#vicabby

Abigail hums to herself, her paint strokes focused and deliberate as she holds a pallet in her free hand. She chews on a strand of her long hair that falls from her bun, a habit she's had for years. Her tanktop is wrinkled from sleep, and her shorts hang loose on her hips. A show plays quietly on the TV, but she doesn't pay any attention to it.

A cat rubs against her legs, meowing for attention. She reaches down, running her fingers through its soft, fluffy fur. She nuzzles against her hand, purring loudly. Abigail pets her for a few moments, before standing back up, focusing again on her painting. It's for a showing, one she just barely managed to snag. Vicki makes enough for rent and bills, but it's been a struggle between paychecks.

The painting is a large shot of the Chrysler Building at night, all of its lights on and shining against the dark sky. Not a very inspired piece, made mostly to sell rather than spark her imagination. It's almost done, but she's sick of working on it. She's been painting non-stop for days, and this is the last one she has to finish.

Her focus breaks as she hears a door open behind her. She looks over her shoulder, and smiles when she sees Vicki shuffling out of their room in a robe, rubbing the sleep from her eyes as she yawns.

"Morning, Vicki."

She says softly, and she groans in response.

"Morning…why're you working so early?"

She asks groggily.

"I gotta get this done."

Abigail says, turning back to her painting.

"It's almost there, just a few more things to add.”

Vicki walks over, leaning her head on Abigail's shoulder as she scans the painting. She hums, before saying-

"It looks good."

Abigail smiles, turning her head to kiss Vicki on the head as she says-

"You have to say that."

"I mean it! I'm sure it'll sell.”

Abigail sighs dramatically.

"It better! It's been so long since I got in anywhere..."

Vicki stands up straight with a kiss to her cheek, shuffling to the kitchen to fill the cat's food bowl.

"Do ya' want some coffee?"

"Tea, please."

Vicki nods in response, filling the water heater before starting a pot for herself. She grabs a pack of cigarettes from the counter, tapping it a few times on her palm before pulling one out.

"I have to go in today. I have time for coffee and a shower, I think."

She glances at the clock on the wall.

"I thought you were off!"

Abigail says, sounding annoyed.

Vicki opens the kitchen window a crack, letting cool air filter in as she lights her cigarette.

"I was supposed to be. But Carlie called me, told me there's a big meeting they need me at. Something about a new case."

Abigail groans, throwing her head back.

"I was looking forward to having a day with you."

The water heater clicks, and Vicki puts two teabags in a mug, adding a few scoops of sugar after she pours in the boiling water.

"I know, I know. I was looking forward to being here, but we need the money."

Abby looks back to her painting, grumbling for a moment before finally admitting-

"I know we do."

Vicki takes a long drag of her cigarette, snuffing it out before setting Abigail's tea down on the coffee table next to her. She settles on the couch with her coffee, splashed with a bit of milk.

"What's on?"

She asks, trying to change the topic.

"Uh..."

Abigail glances at the TV.

"Bramwell, I think."

Vicki grunts, but doesn't make a move for the remote, too lazy to change it.

She takes a small sip of her drink as she says-

"I can leave work early the day of your show, if you want. I'm sure they can do without me for a few hours.”

"No, no...you've seen all the paintings anyway."

She smiles down at her, adding-

"I appreciate the thought, though."

“Mm.”

Vicki mumbles, not looking away from the TV.

They sit in silence for a few minutes, Vicki trying to think about anything other than work, before Abigail remembers something.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you! My dad is coming to visit next week."

Vicki glances over at the wall, spotting the framed picture of Abigail and her father at her high school graduation hanging by with a few other family photos from them both.

“Thanks for the warning.”

“Oh hush, he loves you!”

They both giggle.

"I was worried when I first met him, to be honest.”

Abigail shrugs.

"I think it's normal to be worried when you meet the parents. Y'know..”

Vicki sighs, knowing what's coming.

“I still haven't met your dad.”

Taking another sip from the almost empty cup, Vicki responds-

"You know how far away he lives, Abby. You'll meet him eventually."

Abigail just rolls her eyes, and Vicki gives in.

"Look, when I get some time off we'll go and visit, okay? I promise."

She nods, smiling at Vicki again.

"Thank you."

Vicki stands up, kissing her cheek again as she says-

"I'm gonna hop in the shower.”

"Don't have too much fun without me!”

Abigail says, groping the air playfully to emphasize her point.

Vicki snorts, rolling her eyes as she walks to the bathroom, calling over her shoulder-

“Don't let your tea get cold!”

"Urgh..."

Vicki groans, her back throbbing from the stone city road she finds herself on. She struggles to her hands and knees, lifting her heavy head to try and scan her surroundings. She's hit with a wave of nausea, but she fights hard to keep her head up.

She can tell it's a city, but every time she tries to focus on any details, all of the buildings move and shift around her, not letting her make out any shapes or colors. Vicki looks at the sky, and sees no stars. Two moons take their place as light shines down on her. She understands that there are people watching her, even if she can't see them. They live here. She's the alien, the one who doesn't belong.

Everything is blurry, but as soon as she looks forward and sees the large, towering palace, all thoughts of the city around her disappear.

She stares at the palace for a few moments, marveling at its beauty, until it all becomes too much. She hurls, her own bile running down her chin to stain her party dress, one she knows is hers.

She hangs her head and squeezes her eyes shut, heaving loudly until she hears a voice.

"Vicki!"

Her head shoots up, her eyes wide. The movement makes her head ache from the force, but she doesn't notice. She doesn't care. She knows that voice, how could she not? She longs for her, desperate to feel her touch, to press her lips against hers.

"Abby?"

Her voice is strained and ragged, and she keeps coughing as she watches her come closer.

She's in her favorite blue dress, and her brown hair pools at her shoulders. Vicki feels her heart beat speed up as soon as she comes into view. The city around them disappears, even the palace. All she can focus on is Abby. She's all she sees, all she hears, all she cares about.

Abby gets down on her knees in front of her, gently gripping her chin to tilt her head up farther. The puddle of bile is gone, as if Abby willed it away. Vicki stares, trying hard to study her features, but she can't seem to pin-point any details.

"Of course it's me! Are you alright honey?"

"I...I-I don't know, Abby..."

She leans down, her lips a hair's breath away as she whispers-

"You'll be alright when we finally meet, Vicki. You'll come to me, won't you?"

Her voice suddenly gets quiet, and takes on a desperate, harsh tone.

"You'll save me? You'll help me?"

"Yes!! I will, I'll come for you, I need you-"

Abigail cuts her off by leaning in, about to kiss her, finally letting her feel her, finally-

Vicki shoots up in bed with a loud gasp, sweat running down her forehead and pooling at her armpits. She reaches up when she feels herself crying, and quickly wipes away her tears.

She looks down at herself. A tank top and underwear, exactly what she fell asleep in. Vicki looks over, and slumps her shoulders when she sees who's next to her.

Roger, laying under their large comforter, snoring loudly. She knew who it would be, but deep down she wished she'd be wrong. She wished she wasn't stuck with Roger. It was a stupid mistake to marry him. For a split second she thinks about how she left Christopher for him. What could they have been? Would she still see Abby? She shakes her head, clearing the thought from her mind.

She sighs, swinging her legs over her side of the bed and shuffling to the kitchen, the dim light of a lamp in the hallway lighting her path.

She pulls a pack of cigarettes out of a drawer, and opens their kitchen window as she lights it. It's cold, the cool air blowing in and making her tremble, but the cold always seems to help ground her.

She stares up at the sky quietly, trying to look for stars, but the lights of the city make them all disappear. She only counts one moon, which is comforting. They're surrounded by other apartments, and she wonders if they've infected anyone else.

She's been having these dreams more and more often, and every one feels more real than the last. Her lips get closer, her body gets warmer. They had dedicated so much time to finding Abby, but the mission was over. They never found her. She shouldn't care about her. But...

"Oh Abby..."

She can't help it. Not when Abby cares so much about her.

Vicki tries to hold her tears back, but she can't help it. She covers her face, sobbing into her hands as the ash from her cigarette flakes onto the ground.

Furry custom made by - https://toyhou.se/Maneatingbat