Alien franchise x Reader

This Feeling that Remains pt 3

Walter didn't understand how he could feel hollow, yet so heavy. His fascination with his condition was short lived, and he was even finding his daily tasks difficult to perform. Some days, it wasn't so bad, but others, he wanted nothing more than to sit in his quarters and allow the unpleasant sensation to consume him.

Everything had changed that evening Chris had spoken to you. You never left his mind anymore, and whenever he saw you, it was as if everything inside of him had been ripped out and replaced with lead. When Karine noticed his captivation was looking more like despair, she berated Chris for what he'd done. They both attempted to spend more time with the android to pull him out of his gloom, but he would often zone out even when you weren't around.

Determined to make things right for his friend, Chris decided giving him a second chance was the best way to do it. He knocked on Walter's door, and was slightly taken aback at his disheveled state.

"Hey, Walter," he smiled kindly. "I need to pick up some samples and a few other things, and I was wondering if you weren't busy, if you might help me."

"Of course," he replied. "If you would only give me a moment to groom, I'd be happy to assist you."

"Sure, take your time." He knew he wouldn't be refused, and he was relieved Walter was unwilling to head out looking unkempt.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Chris noticed the way Walter tensed as they approached your residential area, and decided to tell him about the new samples some explorers, who just happened to live in your neighborhood, found on a recent hike. He was retrieving them for Karine to study, but as he didn't know how many there were, he needed the extra pair of hands just in case.

As they reached the door, Chris turned to find Walter's eyes glued to neat home not far off. "I wonder if the L/N's are home..." he wondered aloud.

"Y/N is," Walter replied absently.

"Oh, good. Do you think you could go over there and get the cake recipe for me?" Walter faced him in a panic, making Chris place a comforting hand on his shoulder. "You don't need to be afraid. Just say 'hello, nice to meet you. Sorry about last time.' and so on. Make conversation, ask about oranges, you'll be alright." Walter nodded, but didn't move, so Chris gave him a gentle push in the direction of your home. "Be sure to extend an invitation to the party!"

Walter slowly made his way toward your house, his inner workings running at an alarming rate, and Chris' words on the tip of his tongue. He knocked on the door softly, unsure if he wanted you to hear. When it swung open and he saw you standing there, it was as if everything inside him stopped completely.

"Hello, Walter!" You smiled as brightly as you did the last time. And like last time, Walter stared wide eyed and swallowed hard. "Would you like to come in?" you asked, not shying away as his eyes bore into yours. He remained silent, and you stepped away from the door. "Chris said you guys might be by to get the recipe. I'll be right back."

As you turned and walked away, the unpleasant feeling that'd been festering since your last encounter returned, hitting him all at once like a brick wall. He didn't want to continue this way, but didn't know what to do since everything seemed to either stop or go so fast he couldn't hear anything whenever you were around. When you returned with an envelope in hand, Walter felt his body begin to speed up again.

"Here you are. Did you need anything else?" He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. You looked slightly startled at the action, and began to smile again, making his mind shut down. The despair crept its way back into him as your smile faded. "Alright. I'll see you around. Tell Chris I said hello."

"Oranges!" he nearly shouted as the door was closing. When you opened it again, he was looking almost desperate. "I was instructed to ask about the ...oranges..." He forced the words out, only then realizing he didn't know exactly what it was about them he was supposed to ask.

You took his hand and led him inside. He began to feel a burning sensation in his chest as well as the spot where your hand touched his. Taking a sheet of paper and a pen, you began to make a crude map of a section of the orange grove. As you added in some landmarks, you explained which trees had the best oranges for the different components of the cake.

Walter tried to listen, but he was more focused on the way the heaviness that burdened him was lifting with every word that escaped your perfectly sculpted lips. The way your voice sang in the air around him left him feeling cocooned in a comfortable warmth that he could only describe as safety.

"Did you get all that?" You looked up and found him grinning at you, likely not having heard a thing you said. You chuckled, and began detailing your instructions on the map itself just in case. Just as you were finishing, there was a knock at the door.

"Hey, Y/N, is Walter here?" Chris asked, looking past you into your living room.

You stepped aside to let him in. "He's in the kitchen. Are you sure he's alright?"

Chris' worried eyes flickered toward the kitchen. "Yeah, he's just a bit lost in his head these days." He rushed inside only to be confused to find Walter smiling widely at a paper on the table.

While you were explaining the map, you occasionally made eye contact with Walter and smiled, much to Chris' amusement. He was sure you noticed how attentive Walter was, but you didn't seem at all bothered by it. Chris thanked you, leading Walter out and back toward town. Though he wasn't back to his usual self, Walter looked much better than he had been.

"Well? Did you two talk?" Chris asked once they were far enough away.

"Yes, I was given the map to aid you in picking the oranges."

"Yeah, but I mean, did you actually speak?"

Walter started grinning again. "A bit, yes."

"Ha!" Chris clapped him on the shoulder. "That's fantastic! It'll be easier next time, you'll see."

"Perhaps at the party?" he speculated.

They walked the rest of the way in companionable silence. When Walter tried to give him the map as they were about to part ways, Chris told him to keep it, asking if he would pick the oranges for him in the morning.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

As he was preparing to set out for the grove, Walter halted in his tracks and dashed outside. His eyes locked just past the corner of a house, from which you immediately appeared. You met his gaze and waved, leaving him unaware of what to do. He tried to look away, but couldn't bring himself to.

"Good morning!" you called once you within hearing distance. You ran the rest of the way and stopped right in front of him. "I guess Chris found you after all, huh?" At his slightly puzzled expression, you elaborated as you handed him a note. "He said you wouldn't be expecting me if he couldn't find you, so he asked me to come extra early."

Walter took it, tearing his eyes away from you with difficulty.

'I've asked Y/N to help you at the orange grove. I need you to bring me about 50 for Karine's cake. - Thanks, Chris'

"So," you said when he looked up from the note. "ready to go?"