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Patrick had instructed the creature to sleep that night, and thankfully, they knew how to do that. Patrick had a small nook in his lab, meant for just sitting and reading, but the scientist believed that it would make a nice bed. He stacked it with blankets and pillows, making sure the creature would stay warm and cozy.
They flapped their hands in delight as they saw the bed made just for them. He immediately crawled into the bed, beaming widely as they nuzzled into the pillow.
“You like it?” Patrick asked, putting his hands in his pockets and tilting his head at the sight.
A delighted hum and a nod came from the creature.
“Perfect, I’ll be right here in the lab in case you need anything, okay?” Patrick moved to tuck the creature in tighter with the blankets, “I’ll be right at my desk.” Patrick assured him.
Patrick sat at his desk, lit by the small table lamp that illuminated the rest of the room. He glanced up the corner of the room, seeing the creature’s eyes already closed, seemingly already asleep. Patrick couldn’t help but smile at the sight, admiring his work. They were so human. So alive. So… real. He couldn’t believe it. Part of him felt he was dreaming.
He looked down at the papers in front of him, seeing all the equations, diagrams, and drawings he had prepared to create the creature. He paused to stare at the diagram he made of the creature, pausing to look down at the lower torso. His gaze lingered there, staring at the difference between what he drew and what he knew was actually there. In hindsight, maybe this was good. Maybe his creature could possibly reproduce the creature, but he didn’t linger on that thought. Would the creature mind or care that their parts were different from the rest of his body? Maybe he could change it at some point…
He went back to looking and organizing his notes and looking over the notes he had taken while examining the creature.
Patrick had eventually dozed off, picking up his head slowly off his desk and peeling a piece of paper off his cheek. He rubbed at his eyes and noticed a blanket had been draped over his body. He glanced down at the side of his desk, noticing a lump of something on the floor. He pulled his glasses on and realized it was the creature, curled in a ball beside the desk, wrapped in a blanket.
Patrick smiled to himself, admiring the peaceful sight. The sun shined through the windows, birds chirped outside, and morning dewdrops stuck to the windows. It was a beautiful morning,
Patrick stood up from his desk and stretched, quietly stepping around the creature and crouching down. He gently rubbed his shoulder to wake him up.
The creature’s eyes opened slowly. Their heterochromatic eyes glimmer in the morning light.
“Hey, did you sleep well?”
The creature rubbed the sleep out of their eyes and yawned, sitting up a little.
“Still a little sleepy?” Patrick chuckled, “That’s alright, you can stay here for a while, I’ll get you something to eat,” Patrick patted their shoulder and stood, making his way out of the lab and to the kitchen.
The creature was left alone for the first time, looking around the lab curiously. He stood up, wobbling a bit from his new and sleepy legs. They approached the bookcase, stacked with various books on anatomy, physiology, biology, chemistry, etc. His fingers ran over the binding, feeling the sensation of the leather on his fingers. There were lots of books; he moved to pull one out before hearing a small chirping sound.
Their head turned toward the direction of the sound. Outside the window sat a small tree, a young baby tree. There sat a small robin’s nest, a mother bird bringing her babies a worm to eat. The babies popped out of the nest, mouths agape and hungry. The creature smiled at the sight as the babies gobbled up the worms the mother bird brought them. He flapped his hands happily, sitting down in a chair by the window and just watching the birds.
The creature didn’t even hear Patrick come in with their breakfast, just watching the mom bird leave for a bit and return with more food for the nestlings, sometimes coming back with sticks or fur from rabbits to add to their nest to keep her babies warm.
Patrick smiled at the sight, carefully stepping inside the lab to set the breakfast on the wooden desk, moving aside his papers. The noise of the porcelain plate clicking against the wood got the creature’s attention despite the noise not being all that loud.
“Hey, I made you something to eat.” the scientist hummed, “Gotta make sure you stay big and strong.” he smiled.
The creature scooched their chair over to the desk and examined the food. Scrambled eggs, bacon, and apple slices sat on the plate, a fork on the side, and a cup of apple juice as well.
The creature tilted their head before picking up some of the eggs with their hand. Patrick chuckled and picked up the fork. He gently stabbed the eggs with the fork and offered it to the creature. They sniffed the food before eating it, a happy hum coming from their mouth as they chewed. He carefully tried each food, enjoying each one. They ate a big sloppily and quickly, which Patrick laughed and encouraged them to slow down.
He was glad the creature was adjusting and perfecting their fine motor skills, they’d be fully human in no time.
As he cleared his plate, Patrick picked it up and moved to take it back into the kitchen. This was when they noticed the folder labeled The Creature sitting on the scientist's desk. The creature picked up the manila folder and opened it slowly, making sure none of the papers flew out.
Inside laid lots of equations and notes the creature didn’t quite understand. Next was a drawing of what seemed to be them. The creature smiled a bit; it looked just like them.
But then they realized.
Were they the creature? The word didn’t really fit them. But then again. What word did?
He quickly stood up, moving to the bookcase again, trying to find a word that maybe fit them instead. A name. Patrick was called Patrick, maybe they could have a name like that. They looked at all the covers of the books, eyes tracing over each name.
That's when Patrick walked back into the room; he was holding a few picture books and flashcards for children.
The creature quickly looked up at Patrick, their eyes wide as he entered.
“Whatcha looking at? Interested in some of my books?” he asked, approaching him. The creature looked at the books that Patrick was holding, interested.
“These are some books about sign language; I realized I had them in storage. Can’t remember why I bought them, but this will help you communicate with me without speaking. We’re gonna learn together.” Patrick assured him. He sat down on the floor beside him and encouraged him to sit across from him.
“Are you okay with that?” he asked, cracking open the ASL book.
Patrick set the book so they could both see it. They started with the alphabet, copying the signs for each letter together. Patrick helped them make the signs with their hands as they struggled to copy with certain sewn-on fingers. They started slow, then picked up speed with the tune of the alphabet song.
Then they moved on to words like me, I, you, us, please, thank you, hello, goodbye, help, what, why, who, etc. Simple words that would make it easier to communicate with Patrick.
“You’re doing great, can you do the sign for thank you again?” Patrick asked.
The creature happily obliged, taking their hand from their mouth and moving it down for the thank you sign.
“Great, you’re doing great! Do you wanna learn some fun words?” Patrick asked.
The creature let out a small hum and nodded, Patrick chuckled and flipped through the book. His creation loved all the pictures in the book. He stopped Patrick at a certain page. He pointed at the picture of the bird and pointed to the window, letting out an excited sound.
“Oh, you saw some birds outside?” Patrick paused to look at the book and made the sign for the bird. “Bird?”
The creature nodded happily, they flipped through the book again, remembering a certain sign.”
“ Baby birds. Mom bird in a tree.” The creature signed.
Patrick grinned, proud at the creature’s fast learning.
“Baby birds and a momma bird? In the tree outside?” Patrick asked, moving a little closer. He glanced out the window, and sure enough, he saw a nest where a momma bird sat inside, keeping her babies warm. “You did a great signing!” Patrick rubbed their shoulders. The creature let out a little squeal, excited that Patrick was so proud of them.
“ Happy,” They signed.
Patrick smiled, “I’m happy too!” he spoke and signed back. “You’re a very intelligent creature,”
The creature made a bit of a disgusted face, tilting his head with confusion.
Patrick repeated, “Creature. That’s what you’re called. Not quite human, like me, but you’re still alive.”
The creature nodded, looking down a little bit at their hands, then back at Patrick. They did look quite different. Patrick didn’t have deep, dark stitches all over his body or bolts in his neck. They weren’t human, that was the truth. But it did suck that they were different.
Patrick frowned at their small pout. He paused before signing, “Are you sad?”
The creature nodded before signing, “ Yes. Sad.”
“Why are you sad, dear? Was it what I called you? A creature?”
Another small nod as they avoided his gaze.
“Do you not like that name? We can find something else to call you. A creation or a-”
The creature suddenly stood up and made their way back to the bookcase, scanning for something.
“What are you looking for?” Patrick started but wasn’t able to finish. The creature dropped the book on the ground and sat down cross-legged again. They pointed to the author’s name (Y/N) Anderson.
“(Y/N)?” Patrick asked, a bit confused.
Then, the biggest grin on the creature’s face broke out. Biggest Patrick had seen yet. It truly warmed his heart.
“Is that your name? (Y/N)?” he asked again, with a small smile this time.
A happy nod and hum came from (Y/N) as Patrick said his name, extremely excited that he said his name.
“Alright (Y/N), that’s your name then. (Y/,),” he repeated it once more. (Y/N) stimmed happily, flapping their hands as Patrick laughed softly.
“Okay (Y/N), do you want to practice some more?”
(Y/N) signed yes.
They spent hours practicing words, whatever word would be useful or a word (Y/N) wanted to learn.
Eventually, it was time for both of them to get ready for bed; the sun had set, and the sky had become dark. Patrick glanced behind (Y/N) and noticed the darkness outside.
“I think we should be done for today,” Patrick yawned, covering his mouth with his hand, “I’m getting tired, are you?” he asked.
(Y/N) nodded, blinking the sleep away.
“Alright, let’s get you ready. First, we should probably bathe you. Clean you up.” Patrick carefully stood, letting out a small groan as his knees popped and his back arched.
His creation tilted his head before following suit. (Y/N) followed Patrick out of the lab for the first time, looking around the hallway as they quickly passed by various rooms and pictures on the walls. Eventually, they made their way to the small bathroom, a bathtub, toilet, and sink there. Patrick leaned down to the bathtub and turned the knob, the water eventually rushing out into the tub. He tested the water (Y/N), hovering over them and watching his motions.
“Alright, you gotta undress, alright? So we can get you clean, okay?” Patrick stood up again and looked at (Y/N).
They nodded and began to take off their tie and unbutton their shirt. Patrick made sure not to stare or anything, to not make him uncomfortable. They didn’t seem uncomfortable around Patrick, though, pulling off their pants and undergarments with ease. They made their way to the tub and put a finger in, testing the water temperature. They pulled their finger back quickly before putting it back in.
“Too hot or too cold?” Patrick asked.
They shook their heads before placing a foot in. They sunk into the tub and hummed in pleasure. The feeling was warm and cozy.
“Feels nice?”
(Y/N) signed yes as they sank into the tub. A smile on their face as they closed their eyes, relaxing at the feeling.
Patrick left the room to let (Y/N) adjust to the water and retrieve towels and a washcloth for them. Once he returned, he set them on the sink and kneeled by the tub. He dipped the bar of soap in the water, showing (Y/N) how to get the suds to clean themselves up.
(Y/N) took the soap bar, only for it to slip out of their hands immediately and into the tub. Patrick chuckled, and they did, too, as they fished it out of the bath. They carefully rubbed the soap over their stitches and greenish skin, making sure they didn’t undo any of the black stitching.
Patrick stood up, using the edge of the tub as support. He grabbed the shampoo from the sink alongside a large measuring cup. He filled the cup with water and carefully poured it over (Y/N)’s head. (Y/N) squeals in surprise, Patrick chuckling at the sight. He then moves to gently rub at the creature’s scalp, working the shampoo in. (Y/N) hums in delight as the scientist scratches at his head, cleaning him thoroughly.
As Patrick finished cleaning (Y/N), he began to drain the tub, helping the creature out. Patrick wraps up his creations with a fluffy grey towel, rubbing at their hair to dry them off. (Y/N) giggled at the action as Patrick removed the towel, a smile present on his face, his cheeks a little pink.
Patrick helped wrap the towel around the creature and helped him out of the bathroom. They walked back to the lab, (Y/N) glancing around the house and pictures on the walls walking back.
Once they got back to the lab, Patrick remembered he left the clothes for (Y/N) in his room.
“Ah, I forgot your pajamas, I’ll be right back, okay?” Patrick said, quickly walking out of the room.
(Y/N) shuffled around the room, making their way to their bed to sit, that's when their towel fell to the floor. They squeak at the cold air and bend down to pick up. In the corner of their eye, they see movement. They quickly stand up, only to realize it’s simply their reflection in the mirror. They smile and approach the mirror, only to see something they never really looked closely at before: their lower torso. They tilted their head at the sight, glancing down at the mirror. They noticed the dark, curly hair on their body, covering up their vulva and clitoris. They look down at their body without the mirror and frown. Something in their gut made them feel gross at the sight. It didn’t look correct. Something in their body just made it feel wrong.
They remember the diagram Patrick had drawn of him. Despite the large windows near the desk, they moved toward the desk and opened up the file. Inside, they pulled out the drawing and examined it, noticing the difference. Especially “down there”. There was something else there, something supposed to be there. Why wasn’t it there?
They looked down at their body again and felt their throat tighten. He tried swallowing to pass the feeling, but it stuck there, feeling like a rock covered in sticky bubble gum. Tears welled in his eyes. He rubbed them away, but they just returned. (Y/N) didn’t like this feeling. This feeling was new to the creature born only yesterday. The feeling of being… wrong.
They moved back to the mirror and looked back at the stitches on their abdomen. They became so upset at their appearance that they began to pick and pull at their stitches, trying to separate themselves from the ugly part they hated about themselves.
“Hey! (Y/N)! No, no, don’t do that!” Patrick called out, quickly approaching (Y/N), dropping the pajamas in the process.
(Y/N) quickly covered themselves, hiding their genitalia from Patrick's view.
“Hey hey, it’s okay, it’s nothing I haven’t seen before-” Patrick started, trying to pull his hands away only for the creature to whine and pull away, shaking their head.
Patrick frowned, his heart aching as he noticed the tears falling down (Y/N)’s cheeks.
“(Y/N)...” he whispered, “It’s okay, c’mon, let's fix your stitches.” Patrick helped usher the creature to the metal medical table and laid him down. (Y/N) looks away from Patrick, avoiding his gaze. It broke Patrick’s heart to see the once-happy creature be so full of sorrow.
He fixes the stitches rather quickly and then dresses (Y/N).
Without saying much, (Y/N) makes his way to his bed and lays down, not even giving Patrick a goodnight.
Patrick understood his need for space, so he did. He made sure the lights were off, and the blinds were now closed. (Y/N) sniffled, which made Patrick pause. He approached the bed and tucked (Y/N) back in.
“I’m not mad at you (Y/N), I promise. We’ll talk in the morning,” he rubbed his shoulder and sighed, moving back to leave and shut the door to the lab.
The next morning, (Y/N) had awoken and was once again watching the birds outside, the mother bird still sleeping peacefully. (Y/N) leaned against their palm, keeping themselves calm with the simple sight.
Patrick entered the room quietly, looking at the scene with a smile.
“(Y/N)?” he called out calmly. The creature turned around to see Patrick. They offered a small smile, not the typical beaming one Patrick was used to. Yes, he was glad he was smiling, but he wished something hadn’t changed.
He sat on a chair beside (Y/N), he looked upon the creature, gaze soft and caring.
“What’s bothering you, dear? You know you can tell me anything, right? I mean, I built you. I’ll understand.”
(Y/N) seemed troubled by the question, looking down at their hands with a soft sigh.
They picked up their hands, ready to sign before pausing. They stood and grabbed the file based on them. They opened it up and pointed at the diagram of them.
“Yes, that’s you,” Patrick affirmed softly.
They shook their heads and pointed down at their lower half, pointing specifically at their penis. Their penis that wasn’t there. That was supposed to be there.
Patrick’s heart sank. He swallowed thickly, and he didn’t respond.
(Y/N) picked up their hands and signed, “ Why?”
Patrick knew what he was asking. So he answered. “It was what had to be done,” he explained. “The parts I was supposed to use got ruined. I couldn’t use them. I had to use uh female parts. That’s all that was available to use at the time.” Patrick explained, his blue eyes locking with the mismatched ones of (Y/N)’s. “I didn’t know that it would upset you so.”
Patrick felt extremely guilty; he didn’t think how this could’ve been confusing for the creature.
(Y/N) understood but gave a disappointed hum. Looking away from Patrick in defeat.
“Does it make you sad (Y/N)?” he asked, using sign language to sign sadly.
(Y/N) signed yes. They paused, hands in the air. They were unsure how to sign the word properly, so they fingerspelled.
“ U-G-L-Y”
Patrick could feel his heart shatter.
“Listen, (Y/N), you are not ugly.” the man assured them, “You are absolutely beautiful. The most beautiful creature in the world. You understand?” Patrick paused, “I didn’t… I didn’t make you ugly (Y/N). I was trying to build something beautiful. I didn’t realize that this mistake would hurt you so much. I was just doing the best I could.” his voice cracked a little, feeling guilt for the way (Y/N) felt about his body. If he hadn’t been so impatient, maybe his creature wouldn’t be so upset.
Patrick had never hugged (Y/N) before. But now he knew it was necessary. He pulled the creature in close, feeling their coolish clammy skin, and hugged them tight. The creature didn’t know how to respond. He had never felt this before, never felt affection, never felt love. But carefully, the creature wrapped its arms around Patrick, too. Their hearts felt full and happy. (Y/N) felt a feeling they had never felt before. One that rose in their stomach and made their heart race. A feeling of warmth, compassion, and happiness.
Love.