It had been a long seven days since Argos had gone missing, and a long seven days of Mr Plant turning the entire void upside down to find him.
Argos and The Scouts had gone to sell cookies door to door and never returned, no one had a clue where they could have gone and no one knew how far they had gotten when they disappeared, for all Mr Plant knew, they could have been voids away.
The plant monster had never been more terrified in his life, he hadn't slept the entire week, often finding himself waking up at randomized periods of the day, unsure when exactly he'd passed out in the first place. His hands were covered in scratches and bruises, only recently being covered by loose bandages after a particularly squeamish human he'd been prodding for information nearly fainted from the sight of his open wounds. It was rare that he'd end up making himself bleed from his stress induced habit of scratching and wringing his hands, but over this past week, it had become a repetitive ritual. The mind had a way of wondering, and Mr Plant could do nothing to stop his worry, to stop the fear of where his boyfriend was, what happened to him. If he's still...
All he could do to keep himself preoccupied and sane was to continue his search, going from void to void, asking around, begging the VPD for any updates, and marking off dead ends.
Mr Plant returned to his void for a brief moment to mark off the voids he was able to investigate, his deteriorating health becoming more and more obvious as the days continued on. His petals had begun drying, threatening to wilt off his head from lack of water, his vines began to feel hard and dense in places, it had even become apparent in the way he walked, dizziness and fatigue fogging his gross motor skills. But it didn't matter, his body would have to wait, he'd power on through pure will and focus. Even if he had to tear apart the entirety of the void and the abyss, he'd find Argos. And kill him for causing him so much worry.
Walking over to his designated check off wall, he decided to briefly review the voids he'd already investigated, glossing over the numbers across the wall. Void 12, void 256, void 1734, 46, 890... The more he read over, the more his eyes struggled to stay adjusted to the written numbers, a dizzying headache he just couldn't get to go away made his vision blurred and confused. Drawing closer to the wall, he pressed his hand against it, not just to stabilize himself, but to get a better look at his writing to properly identify what he was seeing.
As he stared, he realized it wasn't his vision betraying him at all, Ineligible scribbles followed the previously written voids, growing worse and worse as they began scrawling together. How had not realized he'd been doing that? How long had it been since he'd truly even looked over this wall?
His eyes stared unblinking, turning their attention to his hands, black bloody splotches just barely contained within the lazily applied coverings, his fingers dried and worn, his useless appendages mocking his determination. Any emotions drew a blank, the implications of losing all that progress delaying the inevitable wear down on the already mentally drained plant's psyche, he'd already drawn every tear and let out his anger on nearly everything he owned, he had very little left to give.
Obtrusively loud ringing erupted from his telephone, aggressively ceasing his spiral. His head snapped sharply to it, debating whether or not answering was worth it, it often felt like a gamble answering his phone, it was a 50/50 shot of hearing something helpful, or something to cause unending annoyance. As the phone continued to toll, he begrudgingly made his way over to the receiver, his dazed state made the world feel too fast for his mind to keep up with. Snatching it and placing it beside his petals, his hand tight around the handle of the phone, ready to slam it back down if he heard anything that didn't require his patience.
On the other end, a man began to speak, "Hello? Is this a.. er.. Mr Plant?",
The man's voice on the other end had a notably attested tone to it, despite them clearly trying to put on a more friendly demeanor. The type of voice that you'd hear from one in an authoritative position, the type of voice Mr Plant had been forced to listen to over and over again the past week, telling him there was nothing new, nothing more that they could do, nothing that he could do. He couldn't help but pipe up a bit, a small sparkle of hope forcing him straight.
"This is Officer Phemus speaking from the Void Police Department. Listen, I know it's late, but I wanted to ask if you happen to know a man..", he paused for a moment, the sound of shifting accompanied by the squeak of a chair, the noise amplified by the brief silence on the other end.
"I want to say in his early to mid 20s? With medium black hair and lots'a eyes, about 5 foot 6?", Mr Plant's heart felt like it might leap from his chest, his eyes widening in anticipation. Could it be? "We currently have a individual that matches that description in our custody down in void 33. Now, we ain't got any record of this guy in our system, and eh.. we don't even have a name right now, but I recognized y'all from a bit ago on the road, and you're about all we have to go off right now," a dry chuckle exited from the officer, almost unprompted, as if he'd gone off some kind of script. Fortunately, there wasn't anyone on the other end to hear.
The phone dangled from Mr Plant's counter, the house now empty and quiet, only the sound of a car squalling to speed off in a hast.
"...Eh, anyway. If you could come in at your earliest convenience, it would be appreciated, thanks.", The void officer gently set down the phone, being careful not to disturb the man in front of him, bundled and covered in blankets, the officer's one eye watching for any signs of movement.
It was late at night when he'd found this John Doe, he was just about to finish his patrol when he spotted a lump of darkness on the side of the road. Phemus thought it was road kill at first, hell, a part of him was so tired that he thought even if it wasn't, it wouldn't be anything worth pulling over for. But something told him to check, and thank god he had.
When he'd found them they were curled up in the fetal position, half naked, only wearing a pair of sweatpants, clearly oversized and clearly not theirs. There were no lacerations or open wounds besides a few scars and bruises, only thing that needed tending to were a few of their bodily placed eyes that had been irritated and infected, most likely from extended exposure to the pavement. The creature was conscious but unresponsive, as they still are now. As much as the officer tried he couldn't get them to so much as look at him, let alone talk to him.
The only vague response he'd gotten was when he'd attempted to help them up to get them down to the station. They were so cold to the touch, the familiar chill of death he'd felt so many times before imminent on the void resident, fueling his relief that he'd pulled over, who knows how long it would take before the elements took him over. As he grasped their shoulders he earned a small wince in response, though they didn't pull away or flinch, all that followed were full body tremors, silent but intense shaking all over, similar to how a beaten dog's whole body shakes at the wave of a hand.
It made Phemus feel like there may have been something more going on, but he had no other information as this creature was clearly in some state of shock, greatly limiting his ability to communicate. He would have nowhere else to jump off from if he hadn't recognized him from his eyes. He sees multitudes of people every single day, but seldom does he forget other eye-clad void residents, and this man just so happened to be one of them. Thankfully he'd also remembered the flower monster he was driving with, and after researching his description he was able to find his name and home number. All there was to do now was wait.
"I think he'll be here soon, that uh.. flower fellow." The officer said in an awkwardly low voice, attempting to gently reassure the guy, even if it did about as much good as talking to a brick wall. The void resident didn't react to his comment, not even so much as a glance, his eyes simply remained fixed staring away from the officer, looking endlessly at nothing, eyes hazy and detached. Phemus sighed, not knowing exactly what to do or say, what the right words were, what the wrong words were, what would make sense of this.
"I..." he drew the singular pronoun out, lingering in his thoughts as he second guessed whether to let silence continue to take the lead or to take another shot at conversation; at finding answers.
"I know it's been a long night for you, maybe a long day, heck, even longer maybe.", he chuckled lowly at his own expense, internally remarking his own stupid comment, "It's not everyday you're found on the curb and taken in, I may not know why but whatever it may have been it's definitely gotten you shaken up.", He looked down for a moment, attempting to find the right words, what he would want to hear if he was in this position.
"Whatever happened, it'll be alright.", he spoke tenderly, slouching closer to try to close some of the distance between them. Though before he got any chance at a response, a distant boom reverberated into the office they'd been occupying, causing the officer to straighten up to attention, waiting for more commotion to erupt. At least he'd finally gotten a reaction from the mystery man, the sound causing his head to turn in the general direction of the sound, albeit the reaction a bit delayed.
Like clockwork Phemus's radio crackled, sounds of raised unintelligible voices in the background as an older woman, Eleni, spoke, her voice mono toned and uninterested, "We've got a situation at the front.",
The eye headed officer immediately grabbed a hold of the radio, "I'll be right on over." He stated as he uniformly got up from his seat, assuming it had to do with the John Doe he had,
"Be ready for anything. It's a flower, you know how they can be.", Phemus couldn't help but roll his eye at the unnecessary comment from Eleni. But at least it answered his assumption that this had to do with the man he had in his custody. That didn't take long. As he made his way to the front, the talking and commotion became louder and louder, he wondered what had gotten everyone so riled.
As he passed through the threshold of the staff only doors he observed the chaotic space he'd entered into.
He was immediately graced by Judes', another one of the less than pleasant front desk ladies, strident shouting, "I don't know what you want, just get the hell out of here!"
the old bird screeched, her yelling almost making Phemus feel the need to cover his ears for there own safety. As he peeped his eye around to spot who had been at the mercy of Judes verbal assault, there he spotted him, Mr Plant.
The flower from his memory perfectly resembled the plant monster stood there, his pastel patterned petals, his wide unblinking eyes and his unnerving smile unmistakable. His height and demeanor made him stick out like a sore thumb compared to the few other void residents around him, and based on all there horrified and shocked expressions, he must have done something to prompt that reaction. His hands lay flat against the front desk as he stared down the shrieking bird monster, leaning to stare directly at her, his shoulders hitched with ever seething anger, presence looming and hostile. It showcased rather nicely the use of the security screens Judes had previously mocked during the buildings latest renovations.
Might as well derail this as best I can, "Alright now, just what seems to be the problem out here?" The eye monster announced, his hands outstretched to get the attention of everyone in the room.
The plant monster snapped his head to Phemus as soon as he spoke, his eyes filling with recognition as he quickly pushed himself off the counter, staring at the officer for only a moment in time, but it felt like an eternity to the void police officer. Phemus had never been hunted before, and it'd had never crossed him mind until Mr Plants eyes latched onto him, any new found confidence had been all but crushed under the heel of fear the officer felt looking at the monster, The way he stared, his domineering height, his stance, he looked like he may pounce at any moment.
And pounce he did. The plant monster rushed him suddenly, his arms extended out, like a bird of prey's talons lurching out to grab.
Phemus panicked, the flower approaching to quickly for him to run. He quickly traced over his gun, his only mode of protection as the plants hands closed in on his head.
But they landed elsewhere, on the cops shoulders, there grip frighteningly strong . Mr Plant, now much closer to the Phemus, stared with widened, pleading eyes, the black dots of his iris shaking around wildly.
"H-hey-" Phemus stuttered, finding it difficult to keep his voice steady after the sudden hit adrenaline, "You're the one I called right? Mr Plant?", He asked, slowly releasing his grip from the gun's, trying not to make it too obvious he was doing so. As Phemus's words registered, Mr Plant seemed to let out a breath, his hand's shaking, fingers tightening against the officer's shoulders as he quickly nodded.
"Ok, alright. Well like I said on the phone we have your friend here," the squeezing pain in his shoulder was relinquished as he finished his statement, the plant monsters hands moving back to his person. Appearing a bit taken aback by the information he'd already known, his hands trembling with anticipation, staring at Phemus, urging him to to continue.
"Well, if you don't mind before seeing him could you answer a few questions for me?", Phemus asked mindlessly, a routine question. Though he immediately regretted even talking as Mr Plant's fists began to tighten. That seething, hostile anger he'd given to Judes now directed right back at him,
"...While we walk." Phemus didn't wait for a answer he knew he wouldn't get, he simply turned and unlocked the doors to the staff only entrance. Holding the door open for Mr Plant, which he didn't have to do for too long as Mr Plant practically flew down the hallway. The cop briefly looked back around at the audience he and the other man had made for themselves. There were many staring, many whispering, all about the scene that had just accrued. Maybe spanning even longer for them with whatever happened with the front desk. Something told him he'd be asked to re-sight this interaction with his coworkers over and over again after tonight, and he wasn't too jazzed about reinforcing the stereotypes they already held. Oh well, he'd manage.
Phemus turned back to the staff only door and quickly followed after the plant monster, who was quite a ways ahead of him.
As he reached Mr Plant who'd discovered where Phemus's officer was all on his own. As he came closer, he watched the monster attempt to open the door to his office to no avail. He watched as Mr Plant slowly stared down at his hands and feet, impulsive and destructive solutions popping into his head, he could see the idea forming in his mind before Phemus intervened, "I have a key!" Thankfully, the flower relented.
As the door opened, Mr Plant froze in the doorway, staring at the muti-eyed man in front of him. Phemus assumed based on his previous actions and reactions he'd run right in to him, but instead, for a moment he just, stared. Maybe he was still processing the return of someone dear to him, or maybe he was waiting for the other to notice him. Which, he seemed to. As the air in the room shifted, he turned his head towards Mr Plant, his eyes staring dead at him. Phemus couldn't get a read on what expression the creature was giving Mr Plant, it looked just as blank as it had been since he came in. But there was something more in his eyes, something different, subtle. A slight shift in the way he stared. More lively, almost emotional, but still stilted and distance.
It didn't seem to faze Mr Plant for long, he quickly retained momentum, making a beeline right to the creature, crouching down to quickly swindling him in his arms, so tight and close it looked as if he may never let go. Phemus was a bit worried based on his size he might break the other, but he handled him care, only squeezing him just enough to get his desperate need for contact out of his system.
His body hitched and shook, the way someones body may convulse when they're laughing or crying, but no noise came from it. Despite the reunion, the creature didn't return the hug. Phemus couldn't see the others face as it had been buried somewhere in Mr Plant's chest, but his body language remained the same, maybe even more limp and numb than it had been when Phemus first found him. it appeared like the monster was hugging a rag doll rather then another person, it baffled Phemus a bit, he hoped he hadn't called on the wrong person to retrieve the creature.
"I'm glad you know 'em, would it be ok if you could ide—.. Sir? Mr.. Mr Plant!", Mr Plant sped walked passed the officer with Argos in his arms, tears rolling down the stains on his cheeks, the eroded lines from years of water decay in his childhood, his tear stains creating faucets for new tears to follow in their path. It stung his tired eyelids, the burning sensation of salty teardrops after days of sleepless nights, but it didn't matter, he couldn't care in the slightest. After days of not seeing Argos, unknowing if he'd ever see him again, he now held their head against his chest with one hand the rest of them cradled in the other, his black curly locks, his pale olive skin, each and every one of his eyes, they where all there, all graciously returned to him by some grace of the creators.
He'd never wanted to be closer to anyone in his entire existence in the void. He'd never wanted to physically fuse with someone as deeply as he did in that moment, to stitch the both of them crudely together so they'd never have to separate again.
Argos, Argos was here. Argos was Alive. Argos... he'd never let them go again, never again. He didn't care who tried or how hard, he'd never let his lover go again.
He passed through the doors of the staff only hallway, heavy footsteps of the eye officer behind him but Mr Plant didn't care. He needed to leave, to get Argos home as fast as possible, to keep him there, keep him hidden and safe. Mr Plant would make sure he would be all Argos would ever need, he'd clean for him, find a job and keep it, he'd keep him fed, he'd even get Argos his plants, hell he'd take care of the bastards for him.
He didn't care, as long as Argos would never have to leave again. Wether he wanted to or not he was staying, staying by Mr Plant's side, staying in his line of sight till the end of time.
He quickly ran though the front and through the entrance doors, feeling the stares of questioning and suspicion from all those still present from his previous entrance. As if he'd stolen something, something precious.
"Wait!" The wet gravel crunched underneath the plant monster's feet as he made his way to his car, unable to avoid the void police officer behind him yelling for him to stop. Mr Plant felt his entire body tense with annoyance and aggression, snapping his head around to the eye officer, giving his a glare that tended to get others to leave him be. But officer Phemus stood, out of breath, staring up at Mr Plant.
"Phew.. You and your long legs, I'll tell you what.." Phemus spoke breathlessly, adjusting his hat as he took a moment to catch his breath, "Listen, it's alright if you want to leave, you're well within your right to. I just wanted to give you my number before you left."
The plant monster squinted his eyes, staring at the officer like he'd just spoken to him in tongues, the void officer pulled out a notepad and pen from his shirt pocket, scratching out assumably his contact information. "I'm not totally clear on what happened here tonight. But I'm the one who found your, partner. If you got any questions about him and what happened, you can always come down to the station in 33, ok?" With that, he ripped the paper from the spiral binding, handing the paper out to Mr Plant.
Mr Plant stared at the eye monster for a moment, his single eye staring up at him gently, brimming with genuine worry and kindness. He supposed the officer could answer a few questions Mr Plant was still not totally clear on in the future, even if it was far from his top priority at the moment, he could find some use in this officers investment in his and Argos's well being.
Mr Plant shifted his body to allow a free hand to grab the paper between his fingers without having to let go of Argos. Staring at the string of numbers Phemus had written for him
"Alright, get him somewhere warm." Phemus stated, briefly tipping his hat to Mr Plant before heading back to the station. Finally leaving Mr Plant to take his boyfriend home.