Requested by: LucyBrick123

Request: Pixane

Warnings: None

"We are all different... But I don't feel so different around you."

He remembered when he said this to her, when they had their first moment alone together. He remembered when she denied being different, when she said she was just herself. He remembered on that same day, after shutting down the power to the city, being by her side when she said those words to him:

"We are not so different. We are...compatible?"

Zane realized just how long it had been since that day, and how much he and PIXAL had been through together. When the Golden Master was defeated, and when he was brought out of the Digiverse to live with everyone again, they were finally able to spend more time together, and grew closer to one another as a result.

During this time, PIXAL seemed to have changed, if only slightly. Zane noticed that she was beginning to have her own way of speaking, recognizing she was starting to mimic the way some of the others spoke, especially when it came to Kai.

"Hey, PIXAL!" Kai had yelled one day. "I need to train the students, and now I can't find my sword! Where did you put it?!" She had been helping Zane to organize their classrooms for Zane's return, and had to move some of everyone's equipment to his room again, since they stored it away while he was gone.

"I am not sure," she replied calmly. "But I believe it is in a location many refer to as a closet." Zane felt somewhat amused upon hearing her speak this way. Rarely ever did she respond to anyone, much less Kai, with a hint of sarcasm.

"Oh, real funny," Kai snapped. "But seriously, I'm supposed to be helping the students with training, and now you're pretty much mocking me. As if I don't get enough of that already!" He paused. "And now I can't find those lesson plans for today. This is just perfect..."

"What a shame," she said, returning to helping Zane clear away more belongings.

It was as though PIXAL was becoming the opposite of what she originally said she was: an assistant, no more different from anyone else, just herself. Now, she seemed to be becoming her own person, developing her own quirks, her own way of speaking... She seemed to be embracing how unique she was.

As time went on, Zane prepared himself to ask her "the question". He had the others help him with his preparations, and followed their advice on how to carry out the question. Don't rush into it, but don't put it off to the last minute. Give her compliments, but don't overwhelm her with them. Take her somewhere nice, but not incredibly fancy. The final tip: make it memorable, but don't make it flashy.

He decided to take her on a date to the park. They both enjoyed watching the people go by, often in small groups or on their own, and sometimes some of them would stop and say hello to Zane, remembering him as the one who defeated the Golden Master. As they watched these people, Zane wondered if PIXAL had picked up any mannerisms from them, as well.

He guided PIXAL to a nearby bench, sitting down next to her. "It is a lovely day out," he commented. While the temperature was becoming cooler as the season drew nearer to winter, the sun was still shining in the sky, offering some warmth.

The female android nodded. "Yes. I am glad that you chose today for our date. Had you chosen any other day, the chances of weather like this would be much lower." She turned to face him. "But I am sensing there is another reason you chose today."

"Yes. It has been exactly four months since I was brought back from the Digiverse," he began. He took a deep, steady breath before continuing. "and I decided that such an event deserves something of even greater importance."

PIXAL stared at him in confusion. "What do you mean?" she asked. "I would think that bringing you back would always stand out as the most important event."

Zane smiled, then looked away sheepishly. He didn't know where to start, let alone what to say next. He focused on just clearing his mind, hoping an idea would come to him. When he looked back up at her, her curious gaze finally gave him an idea.

"PIXAL... You are truly special to me," he murmured. "You're unique, no matter how many times you have denied my claims."

PIXAL gave a small smile. "And I will continue to tell you I am no different than you," she replied. "You said so yourself, all those months ago. You do not feel so different around me. We are almost the same."

"On the outside, perhaps, but we both have our own personalities, our own interests, our own thoughts..." He cleared his throat and reached into his pocket. "PIXAL, can you do me a favour, please?"

"Of course."

"Close your eyes." When she did so, he pulled the tiny box out of his pocket and opened it, feeling slightly nervous upon seeing what was inside. "Now give me your hand."

PIXAL, still confused as to what Zane was planning, stretched her left hand out to him. She didn't know what to expect next, but what she felt was something being slid over her ring finger.

"You may open your eyes now."

Her green eyes darted down to look at her hand, and felt surprised by what she saw. Zane had given her a silver ring, decorated with snowflake motifs along the sides. In the centre of the ring lay a small sapphire stone, two more silver snowflakes spreading out from beneath it. She looked into Zane's eyes.

"Zane?" she finally questioned. "What is this?"

"Snowflakes, at first glance, may look the same," he explained. "Many people will not look closer, since they may not care whether some are different than others." He took PIXAL's hand in his. "But when you look closer, you will see that they all have their own designs, and they are all unique in their own way.

"People are the same, so it is said. We may all be the same, but at the same time we are all different. And out of everyone I have met...you are the most unique person I have ever met, as well as the most similar to me. I can relate to you the most out of any of my friends."

PIXAL looked down at the ring again to hide her growing smile. "What are you saying?" she asked.

Zane lifted PIXAL's hand to his mouth, kissing the back of it gently. "By giving this ring to you, PIXAL, I am asking you if you would marry me. It would be an honour if I could spend the rest of my life with you."

PIXAL was quiet for a moment. Her green gaze switched periodically from Zane's eyes to back down at the ring, then back to him again. She stayed quiet for so long that Zane started to wonder if she didn't return his feelings in that way, or that she wanted to wait for a while longer before agreeing. His voice hitched in his throat when she finally spoke.

"If it means we will stay together from now on," she murmured. "If it means spending the rest of my life with you...then yes. Yes, Zane, I will marry you."

Zane didn't know how to respond, instead pulling her close for a hug, which she gratefully returned. He had no idea how to describe how he felt at that moment. Happiness and joy didn't even begin to scratch the surface. When they pulled away, he rested his forehead on hers, a wide grin present on his face.

"We are unique, yet we aren't so different from each other," he whispered. "And now, we'll always be together...won't we?"

PIXAL gripped his hand tightly. "Always," she promised.

On PIXAL's characterization: Did anyone else notice that in Codename: Arcturus she showed a bit more of a personality? To me it seemed like she was just a bit more snarky than before (not a bad thing, mind you). I dunno, just a thought.

Thanks LucyBrick123 for the request!