Mable: This is it… After all of this, this is the final chapter. It's so… Surreal? I expected to finish in May and finished in August, I guess it is sort of surreal. XD I would like to thank the people who reviewed- *Looks at the review count.* This… Might take a while. I would like to thank: 27's Fury, HopelessFanGirl4 Life, Ink, Primrose108, NetsrikTheAuthor, Sei-Sei's Mind, Cloud on the cloud, cacaca, THE AMAZING ANON, and Sandshadow9. A lot of these people aren't just reviewers, they are my friends, and I thank you all for being by my side! Also, thank you for the readers who didn't review, you're still special to me!

There is an author's note at the end that I suggest reading, but for now… This is it. This the last chapter of 'Fabric Runs Shallow'. This is what we've been eventually approaching for about a year now. I still don't own 9, but I hope that everyone Enjoys!

Fabric Runs Shallow

Chapter 100: The Aftermath

Wings stared out at the Emptiness outside before suddenly perking as he noticed someone coming. After a few moments Cat suddenly appeared at the opening to the shelter. "Hey, I'm back. How's everything holding?" Wings looked back towards the Seamstress in the back of the shelter, holding a group of small, squeaking Seamstress and Tailor infants. "Same as before. I don't think she likes me being here without Shoestring." Cat waved it off and kneeled down beside him, "Ah, she doesn't care. You take everything too personally, Wings. You know Seamstresses aren't the friendliest things out there."

The younger sort of shrugged before nodding in agreement, "I guess you're right… Did you see the others?" The taller male started to beam before resting his head in his claws, "As a matter of fact I did. I did a headcount and saw all- Most of them. They all looked pretty alright though so I'm guessing that everything's good." The younger perked in relief, "So… We can go back? No more weird outbursts or anything?" He was desperate for positive news and Cat nodded quickly, "Sure. As soon as you're ready… Better sooner than later. I've got a Dove waiting for me."

In all honesty Cat had only restrained himself from pouncing on Seven because he had to get Wings. "Then let's go! Right now!" Wings jumped to his feet and started to stumble off before noticing that Cat wasn't following him. He hesitated before looking back and murmuring, "Completely wrong way, right?" Cat gave a playful smirk and put an arm around the younger's shoulders, guiding him back to the Library. It didn't take them too long to get back. Even then the Stitchpunks were still settling in, trying to arrange the front of the Library which had been tussled by the Beast invasion.

Cat and Wings stepped inside the front entrance and the older male started to seek out Seven. It didn't take but a few seconds afterwards before they got noticed by One who was watching the door. He approached them quickly, "Cat, Wings, it's a relief to see you both intact and… intact." He probably was avoiding pointing out what happened with Wings by only seemingly avoiding in. Cat gave a small smile, "Same here. No casualties?" He offered and the older male exhaled tiredly, "Very close, deathly close, but managed to salvage ourselves in the end."

Wings looked disturbed at that, "That close, huh? …Sorry about before, I wasn't really…" One waved it off quickly, "It's all forgotten. We've all had to do things we wish that we hadn't… Speaking of which." He looked out towards the entrance, "Any sign of Moss, per chance, on your way here?" Both shook their heads and Cat added in, "Afraid not, but I'm sure he's fine. Probably waiting for you to tell him it's all clear." One sputtered, "But that is the problem. We don't know where the bunker is that he hid in, and he has our Stitchpups." Wings raised his brows, "You gave him your babies?"

"I didn't have a choice. You two weren't in a state to help and we needed to get them to safety." One defended with a firm frown, but was obviously fearful and exhaled, "I'll have to arrange a group to head to the greenhouse and search." Right before he could say more, this was really a note to himself, suddenly Seven appeared from behind a stack of books. She immediately gasped and stopped whatever she was doing to suddenly run towards him, uncharacteristically unable to control herself. It actually surprised Cat as she suddenly grabbed ahold of him and yanked him down into his arms.

"Thank goodness you're safe! Where were you?" She asked softly, relieved to see that the male was back safe with his companion, and he quickly wrapped his arms around and held her close. "Not too far, just far enough." He ran his sharp claws along her back and traced over her patch as they fell into silence together. One meanwhile looked back to the others before starting to head further in. Wings decided to follow him and give the two a few minutes alone. The two held each other tightly in this time until Seven raised her head to give her mate a soft kiss on the lips, pushing his helmet upwards to do so.

It stuck and she furrowed her brows before noticing the small addition on Cat's helmet fully. It was a piece of bone carved to look like the bottom of a cat's mouth, bolted to the skull and able to move in an 'open and close' method. "Did some work while you were gone?" She offered playfully and he chuckled, "Had to do something with my time. Helps me keep it on. Push it closed and it'll slide right off." Seven followed through with amusement and as the mock mouth was closed she was able to lift the helmet, as the new piece wasn't hooked under his chin any longer.

It slid upwards until his face was fully revealed and then she leaned forward to kiss him. It was the warmth and love that they both needed, that reassured that everything was alright again. They nuzzled into each other in contentment. Meanwhile, One entered into the study with Wings were some of the others were briefly resting, "Cat and Wings are back, but Moss isn't. We'll need to head to his greenhouse." None seemed confused, "But isn't he in a bunker?" He then smiled and waved to Wings, "Hey Wings!" Wings waved back almost shyly and Two approached him, "Yes, hello again, Wings."

He said with friendliness and laid a hand on his back before looking to One, "So what's the plan?" The Leader hesitated before announcing, "Some of us will go back to the Greenhouse and we will try to find our way to the bunker. Three," He looked to the female, "you will need to come with us to see if you can find and decode a map." The twin immediately nodded vigorously before One looked to his guard, "I suspect you're coming." Eight gave a firm nod and Six broke in from nearby, "Me too!" Two nodded, "Yes, and me as well." They were all quite worried about their Stitchpups.

"Five, could you stay and keep with the work until we get back?" The Inventor asked his apprentice who nodded from his position nearby, "We will! We've got it covered!" Yet Four climbed down from the book she stood on and approached her twin, taking her hand and tilting her head, flickering her optics as she asked if she should come to. While Three was confident that everything would be alright, or she thought she was, she nodded quickly and Four looked back to None. "You're planning on going too?" Four nodded as well as looking guilty and the zippered male encouraged, "No, no, it's fine by me! I know what it's like to have some twin time."

Four smiled to him thankfully and wandered over to give him a warm hug which he returned gratefully. Three watched them with a fluttering in her chest at the sweetness. In a way she couldn't wait to see Moss for her own, and it reminded her of Five once more. They still had yet to make a decision about their relationship verbally, but in a way she felt like they already had. Five was working on planning something, having pulled out a map from his bag and drawing on the back of it. She slowly crossed over towards him with a warm smile, him noticing her.

"Hey, preparing to leave?" He offered and put an arm around her affectionately. Three put her own arm around his back, smiling to him happily and nodding. "Tell Moss I said 'hi'. I'd go with, but I'm going to be covering for Two." He rested his head on hers and she squeezed him before attempting to sign a 'v' that he would understand. "Velvet?" He questioned and she nodded, curious. "Oh… She's okay." He seemed to become a bit either anxious or shy and gave a tiny smile before gesturing over to her. Velvet was standing and talking to Six. She couldn't tell what they were talking about, but saw Six mouth the word 'baby' a few times.

Three tapped Five's arm and gestured over to her in a friendly way. Gently coaxing him along she pointed out towards Velvet, as though encouraging him to spread time with her. He seemed surprised, "Oh, well… Maybe in a bit. When she's done with Six." Three gave a more firm nudge, smiling cheekily at the one eyed Healer, and finally he gave in. "Alright. I guess since Six's leaving anyway… You don't mind?" She shook her head and he smiled, "Alright… I hope everything goes alright at the Greenhouse, I'm sure that Moss took good care of the Pups."

Three nodded and started off towards the others who were planning on leaving. Five headed over to Velvet's side and she turned to him as Six dismissed himself to head over to Eight's side. "You probably have a lot to write about now." The one eyed male began and Velvet cracked a smile, "I guess I do… I might skip the Machine part and stick with Mullerthal if you don't mind." The male chuckled and she rubbed her hands together slightly anxiously, smiling at him. "So… Umm… Thank you again. I didn't really get a chance when we got back, I was planning on… I don't know, doing something. Maybe showing you something I wrote or something." She rambled a bit.

"Maybe what you were writing while we were out there by the fire?" He offered with a coaxing, curious smile. She immediately perked, "Of course! I just- It's not quite much yet, but I would be honored!" She began to shuffle through her bag and searching through the papers before humming a bit and murmuring, "It might be upstairs…" She reached out and took his larger, warm hand in an affectionate squeeze. "I'll run and grab it after everyone leaves." He smiled and gave a small squeeze back, "I'd like that." He then started to lean forward and gently pressed his lips to her cheek.

The female shivered in delight and a glow of color covered her cheeks. She suddenly wrapped her arms tightly around his neck and nearly threw herself at him. He was taken aback but quickly managed to secure his hands on her waist, keeping her from collapsing, she was thankful as her legs were going quite weak. This was no doubt the strongest and most passionate kiss that they had in their short time together and they clung together briefly before eventually pulling back. Velvet regained her footing unsteadily. "Whoa… That was… That was something else."

Five paused for a moment before smiling wide as well, "That was the first time we really kissed. Or, we did before, but that…. That was different." He had this strange smile that Velvet hadn't seen directed towards her before. It warm, but so was much of Five's personality, and it had something more than warmth. She hadn't ever thought that he would be able to be like this with her after Three, it didn't seem possible, but Five's smile held love instead of guilt.

When she glanced to check if the others were watching, mostly an excuse just to avert her optics for a second so what she didn't blush any more than she already was, he decided to take further action. He took her hand and in a rather bold gesture, bold for him, led her behind one of the opened, propped up books, shielding them both from any optics. He took a few seconds to push back her leather hair affectionately then leaned forward to take her lips once more. To repeat the passion once more. They were certain that this wouldn't be the only time they would today either.

The Stitchpunk group had arrived at the Greenhouse and their worst fears were confirmed. Moss wasn't there and neither were the Stitchpups. "Damn it…" One quietly swore as he scanned the area for any signs of life. "I was hoping he would've returned." Two frowned in disappointment and exhaled calmly before looking to the others, being Six, Eight, and the twins. "Well…. Any suggestions?" There was no answer and he paused before exhaling, "We could wait, perhaps." A few more seconds before One nodded firmly, "Yes… That's all we can do is wait." With that he headed over to a nearby brick that lay unused and sat.

Six slouched over with a soft exhale, "What if something happened?" He asked Eight quietly and the Guard replied quickly, "Nothing happened. You would've known." The Artist murmured, "I didn't know what was going to happen with Nine…" Eight still shrugged it off, "You can't have a nightmare every night." Six bit his lip in shame and admitted, "I did have a nightmare… About the Machine, about Nine… Or about the stairs at least. I never told you." Eight's head turned abruptly and he stared at Six who rubbed his key. "I…I didn't even remember it until we were on those stairs. By then it was too late…"

A few moments of silence passed before Eight insisted, "Six… Don't worry about it." He rested his hand on Six's back before pulling him into his arms. "Everything turned out alright, right?" Six nodded slowly and Eight smiled reassuringly, "And it's going to be alright again. Moss is just late. He's going to bring the baby here and we're going to feel stupid because we're going to get all weepy opticed once we see him." The striped one chuckled a little, "That's the plan." He laid his head against Eight's strong chest, seeking his protection, "I love you, Eight. I just… Thank you for doing this for me even though you're unsure too."

Eight wasn't surprised that Six saw through his fake reassurances. Certainly he was worried too, but worrying wasn't going to help the situation, so they simply comforted each other. The only Stitchpunk who was finding it nearly impossible to just wait was none other than Three who was becoming anxious. Eventually she turned to her twin, beckoned her, and quickly dashed through the greenhouse. Four was surprised at the sudden motion but followed her without complain, easily able to match her pace as they headed to Moss' home and climbed the rope to get inside.

Three guided her into Moss' actual bedroom and opened his cabinet to yank the papers inside out. She promptly spread them on the floor, looking to Four for help, and then both crouched down to seek out some sort of map that would show them where the bunker was. It was a frantic gesture until Three finally managed to find a map that showed part of the Emptiness with a few words scribbled on it. She could clearly see the word 'bunker' and grabbed at the map before standing and telling her sister that they were going. Four was surprised and wondered if One and Two would be really willing to leave.

Three clarified that it would just be the two of them. This took her twin back even more, but she followed her sister back through the greenhouse towards the exit again, passing the other four Stitchpunks who only noticed them in stride, passing them off as simply keeping themselves busy. As Three climbed out of the hatch and started off Four called to her in her silent way, the only noise being from her flickering optics. Her twin hesitated and waited for her, but ignored the pleas suggesting that maybe they shouldn't go out on their own. That maybe they needed to try and convince the others.

Before Three could even protest she halted and stared out into the Emptiness, seeing someone moving in the distance. It was no doubt a Stitchpunk and for a split second she cynically thought one of the others had followed them. However after a few seconds it occurred to her that it was too tall and cloaked in green. She silently gasped; it was Moss. She clutched the map tightly as she began the relatively long sprint towards Moss, her smiling sister in tow. Moss looked weary and was carrying all three of the Stitchpups, with Twenty-One on his shoulders, Twelve in his arms, and Sixty-Eight in a pack on his back.

The Cultivator quickly saw the young Librarian twin and alit in a smile. He began to increase his jog, though not much as he didn't want to risk one of the Stitchpups falling somehow. He managed to free one of his hands and quickly scooped her in for a hug as she clung to his side, burying her face into his jacket. Four gave him a reassuring pat on the back before going to work gathering the Stitchpups. Moss used his free hands to help Twenty-One down and she guided him by the hand and they continued along back towards the Greenhouse to give the two Stitchpunks a moment while getting to their parents.

Moss then took Three into his arms and twirled her about. Even though weary he couldn't help but doing so before clutching her to him. She smiled upwards at him, pleased to see his matching smile, and she prepared to sign something to him. Before she could he suddenly took her lips in a tender kiss and held them together for a few moments. When he finally pulled back, beaming at her, she was staring back almost in surprise. He didn't wait and promptly pulled her in for a tight, warm hug, her nearly disappearing under his coat and against his chest. She was shocked and yet the affection overtook her, as did a smile.

As Four approached the two couples they looked over and suddenly Six broke into a sprint. He was nearly at Four between One, Two, and Eight could get even part of the way over. Six immediately took Sixty-Eight into his grasp, out of his cushioned pack and squeezing him tightly to his chest. The Stitchpup made a soft mix between a squeak and a coo before nuzzling into Six's chest, recognizing the hold. "Oh, Ty-eh, my little baby!" Six gushed, nearly in tears as he kissed the top of his head over his yarn. He then looked back to Eight and gave him and crooked smile. Eight promptly pulled Six to him and leaned down to kiss the Pup.

He didn't say anything, but he took his small son's hand in his own, holding it carefully as he kissed along his pale stripes. Sixty-Eight was immediately content. Twenty-One meanwhile suddenly pulled from Four's hold and began to run across the dirt towards his parents. "Papa! Daddy!" One was closer, dropping down to his knees and taking Twenty-One into his arms where the Stitchpup began to babble words Four couldn't hear. "It's okay, shh, Papa and I are here, it's alright." One comforted in a surprisingly soft way and Two started to crouch down before standing again as Four approached.

Twelve was wide awake and leaning out towards her parents, reaching towards them both and making especially fussy noises. Two quickly took her and hugged her tightly before crouching down beside One, bringing the four in for a tender sort of hug as the comforted their children, all of the smiling. It was ironic that Four actually felt like crying from the scene, but knew that she was touched and that they were tears of joy.

When Child awoke with a start he immediately sat upwards. His mind was blank and he was slightly confused, looking over to see that his father was sitting at his desk nearby. He has been asleep on Julius' bed. "Father?" He asked in confusion and Julius looked over before smiling. "I was wondering when you would wake." He had a teasing tone and was painting a small wooden figure. The albino male swung his legs over the side and rubbed his forehead, "Nine?" He asked and the Scientist nodded, still peering through his lens. "He's awake. None is in with him." Promptly Child stood and headed to the doorway.

He went to pass through the curtain only for it to stay firm and him to briefly get in a small tug of war of confusion before Julius spoke, "It's tied." Child furrowed his brow and check only to notice that the curtain's edges had small strings attached that were tied to pegs in the wall, keeping it closed. He couldn't believe that he hadn't noticed it. "Good Creator, I'm losing my mind." He announced and Julius quipped in, "That's love for you. Maddening." His son sent him an amused smile and continued down the hall and back towards his and Nine's shared room.

None and Wings were out in the hallway talking as Child approached. "And then, suddenly, this giant Winged Beast flew in!" None explained dramatically and Wings' optics widened, "Really?! What model?!" None hesitated, "Uh… I'm not sure, but it was huge!" As the albino male past he gave None a pat on the back like silent assurance, receiving a greeting from them both, and disappeared into his room. He immediately saw Nine laying in the bed, holding his Lightstaff and looking over its bulb curiously as Pet and Toto climbed around his legs, their offspring of Button, Paint, and Pinprick curled on their bed in the corner.

Nine was frowning, but it was that frown he had when he was lost in thought, trying probably to figure out if the bulb was completely busted or it was a short circuit. As Child moved in he was noticed and Nine gave him a warm smile. "Hey." He said, a light and weary chuckle in his voice, "I was wondering where you were." Child found himself smiling as well and came over before sitting on the edge of the bed, "Somehow I fell asleep on Father's bed. How are you feeling?" Nine shrugged a little, "Tired, but okay… But I think None's out there guarding me from leaving."

"Of course not. That's what I'm here to do." Child quipped and this got a little laughter. Nine was obviously still tired after everything, but he was alive, so Child was content. The zippered male set the Lightstaff aside, "So I don't suppose I'll be allowed to leave to get a replacement bulb anytime soon." He remarked before rolling to face Child, looking upwards at him. The candle light seemed to reflect off his optics and the older male couldn't help but feel a growing adoration. Just getting to look at his mate again felt like a gift. "I… About what happened, I am sorry." He apologized again.

"Don't be." Nine insisted, "We all make mistakes. In a way I was sort of atoning for mine." He seemed to believe this too and yawned, "Five said I should be feeling better in a few days. That's how it felt with him and the others, but I don't think mine was as bad. I wasn't physically injured." Child didn't know what to say, so he said nothing. After all he hadn't seen damage done by the Machine. That didn't mean that there wasn't any, but it did mean that at the moment Nine was safe. "What about the Machine?" Nine questioned curiously and Child answered by smirking and heading over to his desk.

He returned a few seconds later with something wrapped in a cloth. He tugged it free and revealed that it was the conductor underneath, the magnetic sphere that gave them this much trouble. "The Philosopher's Stone!" Nine gasped, though then was nearly out of breath as he reached for the sphere and took it into his hands. There was a slight pull still in it but nothing like before. "It was actually ingenious. Eight went in to get it." Child explained as he sat back down, "…And now that I think about it, Eight should've gone from the beginning. None of this would have even happened."

Nine gave an amused smile, "Funny how that all works out. One, small, seemingly unimportant change could have made everything entirely different." He wasn't lamenting though, Nine was actually in a relatively good mood and set the Philosopher's Stone to his side. Child didn't argue with it, he didn't plan to do anything with it at the moment. It had been a lot of hassle getting and now was nearly worthless. Unless he eventually decided that Brain deserved a Stitchpunk body, which he most likely wouldn't, it was going on the shelf. "I don't know what I would have done… I'm so happy you're okay."

Again he got a warm smile and gave a quick, "I love you." Child started to move like he was getting off of the bed and the zippered male sat upwards a bit. He then noticed that Child had instead knelt down beside the bed, almost like when they were in the First Room, and he quirked an amused brow, "What?" He smiled and Child held his hand with his own, giving it a small squeeze. "I love you more than anything, Nine. You are… Everything. Maybe I don't say it enough, but I don't ever want you to not know that." Nine was taken by the romantic moment and smiled wider.

"Will you marry me?"

It took a few seconds before Nine's mind took in the words and his optics widened, "What…?" He asked softly and Child leaned down to press his lips to his hand, talking against them, "I love you, Nine, and I want to marry you." The younger was still in a state of shock, "A-Are you sure? I mean… I mean, marriage is forever! Isn't it? You can't take it back…" But the albino male was certain and nodded, "And I want that forever. Creator, Nine, my Poppet, I want to give you everything and I want us to have everything, and-."

"Yes!" Nine's face filled with joy, "Yes! Of course! We- Let's get married!" He looked down at the bed, "Maybe not right now, once I'm allowed to be out of bed." He had another ring of laughter, fueled by delight and pleasure, giving him more energy than he had before. "Married, think about it, we'll be married!" Child stood and practically pounced on him, pulling them together in a warm kiss. Part of the way through Nine stopped him, "Wait, remember, bed rest." He teased playfully and Child got a playful smirk of his own, "Nothing I plan to do needs to leave this bed."

"Not now! We'll ruin the moment!" Nine practically giggled in a way before their lips reunited. The two held each other close in their own sort of reuniting. It was finally over, finally everything was back to normal, and they were able to return to their lives before the incident again. Though with some clear changes. As they cuddled together in bed they could feel the spark between them. This was the end of their ordeal and the beginning of something more powerful, something that would last forever, and they were happy. They were truly happy.

FIN

Mable: …So by those last couple of lines you can see that I didn't really tie any loose ends. I probably mentioned it before, but there will be a third in the series! Not now, though, I need some time to rest and recover too. If I'd put a reasonable time… Maybe January? I'm not really sure yet. ^-^ Though I do intend to release a oneshot that takes place after this and before that for fun. It won't be needed to understand the plot so it's a choice read. I also have Wonderland waiting and quite a few requests I need to finish, so I plan to keep busy.

Alright… Time to let go and post the final chapter! I hope that everyone enjoyed and I hope you read more of my stories if you did!