Reality Is Stranger Than Fiction

Home (Edward Sharp & the Magnetic Zeros)

As you and Ford make your way back to the Mystery Shack, you catch Ford peering down at the small creature in his pocket numerous times. He'd gently rub its bill, or pet the top of its head. You don't mention it the first few times, content with watching how his mouth quirks up into a lopsided smile as he beams down at the puggle.

"Gods... why don't I have a camera?" you ponder out loud to yourself, smiling as Ford reaches into his jacket to pet the plaidypus's head again.

"I - what? I can make you one if you'd like," Ford offers, completely missing your point as he pulls back and stands up straight.

"You're adorable, you know that right?" you compliment him, watching as a blush spread across his ears.

"Where's this coming from?" he stutters, glancing at you with furrowed browns and pressed lips. You can tell he's suppressing a grin as it tugs at the corners of his lips.

"You keep checking on the little one. I don't think you've gone five minutes since we left the lake without checking on it," you clarify, the leaves crunching under your feet.

"I'm worried. It has no mother and now relies entirely on our care. Yes, we've studied them, but not extensively. We know practically nothing on raising Plaidypus puggles," he rambles, opening his field journal to the plaidypus page. "Is there a reason they smell like bacon and syrup? Should we be providing that as a food source? Do we need to brush them? Is a pond needed for them?"

"I'm not entirely sure myself, but we do both have biology degrees. I think perhaps by applying our knowledge of how animals develop we can figure out how. The thing I do note is that it's definitely less than a year old as Platypus reaches full length at one year. I'm not sure if it's less than two months though, as the mating season just began... but I suppose there's a possibility it starts early or they mate outside then."

"Should we be supplying milk then? If it's younger than two months, it would need to nurse."

"I don't think that's the case. Unless... open your jacket," you order, stopping in your tracks.

"What? Why?"

"Humor me?"

He considers it for a moment before conceding and opening the front of his jacket. The tiny creature blinks at you in the afternoon light. You study Ford's sweater, flattening it and pulling at it as he stares down at you, stuttering. You can tell his face is entirely flushed from uncertainty.

"Nope. We're good. If it was nursing it would've probably tried by now, considering the way you've been doting on it."

"But, that's physically impossible. Surely it must know that."

"You should've taken animal behavioural studies. It may be physically impossible but it doesn't know that."

"Orbit."

"Pardon?"

"It - while that may be a way to refer to them - their name is Orbit."

You arch an eyebrow, staring up at him in the afternoon sun. He's lit from behind him, sun hitting through the trees and creating a halo around him. He's still completely flustered, his face bright red, and his heart pounding in his chest. You reach up, cupping his jaw and pressing a gentle kiss to his lips before pulling back and letting go of his shirt.

"Orbit it is then," you hum, starting to walk once more.

He stutters for a moment, his brain trying to process what just happened before he catches up to you.

When the Mystery Shack finally comes into view, Ford clutches his jacket closer, before catching your wrist.

"Stanely isn't known to be the gentlest with me... I don't want to be pulled into one of his bear hugs and have him injure Orbit. Can you...?" he rambles, explaining himself as he avoids his gaze.