#mannequin Dolores | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

badkitty3000 · 4 months ago

Note

Would you do one where he sees a girl who looks like how he envisioned Delores and gets her to agree to roleplay but then he can't actually tell her to Delores really was so he just lies about that and keeps slipping in the middle of sex and saying things she doesn't understand?

Thank you for this! So, this is crazy because this describes almost exactly a short fic I wrote quite a while ago. I'm not sure it's the tone you were looking for, as it's definitely a little on the dark side. Five is not super warm and fuzzy to his real-life girlfriend in this one. And any story where he's wrestling with his demons and how they relate to Dolores can get dark just by the nature of it. There's a lot going on in that brilliant brain of his, and some of it isn't good or healthy.

But, I think it's a pretty good story, so I'm going to post it here, with just a couple small changes to make it a little bit more like what you requested. However, if you read this and decide this is not scratching where you itch, please let me know if there's something else I can try.

Thank you again for this request! ❤️

Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now

Five x Dolores, Five x Female Unnamed Character, One-Shot, 6,078 words

Warnings: Smut, Doll fetishization, Five not being in a good place mentally

He knew it was wrong. He knew he shouldn’t be asking her to do what he was asking. It was fucked up. But wasn’t that the story of his life? Just when he thought he was doing ok, blending in, being normal. Then something would come along and boom, he was fucked up again.

“Hold still. That’s right…just like that.”

Five hadn’t wanted it to be like this. He just wanted to be a normal boyfriend. To have a normal relationship. He wasn’t sure it was love, but maybe it would get there eventually. But he liked the companionship. The soft kisses and sharing a bed. God, he hated sleeping alone. On the nights she wasn’t there, he laid awake most of the night; and when he did finally drift off, he was woken minutes later by some horrible nightmare. But when she was there next to him, breathing in the darkness, and he could feel the weight of her body on the mattress; then he could sleep soundly. No nightmares came if he wasn’t alone.

So, it really wasn’t fair. And he knew it. But that didn’t stop him from making his request of her. He had agonized over it for days, the sickening thought growing stronger inside his head. He tried to push it down, tried to make it go away. But it was always there, lurking in the shadows of his mind, threatening to burst forth in a manic display of craziness.

Five had been doing so well until that day. It had been years of drinking, and then therapy, and then finally acceptance. He wasn’t sure he’d describe himself as being happy, necessarily, but it was close. All those years of solitude, followed by the stresses of saving the world, and capped off by the overwhelming blame that was heaped on him by his family. Well, after all of that, the best he could do was a sort of contentment. And that was almost as good as happiness.

Afterall, he had her. And he definitely liked her. Liked having her around. He felt more at ease when she was with him, less on edge than usual. But he knew her feelings for him were much stronger than that. She loved him. He knew that because she told him. She told him at breakfast over their coffee. She told him at night before they fell asleep. And she told him while he was fucking her; hard and raw and ruthlessly, until she was clawing at his back. But he never said it back. Not once. And yet, she was still here.

Five pretended he just wasn’t ready to say it yet. He’d get there eventually; he was so close. And there were so many times when it almost escaped his lips. Those times when she would lean over and put her head in his lap, so comfortable with his body, like he was an extension of herself. Or when she was sleeping and he would look at her in the darkness, thankful she was there with him. But that wasn’t love. Not really. That was needing someone, which was entirely different.

“I need you,” he would whisper next to her ear as she groaned beneath him, clutching at his skin. At least he could say that without lying. Five may have been a complete mental case and an asshole, but he wasn’t a liar.

The thing is, he knew what the problem was. There wasn’t enough therapy or drugs in the world that could cure him from what was lurking deep down inside of him. It had been too long, too many years of it. You can’t just erase decades of something from your mind, no matter how fucked up you know it is. Afterall, that’s what drew him to ask her out in the first place, wasn’t it? Her poised posture, the wavy blonde hair, her fair complexion. It didn’t help, though. Five couldn’t love her because he still loved her.

Five had been in a real relationship before. Practically a marriage, actually. For longer than he knew most people stayed together in this day and age. Granted, there wasn’t much of a choice at the time, but he liked to think that even if they had lived in a normal society, they still would have lasted that long. He loved her, and she loved him. And then…and then he just gave her away.

He and Dolores had been an unlikely pair, that was true. She liked poetry and romance, and couldn’t get enough of every pink sunset she saw, even though they were a dime a dozen. Five liked drinking, and swearing, and surviving. But when it came to her…she was his poetry and romance and sunset. She made him human and the only reason his mind remained even slightly intact. She’s the one that told him not to do it. That shooting himself in the head was cowardly and unoriginal; two things he definitely did not want to be. So, he lived on. For her.

She was the first thing he thought of when he landed in 2019. He knew she was out there, in that department store. He just had to find her. It was a harrowing experience, trying to get her out of there, but he did it. Amid a barrage of gunfire, his powers failing him, he did it anyway. Because she was the only thing he would have died for. He had told her he would find her, and he did.

Then the next couple of days went by in a blur. After a hasty reunion in his childhood bedroom, with passionate kisses and loving embraces in his old bed, he knew they couldn’t stay there. He had work to do. A world to save. An apocalypse to stop. So, he brought her with him, shoved in that bag because he didn’t know how else to transport her safely. She didn’t mind, though, just happy to be with him again.

When he didn’t know what else to do, or where to go, he found the library. Their library. And just like most nights over the previous 45 years, Five got drunk and confessed his undying love to Dolores. He was no closer to stopping the end of the world. No closer to finding the owner of the prosthetic eye. But he had her with him, and that made him feel like anything was possible.

Then he wasn’t sure what made him do it. Maybe it was the new world they were living in, with all the people and buildings and cars zooming past. Maybe it was his siblings and their judgmental gazes towards the two of them. Maybe it was his talk with Hazel, about starting a new life over again. He wasn’t sure, but in his mind, he thought he was doing what was best for her.

So, he took her back to the department store, back where she came from. He said his heartfelt goodbye and Dolores smiled a sad smile before he turned away. His heart was broken, but deep down he knew it was the right thing to do. There just wasn’t a place for them in this new world.

Timelines came and went. The world ended, and then it didn’t. Over and over, Five fought against the impossible, never stopping until finally…finally…he could stop. And he was free to live a normal life. But that ship had sailed. He would never be normal. And he would never stop thinking of Dolores. He knew she was probably out there somewhere. Where, he had no idea. The department store had changed hands several times, and the mannequins on display there were the modern kind; faceless and genderless, wearing clothes Five didn’t understand.

So, when he came upon her years later, he couldn’t believe it. It was like someone yanked him backwards through time, pulling his body and soul through the viscosity of space, and landing him fifteen years in the past.

At first, he almost passed her by. Walking down the sidewalk that he had frequented a hundred times before, he happened to be looking at the other side of the street as he approached the old thrift store. It was only because of her that he looked over. She was with him. Walking hand in hand, they had been strolling down the street, taking in the shop windows and other sights of the city.

“Oh, let’s go in here! Sometimes they have good vintage stuff,” she had exclaimed, pulling Five by the hand and walking towards the door.

The action made Five turn his head and look in the direction he was being dragged. That’s when he saw her. Right there in the front display window. Wearing a red, A-line dress and a tacky, over-sized sunhat. She was a brunette now, but Five recognized her right away. How could he not? He dreamt of her almost every night.

He stopped dead in his tracks, unable to move. Unable to breathe. He stared at her and she stared back. Then he felt a tug on his hand again.

“Come on, what are you doing? Let’s go in.”

Five looked from the window to her, a dazed look on his face. “What?”

“Let’s go in. What’s wrong with you?” She was laughing at him, thinking he was just being his usual, slightly weird self.

He allowed himself to be dragged into the store, the little bell above the door ringing as they walked in, loudly announcing their presence. There was only one other shopper inside, along with a bored-looking sales person behind the counter. The air was stale and heavy, and smelled of old books and damp wood. It wasn’t a huge store, but it had little departments, and she wandered off in search of shoes. Five stayed near the front of the store, mumbling an excuse about wanting to look at some crappy wall art.

Once she was out of sight, Five turned toward the front window display. Dolores’ back was to him, but he would have been able to identify her even without her face. How many times had he run his hands over her smooth body, caressing her and kissing her until she laughed and told him he was tickling her? How many times had those hands touched his own body, pushed through his hair, and brushed his cheek? Just looking at her now, Five could feel the sensation of her body on his. One warm and frantic, the other cold and unmoving.

He stared for a while, just studying the back of her. He wasn’t sure what to say, or even if he should say anything. She probably hated his guts, and she would have every right to. Would she even talk to him if he approached her? He knew she had seen him through the window, but that didn’t mean she wanted anything to do with him. Five took a hesitant step closer to the display, and cleared his throat. The sales person looked up briefly, then returned to scrolling through their phone.

“Hello, Dolores. It’s good to see you again.”

Five waited. He had spoken quietly, hoping no one else would hear him, but he knew she could. The few seconds of silence that passed were torture, and he was just about to turn away again. Then he heard her voice, softly, answering him.

Hello, Five. It’s good to see you, too.

He smiled, so grateful she was even speaking to him after what he had done. “You look good, Dolores.”

Thank you, so do you. How are you?

“I’m doing well, thank you.” Five glanced around the store, making sure no one was looking. “Actually, I’m not doing that well. I’ve missed you.”

I’ve missed you too, Five.

“Hey! What are you doing?”

Five jumped slightly. He hadn’t heard her walk up behind him. She was standing there with a confused look on her face, a pair of vintage heels in her hands.

“What? Nothing.” He gestured to the shoes. “You found something?”

She paused for a moment, glancing up at Dolores, and then back at Five. “Were you talking to that mannequin?”

Five scoffed and shoved his hands in his pockets. “Of course not. I was just thinking about something and started talking out loud to myself. You know how I drift off sometimes.”

She nodded. It was true, his mind did drift away a lot. Seeming satisfied with his answer, she held up the shoes. “Aren’t they awesome? I’m going to go pay.”

Five watched her walk to the counter and he stole another glance at Dolores. He dropped his voice even quieter, barely even a whisper.

“Can I come back and see you again?”

I’d like that.

Then Five was walking back out the door, his hand in hers again, barely listening to the words she was saying as they walked back to his apartment.

Five did go back and see Dolores. Every day for the next two weeks, he found an excuse to leave and walk the few blocks to the thrift store. Sometimes he would stand outside on the sidewalk, talking to her through the window. Sometimes he went inside, cursing the stupid bell that rang overhead. The store clerk would look up and see him, recognizing him now that he was always there. On the times he did go inside, Five would make a show of wandering around the store first, picking up an item here or there. But he would eventually make his way back to the front, near the window, lingering there for far too long.

With suspicious looks from the sales person, Five would bring some shitty item up to the counter and pay for it before leaving. Then he would throw whatever it was he just bought in the trash down the street. He’d return home, usually to find her waiting for him, asking where he’d been.

“Just going for a walk”, he’d reply. Now he could add liar to his list of reprehensible traits.

Once he had it in his head, he couldn’t get it out. He still fucked her when she threw her arms around his neck in a way that he knew meant she wanted him. Still kissed her and made her feel good. At least, he hoped he did, he wasn’t that much of an asshole. But it wasn’t the same. And she called him out on it.

“What’s going on with you lately?”

“What do you mean?” They were lying in bed, naked and breathing hard after a short, but satisfying round of sex. Five was staring at the ceiling, not meeting her eyes.

“I don’t know, you just seem different. Like you’re zoning out in the middle of everything.”

Five glanced over at her, but looked quickly away. “So, what are you saying? You don’t like the way I fuck you anymore?” He knew his voice was much too harsh and she didn’t deserve that.

She looked hurt. “Of course not. I’m just saying you seem…distracted lately. That’s all.”

Five sighed, but he looked her in the eyes this time. “I’m sorry, you’re right. I haven’t been sleeping well, that’s probably what it is.”

She frowned with worry and went to place a hand on his chest. Rather than allowing the conversation to continue, Five sat up and got out of bed.

“I’m going to take a shower.” Then he blinked into the bathroom without another word, feeling like a world-class piece of shit.

Then one night after a particularly heartfelt conversation with Dolores, and one too many drinks, Five worked up enough nerve to propose what he hadn’t been able to shake from his mind.

He had initiated it this time, sitting next to her on the couch and stroking her hair, pulling her onto his lap. After a passionate kiss and some light groping, he pulled away.

“Can I ask you for something?”

She smiled. “Is it sexual?”

Five laughed, embarrassed. “Yes, actually.”

She had meant it as a joke, but now she was intrigued. “Wow. You’re usually not that adventurous. Ok, what is it?”

Five paused, thinking he should just shut up and not say anything. But the words left his mouth before he could change his mind. “I want you to pretend you’re a doll.” His face flushed red and he looked away.

Her eyebrows knitted together, not fully understanding. “A doll? What do you mean?”

He took a deep breath. “During sex. I want you to stay still and let me move your body how I want it. Like a doll.” Five had purposely not chosen the word mannequin; too afraid of being called out.

“Um, oh. That’s definitely different.” She sounded dubious, at best.

Five ran a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry, that’s stupid. Forget I said anything.” He went to kiss her again, as a distraction, but she pulled away from him.

“No, it’s ok. I want to do it for you. You just caught me off guard, that’s all.” She smiled and ran her finger down his cheek. “I can be your doll.”

Five swallowed, choking down the combination of shame and arousal that was coursing through his body. “Are you sure?”

She nodded. “I’m sure. I’ll do anything for you, you know that.”

As if he couldn’t feel any worse. He knew she was only doing this for him because she did love him. She was always trying to please him, to not anger him or make him feel bad in any way. Jesus, what an asshole he was.

“Just tell me what you want me to do.” The look in her eyes was sincere.

Five knew exactly what he wanted her to do. He’d been thinking about it for so long now. “Go into the bedroom and get undressed. Lie down on the bed and wait for me. But don’t move or speak. Just let me do everything.” His breath was coming harder now, just from the anticipation.

He saw a brief look of hesitation cross her face, but she nodded. Then she disappeared into the bedroom, as instructed.

Five waited a few minutes before getting up. He wandered slowly toward the bedroom, unsure of how he was going to react now that this was really happening. When he reached the door and peered inside, his heart stopped. There she was, lying unmoving on her back in the middle of the bed, just like he asked. She didn’t look up or speak when he stood over her, looking down.

“You look gorgeous, darling. Not that you aren’t always gorgeous.” His voice was soft and tender. Definitely softer than he’s ever spoken to her before. But that’s because he wasn’t really speaking to her. Not in his mind, anyway.

Five stared at the still figure on the bed. Aside from the subtle rise and fall of her chest, she remained unmoving for him. Even as he gently ran a hand down her chest and abdomen, testing the waters to see if she would react. But she was a good doll for him. Always eager to please.

He started to undress himself as he talked to her in his loving voice. “I’ve missed your touch, my dear. I think about it all the time. The things I’ve done to you. The things I want to do to you still.”

When he was fully naked, Five climbed onto the bed with her, kneeling over her, straddling her thighs. He reached up and took her chin in his hand, gently moving her head from side to side.

“Do you remember how it used to be? Just the two of us?”

She kept her gaze on the ceiling, but he could see her swallow when he touched her and her eyebrows creased together. He placed a soft kiss on her lips and she didn’t react. It was perfect and he groaned.

“I love kissing you,” he murmured before ducking back down for another one.

He smoothed her hair and caressed her face and neck. Five knew, in the back of his mind, that this was unfair. He’d never been this gentle and loving with her like this, and it was probably confusing for her. But that didn’t mean he was going to stop. No, he needed this. He was craving it.

He positioned his body over hers, taking her stiffened arms and moving them so they were resting across his back. She kept them where he placed them. He was fully hard now, and he rubbed himself against the inside of her thigh, moaning as he did it. He kissed her again, this time longer and harder, while he rutted into her. He heard her make a tiny whimpering noise and her hips twitched upwards.

“Shhh…stay still. Just a little longer,” he whispered, his face buried into her neck so he didn’t have to look at her face for too long.

She obeyed and her body stilled again. Only the harsh rasp of her breathing could be heard.

“You feel so good, my darling. Like always. You’re the only one that knows what I like.”

He could have stayed like that, just rubbing himself against her until he came all over her leg. He would have preferred it, actually. But the tiny part of his brain that wasn’t completely insane convinced him otherwise. Without asking, or even touching her first, Five thrust himself inside of her. He heard her gasp and her fingers clutched his back.

“Hold still. That’s right…just like that.”

She did her best to stay as still as possible while he fucked into her. He kissed her with his eyes closed a few times, but mostly he just focused on her neck and shoulder, lost in his own fantasy. He blocked out the moans she made and her hips pushing up to meet his. It wasn’t perfect, but it was close. The more he thought about Dolores, and her hard, statuesque body under his, the faster and harder he fucked her. He was desperate. Desperate to come inside of her, even though he would normally wait until she came first.

With a long groan and one final thrust, he was spilling hot cum inside of her. He pushed himself hard against her, his fists clenching the pillow under her head, until he was spent. Panting and still avoiding her eyes, Five climbed off of her, lying awkwardly next to her on the bed.

He didn’t know what to say. What was there to say?

“Sorry,” he mumbled. That was about all that came to mind.

There was a pause and she adjusted herself, moving her body now, and looked over at him. “It’s ok. You don’t have to apologize. Some of it was a little confusing, but that’s alright. It was…good.”

He looked up at the ceiling and covered his eyes with his hands. “Shit,” he cursed quietly.

He felt her hand on his arm, warm and soft. “Five, it’s ok. Really. Don’t feel bad.”

Of course she would say that. She never wanted him to feel bad. Even when he deserved it. Even when he asked her not to move and came inside of her way too early. He probably made her feel like a cheap whore, but she would never say that. Because she loved him, and this is how he repaid her. The thought actually made him angry. Whether it was at himself or her, he wasn’t sure.

He snatched his arm away from her. “I don’t need your pity,” he snarled.

“It’s not pity, Five. I’m just trying to tell you it’s ok. That I don’t mind what you did.”

Five sat up, placing his feet on the floor, his back to her. “Just drop it, ok? I don’t need a fucking therapy session.” Then he was gone again, back in the bathroom, staring at himself in the mirror. Loathing his reflection.

He had meant for it to be a one-time thing. The way it left him feeling after the first time made Five want to crawl in a hole and die. He couldn’t look her in the eye. Could hardly speak to her. But she still came back. Wanting to please him, as always. Five tried to just focus on the good thing he had in front of him. A kind, loving person that wanted nothing more than to make him happy. Why couldn’t he just go back to the way things were before they came across that thrift store? Things had been far from perfect, but at least Five hadn’t felt like a sick pervert. He never used to have trouble screwing her in a perfectly normal way, liking the way she moved beneath him and moaned his name.

But now he was truly and utterly fucked. He didn’t want her anymore. Not the real version of her, anyway. Yet he didn’t cut her loose. He pretended he still wanted her, just so she wouldn’t leave. Because now he needed her in an entirely different way.

“Please, can you do it again?” Five was kissing her chest and rubbing her bare thighs. He always avoided her eyes, now.

She didn’t answer right away and he finally looked up at her. The look on her face was filled with apprehension.

“Again? Five, this is the fourth time now.”

Five tried to tamp down his growing anxiety. He needed her to do this for him. It felt like he was going to go crazy if she didn’t.

He kissed her stomach to distract her, listening as she inhaled sharply. “How about this?” He kissed her thigh. “I do something for you first, and then you do something for me.” He gave a small kiss in between her legs and she whimpered. “Deal?”

“Yes,” she whispered, her head already thrown back, eyes closed.

Five fulfilled his part of the deal. Using his hand and his mouth, he watched impassively, almost bored, as he worked her over. The sight of her writhing in pleasure and the sound of her pitiful moans did nothing for him. He made her come hard and fast, until she was lying on her back, fully relaxed and satiated. Five eyed her wordlessly.

Finally, she opened her eyes and smiled at him. He waited as patiently as he could for her breath to finally steady. If she was breathing hard like that, it wasn’t going to work for him.

When it seemed like she had calmed down again, Five ventured to speak up. “Are you ready for your part of the deal, now?”

She flashed a quick look of uncertainty, most likely due to the underlying harshness that he had desperately tried to keep out of his voice, but had failed to do.

“Yeah, sure. I’m ready.”

Five smiled. “Good. You know what to do, then.”

She nodded and positioned herself just like the other three times she had done this for him. Lying flat on her back, eyes on the ceiling, arms and legs at her sides; waiting to be moved in the way he wanted. She controlled her breathing as best as possible, so only minimal movement of her chest could be seen.

Seeing her immobile like that, Five drew a hard breath in. He hated that he wanted this so badly, but the urge overpowered his self-loathing and he couldn’t help himself. He ran a hand down her arm, and then along her hip. His touch was gentle and slow.

“You’re so beautiful like this,” he whispered tenderly.

Five positioned her arms so they were bent at the elbows, hands and fingers molded into a slight curve. Her legs he kept straight, but spread them apart slightly. Unlike in the past, he ran his hand lightly over her eyes, closing her eyelids. He decided he didn’t want her looking at him anymore. It was too much of a distraction.

“Keep your eyes closed for me, doll,” he said quietly as he kissed her cheek. She did as he requested and kept them closed.

He proceeded to kiss down her arms and over her chest, his lips soft and gentle as they grazed her skin. He whispered loving words and told her how good she made him feel. Taking one of her hands, Five placed it on his hardened member, fitting it in the crook between her thumb and index finger. He held her hand in place while he slowly thrust back and forth, rubbing his cock over her, groaning with the intense and familiar pleasure. Soon, he wasn’t able to hold back any longer.

Rather than fuck her properly, like he did before, Five had no desire to feel the soft, wet sensation of her wrapped around him. Instead, he started grinding against the inside of her leg, in the space between her thigh and groin. It was harder there, mostly bone, and his movements became faster as he lost himself further and further into his fantasy.

He was holding his body over hers, rutting against her, moaning a mixture of obscenities and gentle praise. She stayed still for him, her eyes closed, although he could see now and then her eyes moving back and forth beneath the lids, the lashes fluttering ever so slightly. She gasped quietly sometimes, but Five was so far gone he barely noticed.

Once he was close to finishing, Five knelt between her legs on his knees. Pumping himself with his own hand, he worked himself over until he was coming onto her stomach and tits, covering her in a load of cum while he groaned loudly with his eyes shut tight.

After a few moments, Five was able to open his eyes again. He was greeted by her judgmental gaze staring back at him. A mixture of horror, concern, and disgust written all over her face as she propped herself up on her elbows. He quickly averted his eyes, saying nothing, and blinked into the bathroom for a towel. When he returned, he cleaned up the sticky mess he had made all over her while she laid there, still silent.

When that task was done, he didn’t know what else to do, and he sat nervously on the edge of the bed, feeling hot with shame. She sat up fully and finally spoke.

“Are you ok?”

That was the first thing she asked him, after all of that. After being made to lie still while Five did whatever sick thing he wanted to her, only to have him jerk himself off onto her stomach. Five just couldn’t believe she was taking this much abuse, and it turned his stomach a little. To know that he was allowing this to continue, that he was the cause of this abuse. It would be one thing if this was a mutual fantasy, but it wasn’t. And she didn’t even know the half of it.

“Yeah, why?” Five asked with a slight tone of annoyance.

She touched his shoulder, lightly, and he tried not recoil from her hand. “If there’s something you need to tell me, you know you can. I won’t care. I love you.”

And there it was. Those three fucking words that made him want to pull his hair out and scream. Instead, he whipped his head in her direction, his building guilt and anger towards himself finally unleashed.

“Why do you keep telling me that? Why?!”

She shrunk back a little. “That I love you? Because I do.”

Five sighed heavily and started pulling his underwear back on. “Do you really have that little respect for yourself? Are you that pathetic?” He stood over her now, his voice hard while she backed further away from him on the bed.

“I…I’m sorry…” her voice was trembling and he could see tears forming in her eyes.

“Jesus Christ! Now you’re sorry? For what? Don’t you see what’s happening here? I’m never going to love you, ok. So, if you think you’re going to wear me down or make me fall in love with you somehow, that’s not going to happen. Do you understand what I’m telling you? I don’t love you!” He emphasized these last words, practically yelling them to get his point across.

Five watched as her face crumbled, the last bit of hope she had been clinging to crushed in a second with his words. She began to cry and she buried her face in her hands. Her words were muffled as she whimpered pitifully.

“You told me you needed me.”

Five lowered his voice so it was softer. But his words were just as cruel. “I used to need you. I don’t anymore.”

The next day, Five was walking into the thrift store again. He hadn’t needed to make up an excuse this time. She was gone. Out of his life for good, now. He felt badly about how he treated her; horribly actually. He had always known he was a monster inside, but this was the first time he had let it escape like that. Let it rear its ugly head and completely destroy another person. A person he supposedly cared about. But he couldn’t think about that now. He needed to speak with Dolores.

Ignoring the side eye from the sales person at the counter, Five walked up to the front window. She was still there, just like always. Same red dress, same floppy sun hat.

“I have to tell you something, Dolores. Something important.”

Ok, go ahead. I’m listening.

“I want to be with you. And only you. She’s gone now. We can be together. That is, if you’ll have me.”

Of course, Five. I always want to be with you. But what happened with her?

“Nothing. She just finally saw through me. Saw that was I really in love with someone else.”

You love me?

“I love you, Dolores. I always have.”

The next day, Five came back. Only this time he hoped it would be his last time. After discussing it in secret with Dolores, they had settled on a plan. A plan to get her out of there and back home with him where she belonged. It should be fairly straight forward, but just in case, Five’s pistol was loaded and ready inside the waistband of his pants if needed. Just like last time, he wasn’t going to leave her without a fight.

Instead of trying to avoid the sales clerk, this time he approached the counter right away. It was a stupid, convoluted story that he had conjured up the night before. Something about how he had accidentally donated an item a few days prior, but realized he needed it back. Would the clerk mind checking in the back to see if he could find it?

Five had used as much charm as he could manage, hoping he seemed sincere and not in any way crazy. The clerk seemed to buy it, although he did give Five a few odd looks. Once he was behind the door that led to the back warehouse, Five took his chance.

Carefully but quickly, he released Dolores from the display stand she was attached to. It took a little longer than he had anticipated, and Five kept looking nervously toward the counter, hoping the sales clerk would take a while. Finally, she was free. He lowered her from the raised platform in the window and into his arms. He cradled her gently for a moment, before taking one more glance around. Seeing that the coast was clear, he blinked the two of them out into the alley behind the store.

Once he teleported them several more blocks away, he finally stopped and rested. He highly doubted anyone was going to miss a decades-old mannequin from a dusty old thrift store. Five caressed her face and kissed her lips. It felt so good. So familiar. He immediately felt more at peace than he had in years.

Back home, Five showed Dolores around. This would be her home now, too. He promised he would buy her some better clothes, and do away with that awful hat. But for the time being, he just wanted to stay inside and rekindle their love.

“I love you, Dolores. I’m sorry I ever left you.” He nuzzled against her smooth cheek with his own.

I love you, too, Five. We can be together now, right? Just the two of us?

“Yes, my darling. Nothing will come between us again. I promise.”