Work Text:
| test tube pov |
The cars’ lights shed a majestic glow on the highway. It feels safe, like a hug for the first time in years.
Strangers pass by us on the road, like they weren’t created by a little kid, like they felt as if they had a real life to live.
We weren’t real. Fan and I.
We were stereotypical shells of a person, and we had potential that missed the shot.
Now we’re just contemplating the meaning of life itself, why we’re here, why we were chosen to be the soon-to-be family riding on the road.
I’m scared of what’s to come.
My dreams were looking big, becoming a scientist, but now I have to grow up.
And no one ever says the love I give isn’t enough.
I’ve had two exes from that – but now I have a loving husband. I’m scared he’ll leave me for the same reason.
Fan was overjoyed when he heard the news.
I was in between.
I don’t know if I want to keep it or not.
It’s scary either way.
Mourn the loss of what you could have had, or have it with the fear of losing?
“Fan?” I choke out. I can’t tell if I’m crying or not. “I’m scared.”
He pauses. Who am I to surprise someone with emotion like that? “I am too, Test Tube. I am too.”
“What if I’m a horrible parent? What if I can’t handle it? What if I end up trying to make them perfect like I did in Bot’s early years?”
“You’re not.” Fan says. “Trust me, if you are, you wouldn’t be questioning it.”
“That’s true.” I reason. “But what if I am because Mephone programmed me to be?”
“Then we’ll break out of those habits. Together.”
“Promise?”
He takes a hand off the wheel and holds up a pinky finger like a little kid. “Promise.”
We solidify it.
And everything feels like home.
…
| fan pov |
The car lights shining on the road are pretty, to say the least. The colors blend together, and it feels right. It’s beautiful, like some mangrove forest or something – I don’t know.
Random people pass by our car. They could be a viewer of my blog. Maybe they know the news.
That we were going to be a family. That we were going to feel complete.
We are going to be part of a whole, a fraction of one, part of a proportional relationship.
But it also feels wrong. It’s such a huge change, and just nine months to prepare?
That’s too short of a time.
And instead of preparing, we’re on the way to Lightbulb and Paintbrush’s apartment two hours away just to tell them the big news.
I’m nervous. I always am, though, so I can’t tell why.
Test Tube’s amazing, so it’s not her. Not any of my friends.
Maybe it’s just the predicament we’re left in, picking up the pieces of?
It was just a quick one, but it still has drastic consequences.
Why didn’t we plan? Prepare? Realize?
We should have used a fucking condom. Not done it that week. Do all the right steps to not land in this situation.
But oddly, I want it. I want this lifestyle.
I want you, Test Tube. And I want this child.
“Just close your eyes, Testy.” I softly whisper, and let her fall asleep.