Morg Builds a Bionicle
Story by Chainmail Tail on SoFurry
Imported from SF2 with no description.
>Morgan says she wants you to help her assemble the bionicle. "Brutaka", or some equally stupid name
>You weren't even sure why you indulged her with this gift. It just seemed like it would make her day, and plus the girl wouldn't stop bothering you about how much she needed it.
>You're already at her (uncle's) place.
>The uncle is sleeping or something in one of the upstairs bedrooms, so you two won't have any interruptions down in the basement.
>You sit down at the white plastic table next to her, watching while the anthro excitedly pours out the bags onto the table and starts sorting them
>Warm air is siphoning in from the boiler room in the back, and you can peek onto the lawn from a set of small elevated windows.
>It's a little dusty in here. Another addition to the long list of reasons why Morgan's house is usually a last resort for hangouts...
>Hangouts? Dates? You're not really sure anymore. Its not really an official status, and you haven't so much as held hands, but... it feels exclusive.
>It's a tough call, and lately you've been happy just to spend time with the anthro.
>you notice two black "arm pieces" that look like they'd fit perfectly with one another.
>You take the the opportunity to connect them for Morg.
>She instantly rEEEES about how you have to follow the order on the little instruction manual
>Morgan re-separates the pieces before continuing.
>Okay, fine. I guess the new plan is that she puts Brutaka together while you watch.
>She looks like she's having fun, at least.
>A thought creeps into your head as another pair of pieces click between scaly hands
>When Morgan plays with toys, she achieves such a euphoria that nothing else matters to her.
>Politics? current events? finances? They never mattered
>Her poor family life? bullies? genetic misfortune? They all fade away
>It's pure childlike wonder, and somehow the chimera is able to feel it at 31 years old
>You want to access that feeling too, but hmm... what was it like?
>You try to remember Christmases as a kid. Or the playground, or snow days... something truly carefree from your youth.
>You dig as deep as you can. What about that old baseball field behind your elementary school? What about the amusement park rides, or your first time fishing, or chasing fireflies at dusk...? something must be there! But nothing is clear. it's a pink, incoherent smattering of moments.
>You were someone else then. Of course you can't tell how it felt.
>If only you had it back, though. it's buried under years of stress, and assignments, and labor and... general disillusionment.
>Funny, how Morgan isn't disillusioned at all.
>Life is still a story-book to her, in the best way.
>She'll always be there to remind you how to live in the moment. To fill you with that lost wonder.
>Maybe that's why you've been spending all this time with her.
>You've been reminiscing for a few minutes by now.
>by the time your eyes refocus, the chimera is happily waving the figure around and making action noises.
>A 2nd bionicle has appeared in her other hand to join the battle, and she's creating a dialogue between them. A little show for both of you
>Something begins to grow inside.
>You don't really know why, it doesn't make sense, but...
>It's so... perfect. You're lucky to have her. Someone to make you feel young.
>A few seconds pass, and Morgan's eyes leave the plastic robots to fixate on you. She tilts her head and her ears plane outward with concern.
>"Anon, are you alright?" she says through her nose.
>she points to a tear that you hadn't noticed escape your eye
>"Yeah, its just the dust or something." You wipe the water away on the back of your hand.
>"Good, 'cause this is the best part of the fight!" she makes sure you're paying attention before the final act.
>Her flaky arms make swooping curves that stretch the width of her turtleneck, and the figurines clash together several times, just shy of breaking.
>She goes right back into her storytelling as well, but you don't hear a word.
>it's all muffled noise to your ears as you take in a realization far more profound
>You... you really love her, don't you?