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Bot and Poppy were sitting on the roof of hotel OJ, alone together looking at the stars for what felt like forever, and neither side would ever have it any other way. They were idly chatting for awhile about anything and everything, hopes, goals, stupid little happenings, really just anything they could think of. After a long stretch of the two being in a comforting silence together, just staring at the stars and loving the presence of the other, Poppy suddenly burst out with a question. Albeit, quietly, but Bot would never miss something their partner said.
"Is it normal? Normal to hate the way other perceive you? Normal for that to make you hate yourself?"
"Huh?" Bot responded to the others question, moving their hand to grab Poppy's.
"Nothing.. Just,.. wondering aloud, y'know?"
"No, i can tell something's up. Popp, you can talk to me."
"Its just.. Do you ever feel like people can only see you as something you aren't? And you cant seem to escape it?"
Bot was just sitting there, processing what Poppy had just said, trying to think of a good response.
"I mean, well, Is this about cobs again?"
Poppy took a deep breath and sighed.
"Yeah. Everyone thinks im just like him, and that because i look like him I'll turn out to ACT just like him, and do things comparable to what hes done."
They felt tears start to well up in the sides of their eyes. Bot quickly wiped them away. They could tell this was something Poppy has had on their mind for awhile, and Bot really cant blame them.
"Hey, I know I never knew him myself, but from what ive heard from my mom and dad, you've never seemed like anything close to him, Your appearance is the only similarity i could ever seem to track down. I would never, ever me able to see you as something like the power hungry thing that he was" At this point, tears had started to pool in the corners of Poppys eyes again, silently listening to the one person they cared about most describe them like an angel straight from the clouds." You're amazing. Kind, compassionate, determined, beautiful.. "
They trailed off at the last word. As they looked back to their partner, they realized tears had started falling from their eyes again. As the twos eyes met, Poppy suddenly wrapped their arms around Bot, and started sobbing softly into their shoulder.
"I- I dont deserve you.."
"Yes you do. Poppy, you deserve the world." They started running their fingers through Poppys ponytail, taking out the hair tie and beginning to braid their hair while they continued to cry.
After a few minutes, Bot had finished braiding Poppys hair and noticed that they had started to calm down. Bot wrapped their own arms around their partner, staying there for a few seconds before pulling back. Poppy pulled back from the hug as they did, cheeks tear stained and eyes red. They weren't actively crying anymore, so Bot assumed they were doing better. They put a comforting hand on Poppy's shoulder and gazed lovingly into their eyes, still with concern present on their face.
"You alright now?"
Poppy paused and wiped their eyes with their sweater sleeve.
"Yeah.. Thank you so much. I dont know what i would do without you,"
"Of course. You know I'm always there, right?"
Poppy just nodded and kissed Bot on the cheek before pulling them back into an embrace.
"And i hope you know, I know how you feel. I know ive told you this a million times, but im sure you wouldnt mind me telling you again?" Bot said, raising their head away from Poppys shoulder so they would be able to be heard.
Poppy just shook their head while squeezing the other tighter.
Bot went on to explain once again how they were made, forced into the position of Bow, all while knowing thats not who they were but not being able to change it. They explained again how they figured themself out, changed to fit how they want to be seen, not be stuck in the shadow of someone they never met just for existing.
"I know weve never been in the exact same situation, but you know what i mean. Ive felt similar things to what you're going through right now."
Poppy just nodded and hummed in agreement. Bot slowly nuzzled their head back down into the others shoulder, playing with the end of their braid and melting into the soft embrace if the one that they loved so dearly.
"I love you.."
They mumbled, muffled by the thick soft fabric of Poppy's sweater.
"I love you too."
And they stayed in that spot until morning, when Fan and Test Tube came frantically looking for Bot, resulting in waking both Bot and Poppy up.