Stein woke up that morning to a wailing fake-baby and a petite blonde drooling and snoring on his aching shoulder. Marie hadn't moved to her bed last night and had, instead, simply used Stein's arm as her pillow. She must have found it comfortable.

But it was numb. His arm felt like it was on pins and needles from Marie using him as Franken Furniture.

He shook her slightly. "Marie," he whispered, flicking her nose. "Marie, wake up."

She groaned unintelligibly.

"Marie, you're drooling on me," Stein told her, nudging the woman.

"Iduncare," she told him, shoving her face into the crook of his neck. She must have felt his stubble because she made an annoyed noise and shifted around until her cheek caught the smooth material of his shirt.

"Marie, I have to get ready for work. The bag of bolts is crying."

"Bag of bolts?" she murmured against the cotton.

"The robo-kid."

"Steeeeiiiiin."

"Marie, deal with your child."

"Our child."

"Your child," he said, carefully rolling her off of him and sweeping up his bag, making his way to the bathroom. Marie groped around for her couch cushions.

She kind of wanted to smother herself with one.

Stein was usually the grumpy one, but considering she was the one that spent the day with their fake daughter, she thought she'd be the grumbling one come afternoon. However, he showed up at her house well past 6pm, looking tired and drained. He knocked on the door before he opened it using the spare key she'd lent him a while ago when they first started to get really close.

Marie was in the kitchen, rocking Victoria against her hip while she kept an eye on the pasta currently situated on the stove. The slam of the door alerted her to Stein's presence, but when she just heard shuffling and no teasing comments, she jokingly called out "What? No 'Honey, I'm home'?

Stein sighed, blankly echoing her. "Honey. I'm home."

Oh. She knew that tone. Marie instantly turned the heat down on the stove and stepped out to meet him in the living room, Victoria still against her.

"Bad day?" she asked, cataloguing his fatigue with her eye. Stein nodded, removing the stupid tie he felt obligated to wear and undoing the button to his collar.

"The life of a researcher," he told her. "There is no such thing as a good day."

Ah, so it was just general moodiness. He'd cheer up once he ate. Or had an orgasm. It depended on whether hungry or horny won out that night. Marie smiled.

"Wow, check out Grumpy," she said, cooing at the false baby she was carrying. "Your daddy is so jaded."

"Not its daddy," Stein corrected, rolling his eyes and finding some ease around her. But he scowled and was silent when she placed Victoria in his lap after he sat down to take his shoes off.

"Oh, quit pouting. I've dealt with her all day. Besides, you two need to bond!" Marie chided, skipping back into the kitchen.

It was all too domestic for Stein and he picked the machine up at arm's length, holding it with a grimace on his face.

It turned out that horny won out over hungry. He was still in a mood at the dinner table, holding Victoria in his lap and having to be particularly careful with how he ate, making sure the automaton didn't get covered in tomato sauce.

They'd gotten in the habit of watching movies or playing video games after they ate, but after he did the dishes and handed the robo-tot to Marie with his nose scrunched, she decided against those particular means of entertainment. Instead, she only hinted at turning in for bed early, knowing he'd understand that she didn't mean to go to sleep. And by the time the flicker of realization came onto his face, she had already stepped out to set Victoria down, finding her way to her room.

Marie was beyond sick of what a tease he was being.

He smoothed his palm over her stomach, playing with the waistband of her shorts. "Do you want me to kiss you?" he asked, his breath hot on her earlobe.

"Yes," Marie breathed out, arching to his touch. She could hear the smugness in his voice.

"Where?"

She huffed, annoyed at how slow the pace was going.

"Anywhere."

His face came back into her line of sight and he lowered his lips down onto her forehead, a grin on his face when he pulled away. Marie reached to grasp his palm, still on her belly, attempting to shift his touch lower.

"You said 'anywhere', Marie," he informed. His half-lidded eyes looked amused.

"Just kiss me," she commanded him, frustrated when he twisted his wrist in her hold and pushed her arm to her side.

"Whe-"

"On the mouth, smartass," Marie claimed, cutting him off and lifting her chin. He grabbed her jaw, tilting her face so they met at a better angle. Marie breathed out through her nose, opening her mouth to him. Instead of slipping his tongue in, he nibbled on her lower lip, sucking on it.

She shifted under him, spreading her legs so he could settle closer more easily, but Stein kept his hips elevated above her. Marie licked at his upper lip, setting her feet on her mattress to lift her pelvis up and grind against him. Stein pulled away, breaking their kiss and pleased when she tried to chase after his mouth. He set his palm over her stomach once again, pressing her back down.

"Stein," she whined, her lip shining. He nipped at her neck, pushing the bottom of her shirt up so he could stroke her skin with his calloused fingertips. He scratched at her hip, barely snapping the elastic of her panties and shorts.

Marie covered his hand with hers, bucking up. "C'mon. Stop being a tease and touch me," she told him, attempting to take his fingers further south. She felt his grin against the juncture of her neck and shoulder before his face moved back to hers and he broke free of her hold again.

"Alright," he rumbled, bringing his hands up to cup her cheek and the back of her head, kissing her again. It wasn't what Marie had in mind. She moved her attentions to his shirt, tugging on it and dragging it up his torso, bunching it under his arms. He moved back to pull it off over his head, and she sat up, forcing him back until he was practically seated as well, invading his space to set her cheek against his chest. She caressed each bump of his ribcage, and she closed her eye, basking in the closeness. But he stroked her spine just once through her tank top. His nails scratched over the fabric before he traced the skin she had exposed right beneath the cloth.

"Can I take this off?" he asked her, and she shivered at the tone. Something changed in his voice, got deeper. She nodded, but she knew he wouldn't do anything unless she actually opened her mouth.

"Yeah," she confirmed, pulling away from him to help remove it, putting an end to the almost overwhelming tenderness of hearing his heart thump in his chest. The position was uncomfortable for both of them, with Stein settled on his haunches and Marie holding herself up with his help, her legs spread out on either side of him. She fidgeted when he pressed his touch to her now bare lower back, then up to the front of her shoulder in a single, smooth glide. His palm didn't even hitch over the band of her bra, simply skidding over it.

He shifted over her again, easing her back down to the pillows and she bared her throat to him so he could lick at her collarbones. She gave a breathy sound of consent, petting his hair.

He arched over her, setting his knee between her legs and she ground down onto it. All he had on her was a mouth and his hands and that one measly knee and she wanted more. She wanted him and she cracked her lips open to tell him so-

-and then she had to be reminded that there was a damn baby in the house.

The screech cut through the room and Stein stopped immediately, groaning along with Marie. She heard him mutter "Again?" before he straightened off of her, scooting back to get off her bed.

She was surprised that he chose to go deal with Victoria, and she lifted herself on her elbows, feeling cold without him, following his form with her gaze. Her brows went up when he hesitated at the doorway, turning to her slightly. It didn't matter how many times she saw him shirtless: it was always a welcome sight, and that turn brought the muscles of his side to her immediate attention. Marie bit her lip, eye roaming over what of him was exposed.

"Don't do anything until I get back?" he asked, squinting slightly due to his glasses being on the side table instead of his face.

Marie nodded swiftly, resisting the urge to bring her thighs together and rub to alleviate the feeling between them.

"Okay," she agreed. "Be fast?"

His voice was teasing when he replied with, "Maybe."

After he left, she sighed, long and weary, and flopped back over her frilly pillows. The needy, wanting pressure for him hadn't eased up; in fact, it might have gotten worse when he asked her not to touch herself, to wait for him.

Wait for him. She's been doing that, hadn't she?

She sighed, waiting until the wailing automaton got silent and his hurried, returning footsteps were heard.

Stein only liked to make her wait when it was on his terms. She just wished he would hurry up.

If they thought the previous two nights were annoying, the next had been absolute hellfire.

They fell asleep on the couch, trying to watch one of Marie's ridiculous soap operas, both of them too tired to do anything other than sleep.

But Victoria had other plans and she wouldn't shut up no matter what they tried. Marie spent an hour trying to calm the banshee's scream at first and then stomped over to Stein and practically kicked him awake.

"So help me God, Franken. You deal with this!" she told him, practically pitching Vicky at his face and stomping up to her room.

It continued that way for six hours. He'd get fed up after thirty minutes, storming to Marie's room and throwing the robo-child to her and then she would do the same, coming in like a whirlwind of golden hair and fury to wake him and demand his assistance.

By what seemed like the thirtieth time, Stein just gave up. They must have been so exhausted that they slept through some heavy screeching because he only woke up again when he felt himself hit Marie's floor, rolling off the bed. Luckily, his fall was broken by her plush rug but Marie almost stepped on him when she got up.

And by 'almost', he means 'definitely'. He fell asleep there, barely having the strength and willpower to get up and get the crying to temporarily stop after Marie had her turn. At the very least, he managed to drop himself on the mattress, closing his eyes for a measly ten minutes of bliss.

It must have been the fiftieth time Victoria woke them that night when Marie admitted total defeat. She rolled over and slapped him on the flank as though he were a horse when she heard the sign of a cry.

"I can't do it anymore. You can pick the movie tomorrow if you just take care of her. I'll give you head and everything. Just shut her up," she pleaded. She didn't wait for his response when she turned back around, burying her face in her pillows and bringing her arms up to cover her ears.

Stein found himself feeling murderous when he spent more time than he felt comfortable rocking what was essentially a plastic doll with a damn recording device inside to monitor what he did to it. He was tempted to slam it against the wall if it yelled one more time.

He didn't, of course. They caused enough damage. His sleep deprived mind was drowsy and he just felt so drained. The fake bottle to the fake lips of the fake baby was making him question if his entire life was fake. What even was reality, at that point? Was he even alive? Why was he doing this in the first place? If all of life truly was just his dream, as some believed, then why would he ever put himself into such a predicament? Was it his testosterone fueled body's way of creating a risk vs. reward scenario, and why would his mind make that reward a freebee movie and a blowjob from Marie?

Actually, once 'blowjob' and 'Marie' flit through his tired mind, he scratched that last thought. He knew why that was a reward.

That might have been the only thing that even came close to making up for the torture he was going through. Yet, in his vulnerable, irritable state, his traitorous brain decided to take the time to whisper that Stein wouldn't put up with the situation he was in for anyone other than Marie.

And that was just an unacceptable thought process for any time, let alone for 4:57 am.

He yawned deeply, all but ready to drape himself over the makeshift bed they'd designated for Victoria: a dog bed Marie kept from work with a few blankets and pillows in it for extra "comfort". That could very well have been fake, as well. A fake bed for a fake baby in his fake life. And he was doing it all for what? And why?

He thinks he should have never taken a Philosophy class.

Misery loved company. And Stein, though he didn't tend to like company outside of his usual, miniscule, insular group of friends, certainly loved gracing other people's lives with misery. He may have the tiniest of soft spots for Marie but he wasn't above cheap tactics to get a quick laugh.

So he held Marie to her promise of a movie choice, gleefully watching her reactions to the glory that was the "Human Centipede". Revenge was beautifully sweet.

"Oh my God, that's disgusting! Did he-"

"Yes."

"And those people-"

"Yes."

"And the one in the BACK-"

"Yes."

"Oh God," Marie whimpered, clinging to a frilly couch cushion and digging her face into it. Stein grinned, laughing when she faked that she was going to vomit.

He didn't get that blowjob. In fact, Marie told him that she didn't want to touch him or any other human being for at least six years while she recovered from the mental trauma he'd subjected her to. He answered her with a chuckle and a creepy, crooked grin that was all straight teeth.

She didn't have any problem taking care of Victoria's screeching considering she wasn't going to get any sleep anyway.

That night, she looked at Victoria balefully. "I hate your father."

The mechanical child gurgled in delight as if to tell her that despite being a robot that didn't have feelings or true intelligence or even honest observational skills, even she could tell that was a lie.

Night four. They were more than halfway there. They only had a few more days of hell and then they'd be blissfully, beautifully free.

At least, that's what they were chanting to themselves when they heard the familiar, dreaded cry.

"I'm so tired," Marie said, seemingly ready to sob.

"Set it on fire."

"It's your turn," Marie didn't even open her eye at his melodrama.

"I have work in the morning," Stein murmured out against her hair, which found its way into his mouth, and he sputtered.

That couch wasn't comfortable, but it was pretty convenient. He had to stop falling asleep sitting up in it though. Marie needed to get more than a loveseat. He couldn't properly stretch out and he wanted his bed back. She needed to get a television in her room, actually. That was the only reason they usually ended up too sleepy and exhausted to climb her stairs.

"I cooked dinner," Marie informed, her voice slurred.

"You picked the movie."

"I let you take the shower first."

"I let you win at Mortal Kombat."

"You did not, you liar. I won fair and square."

"She's your kid."

"Our. And you just called her a 'she'."

"If I get her will you shut up?"

"Mmm, God, yes. I love you so much."

Stein's eyes opened in surprise, but Marie already snuggled down into the pillow she had the good sense to bring with her. More than that, what would he say if she weren't asleep, anyway? He swallowed, getting up and away quickly.

Victoria quieted down within five minutes, the fastest she'd ever been calmed, but he spent longer in that room than necessary. He blinked, worrying his lip in his teeth. She certainly woke him up.

"I love you so much."

He knew, of course. Whether or not he wanted to stare that particular beast down, he knew. He'd be an idiot not to realize.

It was just the act of hearing it with nothing to hide it or change it, no way to confuse it for something it wasn't. The act of hearing it said so honestly jarred him, jolted something in his chest because the last time he'd been told those particular words hadn't been pleasant.

But it wasn't anything like how Medusa said it at all. It wasn't followed with "-so why do you take those stupid pills?" or "Am I not enough?" in regards to his depression or psychosis medication. Not followed with "-so be a damn man about it and hurry the hell up, Stein." Not followed with any ultimatum or too-sharp nails digging into the backs of his hands or anything else that made him cringe.

Sure, Marie wanted him to quiet Victoria, but that phrase, that foreign clarification, her adoration, it wasn't because he agreed or to get him to agree, either. It was just affection with nothing expected in return.

Not even reciprocation, whether it was there or not.

There. Or not?

He ran a hand through his hair once.

Twice.

Marie dragged him grocery shopping on Day five. They were running out of practically everything in the house and she refused to eat like a first year college student scarfing down struggle sandwiches. Not again.

He was surprised that they ate through her fridge and cabinets so fast, but it made sense when he thought about the fact that he suddenly had a lunch at work. And actually ate breakfast. And ate more than one meal a day, now that he thought about it. He winced when he realised she'd just done it without any real thanks.

Selflessness was too foreign to him.

So that he didn't come off as a mooch, he offered to pay for the groceries, but Marie told him not to bother.

Oh, sure.

Money was always tight with her, but she was a stubborn woman. Marie's job working at an animal shelter hadn't gotten her a paycheck for a few weeks at that point.

Her parents' support could only stretch so far, so he insisted. She gave in when she remembered that her bank account had maybe twelve dollars in it. So it became a "family" trip, and Stein drove them, Victoria settled comfortably in Marie's lap until they got to the store. The blonde bounced Victoria around in her arms before setting the kid into the provided baby basket in the shopping cart.

Stein got stuck, somehow, wheeling it around while Marie picked out boxes of cereal and chocolate milk and fruit snacks. Not very balanced meals in his opinion, but he was the one who mostly lived off of take-out and multivitamins. It was a good thing he exercised, or he was certain his metabolism would murder him.

It was a wonder that he was healthy with the garbage he usually ate. Come to think of it, he believed his body fat percentile actually went down in the past few days with Marie even though he hadn't been working out as much with Victoria around. It was an interesting hypothesis. The lack of sleep along with the more balanced meals must be doing him good. Not to mention rocking anything for a good few hours was a good arm workout.

And sex burned a lot of calories.

Okay, so Marie was good for him. What else was new? He didn't have to dwell on those things, especially after what she said last night. He was thinking too much.

Sighing, Stein followed closely behind Marie as she wandered to pick up various meats. The girl could get lost in a paper bag so anything that extended beyond a three foot following distance was an absolute no-go. Victoria had, thankfully, been quiet the entire trip, save for a few annoying gurgles.

He knew he didn't have good enough luck for her to remain that way, but he still hoped.

Screw hope. Hope always let him down before. He was cursed, he knew it.

She couldn't have lasted just six more minutes? She just had to get hit with an artificial hunger pang after they got everything they needed while they were in line to pay? Stein made a face and instantly scooped her up into one arm from the baby-basket while Marie reached into her purse with one hand to give him the baby-bottle, setting a jar of peanut butter on the convertor belt with the other.

As though with ease. He supposed the past few days ingrained some muscle memory into them. However, when everything was rung up and Victoria still wasn't content, Stein looked to Marie and pushed a hip out.

"Grab my wallet," he told her, cradling Victoria with one arm while feeding her with the other. It must have looked all too real and natural because the cashier was smiling, looking as though they were going to squeal at how adorable the scene was. Stein tried not to glare and was distracted when Marie swiped her hands on her skirt and grabbed the edge of his wallet that peeked out of his pocket, opening it.

"There's cash," he said, figuring it would be the easiest method.

"Alright," Marie replied, looking at him with gratitude. "Thanks, again."

Stein would wave her off but he was a tad busy at the moment, so he just kept behind her, scowling at how fussy the false-child was being and how awestruck the cashier was. He froze when he heard the conversation, if it could even be called that, going on over the gurgling.

"Your family is beautiful," the cashier told Marie when they handed over the change and Marie's eye widened, turning to look at Stein, who immediately looked down, pretending he couldn't hear. He peered at her reaction from under his bangs, bouncing the robo-tot. She blinked rapidly, her eye slightly shiny before she gave a strained smile.

She thanked the cashier quietly while loading the bags into the cart. When she wheeled it off, keeping her grip on his wallet firm, Stein followed afterward, silently.