Chapter Text
It’s been a month since Bianca died.
The rest of the town had moved on, back to old routines and only infrequent whispers remained of the doll everyone once knew. Lars hadn’t moved on so quick. He’d just started getting used to being alone again— thinking instead about Bianca and the great time they’d shared rather than wallowing in his sorrow and worrying about Karin.
Lars had a hard time adjusting at first. His confidence slowly knocking, and getting familiar with silence and loneliness once again. Work, home, chop wood, shower. Back to the old ways, with no one as a constant to talk to or play scrabble with anymore. He’s tried making friends— but most either thought he was a freak, or just didn’t click. It didn’t help that he was quiet, slower to respond, and shut down at the slightest hint of embarrassment or discomfort. After a few failed attempts at socializing, he’s back to the ways of solitude and silence. The most he looked forward to was having dinner with Gus and Karin or helping set up for the baby.
The baby was due soon— less than a month. Gus was more on edge, more snappy than normal, so Lars preferred to avoid hanging around at the house unless he was needed. He’d come, of course, if they needed help with anything to do with the baby. Setting up a bookshelf, putting together a crib, even painting the walls, he was there. Manual labor and chopping wood were the only things distracting him from the pit in his stomach any time he thought about the baby, and the giving birth that happens in order for said baby to come, and the dangers that begin listing in his mind if he doesn’t shut the thought out in time.
But he’s been getting by. The town kept moving. He even helped one of the neighbors move out, packing up the families dishware and moving boxes into the hauling van. His routine fell back into place after that; that is, until his world tilted on its axis. Courtesy of you, his brand new neighbor, moving in a few houses down and into the house he’d assisted in cleaning out just a few weeks ago.
That very same brand new neighbor, who also happens to be his saving grace.