Sweet Roses' Tinge

Blooming

An: a few of you wanted a 'happier ending'. I've been getting a lot of complaints and requests for one. Clearly you didn't read the tags, despite my warning. But here you go.)

"Stanley- wait!"

The Narrator could only watch as his precious protagonist high tailed it out of the office. He winced at every loud slap as Stanley's shoes hit the concrete floors.

He groaned with frustration as he watched the employee run away. He didn't give chase, after all, there was no way he would have been able to catch him. No... there had to be a better idea.

Suddenly, it came to him.

He walked into Stanley's office, locking himself inside, then-

THE END IS NEVER THE END IS NEVER THE END IS NEVER...

Stanley woke up with a jolt, having been reset just as he was falling through the air. He groaned, rubbing his face in frustration, before spinning in his chair to see the Narrator.

The two stayed in silence for a few minutes, tension thick enough to be cut with a knife.

Finally, Stanley broke it.

How long?

The Narrator looked up in surprise, silently thankful his protagonist ended the awkward pause between them.

"Oh, the lovebug virus? No, I didn't have that planned at all stanley. I didn't even know if I wanted a virus. I had never planned it until-" Stanley cut him off.

Stop. That's not what I mean.

The two stared at eachother for a few seconds, the Narrator clearly confused. Stanley's cheeks turned a light, rosey shade, and he looked away from the other.

How long have you loved me?

The Narrator went wide eyed, blushing at Stanley's utter forwardness. He supposed that was what he always liked about Stanley though.

"Oh! I- erm.. I-I'm not sure, to be honest... I don't think I loved you at first. Maybe I loved you as a creation. As someone loves their drawing. But it quickly.. changed. I love the person you've grown into. I love all your small habits. I notice them, yknow. The way you slouch exactly 173 degrees? I've counted it. Or the way you always smirk with the left side of your face before you push that on button. And the way you so meticulously make sure that button up is neat. Even a single wrinkle and you lose your mind. All these small things that make you, you, I noticed. I loved. For- well.. what now must be centuries."

The employee's face heated up as he listened. His heart rate seemed to increase as he thought about what the Narrator said. He had never personally noticed it, but now that he was thinking, the Narrator was completely right with every habit.

"I didn't program you like that, you know. You may not believe this, but I programmed you with a voice. I'll never forget though, the heartbreak in your eyes when I asked you to speak. You couldn't say anything, for some reason. Seeing your face like that broke me. We later figured out you're mute. I don't know why. I still blame myself. You're so much more then I could have ever created.. Stanley, I really do love you. I'm so sorry. I should have never tried to change you. I was- no I am an idiot for not appreciating what I had in front of me."

Stanley pushed a hand through his hair as he stared at the narrator, eyes as wide as saucers. But he still had more questions.

Why didn't you ever tell me?

The Narrator laughed, as if it was the silliest question he had ever heard. Stanley gave him a serious frown.

"Why would you ever love me? I'm not even human. I'm a freak. A monster. I don't love me, so why would you? I-"