The previous day was such a maelstrom of emotion and activity that Iris rises from recharge groggy. Fully relying on subroutines, the young Navigator drags her pedes dazedly through the hallway, nearly bumping into another night-shift operator joining in the elevator with her.

"Good morning," she murmurs as always whenever company's present no matter who it is. It's a habit embedded into her like code.

The next five minutes is a blur of mindlessly repeating good mornings to every passenger that joins on the way to the canteen, finally arriving to the canteen, and beelining to the counter.

After receiving her E-Tank from the distributor drone, she turns around, stopping short of slamming into red.

Blinking blearily, she slowly raises her chin.

Seeing Zero summons all the charged emotions associated with yesterday's memories crash into her like a wave of compiling errors, jolting her completely awake like turning on a switch.

She's not prepared. What does she say? Last night Zero told her that he needed to recharge and left without another word. What do you say to the person you've confessed to after the confession?

Zero rescues her by talking first. "Hello Iris."

Calm and not cold. Everything is okay. She's okay.

"G-good morning," Iris responds, internally hissing at herself to calm down. This is two people saying hi to each other before work. This isn't impossible to go through.

Except Iris is gripping her E-tank like a lifeline. Timidly, she manages, "Did you sleep well last night?"

"I did. The external unit was helpful."

Oh thank goodness.

Iris beams with a grin a tad stretched at the edges. "I'm glad! I was so worried that it wouldn't work and that I messed up because I read online that what's worse than not giving a gift is giving a bad gift because it could offend the other person – " Zero is blinking blankly at her and Iris pulls the mental brakes harshly. "And fritz, I'm rambling again. S-sorry."

Why does she keep doing this?

Despite the clamor and chatter around Iris, the air between her and Zero feels so thick that it's gobbling in the background noise. It's like a cloud of powder waiting for a spark to set it all aflame.

Then Zero makes a light gesture towards an empty table. "May I sit with you?"

Iris lifts her chin, eyes wide. Not trusting herself to not blabber off again, she nods eagerly.

Zero takes a seat at a rounded table and Iris joins across from him. With a raised brow, Zero makes a small huff through his nose and shuffles around the circular bench until his body is brushing against hers.

"This is how I mistakenly concluded that you were afraid of me," Zero notes to an extremely still Iris. "Relax. You don't see me as a weapon, right?"

"No," Iris breathes, spring green eyes gleaming. She smiles. "I don't."

And that's how the first change goes. Small and yet so significant.

Iris is bad at this dating thing. To be fair, it's her first time, and from what Double tells her, it's Zero's first time too. Which means, they both don't have any previous references to compare experiences; unlike Iris, it seems that Zero isn't as interested in the details or the "how-to-do."

Zero has no expectations at all.

For someone who's constantly afraid of screwing up, this helps Iris like nothing else.

Another change happens a few days later when Iris leaves her room. The moment the door slides open, Iris is greeted with the sight of Zero right next to her door. The warbot's eyes are closed, arms crossed with one foot pressed against the wall, the picture of relaxed and cool as if he's been resting in that position for a while.

"Good morning Zero!" says Iris, pleasantly surprised. "What are you doing here?"

Zero pushes off against the wall. "To walk with you," he says simply. "Is that alright with you?"

"Of course," Iris stammers, feeling her face grow hot. Quietly but no less sincere, she says, "I'm always happy to see you."

And there it is: the combatdroid gives a small soft smile that has Iris' core thrumming no matter how many times she sees it. He's becoming more generous with his emotions and Iris wants to gobble every single one of them up.

Recalling Zero's words about belonging, Iris lifts a hand, feeling a little bold and greedy. "Is it okay I can hold hands with you?

Instantly, Zero's larger hand envelops hers and she gasps, relishing how strong and warm it is.

"This is good," the combatdroid says, gentle and approving and Iris is skyrocketing to the stratosphere.

How is it that her systems are made of metal and rubber and yet she feels so soft?

They start holding hands more frequently after that. Usually Iris has to initiate it. If Zero didn't seem happy in his own, calm way, Iris would be harboring doubts that she's being pushy.

But he's not and so she isn't.

It's like being a Navigator, but without the mission stress, Iris muses giddily. We can set our own pace. We can guide this however we like.

The novelty of being with Zero in the refuel hour before work starts fades, but Iris is happier for it. She's no medic reploid, but she's certain that feeling like she's going to melt from the inside by being in Zero's proximity isn't healthy.

Zero being by her side becoming the norm sounds so wonderful that Iris quietly hungers for it. Sweet and peaceful.

Now if only work can be the same.

Extremists were gathering in specific areas of interest in Abel City's storm sewer system. The mission is crime prevention: neutralize the threat before it can escalate.

The Zeroth Unit members are slowly getting into position within the shadowed corners in an underground gallery, aiming for areas near the exit points. Biding for the right time to strike.

Iris' recon mech buzzes noiselessly as it rises higher and higher to the impressive ceiling of this damp and dim multi-junction. Through the screen, she watches the gathered crowd of reploids listening attentively to their leader, standing at the center on top of a makeshift podium.

"Is it really a crime that I think that Sigma's got the right idea? When have humans done anything good for this planet besides being fertilizer?"

Iris bites her lip. "Zero, what is he talking about?" she asks in their private channel, not wanting the other Zeroth Unit members to respond while they're focusing on their tasks.

"They're Sigma sympathizers," her captain responds with such thick venom that Iris recoils. "Don't worry about it."

Except Iris can't help it. This Maverick is revealing his motivations, and as disturbing as they sound, they are reasons. There's more to this than having malfunctions or having construction errors - Iris is proof that a broken reploid doesn't necessarily mean they're a Maverick. Thought she doesn't know much about Sigma (she still can't read anything related to the wars without tearing up), Iris wants to understand even just a little bit.

"- every single case it's a smelting fetus acting like a little savage and us reploids are supposed to take that? Whatever problems I have with my fellow reploids, they aren't generally inclined to such behavior and the humans have to take that into consideration when they're trying to organize their society!"

"In position, over," says Bukali into the main Zeroth Unit channel.

"Abel City's run by a parasitic class of crumblies when this is our city. We built this city, we sustained this city, we should own this city! We deserve it. We would be better!"

"Got the west entrance covered, over," Hilbis joins a minute later.

"We should be the ones with the power, but we don't. Why? Because the humans are scared! Look no further than rusting Mega Man! The reploid template walks around with a fragging buster for an arm so why don't we have that? That's because the humans designed the system so we can't go against them."

So it's a…society problem? Iris wonders.

That makes sense. Well, then what can Iris do about that? She's just one person! She can't help that. How can anyone help that?

The only solution she can think of is that these unsatisfied reploids can…go somewhere where there aren't any humans. It's not like theirs lives are bonded to humans like Iris is to her brother. If they hate humans so much, why can't they just leave?

"…doesn't mean we'll go down fighting! I don't have a buster, but that doesn't mean I'm not capable of violence. I can make myself more capable! I'm here to spread ideas and talk in the hopes that someone more capable can do that. Someone like Sigma who wouldn't roll over for a scrappin' milk-sucker! Someone who isn't a fracking human pet!"

"…At the second floor. Ready for crowd control, sir," says Web Spider.

"Then let's move," Zero orders lowly before he draws out his saber and dashes in.

The good news is that Iris is getting better with violence. She still can't stand it or understand it but the younger Navigator is developing thicker cables. It sounds awful, but between Zero and a Maverick, she prefers that Zero comes out on top, every single time.

I wish there is a world where there should need to be such a choice, she mourns, twisting away from the screen. A world where Zero and Colonel and everyone doesn't need to fight.

A simpler world.

After the mission, Zero is clearly not in a good mood.

Iris is down at the loading dock, doing her daily ritual of welcoming back the Zeroth Unit. Instead of walking towards the elevator with the rest of the Unit, Zero goes straight to Iris and wraps his arms around her.

Over her whiting processor, Iris hears Web Spider make a strangled sound before someone hisses," Stop staring you smeltturd!" and fading footsteps.

"Are you okay?" Iris asks tentatively.

"You really can't wield a weapon?" Zero asks in her aural cone, not really an answer.

Iris shakes her head into Zero's shoulder. "I can't. That's not who I am."

The Crimson Hunter's hold grows tighter. "You hit me with the Batton mech. You can hit people."

The operator grimaces. "That was honestly a mistake. I just pushed too hard on the control. I don't think I can raise a hand against anyone."

"Colonel told me to take care of you because he can't always be there for you," Zero speaks in a low rush. "What if I'm not there for you either? I never needed to think about these things. The one other person I care about can fight. He can take care of himself."

"X," Iris answers simply and Zero stiffens.

"Yes."

"I wish I can see him. He's your best friend. He's to you like Colonel is to me, right?"

"I don't know. X is a special case. He's not my family." Iris can't see Zero's face when he's bending his head over her shoulder like this. However, she can feel his frustration. "He's my friend but doesn't belong to me. He belongs to the world and everyone. He's Mega Man."

Zero spits the title out like it's a curse and Iris brushes the warbot's golden hair with her hand, understanding.

"Colonel is someone really important too. He has to help lead Repliforce so even though he tries, it's hard."

"At least he tries," Zero mutters bitterly.

"I'm here for you, Zero," Iris states, projecting as much confidence she can. "I'll always be here for you."

"Are you? Don't you belong to your brother too? Between me and him, you'll choose him, won't you?"

"It's…it's complicated." Without pulling her arms away from Zero's shoulders, Iris pushes away enough to look side to side in case there's anyone immediately around them. After confirming there isn't anyone who can eavesdrop, she closes in and whispers, "My brother and I are the same person."

Zero frowns. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"We were supposed to be one reploid, but our contrasting personalities were too much for one construction to handle. We had to split apart or else we'd break. We're essentially two halves of a whole.

"…I can't fault you for belonging to your other half then."

"I still belong to you too, Zero," Iris says hurriedly, trying to be optimistic. "I want to help everyone, but now that I think about it…I already failed that. My brother is my foremost priority because of what we are." She smiles. "I can prioritize one more, I think."

Zero doesn't say anything more, just raises his hand hesitantly.

Iris takes it and brings it to her cheek, caressing against it.

Double chokes on his fuel. Hacking, he pounds at his chest, the noise causing the reploids sitting at the tables nearest to him to look at him curiously before resuming their attentions back to their respective businesses.

Iris is about to reach over to pat his back but the yellow reploid swiftly raises a hand to stop her. "I'm fine!" he exclaims, wiping his mouth. "Sorry, I'm just having a hard time visualizing it."

"Why is it hard?"

Double barks out a high-strung laugh. "Gosh Iris, when I said you're one special bot, I meant it! Only you would kiss someone as scary as him."

The Navigator pouts. "Zero isn't as scary as you think he is."

"Apparently." Double shakes his head, laughter dying into soft chuckles. "The big, bad Red Ripper seriously dating. Bolts, if I didn't hear it from your own mouth, I'd thought it would be another rumor."

"It's not good to judge people without getting to know them, Double. People are really complex! They can be showing you one side and be hiding a completely different side." Like how Alia seems to have no interest outside of her work, but her door receives monthly packages of plant fertilizer. Like how Colonel is the stern and prideful military leader to everyone, but is the protective big brother to Iris.

Like how Zero is the intimidating, cool SA-Rank Hunter who everyone assumes doesn't care about other people, but whenever he and Iris walk outside together, he would always walk at the outer side of the pavement as if to shield her.

Eyes twinkling, Double lifts his E-Tank in acknowledgment. "Truer words have never been said. I'm really happy for you, Iris. You two are good together."

Iris blushes. "Thanks, Double."

Suddenly, Double stiffens, looking at something over Iris' shoulder. The Navigator turns around and a smile steals over her face.

Behind her where the elevators are, the doors slide open, revealing a group of reploids. All of them stream towards the E-Tank distributing drones except for one, familiar Hunter.

"Zero!" Iris chirps. She waves her hand, over the gradually crowding from across the canteen room.

Zero's gaze instantly locks with hers, his eyes as sharp as blades at first before softening. He smoothly moves around the tables and passing bodies, striding towards Iris' circular table like it's his mission.

"Aaannnd that's my cue to go," erupts Double, chugging down his E-Tank like there's no tomorrow.

Iris snaps her head back to the yellow reploid. "Huh, why?"

"Don't want to get in between with the two lovebots, y'know?" Double says after a heavy gulp. "Besides, don't you want to have all the alone time you can get with him?"

Flushing red, Iris says, "I do like spending time with Zero, but I like spending time with you too! You're my friend and I barely see you in person because your schedule is so random."

Double opens his mouth to protest, but before he can say anything, Zero appears right next to their table as if he teleported with a, "Hello Iris."

Iris is now used to Zero's speed so she doesn't jump when the warbot seemingly pops out of nowhere. Double, on the other hand, isn't with the way he nearly slips out of his seat with a stunned squawk.

Zero watches the yellow reploid scrambling to recompose himself. "You're Iris' friend."

"Yes sir," Double stammers. "A friend of Iris. That is indeed me."

Iris claps her hands together in delight. "Oh, that's right! Zero, this is your first time seeing Double, isn't it?"

"It's not," replies Zero as he sits next to Iris. "I've seen him multiple times at Command Center and around Base. He's always running whenever we cross paths."

At Iris' exasperated sigh, Double splutters indignantly. "I'm always busy doing stuff! It's not like I'm afraid of Zero and running away from him, nope."

"Then you wouldn't have a problem sitting with us," Iris says cheerfully. "Please stay? The more the merrier!"

"Sit," Zero says almost like an order. The warbot levels a long, assessing look at the yellow reploid. "If Iris is indeed your friend, you should try to make her happy if it doesn't cost you."

Double grimaces feebly, sufficiently trapped between a hopeful Iris and an expectant Zero. "Are you sure? I'm just a nobody rookie. I feel like I'm overstepping my boundaries sitting next to an esteemed Hunter like you, sir…"

"I don't care about things like that," the Zeroth Unit Leader remarks sounding distracted. Since he's lifting a hand to his aural cone, turning away to whisper something, he must be receiving a quick call.

Double blinks, face momentarily blank as if he realizes something. Then he smiles, something slow and understanding. He settles back into his seat, swinging one awkward limb after the other, but looks a lot calmer than earlier.

On the other side, Iris is frowning. She's crossing her arms, offended at the words her friend used to describe himself.

"You're not useless, Double," she insists. "You helped me so much ever since I started working for the Hunters. I don't know a reploid who knows so many things like you do."

"Aww stop. You're making me bashful," grins Double sheepishly. "I just like talking a lot of people. You don't understand how it's like getting assigned to all the random, menials jobs that us unplaced guys get. Without gossip, I'd go bolts from boredom!" Even though he's snickering, his shoulders are scrunching up. He's tilting his body at an angle that he's facing Iris more and away from Zero

"What have you been hearing lately?" Iris prompts. Hopefully after chatting for some time, Double can relax.

It works a bit. Double doesn't let down his stiff posture, but he brightens. "Just your occasional real news and whacky rumors. The real new bits are sort of interesting. Judicial review for cybernetics passed so humans can last way longer in space. Do you know what that means?"

Iris blinks. "We'll have cyborgs?"

Bending forward, Double lowers his voice conspiratorially, tone full of ill-hidden amusement. "It means there'll be more credence to all the robot ghost stories."

"Reploid ghosts?"

Double fails to suppress a snort. "Yeah, robot ghosts. Do you remember that weird energy signal that popped out of nowhere a couple months ago? The news is that it's just another meteorite crash. Consider: robot zombies."

Iris giggles while Zero raises an intrigued brow.

"And you know how some Hunters keep saying that they see a white reploid during patrol but can never have a good look at it?" continues Double. "Moreem from the Fourteenth says it's the ghost of a Maverick, furious at the Hunters for terminating it. Now it's devoting its afterlife to make reploids leak for eternity by standing menacingly and disappearing."

"Ooh, I've heard of that one from Alia. She acts like she doesn't care, but she does. I think she's afraid of ghosts."

"Alia," Zero says with a raises brow. "Wouldn't have expected that from her."

"Me too. It's kind of cute," Iris beams. "What other real news are out there, Double?"

"Hmm, oh! I nearly forgot – you're gonna like this one, Iris," the yellow reploids enthuses. "You've heard of Sky Lagoon, right?"

Iris nods. "The aerial city. It's going to travel outside of Abel City for the Flower Festival, right?" She hums wistfully. "A festival full of flowers. That sounds nice…"

"The festival entry is free but the problem is that traveling up to Sky Lagoon is smelting pricy, right? Well, I got an awesome surprise for you, Iris. There's a huge discount for – "

"What are you standing there for?" Zero interjects.

"I didn't want to interrupt," answers a soft voice Iris hasn't heard before. "I didn't know you had company, Zero."

"It's not a problem, is it?"

"Of course not."

That's when she notices there's another presence standing by the table. She follows Zero's line of sight, twisting her head over her shoulder a second time to see a smiling figure that she recognized from seeing briefly in photos: an android adorned in a minimalistic, blue armor.

"You're Captain X," Iris realizes.

"I am," says the Mega Man. "And you two are…?"

Double shoots up from his seat so fast that he hits the table's edge, causing Iris to shout in surprise. "Double, sir! I'm a rookie. Still uncategorized but I'm getting Navigator training so…"

"It's nice to meet you. Double...that's an interesting name. Did you choose that for yourself?"

"Not really. It just refers to my double supply in tanks," Double says, patting his round abdomen self-deprecatingly. Iris knows that Double isn't that fond of his round, heavy design since it's not optimal for Maverick Hunting, hence barring him from advancing. Iris hopes that one day, Double will embrace his design, clumsy gyros and all.

"If you're a rookie, are you training under Zero?"

"No, sir. I kinda got dragged here because of Iris, heh heh." He pauses. "Not that I didn't want to be dragged, I mean, being here with someone so scar – amazing! Amazing like Zero is such an honor – and wow, you're here too Captain X, and bolts, I um, don't really deserve to be here in the company of such prestigious Hunters like you and - "

"Don't be silly. We're normal bots like everyone else." X redirects his attention to the Navigator. "Iris, is it?"

"Yes, sir," Iris answers, trying not to be too excited. "I go by she, her pronouns and I'm the Navigator for the Zeroth Unit. I'm so glad that I can finally meet you!"

She really is. With Zero as their common link to each other, Iris hoped she would meet Zero's best friend earlier, but she never did. Zero explained that X operates during the day shift and is occupied by some personal project that he can't disclose. He used to talk about X as much as Iris talked about Colonel, but that decreased as time went on.

"I can't interfere with his directive." Iris recalls Zero muttering some time ago. She remembers it so clearly because even though Zero's voice was neutral, there was a sense of disappointment radiating from him. "I can't blame him. He's working on something big. He always is."

But now he's here. This is wonderful – both Iris and Zero are meeting each other's close friends for the first time!

"It's nice to meet you too. So, what were you all talking about?" inquires X as he comes closer to the table.

Iris scoots closer to Zero and she sees Double doing the same at the opposite direction, making space for X. The Azure Hunter smiles and accepts the opened spot.

"We were talking about Sky Lagoon," provides Iris helpfully.

"Sky Lagoon? I haven't gone there before, but I heard it's a very beautiful city," inputs X. "It's famous for its high-tech infrastructure and spa attraction."

"If you haven't gone there, you should take the chance, sir," Double encourages. "The Flower Festival is coming right around the corner. Imagine riding the Ferris wheel or taking an oil bath surrounded by millions of flowers."

"That sounds so beautiful." Iris was activated around the beginning of autumn so this has been her first spring. She's seen flowers in pictures, in vases, and in small budding patches fighting against the dying frost at the park. She can't imagine how a million flowers would look like. "I would love to see that."

"I can take you."

Whatever background processes Zero was conducting is done now. He's completely focusing on her with the laser bright intensity that makes her shiver every time she receives it. He's smiling a smile so gentle it tugs her core.

"I finished reserving two shuttle tickets into the South Gate. That's going to be where the parade is going to start."

"Bolts, that was fast," mutters Double at the same time Iris gapes.

"Zero, isn't the Festival going to happen during the day? And what about work and - "

"It'll take some work-around, but it can be done. Don't worry about it, Iris." Zero's eyes are upturned, those deep blue pools dancing in mirth. "I have you."

He has her and she has him.

Iris feels her entire face bloom into a large grin. She can't help herself; she launches forward and wraps her arms around Zero, pressing close to his body, blonde hair caressing her cheeks. She's so touched. "You're the best, Zero," she murmurs sincerely.

There's a harsh noise that bursts from X. The blue android shoves away from the table, viridian eyes wide and unseeing, a hand reaching up to his helmet.

Before Iris can ask if he's okay, the Elite Unit Leader is waving it off. He's smiling but there's something shaky and tired about it. "Thank you so much for letting me join you all for a moment," he says professionally. "I wanted to drop by to say hi, but now I have to go. There's work that needs to be done."

Iris feels Zero tensing next to her. "X – "

"Sorry, but I'm really busy. I'll talk to you later, Zero!" X barely shouts behinds him before he maneuvers around the obstacles of tables, seats, and bodies, vanishing within seconds.

Double makes a noise akin to a deflating balloon. "There he goes. Honestly, it's surprising enough to see him be still for five minutes."

"It's surprising to see him at all," Zero says expressionlessly. His face is giving nothing away, which means he's hiding how he truly feels. Iris lays a comforting hand over his between them.

"That makes him the real robot ghost around here," remarks Double lightly. "What's gotten him so busy? Sure he's a Unit Leader, but so are you and you have a girlfriend."

Both her and Zero's eyes meet and the brunette smiles helplessly, heat coursing through her. "I'm glad that you can spare some time for me. Colonel has been awfully busy lately too." Since Repliforce expanded to six full units, Iris' brother has his hands full. "Being able to spend time with you like this…I treasure it a lot."

"…Me too."

"Geez, you guys are sappy," Double groans half-heartedly, mouth twitching at one end. "It's like you two are in your own little world."

"Double!" Iris whines, face crimson again in her embarrassment. But it's such a pettily small thing compare to this immense bliss cushioning around it. Her heart feels so full and she's smiling again - she doesn't think she can stop smiling. She's in love.

Zero makes her so happy. She can't imagine he will ever stop making her happy.

The Hunters are undermanned. They haven't properly recovered their numbers since the previous war, which means there's a lot of empty spaces waiting to be filled.

Until then, Double comes and goes wherever he pleases.

It's honestly hilarious how naïve these idiots are. Because the Council is too cautious to give them anything, the Maverick Hunters have become desperate to the point that they're willing to take in anyone, even as someone with such horrid qualifications as the fake ones Double turned in. The security here is so scrap that Double sometimes wonders why his liege doesn't simply order him to set up a bunch of bombs and level the entire place down.

Well, that's not for him to decide. Master Sigma is ineffable. The undying, all-powerful reploid.

The Messiah.

Whatever his liege wishes for Double to do, the spy will carry it out to the smallest cog.

"From what I've learned, apparently X ordered for the Mavericks to be captured and preserved," Double relays faithfully to the mic. "He wanted to know why reploids were becoming Maverick and suddenly stopped. However, he became busier and frequents Cain Labs in his off time."

A few moments later, Double laughs again. "Zero? There's nothing to worry about there. He's found a new toy.

"…Hmm? Oh, her name's Iris. She's doing a good job keeping his attention occupied. Before she came, I had to run away from him because he kept staring at me for too long. Like he was trying to pin down what's off."

Double smirks, grasping the side of his helmet in wonder. "But this time I sat next to him for an entire hour and he didn't care! X is one thing, but Zero? Hah! They're both rusting up. Either way, everything is going smoothly. No one has caught on."

Double stretches out one hand, elongating his fingers and reverting them.

"'Magma Dragoon?' He may be keeping a low profile, but he's getting antsy. He's going bolts from the inaction. If he doesn't keep his processor on straight until the Flower Festival, I'll take care of him for you…hmm? Another mission?"

After listening to his new orders, Double bends his head back, barely suppressing his joy.

"Ohhhh, I can't wait to look at X's face then. Thank you, my liege. I won't let you down."