Mable: Here's the next chapter! I'm going to keep this note shot and carry on with the chapter. I don't own 9, Enjoy!


Fabric Runs Shallow

Chapter Fifty-Three: The Comfortable Uncomfort

Velvet's body beyond weary as she drug herself into the throne room. It hadn't even been a hard workout in Seven or Eight's mind; they had her take some swings against Eight who blocked the blows, Seven took her for a brief sprint, and while it seemed like little to the two the leather haired female was unable to keep up. She blamed it on all her time spent in the house without much need to exercise for long periods of time and they had agreed. Though she had tried to keep from looking completely exhausted until she got to the Sanctuary again.

The crank made her arms even sorer and her previous hesitance to venture around without an escort went ignored as she stumbled into the throne room. Six was in the corner drawing as usual, though it was still new to the female, and she pondered between going to visit and going to collapse on the cot in the Workshop. Finally she decided to do the former and approached Six outright. "Hey." She greeted with a weak wave before slumping against and sliding down the wall beside him. "What are you doing- drawing?" She corrected and he smiled a bit.

"It's the Eiffel Tower in Paris." He flashed the unfinished picture to her, "We've been to Paris long ago, but I want to go back again. There was a lot of art and paintings there that I want to see again." This interested Velvet greatly, but she couldn't deny a weird twisting of discomfort in her chest when the idea passed of going into the Emptiness. "It was still there? I don't know a lot about Paris; was it beautiful?" The striped one nodded immediately, "It wasn't as destroyed. It looked almost like humans were still living there and had just left for a while."

He stared at the drawing briefly before Velvet decided to speak and break the silence before it fully set in. "You draw really well." The compliment felt awkward, especially with the soft, "Thank you." That responded along with a following, "What do you do?" The female blinked, "What?" Six asked further, "I mean, by that, what do you like to do? Do you sew?" She touched the capelet with a small smile, "I try, but this one was a gift. I used to like to write but I'm not too good at storytelling my own stories. I do better with something I've read a few times."

"Then you're a Storyteller." Six insisted with an eager smile, "They don't always tell their own stories I don't think. That's why they are a story teller. They just tell whatever stories come to them." Velvet pondered this, "That makes sense… And I know a lot of stories! Maybe if I go around and start preaching a few of them it'll stick. You think?" He nodded and she was even more eager, but wearily stood, "Then I start first thing tomorrow!" She then limped towards the hall, "For now I'm going to lay down before I pass out. I just couldn't keep up with Seven and Eight."

"If it makes you feel any better, Eight can't keep up with me." The striped one spoke without thinking and followed with a massive twitch of the body and a hot blush settling on his cheeks. Velvet blinked and looked back in confusion, "He can't?" The Artist was too embarrassed to respond with anything more than, "Umm… See you when you wake up." The female gave an awkward smile, "Alright. Maybe I'll tell you one of my stories." She then headed down towards the Workshop. Mentally she felt like she had no boundaries, like she was full of energy, even though her body was drained.

Once in the Workshop she dropped onto the cot face down and simply laid there for a good few seconds. It only felt like a moment or so before suddenly she heard, "Rough day?" Her upper half was shoved upwards and she looked back at Five who was entering the Workshop with Child in tow who was carrying Nine. "Oh, umm, yeah." She muttered, pushing her hair out of her face, "I didn't hear you come in. Do you need this…?" She meant the cot, but Nine spoke, "I don't even need to be in here. I'm fine now, the dizziness wore off and I can see straight again."

"That doesn't mean you're not still in danger." Five suggested, "These things can last so we want to be sure. Better safe than sorry." He dropped his bag on the counter and began looking for the various tools he needed. "I'm going to be down with Two working on what we found." A moment of silence passed and Velvet's optics flickered over to Nine and Child who she noticed weren't paying attention. She pointed to herself, "Who, me?" The Healer looked up, "Yeah. I'm going to be downstairs. Unless you need me to take a look at you."

Her hands went up in defense and embarrassment, "No, no, no! I'm good, I'm fine, just go have fun!" He continued to seek out tools while Velvet felt a strange flutter or vibrate in her chest again. She tried to smother it as another pang of anxiety and looked to Nine and Child. The albino set the younger male down on the other cot and began to fuss with him, trying to get him under the blankets of the cot. She felt a small smile grow as she started to notice something very affectionate in the gestures. She had assumed earlier that Nine was courting Seven, but now it seemed like it was he getting courted.

Or perhaps already courted as she suddenly noticed when Child suddenly kissed Nine and the other seemed generally casual about it. It was sudden, but she found it sweet, and as Five exited the room her thoughts shifted to a single question.

"Wait, Eight can't keep up with Six…?"


Two had already set out all of the parts and pieces by time Five arrived in the Library. Three and Four brought him out a tube of glue that was especially strong for him to use as well as their paste probably wouldn't work as well. "You know, since we're already working…" Two started as he noticed his apprentice wander up beside him. "We should make something else with it. I was thinking of perhaps a small swing set as well." The Healer was a little surprised at Two's sudden willingness to build even more. "Are you sure? I know you've been eager to put this together."

"I am, I am." Two insisted, "But we'll need to do something while the glue dries. Here, I'm going to go see if Eight or Seven want to assist." He suddenly headed out of the study and Five blinked before looking to the twins, "Umm… Am I missing something?" Both females looked after the Inventor before both giving shrugs. Then Four went into the back to find fabric for a mast in case none was included while Three moved inwards to Five's side. The one eyed male wrapped his arms around her in a warm hug and the two stayed in a tender embrace until Two returned.

Apparently both Seven and Eight were willing to assist with the plans to Two's unending joy. "Alright, let's begin… I assume we should use the directions since it is a model with a specific outline. Three, Four, could you two help me unfold these?" As he pulled out the paper Four rushed over from the other side of the study while Three gave Five a peck on the cheek and followed suit. They quickly unfolded the direction and stretched them out on the floor of the study before Two began to read away, beckoning Eight over to help him find the pieces.

Five and Seven would have gone too if the Warrior wouldn't have stopped the Healer in his tracks. Her hand caught his shoulder and somewhat pulled him back towards the twin snake jar. "Seven?" Five asked quietly in confusion as they were pulled beside it. Seven had to get to the bottom of this immediately and decided to ask outright, "Five…" She began slowly, "I noticed you and Velvet are a bit close. Did something happen back at the house when you met?" Apparently Five took it the wrong way; almost like she was saying that something was wrong and was seeing if Five knew what.

"Well… The fire was her home and she seemed really attached to it, she was upset after what happened. I thought she was starting to fit in; did something happen while you were sparring?" Seven knew that Five over-concern was actually common of him and she shook her head, "No. She's fine." The female insisted, "The training went well. I was just making sure… Just do me a favor, please." The Healer raised his brow and she insisted, "Spend some time with Three tonight, okay?" His optic widened, a brief look of alarm passed; in a second he got it.

"Oh, umm, yeah. Of course!" He sputtered out and rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. The pale female patted him on the shoulder before heading back to the others, him following shortly behind. Now with their help Two divided the pieces before the long process of arranging them and beginning to glue them occurred. Eight would keep the wood pieces firmly together until the glue fused, which was thankfully quick as the Guard didn't very much like to stand in one place unmoving for too long.

It took over an hour to put the main frame together, gluing included, and then took more time to add the small steering wheel, the mast, and such. Thankfully it did end up coming with one. Eventually it was finished and only needed some time to finish setting. The Inventor used some of the thicker glue along the outside on the cracks. It was now that Five went to his side, though with his own motives. He was hoping that Two could reassure him that everyone hadn't gotten the wrong impression from him helping the new Stitchpunk.

Yet as he was going to he noticed that the shorter male was acting a bit strange in his own. He had a small smile, but it also looked a little melancholy, and as he applied the glue to any cracks he seemed to be dazed. "Is something on your mind?" Five asked kindly and Two looked over before smiling to him, "There is. I was just imagining what it would be like if this was a real ship. This won't ever make it out on the water… But it's still an excellent specimen."

He chuckled a bit, "A salty dog! Perhaps more a salty seadog! I've always imagined what it would be like out on the seas. Searching for new lands, out against the elements, becoming one with the sea." The Healer smiled in interest before adding in. "I never heard you mention the sea like that before. I mean, you've mentioned it before, but never like this." His mentor put a hand on his shoulder affectionately while the other dropped the glue applicator into the glue bottle. "I don't think about it frequently. Not with all the work we need to get done and with Twenty-One and Twelve, and such…"

Suddenly there came the tiredness in his voice and he sighed. "I guess there's just not enough hours in the day." Five felt saddened and looked downwards at the ground sadly. A few seconds passed before Two noticed the other male's change in attitude and was surprised, "What's wrong?" Five wasn't sure how he could even ask that, "I… it's just that you're upset and I…" Two felt like he needed to correct this situation quickly, optics widening and insisting.

"No, no, Five. I'm not upset at all! I'm just merely thinking." He then added in a more cheerful smile as he added in with the suggestion of, "How about after we finish this and the swings we make plans for a little trip?" A single optic widened in response, "Like… To the ocean?!" Two gave a half smile, "Probably not during this time of the year… but perhaps we're overdue on another run to Paris, would you say?"

He gave a suggestive nudge and Five began to smile once again, "Are you sure? One might not want to after what happened in Belgium." The Inventor waved it off, "One knows better; after all, Paris was relatively safe. Six was talking about it only earlier so it seems we wouldn't be the only ones wanting to go along with it." This seemed to ease the tension considerably. "Now come. Let's work on something for Twenty-One and Twelve! We've spent enough time moping about!"


One knew something was strange about this entire event, but brought down Twenty-One and Twelve willingly. Just as Two had promised there, outside of the study, was a pleasant little swing set. There were three swings on it; two normal ones and one that had a seat built into it as though to brace a smaller baby. "We're planning to add on a slide and more when we get more materials. For now…" Two lifted Twenty-One before seating him onto one of the swings, "Hold on tight." He instructed before pulling back.

"Two…" One tested, suddenly seeing every threat imaginable as his son was pulled back. Twenty-One held on as instructed and when he was released he swung forward. The toddler's mouth stretched into an eager smile and he released a loud giggle. Only after a few seconds the small male started to chime in with, "Higher! I want higher!" He swung his legs about and Two tried to teach him. "Swing your legs back and forth, Twone. It'll help you get higher." The little Stitchpunk attempted to mimic the motions himself, though they were a little odd.

A small smile began to form on One's face as he circled the swing set to place Twelve inside the chair swing. The infant female seemed a little confused and One gave her a small kiss on her topknot before pushing her as well. He was a bit more careful than Two was as she was so much younger, but Twelve's optics widened in alarm and a large smile spread regardless. She made a soft babbling noise and One was quite amused. He then noticed something strange, "Where are the others? They did not want to see how the children would react?"

Two shrugged a little bit, "Oh there will be other times! After all, they're planning to add more on later, when we have more time and materials." The Leader seemed to get a bit of a smirk, "Unless, of course, they just wanted to steer clear in case my reaction wasn't positive." The Inventor chuckled a little, "Why would you disagree with a swing set?" He asked playfully and One coolly responded, "My reaction to our next excursion to Paris." For a few seconds Two just stared. "…I'm sorry, what was that?" He finally asked as though unsure how to react at the moment.

"You're planning a trip to Paris and finally decided to tell me." One seemed more smug than angry. Almost as though he was too proud of catching the smaller male off guard that he couldn't be angry. The Inventor briefly stuttered before asking, "Did you listen in on us?" The taller male gave a sly look. "I didn't have to. Not when I had a man on the inside. Oh no, Eight told me everything that I needed to know." Two didn't know whether to be surprised or amused by the revelation. Eventually he gave a bit of a self-conscious smile, "I've been caught red-handed and red-faced."

"So it seems." One quipped back while Two asked, "So you aren't upset? Usually you get a bit finicky when we ask about leaving." The Leader nodded a bit and continued to push Twelve, "As a matter of fact, I think that we should visit Paris again. It is a lovely city." There was something wrong and Two knew it. He now gave the suspicious look but One wasn't fazed by it in the slightest, even though he wasn't looking him back in the optics. Two looked back and continued to push Twenty-One when he suddenly felt an arm around his frame.

For a second Two wondered if Eight had noticed what happened between he and Five and told One. The slight self-conscious feeling from earlier grow only worse; the last thing he wanted was for the others to think he believed he has something missing in his life. Even if One's comfort was surprisingly direct and somehow made him feel a bit better. Two hadn't ever discussed the sea or ships like he had with Five, mostly because it ran much deeper than just a simple case of wanting to go sailing. Two used to have quite the urge to wander, suppressed because of his dedication to his family.

Or perhaps suppressed because Two had known long ago that he couldn't survive on his own. Perhaps One didn't remember that discussion long ago. He leaned against him a bit, leaving only his arms free to appease Twenty-One who was virtually oblivious to his parents' discussion. "Remember back when there were only a few of us? When we were young and foolish." One gave a somewhat tired sigh, "Two, I doubt you could have ever labelled us as young." Two chuckled at this lightly, "Younger, perhaps. Remember how eager I was to travel and see the world?"

"I do." One answered, "Though you were much less eager once you realized that the rest of the world." Two paused before shaking his head, "Actually, One, that was my excuse. I actually didn't go because I knew that I was needed here. That I needed to be here with you and the others, and I've always been content, but sometimes I just-…" He struggled to find something adequate; he didn't like this feeling, like the others thought that he was troubled, and knew he had to cover it up. "Sometimes I just still get that urge to travel. Not nearly as bad as Nine's, of course, just a small, the smallest urge imaginable."

"I understand." The Leader responded, though there was a slightly hesitant sound in his voice, as though he was actually watching his words. A few seconds passed before One added in, "You could have just told me." Silence seemed to suddenly overtake Two as he focused on that sentence briefly. Then he slowly turned his head towards the taller male before embracing him slowly, resting his head against his chest as he did so. One hugged him back and there was a few seconds of silence. Whether or not Two liked to admit it, he did have the ability to turn to his mate, but he had become so used to One being against leaving that he forgot it.

"Papa?" Twenty-One seemed to notice when the pushes stopped and when he began to slow down. He tried to look back but was having trouble doing so without losing his balance on the swing. "Papa? You were push me." He pointed out in a strange fashion and Two smiled against One's fabric before pulling back just enough to give Twenty-One another little push, though still keeping a hard around One.

He felt the need to hold him just a bit closer. One thought alike.


Mable: Unfortunately daily updates shall take their weekly break. I know three chapters is a short story arc as I usually go to at least four or five, but I don't want to get too ahead of myself. If I cut myself off now I will be able to do daily uploads next week as well, and hopefully slowly catch myself back up. Either way, the next chapter will be posted next Tuesday! I hope everyone enjoyed!