Work Text:
5:00 A.M
I wake up before sunrise in the morning and stretch, ready for my daily routine.
Every day, without fail, I go to my “favorite” people to see what they're up to.
Just to see. Because I'm curious.
And why am I curious?
Why are they my favorite people?
I don't know.
It just happened.
If I had to explain it… It’s the lingering feeling that draws me to them. Like an unanswered phone call, or a movie without an ending.
As if I carried a part of them with me, without knowing how or why.
Sometimes, I feel like an animal trapped in a cage. Going circles and circles, expecting a different view within my enforced limits.
I don't know how I ended up like this.
And it doesn't matter to me.
I set out, ready for another day.
5:30 A.M
I see you begrudgingly get out from under the covers of your bed.
Cursing the world for not letting you rest longer.
You go to the kitchen and—like every morning—pour yourself some black coffee, then step out onto the balcony to drink it while you smoke, watching the sunrise
I don't know why you do this.
You should have a proper breakfast.
Sometimes, you reach for your missing hand, almost as if forgetting that it isn't there anymore.
Sometimes, I feel like I understand you. As if I'm missing a limb too.
But last time I checked, I've always been whole.
I go to someone else.
7:00 A.M
You check yourself in the mirror.
You make sure that your hair is in place and that your uniform looks tidy.
Sometimes, I feel like you're trying too hard to look normal. Almost as if you were clinging to your humanity.
I don't know why you try so hard.
You look perfectly fine to me.
You smile and laugh a lot when you're with other people.
Trying to soothe them. Trying to make them think you're normal like them.
But when you're alone like this, your worry shows on your face
I like your smile.
But sometimes, I wish that you were more open with your feelings.
I go to someone else.
10:00 A.M
As I watch you wash someone else’s cup, I feel like maybe you should start thinking more about yourself instead of others.
I don't know how you ended up at that company that sent you as a spy to live in constant vigilance.
Well, I kind of do.
I feel like you're more cunning than you're letting on.
You're smarter than you're letting on.
But even then. I like your kind heart.
I feel like no matter where you end up, no matter how you got here, you'll always have a kind heart.
It's like you can't help yourself. You always end up reaching out with a helping hand.
You were the first one to believe in me, after all.
Or was it?
I don't remember.
I go to someone else.
2:00 P.M
In this cozy waiting room, you sit down to have lunch alone.
That superior of yours has gone, who knows where, without telling you anything.
Again.
People always think that you're too stiff. To upright. Not flexible enough.
You follow the same routine over and over again.
Kinda like me.
It may seem like you're a boring person because you like sticking to a routine. But I feel like that brings you a sense of security and stability that you missed for a long time.
Even then, I hope that one day, you learn to see outside of that box that you created for yourself.
People are far more complex than the narrow view that you have right now.
You belong in this cozy place.
Even if from the outside, you look out of place.
The window with the weird curtains seems to be looking at me.
Not good.
I go to someone else.
6:00 P.M
You're definitely the weirdest amongst the people I like.
Well, for starters, your head looks like a lizard’s head.
Why does it look like a lizard?
Why doesn't anyone say anything about it?
Anyway.
I melt into your shadow to follow you back home.
And just like every other day, you sit in your living room doing absolutely nothing for hours on end.
Is that what lizards like to do?
I go to someone else.
9:00 P.M
You're scheming something again.
I don't even know why I like you.
But here I am.
I always end up back here, even though I say every day that I won’t come back.
Seriously. I'm not coming back. I really don't like you.
I watch you from the shadows.
You want to get ahead of someone again. Even if you have to destroy them along the way.
Sigh.
Why do you need to stay ahead?
What's pushing you so hard?
Sometimes, I like to let out a meow just because I like to see how your face distorts into pure terror as you look for the source of the noise.
Hehehe.
You'll never know.
I go to someone else.
10:00 P.M
My tail waves from side to side as I watch the manhole where you disappeared into.
I can't follow you there.
I can't follow you into many of the places you go.
It seems you’re still looking for me. Or at least, what’s left of what I used to be.
I wonder why.
You frustrate me to no end.
And yet, I feel drawn to you.
You're like a walking mystery. Full of secrets. Full of deceit.
You talk too much but never say enough.
Someday, I wish I could see the real you.
But right now, I wish you were in that cozy waiting room. There's someone there who needs you by his side, even if he'll never say it out loud.
I go to someone else.
10:30 P.M
With that sleepy face of yours, you make your rounds in this creepy place.
I don't like coming here.
But I like you.
So I am here.
Your steps echo loudly in the empty corridor.
I don't know why, but I wish I could give you some donuts. It seems like you'll like them.
I don't know why, but I feel like I owe you something.
I'm sorry for not remembering.
Maybe someday I will.
You turn around and your lamp points too close at me.
For a moment, I feel like you can see me.
My ears flatten back.
Please don't look at me.
Please don't look at me.
Please.
I don't want you to see me like this.
Please don't look at me.
Please don't look at me.
Please.
Please
In the end, you close your eyes and turn around.
I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.
That was close.
I go to someone else.
12:00 A.M
I go back home.
You're waiting for me sitting on the couch.
“Hello, my dear friend.”
For some reason, I don't mind that you see me like this.
I like coming home to you.
I climb to your lap, and you start petting me.
“How was your day?”
I lean into your touch. Your hands lack warmth, but even then, I like your touch.
“When will you join me for my show?”
I give you a look of annoyance.
I can't give you an answer.
You know that.
Why do you keep asking me?
Even if I could, you know the answer is no.
I like going to see my favorite people, so I can't join you for your show.
And no, I'm not letting you do a segment on them.
A smiley face appears on your screen, followed by an ad.
Maybe someday?
I shake my head from side to side.
I rest my head on your lap and fall fast asleep.
I’ve got another busy day tomorrow.
Just like any other day.