First Person POV:

Family-it's been a while since I pondered the concept. I've always been immersed in work, never dwelling too much on settling down with a spouse or having a child. The idea of family, whether through adoption or biological means, has been a lingering thought from my younger years. It's somewhat crazy to reflect on my lifelong obsession with having a family.

I'm aware that I fall on the average side of attractiveness, not as striking as Walden or as aesthetically pleasing as Sally (Julie's best friend). The only one who comes close to being a potential partner is Solaris.

Solaris, with his playful and dramatic demeanor, flirts a lot, but surprisingly, he's a rather shy guy. Despite his flirtatious nature, he always respects my boundaries. Still, I doubt if there are any genuine feelings behind his playful advances.

Second Person POV:

As you ponder these thoughts in your office, the door creaks open, revealing a tired-looking Solaris accompanied by a hyperactive Ophelia. "Control her; she listens to you more than to me," he complains, and you chuckle, taking the young girl into your arms.

Confused about why Solaris would come to you instead of Walden, you look at your co-worker, and he responds to your unspoken question. "Hey, he's not really fond of me like he is of you," Solaris admits sheepishly as you adjust Ophelia in your arms. She wastes no time wrapping her small arms around you, clinging like a koala.

Observing the scene, Solaris chuckles. "You would make a great parent, you know?" he comments, and Ophelia enthusiastically agrees. Embarrassment spreads across your face as you mumble and sputter, and Solaris gives you a small, gentle smile. He seems like such a catch; you wonder why he doesn't have a partner yet, a green flag.

And you know a certain someone who is a red flag. A small knock was heard, and the door opened to your office, and the certain blue-haired red flag entered.
-Walden. He nods to you and shoots a glare at Solaris, further emphasizing his not-so-fond feelings for the raven-haired co-worker.

"I was gonna ask where she was, but it seems I don't need to," your boss's deep voice rumbled in the rather spacey office that had only a few decorations. Did I forget to mention that you have a pet snake, too? It was just chilling in the corner of your desk. Ophelia then chose that moment to wiggle free from your grasp and dropped down to hug Solaris's leg to say thank you, in which Walden's scowl became more visible as the Raven squirmed under his gaze.

"Hey, maybe you should go to your dad now," Solaris suggested, and the youngling beamed and nodded, running into her father's arms.

Walden's annoyed expression softens into a smile as he lifts up his adopted child. "Assistant, with me, I need some help rearranging a few files," he says as he lived forward knowing you ill likely follow as well.

Walking beside Walden, you notice Ophelia has dozed off on his chest. His soft smile and the child in his arms are rare green flags. You can't help but gaze at Walden's side profile, admiring the tender moment. Unable to resist, you blurt out, "What about Solaris?" Walden gives you a confused look. "I meant him, What's with the tension between you two? Ever since he worked here, you've acted like he committed murder."

The man sighs, adjusting Ophelia in his arms. "Don't complain when I tell you." He glares, and you assure him that you won't. "I don't understand him, therefore I can't stand him."

"What?" you ask.

"Look, let me explain." Walden groans. " Solaris is talented and bright, yes?" He nods. "But he's a little enigmatic. He's nice but not open, and I hate to admit that he's one of the few people I can't read. I know almost nothing about him; his eyes are bright yet dim."

Red Flag: Controlling and a bit pushy.

"Counting flags again?"

Green Flag (?): Not in denial.

"Well..." you grin sheepishly, attempting to lighten the mood. "Wait... His eyes, you say?" Walden narrows his eyes in suspicion. "Yes...?" You then clear your throat. "Doesn't that sound gay?" you joke and grin victoriously as Walden sputters and blinks in shock. "I'm married!" he hisses, careful not to wake his child. "Bisexual, then," you retort as Walden rolls his eyes, giving up.

As you walk with your boss to his office, a smile blooms on your face, it's was this peace you want it's what you're always after, hoping this camaraderie will last forever.

I'm sorry, but that won't be the case, Y/N.

It's written down; I can't help you.

Even if it hurts, me and you.

You freeze, feeling a pit in your stomach

and an impending sense of doom.

"I wish I had listened to my guts..."

First person POV

Despite the warmth of the moment, an unsettling feeling lingered within me. I couldn't shake the sense of impending change, as if the tranquility I had just experienced was a fleeting oasis in the midst of an unpredictable journey.

As we reached Walden's office, my mind was still tangled in thoughts about family, relationships, and the complexities that surrounded them. Ophelia, now comfortably settled in her father's arms, continued to doze, seemingly oblivious to the undercurrents of tension that occasionally surfaced in the factory.

Walden, with Ophelia in tow, headed straight to the files that needed rearranging. As we delved into the task, the rhythmic shuffling of papers provided a backdrop to the conversation that unfolded between us.

"So, what's with Solaris?" I couldn't help but bring up the lingering question again. Walden, engrossed in the files, took a moment before responding, his expression thoughtful.

"He's a mystery, and mysteries make me uneasy. There's a lack of transparency, and in my line of work, that's a vulnerability I can't afford," Walden explained.

I nodded, absorbing his perspective. Each character in the factory seemed to carry their own enigma, woven into the fabric of the unconventional family that operated within these walls.

As the task progressed, Ophelia stirred, her eyes fluttering open. Walden gently placed her on the couch in his office, covering her with a soft blanket as she closed her eyes again and cuddled a plush toy. The atmosphere in the room shifted subtly, becoming more introspective.

Walden sighed, a rare vulnerability in his expression. "I know you've been thinking about family, Y/N. It's a desire many share, but this factory, our lives here, they're unpredictable. Plans have a way of unraveling."

His words resonated with the inner conflict I had been grappling with. The dream of a stable, loving family seemed elusive within the intricate machinery of the factory.

Yet, in this moment, surrounded by the hum of the factory and the quiet acknowledgment of shared struggles, a peculiar sense of unity emerged. Walden's vulnerability, Solaria's mystery, and my own contemplations on family all converged into a shared narrative, reminding me that within this complex tapestry, we were all threads woven together by the unpredictable loom of life.

As we concluded the task, Walden's gaze met mine. "Family, Y/N, is not always blood. Sometimes, it's the bonds we forge in the most unexpected places." His words lingered in the air, carrying a nuanced wisdom that transcended the ordinary.

As I left Walden's office, the echoes of his words stayed with me, weaving into the fabric of my own contemplations.

I returned to my workspace, greeted by the familiar sight of the pet snake lazily coiled on the desk. The serpentine observer seemed to embody the silent witness to the intricate dance of relationships and aspirations within the factory.

In the ensuing days, the ebb and flow of work continued, but the resonance of that shared moment lingered-a subtle reminder that in the midst of complexity, the threads of connection and the longing for family could endure, even within the unconventional tapestry of the factory.

I hope it stays the same...

Author notes:

Solaria: