The challenge this time around is to make things Sugar-Sweet. Be it sweet-talking or confections, the theme is sweet. And I thought to myself, "Why not pick up these two polar opposites again? They were cute AF."

This is a continuation of Kindness Has Consequences. I'm quite happy with how this turned out and will likely have one more entry in this series to put a nice big bow on things.

Enjoy~

—Kindness's Continued Consequences—

6O hummed as she navigated the monochromatic corridors of the YoRHa Bunker, a small basket of cleaning supplies in her arms. The sound was impossibly loud in the almost stifling silence. She came to one of several identical doorways and it opened to reveal one of several identical private quarters. 6O stole a quick look around the corridor before stepping inside.

The room was Spartan in decor and already immaculate, but after a quick optical scan, she managed to find dust particles that had eluded the room's owner. That wouldn't do. She brandished her duster and got to work immediately.

Once her task was completed, she sat on the edge of the bed, glancing around as she did so. The window over the desk to her right gave her a glimpse of the yawning darkness of space. To the left, there was a flat-screen mounted on the wall and, beyond that, a bookshelf stocked with books that likely hadn't been opened in the last decade.

After some hesitation, 6O laid down on her back with her head on the single pillow. The mattress was hard and the dimensions were odd—too long, but also quite narrow. She imagined she could smell some sort of subtle, sweet aroma, though she knew that wasn't possible. None of the YoRHa-made androids wore things like makeup or perfume.

They didn't need to, given how structurally close to perfection each unit was. They never broke a sweat, their appearance never aged a day, and they were never bogged down with unnecessary things like emotions. Or, rather, they weren't supposed to be. 6O wasn't sure when she had awakened to her more sensitive side, but she knew she was an oddity amidst the other androids. She had kept her overly sentimental inclinations to herself for the most part, but one android, in particular, had seen her at her lowest point.

/ It had been a bad idea to pursue a relationship with another android. It wasn't unheard of, but Commander White generally discouraged it, citing that fraternizing affected efficiency. She was a hundred percent correct, as it turned out, because the moment that short-lived relationship ended, 6O had fallen to pieces.

"Honestly, 2B? I don't know how I'm supposed to go on living."

"I am definitely NOT the person to discuss this with…" She sounded uncomfortable.

A sob escaped 6O despite her best attempts to calm herself. "I don't think I can stand spending one more day in this Bunker…" /

At the time, she had meant that morose, somewhat melodramatic statement with all her being. Now, 6O was feeling differently—silly, even. Why had she been so attached after only a few weeks of courtship? She and the other Operator hadn't even had much in common and the decision to date had been made as a result of loneliness rather than mutual attraction.

Funny how a single person could totally change your point of view like that.

Approaching footsteps made 6O sit bolt upright. There was only one way into the room and one way out and there was no place to hide. As she frantically scanned the room for an escape route, she realized how silly she was being. Technically she wasn't doing anything wrong—the opposite, in fact! She was assisting an ally with keeping their private quarters organized.

6O kept repeating that in her head as the footsteps drew closer and then stopped, and the circular door opened like parting jaws. The android that entered the room was tall, slender, with a shock of silver hair. Her eyes were covered with a black blindfold that actually served to heighten her senses, but 6O felt her glare even if she couldn't actually see it. "What are you doing here?"

Speak of the devil... She hadn't expected 2B to come back so soon, but then she was one of YoRHa's best.

On the surface, 2B was brusque, stoic, and downright callous at times. Below the surface she was... Well, much the same—but 6O had gotten a quick peek at the more caring side of the combat android and she had made it her mission to see more.

The problem was that she wasn't quite sure how to do that just yet.

Kindness begets kindness... Right? She had read something like that somewhere a long time ago. If 6O kept doing nice things for 2B, maybe she would lower those thick, prickly walls she kept up at all times.

Maybe.

6O snapped back to the present when 2B cleared her throat impatiently. She had no excuse prepared and, quite honestly, whether she told the truth or some elaborate lie, she got the feeling 2B wouldn't approve. "I was, um, waiting for you."

The corners of 2B's lips quirked downwards. "Why?"

6O reminded herself to be courageous. Confident. Her hurried squeak was neither of those things: "Iwaswonderingifyouwantedtohangout?"

"Hang out?" 2B repeated, as though she had never said or heard those two words in that exact order before.

"Yeah. You know... Spend time together?"

The frown deepened. It was weirdly cute. "Why?"

Because it's difficult to be myself here.

Because I want to get to know you.

Because I want you to enjoy my company even just a little.

None of those reasons seemed significant enough to make 2B at least consider her proposal. Which was why 6O told a harmless fib when she answered, "I picked up a reading this afternoon and suspect there may be a cache of human relics in sector 7. That's my area of expertise, as you know, and I wanted to see the area for myself to gather information regarding the individuals who had once lived there long ago."

2B nodded slowly. 6O should have figured having a purpose made so much more sense to the no-nonsense android than doing something 'just because.' "And you've been given clearance by Commander White?"

She hated that she had to lie to 2B yet again, but it was for the greater good, right? "Uh... Uh-huh."

"Very well. Rendezvous at the flight deck at 0800."

It's a date. 6O had to bite the inside of her cheek to stop herself from saying it, glad she was wearing her veil so 2B couldn't see the grin that spread across her face.


The flight down to Earth was a nerve-wracking one for a variety of reasons. For one thing, this was 6O's first time leaving the bunker in decades. Then there was the fact that the flight units were designed for a single passenger, so squeezing two androids inside was a tight fit. 6O had to crouch while 2B remained standing, her hands on the controls, and the view their positioning afforded made the Operator's internal temperature rise.

How had she not noticed before that 2B's long, shapely legs were… unf.

Rather than run the risk of overheating her operating system, 6O busied herself with the view of the approaching planet. At one point Earth had been called a "big blue marble" and she would have loved to see that. At present, the primary colours were browns and a drab olive green. The remaining flecks of blue and emerald spoke of the beauty the planet had once possessed.

Beauty that 6O had painstakingly hunted down through hours of poring over old maps and reference books. She had been 87% certain that this place existed, but she would need help if she wanted to confirm her theory.

/ "I appreciate you doing this for me, Nines."

"No problem. Am I going the right way?"

"You're getting close. 2 klicks, north by northwest."

"Got it." He adjusted his facing accordingly and the camera panned to show a sweeping view of a barren, earthy landscape. In the distance, she could just barely make out an oasis of green. "By the way, how did you distract 2B long enough for me to slip away by myself?"

6O giggled. "Jackass had some work that needed doing and I proposed a volunteer."

"Oh boy. I almost feel bad for her." /

9S had been unexpectedly sympathetic to 6O's efforts to get into 2B's good graces. Apparently, he thought she would be a good influence on his partner. It was he who has helped her set this whole thing up beforehand. Now, as 6O walked the exact same path she had seen him walk days before, her mind wandered.

She wanted to be the one to make 2B flash a rare smile—however small. This surprise went above and beyond what an Operator could accomplish, but with just a little teamwork she would have hopefully accomplished her goal. 6O wasn't sure where the desire stemmed from, but what she did know was it had become a primary objective of sorts—a driving force behind her day to day actions.

2B extended her arm, stopping her companion in her tracks. 6O shot her a questioning look, her own senses not nearly as sharp as the ones afforded by the combat visor, and 2B shook her head slightly. Where previously there had been some slight sounds of wildlife carefully avoiding the interlopers, there was now a deafening silence.

Then, there were frantic footfalls and dark, furry shapes went bounding past in an explosion of churning legs and flipping tails. Animals? 6O had never actually been this close to one. She could have easily reached out and touched one of their flanks, found out if they were as soft as they looked.

Her fascination turned quickly into fear when she saw the reason for their sudden departure: a pack of machines were approaching swiftly. Normally, the stocky gray robots were slow-paced and low to the ground, but this particular variant had utilized scrap to create a durable, manoeuvrable exoskeleton with long, deadly limbs. These Medium Quadrupeds, as they were called, ran over on four legs and then reared up on two when they drew even with the androids, becoming humanoid in stature as they surrounded the duo.

"I'll draw their attention. Find cover."

2B didn't wait for confirmation, drawing a two-handed sword from the digitizing storage ring on her back and lunging at her opponents before they could make the first move. A powerful swing knocked one of the robots off of its perch and across the clearing. 2B darted through the opening she had created and frenzied cries went up as their attackers gave chase.

6O's legs were unsteady, but somehow, she began moving in the direction opposite the turmoil. A whirring sound drew her gaze cautiously skyward and she blinked at the square-bodied robot that hovered there. Pods remained with their assigned Unit by design—yet here was this one, following at her heels. 2B must have ordered it to protect her… The thought gave 6O a warm, fluttery sensation in the pit of her stomach.

Long limbs gave her attackers a range advantage and, combined with their numbers, forced 2B on the defensive. 6O watched anxiously as the android kept nimbly out of reach, but knew something would have to give eventually.

"Pod 042, return to your assigned Unit."

"Cannot comply," the bot chirped.

Astonishment made her turn to face the Pod. "What? Why?"

"New objective is to safeguard YoRHa No. 6 Type O."

"But 2B needs you," 6O insisted, knowing full well it was useless to argue logic to the mechanism. "I'm safe now, so go!"

"Cannot comply."

6O chewed her bottom lip as she glanced back to the fight: 2B had managed to dispatch another Medium Quadruped, but while she did, the remaining two teamed up and tackled her to the ground. She went down, hard, and the sword she had been holding whirled some distance away before becoming embedded, blade first, in the earth.

"2B!"

6O didn't even consider her options—the very thing she existed to do—before she broke into a run. She could hear the whirring of the Pod as it followed behind her like a shadow.

"Warning: safety cannot be guaranteed with the current course of action."

"Then protect me," she snapped, slowing as she drew even with the weapon and hefting it from the ground. It was impossibly heavy in her hands—how did 2B make wielding it seem so effortless?

The Pod opened fire, striking one of the Medium Quadrupeds square in the chest. It collapsed, smoke rising from the holes in its chassis, and its remaining allies released a mechanical screech.

While they were distracted 6O hurried to 2B's side, half dragging the sword in her wake. The Combat Unit still hadn't moved, and the sight of her prone form caused a feeling of protectiveness to tighten beneath 6O's breast. She grasped 2B's shoulder, shaking gently, and the android stirred, but didn't come to.

There was more gunfire: the Pod was doing its best to keep the machine life at bay, but it was a losing battle as the more agile foes closed the gap. 6O stood, her grip on the sword handle tightening. She was fully willing to do what was necessary to protect 2B—able was a different story…

The Pod attempted to flank the machine lifeforms, but in doing so came in range of long limbs. A powerful swipe knocked it out of the air, and there was a rapid series of high pitched beeps as it triggered a self-destruct. The resulting wave of heat and light made 6O shield her eyes.

When the dust settled only one robot remained.

6O flinched when the Medium Quadruped rounded on her, eyes flashing red. Operators didn't have spare bodies the way field androids did. If she was destroyed or damaged beyond repair... 6O shivered and refused to pursue that particular train of thought any further as she placed herself directly between 2B and the advancing machine. "Leave her alone, you big brute!"

It was limping, injured from the blast, but somehow this slower gait was more menacing. The moment it was within range, it pounced.

6O brought the sword up as best she could, her arms trembling as the force of the blow was distributed throughout the blade's length. It was powerful enough to drive her backwards even as she dug her heels in, but 6O refused to back down. She shifted her stance, trying to push back, but in doing so created an opening that the Medium Quadruped took advantage of with a hard shove. Her right foot twisted at an angle it shouldn't have and 6O teetered—

Then, an arm went around her shoulders, drawing her in protectively, and a hand covered hers, steadying the weapon. 2B. Relief made 6O feel weak in the knees again. She relinquished her grip and 2B moved with lightning swiftness, slicing and dicing the remaining machine lifeform into sparking, smoking hunks of metal.

6O fell into a seated position and breathed a sigh. She got anxious when 2B approached her, expecting to get an earful, but the android offered her hand without comment. 6O hesitated before accepting it, and getting to her feet was a surprisingly difficult task.

She glanced surreptitiously at her right ankle, the simple act of standing making her sensors blip in protest. It didn't hurt, per se, but she could tell that something wasn't quite right. She tried not to put her full weight on it as she took a few test steps. If she could mask the awkwardness of her movements, maybe 2B wouldn't insist they return to base.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," 6O lied, trying not to wince.

Despite her efforts, 2B noticed immediately. "I'll take you back to the Bunker."

"No!" She hadn't meant to say it that loudly, but she was struck by panic. They were so close… More quietly, she entreated, "It's just a little further. Please."

"Protocol dictates against YoRHa personnel taking unnecessary risks," 2B said without missing a beat. "Please cooperate so that you can be safely extracted."

"I'm fine," she repeated.

"The structural integrity of your ankle is unsound," 2B persisted. "Scans indicate it could be a fracture. A Support Unit can easily rectify that."

6O crossed her arms. "I'm not going back until we've completed our mission."

"We can reattempt it at a later date."

"No." They really couldn't. Once Commander White found out 6O had not only left the Bunker without permission but had been damaged as a result, she was never going to hear the end of it. It was now or never.

2B frowned. "Why is this so important to you?"

"You wouldn't understand."

"..." 2B seemed taken aback.

"..." 6O hadn't meant to sound so bitter.

At last, she said, "You'll let me know immediately if it gets worse." It wasn't a question.

"I will. I promise."

After a long, searching look (6O assumed; it was difficult to tell with the visor) 2B sighed—and it was the heavy sort of sound one made when they were giving up on something. "You can't walk like that."

Before 6O could hazard a guess as to what her intentions were, the combat android stooped and lifted her easily, princess style. Once again, her internal temperature began to rise and the responding flood of liquid coolant sounded sort of like a heartbeat in her ears.

"You really don't have to do this," she said in a higher octave than was normal.

2B ignored her. "Lead the way."

2B picked her way down the sheer rock face, nimble as a goat. The deeper she descended into the cavern, the darker their surroundings became—until even the combat visor couldn't penetrate the gloom. Her footsteps were a measured, thunderous percussion in the silence.

"Are you sure we're going the right way?"

Her voice echoed and 6O waited for the cacophony to fade before saying simply, "Yes."

She had grown calmer as the moment of truth approached, the what-ifs whirling around her head giving way to a resolute sense that she had done everything she could and there was no way her careful planning wouldn't pan out.

"How did you get the intel about this place anyway?"

This was the first time she had asked any questions regarding their "mission" and 6O knew immediately that she had begun to doubt the legitimacy of this little excursion. She searched frantically for a response and came up blank. What was it about 2B that made her CPU short-circuit?

"Uh…"

2B stopped walking. "6O."

That disapproving tone made the Operator wince guiltily. "Yes…?"

"Why are we really here?"

"What do you mean?" 6O laughed nervously, stopping abruptly when the question was met with stony silence. She fidgeted. "I'm sorry I lied to you. I just… I wanted to get to know you better. You're the only one who cared enough to listen when I was down."

She felt 2B tense and expected her to protest. Instead, the terse silence reigned.

"And I know you aren't a fan of feelings and sharing or even talking, but that doesn't bother me. I wouldn't want to change a thing," 6O continued shyly. "E-except maybe how you feel about me? Because… I like you, 2B. A lot."

She half expected 2B to drop her, the Battle Unit was so rigid. Instead, she continued on in the dark without another word.

Only, it wasn't dark for much longer.

There was a low hum and a series of crystalline shapes glowed softly with a milky lustre, revealing the dimensions of the narrow corridor in which they stood. The closer the Androids came the brighter the glow swelled, the dim white intensifying into a dazzling sunburst. It was a bioluminescent phenomenon the likes of which neither android had ever seen—at least in person, in 6O's case.

6O began wriggling until the other android finally caught on and set her down on her feet. Mindful of her ankle, 6O took a few steps and turned to face 2B, her hand outstretched.

"We're almost there."

The five seconds during which 2B just stared at the proffered appendage were impossibly long. Finally, she acquiesced. Her hand was soft and smooth; though cool to the touch, the contact alone was enough to cause warmth to rise in 6O's frame.

They walked slowly, each step eliciting a luminous response. The corridor widened into an immense cavern where a concentration of crystals hummed to life beneath the placid surface of crystal clear water. An underground lake. Somehow, life had established itself in this safe little pocket deep beneath the Earth's crust.

She heard 2B make a quiet sound of surprise and glanced over: the luminescence was so dazzling that 2B actually reached up and removed her combat visor. 6O wasn't used to seeing 2B's whole face—"perfect" didn't even begin to cover striking silver orbs set into a heart-shaped face, high, elegant cheekbones, and full pink lips. She could be described as breathtaking if 6O required such a facility. As it was, all she could do was stare as her nerves came rushing back and her grip on 2B's hand tightened.

"...?" 2B canted her head to the side.

"...!" 6O cleared her throat and quickly averted her gaze.

They stood in silence for an inordinate amount of time, watching hand-in-hand as the crystals refracted myriad colours onto the cavern walls. When 6O suggested they take a seat and rest for a spell before continuing, 2B nodded. She helped the Operator manoeuvre the uneven terrain until they came to a boulder with a flat enough surface to serve as a bench.

It was only after she had sat down next to 6O that 2B released her hand.

They were surrounded by radiant splendour, yet 6O couldn't tear her gaze away from 2B. Porcelain skin bore an almost ethereal glow due to the crystals' brilliance, adding another layer of beauty to the already gorgeous combat android.

6O searched for and failed to find something—anything—to fill the silence. She had already said her piece, hadn't she? And 2B seemed as unaffected as always. The sharp pang beneath 6O's breast was similar to what she had felt when her girlfriend had broken up with her but in a way far more distressing. She struggled with the feeling, choking back unexpected tears.

Why was she so upset anyway? Apparently, 2B's opinion of her meant the world to 6O. She was impossible to read, which only made 6O yearn for her approval all the more. Her failure to attain it was a crippling blow to her confidence.

"Let's head back," 6O said softly, dejected.

2B spared her a glance. "Already?"

'Huh?'

2B shrugged in response to 6O's astonished expression. "This is what you wanted me to see, isn't it? There's no harm in resting just a bit longer."

Was she… was she enjoying herself?!

6O couldn't help the undignified squeal that left her any more than she could stop herself from throwing her arms around the other android. Though she looked supremely uncomfortable and her body was stiff, 2B didn't put up a fuss. In fact, she began to relax just a bit, some of the tension leaving her as she leaned against 6O.

"Thank you."

"I told you to stop saying that." There was a note of levity to the admonishment and giddiness bubbled up in 6O's abdomen.

She almost apologized out of habit, but knew 2B wouldn't like that either. So she bit her lip instead. As if she had somehow sensed 6O's thoughts, 2B chuckled. And there it was: a small smile curved the corners of her mouth upwards.

For a moment, 6O was speechless. This was exactly what she wanted—yet, the triumph of the moment was diminished by the sense that she wanted something more. 6O stared at 2B's lips and wet her own with her tongue. She knew exactly what that 'something' was.

"Hey, 2B?"

"Mm?"

She would probably never get this opportunity again. 6O steeled her nerves. She had already broken a variety of rules and regulations today… She might as well double down.

"Can I… kiss you?"

2B blinked. Her expression was once again unreadable while she met 6O's unflinching gaze. Then, she nodded slowly.

6O tucked a strand of blonde hair behind her ear and pulled down her face covering. She wasn't sure why, but the way silver orbs swept almost appraisingly over her features made her immensely self-conscious. "C-close your eyes."

Again, 2B complied without comment. Who knew she could be so agreeable?

Even with her eyes closed the Battle Unit was profoundly intimidating. Before she could lose her nerve 6O leaned in, angling her head slightly, and kissed 2B.

'Oh…'

Kissing her then-girlfriend had never felt like this. 6O whimpered, overcome by a flood of emotion—

The heavy tension of anticipation.

The electric thrill of excitement.

The steady warmth of affection.

The smouldering heat of desire.

—the depth of which she'd never experienced.

There was something 6O couldn't identify in silver orbs as 2B pulled away.

A loud, jagged sound dissipated the tension that followed and drew their gazes upward. Neither Android said a word when cracks began to appear in the ceiling, permanently altering the structural integrity of the cavern. Sunlight flooded in as a chunk of stone fell into the lake below, shattering the crystals in its path.

They were holding hands again when the extraction team—summoned to their aid by the destruction of 2B's Pod—touched down and began rescue procedures.


"6O, the Commander would like to speak with you."

As she walked calmly towards the command centre, all 6O could think about was that single, poignant moment in time when her lips touched 2B's and lingered. Whatever the consequences for her behaviour today…

Commander White's beautiful, dispassionate face greeted her when the doors opened. She gestured and 6O sat in the chair across from her desk, back straight and shoulders squared confidently.

…it would have been worth it.