Mai shivered as Naru pulled her into an alleyway and pressed her against the brickwork. He was shaking, but she knew it wouldn't be from the cold. Without a second thought, he pulled off his blazer and wrapped around Mai's smaller shoulders. It only did a little to keep the cold at bay, but it touched her all the same. He pulled her against his chest and gripped her. His thirium pump pounded against her ear. He was a deviant. She knew he was. He'd killed a man in front of her. He'd protected her. He was shaking like he was about to fall apart.

"Naru," Mai murmured softly, a little afraid despite his apparent tenderness. She felt like she was dreaming. This whole situation was surreal. She tried not to think about the café. Of what had happened. Almost happened. She breathed deeply as she leaned against Naru's firm chest. He'd saved her. He'd killed for her. "Naru, are you…" she trailed off softly as she looked up into his bright blue eyes. They'd never looked so vibrant before, even though they were wide in shock. His LED was a bright red circle as he struggled to process.

"I-h-he was hurting you. I c-couldn't let him do that. I had to s-stop him! I-had-to-" he stammered nervously, finally quieting as Mai's cold hands reached up and cupped his soft cheeks. He swallowed the lump in his throat as he looked down at her. She was just as afraid as he was. He could feel it in her warmth and read it in the race of her heart. Naru breathed again, sighing out the breath he'd held as he closed his eyes and rested his forehead against hers. He scanned her vitals. She shouldn't be out in this weather. Not with so little clothing. The maid dress was made of a light, summery material, meant for inside use.

"Come on…We should get out of the cold before…" Mai murmured softly as she took Naru's hand and tugged him along. He went with her numbly, allowing her to lead the way. He knew nothing outside of the bank and café. He had no idea where to go. Mai lived with her grandmother, not too far from town. It felt like a long walk, and her feet were painfully numb by the end of it. She usually would have changed shoes before she left or called a taxi. Naru was helping her walk. She led the way up the worn path to let herself in. An old woman was there, rising from the aged sofa to greet her warmly. She paused warily as she noticed Mai's pale skin and Naru's flashing LED. It turned from yellow back to red as the woman looked at him. He felt like she could see it. Like she could see what he'd done. He looked away. His jaw tightened as he felt her stare at him.

"What happened?" the old woman asked as she noted their state of dress. Mai would never wander around without her thick coat in this weather, and she doubted a normal android would look so stressed and dishevelled. Mai avoided the topic before hurrying to change. "Are you…functioning normally?" the woman asked in a hesitant but polite tone. Naru was still shaking as he looked at her. His lower lip quivered as if he were about to cry. This woman was taller than Mai, but stooped over and plump. Her eyes were the same warm hazel and her hair was thick and curly, now a steel grey colour rather than whatever it had been before.

"N-no, I-I'm a…" Naru stammered, keeping his distance so as not to scare who he assumed to be Mai's grandmother. She was soft but firm as she asked what had happened. Naru couldn't help but let the words fall. "I-I k-killed him…I-I d-didn't mean to, but I-I was…angry…" he confessed, feeling saline trickle down his cheeks. He didn't even know why. He couldn't process the feedback he was processing. He felt overwhelmed and flinched as a warm, aged hand rested on his tense shoulder. The touch was comforting. It gave him something to focus on. He measured the exact pressure she was using to grip him.

"You should rest awhile, but you'll have to move on…The police will come looking for Mai when they find the body," the old woman warned, her voice both gentle and kind. Naru nodded his agreement. Of course they would. The café had been left lit and unlocked. Someone was sure to pass by during the night. Mai wouldn't be in trouble. He knew there was a security camera inside. Mai would be alright. It would show she was attacked. It would show that he was the one who'd fought the man. If he were human, the recording might have cleared him of any wrongdoing as well, but he knew that, as an android, the police would hunt him down as a defective android. He'd be registered for decommission. His LED span red at the thought. Naru took the old woman's advice and cleaned up in the bathroom. He splashed his face to clear away the saline tracks before stepping out onto the landing. He accepted his jacket as Mai returned it. They hovered in the hall outside the bathroom for a few moments, both holding the jacket with something unsaid lingering between them.

"Thank you…" Mai said sincerely, stepping closer as Naru's lip quivered. He couldn't stop himself. He took the hand Mai offered and held on tightly. He had to limit his strength to stop himself from hurting her. His breath was shaky as he leaned closer and let their lips meet. She felt warm. His whole body suddenly felt a wave of softness. Tingles ran across his skin and he could feel the synthetic flesh on his hand creeping back to analyse Mai's human fingers between his own. He dropped the jacket as he brought his free hand up to cup Mai's cheek, stepping closer until their bodies were touching. Mai's free arm wrapped around his neck and pulled him down eagerly, her mouth opening in a silent plea to deepen the kiss. Naru obliged. His sexual subroutines felt right for the first time since he'd activated them.

"Would-you…would you like to initiate a sexual encounter?" he murmured almost vulnerably, unsure how humans would usually voice such a request. He felt Mai's huff of amusement against his lips as she smiled. The sensation sent static across his sensitive skin. He wasn't sure how she managed it, but Mai pressed even closer. He wasn't sure there was even a millimetre between their bodies at this point.

"I'd like that," she replied in a whisper, pulling away only to lead him into a modest bedroom. It was quite a small room. The walls were a faded pink colour that had clearly been chosen during childhood. A couple of android band posters hung on the walls, but they, too, were quite old. One of them was barely hanging by a single piece of tape, and all of them were curling at the edges. The small desk was cluttered with books and a thin layer of dust. She had clearly been neglecting her studies or abandoned them completely as he'd suspected. Right now, that didn't seem important. He kicked the door shut before backing her up to the single bed. Mai sat before shuffling back to the wall, lying on her side shyly.

Naru paused at the edge of the bed, suddenly feeling uncertain as he loosened his deep charcoal tie and slipped it from his neck. There was something liberating about the removal. He'd never done this before. The material had been pulled and loosened, but never actually removed. There was no need since he didn't produce bodily fluids. Since he didn't sweat, his clothes never really got dirty. He fiddled with the silky material as he looked down at the Mai. He was moving too fast. He knew he was. They'd both suffered something of a shock. He moved slowly as he lowered himself onto the bed beside her and turned on his side to face her.

"What are you thinking?" Mai asked quietly as she watched his blue eyes dart around aimlessly, sometimes looking at her before shifting away. He seemed nervous. Hesitant. At her words, he took on a strangely gentle expression. One of his arms looped over her slim waist, teasing the covered skin in soothing circles. He knew a human would call it soft. He couldn't feel a single imperfection as his fingers trailed along it.

"I was thinking that I might be pushing you…after what happened…" Naru cut off hesitantly, Mai's hazel eyes dropping warily as he gently brought up the incident from the café. He could read her vitals and various chemicals firing in her blood. Her adrenaline spiked, and she suddenly seemed afraid. It was an understandable reaction to have after such an encounter. Naru squeezed her hip in what he hoped was an assuring gesture. It seemed to work. Her body relaxed beside him.

"Do you want to…talk about it?" Mai asked gently, knowing that Naru had suffered his own form of trauma. Naru read into her words and thought that perhaps Mai wanted to talk about it to ease her own mind. He nodded his agreement, looking down as he felt one of her legs shift to gently press against his own. He couldn't help the warmth that moved him at that touch. He raised his own leg, allowing Mai's to slot between, comfortably entangling their lower limbs together. It felt warm. Comforting. Reassuring.

"Although I had not yet deviated, I had a certain…intuition about him. Whenever he looked at you, I…I was perplexed. My programming couldn't make sense of my preoccupation…When he told me to follow him tonight, I simply obeyed, like the good machine I was. I broke into the café on his orders. I'm not designed to break the law, but with two conflicting orders, I automatically deferred to my human superior. I couldn't stop myself…He told me to watch, so that I could learn how to…please you," Naru murmured almost shamefully. He spoke in a gentle voice, almost as if he were telling a bedtime story. Mai was quietly sympathetic as she listened, her hand reaching out to bunch the chest of his shirt. "I tried to move, but when he ordered me…I couldn't disobey, but there were so many errors…In the end I decided I-I didn't want to watch. I wanted him to let go of you. I wanted you to be safe…so I deviated," he confessed, seeing a pink flush rise in Mai's cheeks. It was quite a confession. It almost seemed romantic.

"You deviated…for me?" she asked uncertainly, Naru nodding his agreement. Mai's skin flushed even more at the news. Naru huffed a small chuckle. He supposed it did sound romantic. An android deviating to save the girl he loves. The issue was that he currently had no idea what love was. Did he love Mai? How could he possibly determine that? He'd had emotions for less than an hour. Despite not knowing if it was love, he could say with absolute certainty that he felt some form of affection. How could he not?

"You were one of the first humans to see me as more than a machine…to treat me like a living being…You gave me affection and showed generosity. I had to protect you," he added earnestly, his power core whirring slightly as Mai shuffled closer. He had been close enough to smell Mai's light floral scent before, but it felt somehow different now. Rather than analysing the smell and picking out each individual flower that had gone into creating it, he felt a sudden rush fill his systems. His thirium pump almost seemed to stutter. With little conscious thought, Naru's hand crept further up around Mai's waist to caress her back.

"I was really scared when the door opened, but I felt safer knowing you were there…Even when he…I wasn't sure you really heard me, but part of me thought if I just kept calling, then you'd…" she trailed off quietly, Naru nodding his agreement. Things could have been so different. If Mai hadn't been so loud. If she hadn't needed him so desperately. Looked at him with those tear-filled eyes. Without that, he may not have deviated. He may have just stood there watching, like an obedient dog. Worse. When Mr Royce finished, he may have handed Mai over and forced him to-Naru shuddered at the thought, lowering his face against Mai's slender shoulder.

"I'm sorry…I'm sorry I didn't deviate sooner," he murmured, feeling the urge to pull her closer. All these months of going to the coffee shop, receiving her kindness and smiles, her warm greetings and affection. He wondered what it would have felt like if he'd had human emotions back then. Would he have been happy? Would he have felt the same strange fluttering in his abdominal section? He recalled every single encounter he'd ever had with Mai, and the same softness filled his chest cavity with each memory. She had undoubtedly influenced him. If he hadn't visited the coffee shop, would he ever have deviated at all?

"You were there when I needed you most…Don't apologise." Mai leaned up to press her lips against his softly. It was chaste and sweet. Her lips were soft, just barely touched by the bitter cold outside. Naru closed his eyes as he leaned closer, returning her kiss and waiting barely a millimetre away. He wouldn't press her, but if she responded, then he would go further. He got the press of lips he was waiting for and tightened his hold, tilting his head for a better angle to deepen the kiss. He felt Mai preen into his touch, her mouth opening obediently as his tongue requested entry. He had multiple scenarios stored in his software to help him along with this encounter, but he wanted to rely on them as little as possible. He wanted his interactions with Mai to be authentic and unique. He wanted to explore her body, her reactions, and develop a scenario that was just for her. To do that, he would require more data.

Mai didn't object as her body was turned. She was lying on her back with Naru holding himself above her on his strong forearms. One of his hands tangled in her hair while the other propped his torso up. He teased Mai's tongue with his own as he felt her arms looping around his neck, pulling him closer. She liked the feeling of his weight against her smaller body, his warmth seeping through her clothes. He drew back as he turned his attention to her neck, pleased as she turned her head to give him more access. Her fingers played with his ebony locks as he kissed and nipped the tender skin. Her fingers tightened and pulled his hair a little. Naru was surprised as a small sound escaped his own lips, a sound that wasn't programmed the way they usually were.

"Shall I remove your clothing?" Naru asked hesitantly, peering up to see Mai nibbling her lip with flushed cheeks. "I shall also disrobe," he assured as he realised she was likely shy. He reached up to unbutton his own white shirt first. Mai nodded meekly as Naru moved back and peeled off his shirt, revealing his perfectly sculpted torso. He had little pride in his own physical appearance since he wasn't the one who'd created it, but he did enjoy the way Mai blushed and hesitantly ran her fingers over the synthetic flesh of his chest. He hummed lightly as her warm fingers ran across his pecs, barely teasing his skin with her hesitant touch. Mai allowed Naru to sit her up, still stroking his chest as his fingers deftly slid down the zip at the back of her dress. He allowed it to fall open before tugging it off.

Beneath the dress, Mai wore simple, functional underwear. It was black and gave her room to work without chafing or constricting her movements. Her flesh was pale, with small bumps running across it in the cool air. Her figure was fine. She wasn't an android, built to be perfect, but she was everything to Naru. He enjoyed the way her stomach had a slight bump, something that wouldn't be dreamed of in an android. The fleshy mass was soft and pliant as he ran his hand over it and slipped up to her soft hip. The flesh there was also a little plump, fitting perfectly in his hand. He didn't give her time to be self-conscious. He was upon her in moments, exploring this new plain with eager lips.

As he stroked and kissed Mai's skin, he felt her own hesitant explorations. Small fingertips ran up and down his spine, creeping up to caress the back of his neck. He felt a small sound escape his lips as she squeezed, her fingers just tugging at the hair there. He rose to her lips once more, allowing his hand to slip beneath the elastic of her bra, easily snapping the clasp open with one hand. He felt her body twitch in surprise, chuckling softly as he eased the material down her shy arms. He pressed his body against hers, distracting her from the feeling of nakedness. He was glad that he had. He enjoyed the sensation of their bare flesh pressing together. Her breasts were soft and giving against his own firmer flesh.

Her fingers finally reached down for his belt and he obliged, taking over to unbuckle it seamlessly. He continued to kiss and tease her as he kicked his trousers down to the bottom of the bed. Her hands caressed his scalp as he moved lower, his lips closing around one of her hardened nubs to nip and lick. He enjoyed the sounds she made, and the way her hips arched into his pelvis at the stimulation. She gasped as he rolled his hips forward, allowing her to feel his enclosed erection. He rubbed it against her, moaning softly as he did so. He could feel the damp softness between her legs.

"N-Naru!" Mai moaned, her voice small and timid. Naru reached between them slowly, giving Mai every chance to pull away or push him back. He sighed needily as his fingers pressed against her underwear, stroking the channel between her thighs. The black material was already damp. She twitched in surprise as his fingers teased in circles, slowly edging around the material to touch her warm folds. He couldn't help the way his skin peeled back, wanting to examine this new area to the fullest. He was surprised as she jerked closer, two of his fingertips slipping into her heat.

He couldn't think of anything to say at the moment, so he didn't. Instead, he leaned up to kiss her again, edging the digits further inside. Mai's legs widened invitingly, hips rolling up into his touch. He took his time preparing her, enjoying the way she twitched and whimpered, hazel eyes glimmering as she gazed up at him. She hooked her legs around his waist, clearly approving as he added a third finger. Her thighs quivered in his grasp, her toes pressing into his thighs pleadingly. He drew back a little as he dragged her underwear down and shed his own.

"Are you prepared?" he asked softly as he kissed her neck, blue eyes seeking permission and approval. He would not continue if she changed her mind. Mai nodded meekly as he returned to his place between her thighs. At her nod, he lined himself up. One hand supported her arched spine as he pressed forward. A small sound of objection broke free as he slid further inside. Her entrance was tight and hot around the tip of his genital component. His systems swiftly processed that this was her first time. He paused, the tip of his length barely inserted. He could see the pinch of her brow and kissed her temple apologetically, opting to go gently.

He canted his hips against hers with small thrusts, pressing and drawing back in equal measure. He knew it was quite painful by the way Mai was biting her lower lip and tightening her hands on his shoulders. He leaned down, murmuring for her to relax as he circled his hips and continued his short thrusts. He slowly increased the pressure, feeling his length driving deeper with each motion until he finally pressed all the way inside. He halted all movement, holding steady as Mai quivered beneath him, trying not to squirm against the sting.

"Sorry…It wasn't my intention to cause you discomfort," Naru assured quietly, continuing to kiss Mai's temple and cheek for a while. He would happily have continued simply doing just that. His component had swelled within her warmth, hugged securely. He felt the softness of her skin with each small peck of his lips and breathed in her flowery scent. He felt it as her body slowly relaxed once more. She was getting used to the feeling of being filled. Her legs pulled his body closer. "Let me know if it hurts too much," Naru added softly, waiting for Mai's nod before resuming his movement. Mai let out small contented moans as he rocked into her. The first few thrusts were accompanied by a hot sting, but that slowly died down as Naru picked up the pace.

"Naru, please…" Mai whimpered as he snapped his hips forward. She didn't even seem to know what she was asking for as she gripped his shoulders and held on tighter. Naru grunted in response, upping the pace and rocking harder. He could feel his own build-up reaching its height. His past experience suggested Mai was also close. He put off his own completion. He wanted her to finish first. He moaned against her shoulder as she tightened around his length, her whole body suffering spasms as she came. He finished inside her, though he had no ejaculate. He enjoyed the wave of pleasure that crashed through his system and almost overheated him. He breathed deeply as he pulled out and fell beside Mai's spent form. He said nothing. He simply breathed and rested a while, one plastic hand resting against her cheek. She blinked at the small shock that sparked against her skin before her eyes softened and she reached up to cradle it.

"Mai! The police are here! Hide! Quickly!" her grandmother's voice called up barely a minute later. Naru's eyes widened with Mai's at the news. They stumbled from the bed, Mai shoving Naru towards the large wooden wardrobe before tossing his clothes in after him. She tugged her dress on loosely before scampering under the bed. Her heart pounded as she waited, almost holding her breath as she scooted back as far as she could and listened. Naru barely dared to move, but he slowly redressed himself for decency's sake. He turned up his audio processor to hear Mai's grandmother at the door.

"Why, good evening officers! What can I do for you?" the old woman asked with kind surprise, urging them inside and out of the cold the moment they requested to speak. She offered them tea or coffee as if nothing was wrong, which they declined. Naru tried to control the pounding in his chest, blinking away stress warnings as a male officer asked if Mai was at home. "No, not yet I'm afraid…She should be home soon, if you'd like to wait?" the old woman offered kindly. Naru thought she deserved a reward for the shocked tone she put on upon hearing that the café had been found unlocked, with Mai nowhere to be seen.

"Please stay calm, we'll do our best to find her…Here, sit down," a kind male voice insisted, their steps telling Naru they were in the living area. One of the men continued to talk as the other set of footsteps headed upstairs. Naru focused on the steps as they moved, listening as doors were softly opened and closed. He tensed as Mai's bedroom door was edged opened. The heavy sound of footsteps sounded on the old carpet. It was a large man. Heavy. Likely a little overweight. His breathing suggested he was more used to desk work these days. Naru could easily make it past him if need be. Control yourself, he chided internally, holding his fake breath as he waited for the steps to recede back into the hall.

"Of course. I'll let you know the moment I hear from her," Mai's grandmother assured in a worried tone. The officers seemed to buy her performance as the door closed a few moments later. There was silence for a while before Naru heard a car starting up outside. It was a few moments more before the door to Mai's room opened. "They're gone…You'll have to get yourself out of here, young man…Do you have any idea where you'll go?" the old woman asked worriedly as Naru stepped out of the wardrobe.

"Perhaps…I have a work colleague…He may be willing to assist me," Naru replied hesitantly, though he wasn't sure he wanted to drag poor Yasuhara into his problems. Yasuhara had always been so kind to him. It didn't feel right to make him an accomplice to murder, or at the very least, guilty of sheltering a killer. "Or perhaps I might find others like myself," he added thoughtfully, unsure where he should start looking. There must be a community somewhere. He'd seen the news reports. He looked down at his hand as Mai's fingers linked with his own.

"Let me help. I want to help!" Mai insisted, squeezing his hand.

"No, Mai…It will be dangerous. I'm a deviant now. The police will be searching for me, and-" he cut off as Mai launched herself up, her arms wrapped around his neck tightly. He stumbled as he caught her weight, blue eyes blinking wide as he realised she'd effectively shut him up with a kiss. It was working. He closed his eyes and leaned against her, drawing back sheepishly as a not too subtle cough sounded from the doorway. "I want to keep you safe," he insisted distractedly as Mai continued to hold him.

"Then you need to keep me with you," Mai insisted in an almost dreamy tone. Her grandmother shared Naru's reluctance, but she could tell it would be a futile argument. Mai was legally an adult now. She got to make her own choices. Naru bit his cheek thoughtfully. If he could enlist Yasuhara's help, then perhaps he could entrust Mai's safety to him. Perhaps Yasuhara would know what to do or where to go. He seemed sympathetic towards his kind. Perhaps he knew of other deviants who could give Naru shelter. "The police are looking for me, too!" Mai insisted, though Naru knew they were likely looking for Mai as a possible kidnapping victim rather than an accomplice to the murder.

"Come with me to Yasuhara's home. He may have a suggestion on where to go from there," Naru decided, his gaze shifting to Mai's grandmother questioningly. She was reluctant for Mai to continue to be involved, obviously, but he didn't think she'd stop them. "But you must part ways with me if I decide that is the safest choice. Agreed?" he asked seriously, watching Mai nod her hesitant agreement. Without further hesitation, his LED blinked yellow as he called Yasuhara's number. Yasuhara, I need your help, he said internally as the sleepy human picked up.