Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

You had always told yourself you would not go looking for a pet. You would not go to a shelter, you would not adopt from a litter, and you certainly would not take in a troubled creature who needed more help than it was worth. Though you always held one rule, only one exception to these standards. If an animal shows up on your doorstep in need of help, and there was nowhere for them to go, you would take them in. Unsurprisingly, today was that day.

You were headed home from your 4 hour shift at a coffee joint, a job you only took to shake off the daily boredom that comes with retirement. You had started the job a few months ago, not too long after you were let go from your previous profession. Nothing could make up for how much you loved that job, but it was easy to stay comfortable with how much cash you gained. A few missions into the job and you were loaded, proudly counting as the dollars poured in and all the promotions that were given to you. Eventually, though, it had to come to an end. At the ripe old age of 23 you were forcefully retired and removed from the agency, along with signing many, many, gag orders.

You were now living in a fancy apartment, owning very few belongings that made your place look like a pathetic bachelor pad. You were not allowed to date, to marry, to have family or friends. Ever since you got the job at 16 you had signed your life away, leaving it all behind. You knew you weren’t missing out on much from your old life, so now you played the role of a college student, going to work and back home, not bothered, and maybe not even allowed to do anything else. It was just you in this big city, and it seemed like it was going to stay that way.

Walking home you had a black umbrella, a gray sweatshirt, simple blue jeans and mostly black converse. You wore no make-up, your hair was in a midway pig-tail, and your face was purposefully kept boring. The only indications of individuality were the old lip and nose piercings you had, though they were mostly sealed due to lack of use. When you worked with the agency you accepted the “persona” they gave you. Genderless, sexless, average teenager that could easily blend and disappear into a crowd. Especially now that you were retired you made sure to keep up the façade, admittedly afraid that some of your old “coworkers” would come looking for you.

The rain was heavy and the sky was a deep, dark blue. You couldn’t see the stars from here but you imagined how they looked behind the smog. So bright, so far, so free. Something made you pause, stopping completely after a few slowing steps. ‘What was that sound?’

You thought you heard something high pitched in the rain, something that sounded like crying but smaller? You had half a mind to keep walking, this wasn’t your business, you should be home by now.

You heard it again and you caved, way too easily for your liking, and searched the area. You were in a secluded part of the alleyways, nearby some trash bins and empty crates. You followed the sound into the dark of the alleyway, abandoning the very public view of the main sidewalks. You saw a crate that didn’t look like the rest, it had blankets packed into it that were now soaked. As you approached the crate you could see the soggy blanket shifting, as if something small was trying to climb up over them.

When you finally stood over the crate all you could do was stare, not sure what it was you were looking at. There in the crate a palm sized creature stood shivering, and due to the heavy downpour of the rain it didn’t seem to notice your presence until you had already got a good look. What appeared to be a tiny skeleton stared up at you with frightened bright, red eyes. You both stared at each other silently before his expression changed to one of anger.

“Go away! Leave me alone!” It’s voice was squeaky but gruff, and he voice cracked at the end of his last sentence. You just stood there staring at it, watching as he shrunk into himself, unable to break eye contact with you. You blink yourself out of your thoughts and move your umbrella over his cage. Leaning over so that your head was under the umbrella too, you got a proper look at the thing. Flaring red eyes and sharp teeth, white bones that shined from the rain. You noticed something else though, a darker shade of red coming from underneath the creature. You popped a squat in front of the crate, making sure the umbrella was still over it.

“Wh-what did I just say?!! Scram! Get away from me!” He backed up as far as he could in the crate to get further away from you. It had been so long since you had a proper conversation, you almost didn’t know how to start. Eventually, you found your words.

“Are you okay?” You cringed at this, embarrassed that’s all you could muster.

“Who’s askin’??” He bit back, making you blink a bit in surprise.

“Uhm, my name is y/n. I’m just on my way home from work and I could hear you as I walked by” he didn’t respond. Instead it looked as though he had regretted crying so loud, trembling even harder at the idea that he only just got himself killed.

“What’s your name?” You prodded after a moment of silence, if you got him to talk maybe you could find out what he is.

“I don’ have one, and I w-wouldn’t tell you even if I did!” When you noticed you weren’t scared of him he started to cry, seemingly unable to stop himself.

“Oh no! Hey hey, I’m not gonna hurt you. I really want to help,” you didn’t really know what to say. You didn’t get a response either as just after your last word a loud crack of thunder spooked you both. “Listen, I’m really sorry about this but I don’t want to be in the rain anymore and I don’t think you do either. I’m going to take you with me, okay? I’m sorry, buddy.”

You took off your hoodie and threw it over the crate. You heard a loud, long wail come from inside as you lifted it off the ground. It slowly became more sparse and died down before it stopped completely. You broke into a bit of a jog heading to your apartment, trying your best to keep the soaked crate steady. Soon enough you reached your apartment complex and speed walked to the elevator. You pressed the button to your floor and you were both finally in a place of silence. Just barely you think you can hear small sniffles from inside.

You have a bit of trouble jiggling your keys and turning the lock, but you're able to do it by leaning the crate onto your left leg for support. You hurry over to the dining table before setting the box on top of it. Running back to grab some clean towels from your closet the crate seems to stay still. Remembering all the red you saw you also snagged the first aid kit, before bringing your supplies back to the table.

Finally you take off your gray hoodie, revealing the little skeleton in the fetal position, trembling. You both stare at each other again, neither bold enough to say the first word.

“I can help you,” you tried to smile, “I can put you on some clean towels, patch up your wounds and give you some food.” He perked up at that last part but quickly shook his head to leave a scowl on his face.

“I don’ need yer help.” You could hear something rumbling, was it growling? “If ya even so much as try ta touch me I’ll bite ya so damn hard my mouth will be pourin’ red fer an hour.” He managed not to stutter, and his voice didn’t crack or tremble. All you could do in response was nervously nod.

You turned away from him and walked to your cabinet. Scanning over your pathetic excuse for a pantry you settled on some crackers and peanut butter. You placed the crackers on your smallest teacup plate and filled a shot glass with fresh tap water. You made your way back over to the dining table and raised your hands so he could see the goods.

“I won’t touch you if you don’t want me to-” He looked confused at that but you continued, “-but I will try my best to help you in any way I can. Are you hungry?” He stared at you wide eyed, speechless, all he could do was nod.

“Okay, I’m going to put the food in the crate now, I’m not going to touch you.” Even with your warning he still pushes against the corner of the soggy crate away from you, but when he sees you leave the food and water without doing anything else, he drools. You awkwardly watch him crawl over to the food, wincing from what seems to be his right leg. He devours the crackers, licking the plate clean of peanut butter, and guzzles the water given to him. Once he is done, he sheepishly looks up at you, nervous of what you’ll do next.

“Do you, uhm, want to get out of the crate and onto something dry..?” He seems to think about the offer before nodding.

“Jus, please don’ hurt me” You wince at that but nod. You go to grab a dry towel and let it sink into the bottom of the crate, holding both ends of the cloth with your hands. You wait patiently for the skeleton to hop on, and as he inched his way over you could see him trembling. His eyes darted from the towel to you repeatedly, waiting for any signs of you being a threat, and you could see little red tears forming around his eyes.
He was now sitting on the towel, looking at you expectantly.

“I’m going to lift you onto the counter, it won’t be a long trip, okay?” He only closed his eyes as you raised the towel with him safely tucked inside, lifting it over to the table and gently setting it down. You slowly placed the sides of the towel down as well so he was completely free, and sat down in a chair in front of him.

“Alright, so what I can do is patch you up, maybe clean your clothes, give you a bath if you’d like, and send you off with food-” as you were about to say that he needs to leave, you remembered your personal rule. No pets, unless they needed you and only you. “-Or you can take shelter here. I can provide you with those things and more all day, every day, at your personal whim. I will not make you stay, but I will also not make you leave.”
He stays silent, still looking at his surroundings, until his eyes come back to you.

“Why?”

Your eyes widen, “Why?,” you repeated like an idiot, “Well, why not?”

He could only stare at you as if he was looking for something deeper, some form of ill intent or even regret. He couldn’t find anything, which wasn’t good either. The skeleton shook his small head and lifted up his injured leg.

“It’s really not as bad as it looks, I think there’s jus a crack in my femur but with food it will heal itself.” You tried to look but you couldn’t see much with his pants still on. You began to open your first aid kit, pulling out some bandages.

“Do you mind if I get a closer look at it? I think we should bandage the wound, and I have a feeling you’re hiding more injuries. It’s probably time we get you out of those wet clothes.”

“I hafta take off my clothes?” He frowns, closing off his body as if embarrassed.

“Well, you don’t have to, but if you want those wounds to be bandaged then I do need to be able to see them.” He starts shaking, a mix between a growl and crying could be heard as he holds himself.

“Hey hey, maybe I can find another way, alright?” His shaking lessens a bit and he stops growling. You tell him to wait and stand up to go find your sewing kit. As a kid you liked to sew with your mom, and you kept the kit she gave you even after you abandoned your hobbies for your career. It was a cute sewing basket with a pretty black with red roses pattern. You brought it to the table so that the skeleton guy could see what you were planning. Opening up the basket there were pins and needles, a thimble, and some spare fabric pieces. You took out some scraps from an old pair of jeans and a red fleece fabric square, laying them before the critter on the table.

“Okay, so it’s been a long time since I’ve done this but I used to make clothes for my dolls growing up. I think what I’ll do is make you some PJs and a pair of jeans, and maybe another shirt with a thinner fabric. What we need right now though is a hospital gown for you, and maybe some underwear.” He looks wide eyed at the materials.

“Yer gonna do all that fer me?” You smiled gently at him before sitting down and getting to work.

For the next few hours you and your skeleton friend made the little clothes in a calm silence. Music from neighboring apartments kept it from being awkward, and every now and then you’d get him some more snacks and drinks. At some point he asked if you had any mustard, which you poured into the shot glass suspiciously. He had downed the entire thing before asking for more, after 4 shots you gently said no more or he would get sick.

By the time the night had ended you had made him some scrubs, a little pair of underwear, a little tank top, some pajamas, and a shirt to go with the jeans. Finally, you could patch up his wounds.

You turned around while he changed, keeping your hands over your eyes to make him feel more comfortable.

“I-I’m done.” You turned and smiled, you couldn’t help but coo at how adorable he looked. He crossed his little skeleton arms and scowled, though you could see his face turn a bright red.

Finally you got to work, disinfecting and patching up his right femur. He was right about the severity, the blood was only dark but had dried up quickly after the injury occurred. Though, something caught your eye while finishing the wrap. There on his pelvis, what you could see outside of the underwear, were various cracks and scars. Nowhere else on his body looked like that, which made you a little uneasy.

“I was wondering, and you don’t have to answer, but how did you end up in that crate?” You tried to stay busy with your hands and not stare, waiting for an answer.

“I uh, I was thrown out.”

“Did you live with someone?”

“Yeah, my ‘mama’” He rolled his eyes at the name.

“Why did your mom kick you out?”

“She wasn’t my mom, dingus. She was my owner.” You paused at that, deciding to look directly at him.

“What do you mean ‘owner’?” This seemed to piss him off.

“The fucks yer problem, never heard of bitties before?? What are you livin under a rock?” It was your turn to go quiet.

“Pretty much,” you all but muttered, embarrassed that you didn’t know much about the everyday world. “What are they?”

“Yeesh dude, don know how you haven’t noticed but ‘bitties’ are the newest big ‘pet’ of the century. I am a bitty, a rare type too or so I’m told, called an Edgy. We was made in labs before humans started breedin us like fuckin rabbits.” He blinks away what you think are tears before he continues, “The goal is to get one in every home. The new pet that can talk, the doll that can play with your kid, the animal to fight in a ring, or even people who just wanna-” He stops there, realizing how long he talked for.

All you could do was look at him confused, this living, maybe breathing, thinking, speaking creature was supposed to be a pet? What the actual fuck. Trying not to dwell on it for too long, you bring the conversation back a bit.

“So, why did your ‘owner’ kick you out?” He shuffled in his spot, suddenly unable to make eye contact.

“I broke.” He saw your confused expression and hesitantly continued, “I couldn’t do what they wanted from me anymore.”

“What did they want?” He flinched, suddenly tense.

“They wanted me ta make more bitties.”

Chapter Text

“They wanted me ta make more bitties.”

“They wanted you to make..” Realization came over you and your eyes blew wide in shock. “Oh..”

The Bitty’s face turned a dark red and he looked away, ashamed of what he gave away. You could see some red tears peak at his sockets and threaten to fall over, maybe it was time to do something else.

“Well hey, I’m getting pretty beat,” you check your watch and it’s almost 4 am, “How does bedtime sound?” The tiny creature wipes away any proof he was about to cry and nods, frowning.

“Stay here, I’ll go make you a bed,” He jerks his head towards you as you quickly walk away from the kitchen. You make it to your bedroom and grab a clean, fluffy pair of socks with Santa Claus’ face printed on the sides and make your way back into the living room. Going to the couch you lay down on one sock flat and fold the other in half to make a pillow at the end. Satisfied with your “invention” you make your way back to the dining table.

“Alright, I made you a place to sleep on the couch, do you mind if I pick you up and set you down over there?” An awkward silence fell and you both just stared at each other until he finally spoke up.

“You’re not gonna put me back outside?”

Realizing why he was quiet, you try to respond as least awkwardly as possible, “I uh, don’t want to do that.” Wow, that was bad. “I mean, you don’t want to be out there, right?” Spit it out, idiot. “I want you to stay here” Too personal. “I mean, you can stay, if. You. Want..” What the fuck.

The bitty starts laughing, snapping you out of your head. “You’re fuckin weird, but uhm, thanks. I’d like to stay for the night.” He tiredly smiles at you with his toothy grin and you can’t help but smile back.

After that touching moment you finally reach down and slowly offer a hand for him to climb onto. For a moment or two he hesitates but eventually comes to the conclusion that you are not a current threat and scoots on board your palm. Lifting him ever so gently and putting him close to your chest, you carry the tiny bitty over to your couch and set him down next to the sock bed.

“Here we go, you got a little pillow and a little sleeping bag. Just uh, holler if you need anything, I’ll be in my room down the hall. He settled into his little bed and refused to look up at you, only humming in response.

Deciding not to press him further you say a quick goodnight and head back to your bedroom, flopping onto your bed face first. You were so tired you didn’t even bother taking off your dirty clothes and shower.

What the hell have you done? You haven’t shared an apartment with another living creature for years, why did you suddenly decide to change that? Did you really become so weak minded after losing your job that you gave into conversing with someone? Not only did you involve yourself into a situation that you had no business partaking in, but now that situation was in your apartment. Since when were you so impulsive? You haven’t had a single friend for almost a decade and now you’re living with a weird, tiny skeleton man?

Even as your thoughts plagued your mind with doubts you were no match against the sleep that soon followed, pushing your worries into a rare, pleasant dream about your old family. You dreamt of your mom, and what she would think if she saw you as you are now. Did she ever miss you? And did you ever miss her?

___________________

Your eyes shot open at a loud, high pitched scream. As if in autopilot you jumped up, grabbed your baseball bat by your bed and kicked open the door running out.

“Who’s there?!?! Hands up, you’re under arrest by the F.W.D Foundation for trespassing..” Slowly, you snapped out of your work mode and actually looked around the living room. There on your couch was the bitty from last night, curled up and visibly shaking, clutching onto the sock meant to be used as a pillow.

Realising that you didn’t help the situation at all you dropped your bat and ran to his side, kneeling next to the couch. He didn’t look at you, just continued clutching onto the sock, mumbling things you couldn’t make out.

“Hey! Hey, I’m so sorry, I didn’t know what I was doing, are you okay? Did I scare you?” He didn’t respond and just kept mumbling to the sock, though now that you were awake and quiet you could hear some of what he was saying.

I’m sorry. Forgive me. I tried, I tried so hard. Don’t touch him. He’s mine. Please, I’m sorry. Stop it stop it stop it stop it stop it stop it PLEASE!

The little skeleton’s head flew up with a loud gasp, his eyes connecting directly with yours, and instantly he started screaming.

“AHHHHHHH”

“WOAH, hey man! It’s okay, it’s okay I promise, I’m not going to hurt you!”

“AHHH cough Hhh- choke Oh my god..” After choking on his own breath, and noticing that you didn’t immediately go to hurt him, the bitty simply started to cry.

“Awwwhahhww I-I’m sorryyyyyyy, ahhahh,” he was crying in earnest now, quieter but more conscious.

“Hey man it’s okay, it’s alright, shhh” unsure of what to do you reached over and scratched his little back. He flinched at first, but after you persist with the gentle gesture he lays against your hand and cries into your skin. “It was just a nightmare little dude, it’s okay.”

You both sit there for a minute or two, waiting for him to settle down and focus on the present. Your hand is now sopping wet with his little red bitty tears but you were more worried about what the hell he dreamed about. Eventually, his sobs turned into hiccups, and his hiccups turned into sniffles, until he finally released your hand and hugged himself tightly.

“Are you alright?” Oh wow look at that, genius, of course he’s not alright what the fuck kind of a question is that right now? Say something better. “Do you wanna talk about it..?” You are actually an idiot.

He looks up at you and blushes, slowly comprehending what just happened. “I’m fine. Sorry fer cryin’. Can you let me outside now? I need to find shelter and food before night time and I want to get a head start.”

“Oh, dude, you don’t need to go back outside. I can give you food here, are you hungry?”

You can see him frown at the ground but eventually he nods his head.

“Can I watch you make it?”

That kind of caught you a little off guard, but you hummed in approval, lowering both hands in front of him and waiting for him to climb on.

“I know it’s like noon, but how do you feel about pancakes? I got some of the stuff from the box left from last week and I could go for something with syrup on it.” The bitty said nothing as he crawled into your hands and clutched onto your dirty shirt with his little skeleton fingers.

Once you reach the kitchen you set down your new friend next to the sink, grabbing all of the clean dishes that you would need to use. The skeleton silently watched as you explained everything that you were doing and how each tool worked or the reason you flicked sugar over your shoulder. Through it all though, he stayed silent, watching you with his cute, little, hungry expression. Once you had flipped the last pancake you could’ve sworn you saw some drool dripping down his chin.

For the special occasion, and to make him feel better, you cut up some bananas to put on top of the pancakes. You got 4 pieces and he got one big piece, all to himself.

“Bone appetit! Hahaha” you laughed at your own joke and got a chuckle out of the little guy. You started to dig in before you noticed him crying again.

“Uhm, sorry, did you want more than one piece?” Realizing that you saw him crying he shook his head, wiping away the tears on his sleeve.

“No, that’s not it. I just.. I’ve never had anything like this before.” He teared up again, while frowning. “I just don't know what to do.”

“You could say thank you and start eating it?” Despite how that sentence would sound on paper, you expressed the sentiment as sweetly as possible, smiling.

“That’s just it, I don’t wanna eat it!” Wow, you really are a shitty cook, aren’t you? “Why should I get to eat this after all this time, after so many years of not knowing what ‘pancakes’ are, why do I get to eat it now? Why not then? Why me and not them?” He choked on the last word, a few more tears falling. “And now that I’m free, now that it’s here, right here, for me, it doesn’t feel right. Like this is some kind of sick fucking joke.”

Unsure of what to say, you spit out the first thing that comes to your mind, “them?”

“Them.. Yeah, my fucking children! All of them! Every last fucking one. Why am I here and not one of them? Why do I get to see the light of day when they.. Auhhh” he was crying again, harder. “Noooo..”

“Oh shit, dude, uhm,” you reached out and rubbed his back again, unsure of what to do.

“Why am I crying..? Why am I crying and whining like a little bitch cherry bones..? I don’t deserve to be sad after hearing them cry for me..”

You continued to rub his back in sympathy, recognizing that it’s all you could really do for him. Soon enough the two of you ate the pancakes in silence, with you thinking of a correct way to go about helping this guy.

Suddenly the cracks in his pelvis made more sense, and his nightmare fit now had more context. This bitty was being horrifically bred over and over again, getting pregnant, giving birth, and having his babies taken away forever. A part of you wants to ask more, but you couldn’t stand to see him cry again. Though once you got the chance, you were going to press further about his past. Maybe you could use your skills from your old job to help track down the culprit, and put an end to this suffering.

For now, though, this bitty was covered in syrup and crumbs. Time for a warm bath.