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Eliza groans, kicking a malformed pebble a few feet away until it comes to a mediocre stop amongst the gravel of the floor.
She peers upwards, squinting through the sun and using a hand to block the harmful rays. It is dreadful muggy day in Zombietown, yet the only thing people were focusing on was a party.
A Zombies 13 birthday party to be exact.
She gazes across the street with minor interest, smiling in appreciation towards the set up. It seems since anti monster laws have been taken down, the adults had been able to spring for more sturdy and appropriate party supplies.
And she hate to admit it, but they looked more fun too.
It sent a bitter streak of envy through her heart, these newer Zombies didn’t have to use plastic cups and largely deflated balls as toys to shoot into a poorly made net. They got real basketballs. With actual stand up hoops.
The envy was quickly taken over by a feeling of guilt and homesick nostalgia.
Even tho the new generation should never have had to scrounge for entertainment, Eliza longed for the days where her and Zed would play kick the can all day with Bonzo. Except their can’t was most like a rusted piece of metal. To damaged for repairs, and too rusty to detect what it used to be.
Even so, it was little Zephyrs only Zombashiro, and even if people were dreading the ever bearing main act, it was obvious they were all trying to live it up as much as they could before things turned sour.
So the least she could do was appreciate it along with them.
Although they could have at least sprung for a couple fans or something.
Eliza hated sweating. It’s not that the process was gross, it was simply the body cooling itself down in higher temperatures, but the feeling of a cold chill up here spine, mixed with clammy skin, made her feel more disgusting then ever. And she had done some pretty hardcore stuff with Zed and Bonzo in childhood, leaving her mom scoffing at her more then messy appearance.
She saw a lone blue party streamer a few inches from her foot, the wind somehow isolating it from its colorful party meters away.
The site made her smile a little more genuinely, even if she wouldn’t admit it yet.
Aspen was something new in her life. Something entirely unexpected.
She still couldn’t figure out her feelings for them, but she did know their was a spark of something.
She chuckled audibly, thinking about how it she ever said that out loud, poor Aspen would probably have thought they physically shocked her, and would launch into a stream of apologies.
It was endearing in a way.
It was adorable.
Another stray gust briefly cooled her overheated skin, and when she glanced back down, a purple streamer had joined the blue, as if by a twist of fate.
Eliza’s heart softened at the thought of her girlfriend. An alpha with a heart of gold, and ferocity of a wolf.
She loved her so much. And it nearly shocked her how much she did. Eliza’s never loved anyone more then she does Willa. It’s a little scary when you think about it, but she does not regret it at all.
Willa, who had thick skin to hide all the pain she refused to acknowledge. It saddened her that she was raised liked that, but couldn’t help but admit that Aspens arrival had helped her in some way. She was more open now. A little less harder to confess her feelings.
She tried to not be jealous of it, rather, happy her girlfriend was finally starting to allow herself to have and process her emotions. Even if in the end it wasn’t Eliza who caused it.
Heck, she didn’t have great coping mechanisms of her own. So maybe deep down this ended up helping her as well.
The commotion ahead of her increased, and she looked up. Only to understand with a bittersweet acknowledgment that the brain eating ceremony seemed to be starting.
She still remembered her own Zombishira.
She wishes she didn’t.
Eliza glanced to the side, and froze. Heart spasming to a stop.
Their. Out of nowhere, was Aspen, coming from an ally to supposedly greet them, a blinding smile on their face.
It was like watching a movie in slow motion. Eliza could only stand in horror as Aspen watched them, before turning to the source of the noise; bright smile dripping down until a expression of disturbed panic replaced it.
Eliza was moving before she could even process it, running forward, desperate to reach Aspen before they could react. Before they could accidentally harm someone or themselves out of fear of the situation.
Aspen let out a gutteral wail of terror as they saw little Zephyr rip into the brain. Legs buckling beneath them right as Eliza crashed into them. Cradling and holding them as tight as she could.
“No… No! Eliza! Eliza we have to do something!” They wailed, fighting against her arms, “We have to do something! Eliza! Eliza let me go. Let me go!”
It was heartbreaking. Made forced to watch and hear as Aspen broke apart in their arms. Desperately struggling to break fee and stop the boy from continuing.
They looked at them with such a sense of betrayal it hurt, “Let me go! I-I have too- L-let me GO!”
Eliza wanted to, wishing she could indulge them with all her heart. But she knew she couldn’t. She couldn’t risk them interrupting the ceremony, having the attention taken off Zephyr for even a moment. That’s all it took. One moment, and things could get out of control.
Aspen was actually starting to cry now, which was something new for her to see, but only made it all the more worse.
“E-Eliza… L-let me go! Why are you doing this!.” They sobbed, jerking and eventually going weightless in her arms. Giving into the comfort and a good cry.
The two were silent as they watched the rest of the ceremony, Aspen moaning painfully at times, especially when Zephyr started screaming. Apparently seeing the death for the first and last time.
When the deed was done, Eliza focused back on their semi partner, immediately flooded with concern.
Aspen had gone completely lax. Eyes dazed and body shaking. They were obviously more then traumatized, and Eliza could tell the situation was dire. She needed to get them out of here, now.
Making a split second decision, Eliza tweaked with the settings on her Z band, allowing some of her natural zombie strength to course through her darkening veins. Effectively half ‘Zombie-ing Out’
With strength on their side, she picked Aspen up as gently she could. Cradling their limp form to her body.
She was quick to turn and start running in the direction of her house; knowing that Aspen desperately needed some solitude, everything overwhelming them at once. As well as getting them out of prying eyes.
Their Mom could even help!
… after she explained herself of course.
Eliza busted through her door with a grunt, absentmindedly worrying if she damaged the hinges in the process. But their was no time to check, she rushed over to their beaten in, but extremely comfortable Couch. Laying their semi partner down with the touch of an angel, rather then a adrenaline running Zombie.
“Your gonna be Ok Aspen, I promise it’s all gonna be ok.” She soothed, gently running a hand down their paling face.
It deeply concerned her that Aspen didn’t reply, just emptily stared into the distance. Jaw clenched painfully tight.
She grabbed a nearby blanket, draping it over their shaking body and making sure it covered them warmly, before heading into the kitchen to grab a glass of water.
She made to make it cold, hoping the shock of it might help bring them out of their little stupor.
“Eliza? Honey? What’s happening?”
The sound of her mom startled her, making her jump and turn in the direction of sound.
She could only wear a hesitant grimace, “Um. Well. Aspens not doing so good. They kinda saw the brain eating ceremony and went into shock, and I had to bring them here of course it was an emergency-“
-“Hold on child, by what exactly do you mean by ‘saw the brain eating ceremony’.” Their mom stared at her intimidatingly, obviously extremely displeased.
“I-I didn’t plan it!” Eliza rushed to explain, “I swear it was all a horrible accident! I didn’t know they were gonna come today! They just showed up!”
Her mom frowned deeply, “Eliza do you understand how serious this is?”
“Of course I do mom! I know exactly how bad it is! But I wasn’t exactly going to let their catatonic body be offered to the other Zombies like a lamb to slaughter! And if you disagree I understand, but I am not leaving them until their better!” She replied passionately.
Their mom glared at her for a few moments, eventually breaking into the smallest of smiles, “Now that’s the daughter I born and raised.”
Relief coursed through her, “Thank you mom! I-“
-“Don’t think this means we’re not having a very serious talk with them,” she warned with a finger, “But until then. What can I do? What’s the situation? Do they look injured in any way?”
“No. From what I saw theirs no physical injuries.”
“Is that water for them?” Ms. Zambi questioned.”
Eliza couldn’t help but blush, “Um yeah. I thought the cold might help ground them. A-as well as the blanket.”
“We’ll hurry on up now, don’t want them to slip any further.”
Eliza nodded, greatful for the lapse in conversation. Making sure to grab the water and put some ice in it, the temperature being very important.
Once she returned to her Aspen, she couldn’t help but wince. The Alien hadn’t moved what seemed to be a single muscle. Eyes completely fogged over, the only sign of life being their shaking form.
Eliza held out the glass, “H-Here Baby, some water for you.”
They didn’t move, and the Zombie blanched. Realizing she would have to physically put it in their hands.
She did so with some struggle, clumsily pressing their fingers forwards till they built a circular grasp on the cup. Taking a chance and yanking back her hand, only to be met with success when the Alien continued to hold on.
She eventually sat next to them, not exactly knowing what to do now besides offering their presence. They hadn’t spent enough time alone with them yet to completely understand them like she did Willa. So it was very up in the air on if anything was helpful or not.
She did know that Willa had been very physically affectionate with them, and had assumed it was something Aspen frequently enjoyed. So hesitantly, she leaned sideways until her head rested in the crook of their shoulder. Feeling their body still on contact.
“Aspen… honey? H-how are you doing? Can you saying what your feeling,” she worried softly, “….or literally anything?”
Their wasn’t a response. So she decided to just wait it out. Letting the alien take their time to process everything.
Then out of nowhere,
“….I…are they okay? I was led to believe Zombies didn’t need to eat brains anymore…”
Eliza jerked upwards in surprise, “Oh good! You can still talk!….you had me worried their babe…”
They didn’t reply, but nodded their head appreciatively, so she continued.
“And we’ll… we don’t. The Z band curbs any desire we might have towards eating brains.”
“Then….that was a brains correct? My Luma Lense identified it as such.” Their voice sounded so different.
So faded, and robotic. It felt foreign in a body she was just getting used too.
“Yes… your right their. It was a brain. But, it’s not what you think. I swear he wasn’t hurting anyone,” she gulped anxiously before going on, “It’s just something we do on our thirteenth birthday. It’s a ritual of sorts. Coming of age you could say.”
“I…I have many questions….,” Aspens little blue brows furrowed painfully, “like…why? And also…where did that brain come from? I’m told humans need brains to survive…”
Eliza turned, grabbing the glass from Aspens shaking hands, feeling their eyes trail here as she did so.
After setting it down, she gently reached her hands out, feeling a swirling warmth when Aspen tentatively grabbed them. She looked up, catching their eyes. Eliza needed to make sure they understand what she was about to say.
“Aspen. Please listen very carefully to my next words. We do not get these brains from living beings. We have a deal with the morgue workers. And they donate the brain of a passed soul for us to eat. And why?…Is kinda hard to explain. You know how we Zombies need to wear our Z bands? To make sure we don’t go all brain crazy?”
Aspen nodded, “They curb your desire for brains and make you act more like the humans and werewolves, yes.”
“We eat our one, and only brain. On our thirteenth birthday. Where we trade our starter Z band for the more permanent one. It’s a precaution of sorts. A failsafe if the Z band breaks completely.” She explained carefully.
She could feel their hands twitch in hers.
“How is it a precaution,” their voice grew a little stronger, “Also, why force a child to eat it. They did not seem happy about it.”
“We don’t want to force it. I think if someone really didn’t want too, we wouldn’t make them. But it’s something extremely important to learn. Even if it hurts for a bit. Cause yes, it does hurt. When we lack the Z band, we loose 70% of our brain capacity. Eating a brain temporarily sparks activity in those missing areas. But while eating the brain, we live tbe whole lives of the people it belonged too. So when it eventually comes to an end… it’s not pleasant. But the memories of this, the phantom pain of the people passed, it serves as a last ditch barrier for us. A forced PTSD In a way, so if our Z bands were destroyed and we lost all control. We could remember what it was actually like to eat a brain. To try and remember how horrible it really is.”
Eliza glanced down guilty, squeezing their hands tight, “I’m so sorry Aspen. You were really never meant to see any of it.”
“I cannot even imagine those horrors…and you remember it? Wait…you partook as well?” They seemed genuinely horrified Eliza could have gone through the same plight. Which gave her very mixed feelings.
“Yeah… when I was 13. mine was a kid who was kicked out for being gay. Remember how same sex marriage isn’t natural here like it is for you?”
Aspen nodded, even though it was clear they were displeased with the statement.
Eliza sighed forlornly, “Yeah… his death came too early. All cause of who he liked.”
Aspen nearly shrieked, “You saw his demise?!”
“Yes,” she nodded casually, as if someone had just asked her what weather forecast was, “ Every Zombie eventually sees the death of whoever the brain belonged too. It’s all a very complicated process. But I’ll spare you some of the details. You’ve already been traumatized today.”
Eliza glanced down, biting her lip nervously, “However… Aspen theirs something I need to ask you. And I really really need you to promise me it.”
“Of course Dear Eliza, whatever you require.”
God they were so adorable with their ‘dear Eliza’s’. She really hoped they’d understand what she was about to ask. Could get how much this meant, and how desperate she really was for them agree.
“I know this might sound insane, but Can you please keep this a secret? The Zombies would panic if anyone found out. The humans? Would do worse then panic. Most likely Anti Monster laws would be put back into place. And knowing we do this might just be the thing that encourages them to do more then separation. And I can’t have that happen. I will not. So please. Can you not tell anyone?,” she stared at their wandering face before remembering something important, “Oh! And Willa already knows. If you were wondering. But she is the ONLY other person you can talk to about it.”
“Do the werewolves do not know of this either?” They questioned in confusion.
“Some do. Some even attend Zombashiras as well. But it is very rare. This is mostly a Zombie thing. But still. You can’t talk to any other Wolf about this. Even if you think they might already know. Only Willa. And only me, or Zed or Bonzo. But mainly me and Willa.”
Aspen glanced down with a frown, eyes glazing over again like they were moments before. And briefly Eliza worried they were going a catatonic again, squeezing their hands as a precaution.
Aspen squeezed back to their consolation, but still did not look her in the eyes, “Eliza Dear…I will uphold your secret, of course. But…I will not lie and say that I’m incredibly concerned about this. There is comfort knowing that the brain is of a previously deceased person.”
Eliza blinked, not fully processing what Aspen just said. They couldn’t have possibly just agreed to keep it a secret right? This traumatized them, it was extremely odd and crazy. She could think of so many reasons why they would tell someone, except,
“Did you just say you’d keep this a secret?!“
Aspen blinks at them, exactly twice, tilting their head in such a signature Aspen way. Strikingly like Willa, if Eliza really takes the time to think about it.
“Yes…Eliza dear did you not understand me? Should I have spoken more clearly?” They made sure to word their phrases slowly, and a little on the loud side.
And normally, Eliza would scoff in offense if it were anyone else, but she was simply to overjoyed to care at the moment.
“You will?!! Oh my brain, Aspen….Thank you’ Genuinely. You don’t know how important this is to me!” She glances down at their still slightly trembling hands, tracing them softly with her thumbs, “And speaking of comfort, I dont expect you to be ok with it. I don’t think anyone is actually comfortable with the process. But it’s necessary. And again, I’m so sorry for all it put you through. But the fact you’d keep this a secret for me?… Oh babe, it means more then any words or affections.”
She wanted them to truly know this. To understand just how much keeping this secret meant to her. She had trusted them with Zombies biggest secret, and they didn’t hesitate for a moment to promise her their loyalty.
She was more then grateful for it, and in that moment, she felt as if she could truly trust them. Something she’s only felt with a select few, including Zed and Willa. And the fact Aspen made it to this very coveted list, meant that their was definitely something special about them.
Eliza leaned forward slightly, letting their foreheads link together in a special gesture of affection.
“Ooo, what is this Dear Eliza?” They whispered softly, apparently sensing the quiet vibe as well, “I like this… I’ve never done this with you before.”
She nodded simply, “I know.. it’s something new…. Your something new.”
“Why now?” Aspen questioned curiously.
“Because… theirs something special about you Aspen. Something others don’t have.”
“Oh.”
The two sat their for a while, drinking in each other’s presence. All while Ms. Zambie quietly wiped a tear away with a smile on her face.
It seemed her Daughter was finally learning how to trust others again.
Yep, their definitely was something special with that Alien teen.
Something very special indeed.
————————————————
Eliza laughed joyfully, the kinda that made her smile hurt and stomach cramp. Filling her with a fuzzy warmth as she watched Aspen and their antics. Who was currently re-in-acting the Aliens past galactic space battles the endured before arriving on earth.
“And that’s when I told A-Li to pull the space thrusters, and BOOM! The ink quantum microids were extinguished!” They narrated dramatically, hands mimicking a fake explosion.
Eliza grinned as the two walked back to her house, “Sounds like another space mission executed to perfection, all due to a very awesome leader if I presume?”
Aspen beamed, “Dear Eliza, you flatter me too much! Keep it up and I’ll end up with a enlarged size head!”
She chuckled as they looked around questioningly, “I did use that Earthling idiom correctly?”
“Almost babe, very close! A+ for effort though,” the zombie assured, “Though in all practically, I don’t think anyone could have a bigger head then Bucky. Or A-lan if we’re talking alien.”
“That would logistically be true. Alan did have one of the larger skulls of the Alien species. Would you like to know the exact measurements?”
“Pfft, no Babe I’m good. But I’ll tell you that will make exactly material to make fun of him with!” Eliza joked, absolutely implying she’d make due on that very statement.
Aspen grinned, “That would be humorous to see.”
“Speaking of Measurements, how did you end up liking your coffee?”
The two had just come back from their second even individual date. Aka, a date without Willa. Due to her needing to rest after a particularly hard pack hunt. Eliza and Aspen had already promised to meet her at the den later at night so they could shower her in ‘regenerative snuggles’. Or whatever Aspen called it.
But since it was just gonna be them too, they decided, what the heck. Might as well make it a date!
“I quite do like the combinations of this Vanilla, erm, Chai was it?” They squinted hesitantly, “I’m glad you managed to convince me to get something this time.”
Eliza nodded, holding up her leftover drink for affect, “Your right, it’s Chai. Good remembering! And I’m still confused why you didn’t get anything last time.”
Aspen shrugged casually, “What can I say, Earth was new. I’m used to our own food, wanted to get a lay out on things before trying, just to make sure my alien stomach could handle it.”
“That’s fair,” she reasoned, nodding along, “I probably should have thought of that too before basically stranding you their.”
“No! No don’t say that!” The alien looked distraught, “I treasure any and all time I spend in your presence! Same with Willa dear.”
Eliza nudged them with her shoulder, smiling to clarify she was only teasing, “Don’t worry Pentameter, I’d never doubt you.”
Aspen blinked twice, lips going goofy but brows scrunching, “Pentameter?”
“I’m trying to experiment with some nicknames, “ she hunched defensively, “Pentameter was the first thing I could think of that had ‘Pen’ in it.”
“Why not use the first hyphen of my name? I’m sure Ass can be-“
-“And I’m gonna stop you their,” Eliza cut off warningly, “Just so you know personal, their is not a lot of Aspen friendly words with your first hyphen. So for now I’m gonna stick too Pen.”
They blinked again, “Oh. I see. Thank you for the warning.“
“Your welcome.”
Just at that moment, Aspen flung forward, body crashing into the ground in a matter of seconds.
“Babe! Are you ok?!” Eliza jumped to their side, glancing at the ground only to wince.
As they were officially in Zombietown, the ground typically switched on an off from road, to chunky gravel without warning. And ergo, Aspen had tripped on one of the rough patches.
Aspen glanced at their foot with a grimace, “Yes Dear Eliza I think I’m-“
-“Oh my gosh! Young Alien! I’m so sorry?!”
A random Zombie- Breeze, Eliza thinks her name is- rushes up to aspen. Abruptly grabbing their arm and hoisting them to their feet like they weighed nothing more then a pebble.
“Oh! Please excuse our rough grounds, we haven’t leveled it out in a while!” Breeze proceeded to angrily kick at the gravel until it appeared moderately smooth. Too both of their confusion.
“Um, Thank you?” Aspen mumbled uneasily, “And no need for apologies. I wasn’t watching where I was stepping.”
Breeze nodded rapidly, “Oh your so kind! And by the way your Outfit is looking extra awesome today!”
“Thanks, uh, it’s the same outfit I wore last time I came here?”
The zombie seemed stuck for a moment, before flashing another smile and bidding them a lengthy goodbye. Running away at a moments chance.
Aspen glanced at Eliza in astonishment, “What was that all about?!”
Eliza smiled sheepishly, rubbing the back of her neck, “It seems some Zombie saw you at the Zombashira last time. Word spreads quickly here so now everyone’s trying to make sure you feel treated nicely, too make sure you keep the secret.”
“That’s… odd.”
“Yeah,” she agreed with a nod, “But they just don’t know you enough to trust you as I do.”
And sure enough, as they neared Eliza’s house, many more Zombies rushed up to Aspen to make them more ‘comfortable’ or ‘compliment their appearance’.
By the tenth Zombie to do this, Eliza could tell Aspen was getting a little overwhelmed by all the people, an the close proximity of them. So she made do to hurry home.
“Ok! Thank you Zack, Aspen appreciates you think their jaw structure is especially sharp today, but we really have to get going so byeeeeee!” And with that she grabbed Aspens hand and all but bolted the last few meters to their front door.
Once they arrived at their front porch, Aspen let out a gasp of relief, panting heavily.
“Sorry!” Eliza rushed to let go of their hand, “I didn’t mean to just grab you like that, Willa told me that even though you love it, touch can be overwhelming at times. I didn’t make you feel uncomfortable did I?”
Aspen shot them a brief smile, “No Dear Eliza. You did nothing of the sort. Although I appreciate the consideration. I will admit it was getting harder to process the emotions with all the Zombies popping up.”
“I’ll make sure to tell them to back off a little, they should know crowding you like that can cause you anxiety.” She promised firmly.
“That… would be nice. Thank you Dear.”
“It’s my Pleasure!” Eliza stated goofily opening the front door and gesturing dramatically inside, “Now my Dear Pentagra, I warmly welcome you into my humble abode.”
Aspen laughed, poorly attempting to act along, “And uh, I Dear Eliza, accept your gratuitous invitational greeting to your place of respiratory dwelling!”
“A for effort babe, but you might want to work on your improv skills a little.”
“Huh?”
“Never mind.” She waved it off with a grin, motioning inside. To which Aspen finally crossed the threshold of the home structure.
“Hi Mom! We’re home!” Eliza called out loudly. Just so her mother wouldn’t be startled by her appearance.
“Girls is that you?” Ms. Zambi peeked her head out into the hallway, brightening at the sight of Aspen, “Oh! Sweetie! I wasn’t expecting you today! Why don’t be a stranger come on in!”
“Thank you for your hostility Ms. Zambi!” They chirped happily.
Eliza quickly elbowed them, whispering lowly, “Wrong term Spence. You mean Hosting.”
“Oh!” Aspen blinked twice, “It meany both for us. Apologies Ms. Zambi!”
Ms. Zambi only laughed with a wide smile, “Oh no worries child! And look at you standing all stiff their, come give me a little sugar!”
Before Eliza could interject, her mom had crossed the room in a total of three steps and swept Aspen up in a bone crushing hug.
Even after the seriousness of the last visit, Eliza’s Mom loved Aspen like they were her own kid. She ended up acting that way towards any of the friends Eliza brought over more then once, and it definitely did not help Aspen was being considered Partner Material.
“Mom!” She hissed quickly, “Their a bit uncomfy with touch right now.”
“Oh no!” Ms. Zambi dropped them with a look of horror, “Aspen my dear im so sorry! I didn’t mean to make you feel uneasy!”
Aspen smiled earnestly, “You never have to worry Ms. I appreciate your hugs very much. Their extremely comforting even if I’m very keen to physical solace.”
Her Mom Gazed at them a little oddly.
“It just means they like your hugs even if their overwhelmed.” Eliza translated fondly.
“Oh! Why that’s very kind of you Aspen! Please! Make yourself welcome to anything in the kitchen if your hungry! I’ll be in the crafting room knitting!”
Their little brows scrunched, “Knitting?”
“It’s like, making something out of yarn, “ she Nudged them teasingly, “she’s making you a honorary sweater.”
“Eliza!” Ms. Zambi scolded, “Don’t go spoiling the surprise!”
“Sorry!” The zombie half heartedly replied.
Her mom let her off with a warning look, all while Aspen watched on curiously.
She turned back to their semi partner, “Sorry about that! My mom can be a bit of a goof.”
“I understand somewhat, Mothership can also be somewhat of a little annoying but responsible parental.”
The two laughed softly, eventually coming to gaze into each other’s eyes.
“I had a really good time today Penny.” Eliza admitted softly.
Aspen smiled warmly, eyes sparkling in a way that made their chest jolt, “My current title of address is Penny now?”
“Oh shut it,” she jabbed lightheartedly, “Theirs a ton of words that would work for you, I’m just trying to find one that fits.”
“Well I welcome anything you call me with open arms. As long as it comes from you.”
Damn, Aspen was getting really smooth with their words.
“Thanks.” Eliza mumbled, knowing for a fact she was probably doing the ‘Gay head wiggle’. Something so lovingly coined together by Zed and Bonzo.
Aspen took a step forward, and something about the atmosphere changed.
It was no longer just two semi partners standing in a room, it was something more. Something more passionate.
Eliza wasn’t sure how she felt about it, but it definitely wasn’t bad. Aspen was looking at them with that adorkable expression she was fond off. Smile gracing their features Angelically.
They slowly leaned in, and just when Eliza wondered if they were about to kiss for the first time, Aspen linked their foreheads. Holding their hands out towards her.
Eliza immediately recognized this as the motion the two had maneuvered the last time they were here. And it actually felt so right in a way when she complied. Feeling like it was better then a kiss even, because a kiss is something you can do with any partner. But this was a special link between them. She hadn’t done it with Anyone else. It was just for them.
“Oh!-“ Aspen all of a sudden jolted, causing her to spasm and release their hands.
“Babe?” She questioned, “You good?”
They nodded, “What time is it?”
“Uh, like 3:45? Were supposed to meet Willa at 6 so we’re ok timing wise…”. Eliza was quick to trail off, intently watching as Aspen stepped back and disappeared into the living room.
They came back holding one of Eliza’s favorite blankets, a jaw breaking smile on their face.
“Uh, what ya got their Penguin?”
“A blanket!” The alien stated proudly.
Eliza stared blankly, “Erm, yes Babe, I know it’s a blanket. Are you cold?”
“No but you will be!”
“I’m sorry babe, but I have literally no idea what your talking about,” she shifted her weight, letting on hand dangle to the side, “Is this saying you want to cuddle or something?”
Aspen shook their head, smile never leaving, “Nope! But that does sound interesting for future wise. It’s your blanket! For you! Because from what I know your coding hour of the day is always every day from 4:00 to 5. And you tend to get cold because you like to work in your room and that’s one of the best places the air conditioning works. So I got your blanket for you!”
Eliza was shocked, moved more then anything. She had no Idea Aspen had been paying that close attention, had taken the time to store it away just so they could pre blanket her and ease the process for her.
Aspen had been watching, and learning, and being the kind alien Willa always said they were.
Holy shit.
Eliza thinks she might be falling for them.
-Nope! She immediately stuffed that thought back into her mind. She was Eliza Zambi. She did not ‘fall’ for people. They fell for her and she explored if she reciprocated.
Willa had been a special case…
But this was definitely not that! If anything. It must have been a coincidence. She must have mentioned the whole thing to Aspen recently or else how would they remember it?
However, she couldn’t deny the blush that barely covered her face as they moved to drape it over her shoulders, her breath lodging in her throat as their fingers brushed her neck.
“Their!” Aspen stated, satisfied with their work, “I should get going, so I don’t interrupt your regularly repeated coding time.”
“Uh-wait, Um,” she blushed harder, looking at them bashfully, “T-thanks for today. And Um. The blanket. It was really nice of you Astroid.”
Aspen perked up, brows shooting to the top of her their head, “Astroid?! I thought you said using the first half of my-“
-“I know what I said! Uh, I just remembered theirs a couple good names for them as well.”
“Oh. Well um. I like that name.” If Eliza squinted, she could just make out a blush coating their cheeks. Something that did not help her own.
Eliza smiled, reaching out and linking their hands, making sure she got a consent nod from aspen before hand, “Well then… Astroid it is.”
The alien radiated happiness, “Your welcome… for the blanket. Today has been an extreme delight for me as well Dear Eliza. I thank you for accompanying me.”
Eliza’s grin widened, and before she could process anything, she was moving forward and pressing a small kiss to Aspens cheek.
“I’ll see you at Willas Astroid.”
Aspen left the Zambi house dizzy and flustered, however, much could say the same for the Zambi girl herself.
Fingers numbly typing against her keyboard, Eliza couldn’t help but milk over the events from earlier.
She caught a wiff of Aspen on the blanket and Absentminded snuggled into it farther.
Ok so she totally wasn’t falling for them.
But like. Maybe, deep down, below all the layers of defense and hacktavism, she totally was.
—————————————————-
“You know, it should be illegal to be this hot…”
“But please, Eliza dear, how would legislation help with the outside temperature?” Aspen asked, confused.
They were all sitting in the kitchen of Eliza’s house, wearing the lightest clothes imaginable and trying to fan themselves with whatever they could find on hand.
“Oh, it for sure is not” Eliza said. “But it should be against the laws of nature. And before you say anything, my lovely Asteroid, I know there’s nothing that can be done. I’m simply complaining.”
“I thought air conditioning was now legal for zombies,” Willa complained, lying down on the cool linoleum floor to try and cool off.
“It is now legal as of like, three years ago. But it’s also expensive to get one that won’t make my house catch fire.”
“Why was it illegal for zombies to have air conditioning?” Aspen questioned, sounding shocked at the very words.
The Zombie grimaced, “Do you want the stupid reason they gave us or the stupid reason it actually was?”
They flashed a cute smile, “Both please.”
“Of course honey…. Well the official reason they gave us is that they didn’t want the air conditioning to trick the wiring in our zbands to think we’re online when we’re not and then have us zombie out and eat their brains,” she explained, voice turning sour, “The actual reason? Zombies just weren’t allowed to have nice things. They wanted our lives to be harder because…I don’t know…maybe we’d unmutate and turn into humans? I don’t know. But all I know is that we know the official reason is stupid even without normal logic because it was legal decades ago for us to repair air conditioners. Just not own any.”
“I will buy you a quality air conditioner,” Willa groaned exhaustedly, “If you get it installed in the next 20 minutes.”
“With what money, babe?”
The alpha was silent for a moment. “I will steal a quality air conditioner for you…”
Aspen looked alarmed and prepared to argue against it, but Eliza cut them off with a wave. “She’s kidding Babe. She’s just overheated and all earth canines act goofy when they’re overheated.”
“I’m not silly, I’m fearsome.” Willa stated proudly.
“Totally,” Eliza leaned down and affectionately scratched behind her ear. Willa tried to growl menacingly, but she melted into Eliza’s touch, leg starting to vibrate like it always did when someone touched her secret scratch spot.
Willa sighed sadly, reluctantly moving away from the head scratches, “Ugh, babe, even that’s too hot…There’s got to be something we can do….”
“I’d let you stand in front of the open fridge…but it’s not a strong fridge and I’d like to have unspoiled food without buying new groceries…”
She picked her head off the floor, “What if I fed you for a month?”
“There’s also the electric bill…”
“Ugh!”
Aspen thought for a moment before looking up some things on their Luna Lense. “Alright, well, I’ve looked up Earth activities for a hot day. Would there be a problem with us going to the beach?”
“Yeah, all of Seabrook will be there. It’ll be so crowded, we’ll feel hotter and barely be able to get in the water,” The Zombie informed casually.
They frowned, “How about a swimming pool?”
“The pool here is at the country club, which costs a lot of money to get into. It’s one of the few places that can legally segregate because only humans have that much money to get in.”
“Can we break in?” Willa demanded.
“Please stop asking us to do illegal actions,” Aspen said. “Even though I know you say it in jest.”
“I mean, I’m almost getting desperate myself Aspirator,” Eliza said,” And zombies handle heat much better than Werewolves do.”
“Yes, but lately, Ali has been…suggesting similar things. Though I’m not certain she’s saying them in jest like Willa.”
“Must be hard being a leader,” Eliza laughed, looking between the two of them, “I’m glad Zed is the de-facto zombie leader. A lot less pressure on me.”
Willa growled half-heartedly, and Eliza gave her a gentle pat of the head. “Being a leader is an honor…a difficult burden…”
“Yes it is sweetie, it is,” Eliza cooed, gently feeling her temperature, “Okay you’re still safe in loopy heat, but we’ve got to be careful for her not to get into the danger zone. We really need to cool off…”
Aspen looked reasonably worried, “Well, are there other ways we can cool off?”
“Um…well now we’ve got more water flowing into Zombietown, like a real sprinkler system and everything,” Eliza wracked her brain “And…I think the Garzas have a small kiddie pool, and my ice maker is full.”
“So, a small little wading pool?” They clarified, clearly unimpressed.
“Better than nothing. Oh, and my mom also went grocery shopping a few days ago, so we can have some snacks and drinks to keep cool.”
“Good enough!” Willa groaned,
“Anything’s better than this at least.”
Eliza laughed and leaned down to give her a kiss on the forehead. “Why don’t you raid my closet for a swimsuit while I go get the pool from the Garzas, ok Little one?”
Willa grunted in agreement and got up and went upstairs to find something to wear.
“Asteroid, you mind being on snack duty?”
“Not a problem Eliza dear.”
Eliza smiled and left them while she ran down to her next door neighbors and asked them to steal their pool. They were on their way to the beach and didn’t mind loaning it out to her, and so she rolled it back to her backyard and let it fill up while she went upstairs and joined Willa in getting changed.
“Oh wow…”
Willa had gotten changed into a plain black bikini and Eliza had to pull her jaw off the ground.
Willa laughed softly, preening, “I take it you like it.”
“It’s yours. It’s yours forever,” Eliza gifted instantly, “And the little pool is being filled. So please go cool off, my beautiful wolf queen.”
She gave a kiss to the wolfs cheek, Willa smiling and blowing her a similar kiss before heading outside.
Eliza put on a green two piece swimsuit herself and found a gray one piece and navy blue board shorts for Aspen, careful in mind to choose something that wouldn’t give them any unwanted dysphoria; before eventually going downstairs.
“Hey Asteroid, I’ve got these for you,” she said, handing them the swimsuit.
“Oh, this is marvelous! Thank you Eliza dear,” they said with the biggest smile possible.
How was it even possible for someone to smile that widely all the time?! And look so cute doing it?
“Oh, and I’ve procured ice cream and various cold beverages here, so I’ll prepare a few things to bring out?”
“Sounds perfect, Pen,” she grinned heading out to meet Willa.
The wolf had pulled up the lawn chairs in Eliza’s backyard, gathering them towards the small pool and was currently sitting in one of them.
Her feet dipped into the water of the small pool. A small smile gracing her beautiful features.
“Doing better babe?”
“Much,” Willa sighed, putting her hair up into a ponytail. “I mean, it’s still hot, but this is much better than nothing.”
“And hopefully, this heatwave will end soon,” Eliza remarked, sitting in the chair next to hers and reaching out for her hand.
Willa snorted, “Tell me about it, I much prefer the cold. I’ll take snow anyday.”
“Now that’s going too far,” Eliza scoffed in mock hurt, “You know I turn into an zombie-cicle!”
“Hhmmmm, delicious…”
“Perv,” Eliza laughed, and then heard the door behind her open and turned around. Aspen came through holding a small tray with three glasses of lemonade, “There’s our favorite extra-terrestrial!”
“I think I am enjoying this form of Earth flattery,” Aspen chirped, setting down the tray. Proceeding to carefully select a glass and hand it to Eliza.
She smiled and looked at the lemons, about to take them out, until she noticed something off about it, “Aspirin, did you remove the seeds from my lemon wedges?”
Aspen looked up from handing Willa a similar glass of lemonade. “Of course I did.”
“But…you didn’t do that for the other ones…”
“Oh no, I personally do not mind the seeds and neither does Willa, but I’ve noticed that every time we go out and you order a lemonade, you remove the seeds from the citrus before you place them in your glass. I simply thought it would be easier for you if I removed them back in your kitchen rather than letting you do that out here where your hands could get all sticky.”
“Oh..wow…” Eliza couldn’t really blush due to her zombie anatomy, but it was the next best thing at that moment. Not even Willa had noticed that when they were dating each other at that same point in their relationship.
Eliza ended up having to tell Willa straight out that she preferred it that way. Aspen however, somehow took notice of this seemingly small and meaningless detail, and memorized it. Just so they could make her life easier the next time she wanted a simple glass of lemonade.
“T-Thank you Asteroid. That’s really sweet of you.”
“Hopefully as sweet as the lemonade,” they said, pausing for a moment and blinking exactly twice “Was that a good joke?”
Eliza and Willa both laughed at that. “It’s a great joke babe…fantastic.”
It was an odd Feeling that filled Eliza’s chest. A surge of warmth that even in the summer gaze didn’t feel painful. It was welcome, and refreshing in a way as well.
It had felt like years ago that Eliza told Aspen that they couldn’t love her because they didn’t know her.
She had been filled with so much doubt back then, so much pure unbridled need to safeguard her and Willas Relationship. To Protect and defend her precious snugglepup with all her heart. And Aspen had come in, smile wide and heart full, that they somehow managed to slip past every one of Eliza’s carefully crafted defenses.
But now here they were. All three of them giggling around a 5 by 5 plastic kiddie pool like their was nothing else they’d rather be doing.
And Aspen, their recently beloved aspen, had been observing Eliza without her knowledge. They had been making every extra effort to do so. Just to they could be a better partner. To make her feel good and special.
Thinking back Eliza could even notice some other instances she’d been to stubborn to accept then. Like for instance, Aspen had specifically noted the temperature in each room of her house, realized Eliza’s room was the coolest. Also remembered she did her coding hour in their, and then on top of that located her favorite blanket ahead of time.
All for what? Just so she didn’t have to go grab it a few minutes after they left?
It was the smallest things that really mattered most, she’d eventually come to understand.
Because when someone took the time to know you well enough to notice the small things, the bigger things were all the more heartfelt.
So maybe in the end. Aspen really did know Eliza.
And you know what?
She wouldn’t have it any other way.
……
I guess that two people can never read what is in the others mind and heart
That we only go on what we think but I see we never really know
We only know what we allow ourselves to believe
I am the only one who can know what flows through my veins
What makes my heart beat
What allows air to flow through my lungs What feelings I feel
What thoughts I think
What makes me whole
[However. I say all this with a false narrative.
Because their is one thing,
one simple fact,
that contradicts everything previously said. I can said that you don’t know what makes me whole
But its a paradox, and oxymoron if you will Because the fact is painfully simple:
You make me whole.]