[Part 8] Anything Goes: USUK, AU based loosely on Chobits (I Can't Stop Loving You)-Placeholder
anonymous
September 7 2011, 15:56:08 UTC
Summary of the story thus far: When Arthur was 19 he bought a laptop, shaped as an adorable toddler which he named Alfred. Six years later, Alfred breaks down. Rather than lose his precious little boy, he has Alfred's data and AI transferred into an adult Companion unit. Alfred's new body complicates their relationship with tension Arthur hadn't been prepared for. Their growing misunderstandings and feelings lead to something regrettable
( ... )
[Part 8] Anything Goes: USUK, AU based loosely on Chobits (I Can't Stop Loving You) - [24a/25]
anonymous
September 7 2011, 16:33:11 UTC
AN: Sorry for taking so long with this chapter, guys. Writer's block and real life kept conspiring against me, but here we are the penultimate chapter! We're so close to the end, guys; thanks for the wonderful journey. ---
Alfred was getting worried; two full minutes had passed since he sent the last text message, and each slowly passing second was ratcheting up his distress. He bit his lip and looked down at Tony in his lap.
The laptop watched him back. “Well?”
“He didn’t send anything back,” he admitted, trying not to pout.
“Send another-maybe he didn’t get the last one.”
Alfred nodded and opened another message box.
Arthur? Are you there?
He sent it and waited, trying desperately not to twitch. Finally, finally, the program announced a new message.
From: Kiku’s Touchpad: Yes. I am. Alfred, where are you? Are you okay? Why won’t you pick up my calls? Alfred frowned. Without a voice to go along with the words, he had no idea if Arthur was furious or not. But then, if he was furious-and he has every right to be, his
( ... )
[Part 8] Anything Goes: USUK, AU based loosely on Chobits (I Can't Stop Loving You) - [24b/25]
anonymous
September 7 2011, 16:38:41 UTC
Alfred focused on the words, examining each letter as if they might give him some hint as to how the note’s writer might actually be feeling. Failing that, he decided to reply.
I can’t. Everyone’s asleep. I’d wake them up if picked up.
While he half expected another quick and insisting reply, Alfred had to wait a few long moments before the return message finally came.
From: Kiku’s Touchpad: I see.
That was it; Alfred frowned, half worried at the very short text. However, before he could send his own reply, another text appeared from Arthur again.
From: Kiku’s Touchpad: I still would like to talk to you. Alfred, I just want to know if you are okay or not. I swear, I won’t yell. Alfred’s eyes fluttered closed as he finished the message. As terrified-and he was, he was so scared that Alfred barely understood why he was so frightened-as he was, the idea of talking, of just hearing Arthur’s voice again, was enough to bring back that phantom pain. What would Arthur think of that? Hesitantly, he opened a reply box and decided to go
( ... )
[Part 8] Anything Goes: USUK, AU based loosely on Chobits (I Can't Stop Loving You) - [24c/25]
anonymous
September 7 2011, 16:43:02 UTC
Faintly, he was aware he needed to send a reply back. He couldn’t not answer something like that. Even he, thick as he could be, realized that. But it was too much, he felt too much, there was just too much to say. Too much for a text message, too much for a phone call-Alfred wanted to see Arthur when they spoke, wanted to reach out and snag his sleeve if nothing else. Grab hold with his fingertips and just clutch at the cloth like it was all that was anchoring him to this world. He needed to see Arthur, and he needed to say while he was too happy to second guess himself. Now was the time for that honesty.
I miss you. I need to see you. Can we meet somewhere to talk?
The reply came back so fast, Alfred nearly jumped.
From: Kiku’s Touchpad: yes now? Alfred paused, looking at the words before, to his utter amazement, he chuckled. It was light and happy and Alfred marveled at the warmth that formed it. Arthur really wanted to see him, apparently soon too. His delight simmered down though as he began to think, his wide, trembling grin
( ... )
[Part 8] Anything Goes: USUK, AU based loosely on Chobits (I Can't Stop Loving You) - [24d/25]
anonymous
September 7 2011, 16:46:15 UTC
The next day passed murderously slow; Peter was still furious about not being able to go and snapped at anyone who tried to talk to him. Whoever his past owner was, Alfred decided as the laptop kicked the game controller impressively far, they must have encouraged him to act like that because Alfred couldn’t see any other way a laptop could get that way. Toris also wasn’t very happy about not being able to go, although he hid his disappointment better than Peter. Instead he went about his chores drearily, and later at dinner, Ivan kept looking down at his food in confusion, lips twisted into a frown, although Natalya seemed to have no problem with hers
( ... )
[Part 8] Anything Goes: USUK, AU based loosely on Chobits (I Can't Stop Loving You) - [24e/25]
anonymous
September 7 2011, 16:48:36 UTC
Alfred cocked his head to the side, wondering if he should correct the man or not. Instead he shrugged and wandered over to the door where the other Companions waited. Outside, the air was frigid and Alfred had to adjust his core temperature and check on Tony before they set off. He followed them as they walked on, wondering if he should try and start a conversation before giving up the idea. What would they talk about, anyway
( ... )
[Part 8] Anything Goes: USUK, AU based loosely on Chobits (I Can't Stop Loving You) - [24f/25]
anonymous
September 7 2011, 16:51:26 UTC
A few hours later, Alfred wasn’t sure if “party” was the right word for what the demonstration ramped itself into. There was a constant ebb and flow of people on both sides making their way to the front of the crowd while those in front headed back to sit down and relax with others there. Amelia for one was constantly elbowing her way back to the front before returning some time later to chat for a few minutes; Alfred admired her energy. Not that the rest of the crowd lacked it; once the crowds truly arrived, a sort of manic energy began to buzz in the air. Even he could feel it around them as he took his turn at the front of the crowd a few times
( ... )
[Part 8] Anything Goes: USUK, AU based loosely on Chobits (I Can't Stop Loving You) - [24g/25]
anonymous
September 7 2011, 16:55:50 UTC
He leaned back, resting his weight on hand while the other held Tony to his stomach, and just looked at the other Companion in complete bemusement. The idea seemed nearly ludicrous-Alfred had thought every computer merely focused solely upon their owner. It made sense-they served them and their masters (in theory) repaid them with care and protection. Sure a computer could leave their master if they felt threatened enough, but to willingly attached themselves to another person without losing their owner… Alfred couldn’t grasp it. “How
( ... )
[Part 8] Anything Goes: USUK, AU based loosely on Chobits (I Can't Stop Loving You) - [24h/25]
anonymous
September 7 2011, 16:59:02 UTC
Alfred blinked, taken aback then laughed and jumped to his feet. “Sure, although, you know, it sounds really weird to be called Mr. Alfred.” He paused, patting his stomach and Tony to get his attention. “Hey, Tony, do you want to stay here or come with us
( ... )
[Part 8] Anything Goes: USUK, AU based loosely on Chobits (I Can't Stop Loving You) - [24i/25]
anonymous
September 7 2011, 17:04:48 UTC
Arthur heard about the explosions less than half of an hour after they happened. It didn’t take long for police officers from other districts to get called over to help. Arthur found himself helping calm the remaining demonstrators, herd away curious gawkers, or help direct paramedics to injured people. And by God, there were a lot injured-it seemed that none of the protesters escaped without some wound or dent. Arthur had personally seen several unfortunate computers that had been smashed open from the blast, their electronic insides spewing out and over the pavement, splattered with both coolant and human blood
( ... )
[Part 8] Anything Goes: USUK, AU based loosely on Chobits (I Can't Stop Loving You) - [24j/25]
anonymous
September 7 2011, 17:07:38 UTC
“We decided to head over to a friend’s place-Feliciano Vargas and his brother’s apartment. You know, Sergeant Beilschmidt’s boyfriend? I met him. He’s really nice,” he paused and suddenly there was background noises-distant voices, a television turned up way to loud, a quiet scrapping of metal against porcelain like a fork against a plate-before Alfred spoke again, this time with an actual echo like he was now in an open room. “Hey, Feliciano, say hi to Arthur!”
A cheerful voice piped in. “Hi, Mister Arthur! It’s nice to meet you-well, speak to you, since we haven’t really meet yet, heh. Maybe if I get better soon I’ll get to see you at the Christmas luncheon Ludwig’s station holds, won’t that be fun? Or-oh, oh! You could come here! Then you could take Alfred home with you so he won’t have to wander the streets alone and I can meet you too. That’d be really nice.”
“That would be okay? Hey, Arthur, let’s do that,” Alfred agreed before the background noises died away again. “I miss you. See you soon, Arthur.”
Reply
---
Alfred was getting worried; two full minutes had passed since he sent the last text message, and each slowly passing second was ratcheting up his distress. He bit his lip and looked down at Tony in his lap.
The laptop watched him back. “Well?”
“He didn’t send anything back,” he admitted, trying not to pout.
“Send another-maybe he didn’t get the last one.”
Alfred nodded and opened another message box.
Arthur? Are you there?
He sent it and waited, trying desperately not to twitch. Finally, finally, the program announced a new message.
From: Kiku’s Touchpad: Yes. I am.
Alfred, where are you? Are you okay? Why won’t you pick up my calls? Alfred frowned. Without a voice to go along with the words, he had no idea if Arthur was furious or not. But then, if he was furious-and he has every right to be, his ( ... )
Reply
I can’t. Everyone’s asleep. I’d wake them up if picked up.
While he half expected another quick and insisting reply, Alfred had to wait a few long moments before the return message finally came.
From: Kiku’s Touchpad: I see.
That was it; Alfred frowned, half worried at the very short text. However, before he could send his own reply, another text appeared from Arthur again.
From: Kiku’s Touchpad: I still would like to talk to you.
Alfred, I just want to know if you are okay or not. I swear, I won’t yell. Alfred’s eyes fluttered closed as he finished the message. As terrified-and he was, he was so scared that Alfred barely understood why he was so frightened-as he was, the idea of talking, of just hearing Arthur’s voice again, was enough to bring back that phantom pain. What would Arthur think of that? Hesitantly, he opened a reply box and decided to go ( ... )
Reply
I miss you. I need to see you.
Can we meet somewhere to talk?
The reply came back so fast, Alfred nearly jumped.
From: Kiku’s Touchpad: yes now? Alfred paused, looking at the words before, to his utter amazement, he chuckled. It was light and happy and Alfred marveled at the warmth that formed it. Arthur really wanted to see him, apparently soon too. His delight simmered down though as he began to think, his wide, trembling grin ( ... )
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A cheerful voice piped in. “Hi, Mister Arthur! It’s nice to meet you-well, speak to you, since we haven’t really meet yet, heh. Maybe if I get better soon I’ll get to see you at the Christmas luncheon Ludwig’s station holds, won’t that be fun? Or-oh, oh! You could come here! Then you could take Alfred home with you so he won’t have to wander the streets alone and I can meet you too. That’d be really nice.”
“That would be okay? Hey, Arthur, let’s do that,” Alfred agreed before the background noises died away again. “I miss you. See you soon, Arthur.”
“End of message. To ( ... )
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OH
MY
GOD!
THIS!
THIS!!
YOU WONDERFUL ANON YOU!
THIS IS FUCKING AMAZING!
I LOVE IT!
Thank you A!A for this utterly wonderful and beautiful and downright amazing story.
I am sat here grinning like an idiot over this update!!
I AM SO HAPPY THEY HAVE FINALLY MET BACK UP.
MARRY. ME.
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sorry about that!
OMGGGG they finally met up again!
Poor Arthur and poor Alfred... I'm so happy they're hugging at the moment, oh god.
This is an amazing story- you should be proud of yourself. Thank you so much for writing this!!!
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It was a long time coming, no? (Well... not counting my long delays. Whoops.)
I'm really happy you've liked it. Thank you for commenting.
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