Twelve had imagined multiple scenarios for how things would end for Sphinx. With guns pressed against their heads, spilling lead into their twisted brains at worst and with Nine and him burning Tokyo to the ground at best. But he had never pictured it like this. Huddled in a corner with Lisa, hiding like animals as the police closing in.

They're doomed. Nine's dead, the police will be here any second, all they can do is wait. 'Why did he do that to me!' Those seven words haunt him. He had tried to be Nine's anchor, tried to drive away his personal demons, but then he had to go plant a suicide bomb. Why did he break the rules? Why did he abandon them?

"Toji?" He can barely make her out in the darkness, but he's able to see the worried look Lisa gives him. "What are we going to do?"

Sigh, he deserves to pay for his crimes, not her, her only crime was being in the wrong place at the wrong time. "Don't worry about me, here is what you are gonna do," He taps her nose, trying to bring a little levity to the situation. "Tell them you were a hostage. If they suspect your lying make up horrible things we did to you. You'll probably have to go back home, but-"

"I can't do that!"

"Yes you can." He doesn't know if she's more scared of what's about to come or that's he's dropped his plastic smile. "It'll be crazy, but I know you can."

They sit in silence, though Twelve can't tell if he really is hearing footsteps or it's his paranoia. At most they have a minute, a minute to regret and reflect on what got them there.

"I'm sorry." He doesn't know where those words are coming from, for the first time he's not following a plan or thinking rationally about his words. "I'm sorry for dragging you in this, I'm sorry for all the threats and manipulation, I'm sorry,"

It's funny he's decided to grow a conscience now.

Suddenly, he feels Lisa wrap her arms around his neck and pull him into a hug. Tears trickle down from her face and wet his shoulder.

"No thank you. Thank you Toji and Arata for giving me the closest thing to a home I have. Though I guess it's a little too late to thank him now?" She leans back and lets out a sick laugh.

With care, Twelve wipes the tears that linger on her. It seems a little of him has rubbed off on Lisa. That worries him, she's taking a piece of this experience with her for the rest of her life. She's the girl that shouldn't have been involved, the girl who shouldn't have joined him on his motorcycle that night, who he shouldn't have grown attached to.

The footsteps grow louder and he knows this time they're real. Lisa starts to shiver, and Twelve can help but warp his arms around her shoulders in comfort. A giggle escapes from her lips.

"What's so funny?"

"You've always reminded me of sun, warm and full of energy. And even now your giving me warmth." For some strange reason, a peaceful smile paints her face. Twelve can't help but wonder how things would have been if they were normal kids. If he really was teasing Toji Hisami, and Lisa was only his cute, sweet classmate. Would something had happened between them?

The footsteps are deafening now, and Twelve's feeling reckless. In one quick motion he presses his lips to the corner of her mouth and stands up with his hands in the air. "Remember," He turns his head to see her and flashes a real smile. "Make them believe," Lisa just stares at him shocked, unable to speak.

The door breaks up and what seems like hundreds of police rush in. Before he can blink a group has captured him, throwing cold, steele handcuffs on him. Twelve doesn't care though. All that matters is if Lisa's safe. Through the throng of people he catches a glimpse of her, surrounded but not handcuffed like him. Her lips move, but he can't make out what they say, and more tears roll down her cheek.

"Good girl," He whispers it so low, he can't hear it himself. "Good girl."

A.N. So this fic originated from a headcanon I had written. Well I was floored to find that a tumblr user by the name tofu-jiggles made this stunning piece you can find here: post/93817999121/but-i-also-have-this-sad-headcanon-for-the-ending