Steel-blue eyes shot open suddenly, the silver-haired android awakening from her dreamless slumber to stare unblinking at the bare ceiling above, noting a strange weight that was laying across her abdomen. Pulling herself into a seated position, her back pressed up against the cool metal of the bed's frame, A2 noticed the dozing human girl by her side, Leah's arm draped lazily across the combat android's stomach as gentle exhales from the girl's lips tickled her bare skin.
Sitting there, with the human's warmth seeping gently into her side, A2 got a feeling of comfort she had never known before, giving her a sense of what true happiness must feel like. In their short time together, less than a week having gone by since finding Leah in that underground facility, the silver-haired androids life had taken such a drastic upswing that A2 was afraid of how far she could possibly fall should everything be taken from her. Placing her hand over the resting human's, A2 silently reaffirmed her commitment to protecting the brown-haired girl at all costs.
The silver-haired android watched the gentle rise and fall of the slumbering girl's chest, loose strands of brown hair fluttering with every gentle exhale of breath from her parted lips, truly admiring how alive the human looked. The small intricacies, every subtle twitch and instinctual response, that made up what made her human was accentuated as she slept. While asleep, an android resembled an empty husk, a body bereft of any life. But even while her consciousness is lost in the realm of sleep, Leah looked just as alive as when she is laughing and smiling with her newfound friends.
Was that something A2 could say about them? Were they friends? Were humans truly able to form such deep connections with androids? The former YoRHa soldier truly hoped that they could, as A2 felt herself irrevocably attached to the human girl.
Lifting her hand, A2 hovered it above the slumbering girl's head, her black exoskeleton mere inches away from Leah's soft brown hair, uncertainty shining in her steel-blue gaze. Why did she feel the urge to touch the human? To gently run her fingers through her hair and cradle her head into her warm embrace? It made no logical sense and yet she yearned to do so.
Leah had treated her so kindly the night before, despite the harsh words the android had thrown at her, she still had nothing but understanding and compassion for the silver-haired woman. Pulling her hand away from the sleeping girl, A2 softly placed a finger upon the bridge of her nose and began slowly tracing a pattern down toward her cheek, remembering how Leah had wiped away the years worth of dirt from her face. It made her feel…new.
A sudden stir from the sleeping human pulled A2 from her reminiscing, a groan of annoyance passing past the girl's pink lips as green eyes slowly fluttered open to stare blearily at the combat androids thigh, dazed confusion painted on her features at the unfamiliar sight.
Leah stared at the pale appendage for several seconds, a small smile crossing A2's lips as she watched the human's mind try to process its surroundings after its prolonged state of unconsciousness. Turning her head slightly, Leah's eyes traveled up the androids seated body before locking eyes with A2's steel-blue gaze, the android gracing her with a gentle smile.
"Good morning, Leah." Leah's eyes widened dramatically as her mind finally caught up with her, the green orbs shooting down to the arm resting upon the android's stomach, the human girl letting out a small shriek as she frantically pulled the offending appendage into the air.
"Ah, A2! What happened?! What did I do?!" Sitting up suddenly, Leah flailing slightly as she tried to keep herself from falling over the edge of the bed, the last-surviving human's head shooting between her arm and A2's stomach in a panic. Watching the human girl freak out, indistinguishable noises of confusion flying out from between her lips, A2 couldn't help but laugh as she held a fist in front of her mouth, her eyes closed in amusement.
Leah's panicked floundering came to a sudden stop as A2 continued to giggle in amusement at the human's reaction, the soft laughter filled with happiness and joy making the brown-haired girl smile before joining her android companion in a round of laughter.
"Heh. I kind of remember waking up to you staring at me the first time we met too." The pair continued to laugh in companionable amusement, A2 nodding in agreement to Leah's remark, remembering their first meeting back in that shadowy lab. Although awkward and challenging at first, A2's lack of emotional awareness and their inability to understand each other presenting a substantial hurdle, the pair managed to form a deep connection with each other. Or, at least A2 hoped so.
Their laughter slowly died down, Leah's cheeks flush with cheer as she dabbed at the tears in the corner of her eyes, a comfortable silence permeating between the two as they smiled at each other.
Their momentary peace was shattered by an earth-shaking crash coming from outside, the bed frame rattling as the walls shuddered ominously as pieces of dust and debris fell from the ceiling. A2 reacted quickly, instinctively pulling Leah into her arms, hovering protectively over the human girls form in case the ceiling was to drop down on top of them.
"What was that?!" Leah cried out fearfully, her small form trembling in the android's arms, as she stared up at A2 with fright-filled eyes. Gripping the human girl's shoulders reassuringly, A2 slowly lifted herself off of the bed and onto her feet, making sure to keep Leah safely in her arms, a serious look passing over the combat android's face as the pair made their way toward the exit.
2B suddenly burst through the door, the loud crash from the metal door being forced open so roughly causing the human in A2's arms to jolt in fright, the battle android's usual composed countenance fraught with alarm and worry.
"Leah! A2! Are you two alright?" Rushing to their side, the short-haired android cast her gaze over the human girl's body, her tactical visor placed over her eyes once more as she checked Leah for any signs of damage.
"We're ok, 2B." Leah hesitantly disentangled herself from the long-haired android's arms, a small frown momentarily crossing A2's lips at the loss of warmth from the human girl, but it disappeared as quickly as it came as the combat android's focus returned to the worrying rumbles from outside.
"A Goliath class machine is attacking the city center. All YoRHa units have been ordered to engage immediately." 2B stared pointedly into A2's eyes, her features set in a deep frown. "I know you hold no love towards us, but we could really use your help."
Gritting her teeth, A2 grimly nodded in affirmation, the YoRHa soldier returning it with an appreciative one of her own. The trio rushed out of the doors, the suns bright rays shining down upon them as they entered the camp courtyard.
The camp was bustling with activity, nervous energy hovering over the area as worry and fear were beset upon the soldier's faces as they retrieved their weapons. Several androids were being ushered further into the bowels of the ruins, away from where the sounds of destruction could be heard, toward where the trio was currently heading.
Navigating through the narrow passageway, the pair of androids and the human girl emerged outside the resistance camps perimeter, Anemone, the twins, and 9S all standing near the edge of the cliff, their worried gazes fixed into the distance. Following their line of sight, A2 grunted in annoyance at the familiar towering sight of the Goliath, a gasp of terror escaping Leah's throat as she stared wide-eyed at the monstrous machine.
"No..nonononononono! No, A2 you can't fight that thing!" Leah shook her head rapidly back and forth as she latched onto A2, tears rolling down her cheeks as her knuckles turned white from the tight grip she had on the combat android's arms, her green eyes pleading for the silver-haired woman not to go.
"That thing is huge! What if you get hurt!? What if you don't come back?!" Leah pressed her forehead roughly into the android's chest as she desperately clawed at A2's skin, her muffled cries tearing at A2's black box. "I can't lose you."
"I have to go. I have to protect you." Placing a comforting hand upon the shorter girl's head, A2 gently began to pet Leah's short brown hair, her usually gruff and harsh voice replaced with a soothing, caring tone, one exclusively reserved for the human in her arms.
"Devola. Popola." Perking up at their names, the redheaded twins slowly approached the silver-haired android, their worried gazes centered upon the trembling girl in A2's arms. "Please take care of Leah while I'm gone. I know you will protect her with your lives."
"We will." Popola nodded firmly as A2 gently passed Leah into her care, the straight-haired sister gently running her fingers through the sobbing girl's brown locks, the human's green eyes staring forlornly toward her silver-haired companion. All A2 could do was give her a reassuring smile.
"Of course we'll watch out for her. You didn't even have to ask." Devola placed a reassuring hand upon the combat models shoulder, A2 giving her a nod of thanks before slowly making her way over toward the waiting YoRHa soldiers.
"Let's go." The trio of androids quickly dashed off toward the rampaging machine, leaping off the small cliff into the sparkling water below, small droplets being kicked into the air as they rushed into the oncoming fray. A2 failed to notice the worried stare of the distraught human as they entered the city's ruins.
"A2!" Leaping over a large root that was jutting out of a collapsed building, the former YoRHa soldier glanced toward the battle android, 2B deftly eliminating a rogue machine in her path without missing a step.
"We need you to keep the Goliath distracted so that we can reach our Flight Units. It will significantly increase our chances of winning." Nodding affirmatively, A2 broke off from the YoRHa soldiers, the pair flanking across the outside of the Goliath's perimeter to avoid detection from the colossal machine, while the combat android rushed headlong toward him.
"Of course I'm the bait." Entering the large open expanse of the city center, A2 finally got a good view of the Goliath class machine, it's towering form looming over the silver-haired android, it's gleaming red eyes focused intently upon her diminutive form.
Raising its metallic arm high into the air, buzz-saw whirring ominously, the Goliath brought it down upon the earth with crushing force, it's slow movements making it easy for the agile android to dodge out of the way.
"Yeah, yeah come and get me you overgrown fucker!" Circling back around, A2 leapt onto the lowered arm while it was still stuck in the ground from its previous attack, the combat android swiftly detaching the connectors holding the buzz-saw in place with some well-placed sword swipes. Jumping off the side, sword digging into the side of the arm to slow her descent, A2 quickly got out of the way as the second arm impacted where she stood mere moments ago.
"Stupid shits always try the same thing." Running toward machines legs, A2 gleefully watched as the Goliath raised it's arm back up, the severed buzz-saw remaining planted uselessly in the ground. Slipping between its legs, the combat android summoned her bracers, the heavy gauntlets materializing onto her hands the second she leapt onto the Goliath's back. Punching a shallow hole into the machine's armor, A2 repeated the action several times as she clambered her way toward the top of the colossus.
A distinct engine sound caused A2's ears to perk up as she reached the large platform on the top of the machine, the android's eyes landing upon a pair of advancing Flight Units with 2B and 9S strapped into them.
"Tch, about time."
Leah flinched deeper into Popola's embrace as another tremor shook the ground beneath her feet, small whimpers escaping her at every loud noise coming from outside. The twins and Leah were holed up in a small room near the back of the camp, the frightened murmurs from the resistance soldier in the neighboring rooms only adding to the human's worries.
"Everything is going to be ok." Popola cradled the human's head closer to her chest, her green eyes full of sorrow and worry for the frightened girl. "A2 is strong. I'm sure she'll survive."
The straight-haired twin's words did nothing to lessen the human's fears as another explosion from outside caused Leah to cry out in fear. Despite how strong the human wanted to be, for A2 and her own sake, she was still overwhelmed by the imposing sight she had seen before. The time-traveling girl had never seen anything like that before, something that big should not exist let alone be able to move. That A2 was currently fighting something 100 times her size filled the young human girl with unrelenting fear and worry.
Popola turned toward her sister, her green eyes begging for her to help calm the distraught human as she continued to gently draw calming circles on the girls back. Walking over to the embracing pair, Devola took a seat next to them, trying to give the time-traveling human a comforting smile.
"Hey, let's not talk about that." Turning toward the wild-haired android, Leah looked curiously into Devola's eyes as she shot her a playful grin. "Why don't you tell us about more about you and A2."
"Me and A2?" Pulling slightly out of Popola's arms, still keeping a firm grip on the straight-haired twin's hands, Leah momentarily mulled over Devola's question, reminiscing about her time with the silver-haired android.
"I care a lot about her. She saved my life but it's more than that. I like spending time with her, she's a lot funnier and inquisitive than you would originally think when you first meet her." A small smile curled on the human's lips as she talked about her android companion, the twins giving each other a knowing look as they intently listened to the human's words.
"She's very kind, too." Leah placed her hand over her heart, a small blush unknowingly spreading on her cheeks. "She always makes sure I'm doing ok, whether it be mentally or physically. She helps motivate me to be stronger but still lets me lean on her when I need help. She's wonderful."
"Yes, but what do you think about her," Devola paused dramatically as she leaned closer toward the brown-haired girl's face, a Cheshire grin plastered on her face, "romantically?"
"W-what?!" Backing away from the grinning sister, her back pressing into Popola's soft body, Leah looked toward the straight-haired sister for help only to find the same smile on her face. Gulping nervously, Leah tried to escape the twins but a pair of strong arms wrapped around her stomach kept her locked in place.
"W-why are you asking me about that?" Leah covered her face with her hands, little flustered squeaks jumping out of her mouth as she tried to push down the rising heat in her cheeks.
"Aww, c'mon Leah. It's nothing to be embarrassed about." Grabbing the brown-haired girl's arms, Devola pulled them away to reveal Leah's crimson cheeks as she feebly tried to pull out of the android's strong grip.
"Yeah, Leah. We think you two would be cute together." Hugging the human tight, Popola rubbed her cheek against the top of Leah's head as she let out a series of embarrassed squeals. Dropping her head, bangs covering her eyes, Leah's struggles came to a sudden stop.
"Please." Perking up at Leah's quiet plea, all playfulness gone, the twins looked concernedly at the human girl. "Can we please stop talking about it?"
Devola and Popola stared at each other, reluctant to let the issue go as it had successfully distracted Leah from her worries and they truly believed it would be good for both her and A2 to be more open with their feelings. But seeing Leah so dejected and hearing the sadness in her voice made them drop the issue, each of them gently lacing their fingers with one of her hands.
"Kuwata tsunowo vralai." A gentle tune began to flow from Devola's lips, Leah lifting her head slightly
to look upon the wild-haired sister in awe, admiring how wonderful her voice sounded. Turning her
head, the human girl was amazed to see Popola join in, the same beautiful sound flowing from within
her chest.
"Souta tsunowo vralai." Popola harmonized perfectly with her sister, the twin's voices working together to envelop Leah in a gentle cocoon of peace as she hugged the straight-haired girl tightly, silently thanking them.
"Tzuriji pforaalekai."
"Saaha pforaalekai."
"Shoot its goddamn eyes!"
Sliding down the steep incline of the Goliath's arm, high-heeled boots shooting up sparks as they ground roughly against its metallic structure, A2 barely managed to avoid the barrage of missiles that 9S shot at the machines head, her sword slicing at key components on its body as she neared the ground.
"It only has one weapon! Focus on its left side!" Landing on the ground, A2 continued her swift movements to avoid the lumbering machines attacks as she barked out the Goliath's weakness to the YoRHa soldiers. "I got its legs!"
Sliding underneath a large swing from the Goliath's arm, 2B using the distraction to slice at the machines head, damaging one of its eyes, A2 slipped between its legs, jumping up to where it connected with its body. Slipping her blade in between the metal sheets, holding on tightly to the hilt, A2 began running on the side of the leg, her sword carving its way through the machine's joint.
After making a full rotation, the combat android dropped back onto the ground and ran to a safe distance before taking a running leap, flipping in mid-air to launch her sword toward the Goliath's head. The blade embedded itself harmlessly into the bottom of the colossus's head, it's one-eyed gaze locked upon the diminutive android.
"You're getting your ass kicked big boy." Smirking derisively, A2 quickly spun on her heel, baiting the machine to chase after her. Luckily, he was stupid enough to do just that, the Goliath taking a huge lumbering step toward the fleeing android. Placing its foot back on the ground, the joint connecting its leg to its torso shifted, its tremendous weight and the damage A2 had done to it moments ago causing it to break loose, the Goliath stumbling helplessly onto one knee.
Taking advantage of the opening created by A2, 2B and 9S quickly rushed in for the kill, battering the colossal machine non-stop with missiles and well placed energy-sword swipes. Unable to withstand the androids onslaught, the lumbering machine slowly collapsed to the ground, it's hulking form falling as if in slow motion.
Rushing away from the collapsing machine while avoiding falling debris from its body, A2 turned her head as she saw 2B's flight unit fly next to her, the battle android holding out her hand toward her.
"A2! Grab on!" Maneuvering her flight unit above the fleeing android, A2 soared into the air, 2B deftly catching her in her arms before steering away from the crumpling Goliath, it's astronomical weight impacting violently with the earth.
The Goliath colliding with the ground was swiftly followed by a massive explosion, the shock-waves violently rocking the flight unit as 2B tried to keep control so that they didn't go careening toward the earth. Shielding her eyes, A2 looked toward the exploding Goliath, watching as parts of the city began to cave in, entire buildings being lost within an enormous crater.
".…Thank you." Touching down near the camp entrance, 2B gently placing the former YoRHa soldier upon the ground before disconnecting from her flight unit, A2 reluctantly thanked the short-haired woman for her help. Nodding in affirmation, the pair decided to leave it at that as 9S landed next to them, excitedly running up to the combat android.
"You are a hell of a fighter A2. I've never seen someone take on a Goliath class on their own before, let alone on foot." 9S praised the former YoRHa soldier, his hands dancing around animatedly. A2 merely ignored the boy as she made her way back to camp, wanting to return to Leah as quickly as possible. 9S gave 2B a confused look, unable to understand what he might have done wrong, the battle android merely shaking her head as she followed the curmudgeonly android.
Passing through the makeshift barricade, A2 entered the familiar courtyard, several resistance soldiers milling about as they calmly ushered everyone back out of hiding. Glancing around the camp, the silver-haired android scanned the sea of faces for any sign of a certain time-traveling girl.
"A2!" Turning swiftly, the unsuspecting android was suddenly assaulted by a flying human, Leah wrapping her arms tightly around A2's neck, a shock of brown hair appearing in the corner of her eye. Small hiccups bounced out of Leah's chest as she pressed herself firmly against the android's body, her small frame shuddering as she buried her face into A2's neck.
"I'm so glad you're ok." Feeling Leah's nose pressing into her neck, the human's warm breath washing over her skin, A2 couldn't help but smile as she wrapped her arms around the trembling girl, running her fingers through Leah's hair as she gently pressed her cheek against the side of the time-traveling human's head.
For her, A2 would always come back.
A/N: Busy day for the androids.
We are getting to more events from the game so I'm sure discerning fans will know what might come next. I had a lot of fun coming up with the fight scenes so I hope it came out well. Tried to incorporate A2's taunts into her fighting. Also, the song Devola and Popola sing is "Song of the Ancients" which I think is a beautiful song from Nier, especially when they sing it together.
Big hearty thank you to every single person out there! Thank you for reading, reviewing, fav-ing, following! I greatly appreciate it and I love hearing from all of you, from longtime fans to new arrivals! I love you all and have an absolutely wonderful day!