He Said He'd Buy Me a Mechanical Arm

[Basically, this is an unconventional older-sister-and-puppy romance set in the apocalypse! Purely written to indulge my tastes, so I'm letting loose! (Bold)]

*

In the summer of Tree Era 307, there was more heavy rain than usual. My left arm hurt even worse in the damp, humid weather.

After we made love, he said he was going out to secure a future for me and buy the latest mechanical arm from the tech exhibition in Tree Zone One.

I told him he'd only just returned from the wasteland and could wait a while, until bug season was over.

He said he couldn't wait.

Then the next day, he left Tree Zone and went to the wasteland.

He never came back.

I waited for him for two years in our home, Tree Zone Fifty-Three.

After Tree Zone Fifty-Three was overrun by bugs, I went with the refugees to the Empire's central Tree Zone One...

And saw him.

I saw him standing at the center of the front line of the army, the highest-ranking star insignia pinned to his shoulder.

"...Fuck."

*

A few years ago, a foul-mouthed woman who'd left the military because of her health and planned to eke out her days in some remote Tree Zone found a helpless amnesiac on the battlefield.

Then they fell in love.

*

A prickly woman who's always a little dead inside and has no energy

vs.

A smug pest who's had a crush for years and loves competing with other men

My love, in this age when all things wither, hold tight to my hand.

[Reader's Guide]

1. The main story is in third person. Trust me, this isn't a story about abandonment.

2. Inspired by a dream.

3. A story written to indulge my tastes. My own sci-fi apocalypse setting, full of personal worldbuilding. Please don't overanalyze it.

4. The heroine has no left arm and has a scar on her face. A quarter of the hero's face is burned and scarred.

6. Six is a lucky number.

Theme: Fight for life, for faith, and for wine!