Invisible String

Stay Stay Stay

Waking up, he was there. Sleeping, he was there. Eating, he was there. Getting groceries, he was there. Somehow, Dorothy had gotten you another week off, claiming you had gone to the hospital and had just gotten out for an "emergency surgery" or else you were sure he would also be trailing you there too. Something had awoken in him, in your absence, and where you were happy to be in the universe you wanted and surrounded by the people you had grown to care for, he seemed to be terrified you could disappear at any moment. Waking or sleeping. There was a bittersweet irony to it, especially considering you still hadn't told him what you saw (and that you knew how he felt).

But now it was Monday, bright and early. In the week you had been MIA, the leaves had changed from a bright green to deep reds, vivid oranges, and glowing yellows. Fall was in full swing and now with you going on month two of being in this new world, you could finally say you were adjusted. Today was thrilling as well, considering you were most likely going to be asked to work full time for the coming winter months and that thought sent to you to the moon. Who knew being a park ranger was your calling?

Turns out you work best when surrounded by nature and taking care of wild animals. Maybe that's why, when you finished getting ready and took a step outside onto your balcony, you weren't surprised to see the gray outline of Megatron's alt mode waiting for you on the grass under your balcony. Today, however would be different since Dorothy was on her way to pick you up. The chilled morning air nipped at the back of your neck and you felt goosebumps start to raise on your shoulders, running down your arms and making you shiver. You would be getting your ranger jacket today if they decided to keep you on the winter team and you were excited since it was custom made in any color you wanted. You had filled out the forms the last Friday you had worked so you staying was almost for certain. Dorothy had told you they usually didn't have temps fill those forms out and only had people they wanted sticking around using them. Apparently, they were more expensive to print out.

You let out a sigh, filled with content.

"Good morning." You called out, leaning on the railing and listening to the sounds of Megatron transforming.

"It's getting colder." He said. You had gotten used to his one-off comments and had come to learn that he was actually quite talkative. You'd had plenty of random conversations with him, even opening your bedroom window so you could continue them as you did your laundry. He would ask a lot of questions. Asking about human things, like asking why you had a book shelf in your room if you also had one in the living room. Or what you used your office for, or why humans needed so many different articles of clothing. At first you would give him drawn out explanations but after so many questions you started to wonder if he was just messing with you.

"Do you like the cold?" You asked, contemplating whether you wanted to run and grab a hoodie or a jacket before you left. Choosing not to only for the fact that you would be getting one soon anyways (hopefully). A grunt of dissatisfaction left him as he answered.

"I don't think I've ever found one of my kind that likes the cold." His voice was sarcastic and a little cheeky. He had become comfortable around you, you noticed. The stiffness in his shoulders and neck were nowhere to be seen as he lazily leaned on your building, propping his arm on your (surprisingly) sturdy railing.

"I'm sure there's someone out there that would be weird enough just to be a contrarian." You smiled as he reluctantly agreed with you. Before the conversation could continue, Dorothy's truck pulled up.

"Oh, are you going to work today?" There was true surprise in his voice.

"Uh, yeah. I want to start being normal again, plus Dorothy thinks they're going to promote me to full time!" You excitedly waved to the woman as she opened her trucks door and slowly stepped out.