When you were a child, a lonely, different outcast, you were gifted a doll. You had never gotten many other presents when you were that age, so for you, the doll was something big- something huge for you. Your nights were full of your parents fighting- glass breaking and furniture falling, yet your doll was always there for you to hug- to find comfort in when you had nobody else to go to. You had named him Davor- constantly whispering to him, brushing his hair and adjusting his clothes, figuring he appreciated it.

As the years went on, and you began to grow- going into high school and being out of your home more often, it broke you to have to leave Davor at home all day, not wanting to bring him to school in fear of him getting broken. You felt he was lonely sitting in your bed all day, as you'd tuck him into your bedsheets every morning before you left for school. Though every day you came home, dashing to your bedroom to see Davor- he was always... in a different place in your bedroom. Either sitting on your desk, or hiding under your covers- he was someplace different after you came home. This only led you into believing he was real even more- a conscious being in the body of a doll.

More years passed, and finally, you got out of your terrible childhood home. You moved into a small apartment, having the whole place to yourself- able to have all of the alone time you want, not having to sleep in fear. Though, you still had work- which meant leaving Davor all alone for hours- again. It still broke you- leaving him tucked into your blanket, thinking of his small figure propped up against your pillow- but you had to get money. It made you feel a little crazy, thinking this doll was a real being- but he was there when nobody else was, the only thing available to hug and talk to when your family was too busy fighting. He would still be in a different position every time you came home, but instead of being only in your bedroom- your door would be open... and he'd be sitting on your couch, or your kitchen island counter- it messed with your head a little. If he was moving, how come you never saw him doing it? If he was conscious- or able to shift into a human, why has he never done it?

It confused you- but either way, you cherished him, kept him by your side every moment you were home, talking to him about your day- but you never got a response. However, it didn't bother you. It's like you knew- like you felt he was listening. You could swear you saw his features move sometimes, either his gaze shifting to you, or his lips twitching into a smile when you said a joke, or something stupid. But he couldn't be real, could he? There's no way your childhood doll is some sort of... shapeshifter, right?

It all came down to the start of winter. You had just gotten on your fall break from work, the weather chilly and the leaves reddening outside. You come home like any other day, putting your belongings down and hanging your coat on the wall, taking in the silence of the apartment, how it always is. But, before you can head to your bedroom, where you last left Davor, wrapped up in your blankets as it was a little chilly, you feel warm breath against the back of your neck. You don't have the time to turn and see who it is before the person suddenly wraps their arms around you, pulling your back against their warm chest. Your heart stopped, thinking there was an intruder in your home- that this was it, but one of the hands suddenly reach up, gently grabbing your chin, and pulling your head up and back, making you look at...

Davor. He stares back at you, his dark irises locked on your shocked gaze, his usual plastic skin now warm and soft looking, his eyes more lively and focused, and his soft smile evident. He tilts his head a little at you, as if he's cherishing the feeling of finally being able to hold you after so many years. You don't have the chance to say anything before he brushes your hair from your face, and leans down, pressing a torturingly soft kiss to your forehead, his eyes shutting with a sigh.