Early Valentine's Day present!

Benny was at the tree that had once been the plant. It had grown big and strong, its branches full of leaves. He leaned his arm against it for support.

Even though he didn't have lungs, Benny felt like his chest was squeezing in. He hadn't felt this way since…

"Benny?" M-O's high-pitched robotic voice called.

The green-eyed bot sighed. "Over here."

The cleaner-bot came into view. "Benny…"

He was then suddenly tackled to the ground, followed by some sobbing. Benny clung desperately to his father's body for comfort, which he received. When he had calmed down enough, he said, "I'm sorry for what I said earlier, and for running off. I was just so angry that you were sick, and…"

M-O held up his brush. "Benny. You were right."

"What?"

"It's not going to be okay. It isn't fair that I'm sick, and that I'm going to pass away. Your reaction was understandable. No one should have to go through the loss of a parent."

Benny was silent. M-O continued.

"I get it, I really do. You're afraid of my imminent leaving. You've gone through that pain before, and you don't wish to a second time. But, you know something? After I'm gone, you'll still have your mother and your friends. You won't be alone. And I'll still be with you, in a way."

Benny sniffed and wiped at non-existent tears. "I never thought of that. But, what do you mean, you'll still be with me?"

"Through the memories we've had together, and," M-O tapped at the center of Benny's chest. "in your heart."

Benny finally smiled a little. "I guess I'll be okay without you. I'll...I'll still miss you, though."

"I will, too, Benny. And your mother, our friends, and Earth."

M-O offered his roller, and the child-bot took it. "Come now. We're going home."

They began a silent trek home, where D-FIB was waiting. They waited until Benny had gone into sleep mode, then they had a talk.

"What are we going to do now? I don't know if I can take this."

"D-FIB, you're one of the strongest robots I know. It may not seem like it, but you can push through it. I believe in you. I'm still here for now. Just...try to enjoy the amount of time you have left with me."

"I don't know how I'm supposed to with the knowledge that you're going to die. And the scary thing is, we don't know when."

"I'm scared, too. Knowing you have a time limit, but unsure of how long it is."

M-O pressed his screen to D-FIB's, then held it there for a few minutes. "D-FIB, I've accepted the fact that I'm dying. There's no use in running away from that fact. You don't have to accept it right away, but doing so will help you move on with your life. I want you to."

D-FIB looked down. "I'll...I'll try M-O. Only for you."

"I'll never stop loving you. Even when I'm gone."

"I love you too, M-O. That's why it hurts so much."

"I understand. It won't go away, but it'll get better."

D-FIB slowly wrapped her paddles around M-O's body. They rocked back and forth, humming a familiar song.

They broke apart, smiling. "We should go to sleep. We did have a rather long night. I think some rest will do us good," M-O noted.

D-FIB nodded. The robot couple went to their respective areas, then shut down their systems, not knowing when the inevitable came, but determined to make the most of the time remaining.

I hope I did everyone justice.

CocoDisney out!