Joy. Elation. Warmth. Confusion.
A multitude of emotions, some complimentary and others contrary, bounced around in A2's head as she stared in wide-eyed wonder at the human girl in front of her as she pressed her lips softly against her own. A2's black box beat loudly in her chest as Leah's lightly chapped lips gently caressed against her mouth, the brown-haired girl lightly running her bandaged fingers over the stunned androids bare arm, her touch feeling like a roaring fire against her skin. It was frightening, confusing, but most of all it was pleasant, comforting even, A2 wanting nothing more than to feel this for the rest of her life, her black box yelling at her to never let this moment end.
Letting her eyes drift close, the steel-blue orbs obscured by her heavy eyelids, the former YoRHa soldier let the roaring emotions wash over her, her every program firing at full capacity, wanting to experience this moment to its fullest. She wasn't sure what would happen from here, whether this was but a mere passing fancy from the suffering human, or something more, but A2 was going to enjoy it for as long as she could have it. Placing her palm upon the human girls lying on the bed, fingers gently curling around Leah's, A2 felt truly happy.
All too soon, Leah slowly pulled away from the kiss, her breath softly ghosting across the android's skin, sending a slight flutter into A2's black box. Opening her eyes, sparkling emerald shining within the dim confines of their room, the time-traveling girl couldn't help but giggle at the adorable sight before her. A2, her eyes still closed, remained frozen in place, her lips still seeking out Leah's. A gentle warmth settled in Leah's stomach at the sight, her thumb gently rubbing across A2's knuckles, the human girl simply enjoying the beautiful android in front of her.
Eyes fluttering open slowly, steel-blue orbs shimmering in a love-fueled daze, the combat android gazed upon the human girl before her, Leah gracing her with a caring smile. As the emotions started to simmer down, her black box returning to normal, confusion and worry were left in its wake, A2's eyes worriedly searching Leah's for answers.
"What..was that for?" The combat android mentally kicked herself for how timidly, how weak, her voice sounded, her words tinged with a hint of fear and, most despairingly, hope. A2 had long ago given up on any chance for a happy life, one filled with love and care, all of it dashed, like crashing waves upon the rocks, one fateful day. The former YoRHa soldier didn't dare hope for something as wonderful as Leah loving her back. And yet, as her black box beat erratically in her chest, the combat android couldn't help but hope. Hope for the impossible, so painfully close, tantalizingly just out of reach.
Will Leah reach out for her too?
The shy blush dusting the human girl's cheeks a gentle pink, her emerald eyes bashfully averting their gaze from the silver-haired woman's face, only made the hope soar ever higher. A2, head swimming with churning emotions, placed her trembling fingers gently against Leah's cheek, the brown-haired girl leaning ever so slightly into her touch, the combat android slowly bringing the human girl's gaze back to her. Emerald stared into blue, one searching, the other hiding, but both wanting to know. Needing to tell each other everything.
"I love you, A2."
A pregnant silence fell over the pair at the brown-haired girl's words, her voice barely above a whisper, her emerald eyes locked firmly with the silver-haired woman's steel-blue orbs. A2 felt her heart stop, the world around her fading away, leaving only her and the human girl before her, her attention fixed solely on those twin orbs of sparkling green, searching for any lie, any deception within their depths.
All A2 saw was pure, loving sincerity.
"I'm not 100% sure about my feelings." Ducking her head slightly, her cheek rubbing softly against A2's blackened palm, the silver-haired woman could feel the small hitch in Leah's voice as she hid her face within the combat android's hand. "Everything has been so confusing since I woke up. It's been like one crazy moment after the next. But, I know for certain that I care about you a whole lot, A2. More than I have ever cared about someone else."
Lifting her gaze back up, Leah gently nuzzled her cheek against A2's hand, causing a small smile to play on the androids lips, despite the torrential emotions currently sending her programming into a dizzying spiral. It always surprised the silver-haired woman how such simple actions, a tender word, a sweet gesture, with Leah could make everything feel better. A soothing balm upon her bruised heart.
"I do believe I've fallen in love with you."
A spark, as bright as the ever-present sun, burned within A2's chest at those words, a brilliant smile crossing her features as she let her eyes slide closed, pure-unadulterated joy spreading throughout her body. A2 had no idea what to do, her mind paralyzed as a multitude of thoughts buzzed within her head. She truly believed that such a day would never come, that she was destined to be forever trapped within an insulated shell of hate and despair, happiness as fleeting a thought as a passing cloud.
But, here she was, a sweet, wonderful girl, a human girl, by her side, her black box radiating with nothing but overwhelming happiness and love. Love for this human. For Leah. And it was returned in kind, the brown-haired girl placing a gentle kiss upon the combat androids palm before gracing her with another adoring smile, emerald eyes sparkling as they gazed into shimmering steel-blue.
A nagging worry began worming its way into A2's mind, her smile slowly falling as she lowered her gaze downward, eyes clouded by fear. What if this was all because she saved her? What if all Leah was feeling was just gratitude for rescuing her, the near-death experience clouding her judgment?
Slowly removing her palm from Leah's cheek, both them immediately missing each other's warmth, the former YoRHa soldier let it fall heavily into her lap, a frown pulling at the corner of her mouth. A cold sensation started spreading through her system as the reality of the situation finally dawned on her, the ecstatic feeling of having her affection reciprocated blinding her to the very bleak possibility that it was all merely misplaced gratitude.
"A2? What's wrong?" A gentle hand on her shoulder, a heat she was getting scarily familiar with emanating from the other person's skin, A2 hesitantly raised her head to look into the worried eyes of the time-traveling girl.
Would it be so wrong? To live with this deception? To grasp at this fleeting chance for happiness, fabricated as it may be? But, staring into those eyes, so full of care and sincerity, A2 couldn't bear to lie, to keep this all to herself. It wouldn't be fair to Leah, or to herself, to live such a life.
"I..what if this is just because I saved you? That you feel a sort of….obligation…to me. That all you feel is gratitude. That it's not really…love."
Lowering her gaze once more, afraid that what she would see in those emerald eyes would no longer be love, but the dawning realization that what A2 was saying was right. That it was all just a misunderstanding. That it was all a mistake.
"A2."
Bandaged fingers softly gripped onto the combat androids chin with the lightest of touches, A2's breath hitching in her throat as her head was guided upwards, Leah staring back at her with a serious expression on her face. Releasing her chin, the coarse fabric of her bandages rubbing roughly against her skin, Leah placed her hands on both of A2's shoulders, pulling the former YoRHa soldier's attention fully to herself.
"You saved me. Many times now and I'll be eternally grateful." A heavy feeling settled in the silver-haired woman's stomach, her fingers roughly tangling within the bedsheets as she gripped them tightly. "But my feelings for you are as real and genuine as they can be. I love you, A2. So much. And it's because of who you are, not what you have done. I am not obligated to love you. I just do. I want to."
Shock shot through A2's system, her whole body going numb as she looked into the brown-haired girl's eyes, searching, and failing, to find a hint of a lie in her words. This wasn't right. It couldn't be. A human could never love an android, especially not one as broken as herself. A2 wanted it, she wanted it so bad, but she wouldn't harm Leah to get it. Leah deserved true love, not an illusion.
"But…what if my...'feelings'…aren't real? That this is all my programming, telling me to love you, to be with you. I'm worried it's not of my own free will, but what I've been programmed to do. That it's all fake."
Biting her lip tightly, A2 took a deep breath as she averted her gaze once more, her eyes falling upon her palm resting on the bed, Leah's fingers still curled lovingly around the black appendage.
"What if my love is a fabrication?"
A2's black box fell as she watched those fingers, once gripping her hand so tightly, slowly uncurl from her own, pain shooting like a dagger through her heart. The silver-haired woman had no time to fall into a spiral, the feeling of two hands placed securely upon her shoulders pulling her attention back to the human girl, the stern look on her face still firmly in place.
"I thought I told you before. I believe androids are their own people, not their programming. You are all more than your programming. I've seen too much proof that you are all your own people, with your own feelings and emotions. There is only one 2B, one 9S, one Devola and Popola. One A2."
Lifting her hands off of A2's shoulders, Leah gently placed her palms onto the speechless androids cheek, her steel-blue eyes shimmering with untold emotions. Smiling lovingly at the silver-haired woman, fingers softly caressing the androids silky, smooth skin, Leah lightly ghosted her thumb over A2's pale pink lips. Placing her forehead against A2's, the tip of her finger tracing the beauty mark on the combat androids chin, Leah knew that the feelings they shared were genuine.
"My A2."
A brief silence fell over the pair as the former YoRHa android digested the words she had just heard, the faintest hint of a smile curling on her lips as she took in every last inch of the human girls' face. With surprising quickness, a small startled squeak jumping from Leah's mouth, A2 leaned forward and claimed the brown-haired girl's lips in another kiss. Deepening the kiss, her nose pressing into the bandage covering the human girl's cheek, her arms snaked around Leah's waist, holding her carefully, yet securely, as her lips danced across her loves.
Her Leah.
Pulling back with agonizing slowness, the taste of each other still lingering on their lips, Leah's eyes opened to stare in shock at the silver-haired woman, a practically scorching blush engulfing her face. Those feelings were definitely real.
"What was that for?" Leah's words were not accusatory, instead a mere bewildered tone evident in her voice, the combat android having caught her completely off guard. Not to mention the wonderful sensation she felt whenever their lips touched, when A2 would hold her so lovingly, the android's arms still wrapped around her waist, left her mind a frazzled, albeit euphoric, mess.
"Because I wanted to."
A brief pause fell over the pair, Leah's widening dramatically at what the former YoRHa android had said, her mouth hanging open in shock. Suddenly, the silence was broken by a round of giggles coming from the brown-haired girl, slowly rising in volume until Leah was racked by full-blown laughter. Small 'ow's' stumbled out of her mouth, the human girl lightly grabbing at her sides as she continued to giggle joyously, her wounds aching from the laughter.
Lifting her hand up, Leah lightly flicked A2's nose, the combat android not even flinching from the human girls 'assault', a small smile stretching on the silver-haired woman's lips. Eventually, as Leah's giggling continued unabated, the former YoRHa soldier couldn't help the light feeling from welling up in her chest, A2 joining the human girl in a round of laughter.
Their laughter eventually faded, Leah wiping away the stay tears that managed to pool in the corner of her eyes, the pair once again enveloped by a comfortable silence as they stared lovingly into each other's eyes, bright smiles on both of their lips. Sitting there, with A2's arms wrapped around her waist, her alluring steel-blue eyes staring into her own, Leah could truly say she was happy.
Noticing what they were doing, gawking at each other like some lovesick teenagers, Leah shyly averted her gaze downward, the intense emotions within the android's eyes, which surely mirrored in her own, making the human girl feel a pleasant buzzing within her chest. As she dipped her head down, her hair briefly tickling the androids chin, Leah let a content sigh escape her lips before lifting her gaze ever so slightly upward, getting an eyeful of A2's bare stomach.
"GHAK!"
Letting out a strangled cry, Leah fell backward in shock, her arms flailing comically at her side as she tried to cover her face, her cheeks flushed a dark crimson. Why was she wearing less clothing?! How is she supposed to look at her now?! It was hard enough before, her budding crush on the silver-haired android making her thoughts go haywire whenever A2 would look at her with those gorgeous steel-blue eyes, her every touch making Leah's skin feel like it was on fire. But now, being able to touch her so openly, to kiss her, it enhanced every beautiful attribute the combat android had, and they were plentiful.
This was one step too much for Leah's brain at the moment.
"What's wrong?" A2's concerned voice managed to float its way past the embarrassed screams echoing in the time-traveling girl's head, Leah shyly peeking out between her fingers at the silver-haired woman's gentle touch upon her arm, her eyes involuntarily roaming back to the exposed skin around the android's stomach. In the truest sense of the word, A2 was basically naked right now.
"Umm…A-A2..uh..seeing you, your body, so…exposed…it really makes me n-nervous." Leah could swear she bit her tongue a couple of times as she fumbled pathetically with her words, her mind not cooperating with what her mouth was trying to say. Dammit, she was just like a stupid teenager wasn't she? How could one person, android, make her act like a hormonal high school student again?
A2 could only stare with a quizzical expression at the human girl's confusing behavior, completely stumped on why seeing her body like this, with only a small shred of fabric missing, could cause the human girl to react like this. Leah was refusing to even look at her, every time her emerald gaze would shift back toward her, she would immediately snap it away again, the blush on her cheeks growing darker every time. It was like she was trying to stop herself from staring, but for what reason, the silver-haired android could not tell.
"J-just one moment." Leaning over the side of the bed, a grunt of pain seething past her lips as her bandages pressed uncomfortable against her wounds, Leah fished something out from underneath the bed, the light scraping of a duffle bag getting dragged across the floor echoing within the tiny bedchamber, making A2 quirk an eyebrow in confusion.
"Here!" Pulling herself back up, her head swimming slightly from overexerting herself, Leah held out a piece of fabric to the former YoRHa soldier, A2 tentatively reaching out and taking the offered garment from the time-traveling girl. "Put this on."
Turning it over in her hand a couple of times as she tried to figure out what it was, A2 slowly unfurled it, the oversized t-shirt spreading out before her, a strange avian creature printed on the front, it's overweight black and white body making flight seem impossible. Lifting her head, eyes full of question, Leah simply turned her head, pink dusting her cheeks as she urged A2 to put it on.
Shrugging her shoulders, the silver-haired woman willing to go along with her request, if only to make the human girl more comfortable, A2 was also secretly hoping Leah would look at her again. While not outright rejection, Leah's reactions seeming to be without any malice or ill-intent, A2 still missed looking into those beautiful, bright green eyes. Slipping the large shirt over her head, the combat android standing up to make it a bit easier, the oversized garment fell to just below her hips, the fabric hanging loosely off of her frame.
"Thank you." Bringing her gaze back to the now clothed android, Leah couldn't help but softly giggle at how adorable the usually fearsome A2 looked, a light blush still staining her cheeks as she saw how the shirt failed to fully cover the androids rather generous hips and behind."You look really cute."
"Great." A2 scoffed as she rolled her eyes sarcastically, her arms folded angrily under her chest, the smallest of smirks tugging at the corner of her lips. Humans were weird, but A2 wouldn't have Leah any other way. It's who she fell in love with after all.
The door swinging open at the other end of the room pulled the pair out of their solitary bubble, A2 and Leah turning toward the sound, watching as two androids dressed all in black, blindfolds covering their eyes, walked into the room.
"Leah!" 9S's enthusiastic shout echoed within the tiny room as the pair of YoRHa soldiers rushed to the human girl's side, the male scanner model falling to his knees in front of her bed, 2B letting out a breath of relief as she moved to stand next to her combat brethren, a small, happy smile curling on her delicate lips. "You're ok!"
"I'm glad you are well, Leah." 2B spoke softly, her voice thick with emotion as she slowly removed her blindfold, the dark black strips falling away to reveal the shining blue hidden beneath. "We were very worried. But we knew we could trust Devola and Popola as well as A2 to take care of you."
"Thank you, 9S. 2B." Leah smiled gratefully toward the pair of soldiers, her heart soaring within her chest, eternally grateful for having found such wonderful friends. When she had first woken up, here in the future, all she had was A2, a stranger who was strangely dedicated to her. She was basically alone. Now, she had wonderful friends, ones she cared for more than anyone she had in the past, and a beautiful, amazing woman she was deeply in love with.
She was truly thankful.
"Cute shirt, A2." 9S grinned as he teased the Type-A model, A2 growling lowly at the boy, the faint light of her NFCS glowing dangerously at her hands, the outline of her sword slowly coming into view. Raising his hands in mock surrender, the scanner model backed off slowly, before hiding behind his female companion, 2B shaking her head at her partner's childish antics.
All Leah could do was smile as she watched them all interact, A2 menacingly stalking toward the cowering boy, 2B simply stepping out of the way of the bickering pair. It made the brown-haired girl happy to know so many people cared about her, her emerald eyes shining with affection as she watched A2 and 9S fight, 2B watching the sight with a bemused smile that she failed to hide.
They were her new family. Her new love. Here in an unknown world, Leah had found her place.
"Leah."
Pulled out of her reverie, the time-traveling girl lifted her head, staring curiously at the short-haired android standing by her bedside, a deeply troubled look on her usually calm, and collected face. The bickering pair quieting down, a worried frown crossing A2's features as the same concerned look appeared on 9S's face, the usually easy-going scanner model nervously scratching his arm.
"9S and I…we need to talk to you about something." Sitting upright, emerald eyes awash with worry, Leah hesitantly nodded her head toward the battle android, a nervous weight settling in her stomach as 2B continued her sentence. "It's about YoRHa."
Anger flooded A2's system as she heard those words, her hands clenching into tight fists, her face darkening into a fearsome scowl. No! No way! YoRHa can't take this from her! She just got her back, finally confessed her feeling to the human girl. She can't have YoRHa come in and wreck her life once more.
"Wh-what about?" Leah asked, her voice stuttering nervously as she looked into 2B's blue eyes, the human girl worried about what YoRHa could possibly want with her, her mind wandering toward all the horrible things they had done to A2.
"The Commander spoke to us, due to our close relationship with you, about possibly convincing you to reveal your existence to the rest of the androids. Not just YoRHa, but every android currently living on the planet."
A stunned silence fell over the room as 2B relayed the Commander's request, a cold sensation creeping through the time-traveling girl's veins, her emerald eyes wide with terror. Reveal herself? To all the androids? Every one of them knowing of her existence, her survival, all their love and adoration, their hopes, placed upon her shoulders.
She couldn't handle that. She couldn't be what they wanted her to be. What they needed.
"The Commander hopes, that with something to fight for, a human, a hope, that it will inspire them to fight." 2B continued her explanation, her voice calm and collected as ever, but there was a tense stiffness in her posture, her shoulders high and tight, her gloved hand gripping her Gothic dress in a vice-like grip. With her eyes uncovered, shining a brilliant blue, bare for all to see, Leah could see the guilt and doubt reflecting in those shimmering orbs.
"She has hopes that it would lead to them finally eradicating the machines once and for all." 9S added, nervously averting his gaze from the seething android at his side, guilt heavy in his voice.
"No!" An incensed holler tore through A2 throat as she stormed toward Leah's bedside, standing protectively between her and the YoRHa soldiers, her whole body awash with rage. "No, fuck that shit!"
9S took a nervous step away from the enraged android, arms raised in a calming gesture as A2 growled lowly in her chest, like a wild animal protecting its mate. 2B remained unphased, her tense posture remaining intact, the only sign she had witnessed the combat androids outburst was the slight downturn of her lips, a pang of sadness flashing briefly in her glowing blue eyes.
"Leah shouldn't be used to lead thousands of androids to their death. Such a burden shouldn't be placed upon her. Pinning all their hopes and dreams, their lives!, on her is just not fair! She has suffered enough! We all have suffered enough!"
"This is what command always does." A2 whispered softly, her voice low and quiet, sadness and hate flowing from every word as her fingers glided solemnly over the weathered marks covering her body. Those horrible reminders of her failure. "They just use everyone."
Bandaged fingers lay upon A2's wandering hand, curling comfortingly around it, encasing it with loving warmth, Leah softly rubbing her thumb across the silver-haired androids knuckles. Angling her head to the side, soulful steel-blue eyes peeking out from behind a curtain of shimmering silver hair, A2 gave the human girl a small, grateful smile, Leah squeezing her hand reassuringly. That's right. She wasn't alone anymore.
"We are not 100% on board with the idea either." Lifting her head in surprise, reluctantly tearing her gaze away from Leah's, A2 regarded the scanner model thoughtfully, 9S nervously rubbing the back of his neck.
"It is as 9S says. We don't believe Leah should be used like that. This war is not her responsibility." Turning to her combat brethren, 2B's face flush with doubt and worry, A2 could feel the anger slowly simmer down in her chest, guilt biting uncomfortably at the back of her mind. The long-haired android felt shame well up in her stomach at having doubted the pair of soldier's motivation. They have shown nothing but care and devotion to Leah ever since meeting her, the quick battle between the two combat androids notwithstanding, always putting her safety and well-being first.
Most of all, A2 was ashamed that she doubted 2B. The battle android had been there for her when she needed her most, fighting at her side against Adam, not hesitating a second when she told her Leah was taken. She was the one to comfort her, to tell her everything was going to be ok, helping A2 come to grips with her feelings for the time-traveling girl.
She was her friend.
"I don't want to lead anyone to their deaths." A soft, meek voice, scratchy from overuse, cut through the momentary silence, three sets of blue eyes turning to regard the human girl, Leah's bandaged hands gripping the pale sheets tightly. "There are good machines out there, like Pascal and his village. I don't want to see them destroyed."
Lowering her head, fingers slowly releasing their stranglehold of the thin fabric, emerald eyes absently traced the blood spots running up her arm. The wrapping around her head pulled uncomfortably at her hair, the wound underneath throbbing painfully, reminding Leah of just how close she had come to death. She didn't wish such fear, such horrible pain, upon anyone. Especially not because of her.
"I'm not special. In my time, no one would even spare me a second glance. Just another face in a crowd of millions. I'm just me, nothing more, nothing less. A whole race should not hinge their lives on me. I'm not worth it."
"You are worth everything, Leah." A2 spoke softly, steel-blue eyes radiating with undying devotion, all for the girl before her. The one who had changed her life. The one she loved.
"We care about you, Leah. We would do anything for you." The male android stepped up next to his partner, a cheerful smile curling on his lips as he turned his head to his partner, nodding enthusiastically to her. "Right, 2B?"
"Yes." 2B gave a slight nod in affirmation, a gentle smile on her pink lips, her hand placed over her chest, feeling the beat of her black box beneath her fingers. "You are very important to us. We will stand by your decision, of course, but we all believe you to be very special. Human or not."
Looking up at the trio of androids, loving smiles plastered on all of their faces, Leah felt her heart swell in her chest, tears of joy welling up in the corner of her eyes. Clasping her hands together, a couple of stray tears sliding down her cheek, the droplets getting soaked up in the bandages running across the side of her head, Leah whispered a silent 'thank you' to A2, 2B, and 9S.
She truly loved them all and was forever thankful for having met them.
"I would like to speak with your Commander at some point." Leah admitted after a short pause, the human girl taking a deep breath to help calm her storming emotions, A2 gently placing her hand supportively on her shoulder, the human girl reaching up to place her palm atop the androids. "At least once anyway. If nothing more than to learn more about her. Maybe I'd be able to convince her not to fight."
'And question her about what she did to A2.' Leah thought to herself, squeezing A2's hand a little tighter, a flash of anger burning in her chest as she thought about everything the silver-haired woman had to endure because of the Commander. What she did to her was unforgivable, her heart aching every time she remembered what A2 told her, the pain in her voice as she admitted her greatest fears, her deepest regrets.
Leah was not going to let anyone hurt her A2 ever again.
"We will see what we can do." The female battle android responded dutifully, her familiar business-like demeanor returning once more, the faint smile on her lips the only hint of the more relaxed 2B they had come to know.
"9S and I will be returning to the bunker for debriefing on what happened with Adam and Leah. We will inform the Commander of your decision, as well as your wish to speak with her. We will be back as soon as possible."
Raising her arms, Leah began waving them in a beckoning gesture toward the YoRHa soldiers, both of them raising their eyebrows in confusion, but walking up to her nonetheless. Once they were close enough, leaning down slightly to see the brown-haired girl better, two hands quickly reached out and snatched each of the soldier's wrists, before pulling the two of them in for a big hug.
"Thank you." Leah whispered softly, her voice thick with emotion, a couple of small sobs escaping her as she profusely thanked the pair of soldiers, a couple of tears rolling down her cheeks. "Thank you two so much. For being there. For helping me. For helping A2. For everything."
After overcoming their initial shock at Leah's sudden action, 2B and 9S smiled warmly before gently wrapping their arms around the brown-haired girl, pressing their cheeks softly against hers. Small joyful giggles jumped out of Leah's chest as she held the pair tighter, the YoRHa soldiers joining the human girl in laughter, bright smiles adorning all of their features.
A2 simply watched the trio with a small smile of her own, her black box glowing warmly in her chest at seeing the human girl so happy as she held the soldier's hands after pulling out of their embrace, telling them to come back as soon as possible. The combat android felt no anger, no resentment within her. Only content happiness.
"Goodbye Leah, A2." Bowing slightly before the two, her palms pressed demurely above her skirt, 2B gave the pair a gentle wave before securing her blindfold over her eyes and heading for the door.
"See ya, Leah! Bye A2!" Waving enthusiastically toward the pair, blindfold already securely in place, 9S quickly ran to his impatiently waiting partner, the scanner model giving them one last wave before heading out the door, 2B shaking her head at his childishness before following after him.
With the soft click of the door closing behind them, the room awash with silence, Leah and A2 were left on their own once again. Taking a quick glance at each other, smiles still curled contently on their lips, the newly christened pair simply enjoyed each other's company. Lifting her arm slightly, her hand reaching out to A2, Leah quietly beckoned the silver-haired android over.
Smiling warmly, the silver-haired woman gently took a seat at the edge of the bed, Leah immediately wrapping her arms around A2's waist, pulling herself as close to the combat android as possible before resting her head against her shoulder. Acting on instinct, A2 gingerly snaked her arm around the human girl's waist, the former YoRHa soldier completely out of her element, simply relying on what she felt was right. And being here, with Leah wrapped in her arms, her brown hair tickling her cheek, A2 knew that this was right.
That this was where she was meant to be.
"So, what's next?" Leah's question, so soft and tired, drifted up to the silver-haired woman's ears, A2 angling her head slightly to look down at the girl resting against her shoulder.
"First, you need to heal." A2 said sternly, a lilt of humor in her voice as she lightly ran her finger across Leah's side, feeling the thick bandages beneath the fabric of her shirt, the human girl feeling a small shiver run down her spine at the androids touch. "After that, we'll see."
"I want to continue learning how to fight." Clenching her fist tightly, emerald eyes ablaze with determination, Leah turned her head to look up at her android companion(girlfriend?). "I want to, need to, become stronger. So that I will no longer be a burden upon you or anyone else."
Holding the brown-haired girl close, a smile curling on her lips, A2 felt pride well up in her chest, the combat android nuzzling her nose affectionately into Leah's brown hair, placing a loving kiss against the top of her head.
"Of course. I will continue to help you. I'll do everything I can for you."
Squeezing A2's midsection tightly, a small giggle dancing out of her mouth, light pink dusting her cheeks from the androids sweet affection, her heart fluttered joyously in her chest for the silver-haired woman. For her A2.
"Thank you, A2."
Pulling away slightly, her arms remaining firmly latched around the androids waist, Leah gave A2 a big smile, emerald connected forever to blue, before leaning up and capturing her lips in another kiss.
A/N: Love and affection for android and human alike.
This chapter was lots of fun to write. I'm a sucker for fluff and writing it makes me immensely happy. A2 finally gets her happy moment, finding someone to love and care about, and receiving it in turn.
It will be fun to write their ongoing relationship, tribulations, sickly sweetness, and all.
This chapter is very much about the many emotions, both positive and negative, that Leah and A2 experience. How they each help the other, supporting and loving each other, making each other better. We also get some build-up for later story points, the Commander's request and Leah's determination to get stronger being introduced.
Next chapter: Let the training begin.
Thank you all again for your continued support. Your support of this story means the world to me. Seeing my first story come so far, that people actually enjoy reading it, making me immensely happy. There is still a lot of adventures, and sweet romance, to come for A2 and Leah and I hope you all join me for it.
I love you all and I hope you all have a wonderful day!