Archive of Our Own ^beta

It was a boring day at the Sierpiński facility, an Eule named Juni was in her dorm listening to music and doodling herself with her loved bored out of her mind. As she was doodling, humming a tune, the door to the dorm suddenly opened. She looked at the tall figure standing in the doorway.. it was a starling unit called Stryker, which could be easily recognised due to a scar on her cheek.

“Juni?” Stryker asked as she looked her up and down.

“Stryker!” the eule enthusiastically answered. She turned the volume of the record player down, walked over to her, and embraced her.

“Looks like you missed me huh? Where are the other eules?” Stryker asked looking around.

“On shift,” Juni answered as she looked back at the doodle lying on the desk. She unwrapped her arms from the starling unit and walked over to the desk to grab the doodle.

“Whatcha have there hm?” Stryker asked her with a raised eyebrow.

“A doodle of me and you holding hands! It’s so cute isn’t it?” She said as she walked back over to her and handed her the doodle showing it to her.

“Huh, it indeed is cute. Mind if I keep it? It looks adorable.”Stryker asked.

“Yeah of course you can keep it! I intended to give it to you anyway.”
The eule said with a smile as she went back to embracing her.

The starling stood there with a thoughtful expression as she remembered—

“You made me forget what I actually came here for. I’ve wanted to ask, if you wanted to go stargazing with me ?”

“I’m already gazing at a star,” Eule answered with a smirk.

“Yeah, yeah. I get it you cheeky owl. But in all seriousness, do you want to go or not?” Stryker asked hoping for a serious answer this time.

“Hmm.. yeah sure! I have nothing to do anyway and I’m off shift sooo.. but I would go anyways no matter what!” Juni answered seriously this time.

Then out of the sudden, Stryker just picks up Juni into her arms, bridal style.

“Hey!— I can walk myself you know! And least give me a warning first..” she said a tad bit startled.

“I know, I know. Can’t I carry my favourite eule unit?” Stryker answered her with a smirk.

Juni just sighed in defeat and let Stryker carry her. Stryker then made her way over to the staff elevator carefully walking so as not to accidentally drop the eule unit in her arms. After a few minutes of walking, they arrived at the staff elevator. Stryker pressed the button and waited for the elevator to arrive and then— ding! The doors opened and an unidentified different starling unit was to be seen in the elevator just standing there minding her business. She then noticed the two and immediately raised her eyebrow.

“Stryker. Why are you carrying that eule unit?” The starling asked.

“Uhhhm..” Stryker was in a silent panic for a second. She didn’t want to be caught in a relationship with another replika. This facility was NOT fond of relationships. So she came up with a quick lie… “She’s injured and can’t walk. I’m taking her to the medical wing.”

“Uh, huh.. is that right? Eule?” The starling asked glaring at Juni with a suspicious look.

Juni sensing the situation put on a fake pained expression and dramatically said “Mhm!~ Oh the pain is unbearable! Owie!”

Stryker just gave Juni a panicked look as if to tell her that it was obvious she was faking it, but thankfully the starling unit somehow believed her and went back to minding her own business.

The 3 of them just stood in the elevator, with deafening silence. An empty occasional cough would break it but overall it was as silent as the night.

After a few moments, the elevator stopped at the medical wing floor but Stryker didn’t budge. The starling then looked at Stryker confused and asked.

“Weren’t you supposed to take this eule to the medical wing?”

“Mind your business.”

Stryker said as the door closed and they were all alone in the elevator.

“Stryker! That was a close call! Did you REALLY have to carry me?” Juni said irritated.

“Uhm. My bad?” Stryker simply answered.

“My bad? That’s your answer? Sigh, you’re lucky I’ll forgive you this one time.” Juni said still a little irritated.

“You say that every— hey!” Before she could finish Juni playfully punched her shoulder.

After a few moments, the two of them arrived outside the facility walking out into the cold night and Stryker put Juni down to not risk getting caught carrying her again. Juni grasped strykers hand and searched for a secluded spot with her. A few minutes later they find a good secluded spot. They lay down with their hands still interlocked.

“I’ve never done this before.. Stars are absolutely beautiful..” Juni said looking up at the stars in adoration.

“I know. We are.” Star joked and Juni then again punched her shoulder lightly.

“Shhh.. shut up just enjoy this moment..” Juni said.

The two of them lay there in the snow in complete silence. Fingers interlocked. Stryker's thumb gently glided against the back of Juni’s hand as she then pulled her into a gentle embrace.

“You know that I love you a lot right? I would give you the whole world. And I wish I could express my love to you a lot more often but.. you know.. this fuckass facility.” Stryker said with a hint of sadness in her tone.

“It’s okay Stryker.. I totally understand that and I just wish I could have more moments like these with you.. I cherish them as much as I can..” Juni answered as she leaned in and placed a gentle peck on Stryker's lips.

“Thank you for everything.”