[No prompt.]
[Before I start, I would like to thank everyone who has stuck with me for this long. It means a lot to me that people are willing to read what I write. I can't thank you all enough.]
[I look forward to starting the new year on this site, and I hope you all enjoy what I have in store for all of you.]
[Thank you all once again, and please remember to review.]
[I wish you all a wonderful new year.]
[~Invader Fangirl]
The Usual AU
As Stanley respawned yet again in his office, he took a glance at his computer. After a moment of hesitation, he turned it on and sat down in his chair. As he waited for it to load, his gaze wandered up to the ceiling. Hopefully The Narrator won't mind if he takes a small break. The screen flashed on, displaying his username, and The Narrator was quick to comment.
"Oh, Stanley, did you see it as well?" He asked, and Stanley looked to the ceiling and quirked a brow. 'See what?' He thought. "The date, of course!" He responded, as if stating the obvious. It clearly wasn't obvious to Stanley, and he continued to look clueless.
The Narrator paused for a second, then sighed. "Its the thirty-first of December!" He continued. "I hope you know what that means...!" He said, excitement literally dripping from his tone. Stanley... only blinked. What exactly does that day have to do with anything?
A slap could be heard, probably from a facepalm. "Oh for heaven's sake - its almost New Years! Aren't you excited?"
At that, Stanley's eyes lit up and he did indeed get excited. A whole new year was coming? That was so cool! He looked to the computer and there it was; the date, December 31. It was ten o'clock at night at the moment.
The Narrator sighed fondly and Stanley directed his attention upwards. "Just imagine - its been two years since we've been here in this Parable. We've done quite a lot here, haven't we? I'd say we've done our fair share of achievements in the Office, wouldn't you agree? Well, besides the obvious one." He said with a short laugh.
With a smile, Stanley nodded. Yes, they have done a lot in this year. Stanley couldn't feel any happier as he reflected over his memories of this year: being forced into that other story with the cannibal, the many times that he had proved The Narrator wrong about things, messing with The Narrator and just causing trouble, rebelling against the Story, a few secrets shared here and there, conversations of what they would do in the outside world, dealing with The Narrator's occasional screwups, his triumphant defense over the broom closet, when they... realized just how similar they were to each other... and when the same asshole of a Narrator went and scared him in the dark like that! Oh, he was never going to forget that...
Even as he frowned a little at the last memory, he couldn't help but chuckle a little and shake his head in nostalgia at the rest. They've come very far since the beginning, and Stanley felt proud for both him and The Narrator.
...
Creation AU
Stanley and The Narrator sat on one of the sofas in the Lounge, holding each other contentedly. It was quiet, save for the soft heartbeat that both could hear from each other. Smiling down at Stanley, The Narrator leaned his head down to kiss Stanley on the forehead. Stanley blushed and nuzzled into The Narrator's chest in embarrassment, making The Narrator snicker just a bit.
After a moment, The Narrator broke the silence. "Stanley?" He asked to get the other's attention. As expected, Stanley tilted his head up to look at him, pink still tinting his cheeks and smiling happily. The Narrator took a second to admire the employee's expression before continuing. "Do you know what day it is?"
Stanley's smile faded and he tilted his head. No, he did not know what today was. Why did it matter?
The Narrator quickly checked his internal clock just in case before answering, "Its the last day of December; New Year's Eve." He responded, and Stanley grinned. They've been together for an entire year?! That's amazing!
The storyteller watched as Stanley grew excited and smiled. "Yes, we're going to experience a new year of this; the Parable, the Office, and..." he pulled the brunette a little closer, "...just us." He whispered in a low tone with a joking smile, and Stanley giggled and held him tighter. Oh, he couldn't wait!
The Narrator chuckled and ruffled the employee's hair, causing the other to stick his tongue out playfully like a dog at the sensation of being petted. "I think this year we're going to have quite a bit of fun, considering what we've done to get to our current positions, don't you think?"
Stanley grinned up at him as a response, and The Narrator took this opportunity to lean down and lock his lips with the other's. The employee flinched in surprise, but reacted quickly and fiercely kissed back.
Yes... ever since The Narrator revealed himself for the first time, and then had their little moment in the Lounge, Stanley just couldn't imagine life without his lover. They've done a lot together. He could still remember their first kiss, and the time when he was kidnapped and brought to The Narrator (thankfully he was released afterwards!). There was also the time when he himself had apparently gone dead for a while, leaving his Narrator in utter despair. They've also discussed possiblities of what would happen if they ever got out of the Office.
There were many stories of what they've done, really... but those can be told at another time.
What mattered now... was the future. For both of them. Together.
...
This Is My Story AU
"Narrator!" Stanley called. "Narrator, get over here! It's gonna start soon!" He shouted, eagerly watching the television screen.
The Narrator mumbled under his breath as he went over to the couch, plopping down next to Stanley. He groaned in irritation when he saw the clock. "Stanley, its two hours before the new year begins. I was just fine reading my book over there where I didn't have to watch all of these stupid performances." He sighed, starting to get up again. "I'm getting my book-"
Stanley grabbed his arm and pulled him back down, causing the storyteller to make a startled yelp. "You can read it later! Next year! Just-WATCH!" He said, pointing to the screen and continuing to stare intently at it.
The Narrator folded his arms. "Stanley, this is ridiculous. Now, it may just be on account that I haven't been in the real world for a while, but I still don't see what's so special about watching an enormous ball drop down a pole on a building in the middle of a city." He said dully. "Frankly, I think its a strange tradition. I also can't believe how people are willing to stand in the numbing cold just for this, and also for the sake of watching people perform - and even then, have you SEEN their costumes?! How are they still singing clearly in those clo-"
He was cut off as Stanley put a hand over his mouth. "Shh." He said, not taking his eyes off of the TV. "Watch. The. Screen." He instructed, almost like a robot.
The storyteller pulled the hand away from him and sighed in frustration. "There's something with you and screens, I swear..."
It was 11:59 P.M.
Stanley and The Narrator watched the countdown online. Stanley had pulled up a webpage on his computer, and The Narrator had came down to watch along with him in person. The employee had brought in a chair from a desk outside and they were sitting next to each other in front of the monitor.
...
The Narrator had brought his console with him as he had came down, and here they were, watching the countdown in the real world on the holographic screen.
...
Stanley shrieked with joy when the clock turned, startling The Narrator. The employee latched onto the other out of excitement, and The Narrator struggled to stay upright.
5...
The two leaned closer towards the screen, holding their breaths in suspense.
...
Stanley looked up at The Narrator with a loving expression.
...
"FIVE!" Stanley shouted along with the crowd on the screen, right near The Narrator's ear. The Narrator jumped at the volume and covered the nearly-deaf ear with his hand in annoyance.
4...
Stanley put his hands over his mouth, while The Narrator watched in awestruck silence.
...
The Narrator noticed the employee turn and looked back down at him with a warm smile.
...
"FOUR!" He yelled, this time facing a little less towards the storyteller. He did, however, increase his grip on him. The Narrator choked out, "Air-! S-Stop-!"
3...
Stanley could barely keep still in his chair. His feet were jumping, causing the chair to bang against the hard floor. The Narrator ignored it as he also muttered, "Three..."
...
They slowly leaned in...
...
"THREEEEE!" The employee screamed, letting go of The Narrator and running over to the screen to sit near it. The Narrator took a moment to regain his breath as the other ran towards the screen... and he couldn't help but chuckle a little at his enthusiasm.
2...
"Two..." They whispered in unison, both grinning happily to themselves.
...
...and shared a deep kiss, closing their eyes.
...
"TWO!" Stanley said, as expected. What was not expected, however, was that The Narrator had joined in, saying the number significantly quieter than the employee. Surprised, Stanley turned his head to look at the other, finding a smile on the storyteller's lips. He smiled back, gesturing to sit next to him.
The Narrator hesitated, but in the end, he gladly came over, making himself as comfortable as he could next to his close friend. They faced the screen.
1.
And thus started a new chapter... for everyone.
A new chapter...and a new story.
The cycle has restarted.
Let's begin again.