|| 𝐴𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠 || [𝙆𝙖𝙧𝙡 𝙃𝙚𝙞𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙗𝙚𝙧𝙜]

Part 8

The two had arrived at the factory, and carried on as always. Aless still couldn't stop giggling every time she thought about what happened earlier.
"If I hear your giggle one more damn time..." Heisenberg started.
Aless bust out laughing. "Awww, don't be all angry just because I was right. Like I said, it's okay to worry about other people."
Heisenberg rolled his eyes and continued working.
The two worked a little bit longer, this time in silence.
"Can you pass me the screwdriver?" Heisenberg asked, not taking his eyes off his work.
Aless looked around in the tool kit. "It's not here."
"It's probably on the shelf," Karl murmured.
Aless went to one of the shelves. She could see a bright red tool box.
But it was too high up for her to reach.
Aless looked around for a stool, but there was none.
"Umm... I can see the other tool box," she said, reaching her arm out to get it, knowing it was still too high up for her "but I can't get it."
Heisenberg pulled himself away from his desk. He looked at Aless, who was still trying to get it.
She was grunting, trying to see if she could get it if she just stood on her tippy toes, but failed.
Annoyed, Karl sighed.
Aless could feel the vibration of his heavy boots clanking against the floor with every footstep. "Oh, than-" she started to say, thinking he was going to grab it for her.
He gently put his hands around her hips.
"Huh?"
Slowly, he picked her up. Strong, sturdy hands cradled her hips, making sure she didn't fall.
"Grab it fast. I cant do this for long"
It took Aless a second for it to register, but quickly grabbed the toolbox.
"You got it?" Karl grunted.
"Got it." Aless affirmed. Karl slowly brought her back down. Her hand clasped his shoulder.
Their bodies were extremely close together, her hand gently brushed Karl's arm as she took her hand off his shoulder. They both looked into each other's eyes.
For a split second, Aless could have sworn she saw some kind of feeling of affection on his face his face had softened, his eyebrows relaxed. She just couldn't explain it, but she just.. knew.
He looked at her up and down.
"Er... thanks. I can see it on the top." Karl said, quickly retorting back to a stony expression. He took the screw driver and went to sit back down in his chair. Aless could feel her heart drop.

Why did he refuse so much to at least smile? Even for a second?
Why did he resist to being worrisome and caring about someone?
Is he that against it?
She sat beside him in silence, watching him continue working.
"Hm. Not feeling talkative right now? That's unlike you, Aless." Heisenberg joked.
"No, I'm just... thinking, I guess." Aless said quietly.

///

Aless laid in bed, reading her book. She could hear shuffling coming from down the hall, from Karl's room.
She sipped her tea while reading.
Not long after, she had dozed off.

Heisenberg opened his door. He felt frustrated.
"Goddamn it. I need something to work, just this once. Everything I think of is shit." He muttered to himself. He looked up at the open door, light peeking out from Aless's chambers.
What the hell is she doing up this late? He thought.
He quietly went over to the door.
"Hey, what are... you doing up so late?" He trailed off. Aless was sleeping peacefully, with an open book in her lap. The lamp was still on.
"Oh."
He walked in, quiet as to not make any loud sounds.
The blankets were pushed down to her waist.
Her chest rose and fell with every breath. She looked... particularly cute.
Her eyes fluttered a bit, which spooked Karl a little, but she must have been dreaming, as she didn't wake up.
He smiled lightly.
He took the book from her lap, closed it, and set it on the bed table. He tucked her into the covers gently.
"God. I missed you." He whispered.
He looked at her one final time before finally switching off the lamp.
"Goodnight, Aless." He said, walking back out of her room and closed the door.
The next morning, Aless woke up. "Did I tuck myself in?" She would ask herself, confused. She would never remember anything right before she fell asleep.