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This is how I'll always remember them. Smiling brightly in the afterglow of a closing day, surrounded by hordes of adoring fans from all over the state.
Janet and Stu are no small names amongst the daily visitors of Starr Park, and many would kill for the opportunity to get to meet them.
Guess I would have considered myself lucky if the prospect of meeting two such extraordinary, unobtainable individuals was any less painful.
---//---
It was a hot summer day when I first attended one of Stu's many stunt shows.
Being dragged on there by my older brothers, I was hardly excited for what was to come.
Little did I expect to fall for the legless one-eyed robot performing on the stage.
Fearless and determined, the robotic daredevil zipped up his jacket and readied his helmet before speeding through the dangerous obstacle course set before him.
Watching in astonishment, I could never take my eyes off him or his swift movement. Especially since he seemed to be dodging moving buzzsaws and jumping over pools of electricity with such minimal effort.
My heart almost stopped as he came to an end and directed his gaze to the screaming and screeching audiences. His bright, penetrating gaze seemed to look right through me as he gave us all one of his signature firework shows right there and then.
His face was well ingrained inside my mind hours after the show ended and the crowd had disbanded.
This absentmindedness and confusion was something my siblings were quick to take notice of, and it wouldn't be long until I'm bombarded with all kinds of questions and teasing. Everybody assumed I must be thinking of that new student from my class, which came more as a relief than anything.
It was such a strange and frightening feeling. One that I never really experienced beforehand.
I really had no way of knowing what the future had in store for me. Never would I assume that this very night would lead to a most thrilling and devastating moment of my entire life.
That chilly, moonlit evening was a stark contrast to the blistering dog day we've all been treated to mere couple of hours before.
It was the night of newly rising pop star Janet's one of a kind concert that would also include fireworks and stuntmen performing on stage. Which was fitting, given that Janet took many inspirations from Stu, who just so happened to be her adoptive uncle.
---//---
"Oh, crap!", I murmured frantically, running around the park grounds like a madman while trying to locate my brothers and sisters.
'That is the last time I leave them in a crowd this fucking big', I thought to myself, still angry about the arrival of nature's call at the most inappropriate time possible.
I knew my siblings were not the type to just sit around and wait for others. Yet, I still had no choice but to relieve myself in one of the nearby bathroom stalls.
My thoughts have clouded my vision and before I knew it, I bumped into something hard and metallic.
"Oowww!", I groaned as I fell to the ground, rubbing my aching forehead. "S-sorry about that..."
"Ah, not to worry. My uncle has been through worse!", a gorgeous female voice beamed from above me.
"We're just glad to see you survive that crash, kiddo!", a strangely familiar robotic voice added. It sounded male.
"Need a hand?"
"I...
Sure, I guess. Thank you.", I exclaimed before feeling the stranger wrap his cold metallic fingers around my hand.
I finally opened my eyes, only to see that very same stunt robot that had occupied my thoughts earlier.
A beautiful pink-haired young woman stood besides him. She had the most enchanting smile I ever did see.
"I...I...", I murmured, staring at the two perfect strangers before me, feeling like all the air had been sucked right out of my lungs.
"Aww, look. Someone's all starstruck from seeing his favorite stars.", the woman teased. Her sweet chuckle was music to my ears.
"I'd say.", the handsome stunt robot added. "Would you like an autograph by any chance?"
I stumble backwards, about to fall before the robotic cyclops catches me in his arms.
"Woah! Easy there, fella. Wouldn't want you dying on us now, would we?"
"I knew uncle Stu likes to woo and hold damsels, but I never expected him to do so in a public place such as this.", the girl joked, tapping me on the shoulder.
"Are you Janet? Like, the famous pop star?", I asked weakly, stumbling over my own words like some half-literate schmuck.
Giving me a wide, somewhat smug grin, the stuntman's niece pointed at herself. "The one and only."
"And I'm pretty sure you recognize this robotic gentleman as the one and only legendary stunt robot that he is.", she winked.
"Of course... How could I not?", I exclaimed bashfully, trying my best to stay cordial but grounded in such an unexpected situation.
"And what might your name be, darling?", Stu asked sweetly, his eye boring into me, making me gulp nervously.
"I...
M-my name...
It's (Y/N)"
"Why, that's a really sweet name you got there.", Janet noted, taking a step closer to us.
"Ain't that the truth.", Stu agreed, brushing my hair tenderly, almost lovingly even.
"Well, it was nice to meet you, little buddy.", Stu exclaimed, patting my head right after gently placing me back down.
"But we really should be on our way now."
"Be sure to see our shows in the future, k?", Janet winked, giving me a thumbs up.
"Oh, of course. I'd love to.", I said shyly, scratching the back of my head, still unable to shake the feeling of his cold yet soothing metallic touch out of my mind.
"Oh, before we forget...", Stu began, taking off his jacket before handing it out to me.
"This is for you."
"I...
Thank you, sir.", I exclaimed, carefully taking the leather jacket from his metallic hands.
"But why would you give something so important away?"
"Ah, it's no trouble. I've got tons of these back home.", he exclaims.
"And this is from me.", Janet chirped, handing me a small star-shaped keychain.
"Wow...
T-thanks you two. How could I ever repay you?", I asked, feeling blood rush to my face once more.
"Oh, it's no trouble, really. Anything for a fan.", Janet smiled, dismissively waving her gloved hand.
"Besides. How can we refuse someone as adorable and bashful as yourself?"
The free-spirited young woman's comment only served to make my face turn even darker shade of red.
"Yes, agree.", Stu added, crossing his arms in what I could only assume was his version of a teasing smirk.
"I think my jacket would suit your adorable, petite form rather well. Plus, it's a rather cold evening. For a human, that is."
It would have been apparent to pretty much anyone how I was all but trembling in embarrassment at this point.
"Aww look, uncle. Don't you think we're going a bit too far with this teasing? The poor thing looks as if they're only seconds away from fainting.", Janet chirped, sizing me up like some kind of easy prey.
"There you are!", an all too familiar voice cried from behind me. A voice I could instantly recognize as my brother's.
"We've been wondering why you're not coming and-", his words got completely stuck in his throat as his gaze fell upon the superstar duo standing besides me.
"Oh my- Oh muh-my freaking gosh. I-its It's-"
"Yeah, yeah, it's really us. We're the legendary stunt duo. And rest assured that you're not dreaming, my friend.", Janet joked, bowing in front of her newly arrived single person audience.
"Well, we'd love to stay and talk to you kiddos, but it's time to get Janet on the stage.", Stu chimed in, double checking the watch on his hand.
"Oh, jeez. It's that time already?", Janet asked, busting out her phone and checking the timer.
"Well, guess it's time to go then.", Janet shrugged as flames began to exhaust from her jetpack, swiftly propelling her up into the air.
"Astar la Vista, you two.", Janet beamed before flying off.
"Take care kids.", Stu exclaimed as he sped after the pink haired girl.
"Hope you'll enjoy the show."
And with that, they were gone. A transient moment in my life. One that my siblings would never stop envying and pestering me about.
---//---
Janet's concert that night was incredible. It was a truly spectacular thing to behold. Yet, my heart felt nothing but confusion and sadness from seeing her perform on the stage. Especially because I knew she'll never be mine.
I went on a couple more concerts and stunt shows featuring the two. But all I ever felt was pain. Pain from knowing how woefully unavailable both of them were.
I knew they'd forgotten all about our little encounter by this point.
It was a thought that proved correct after my second run in with the two.
Both were handing out autographs when I approached them for the second time.
And they laughed when I claimed we've already met, telling me how neither remembered me. They thought me some random crazed fan whose delusions have taken their toll on.
Even Stu's jacket proved nothing to them since they've seen numerous well-made duplicates and fabrications throughout their careers.
And here I am now. It's been well over five years since last I went to any of their live performances. And I still loathe the day my brothers took me to that damn performance.
Some wounds are destined to never heal. And I carry one such blemish on my heart.