September Patreon Story [#1 of 2] [Pretty late whoops]

Hey y'all,

Another month, another tie! So, here's the first of the two winners!

September took a bit out of me if I'm being totally honest, so I'm a bit behind on everything (surprise surprise). I should be posting the second September story in the next day or two, then announcing October's (spooky) theme the day after. Then I should be able to get myself back on track.

Thank you for your patience! Hope you enjoy!

~Benn 'Doomgender' Ends

Theme: The Sequel Treatment

Sequel to: https://www.patreon.com/posts/may-2019-bonus-27265005 

Original suggestion by: SixArmedSweater (Thanks again!)

Nominated for sequel by: Cephala (Thank you as well!)

~1014 words

• Aftermath of a human to robot transformation
• Short discussion with a spaceport customs agent
• Mostly just soft
• Mention of parents
• References to dysphoria type feelings

~~~

“So I’m not an alien per say. I’m still from Earth. See? Passport.”

You smile and slide the document across her desk. The customs lady look down at the picture, then up at you. You’re still recognizably you from the picture. Mostly. If you know what you’re looking for.

“This doesn’t look anything like you.”

“Well, it does kinda. I’m just a little different now.”

Her expression is fairly confused.

“Alright. Let me get this straight. You’re from Earth.”

“Yes.”

“This is your passport.”

“Absolutely.”

“You were human.”

“Yup!”

“Now you’re an alien robot.”

“Well, no, not an alien.”

She closes her eyes for a long moment.

“You’re a different species now though.”

“I- hmm. Does being synthetic count as a species?”

“Okay. Just. Do you have paperwork from your ship’s doctor?”

“Oh yes right here.”

She looks relieved as you pass the report over. A few moments of reading and pulling up files on RET’s (and, uh, you guess your) species. 

“Perfect. Didn’t want to keep you filing paperwork any longer than I had to.”

She stamps your entry pass.

“There you go, enjoy your shore leave.”

“Thank you! Have a lovely day!”

RET is waiting for you outside the port.

“PIX! This unit missed you.”

It’s voice is a clicky hum that makes the fiery blue of your core dance. You stylize your name in all uppercase now, to match RET. Also because it’s funny to mess with humans when they ask what it stands for.

It wraps all four of it’s arms around you, it’s red core warm against yours. You head to the transit station holding hands.

You find it fascinating, how you ended up looking. Similar in many ways to RET, your body made of the same shapes, core in the same place, both with human-like mouths and and thin limbs. You’re more humanoid still, with two lens-eyes instead of the traditional one. Two legs, two arms. You do have a sort of prehensile tail slash third arm extending from your back, flexible with a sort of articulated grasping claw instead of fingers. RET’s not sure where that came from, but you find it very useful.

“So, RET. What do you want to do first?”

“This unit is not sure. It has never been to Earth and thus lacks much context with regards to available activities.”

It’s legs clack lightly against the pavement. So do yours.

“I just want to make sure you’re enjoying yourself.”

RET squeezes your hand.

“This unit always enjoys itself while it is with you.”

Your core glows and flairs.

“You’re so sappy..”

“This unit is only giving it’s honest opinion.”

You can’t stop grinning.

~~~

The two of you end up sitting on a bench, overlooking the beach as the sun begins to set. RET looks up at the sky with an expression of awe. You used to have a hard time telling it’s expressions apart, but you’ve come to love the subtlety.

“This unit’s planet lacked such colorful sunsets. Earth is very.. Pretty.”

“I’m sure your home is beautiful too.”

“Oh yes, extremely. Just in different ways.”

“Would you like to show it to me someday?”

RET rests it’s head on your shoulder, still gazing up at the sky.

“This unit would love you. Oh. Love to. Show you.”

“I love you too RET.”

You pull it close, it’s arms tangled in yours. You hold each other quietly, until the sun peeks out of sight over the ridge.

“What would you like to do now PIX?”

“Mmm. Let me show you Earth food. I’m glad we both can like, eat and taste.”

“This unit thought you didn’t like eating?”

“Oh I hated it. But now I don’t need to, so it’s a fun treat.”

It’s core shimmers, amused.

“Humans are very strange.”

“Hey, I’m not even human anymore.”

“Still strange.”

You extricate yourself from RET’s arms.

“Can’t argue with that I suppose.”

The two of you leave together, as close as you can be.

The air is cool against your warm, soft metal skin. The last time you were home, everything hurt. You couldn’t stand it. You left, and were happy to go. You never wanted to come back.

It doesn’t hurt like it used to.

You’ve moved past a lot of the pain. Not everything is fixed, obviously. But, having a body that feels good to exist in does a lot for your outlook. And an adoring partner doesn’t hurt either.

“Oh. You asked this unit to remind you that you have to talk to your family.”

“Yikes. You’re right.”

“Talk to them about what?”

“Well.”

You gesture at your shiny new body, then to RET.

“PIX, you haven’t mentioned any of this to them?”

“W-well, it’s gonna be a long story and I figured I better tell them in person.”

RET hums thoughtfully.

“Will they react badly?”

“No, they’ll just ask a lot of questions and it’ll be a bit overwhelming.”

“Would you like this unit to come with you for the purpose of support?”

“Oh please yes I need all the help I can get.”

~~~

The change, after so long of yearning for something you don’t understand, can’t put to words, is easy. It happens so fast, and possibility stretches ahead. You feel light.

The second part is more complicated. After the change, finding a way to settle back into life. Finding a new normal. Explaining yourself. It’s a lot of work, and it can be draining.

But wow. It’s a lot better than just, waiting forever. Hoping to get used to the status quo.

And you’re lucky to have RET to lean on. People to lean on.

It’ll get easier again.

You just have to keep moving.

Sleep isn’t something you have to do anymore, but like eating, you’ve come to appreciate it more. You even taught RET how to. There’s just nothing like it. Drifting off in your partner’s arms, your cores each settling into a dim glow that dances across the ceiling in the dark of your apartment.

You close the lenses of your eyes.