Summary: Frankenstein was cleaning up leaves in the garden.

Heeey, I'm back! Long story short: I've been posting elsewhere but will hopefully have the energy to start crossposting again. Mostly more the ongoing series, because there are a lot of one-shots that I'm not sure I'll be crossposting. We'll see.

Worth

By Dark Ice Dragon

Leaves

Frankenstein was doing something in the garden. M-21 tilted his head, watching Frankenstein gathering the fallen leaves into a pile. Did he need them something? Or was he going to throw them away like the rubbish the human pups left? But the leaves were already outside…

Frankenstein had swept up most of the leaves when he paused, turning his head towards upstairs. "Master?" he murmured, before entering the house again, absentmindedly patting M-21's head as he passed.

There was only birdsong and a gentle breeze moving through the trees after Frankenstein left and M-21 watched the pile of leaves.

Hm. If the wind picked up, the leaves would be blown away and Frankenstein wouldn't like that. M-21 padded into the garden, picking up the first leaf he came across, intending to put it on the pile.

The leaf crunched.

M-21 stilled, not expecting that. He had heard the leaves as Frankenstein gathered them up, but now that he was closer…

He pawed at another leaf, that one also crunching and his ears pricked as the pile in front of him rustled with the wind.

Frankenstein wanted this to be tidy. But it was making noises. Was there something there? M-21 circled the pile, still hearing the rustling.

When he saw one leaf tumble down, M-21 pounced.

The pile was softer than he expected and he sank right through it.

M-21 breathed in the earthy scent, hearing the leaves around him fall onto his back.

There was still nothing there, and this was different than the times he'd spent in cages - he was enclosed in all sides but he could still stretch out how he wanted.

It felt…safe.

M-21 froze when he heard approaching footsteps. Oh. He'd made a mess of Frankenstein's work. M-21 lowered himself as much as he could, whining. Frankenstein would be angry.

Frankenstein didn't say anything instantly, but it was too late. He knew M-21 was there.

"M-21?"

He waved the tip of his tail in greeting, the leaves tumbling more as he moved.

"Are you all right?"

M-21 wanted to move and get out of Frankenstein's way, but if he did that, he'd make a bigger mess.

He had to move though - Frankenstein had called out to him. M-21 wriggled out, trying his best not to disturb the pile more than he had. The tunnel collapsed behind him, still rustling, but M-21 ignored it.

As soon as he was out, M-21 shook himself off before he froze, realising he was making a bigger mess. M-21 slunk towards Frankenstein, bracing himself for Frankenstein's anger.

Frankenstein crouched down to meet him, running his fingers over M-21's head. "Do you want to help me clean this up, or do you want to play with the pile some more?

M-21 blinked at him. A choice? He tilted his head.

Frankenstein didn't say anything, continuing to rub M-21's head.

Another breeze blew past, causing more leaves to skitter past and M-21's ears pricked, tracking them.

Frankenstein smiled. "Let's play, then."

With that permission, M-21 span around and dashed towards the pile again.