[Flert dert no one responded to my question so you guys get a story.
ohohoho.
Written in anthro, from Sing Along's perspective.
Listen for appropriateness! <3]
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The embers of the crackling fire danced in the sky like golden butterflies. I could see my breath, and a sudden chill down my spine caused me to rub my hands together and move closer to the warm flame. Why the hell was I even invited to this party? It only consisted of a few distant friends, and I hadn't yet spotted a single person I was particularly intimate with.
A few other people laughed and passed what I suspected was alcohol around. I frowned. Drinking was one thing that definitely turned me off of any get together. With a quick glance around, I figured I'd walk home. The guy that had drove me here was absent from the forest clearing this party was set in. I figured he had run off with his date for the night. I shrugged off the thought, then wrapped my scarf more tightly around my neck and shoved my hands in my pockets. I began to walk off, when a voice stopped me.
"Hey! Wait!" I could tell it was male, but there was something particularly intriguing about this person's tone of voice. It sounded weak, strangled, and almost forced. Like they'd been hurt or crying. My ear flicked, and I turned in a manner that one could call slight panic and terror.
The boy I set my eyes on was significantly taller than me, but he looked sickly and was almost ghostly thin. I could tell that just speaking and rushing to catch up with me near exhausted him. I felt terrible.
"You dropped something," he explained between breaths. He handed me a small piece of paper, and I recognized it as the picture of my deceased friend I always carried around.
"Oh, thank you," I said gratefully, trying to make my usually flat voice sound relieved and thankful. I sighed, my ears flattening as I forcefully shoved the photo into my back pocket.
"Who is that?" the other boy asked, an innocent, curious smile spreading over his maw.
I looked away, my ears laying against my head now. "My friend. He died in a car accident." I spoke almost nonchalantly, and I could see my words had a large impact on the tall boy. His own ears pivoted back, and his red eyes progressively wandered away.
"Oh," he whispered. "I'm sorry." He slowly began to back away, his fingers lacing behind his back. He blushed. "I suppose I'd better let you leave and get out of this cold. Sorry I can't drive you or something." He smiled weakly, his crimson eyes apologetic. He waved, then wandered back to the fire, his curled tail hanging rather limply.
I didn't bother to wave, or mutter a simple "Be seeing you." Because chanced were, I'd never see him again.
But God, did I ever want to.
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I spent the next few days walking past that same fire pit, in that same forest clearing, rain or shine, day or night. I didn't see any more gatherings, and I didn't see him. I couldn't help but run a hand down my face in sudden frustration. Why didn't I ask his name, or just exchanged phone numbers? It would've made contacting him a hell of a lot easier.
But alas, I didn't even spot anyone around the clearing until the fifth night I passed it. There he was, sitting on a log and staring at the fire pit, which I could tell had been freshly extinguished. Smoke rose from the dampened, ash-ridden logs, swirling in the sky elegantly.
It didn't take long for him to notice me. He simply turned and smiled, his tail wagging weakly. He then turned away, apparently deeply fascinated in the unlit fire.
I walked over, sitting next to him silently and folding my hands in my lap. I glanced over at him, spotting something critically different about him--
his left arm looked artificial, almost mechanical.I looked away, acting as if I hadn't seen anything odd about him. But I didn't succeed-- he had seen me briefly inspecting his arm.
He chuckled quietly. "It's nothing. I just had to get it.... replaced. It's why I wasn't around for a few days. My body is a little weaker than a normal person's." I looked at him directly now. He was smiling, as if getting a new, artificial arm was nothing. He lifted it, and flexed his fingers. "I can move it like a normal arm. It's just a little different from yours. See?" He grabbed my hand firmly, showing he could grasp things just like I could.
My cheeks reddened, and I was compelled to pull away. But I didn't. My ears pivoted back, and my gaze went to the forest floor.
His hand drew away. "I'm sorry," he said apologetically, his own hands going to his lap as he looked to the sky. "I'm getting better, don't worry. The doctors say this is the only limb they'll have to replace."
I envied his optimistic tone of voice. He sounded so.... hopeful. And somewhat anxious. But I could only think the worst could happen, and it caused me to lower my head and nearly burst into tears. Why was I getting so emotional around this guy?
He moved closer and laid his hand on my back. "Hey, don't be so sad. I won't disappear." His hand ran up and down my back comfortingly. I sighed shakily, and stood from the log, turning to him briefly before beginning to walk off.
I shouldn't get too attached, I reminded myself. It was almost like coveting a dying shelter pet. I rubbed my eyes, making sure they were void of any tears.
Like the day I met him, he called out, "Hey! Wait!" and rushed up behind me. I stopped and turned before I got too far away, not wanting to have the poor boy strain himself. "Wh.... What's your name?" he asks, breathing heavily.
I consider not telling him, but I just couldn't stop myself. "Sing Along," I said, smiling slightly. I began to walk off again. "Be seeing you," I said over my shoulder.
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We met ever so often at that clearing now, sometimes with company, sometimes just alone. I learned his name was "Artificial Intelligence," and that he loved to be called "Artie." I found this too adorable for words, honestly.
Eventually, I noticed his right arm had also been replaced. I didn't say anything for the longest time, but eventually he noticed by occasional glances and simply explained his condition was getting better, and this was the last replacement the doctors would have to make. I nodded, and accepted his words.
He was gone for another few days, this time longer than his last vacation. When he came back, he was in a wheelchair, and his right leg had been artificially replaced. This is when I just lost it. I burst into tears right in front of him, crying into his lap.
He patted my head, stroking my brown ears. I looked up, and he was smiling peacefully. "I'm sorry I lied to you," he muttered, ears flattening as he looked away and blushed some. "But.... I'll be able to walk again. Don't worry!"
I shook my head. How could I believe him at this point? He lied to me about his condition-- it was getting worse, and eventually his entire body was going to be fake. He'd never be able to walk again, and he'd always be in a wheelchair.
He sighed, making a clicking noise with his tongue, as if reprimanding me. "Calm down, Sing Along. My body may be becoming fake, but one thing's still real." He grabbed my hand, putting it to his chest. "My heart. They promised to leave it be. That way, it'll still beat for you."
I sobbed, and he practically lifted me into his lap, embracing me. My ear lay against his chest-- and I could hear it. That faint, pounding heartbeat. And it was for me. All for me. My tail curled in absolute delight, and I looked up at him, touching my nose against his. I looked down at the fire pit, which was actively lit tonight. Sparks bellowed from within the heated flames, and by the firelight, I fell asleep in Artie' arms.
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I woke up the next morning to find Artie also sleeping peacefully. I pressed my ear against his chest, smiling when I still heard his genuine heartbeat. I crawled from his lap, dowsing the fire with a nearby bucket of water. I stretched, tail bristling at the strain of my exhausted muscles. I could hear Artie begin to stir, and I looked over as he stretched his arms as well. He smiled when he saw me, rubbing his eyes and muttering a "Good morning." I responded by walking over and pressing my nose to his like I did the night before.
"I think I'll have to leave soon. If I do, I'm sorry. Can I walk you back to your home?" I began to reach for the handles of his wheelchair, but he stopped me.
"I'm not that crippled, Sing Along," Artie teased, smirking. His hands rest on the wheels of his chair. "But... can you still walk with me?" His voice turned from mischievous so sincere in a matter of seconds.
I nodded, somewhat embarrassed. As he began to push himself away, I walked by his side. We remained silent for the majority of the journey, until he said, "Did you ever think about getting married?"
My ears flattened and I blushed. "I'm afraid not." I looked away, hands folding in front of me as I walked.
"Oh," Artie responded, seeming unmoved by my reply. "Well, its one of the things I want to do before I die. Which, you know, I hope isn't very soon!" He laughed now, whole-heartedly.
I turned back, smiling thoughtfully. ".... Yeah," I muttered as we reached his home.
"Well, this is it." He smiled cheerfully at me. "I'll see you again, right?"
"Of course," I promised him. I wouldn't lie-- if I could, I'd stay with him every second of the day. But I gave myself limits.
He then disappeared into his house without another word, softly closing the door behind him.
I considered stopping him. I considered telling him I loved him. I considered kissing him. Why I didn't was beyond me. Maybe I was afraid I'd hurt him or break him in some way. That a sheer touch could cause the boy I now loved to fall apart.
I'd just pray that it'll all get better. That his condition would go away, and that I could be with him. Always.
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I don't know if my praying is what did it, but Artie did get better. He eventually gained the ability to walk, but he needs my support. This, naturally, didn't bother me one bit.
He still talks about marriage often. I just don't get why it fascinates him so much. The thought of being with a person for life.... if it was someone you loved, it didn't sound too bad. After all, it's what I aspire to do with him. But marriage.... it just sounds so big and important.
Oh well, I got as close to it as possible when I moved in with Artie. Some night nowadays I'd fall asleep with my ear pressed against his chest, listening to his heart.
Because I hadn't yet forgot it beat for me.
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[Haha oh wow that was kind of really long and really cheesy.
I'M SORRY GUYS. D:
But still feedback plz because writing was loads of fun.]