One Shots/Drabbles

Tick Tock (Part Two) (Shane Acker's 9)

When Two attempted to pick up an inkwell, their new friend shot up and tried to hold it for him. Two flushed, smiling nervously at the other stitchpunk.

"It's fine, dear. I can carry it." He said.

The stranger shook their head, "Struggle." They said, pointing at Two. They then pointed to themself, "Don't."

Seven rolled her eyes, "Two. Just let them carry it. They're trying to help."

Two gave a mock resistance before handing the inkwell over and beginning to walk, he then encouraged the stranger to follow when they didn't move. The stranger blinked, waiting a few seconds before getting the hint and following them. Despite this the other stitchpunk seemed happy, making a strange whirring noise as they scuttled along behind Two and Seven.

Seven allowed herself to fall back slightly so she could get a better look at the new stitchpunk. They didn't look like much of a fighter, but they seemed pretty strong - maybe not as strong as Seven and especially not Eight but stronger than most. The stranger noticed Seven staring and made a tick in her direction.

Seven couldn't help herself - she laughed. The poor stranger looked so confused.

Noticing their expression Seven abruptly stopped, "Sorry, it's just..." She shrugged, "I wasn't expecting that. When someone stares at you, you're supposed to say something like, 'What do you want?'"

"What do you want?" They parrotted.

"Good!" Seven clasped her hands together, "And if someone asks if you can speak, you can try and say: 'not really'"

They nodded, "Not really."

"And if someone says something that you don't like you say: 'go fuck yourself!'"

"Go fuck yourself!"

"Seven!" Two scolded, he had an expression that was intended to be angry but on his face just looked comedically ruffled.

Seven laughed, and the stranger copied her. As much as Two wanted to be angry with Seven he couldn't bring himself to - their new friend needed a way to set boundaries and (even if Two disagreed with the language used) that was a good start. Two allowed himself a small laugh as well, and they all headed on their way.

They made it back to the Sanctuary quicker than usual. The moment they entered the cathedral the stranger began running around, looking at everything they could. Two laughed at their excited behaviour.

"Having fun?" He asked.

The stitchpunk spun around, "Wanna see this." They replied in Seven's voice. They gestured around the place, vocaliser spitting a strange sound - almost as if they were trying to explain but didn't have the words for it.

Seven walked up, nudging Two with her shoulder to get his attention, "Do you think we should... try and fix that?"

Two blinked, when he turned back to the stranger they were holding the inkwell in one hand, using the other to touch a piece of fallen wood. They'd started ticking again. "I'm not sure if I can - or if they'd even want me to." Two shrugged, "They seem... happy."

"Couldn't hurt to ask."

"I suppose not," Two replied, he walked over to the stranger, tapping on the wood to get their attention, "Would you like me to have a look at your vocaliser? It might allow you to speak, like we can."

They blinked, "Made like this."

Two nodded, "That's perfectly understandable." He took their hand - slowly this time, to give them the chance to pull away (they didn't) - before continuing, "If I had a gift like yours, I wouldn't risk losing it either."