OFF FUDGE

Simplicity In Silence (The Batter x The Puppeteer)

Author's Note: This story follows the plot line of the fan game "365" by the brilliant game maker Claude Higgins. It also contains a couple spoilers for the game. If you have not played it, or haven't played any of his games in general, I highly suggest you check him out. You can find him on Tumblr by the name "Thesaddestjimmy"
Thank you! <3

The Batter walked out to the edges of the walkway which lead towards the monorail. Sitting to the side on the edge was the Puppeteer. She had been very quiet and had spent most of her time alone. He knew exactly why. Zackry, a young deformity made by the hands (or rather hooves) of Seneca. She had grown quite attached to him ever since she had first found him. The Batter never really got to know him, but he didn't seem like too bad of a kid. He was shy, to say the least, but he was always so cheerful.

Recently, he had passed away.

This left the Puppeteer heartbroken for the loss. The Batter, however had been busy recently trying to look for Zacharie and Bandit. They had gone missing not too long ago, and as shady as they were, they both did a really good job of staying that way. In the process, he didn't really get to associate with the Puppeteer, or talk about what happened. The last time he had seen her was a month ago, and she had been crying her eyes out on that day. He had never seen the Puppeteer so sad in the entirety of the time he had been with her. He decided it would be best to take the opportunity to be with her, considering he was taking a break from trying to find the two merchants. He walked over to the ledge and sat down beside her. There was a long awkward silence between the two. The Batter knew that she sensed his presence, but she was too deep in her thoughts to care. It was almost as if she was somewhere else entirely. "I could've done something," she spoke out suddenly, never turning her head to face the Batter. He looked over at her. He blushed slightly, thinking about how beautiful her hair looked the way it was laying softly over her eyes. Shaking the thought away, he quickly thought of a reply. "There was nothing you could do," he said, hoping she wouldn't find his response hurtful. "I was too selfish to care for him. It's all my fault," muttered, looking down with a cloudy gaze. "You weren't being selfish. You had things to do," He replied. She stayed silent, tears forming at the corners of her eyes. "I just wish I could've done something..." she choked out, shaking slightly. The Batter then did something that she didn't expect to ever happen. He leaned over and pulled her to him tightly. She stopped for a moment, surprised. "I'm sorry," he said, moving his hand over his back comfortingly. "I haven't been here for you. I need to be better with that. I didn't know Zackry for that long, but he was a good kid." She gripped to his shoulders and sobbed over his back. The Batter drew her into him, trying to calm her. She eventually stopped and started to lean back, the Batter embracing her with a passion he never knew he had inside. "Thank you," whispered the Puppeteer. The Batter gave her a warm smile, and she returned the favor. Her eyelids were heavy, and she quickly drifted off into a comfortable slumber. The side of her face was nuzzled into his chest, and the Batter's face turned pink when he realized how much he had actually enjoyed being with her. It was getting dark very quickly, and to his disappointment he had to interfere with the moment. Slowly, as not to wake the Puppeteer, he picked her up and carried her bridal style, still sleeping peacefully dreaming about who knows what. He decided to take her to where Zackry used to stay, so she would be comfortable. It was a familiar place to her, so he decided it was best. He laid her down on his bed, tucking her in as if she were a child. He smiled to see her so resilient. She was always so hyperactive, and it was nice to see her being calm. He was never able to sleep that way when he was young. "Too busy dreaming about baseball," his brother used to say, "Hey, to each their own, I guess." The Batter leaned his bat and such things up against a nearby wall and decided to sleep beside them. Just in case Bandit decided to show up and take a little shopping spree. He was just about to turn off the lights when he had a little bit of an urge. It was strange to say the least, and he knew it was a little bit awkward. He battled inside his own head for awhile, and finally decided to give in. He turned off the lights, and walked over to the bed where the Puppeteer lay. He leaned down, and lightly kissed her on the forehead. "Good Night, Puppeteer," he said, chuckling as she began to smile. She must've been dreaming. He then walked over to the wall, and drifted into sleep, dreaming about some of the happiest things his mind could come up with. And his smile still dwelled as the night faded into a beautiful haze.

Note: Please write your constructive criticism in the comments! I would like to know how I could improve! (Also, I'm planning on doing another Batter X Puppeteer story soon! Hopefully it will be fluffy if my mind decides to make it that way!) ;)