fiskmeyer's bumper car crashed into theirs, sending Larry fly and crashing near another closer stand.

"Larry!" Fiskmeyer's voice was all he could hear now. For the moment, Larry could only see black and stars. After one minute, Larry's vision appeared back again. Fiskmeyer was leaning over him, worried.

"Tuddrussel! You were a bit too strong" Otto said.

"I should have guessed it was Tuddrussel again!" Larry shouted. "Otto, are you alright?"

"Hehehe yes!" The boy smiled.

"Everything is fine, now" Fiskmeyer smiled, helping Larry up.

After trying others attractions, the group stopped at a photo booth. "Should we make some for memories?" Otto offered.

Larry shrugged. "Why not?"

"Cool!" Tuddrussel was the first to rush inside. Larry gave him some money, allowing the man to be photographed.

Once it was done, photos went out. Larry took them, eyes narrowing. "Couldn't you be a bit more serious?" Larry sighed.

Indeed, Tuddrussel clowned about one more time. The best was one about Tuddrussel giving his catchphrase "It's go time!" with a threatening look though Larry thought he looked like more a monkey than anything else.

"Hey! Let's take some too! We shall make some together" Otto hurriedly went inside in his turn, joining Tuddrussel in his stupidity. Once their photos were made, Fiskmeyer and Larry were the next ones. First, they went serious, Larry simply leaning his head on Fiskmeyer's shoulder. Afterward, they decided that was boring before joining the others two, grimacing at the camera and laughing.

"Haha! I will keep it preciously" Tuddrussel burst out laughing.

"Don't you dare"

"Oh yes, I will" Fiskmeyer approved.

"Don't you dare!" Larry repeated, giving him a pleading look.

"Hey" Otto offered. "Let's take a photography all together!"

They all sat down together, Otto on Larry's knees while Tuddrussel sat at Larry's right, grimacing at the camera again. Fiskmeyer sat at Larry's left, weakly smiling, wrapping his arm around the robot's shoulders.

"Say CHEESE!" The voice ordered.

"BWAH!" Everyone replied, making funny faces.

"Thanks for this great day" Fiskmeyer said, once they returned from the amusement park. He patted Otto's head. "That had been such a long time since I didn't have any fun. Thanks for this idea."

"That was Otto's idea" Larry corrected.

Tuddrussel nodded, though he focused more on the photos. Otto took his arm. "Let's take a drink, Tuddrussel."

"What?" However, Otto didn't reply to him. He simply winked at Larry. The latter realized what his plan was. He shrugged then turned back at Fiskmeyer.

"You are really good with children, Otto." The man said, watching Otto and Tuddrussel leave.

"Not that good" Larry chuckled. "Sometimes, I have the feeling that we are children and Otto is the parent. He is always there, trying to make peace between us whenever Tuddrussel and I argue."

"I can imagine. I forgot how you could be when you were angry." Fiskmeyer came close to caress Larry. The robot let him do, leaning his head in his hand, enjoying the contact. That was so warm…so welcomed.

"Now, I understand why you chose this particular day to take me in an amusement park."

Larry froze, though he didn't break the contact. He simply watched Fiskmeyer, clueless. This latter gave him a sad smile.

"I can read you like an open book." He said. "Furthermore, you can go back in the past. I know you saw something."

The robot didn't reply anything. He simply put his hand on Fiskmeyer's, still on his face.

"This life you wished" Fiskmeyer began. "I would have liked it too. I would have adored living with you, having fun like we did today. It would have been the greatest life for my last days."

Larry gulped, avoiding his stare.

"But I'm not worried about you, Larry." Fiskmeyer kept. "I know you will do well. Otto is a good boy. I know you and Tuddrussel will raise him up good. He will become someone you will become proud of."

Larry's voice broke. "I'm already proud of him. I just wanted…you by my side too."

"We will meet again, Larry." Fiskmeyer wrapped his arm around Larry's waist, hugging him close. "I'm sure of it. In any way or another…I'm sure we will meet again."

Larry's tears fell down, burying his face in Fiskmeyer's shoulder. "I hope too."

"Indeed. Never forget it, Larry: you have a soul too. Robots have souls, too. Robots aren't tools…they are living beings like humans."

He paused. "Don't be afraid."

Don't be afraid. Savour each day…

At last, Larry nodded.

Larry found Tuddrussel and Otto in a café much later. Parting with Fiskmeyer had been difficult…yet he acted like they would meet tomorrow. That was so odd. Larry felt sad…but happy nonetheless.

He felt happy he could have this single day.

He sat down at their table, asking for oil. "It had been fun, huh?" Tuddrussel asked.

"Yes" Larry approved, smiling back at Tuddrussel. "Thanks both of you. It meant…a lot to me."

"That's what families are meant to do, Larry." Otto gave him a warm face. Larry patted his head. "…Aren't you too sad?"

"I am" Larry replied, "Though I'm ready to move on. I could say goodbye to Fiskmeyer and…my old life. I have a much better life waiting for me now."

"Great!" Tuddrussel let out a sigh of relief. "Glad about it."

"So" Larry said, changing subject. "What do you wish to eat tonight?"

"Burgers!" Tuddrussel immediately replied. Otto gave a pleading look at Larry as well. "Please."

Larry rolled his eyes though he agreed. "Okay. Burgers"

"Yeah baby!" Tuddrussel immediately went happier now.

"I'm going to toilet, first." Otto said, before standing up. He smiled back at Larry. "I'm so happy for you."

"I'm so happy to be with you too." Larry replied, before holding his hand out to receive his oil while Otto disappeared.

Twenty minutes later, Larry had finished his oil and Tuddrussel ordered another coffee. However, Otto didn't return. "He takes a long time." Larry sighed.

"Well…Maybe that's this candy-floss." Tuddrussel replied.

He shook his head. "No, I'm worried. I'm going to check him up."

Larry headed for toilets, where Otto was supposed to be. "Otto? Are you alright?"

Nobody replied. "Otto?" He knocked at one of doors. "Otto?" Larry repeated, a slight worried.

At one point, he decided to open one door. However, that wasn't Otto inside, but an unknown man who yelled at him, angry.

Otto…Larry thought. Impossible! He was here! He felt it.

He waited five minutes. One door opened, Larry smiled. However, that wasn't Otto. Otto didn't come out.

Where is he? Larry waited again. However, there was no Otto.

Otto didn't appear again.

"Otto!" Larry screamed, ignoring the others's stare. He hurriedly left toilets to find Tuddrussel. This latter was drinking his coffee as usual.

"Hey? What's up?"

"Otto…He disappeared!"

"What?" This time Tuddrussel threw his cup off. They both stood up. "Unbelievable! He must be here!"

"We have to find him, Tuddrussel" Larry panicked. He ran to find a waiter, punching the counter. "Did you see the boy who accompanied us? Did you watch him leave?"

The waiter cleaned a glass, shrugging. "Oh. You mean, the little boy with glasses?"

"Yes!" Larry's voice went higher. "Did you see him?"

The man nodded. "Yes. He left with a man, ten minutes ago."