Title: Repossession

Rating: NC-17

Genre: Romance/Hurt/Comfort

Tags: post-ending E, established relationship, sexual content, romance, fluff, mild angst, hurt/comfort, sub!9S, awkwarddom!2B, some femdom tropes apply, lots of heartwarming intimacy-building goodness

A/N: Unfortunately, I'm still wallowing in my writer's block for Unvirtuous Treaty and need a change of scenery. Hence 2B and 9S get their much-deserved happy ending. For those of you familiar with my HopeRai fics, you can consider this the 2B/9S version of Coalescence (albeit with less angst and a touch of kink). Yes, I am capable of writing stuff that isn't depressing. Occasionally.

Plot Summary:

He belongs to her. That is indisputable fact, carved into stone during their first encounter and reinforced with each cycle of their too-brief togetherness and tragedy. Now that YoRHa is gone and their love free to pursue, there is no better time than to bring this to its natural conclusion. If only she realises how much he craves to be claimed by her, commanded by her, subjected to her every carnal whim—


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Part I: For Your Permission, I Ask

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Not once had 9S anticipated that 2B would take him up on his idea.

That's not to say he hadn't hoped it would happen. The possibility certainly exists. However, 9S would need ample convincing to believe it would turn into reality. (Optimism counts among the many things he'd lost in the wake of the Bunker's destruction, and he'd struggled to regain it since.) As 2B's near-inseparable companion for the past eleven months, he is quite adept at predicting her behaviour. So it hadn't come as a surprise when she'd replied his request with a non-committal 'I'll think about it'.

At least she hadn't refused him outright.

Well, what he'd asked for does involve stepping outside her comfort zone. Though they've been a couple for some time now, 2B is still hesitant about matters of sexual intimacy, preferring to relegate them to 9S. He leads, she follows – that's the norm they've established. (One he has become increasingly dissatisfied with.) It isn't often that they depart from this formula, and his request does require a fair amount of initiative on her part. That wouldn't be easy for her, he understands.

Even on the off-chance that she is willing to accommodate him, her fear of failure is another prohibitive factor. 9S had long since learned to downplay his enthusiasm for any non-trivial request. That's because the more invested he appears to be, the more 2B would inflate his expectations in her own mind, until fulfilling them becomes all but impossible. With so intimidating a prospect, she often gives up trying altogether. It's a self-defeating mental trap that has brought about much frustration.

Combine the above with poor self-esteem and seemingly inerasable guilt, and that's a recipe for complete paralysis.

9S doesn't blame her, though. He'd be lying to say he doesn't feel some measure of resentment, but the fault ultimately doesn't lie with her. Their ordeal as YoRHa soldiers – or disposable tools of war, rather – had left them with many emotional scars and hangups. Given what 2B had endured, it's a miracle that she's come through with a functional psyche at all. (The same can be said of 9S, whose psyche had positively disintegrated in her absence.)

All things considered, it'd be unrealistic to expect any kind of favourable follow-up. 2B's initial response may as well be 'no'. And 9S would sooner apologise to A2 – he distrusts that mangy lookalike still, even after their grudging reconciliation – than pressure his partner into something against her will. The fact that he wants it with every fibre of his mechanical being is irrelevant. There's just no way 2B would reconsider it of her own volition.

Right?

Therefore, it is with guileless eyes that he watches 2B unpack the small box she'd brought home earlier, revealing a long silver chain.

"Nines." The now-familiar nickname leaves her lips in a soft, tentative breath. "I'd like to try something. With you," she clarifies after a moment, wrapping the chain around her right wrist.

"Sure," 9S replies, still distracted by his latest project: building a private database. Placing the monitor of his PC into standby mode, he pushes the keyboard into the mishmash of electronics on the table and turns towards 2B. "What is it?"

Her response is to stride towards the door of their single-room home, and ensure that it is firmly shut and locked. An unnecessary action, really. Sequestered in the woods several kilometres from the nearest camp – android and machine alike – their underground shelter is unlikely to attract visitors, even from the few who know where it is.

How they'd come to live here is a combination of necessity, luck and good old-fashioned elbow grease. What with their unaffiliated status now that YoRHa had collapsed, it wouldn't do to keep impinging on Anemone's hospitality. So they'd left the Resistance camp to find a new roof above their heads. After some exploring, they'd stumbled across the ruins of a secluded forest dwelling, the basement of which had remained miraculously intact. Renovating it into liveable condition had taken them several months, however.

The work proved to be good for them. Especially 2B, who'd had to deconstruct her mindset of following orders and figure out what to do with herself. (While 9S faced the same existential crisis, it was to a lesser extent, as he already tended towards independent thought.) Building their own home had helped to establish a new sense of purpose. Furthermore, their isolation had provided them with much-needed room not only to heal, but also to explore their togetherness.

Is the latter 2B's intention, since she's trying to reinforce the feeling of privacy?

Unbidden, a bubble of hope swells within him as 2B proceeds to close the distance between them, stepping in between his seated knees. She reaches out to cup his jaw, and 9S leans unabashedly into her touch. (Even now, 2B cannot be described as 'demonstrative', and 9S always makes sure to cherish every display of affection from her.) Her hand doesn't linger though, sliding down to caress his neck. Then, to his astonishment, she slips a finger underneath his choker, tugging it forward and clipping the chain onto it.

So that's the reason behind 2B's latest acquisition: to leash him. Suffice it to say that this goes beyond anything he'd expected.

"2…B?" 9S breathes, blinking up at his new captor with wide eyes.

She immediately rushes into what seems to be a planned speech. "Before you start, I need to say that I… don't really know what I'm doing." Anxiety is clear in the way her fingers fidget with the chain, producing a soft metallic rattle. "But I've been thinking about that idea you suggested a few weeks ago, and I've decided to give it a shot."

At her mention of said idea, 9S's eyes widen further. "Really? You mean it?"

"Yes," she confirms, nodding for good measure.

The gravity of this answer isn't lost on him, as he knows 2B always strives to keep her promises. "2B, I'm amazed," he says with no small amount of awe. "Truly. I didn't think it would ever happen. It seemed like a lot to ask for."

"I can tell you really wanted it." There is a tight, almost defensive edge to her voice.

"Yeah, I do," he returns emphatically, reaching up to steady her still-fidgeting hand. "But do you want it, too?"

It is a few seconds later when 2B responds. Her free hand retraces its path to his jaw, her thumb brushing against his cheek. "What I want is to make you happy, Nines."

Stunned by her heartfelt declaration – not to mention the ensuing burst of warmth within his black box cavity – 9S gives a tremulous smile. "Aww, 2B…"

"I realise I've been holding out on you," she continues, determined to explain herself. "I rarely start things between us; most of the time you do. I've become too comfortable with this. It's just so much easier to respond rather than lead."

"Yeah, it can be tiring, having to take the lead constantly," he concedes, taking her words as encouragement to discuss the sensitive matter further. Still, it would be wise to proceed carefully, lest he appear too demanding and scare her off before they'd even begun. "I really appreciate that you're making an effort to change this, y'know."

Recognising the course of their conversation, 2B pulls away to draw up a nearby chair. She settles into it, which brings her eye-to-eye with him. "It isn't fair to leave all the work to you," she says, tone contrite.

9S nods, acknowledging her statement. "Fairness is one thing. It's more than just that, though."

This prompts 2B to raise a worried eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

Sucking in a preparatory breath, 9S carries on, "Well, when it's always me having to start things, it feels as though I'm the only interested party. Like you're just giving in to my desires. I—" he chokes, unable to conceal the plaintiveness in his voice, "I want you to desire me too, 2B."

Something flares in 2B's moonsilver eyes, and she jerks forward – presumably to clutch him in some way, but 9S cannot confirm that, as she aborts the motion halfway through. "Nines, don't be mistaken – I definitely desire you." Her tone is vehement to the point of forcefulness.

"I don't doubt that at all, 2B," 9S returns, his manner gentle by contrast. "But the way things were going, it made it hard for me to feel desired, sometimes."

Her expression crumples. "Am I so bad at communicating my feelings?"

For a second, 9S hears only the whir of his racing processors as he searches for a suitable answer. "I'm afraid it's uh, not your strong suit."

This elicits a loud sigh from 2B, and her shoulders slump noticeably.

"Sorry," he squeaks. Perhaps starting with an apology would be the best way to traverse this emotional minefield, soften the sting of his next words. "There's something else I need to mention as well. You're always so careful whenever you touch me. Even hesitant. It sorta comes across as reluctance."

A furrow forms between her brows as 2B digests this information. "It's not reluctance," she admits after a moment. "I'm careful because I'm not completely sure what I'm doing. A lot of the time I'm actually… afraid."

"What are you afraid of?"

She averts her gaze. "I don't want to break you, 9S."

Is that why 2B keeps holding back – because she fears that she might inadvertently damage him? As a combat android, her strength outmatches his by a vast margin. Yet 9S had never felt threatened by this. Even his frail scanner body can withstand moderate impact, and exceeding this threshold would require a great deal of force – which he doubts she would employ against him.

"You won't break me, 2B," he says, sliding a gentle hand underneath her chin and tilting it back towards him.

Her response is to mirror his caress, scattering her fingertips across his cheek. "I've broken you so many times." Her words are barely louder than a whisper, yet every syllable resonates with pain.

Of course, 9S should've realised 2B was referring to the many times she'd killed him. This had caused her no end of torment, as evidenced by his few – and reluctantly allowed – viewings of her memory data. Will the guilt never cease to eat away at her?

"Oh, 2B," he calls out her name with as much sympathy as he can muster. "That's all in the past now."

Her hand falls away from his face. "A past I cannot escape. I was 2E, and 2E would always remain part of me. Whatever I do to redeem myself, it'll never wash my hands clean of the blood of those I've killed." The corners of her mouth pull back, revealing gritted teeth. "Your blood."

"Your past doesn't change how I feel about you," he reassures her. "I've learned about your executioner designation a long time ago, and I've come to terms with it." Reaching forward to grasp her hand between his own, he squeezes it emphatically. "2B or 2E, you're still you. You're still the one I've wanna be with."

She looks down at their joined hands. "Humans had a saying that history is doomed to repeat itself. Aren't you concerned that I'd hurt you again?"

He shakes his head. "I seriously doubt you'll hurt me. Not intentionally. Not in the way you seem to think, at least. But I can understand where you're coming from."

This causes 2B to lift her gaze to meet his, moonsilver eyes wide with surprise. "How so?

"You're not the only one with a chequered past, 2B."

Expelling a heavy breath, 9S proceeds to run through his memories of the hellish days after 2B's passing. This isn't something they've discussed at length. Maybe she'd sensed his reticence, but 2B hadn't probed into the matter. Nor had 9S volunteered to talk about it – until now. There hadn't been any reason to expound upon the all-consuming pain and loss, which had left him with naught but the desire to seek revenge and destroy everything – himself included.

"During the time you were gone," he begins, pulling his hands back and folding them into his lap, "I went through my own personal hell. Everything just crashed on me all at once – the Bunker's destruction, uncovering YoRHa's lies, losing you. I was in a very bad frame of mind, and I did things I'm… not proud of. Things that haunt me to this day.

"In the end, I realised that our crusade against the machines was pointless all along, that we've been fighting and killing each other for nothing. Then the Pods brought us back, and the Army of Humanity called off the war for good. Being back together with you gave me a reason to live again, separate myself from my dark and bloodthirsty path. But nothing will ever erase the atrocities I've committed."

The mindless violence in which he'd immersed himself returns to him with too-vivid clarity, and 9S hangs his head in shame. "So many machines died at my hands. And infected YoRHa soldiers too. I hunted them, I carved them into pieces, I made them scream as they exploded – and I did it with a smile on my face. I wanted them to feel the pain I was feeling. I wanted to burn it out of me, burn myself, burn everything.

"I know you'd tried your best to care for me and keep me alive – even entrusting my protection to A2, when you couldn't do it anymore. But given the state I was in, death was a mercy. Even though it wasn't completely intentional on my part," he finishes with a grimace, recalling the moment of agony-filled panic as he skewered himself on A2's blade.

2B, who'd been listening with a sombre expression, mulls over his story for several more seconds before replying. "I figured bad things had happened to you while I was gone," she says quietly. "But I never realised how bad. I never wanted you to suffer like that." Sorrow glistens in her eyes.

"I'm sorry, 2B," 9S sighs. Recounting his experience had only served to highlight the horrifying – and disappointing – depths to which he'd descended. "I fell very far from your wish for me to become a good person."

It is 2B's turn to shake her head. "There's no need to apologise. I'd rather not have things turn out this way for you, but it's strangely relieving at the same time. We're not very different, you and I."

"Yeah," he agrees, grateful not only for her lack of judgment, but also for reaching a point of mutual accord. "We're two damaged soldiers in a war that should never have been. And we both did horrible things we regret, things that have tainted us." He lays a hand on her knee. "So believe me, when I say I know how you feel."

She covers his hand with her own. "I believe you."

"Will you believe me too, if I say history won't repeat itself?"

2B's pale brows knot together. "What makes you so sure about that?"

"In the wise words of Pod 042," 9S explains, giving a mental salute to the tactical support unit in question, "a future is not given to you; it's something you must take for yourself. Though the past may shape who we are today, it doesn't have to dictate our current actions. With YoRHa gone, we're free to make our own choices, be whoever we wanna be. You don't have to play the executioner's role anymore. You haven't been that for the past eleven months. And I can pursue whatever catches my interest and not worry that it'll cost me my life."

"I can't argue what you're saying," she concedes with a frown. "Perhaps my fear has no basis in reality, as it currently stands. But I doubt it'll ever go away, regardless."

Turning over their hands so that his is now covering hers, 9S runs his thumb in soothing circles over her knuckles. "Maybe it won't go away, maybe it will. But either way it's okay. Letting go of the past isn't easy. And forgiving yourself is much harder than forgiving others. Just remember you're not alone in this, 2B. I'll always be here to support you."

"I don't want to remain trapped by my feelings anymore." Frustration is plain in 2B's voice, and her free hand curls into a fist against her side. "I don't want to rob you of your happiness just because I can't… get over myself. Why must I be so broken, so pathetic?"

"Please 2B, don't belittle yourself," he implores, determined to steer her away from the path of self-recrimination she treads too often. "We all have our issues, and working through them takes a lot of time and effort. You've already taken a step in the right direction by doing this." Lifting a hand to his choker, 9S tugs on the chain for emphasis. "And you'll be taking another step by following through."

As 2B's features harden with resolve, 9S feels hope swell inside him once more. "I fully intend to do so. I won't let you down, Nines."

He offers her an encouraging smile. "You'll do just fine, 2B. Again, as I've said before, I'm truly amazed that you've come this far."

"No thanks to you. Honestly, Nines," she continues in heartfelt tones, gazing intently into his eyes, "thank you. For being so patient with me. For always staying by my side."

"Anything for you, my love," he returns in an equally heartfelt murmur. "I'm yours, always."

2B's response is to reach forward and cup his face between her hands. With delicate fingers, she traces the contours of his face over and over, from the curve of his brows, to the bridge of his nose, to the outline of his lips. Every touch sings across his skin, causing his black box to echo with contentment. The look she's giving him throughout it all only heightens the feeling of wholesomeness. Now, more than ever, 9S is glad for their decision to go without visors. He wouldn't be able to see that incredible warmth in her moonsilver eyes otherwise.

They remain like this for several minutes, 9S drinking in her unrestrained affection. However, curiosity takes hold of him in the end, his eagerness to identify the source of 2B's inspiration superseding that of his desire to linger in her caress.

"By the way, where did you come up the idea to use a leash?" he pipes up.

It takes 2B a brief while to respond, as though coming out of a trance. "Oh, that's right," she says, slowly lowering her hands. "The accessory you wear around your neck, it resembles a collar. According to Old World materials, humans used to put collars on their pet animals."

"So I'm your pet today, huh?" he throws out with a playful grin.

Her lips curl in a ghost of a smirk. "I figured taking charge would be easier if I assume a position of authority over you."

"That's perfectly fine by me," he replies agreeably, knowing 2B would feel more comfortable within the defined expectations of that role. "Though, if you're now in a position of authority, shouldn't I address you by a more appropriate title, like ma'am?"

She pauses for a moment, no doubt contemplating the irony of his proposal – as she had been the one to insist he forgo formality in the first place. "You're right. Call me ma'am."

9S plays along, inclining his head in deference. "As you wish, ma'am."

Her hand skitters up the chain, winding several links around her fingers. "Will you obey my every order, 9S?"

"I'll do whatever it takes to please you, ma'am."

His answer isn't the least bit facetious, and 2B must have recognised the implications of this, for her mouth turns down in disapproval. "Seriously though, what if you're not okay with something?"

Giving a thoughtful hum, 9S spends the next few seconds running through his databanks for information he'd compiled on the subject (just in case). "In the unlikely event that that happens, it'd be best to have some sort of safeword."

2B raises a confused eyebrow. "Safeword?"

"Something either of us can say that calls a stop to everything, and isn't likely to come up in bedroom talk."

"Something like—" she taps her knuckle against her lower lip musingly, "—Jackass?"

9S's immediate reaction is to slap his hand against his shorts, emitting a loud snort of laughter. "Aww man, if only she knew what her name is being used for…"

"She doesn't need to know," replies 2B, deadpan. Were she anyone else, 9S would claim that her manner – carefully devoid of expression as it were – has a conspiratorial edge to it.

"Sure thing. Jackass it is." He cannot help but follow up this pronouncement with a little giggle.

Covering her mouth with her hand, 2B makes an exaggerated throat-clearing noise. "That's all we need, correct? Shall we start, then?"

He gives a vigorous nod. "Please go ahead, ma'am."

She pushes her seat back and rises to her feet, pulling on the chain to beckon him forward. "Alright. Come with me, 9S."