An idea that came to me yesterday. I realized that the last 9x5 fanfic I wrote was published at least six months ago. I felt like writing for that ship again after not writing for it for so long. I've been wanting to write a 9x5, but didn't have a plot to center it on.

3 and 4 are mentioned in this fic. Both are females in it. There's hints of 1x7, something I haven't done in a few years. And there's also mentions of 3x6 and 4x8.

I really put my all in this story. I hope I made this worthwhile. ^_^

9 stepped over a broken piece of brick, pushing back a tall stalk of grass. He took note of surroundings, looking from the ramshackle buildings to the sun overhead. He tapped the hilt of his lightstaff against the ground, absentmindedly thinking about the day ahead. He turned around, blinking. Another was approaching, and 9 was content to welcome the newcomer.

"It's so nice out," said the one-eyed stitchpunk, unstrapping the quiver from his back. He dropped it gingerly on the ground. He sauntered over toward 9, standing beside him.

"It is," commented 9, smiling, turning to look at him.

5 walked over toward a rock, stepping on top and shielded his forehead with a hand.

"We can probably see the library from here," he said.

"Really?," said 9, walking toward him.

Standing beside 5, he craned his neck. He looked between the buildings, seeing nothing but the decaying buildings capped with rejuvenated greenery. Over a year had passed since the war with the B.R.A.I.N. He was surprised that a year had passed since that time, and a lot of things changed. 9 recalled six months ago seeing 1 with 7 in the courtyard. He at first thought the two would start an argument, but was wrong when he was 1 caress 7's face. Then when he saw 1 kiss her. 9 was surprised, but it wasn't something that displeased him. He was happy for them, wishing he could find something like that for himself. And then a few days after that, he saw 3 spending time with 6 in the library. The two were drawing together, although 3 was using a feather quill to draw since 6 had pen-nibs for fingers. Again, 9 was taken aback when he saw 3 kiss 6. It seemed that 3 was in love with 6 even before she left the cathedral with 4 and 7.

Then he saw 8 and 4 taking a walk together to the Emptiness. 9 saw them an hour later with 4's arms full of trinkets. Most of it were broken pearl necklaces, a heart-shaped brooch, and a dangly emerald earring. The next surprise was when 9 saw 4 kiss 8 on the lips. It was a surprise to 8 as it was to her. Neither thought they felt the same way about each other, but they were happy that they were finally together. Even 7 was surprised when she was told. 9 saw all these changes unfold, and he pined for something to happen to him.

9 enjoyed his life after the end of the B.R.A.I.N.'s iron grip. He was happy to wake up to a new day where the sun shined into the library and creeping into his room. He would spend the day reading, or sparring with 7 and 8. He enjoyed going on resupply missions with 5. He even enjoyed helping 2 in the workshop, or sitting with him and 5 to watch the sunset. It was a content life he enjoyed, but he would enjoy it more if he had someone else with him. What 7 and 1; what 3 and 4 had with 6 and 8; he wanted it. He craved for it. Something he longed yet, couldn't reach for.

"I don't see it," said 9, straightening.

"I couldn't see it either," admitted 5, "I just wanted to start a conversation."

9 smiled.

He sat down on the rock, and soon as he did, so did 5. His arm brushed against 9's, causing the zippered stitchpunk to flinch slightly. He relaxed and sat back, watching a cluster of clouds roll by, covering the sun. Beams of light poked through the clouds, something that 9 thought was pretty to look at.

"Remember that beast we fought last week?," asked 5.

"Yeah, I remember," said 9, changing position. "Why?"

"I'm just saying," replied 5, "it would be exciting if there was a beast to chase down."

9 raised a stitched eyebrow.

"I thought you didn't like to seek out danger," he said.

"I don't," said 5, "I just thought the beast from last week was an interesting one."

9's pupils darted from one direction to the other before resting on 5.

"Well, I won't argue with you there," he quipped.

The beast he and 5 fought was of a new category they'd never seen before. It must've been one leftover from the B.R.A.I.N. The beast was a bipedal design with a goat's skull and two red optics glowing red. It had scythed for its upper arms, and horseshoes for feet on top of metal pipes. A sickle for a tail completed the look. Oddly enough, it had barbed wire wrapped around its chest, protectively hiding the battery in its core. More of that barbed wire was tied around its legs. The goat's left horn was broken, and some of its teeth were missing. 7 called it "Faun" after a mythical creature the twins showed her in a book. 7 had been with them to help 9 and 5 fight the Faun. It took the three of them to wound the Faun to the point where it was limping from its left leg getting severed. It hobbled clumsily as 9 and 5, with their weapons, chased it toward the edge of the ravine, the site were the 6 died and was brought back to life. When it was close to the bridge, the Faun fell over. Attempt oping to stand up when 5, 9 and 7 had it cornered. 7 pierced her spear into the Faun's skull, causing the beast to bleat statically. 9 severed its arm while 5 shot his crossbow in one of its optics. The Faun turned around, giving 7 the opportunity to jump off and climb on its chest, stabbing the beast in its chest. Electricity crackled from the spot, earning a peal of an earsplitting scream blaring into the stitchpunks' hearing receptors.

The Faun was left behind, dead. The three made the trek back to the library to rest and talk about it to the others. The design of the beast was a topic that no one could stop talking about. The idea of possible other beasts were on their minds ever since.

"Where do you think that Faun's been hiding?," commented 9, sliding down to the ground. He laid his head back, resting on the rock.

"Don't know," answered 5, shrugging. He looked down at 9, lifting his one brow. "You comfortable there?"

"I am," quoth 9, nodding. He gently dropped his lightstaff beside him, turning away to look at the horizon.

The wind blew through the decayed buildings, sounding close to a whistle. There were some trees with newly-grown green leaves swaying in the breeze. It awed 9 immensely. He looked forward to seeing more greenery pop up in the Emptiness. He already saw some grass patches sprouting. He especially liked seeing them in the early morning with dewdrops covering the grass blades.

"You wanna play a game?," queried 5, leaning down.

"What kind of game?," quipped 9, glancing up.

"Hide and seek." 5 smiled.

This received a smirk from 9.

"Really?," he said, sitting up.

"Yeah," retorted 5. "I thought it'd be fun."

9 pondered it for a minute.

"I'm up for a game," he replied. "It sounds better than sitting around." He stood up, stretching his arms. "Want me to count?"

"Sure," said 5, rising to his feet.

"I'll count over there," said 9, pointing to a crate to his left.

"And I'll search for a place to hide."

9 sauntered over toward the crate, his face hidden behind his hands. As soon as 9 started counting, 5 scampered over toward a tall cluster of grass, disappearing into the rifts of green. The zippered stitchpunk counted, intent on starting the game as soon as possible. By the time he was through counting, he turned around, a smile on his face. He looked from left to right, eager to find 5. He ambled past the rock he and 5 were sitting, dashing towards a toolbox a few yards ahead. He took a peek inside, his smile fading when he saw 5 wasn't there. Turning away, he ran towards road that slanting towards a building at the bottom. He reached the open doorway, seeing the door, hanging by a single nail. 9 stood, then sauntered inside.

"5?," he called. "Are you in there?"

He stopped, feeling a chill run up his spine. He gazed from the ceiling to the dim room, seeing all sorts of human junk litter the building. Dust scattered the floor, along with broken glass whose surface threw the sun back. 9, deciding that 5 was not hiding in here, ran out the entrance, ambling back up the steeping path. He reached the top, looking toward the buildings that surrounded their spot.

A rustle grabbed his attention. 9 swiveled around, optics landing on the tall grass blades. He stood for a minute, then walked towards the grass patch. He reached out a hand, pushing the grass aside. He heard something snap, like a twig being crushed beneath a foot. 9 ventured deeper into the tall grass, carefully pushing the grass back. The more he searched the grass, the more he felt like the game was getting interesting. But worry engulfed him the more he thought he couldn't find 5.

"5?," he called out, stopping.

He didn't know how big the grass patch was, so he listened. He felt something brush against him when he remembered it was just the grass. 9 craned his neck, turning to look to his right, pausing for a moment. He continued on, looking down, stumbling back when something blocked his way. He nearly fell over when he regained his balance and he saw 5 stand before him.

"You found me," he said.

"You surprised me," said 9.

5 chuckled.

"Now it's my turn to count," he uttered.

"And I'll go hide," said 9.

The two stitchpunks made their way out of the grass patch. 5 walked toward the crate 9 stood to count, and he began to count. 9 sprinted toward the path behind him, eager to start the game once more. Once 5 finished counting, he turned around, excited to start searching for 9. He scampered to his left, passing the rock he and 9 sat, seeing a busted up red car. 5 reached the car, peering into the open vehicle, tall grass hiding the structure. He stood there, blinking, then stepping inside.

"9?, " he said. "Are you in there?"

He looked from the steering wheel to the dust-covered seats, spotting a crowbar laying on the floor. There was broken glass littering the floor. 5 walked a bit further, spotting a human hand hanging from the backseat, some of the flesh rotting, exposing white bone. 5 turned and ran out of the car, desperate to get that image out of his head.

"9?," he hollered, cupping a hand around his mouth. "Where are you?"

He stood next to the rock he sat on when he arrived at this spot. He looked over to the building he saw 9 walk toward. He thought about searching in there, but decided to save that place for last. 5 ambled toward his right, seeing an overturned pail sitting next to the backdoor. He strolled up to it, excitement bubbling in him. When he reached the pail, he walked around it to see inside, only to see that 9 wasn't in there.

Turning around, he sauntered toward the path before him, walking around a shoe.

"9?," he called out, voice shaking. "Are you there?"

He briefly peeked into the building's open doorway, then continued ambling along. He quickened his pace, looking from one direction to the other. He gazed up at the sky, blinking at the sun now that the clouds were rolling away. 5 spotted a few cinderblocks next to a trash receptacle laying on its side. He ran toward it, circling the cinderblocks, standing before the receptacle. Empty. He thought 9 was in there, but he wasn't going to let his disappointment get the best of him. He turned away, looking at every surrounding building.

"9?," yelled 5, turning around to get a full look at the Emptiness. "Where are you? Come out, come out, wherever you are."

5 was starting to get scared. He walked a little faster, almost turning into a sprint. Did 9 disappear? Did a beast capture him? No, he was just getting paranoid. He and 9 hadn't seen a beast on the way here. If he had to guess, 9 was really dedicated to the game, and it seemed like he wanted to make 5 search for him a bit longer.

"9?," shouted 5, slowing down. "Are you there?"

He looked on at the path ahead of him, feeling an uneasiness envelope him. 5 looked on a spot that was clear of litter. He spotted a few cars dented with broken windows and their doors either half-open or they were pulled out. There were also some wooden furniture broken in pieces, suitable for kindling.

"Where are you, 9?," called 5.

He looked at the building to his left, deciding to look through the basement window, its frame capped by vibrant green grass blades. He bent down and peeked inside. He could see a cabinet to his left, barely able to see despite the sunlight cutting through. Standing up straight, he turned around, jogging slowly while preparing to speed up. 5 was starting to get worried. He stood, doing his best to not let his fear override him.

"9!"

The jagged, decaying buildings stood silent, its windows staring back at him. 5 continued walking algo, hoping to find 9 somewhere in the mountains of rubble. He ran towards a pile of care tires, stopping to catch his breath. He glanced up at the surrounding buildings, deciding which one to check next. 5 was about to keep walking when he was knocked forward and he fell to the ground. 9's crept into his hearing sensors.

"9, you scared me!," blurted 5, clawing at the ground, attempting to make an escape.

"Sorry," replied 9, "I just wanted to see your face."

The zippered stitchpunk sat up, giving 5 room to sit up, too.

"Where were you hiding?," he asked.

"I was hiding over there," said 9, pointing toward a building behind them to their right. "Behind those steps."

5 sighed.

"I should've search there first," he said.

"It's alright," quoth 9, patting him on the shoulder.

"Wanna keep playing?," asked 5.

"Sure," said 9, nodding.

"Alright." 5 rose to his feet, holding out a hand to 9. 9 took it, allowing 5 help him stand. "I'll go hide."

"And I'll go count," said 9.

9 and 5 made the walk back to the spot they arrived in and 9 went back to the crate to commence counting. As he counted, he anticipated the moment he found 5, and maybe this time, take things a bit further. He thought back to when 5 brushed against his arm, and how he had been thinking about him prior to that moment. Since everyone began pairing off, he thought he would never have that with anyone. It seemed like everyone had someone but him. He thought whether 5 felt the same or not. Did he feel anything toward him by any chance? It would be nice to know if he did. It would take the tension off of him.

9 finished counting and turned around, looking from the grass patch to the path ahead of him. He sauntered toward the left, eager yet nervous at the same time. He crouched down to look underneath a flowerpot laying on its side. It was empty with dirt piling on the ground. He continued on walking, going down the way he came, breaking off to his right, seeing a broken streetlamp leaning against a dead tree.

"5?," he called out. "Where are you?"

He scampered towards the dead tree, ducking underneath the trunk to see many discarded items, such as shattered glass, twigs, pebbles, paper, bullets, and he even saw a human hand half-hidden by the tall green grass. Gasping lowly, he stumbled back, turning away and ran, going back to his and 5's spot. He looked from the grass patch 5 was previously hiding in to the building he searched earlier. 9 looked on toward a path he hadn't taken before. It was towards the remains of a building that was barely a building anymore. Without a second thought, 9 scampered towards it, hoping to find 5.

When he arrived he saw a cellar door wide open. Curious, he ambled toward it, thinking 5 would be hiding in the building's cellar. He reached the open cellar, standing before it, staring at the wooden stairs. Although it was dim, he was going to search to keep the game going. 9 walked carefully to avoid slipping and falling down. He could see all sorts of human junk taking up most of the cellar: shelves upon shelves filled with glass jars, cardboard boxes, a tarp draped over what 9 deduced as another shelf. He saw the stairs leading upstairs, but there was no need to go up; he already saw what was left of the building's interior.

"5!," shouted 9, cupping his hands around his mouth. "Where are you?"

He looked back at the stairs he came down, seeing the bright and blue sky dotted with billowy white clouds.

"5!," he shouted again, turning away. He began walking further into the cellar.

A nagging sensation gnawed at him, urging to turn and leave. He didn't want to leave but he also didn't want to let go of the possibility of finding 5 in the cellar—if he was here. 9 strolled over to the shelf, glancing up at the jars, wondering what exactly it was they contained. Five of them had a bright red liquid, while others had a dark purplish liquid, and there were a few jars with an orange liquid inside.

A noise startled him. 9 turned around, seeing nothing in the cellar. Shrugging, he turned away, gazing back at the jars, wondering if the liquid inside it was edible. He thought it must've been, or else why would humans store them in those jars? 9 turned around, staggering back, tripping over himself. A white curtain looked over him with a pair of arms waving in the air. 9 struggled to stand up, the fear dissipating when he heard a laugh. The zippered stitchpunk blinked.

"5?," he uttered.

"Gotcha!," chirruped 5, pulling the curtain off of himself. He cachinnated heartedly.

9 smirked, raising a brow. He stood up.

"You got me," he said, feigning annoyance.

"I sure did." 5 nodded.

9, walking up to him, was about to speak up when 5 blurted out, "Race you!"

"Hey!," piped 9, watching 5 break into a sprint.

He chased after 5, intent on passing 5 toward the stairs. The one-eyed stitchpunk sas the first to reach the stairs with 9 making a clumsy step beside him. The two stitchpunks laughed as the ran up the wooden stairs. They pulled on each other to slow the other down. 5 almost reached the top, but 9 made it first having almost knocked 5 down during their race.

"Whoever reaches the rock first wins!," shouted 9, turning around.

5, upon stepping outside, huffed in a breath, saying, "You're on!"

9 took off running. 5 ran after him, laughing the entire time.

"I'm going to bear you!," hollered 5.

"Oh you wish!," chirped 9 over his shoulder.

The one-eyed stitchpunk caught up to 9, but 9 sped up all the same. The two saw the rock up ahead, and they playfully pushed each other to get to the rock first. When they were a few yards close to the rock, 9 stopped, watching 5 ran past him, then continued at a slow jog.

"I win!," cheeped 5, stepping onto the rock. He turned around, throwing a fist in the air triumphantly.

"You sure did," said 9, chuckling.

He stood before the rock, turning to sit down, slamming his back against it. 5 crouched down, a look of curiosity plastered on his face.

"You know," he began, sliding off of the rock to sit next to 9, "I'm glad that we came here. Just the two of us."

"Really?," quipped 9, lifting a stitched eyebrow. He turned to look at 5, who also had a smile on his face.

"Yes," he said, nodding.

"Why's that?" 9 hoped he didn't come off as sounding offended, but he was in fact curious to know 5's reason to coming to this outing.

"Well," said 5, "I like it when we're spending time together, like today."

"Oh, uh, well," stammered 9, scratching the back of his head.

"Yeah," quoth 5, "and I like when we're watching the sunset together. Or when you talk to me about a book you read."

"Oh, I just talk about them in the hopes that you might read them," replied 9, looking up skyward.

"And I do," said 5, "some of them, just not the scary ones."

"Want me to read them with you?," suggested 9, glancing at him.

"Would you?"

"Of course."

5's head bobbed so much it was going to snap off.

There was a moment in silence. 9 enjoyed the quiet, looking at the scenery despite the whole landscape being filled with leftover machine from the war. The leaves on the trees and the grass patches made the backdrop look less grim.

"There's something else I want to get off my chest," said 5, breaking the silence.

"What?," spoke 9, snapping his head to look at him.

"It's," uttered 5, bring his knees up to his chin; tapping his fingers on the ground sheepishly, "it's, uh...something that I've been wanting to tell you."

"Tell me what?," prodded 9.

"You might get mad at me," muttered 5.

"I won't."

"Okay, umm..."

9 watched 5 gather his thoughts, his own excitement riling him up. He was bent on blurting out his own declaration if 5 didn't speak first.

"I," said 5 as a start, "I've, uh..."

"Yeah?" 9 scooted closer to him.

"I..." 5 scratched the back of his neck, optic gazing at the ground.

9 leaned closer. The one-eyed stitchpunk turned to look at him, flinching at 9's proximity. Their faces were so close to each other that the moment felt more awkward than it needed to be. The two looked at each other, neither knew how it happened, but the two ended up kissing each other. 9's arms snaked around 5's neck, while 5's stroked his back. Then his arms somehow found their way to 9's zipper, intending to take it further.

9 pulled away.

"Wait," he said breathlessly.

Every moment he spent daydreaming of this, every hopeful outcome, every comment he'd given was all coming down to this. 9 thought if this was real or if he was imaging it.

"I," uttered 5, "I've been wanting to tell you."

"So did I," replied 9, his arms sliding down to grasp 5's elbows.

5 rested his forehead against 9's with the other's hands reaching down to hold his wrists. Their lips met once again, 5's hands reaching to stroke 9's cheek while the other grabbed his shoulder. When the two broke away, they gazed at each other, unsure of what to say. Sitting here in each other's arms was the only thing both wanted to do.

"So," said 9, "this is what it is?" He tried not to sound awkward in his proclamation, but it was evident in his expression and tone of voice. 5, however, didn't seem to mind.

"I guess it is," he retorted, giggling nervously. It got 9 to chuckle, too.

9 changed position so that he was sitting against the rock. 5 rested his head on 9's shoulder, wrapping an arm around him. The zippered male stroked 5's head, making the one-eyed stitchpunk nuzzle him lovingly.

"I bet you were just as nervous as me," quoth 9, his hand reaching down to stroke his back.

"Definitely," said 5, "more than nervous."

"Same here." 9 nodded.

9 peeked up at the sky, watching the sun shine through the clouds. The desolated buildings around him didn't damper his newfound good mood.

"Wanna do this again another time?," asked 9.

"I'd love to," answered 5. He pecked 9's cheek, taken by surprise when his lips were suddenly pressed against 9's.

"I can't wait for the next game," said the zippered stitchpunk, pulling away.

"Me too," said 5, laying his head on 9's shoulder.

A brisk breeze blew through the Emptiness, all while 9 and 5 sat together in each other's arms, relishing the calm. Nothing to burst their little bubble.

Both were at peace.

I think that turned out well, don't you think? :) I'll never understand why I put off writing for this ship so long. It was fun testing it out.

Hope you enjoyed my story. =D