#mendedpottery

…

I stared at myself in the mirror, my fingers tracing the cracks and chips I’d gotten over the years. They never hurt too much, perhaps just a shock or sting in the moment, but never a pain that lasted. At least not a physical one.

I’ve always hated them. They were always a reminder, that even so much as falling over could leave me horribly injured forever. I’m just lucky, I suppose, lucky enough that any loose pieces were recovered.

I sighed, reaching for a blue box on the table in front of me, prying it open, and grabbing a bandaid. I took off the paper that covered the adhesive, before reaching around to the back of my head. I always hated this part. I couldn’t see what I was doing, so I had to be extra careful.

One hand held the piece in place, while the other peeled the old bandaid off. It was still sticky, but I couldn’t trust it to hold for another day. I crumpled it and threw it in the bin near my feet, before quickly grabbing the new bandaid, trying my best to place it as good as possible, hoping it might last longer than the previous one. Though I suppose there’s a reason why I needed to replace them so often. Running around down below on abandoned floors is a quick way to accumulate dust and such….

I blinked a few times, before finally turning around, exiting the room. I’m not gonna do anything today, nothing high intensive at least. It’s not like we’ve needed to work ever since the shutdown.

I went to the supply closet, grabbing only a watering can, filling it up, before heading towards the elevator. I couldn’t even be bothered to wear my proper clothes, just going out in whatever casual stuff I was wearing.

Not like it’s important, it’s early in the morning, no one’s gonna care, and they’re stupid if they do.

I stepped into the elevator, the door slamming shut as it began to rise up. I hated it no less every time, the blinding, white lights, loud mechanical whirring. It sounded like a fork to a plate. I don’t get how people say otherwise. At least it’s less tiring than the emergency stairwell. It felt like an eternity though. Every second felt agonizing. Maybe I’m just being dramatic…

I quickly staggered out the door as soon as it opened far enough, finding myself in the lobby. I sighed immediately, staring at the tree, and the grass surrounding it. Patchy, and full of weeds. I should’ve brought all my tools…

I stepped up, half-heartedly pouring water on the worst of it, and ripping out whatever weeds I can. I’ll fix this later… I don’t feel like it today. Don’t feel like anything today.

I don’t know why, but I felt frustrated. It felt like I was the only person who even cared about these plants. The only one who cared about anything around here. So much for Gardenview.

I told myself I wasn’t gonna do much today. That I don’t want to, but now I just HAD to go around and check. The moment I cleared the weeds out I left again, stepping back into the elevator, heading for the greenhouse this time. I was trying my best to ignore everything around me, though I noticed the elevator stopped. Too early, so someone must’ve pressed the button on the other side.

I watched the elevator door slide up, and stared at the Toon on the other side.

“…Hey Anvi.” I mumbled quietly, seeing him jump slightly, as if he didn’t even see me. “Clayson! Hey, Clayson… hi.” He responded quickly and awkwardly, before stepping into the elevator with me, as it began to descend again.

“You heading anywhere?” I asked, eyeing him curiously. “Ah, uh, just down to the diner for breakfast, I wasn’t expecting to see you so soon, it’s really early, you know?” he replied, chuckling slightly. I smiled too. “I just couldn’t get myself back to sleep…” I sighed, shaking my head. Then I thought a bit.

“Heyy… you wouldn’t mind if I joined you, right? I forgot to eat earlier, so why not now?” I proposed, seeing him blink a few times as if he was processing my statement. He was taking his time. “I- uh… sure you can…” He responded, sounding a bit timid, though I thought nothing of it.

It felt like the ride took much less time than before. Was it because I wasn’t alone this time? Either way, I’m not gonna complain. I left the watering can near the door, as we stepped out into the diner, talking to each other about what to eat. We couldn’t exactly seem to agree.

“Spaghetti’s not really a breakfast thing,” he mumbled. “Well I’m not eating a pizza this early!” I retorted. “Do they even have non-junk food on the menu?” He asked. “Maybe they sell pancakes?” “…Let’s just get that, yeah.”

I found us a table while he went and ordered. I looked over, though whoever must be in charge disappeared behind a wall before I could identify them. I twiddled my thumbs as he came back, watching him sit across from me. It was a bit quiet. Just us staring I suppose. He must’ve gotten nervous because he suddenly started making small talk.

“So uh… how have you been recently…? Everything alright with Sammy? …The kids?” He stammered, like he was trying to think of any topic to talk about. How endearing.

“Haven’t been up to much…the kids are mostly busy playing with friends, so we haven’t been in need of babysitting.” I smiled back, watching him nod quietly. “Sammy’s been busy. I suppose. How about you?”

“Just the usual… Atlas has been a bit more bothersome I guess, but not much else…” He sighed, mostly looking down at the table. “How’s Tinky then? Is she doing okay?” “Yeah, I suppose, she’s been…” He trailed off, seeming suddenly interested in… my arm? I looked down. Right… the cracks…

I didn’t usually go out in any t-shirts or shorts because of them.

“Have those… always been there? Are you alright?” He asked, I know he was just worried, but I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. Had he seriously not noticed until now? “Yes, Anvi… I’m fine… they’ve… been there for a while.” I mumbled dismissively.

Then I felt his hand moving to hold mine, feeling his finger tracing the chips and scratches. I blinked a few times, constantly looking up at him, then back down to our hands.

I felt a weird tingle inside, but I didn’t wanna pull my hand away, or maybe I did? I just—

“Excuse me, two plates of pancakes right?” Someone asked, I couldn’t remember their name in the moment, not like it mattered.

Anvi quickly let go, bringing his hand back to himself, and nodded nervously. They set down our plates in front of us and left, and we stared at each other.

“…Right. Let’s just… eat.” I muttered awkwardly, grabbing a fork and knife, trying not to look at him as I ate. I figured he was doing the same. I was eating quickly. I don’t know why but I felt a sense of urgency. The tension was too much to bear. At least until he spoke up again.

“Y’know… I can… uh, help you with that…” He said, while clearing his throat. I stopped for a second, then leered at him. “Help me with what…?” “Well… the… your…” ”The cracks?” I blinked a few times, then shook my head. “It’s nothing to worry about, Anvi, they don’t need fixing.” “You always say that, it’s always ‘nothing to worry about’… why won’t you let anybody help you?”

“…I just…” I looked away, trying to ignore his lingering gaze. Trying to shut him out completely. Until I felt his hands again, thumbs brushing gently against the back of my palm. “Let me try at least, won’t you…?” He insisted.

…

We quickly finished our food, and I followed Anvi back to the elevator. I kept a slight distance, feeling nervous and skeptical for any idea he may have. I hadn’t been in his workplace before, at least I don’t think I have.

When we got there it wasn’t exactly the cleanest. I didn’t wanna judge, but it certainly didn’t help my unease. I mean, this guy’s a black smith, right? What could he possibly know about repairing pots?

He made me sit down on a chair near a table, before he left to get something or whatever. I glanced around the room, staring at the papers strewn about, tools lying around. I was considering getting up to get a proper look, before he finally came back with a small bowl, and a small brush.

“I’ll admit, I’m not actually sure how much this’ll help, but I’m sure it’ll be fine…” He smiled nervously while sitting down on a chair in front of me, closer than expected. Much closer.

“What is that…?” “It’s some… repair paste thing, Clarence showed it to me a while back… just sit still would you?” He muttered, placing the bowl on the table. He grabbed my arm gently, before dipping the brush into the bowl. I stared at it, seeing its golden glimmer… I wasn’t sure how to feel at all, but I trusted Anvi, so even if I was uncomfortable, I let him do his thing.

I felt the paste seeping into one of the smaller cracks. It was an unpleasant feeling, I didn’t like it one bit. The best I could do was tough it out. I guess he must’ve noticed though. “Are you alright? Does it hurt…?” He asked, looking at me. “It’s… uncomfortable. I don’t like how it feels at all…” I mumbled nervously. “It’s not painful though…” “Do you want me to stop…?” He asked again, leaning a bit closer. I felt my face grow warmer by the second.

…

“…No, keep going.” I replied quietly.

…

He finished my arms pretty quickly. I had gotten quite used to it by now, it was still super uncomfortable… but it wasn’t as bad.

“Should I do your face too? I dont think it’ll take as long…” He suggested, smiling. “I mean… since we’re already at it…” I chuckled.

I hadn’t realized just how precise he’d wanted to be, his face so close I could feel his warm breath mingling with mine. I could tell he was just as nervous as me, especially as I felt him trying to steady me with a shaky hand. One hand holding the brush, filling in the cracks on my face, the other cupping my cheek gently. More gentle than I thought possible.

I tried not to stare into his eyes too much, didn’t wanna make him more tense, but I could barely help myself. Then he pulled away abruptly, hands leaving my face. “W-Well, that uh… that takes care of that… I think we’re done…?” He stuttered, leaning a bit back. I blinked for a few moments, processing. “Actually uh… there’s this one…” I turned my chair around, turning my back to him. There was still the large, loose piece that I had to bandaid this morning.

“Ah… uhm, right… do I just remove that…?” He asked, fingers reaching to peel off the bandaid. “Yeah, just, make sure you’re holding it, it could fall off completely…” I responded, worried about it breaking or something. “…I think it’s better if I take it off and reattach it with the paste, as long as you don’t mind… right?”

I simply nodded in response, feeling him peel, then gently removing the piece entirely. It felt weird, I hadn’t removed it ever since it first came off…

I turned around to watch him apply the shiny paste, this time he was faster and a bit less gentle, though it made sense, it wasn’t attached anymore anyway…

Afterwards, he made me turn back around, carefully placing it back into the hole in my head, making sure it lined up, and cleaning off any residue.

“There… are there any other cracks I should know about…?” He sighed, hand resting on my knee. I thought for a second, but decided they could wait.

“Nah… we’re good…” I smiled, placing my hand on his. “Thanks, Anvi…”

We stared at each other for a while, but I couldn’t sit here forever, I still had things to do, so I stood up.

“I’ll uh, see you later, I suppose…” He said, hand scratching the back of his head. “Yeah, see you soon…” I replied, just before leaving though, I gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, our heads hitting each other with a soft clink! before I hurried out the door, not waiting for his reaction.

…

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