I had the idea for this at the same time I was working on my previous 9 fic. I thought about trading pairings in that one, but stuck to my current plot and waited for the right time to write this story.
I haven't written a 5x6 story in a long while, so I thought I'd write one just to try it. I felt like I was getting rusty, so that's why I wrote this.
The pairing is 5x6, but there's also mention of 1x9.
Enjoy the story. =)
The night was quiet save for the uneasiness going in a corner of the ramshackle library. 6 clutched his key, optics shut tight. The blanket that draped his body was halfway to the floor, while the striped stitchpunk kicked his legs. A whimper escaped his lips, his mismatched optics still closed. He was so distressed that he didn't hear the footsteps approach his living space and part the curtain away.
3 and 4 curiously sidled toward 6's makeshift bed, eying him worryingly, seeing the distress he was in. The twins stood beside the sleeping stitchpunk, looking at each other before looking back at 6. 3 gently shook 6's shoulder in an effort to awaken him.
'6,' flickered 3, furrowing his brow. 'Wake up.'
4 watched worryingly.
'6,' repeated 3 more firmly.
The hooded stitchpunk shook 6 a little more quickly, resulting in the artist's unpleasant wakeup call. The striped stitchpunk opened his optics, looking at 3, then at 4, gasping in a breath.
"W-what," he croaked, "what...h-happened?"
'You were having a nightmare,' explained 3.
'Are you okay?,' asked 4.
6 looked at 4, then at 3. When no answer came, he glanced at the floor.
"I," he uttered, avoiding looking the twins in the optics, "I...don't k-know."
3 sat on 6's bed, putting a hand on his shoulder. 4, who thought to spend the moment standing, took a seat by 6's left, smiling at him.
'It's okay,' she said.
"It's n-not...okay," replied 6, not looking at her.
'Why not?,' queried 3.
"I-I just," stuttered 6, optics trailing from the bed to the hooded stitchpunk. He brought his knees up to his chin, wrapping his arms around his legs.
'Just what?,' insisted 3.
6 glimpse at him, then glanced over at 4. Biting his lip, 6 forced an answer.
"I," he said, "it's about..."
'What?,' uttered 4, putting a hand on 6's shoulder.
The black-and-white stitchpunk sucked in a harried breath, closing his optics.
A moment passed, and 6 didn't say a word. The twins looked at him worriedly, then looked at each other for an answer. 3 looked at 6, in an attempt to get him to face him.
'Is it about,' he said through optic flickers, '5?'
4 looked at 3, then at 6.
Surprisingly, the striped artist lifted his head, bicolored optics blinking. He opened this mouth to speak, but he couldn't find the words to articulate, so he sat there, mouth opened.
"Y-yes," he quoth at last.
4 looked at 3, who gave a soulful look.
'Oh, 6,' said 3, glancing back at the striped artist.
4 began stroking 6's back, earning a whimper from the stitchpunk.
'It's all right,' spoke 4.
It was true that he and the rest were brought back to life, which happened a month ago. The five were found in a matter of days, and in those days, each stitchpunk was tended to their wounds healed. 6, who had plummeted to the ravine, was found by 9, who tied a rope to his waist and the other end was held by 7. 6 remembered how relieved he felt upon seeing the zippered stitchpunk climb down. He held on to him as he and 9 made their way back up. After that, he, 9 and 7 made the trip back to the library where he saw 2 already laid on a makeshift bed with the twins by his side. 6's ankle was sprained and repairing it took little less than a few minutes. All that was needed afterwards was recovery.
A day after 6 was rescued, 5 was found. He had a hole in his patch, which was repaired, and then he took to looking after him and 6, while 9 went off to search for 1 and 8.
'Don't you think you should tell him?,' asked 3, raising a brow.
6 bit his lip.
"Nggnn," he muttered, "I w-want...to."
'But...you're afraid to?,' guessed 3.
The striped stitchpunk mumbled something the twins couldn't understand, and buried his face in his knees.
'It's okay, 6,' crooned 4, stroking his head.
6 lifted his head, looking at 4, then turning to look at 3.
"I-I," he uttered, "I'm afraid...5 w-will...re-ject...me."
'Don't think that,' insisted 4.
'He won't do that,' said 3.
"H-How do...you..k-know?," queried 6.
3 paused, unsure of how to articulate his answer.
'I don't know,' he replied, 'but what I do know is that you can't go on thinking about what would have been.'
The black-and-white stitchpunk grabbed his key, giving it a tug. He looked at 4, who smiled reassuringly.
'Don't you think you've waited long enough?,' asked 3, putting a hand on 6's shoulder.
6 looked up at him, about to answer when he stopped, thinking what he would say wouldn't have any significance.
"I," croaked 6, tugging on his key, "I-I..."
'What?,' said 3.
"I-I think," said 6, optics locking on 3, "I w-want to...tell...5."
'Do you?,' asked 4.
"Y-yes," retorted 6, glancing at her quickly before turning away.
'You're going to tell him?,' asked 3, disbelief plastered on his face.
6 nodded.
"Yes," he repeated.
'I'm proud of you, 6,' said 4, smiling.
'Me too,' said 3.
4 rose from 6's makeshift bed, as did 3. 4 picked up the blanket, while 6 lied back down, his hands still clutched around his black key.
'Try to get some sleep,' said 4, smiling sweetly.
"O-okay," cheeped 6.
4 smoothed down the blanket, making sure 6 was warm and comfortable enough.
'Goodnight, 6,' said 3.
"G-goodnight," uttered 6.
'Sweet dreams,' quipped 4, stroking 6's black yarn hair.
6 nodded, watching the twins walk towards the entrance. 4 pulled the curtain apart and she and 3 left.
Once they were gone, 6 glanced up at the ceiling, sighing in a breath. He thought back to what the twins told him, and what transpired in the last two weeks. It was true what 3 said, that he'd waited long enough. 6 spent years pining for 5, thinking the other didn't feel the same. He'd second guess himself whenever he thought about telling 5 how he feels. So far, after talking to the twins, 6 thought perhaps it was time to tell him once and for all.
Yawning, 6 closed his optics, in the hopes of getting some sleep, and maybe not have a nightmare. He smiled, thinking about what tomorrow might bring.
Telling 5 his feelings was on his schedule.
The sun flooded through the ceiling, bathing the library in a golden glow. 6 stood before an open book, beside him, 3 and 4 turn from the book and back to the corridor and back again. The action was more obvious in 3, while 4 took the time to read the pages of the book. 6 took a peek from one corner of the book, hissing in a breath, tugging on his key.
"D-do you... think," stammered 6, snapping his head toward the twins, "he'll c-come...by?"
'Of course we do,' answered 3.
6 glimpsed back at the hall, seeing nothing but the tall bookcases and piles of books. A few marble columns stood here and there, the ones that were broken laid on the floor, collecting dust. 6 sighed.
'He'll come,' said 4, facing 6.
"B-but what if—"
6 was interrupted by 3, who stood up straighter after taking a peek toward the corridor.
'I see 5,' he said, turning to look at 6.
The striped stitchpunk gave his key a tug out of reflex.
'Go out there, 6,' said 4 urgently, pointing toward the hall.
6 gave a nervous nod.
"R-right," he cheeped.
The twins watched as the black-and-white striped stitchpunk ventured out into the corridor, seeing 5 come into view.
"Oh," said 5, smiling, "hi, 6. What are you doing?"
"N-nothing," replied 6, not meeting 5's gaze. He took a glimpse at him before gazing at the floor. "I -t-thought...I'd s-spent...time w-with...you."
5 blinked.
"Oh?," he uttered. "Well, I'd like that, 6."
6 forced a smile.
"D-do you...want t-to?," he asked a little more hopeful, hands grasping his black key.
"Sure," said 5, "what do you want to do?"
6 pulled on his key.
"Mmm," he muttered, "g-go...outside."
"All right," replied 5, "let's go."
6 smiled as he watched 5 stroll down the hall. Glimpsing over his shoulder, he peeked at the twins, who peered over the corner of the book they were hiding in. 3 and 4 smiled at him, waving. 6 nodded, and dashed off to join 5.
6 caught up to 5, who was halfway where he started. The striped artist walked by 5's side, who smiling at him contently.
"What do you want to do outside?," asked 5.
"I d-don't... know," quoth 6, running his hand up and down his key.
"Wanna go for a walk?," offered 5. "I'll bring weapons."
The striped stitchpunk glimpsed at the floor for a minute, biting his lip. He had intended to stay within the library walls, but he also didn't want to refuse 5's offer. 6 tugged on his key, swallowing hard.
"All...r-right," muttered 6, glimpsing at 5, then back at the floor.
"Great," said 5, "I'll go get my quiver."
6 nodded as 5 walked down the hall, watching until he turned a corner, prompting him to count the seconds. He glanced over at the open entrance, seeing the sun shine immensely; the sky looking incandescent. Clouds scudded the sky, pairing well with the subtle blue.
His thoughts were interrupted when he heard a set of footsteps making their way towards him. 6 looked up to see 5 returning with his quiver strapped to himself.
"I'm ready," he said.
6 smiled.
"Let's g-go," retorted 6.
The two made their way out of the library, down the courtyard and then exiting through the iron gates. 6 stayed closed to 5, even though they hadn't gotten anywhere; they had just left the library. And now 6 was wishing he were back inside.
It rained again three days after the first time. It was a sign that things would change. With the Fabrication Machine gone, there was nothing keeping the stitchpunks from exploring the Emptiness. But because beasts were still a possibility, they still had to be on their guard.
"Where do you want to go?," asked 5, turning to face 6.
"Um," muttered 6, "I-I...don't know."
The one-eyed stitchpunk raised his brow, turning to look at the road. He scratched his chin.
"I have an idea," he said.
6 glimpsed up at 5, hands gripped around his key.
"Come on," said the one-eyed stitchpunk.
Blinking, he forced a smile and walked, eager but also worried. He tugged at his key reflexively.
The road was barred by all sorts of rubble, ranging from broken glass to the remains of buildings. Steel Behemoths laid in the ground, buried by tons of rubble. 6 stepped over a piece of wire that jutted out of the ground after he realized he was going to poke himself with it. He caught up to 5, grabbing his key, head turning to look at one direction to the next.
"W-where a-are...we...going?," queried 6, glimpsing at 5.
"This place," replied 5, "I saw it a few days ago."
"What i-is...it?"
"You'll see."
6 walked, one hand falling away from his black key.
The walk was silent but eventful. It was a little longer than 6 expected. Having been used to being holed up in the cathedral, 6 never thought he would be walking among the ruins of the Emptiness. At least not alone, but with 5 joining him, he felt safer.
"We're almost there," spoke 5.
"O-okay," quipped 6.
He followed 5 down the road, avoiding stepping on any broken glass. As anxious as he was, 6 was looking forward to seeing wherever it was 5 was taking him.
"It's just over here," said 5, cocking his head to the right.
6 quickened his pace and joined 5 toward a street to the right. He craned his neck, and saw before him a building with half of it still standing. The door was long gone, while its windows were broken and some of its roof still remained intact. 5 dashed in, urging 6 to catch up.
"We're here," said 5, traipsing through the doorway.
The striped stitchpunk entered the building, looking from the ceiling to the walls, optics landing on the whole of the building. 6 saw a clutter of fountain pens litters on the floor. He looked at his pen-nib fingers and made the connection, smiling impressively. There was also a pile of papers, as well as a collection of inkwells. Aside from the pens, there were also paintbrushes layered on the floor.
"I think it used to be a stationary store," said 5, as he removed his quiver from his back. He set his quiver on the floor against an inkwell to prevent it from falling over.
6 swiveled his head around as he walked further into the establishment.
"I-ink," he said.
"Yeah," quipped 5, "there's a lot of ink here."
6's optics trained from the miscellaneous scraps of paper to the bottles of ink. He couldn't contain himself despite his best efforts. He let out a giddy laugh, scampering towards the nearest ink bottled and picking it up.
"Do you want to draw?," asked 5, waltzing up to him.
"Yes!," chirped 6.
He watched 6 carry the bottles toward a spot of the building that had more light. He set it down, dragged a scrap a paper to his spot, and opened the bottle.
"Mind if I join you?," queried 5, standing beside him.
6 glimpsed up at, a smile plastered on his face.
"Y-yes," he croaked, nodding his head.
5 looked down at the floor and spotted a fountain pen. He walked toward the spot the pen was, picked it up and returned to 6's spot, sitting down next to him.
"Here," said 6, sliding the opened ink bottle toward 5.
"Thanks," replied 5.
He dipped the fountain pen into the bottle, taking it out and then pressing the tip against the white paper. He dragged the pen along the paper, drawing a line. Turning over to 6, he saw that he was drawing what looked like a tree. 6 started with the base of the tree trunk, then drawing the branches to then add the leaves.
"That looks great," he said, keeping his optic on 6's drawing.
"T-thank you," cheeped 6, snapping his head toward 5.
5, unsure of what to draw, resorted to continuing drawing lines in no specific pattern. It was more fun than thinking of something concrete to draw. He smiled contently, looking up every second to see 6's drawing become more detailed.
In the midst of their drawing, a noise broke through the quiet, grabbing the stitchpunks' attentions. 6 retracted his pen-nibs from the inkwell, bicolored optics protruding.
"W-what was that?," he asked.
"I'm not sure," said 5, standing up, setting the pen down.
5 listened, standing still. He heard the noise, which he recognized as a roar. He ran for the spot he left his quiver.
"6, hide!," he called over his shoulder.
While 5 rummaged through his quiver, 6, looking in all directions, teetered between hiding sports until he found one underneath an end table. He ran for it, forgetting about the drawing. He crawled underneath the end table, taking a peek at 5.
5 pulled out his harpoon, turning around to face the open entrance. He could hear a growl thundering from the path he and 6 took. He could see a shadow looming on the ground. 5 recognized it as a Cat Beast. Swallowing, he held his harpoon and got ready.
The shadow of the Cat Beast got larger until the beast himself appeared, mouth hanging open. His optic glowed red, head turning to see 5. It growled.
One second was all it took.
5 ducked when the Cat Beast ran inside the building, growling. 5 ran behind the beast, hands gripped on the harpoon. The beast turned, tail knocking 5 off his feet, harpoon dropping out of his hand.
"5!," called 6 from underneath the table.
5 looked up at the end table, seeing the distressed look on 6's face. He huffed in a breath. 5 picked up the harpoon, turning over, aiming for the Cat Beast's head. He released the trigger and sent the harpoon flying for the Cat Beast's glowing eye. The beast reared up, forelegs kicking, head thrashing. With the harpoon impaled in his eye, the Cat Beast roared, getting back on all fours, scampering off.
5 reached for his quiver and pulled out a spear. Seeing the Cat Beast hunched over, he was ran for its back, leaping over a fallen ink bottle. 5 held on to the beast's back, climbing up. The Cat Beast, feeling 5 on his back, jumped, desperate to get the stitchpunk off of him. But 5 held on, spear pointed at the beast's neck. Another leap was all it took for 5 to take the advantage and copy 7's move. He held the spear, calculated the angle and aimed. The moment the Cat Beast got back on all fours, the moment 5's blade made contact with his neck. 5 sliced the beast's head off, making a clumsy landing.
He observed the Cat Beast's decapitated body, lowering his spear. He turned around, remembering about 6.
"6?," he hollered. "You can come out."
5 watched as 6 squeezed himself out from under the end table. The striped stitchpunk gazed from the floors to the ceiling. His mismatched optics landed on the dead Cat Beast, gasping in a breath, a breath to steady himself. He rose to his feet, teetering between approaching 5 and staying in his spot.
"It's okay, 6," said 5, "the Cat Beast is dead."
6 winced, hands gripped around his key.
"6?," said 5, brow furrowed.
"I-I," uttered 6, tugging on his key, "didn't...e-expect...t-thi-this."
5 looked over his shoulder, raising his brow. He turned back to face 6.
"I know," he said, walking up to the black-and-white stitchpunk, "I didn't expect the Cat Beast either."
6 gave a shrug.
"It's dead now," said 5, in an attempt to pacify 6. He put a hand on his shoulder.
The striped artist glimpsed at his hand, then looked at 5. He smiled at him. His smile was warm, reassuring. It was enough to remind 6 that everything was okay.
"Why don't we finish that drawing?," suggested 5.
6 glanced at 5, then at the paper he and 5 were previously drawing on. He noticed that it was only half-finished, though his mind was still on the beast's attack.
"A-all right," he muttered, walking toward the scrap of paper.
"Let's finish the drawing," said 5, following 6.
6 took a seat before the paper, dipping his hands into the inkwell. 5 picked up the fountain pen, dipping the pen into the bottle. He pulled it out, continuing to draw swirly lines.
The striped stitchpunk looked at 5's drawing, smiling quickly before looking back at his drawing of a tree.
The sky was splashed with faint orange and bright pink colors, purplish clouds layered against the sun. Shadows from the courtyard's trees were cast against the ground. 5 entered through the gates, quiver strapped to his back. 6 traipsed in after he did, hands clutching a rolled up scrap of paper. He scanned the courtyard habitually, following behind 5.
6 caught up to 5's side, seeing two other stitchpunks outside, seated on the stairs. He recognized them as 1 and 9. Both noticed the two, and 9 waved to them, smiling. 5 waved back.
The striped stitchpunk stood, holding the rolled up paper. He craned his neck, seeing two other stitchpunks emerge from the library entrance. 6 saw that it was 3 and 4. Feeling panicked, he caught up to 5 before he could even go inside the library.
"W-wait," said 6.
"What is it, 6?," asked 5, turning around.
"I..."
6 didn't know how to continue the next sentence, one hand tugging on his black key. He glimpsed at the twins, unsure of whether they were watching or not. Feeling timed, he looked at 5, breathing in a breath.
"I...," said 6 breathlessly, "I-I...love you."
5 quirked his stitched eyebrow, mouth half-open in surprise.
"I...love you," said 6 more forcefully, "I...a-always...have."
Still, 5 didn't say a word, only looking at 6, trying to process exactly what he heard. The striped stitchpunk peeked back at the stairs, not sure if the twins were watching or not. In the case that they were, 6 pulled on his key, and looked up at 5.
"I-I..." 6's optics looked down the the ground, looking in both directions. He gaped at 5, sighing in a breath.
A second passed and 6, unable to contain himself anymore, latched his arms around 5's neck, catching his lips in a tender yet, passionate kiss. The act was unexpected, and it took 5 by surprise, who blinked his optic. When 6 pulled away, he stared at 5, chest heaving.
"6," uttered 5, "I...I never knew you..."
The striped stitchpunk pulled his arms away from 5's neck, only to grow confused when 5 grabbed them and pulled him closer to his body. 6 was surprised, even more sure posed than he was before when 5 pulled him into a kiss. When 5 pulled away, he smiled, enjoying seeing 6's shocked face.
"Y-you?," stuttered 6, unable to grasp at what had just happened.
"I do," said 5 plainly. "I love you, 6. I always have. I just don't know why it took so long to say that."
6 chuckled.
"Me n-neither," he said.
5 laughed as well, keeping his arms wrapped around 6. The two stood, embracing the other as the sun sank low into the horizon.
On the stone steps, 3 and 4 traipsed down, coming to stand next to 9 and 1, who gazed at 5 and 6. The twins looked at them.
'He told him,' said 4.
'I'm glad,' quoth 3.
9 turned to look at the twins, then at 6 and 5, smiling.
"It's about time," commented 1, sitting up straighter.
3 chuckled silently, nodding; while 9 rested his head on 1's shoulder.
Dusk drew nearer, and 5 and 6 let themselves be surrounded by its beauty. Nothing felt better than being in each other's arms.
I had planned on making the story longer, but I liked the flow of the story and so, I stuck to it and here it is. Besides, I thought dragging the story would make it boring.
I hope you've all enjoyed the story. Feel free to review. =)