Creatures of Love - Ending/Epilogue (Part 1)
"Creatures of Love"
A Strangetown Bachelorette Challenge (...what's left of it.)
Previous parts: Intro - First Night - Second night - Third Night - Fourth Night - Fifth Night - Sixth Night - Seventh Night
Warnings: NSFW and lots of Picts
"Are you sure about this?" Lazlo asked, approaching hesitantly.
"Yes, I am. Of course, I am" Allie answered trying her best to cheer up.
"But you don't look so much" He replied worried.
"I am sure, Laz, I'm sure about you, and I don't regret anything, because it all led me to meet you, but..." She sighed deeply and continued "I never meant to hurt anyone, and is the only thing I have done since this started. I feel so guilty."
"Allie ..." Lazlo muttered her name lowly, pulling her close to a tight embrace, but remained quiet, simply holding her comfortingly.
He was warm and strong; she could feel his breathing; his heart beating along with hers. He made her feel complete. At home. Reassured.
It was over, and she had chosen right.
Finally Allie pulled slightly back, and faced Lazlo again, this time with a wide smile on her face.
"I love you, Lazlo"
"I love you too, Allie"
*****
"P! Are you ok? What happened?" Vidcund asked when the servo stepped in the house, but his face already explained more than any possible word.
"She said 'I'm sorry' and watched me walk out" He answered in a gloomy, monotonous tone.
"Can I do anything for you?" The plantsim asked awkwardly, feeling for the friend who was almost like his own brother, but not completely surprised by the outcome.
"Deactivate me, please" He begged softly."It hurts too much"
But Vidcund only gave him a sympathetic smile.
"That's how you know when you're alive" He said, patting the servo's shoulder supportingly.
The other simply stared back inscrutable, but nodding lightly.
At that moment, Pascal appeared in the hallway distressed by the early morning buzz.
"It's like 4 o'clock in the morning. What's going on?"
P-bot just walked by him silently, and only once he was out of sigh, Vidcund finally explained.
"Lazlo won. He must be celebrating by now"
*****
"So, do we keep the house too?" Lazlo asked casually, as they both laid on the floor.
"No, but we do get a house. Just not this one. Besides, it would be too big for us anyways, don't you think?"
"Not really, we could fill it up with puppies" He replied cheerfully
"Puppies!?" Allie giggled "Why don't we just enjoy our first night completely alone first. We'll have all the time in the world to talk about puppies later"
"Awwww, no puppies yet!?" Lazlo exclaimed pouting playfully, and continued grinning "But can we at least keep practicing for the moment??
"Oh, yes" Allie answered enthusiastically "we can practice all you want now..."
**********
**********
"This is it. Our brand new home, what do you think!?" Allie asked, standing in front of the porch, once they have taken their belonging out of the taxi.
"Looks pretty spacious from here. Let's check it." Lazlo replied excited.
"Well, it's bit dull, but we can spice it up." She said once inside "I'm sure we'll settle in easily."
In no time, they started moving in the rest of their things, until a pile of boxes waited in their new living room, ready to be opened.
"Ok, this is all, but do we have unpack right now?" Lazlo commented, carrying the last piece of luggage left outside "I'd like to lay down for a while"
"Sure, the rooms should be by the kitchen. I'll just look for a couple of things here."
*****
"Look, Allie! Our brand new room!! It's basically furnished, and ready to use! Do you wanna try it now?"
"I thought you were tired" She commented playfully
"No! I said I wanted to lay down. See? like this!"
"Maybe you should take your shoes off our new bed, Laz."
"Or maybe you should take them off for me "
"Awww, baby! Do you want me take your jacket off too?"
"Yes, and all the rest, please."
They laughed together and played around in the bed, while most of their cloths were hastily taken out of the way.
"So, can we start talking about puppies now!?"
"Maybe, but aren't you forgetting something important first?"
"Important!?? Dunno....like what??"
"The rest of your cloth!"
"Oh! I thought you meant important like a wedding"
"Well, yes, if you mention it. We could use one of those too"
"And then we can talk about ...?"
"YES!" She interrupted laughing, and moving closer "All the puppies you want!"
*****
"Laz, wake up! Wake up, hun!"
"Shit, what time is it?" After a minute insisting, the man was finally awake.
"Close to eight." She said tenderly, as he stood up "You should eat something before. I made you dinner. It's on the table"
"Great! I'm starving. Thanks" He replied casually.
"I already ate, so I'll just wait for you in here, is that ok?" She said playfully, while getting in bed.
"Perfect! I'll be right back! Don't go anywhere!"
"I won't" She giggled "but be careful, you always take too long in the bathroom!"
Lazlo went quickly to wash up,
but as his hunger raised fast, he rushed out to the kitchen, where, just like Allie said, his plate was ready and served.
Unfortunately, at that exact moment,
the clock marked 8 o'clock.
"NOOOO! NOT NOW!!"
It was too late....
*****
Allie waked up abruptly, at the sound of painful howling coming from the kitchen, but by the time she rushed out of the room, there was only a lifeless body in the floor, and the untouched plate, just a couple of feet away.
"LAZLO!!!"
**********
**********
All day long, neighbors walked in and out her house, to mourn and share condolences.
It was all the family she never got to meet before, except for a few.
And by night, there was only one left.
"I'd like to be left alone, now, P" she said painfully.
"No..." The servo replied lowly, but decided "Let me stay for a couple of days. I can take care of ... everything for you. Chores, errants, whatever you need."
"Don't do this, please, P... I can't..." She muttered heavily
"A corner to stand, and your permission to stay, is all I ask. I don't expect anything else from you." He adventured stepping closer, but insisting "I'm a servo, Allie, let me serve now that you need. Let me help you."
"I don't need a butler, Pbot! I need a man! MY man! And he's gone! GONE!!" She screamed in despair "And it's all my fault!... MINE!!"
"What are you talking about?"
"I woke him up too late, and told him it was close to 8, but then, I just staid in bed and didn't pay attention... and he's ... was... so easily distracted ... he ... "
"It was an accident..." He said, daring to step even closer this time.
"NO!! I should had been more careful!!" She sobbed
"No, Allie..." P continued calmly "He should had been more careful. Lazlo was grown man, and he knew the risks and needs of his condition way before even meeting you."
"But he trusted me, P ... I failed him...."
"No, you didn't. You made him the happier man in the world." He sighed, holding her comfortingly " This was an accident, Allie, a terrible and unfortunate one, but an accident, not your fault"
Allie started crying inconsolably again, while the servo embraced her tightly.
She didn't reject him.
*****
And so, P-bot staid with her.
At first, he was mainly doing chores around the house, quietly and doing his best not to disturbed Allie, who mostly remained recovering on her room, but over time her mood slowly started improving, and seemed to be welcoming the servo's company, more and more.
She had also made a few changes on her room, but eventually even decided to repaint all the walls and replace some of the furniture, which not only gave her something to keep her mind occupied, but also helped renewing the atmosphere in the house.
Of course, there were still times when she would withdraw back to her room for days or staid lethargic in a couch, with her sight lost;
but sometimes, only sometimes, she needed more than just friendly company,
and he was there to watch over her every need.
*****
"Would you check the shower, please, P? It's not working."
"What's wrong with it?" He asked back, while making the bed.
"I don't know. You're the mechanically skilled" She joked "The water isn't running, but it'd only get worse if I try to fix it. Would you? Please"
The servo didn't precisely replied, but simply nodded with a smile, as he walked around the bed to finish his job.
"Great! Thank you" She smiled "I'm going out for short jog. Be back in a few"
"Ok, it'll be fixed when you return"
As soon as Allie was out, the servo quickly put a shirt on, and went to get some tools.
There were another two rooms in the house completely unused, which were meant for the family Allie and Lazlo never had, but now she didn't intent to use them for anything else than storage and waste. One of them was even totally locked, and though P couldn't avoid to shiver at the thought of dust accumulating inside, he never dared to mention the matter.
Promptly, he looked for what he needed and rushed to the bathroom,
and, though, he hesitated shortly at the sight of the shower, which was probably one of the few things a servo could fear, the will to please Allie was stronger at the end.
And he trusted her.
"The water isn't running" She had said before leaving.
Unfortunately, sometimes words imply less than we assume...
As soon as the showerhead was fixed, water started pouring from it,
immediately electrocuting the unsuspecting servo,
who couldn't step away from danger on time.
*****
Allie returned from her run soon after, but by that time, the servo's body laid smoking, half way out the shower,
after being killed by the simplest element that gives life to everything else .... water.
**********
**********
Unable to stand the pain and solitude of her own home, Allie started spending most of her time outside, but not matter how much she tried to run from her past, it was bound to catch up with her once more.
For a brief moment Loki was pleased to see Allie on the bar, but didn't take long to realize, she wasn't looking for fun.
He stepped forward carefully, but she had already noticed him.
"This is where we came for the last date, did you know that?" Allie muttered, before Loki could speak up "And now they are gone. Both of them! BOTH!!"
"Both?" Loki asked confused "I don't understand, Allie, what happened?"
"I don't know! He was always so careful!" She answered looking desperate.
"Lazlo?"
"NO! P, Loki, P! He fixed the shower..." Allie continued, speaking incoherently and visibly buzzed "but the water ... the water ...."
She didn't finished the sentence before started sobbing again.
"I think you should get back home now, Allie" Loki said worried, while gently encouraging her to stand up.
"NO! It's cold and empty. I don't want to be alone there"
"I'll go with you. I'll take you home, ok?" She nodded heavily, and let him guide her all the way back.
*****
Back at home, Loki patiently listened to Allie's recollection of all the event since he left the old house, feeling only sorry for her, and guilt for the increasing desire he couldn't avoid to have, because regardless of what anyone could think, he wouldn't take advantage in a situation like that one ... not with her, anyways.
"You should go to bed now, Allie. You need to sleep" He said softly, holding her with care.
"I don't want t be alone in here." She muttered while Loki carried her to her room.
"Everything's gonna be ok" He tried calming her down, as he gently dropped her on top of the bed "You'll feel better in the morning"
"I don't want t be alone" She repeated painfully
"I'll come back tomorrow night to check on you, I promise"
"NO! Please Loki, stay!"
Loki hesitated, but beyond even desire and conscience, the instinct of survival was still the strongest.
"I can't" He uttered heavily "It's already too late, and you know I must leave before sunrise."
"But your coffin, the one you had in the house, it's here. You can use it, it's yours" She mumbled
"What do you mean here?"
"All the stuff from the old house is in the back room. I didn't know what to do with all of it. I just ... " She paused shortly and seemed to loose the idea, returning to the previous begging. "Don't leave, Loki. Please!"
Loki struggled even harder then. At that point even risking his own life seemed worthy just to stay with her, comfort her, please, make her smile again ....
"Stay with me, Loki, I need you" She pulled him closer and with that he, finally, let go.
Once their lips touched, there was no turning back,
and he trusted there'll be plenty of time to ask about that coffin again ... after.
*****
Loki could feel the sunrise closing in when he stood up from bed, but still couldn't avoid to spend a minute just looking at her sleep.
She was so beautiful.
He had taken her for granted once, loosing in her in the process. He wouldn't do it again. Not now that he seemed to have another chance.
.
Quietly he turned around and looked for his cloths,
but the sun light started filling up the house before he could finish, and was forced out of the room half naked.
There were keys on a desk, just like had mentioned right before falling asleep,
but it was hard to figure out which ones with the sun nearly blinding him through the windows.
Finally he grabbed the right set of keys, and managed to open the door with difficulty,
but only found a room full of boxes blocking the way.
He walked desperately between the junk, getting weaker by the second,
but even when he had finally reached his coffin, there were still things inside that needed to be moved,
and unfortunately by then, the sun had already won the battle.
*****
Allie woke up later that morning to find Loki's cloths still on the floor,
but of him, there was only a pile of dust left...
"WHY!?"
**********
**********
Why this keep happening to her, to everyone she loved?
Why?
Was her being punished for playing with other's feelings? Was it her own guilt making her pay through everyone else's suffering?
She wanted to run far, but that house was the only thing she had left.
It was like curse from which she couldn't escape, but she had to do something to stop it somehow.
She had to cut off from her past, start from scratch by herself and, most importantly, stay way from everyone she knew.
*****
"Vidcund!? .... no ...."
"What are you doing here!?" As soon as Allie saw Vidcund walking towards, she ran out madly to stop him.
"I live in this town too, don't I? I can walk through the streets like everyone else!"
"Then walk back to the road, and GO AWAY!"
"WHY!? Do you have something to hide, perhaps!?"
"WHAT!?"
"What happened to Loki, eh!? Tell me! He was last seen with you, wasn't he?"
"Why do you even care!? YOU HATED HIM!"
"Did he had a mysterious accident too perhaps?"
"You have no right to be here, Vidcund! GET OUT OF MY HOUSE NOW!"
"My own brother is buried here! Are you telling I can't come to visit his grave!?
Allie paused shortly and continued in a slightly lower tone.
"If that's why you're here, go ahead, but stay away from me" She said making a huge effort to contain her tears, and walked back in quickly.
Vidcund followed her inside the greenhouse, but as he entered the sprinklers started working, immediately diverting Vidcund's attention towards the flowing water, which always seem to have an almost hypnotizing power over him.
Allie stared at him quietly for a while, struggling between despair, frustration, anger and an almost incontrollable desire to cry inconsolably on his arms, but needed to maintain her cold facade to keep him away from her ... for his own safely.
"What do you want exactly?" She insisted finally, as he didn't seem to have actual intentions of leaving her alone.
"Accidents happened way too often around you, don't they?" He commented coldly, standing up.
"Then stay away from me or you could be next!" She answered angrily, not measuring her words anymore.
"SO, YOU DON'T DENY IT!?" Allie attempted to step away, but Vidcund grabbed her strongly by an arm.
"Of course, I don't!" She yelled, but continued between sobs "I woke up Lazlo too late; I asked P to fix the shower; I didn't warn Loki about the boxes! And now they are ALL gone because I was selfish, careless and irresponsible!"
"Allie.. I ... I didn't ... I just .... " Vidcund stammered nervously and floored by her reaction "I don't know what to think, this all thing is so unreal..."
"So you think the worse, like you always do" She replied sadly "Like you did before, when you left."
"I thought you didn't want me." He pulled gently by the arm, until they faced each other.
"But I did! I never wanted you to leave, don't you see? I twisted the rules for you, I did everything I could to keep you in the house. I wanted you to stay, to the end ... but you left me!"
"I ... I didn't ... know ... " He replied, unable to stop stammering "I'm so sorry...I..."
"I've missed you, Vid" She muttered softly, and with those words, Vidcund reached for her mouth and kissed her intensely.
At that moment, another pair of sprinklers started working, spraying both Vidcund and Allie with a fresh mist of cold water.
"I think we should get you of this wet cloths, now." Allie said finally, smiling suggestively.
Vidcund agreed.
*****
"Since when do you have this greenhouse?" Vidcund asked casually
" Not long ago. It helps me relax"
"It's nice" He commented lightly, while looking around cheerfully "Is that my lamp?"
"Well, yeah ..." She stammered giggling nervously "I.... well .... I..."
"Don't feel bad. You can keep it." He smiled sincerely "It's good to know is being used and not wasted"
"Well, is not really working" She explained shyly "I think one of the light bulbs burned."
"I see." He nodded thoughtful "I could fix it for you... I mean, if you don't mind me coming back."
Allie replied with a wide and welcoming smile.
*****
After knocking on the door a couple of time without answer, Vidcund used his own keys to enter the house.
Allie had given him a set shortly after they started meeting more frequently, though, she still refused to let him moved in, or even spend a night on the house.
He called out a couple of more time, but as there was obviously no one at home, he simply let himself in, and found a note from Allie on the kitchen, warning him that she could be late because she was out on a job interview.
He nodded at the note, pleased for the progress his friend seemed to be doing, and walked outside to do something useful of his time as well, while waiting for her to return.
The small graveyard in the back always gave him the chills. It was a constant reminder of not only the love ones he had lost, but also the reason why she had grown so paranoiac and overly defensive towards everyone else.
But the essence of being a plantsim, always helped Vidcund keeping a optimist spirit, and he was decided to recover the friendly and cheerful woman Allie once was, one sunny day at the time.
That day, he had planned to give her the perfect surprise, by fixing the old sun lamp as he had promised before.
Replacing the broken bulb with the one he had just bought, shouldn't be a big deal.
He just needed to secure the wooden stairs
close enough to reach the lamp
and take out the old bulb first,
but unfortunately ...
the stairs slipped abruptly to the side,
sending Vidcund flying through the air,
until he landed with his head against the floor, in the worse way possible.
*****
Allie noticed what had happened, as soon as came back home. Water seemed to be pouring from everywhere as she ran towards the greenhouse, but it was impossible to know for how long Vidcund had been laying in there lifeless.
It had happened again. No matter what she did or didn't, she couldn't escape from this grudge.
Click here for PART 2