catphishing | IC Contact [futurology]

[That's genuinely reassuring. He hugs him tightly, offering him a watery smile once he pulls back. It's a little pained still, but that might because Annie is clawing her way clumsily up his leg, tiny needle like claws digging into his leg.]

Thank you. I'll send you pics if I ever get my robot working.

[It's not the same as if he'd got to see it in person, but it's better than nothing. He sighs, detaching Annie's little paws from where they're grappling with his hand.]

...I wanted you to see it.

Sweetheart...

Don't think I'll come back myself if you name it after me. That's what my lawyer is for. [He nudges Ollie's shoulder with a wink. He's playing. Of course he would have wanted to see it in person. It's just...

This really is for the better. For everyone.

But speaking of playing.

Out comes a little toy mouse on a string. Mettaton places it in Oliver's palm (where was he keeping it??) and nods his head toward the little troublemaker currently demanding attention in the man's lap.

Go ahead.]

[He takes the mouse by its string, dangling it for the eager kitten who wastes no time viciously devouring her prey

...or wrapping herself around it while kicking it with enthusiasm anyway.]

Don't worry, you're safe. I was going to call it Spyder. Because it's going to have a camera. And it's going to have legs like a spider...

[That's funny, right?]

[Look at her. She's a beast. She's fearless. She rolls around the sheets and onto her paws, arching her back to make herself bigger and hopping in the mouse's direction in a very unintimidating manner.

He loves her. If anything came from this experience, at least it involved getting a cat.]

Mmm. Spyder. It has its charms, yes, but it sounds like a sort of electronic toy you'd see advertised on a children's network. [Something "dark" and "edgy" for the children who were violently opposed to anything light and fun.] Have you considered...

[...

Huh.]

...actually, I'm drawing a blank. Spyder it is.

[His face falls at Mettaton's assessment of the name. Is it really that bad? Annie seems to hold no such opinion, but she's also a cat.]

I could think of something else.

[But what? He'd been so proud of the name, and nothing else he'd come up with had sounded that good.]

I'll figure something out. I can tell you the real name when I write you.

Darling, you could name it "Brian" and it'll never take away how special it is. YOU'RE making it! It's already a gift to the world!!

[He laughs. This goodbye isn't any less sad, no, but... But he knows that staying would be worse. There are other people out there who could use his support. Being alone, with Keats to help... There's less chance of him succumbing to that awful head-space he was in for so long. Being away from this team...]

You'll remember to keep your head up without me here to remind you, won't you? And form a gameplan on what you're doing with Connor?

I'll be fine.

[He smiles despite how little he wants this goodbye. He'll miss having Mettaton to turn to, to spend time with, but he doesn't need him. He doesn't deserve to go away feeling like he's leaving behind someone who does.]

We're... [Well. It's hard to say what's going on with Connor. He wants to believe they're working towards a relationship again, but they haven't talked about it yet. The last mission hadn't been the right place for it, and now... now they probably should, but it's intimidating having to start that conversation, not being certain that they won't lose what they have got back.] We're working on it. Connor's a good man. We'll figure things out.

IC Contact [futurology]

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