How many lightbulbs does it take?

13. To Repent

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3.

Trophy led a captive TestTube into her old lab. The once pristine, blue room was now in a state of abandonment. Cobwebs clung to the dull walls and ceiling. Dust settled on the ground and counters, clinging to their feet as they walked towards the center counter. An earwig scuttered across the floor and TestTube shuttered at the sight of her precious lab being in such a state.

Trophy held TestTube's arms behind her back and brought her to the center countertop.
"When I let go, your going to stay put," Trophy demanded, "Remember the ankle bracelet around your leg."
TestTube chuckled, "of course, Trophy. Give me a little credit!"

Trophy rolled his eyes and released his grip, allowing testTube to rub her sore wrists.
"You have quite the grip!" she remarked.
Trophy completely ignored her, continuing with, "Now, here's the deal. You will get parole in your lab until you can bring Lightbulb home. If you succeed--- we'll get your sentence shortened by a few years..."
TestTube sat back in a dusty office chair, folding her hands and looking at him suspiciously, "How many is a few?"
"You'll find out when you succeed!" he snapped back at her, "We put locks on practically everything here, so don't even think about trying to escape!"
TestTube cackled, "You childproofed my lab?! How exactly do you expect me to invent INTERDIMENTIONAL TRAVEL without my TOOLS?!"
Trophy crossed his arms, "I'm staying with you until the machine is built," he replied, "Trust me, I don't like it either, but OJ is paying me so I guess I can't be that upset."

TestTube sat confused, "Then, what's with the ankle bracelet? If your going to be here, than you don't really need a buzzer to notify you---"
Trophy grinned back at her, "let's just say, it's a taste of your own medicine." he proclaimed, pulling out a familiar looking remote.

-------------------------------------------------------
[Fan P.O.V.]

I stood outside TestTube's lab, she hadn't left in hours and I was starting to get real worried. As I swung the door open I saw TestTube was sitting on the floor of the room. A large, old school monitor sat infront of her and she was scrolling back and forth through a large amount of complicated looking code. She hadn't noticed my entrance yet... I called out to her.

"TestTube?"
"Ah! Oh... Hi fan."

She immediately turned her focus back to her work. Once again I tried to pull her out of her trance.

"Is everything going okay?"

TestTube stopped for a moment. It's now that I noticed the large amount of machinary and tools scattered across the lab's floor. She usually kept the place so tidy... She slammed her face into her monitor with a gentle clink! sound. This was really getting to her....

I approached my friend, being careful to hop over the delicate looking parts scattered over the floor. I wouldn't want to backtrack her work anymore than it already has been...
"Do you want to talk about it?" I asked.
"I just--- want to get them home as soon as possible but, I just can't stop thinking about what happened to them. I guess I kinda feel responsible?"
"But you didn't do anything?"
"I did though! Well... Not me me but those other me-s. I guess I just want to make up for it..."

I sighed and took her hand in mine, "Well you'll never be able to help them if you're too anxious about this... Why don't you just talk to them?"
I lifted her to her feet as she replied with, "I doubt they'd want to see me..."
"I suppose so... Hey! I've got an idea!"
"Hm?"
"Remember when we fought and you gave me my phone as part of your apology? Why don't you do something similar for them."
"Hey... Your right! I'll prove myself to them and then I'll be able to focus on my work!"

Well that seemed to cheer her up!

She continued, "What would I do without you, Fan?"

She pulled me in closer and KISSED MY FOREHEAD before rushing off?! When I broke out of my stunned silence, I noticed her excitedly rushing between drawers with an armfull of materials, gracefully avoiding the clutter on the floor.
I shouted out to her, "Remember to come back inside and take a break before it gets too late!"
"yeah, yeah! I'll be in soon"
"I'll be back to make sure of that, okay?"
"Mhm!"

I turned to leave, still dodging clutter as I made my way towards the exit.

"Oh yeah! Fan, before you leave."
I looked back and replied, "yeah?"
"Love you!"

(787 words)
This was going to be longer but I decided it worked better to put a space here. Anyway, Fantube bc I'm a basic shipper ❤️💚 I'm trying to get better with adding some personality to my first person writing. Anyways yeah. Your going to hear from 21 Fan again soon too! Yippee!