The next day was a blur for the both of them. Toolshed and Kyle met in the garden behind the Clockery that day, and that night. The first time they were awkward, trying to get to know each other without spilling too much.

Toolshed learned that Kyle was kind. He was kind but stubborn and firmly stood with what he believed in, and was gentle to what he loved. Toolshed admired that about him.

Kyle learned that Toolshed was soft to every living creature on the Earth- but had harsh words about certain humans, not that Kyle disagreed with him- just that he could have been a little kinder. Kyle loved his bravery.

They met every day and night from then on. They would talk- about anything. Everything. Kyle's mum thought he was courting some 300 girl and Kenny would cover for Toolshed at the Clockery.

You could imagine their dismay when Toolshed finished the watches.

Kyle strode up to the counter of the Clockery at 3.09pm, a lot more at ease than he was the first time he came here. He was no longer bothered by the heat. His hands were in his pockets, and he casually said, "Progress?"

Toolshed grinned and said, "Actually, I finished." Kyle was worried they wouldn't meet again in the garden anymore- but Toolshed's eyes spoke reassurances to him silently as he paid for the repair and put the watch on.

Toolshed glanced at Kenny, who simply nodded and moved to take the other's place at the counter. He gently took Kyle's hand as they head out the back door.

They found a shady spot near the azaelias, and sat in silence for a few moments before saying, "You never told me your number." Toolshed bit his lip- he wasn't sure he wanted Kyle to know, he wasn't sure if Kyle would think differently of him, he wasn't sure of a lot of things.

"Does it matter?" "Of course it does- I want to know your name."

The black-haired boy was a little confused. "You can tell my name from my number?"

Kyle laughed a quick, light laugh. "Everything's in the database- all names and numbers are linked."

That made Toolshed feel worse about telling him. "You won't like it."

Kyle snorted- a sound Toolshed never thought he would hear. "Because you're a 500? Try me. Can I see your arm?"

Hot tears quickly rose to Toolshed's eyes as he held out his arm for 226 to inspect. He looked away as Kyle gently pushed up his sleeve with his thin, pale fingers, and shut his eyes so he wouldn't see his face when he found out- or when he heard Kyle's soft gasp.

"Stan- Your name is Stan," Kyle said breathlessly, "Stan Bradley Marsh." Stan opened his eyes and looked over to see Kyle with stardust in his eyes, completely enamored by the sound of his name. Kyle seemed to not care he was a 400- for the time being. Stan could only stare at him, and Kyle was the same.

Before they knew it, they were leaning into each other, Kyle kissing Stan's tearstained cheeks until he got to his lips, which were chapped and red from years of a harsh working enviornment- but he didn't care, because they were Stan's and they tasted like him and everything he loved about him. When Kyle leaned in more he accidentally stepped on a lone, wild pink carnation growing underneath them, but he paid no mind as Stan kissed back, treating Kyle like he was the fragilest, most beautiful glass Stan had ever smelt, the rarest in the whole Steamworks, as if he were a fine piece of art- and loved every second.

"Are-Is this- we're-" Stan stammered, but Kyle just shushed him with a "Yes". 416 was wondering if they were a together thing now- because 400s weren't allowed to have free reign on their romantic endeavors. They had to get a permit, and it was harder if they were opposite-gender - it was just the bias of the Numeration. They placed limits such as "400s cannot be romantically involved with other 400s" or "400s cannot have intercourse without a permit" and various other bullshit.

"It'll be okay."