Hei let out a soft melancholy sigh as Yin trailed kisses down neck. The arms that had tightly encircled her slight frame moments earlier loosened, and he found himself biting his lip, suddenly unsure. He and Yin had been in this odd grey area between friendship and a romantic partnership for a few weeks now, but this wasn't the first time Hei's had doubts.

Neither of them had realized how starved they'd been for physical affection until they'd shared that first kiss. It'd been years since either of them had anyone they could wholeheartedly trust. Ever since Amber, every touch was laced with a possible lie, it didn't matter who you thought your allies were, anyone would jump to manipulate you if it meant they could get ahead. Emotional investment became a foreign concept to Hei, but without it- any touch, any kiss grew devoid of meaning. Yin was no better. Regarded as an object, a tool... no one would touch her. -Not with the intent to be affectionate. A shove toward the water, a harsh tug in the right direction, that was all she'd receive. But when they finally came together, it was hard for either of them to resist. It was as if nothing was real until this moment.

He should've been happy then, right? After all those years in the darkness, they'd finally come together. He'd created something akin to love with another person. But Hei still somehow found himself troubled. Despite the fact that Yin had finally gained his emotional trust, old fears remained latched to his soul like an undying parasite.

He couldn't count how many times he'd loved whole heartedly only to have things blow up in his face. At times, it'd been the fault of the underground workings of the Syndicate that had destroyed any meaningful relationship he'd hoped for. Other times however, it was because of his own inability to understand himself, -to connect with others, that had isolated him. Though he loved Yin, -and was admittedly good at reading her- there were many times when he didn't understand her. When she saw things in a way he simply couldn't perceive.

There was no one else who knew him like she did. She understood him completely, all that he was, all he wanted to be, sometimes she got him better than he did. But she was still a doll. A feeling one of course! -He was by all means aware that she was still just as human as any other despite this, but that didn't mean she doesn't need guidance, protection. He wanted to give all that for her, to find purpose in it. In fact, that was all he'd meant to provide her with initially. Falling for her though... it was far more than he'd bargained for. He'd no idea how to navigate a relationship with her. How did he know he wasn't compelling her somehow? Using what's left of her doll's nature against her, somehow inadvertently tricking her into loving him. The last thing he wanted was for her to snap out of it one day tell him she didn't want this anymore. He felt Yin softly bite down on his neck, sending chills running up and down his body. It felt both good and bad.

"Yin," Hei gently pushed away, her name was barely a breath past his lips.

Yin leaned back, sighing a bit.

"Hei," Yin cast her demure eyes away from him. "Is this about... the other day?" Yin asked, referring to his suggestion to part ways. Just thinking of it sent a muted shiver of fear down her spine. He thinks he has some negative affect on her, or that things will suddenly go downhill as soon she discovers more about herself, but Yin couldn't disagree more. She couldn't imagine where she be now if it weren't for him and is generosity. His compassion and love.

"I, well..." It wasn't exactly what he was thinking about, but he couldn't say it was ever far from his mind. "Haven't you at least thought about it?" His arms were are around her faster than he could stop himself. She molded into his warmth, clinging to him whilst dreading the incoming onslaught of self depreciation that she knew was about to pour from his mouth.

"I'm not perfect, Yin." He reaches down to brush a stray hair out of her face as he speaks. "I can't... protect you forever..."

Though he does well to mask his feelings, it's obvious to Yin that he's referring to protection from himself and a nature he considers poisonous. He's scared he'll ruin her somehow. That he'll wake up one day to find that he already has.

Yin leaned forward, cupping Hei's face in her hands. "I want to stay with Hei." She captured his lips in a slow kiss and he could hardly pull away. He surrendered for a moment, but he couldn't fight the gnawing at his core long enough to give in completely.

"I know it seems safe now, but-"

"Hei..."

"All that can change, and if I put you in any danger-" He wouldn't be able to bear it if she wanted to leave but he'd put her in a position where she couldn't make it on her own. This was a safe place for contractors and dolls alike. If she wanted, he could walk away from here... she'd never have to see his face again.

"It's more dangerous to be apart." Her thumb stroked his cheek, dragging against the corner of his mouth.

"You know that isn't true. The Syndicate can afford to lose you, it's me they're after." His voice lowered to a hushed tone. "I'm practically a magnet."

Yin saw through him easily. This had nothing to do with the Syndicate or any other outside danger.

"Hei!" It was hardly a yell, but the act of her even slightly raising her voice was such a rarity that it shocked Hei into silence.

"I don't want to be alone. I want to be with you." Her blind eyes bore into his and Hei saw a spark of emotion light up behind her usually glassy orbs. She kissed the corner of his mouth and he sighed weakly at the sensation. She draped her arms around his neck as she pressed her body into a tight hug.

"You've always been there, you.. let me be your partner." Her heart swelled at the memory, and a smile stood behind the stoic features of her face. She knew part of the reason Hei was so drawn to her was because she was the only person he had left. The last tie to his past. Was it so hard to believe that she felt the same? The snippets of her life as a true girl were so muddled and distant that it was barely apart of who she was anymore. In a way, the years she'd spent with the Syndicate had been the start of who she was now. And though she'd suffered, Hei was like a flickering light leading her away from the madness. After all they'd been through, everything they'd discovered, she didn't want to lose him now.

"Don't I still get to choose?" She looked up at him. "I want Hei to stay with me."

His arms automatically found their way around her back as he listened to her coquettish whispers tug at his ears. He pulled her closer, relief spreading through his chest. He knew she'd cared about him, but... could she really want this? Despite his better judgement, he wanted to believe he'd underestimated her. He was sure she was struggling too, but she didn't care about their differences. Yin wasn't worried about who'd she be in the future, she believed she would love him then too. She believed in him and what they were building together. He wanted to feel the same. If he stayed... maybe one day he would.

He wanted to tell her this. He wanted to let her know that she made almost everything about him bearable. That she was one of the very few things that allowed him to hope in years. That his love for her grew stronger everyday, and though he offered to leave her constantly, he still couldn't bear the thought of being without her, selfish as it may be. That loving her, had been one of the biggest risks he'd ever taken, and though he was filled with doubt at times, he wouldn't change this for the world.

...He wanted to say all those things and more.

But instead he remained silent.

Though his feelings were strong, the words to describe them were only ideas. To say them out loud would only be confusing and strange.

So instead, he cupped her face in his hands and caressed her lips with his own. His embrace was soft at first, -a gentle shower of affection. But his touch grew heated as pressed further. His bated breath puffed against her mouth as her ran a palm across her gentle curves. His tongue explored her mouth for the first time and Yin let out a soft groan. She pressed her hand to his chest, inspecting his body as well. Pulling her closer, his kiss grew rough with an intensity that he hadn't even known lied dormant within him.

She kissed back eagerly, stealing his breath. He in breathed in quickly through his nose, inhaling her sweet watery scent and unintentionally intoxicating himself further. His heart pounded in his chest and shivers raced throughout him. He lost himself in the softness of her lips, unable to consolidate this feeling with anything else. He gulped knowing for certain now that he couldn't get enough of her.

His grip on her was tight as he nipped and sucked until the satisfying shivers of their passion finally passed.

He tucked his face into her neck, placing a soft kiss there. "I'll stay," He promised. "I won't leave you alone."

And she believed him.