"Don't strain yourself, ok? Take it nice and easy."
Giving the silver-haired android a grim nod, the bandage wrapped around her head rubbing lightly up against her healing wounds, Leah slowly repeated the series of practice sword swings A2 had shown her moments before, her movements slow but sure. The sword felt heavy in her hands, the hilt digging uncomfortably into the bruised skin of her palms, her arms shaking slightly as they struggled to keep the blade upright. The brown-haired girl merely grit her teeth, a small hiss of pain seeping between her teeth as she swung the blade in a downward arc, determination glowing within her emerald eyes.
Over a week had passed since the events of her kidnapping at the hands of the psychotic machine known as Adam, as well as her rescue by the silver-haired combat android, A2. The first couple of days after her rescue, Leah had been practically bedridden, completely against her choice, the redheaded twins worried too much activity might stress the multitude of cuts and lacerations that now littered her body. If it weren't for A2 staying with her the whole time, never once straying from her side, Leah was sure she would have gone crazy within the dimly lit cage she found herself in.
Once her unwanted sequestration had ended, and her bleary eyes saw the glowing light of the sun again, Leah had dedicated as much of her free time to training as possible. She had started out slow, her injuries much too fresh and severe to begin training in earnest from the get-go, the vigilant twins and her stoic, silver-haired love making sure she didn't stress herself too much.
Light jogging and lots of theory were on the table to begin with, A2 sticking with her every step of the way, her steel-blue eyes firmly locked upon the human girl, alert for any signs of discomfort and pain, prepared to stop the second Leah showed any signs of exertion beyond her means. Leah was extremely grateful to have someone who cared about her well-being so much, that A2 was even willing to help her with this endeavor, especially after the horrible events both of them went to because of Adam.
The brown-haired girl also had to report to the twins every day for checkups, Popola checking her over with a discerning eye and a gentle hand while Devola reapplied her bandages, the wild-haired android quick with a joke or an exciting tale to keep her distracted from the pain and the horrific sight of her lacerated skin. The pair took her health deathly serious, the sisters present at every one of her training sessions, monitoring her well-being as well as helping the combat android with some of the more complex instructions, dumbing them down enough for her to understand.
It has also been over a week since she and A2 confessed their love for each other.
Their first interactions as a newly formed couple were soft, delicate, almost hesitant, neither of them quite sure how to handle their new relationship dynamic, their rather passionate kisses notwithstanding. Leah could tell that the former YoRHa android was treading in wholly unfamiliar territory for herself, both emotionally and physically, her days spent in isolation and overcome by raging emotion of overwhelming hate, leaving her tentative and unsure, her every action tinged with flecks of indecision and worry.
But Leah was patient with her, letting the android go at her own pace, accepting any and all affection from A2 with open and caring arms, a calming smile always curled on her lips. Leah was no expert in love herself, especially as unorthodox a relationship she found herself in right now, most of her romances boiling down to casual flings and shallow dalliances. Despite having no proof to the contrary, her long sleep leaving her fairly out of the loop with the coming and goings in the world, Leah was pretty sure love between a human and an android had not been seen before.
Most of their time alone was merely spent lazing in each other's arms, A2 cradling the human girl gently to her chest as they lay together in bed, a soft smile curling on her rosy pink lips as Leah absently played with her flowing silver locks. They would occasionally exchange soft kisses, from chaste pecks on the mouth to lovingly pressing their lips upon their shoulders, wanting nothing more than to convey their budding devotion to each other as they basked in the warmth of their embrace.
It was a quiet, delicate love they shared at the moment, though the heat burning in her chest burnt brighter every day she spent with the silver-haired beauty. Locked in that room, confined to the limited space within the resistance camp walls, Leah and A2 spent most of their time together, talking about everything and nothing or simply sitting in content silence. The more Leah learned about the android, listening to her words, watching the emotion play across her face, the deeper she fell in love with her. The way she held her hand, how her lips would curl up into the smallest of smiles, feeling the laughter roll through her chest as she pressed her ear against her, it all painted a beautiful picture that was A2.
One she couldn't help but love.
"Very good. Always be aware of your footing and your posture as you move." A2's calm voice cut through the fog of memories rolling within her head, the brown-haired girl turning to regard the former YoRHa soldier curiously, damp sweat making her hair cling uncomfortably against her forehead. The silver-haired woman strode up to her with a quick and sure gait, her heels clacking loudly against the concrete flooring of the camp, her hips swaying slightly with each step she took toward the time-traveling girl.
Leah had to swallow the nervous lump in her throat as she watched the combat android stroll up to her side, her cheeks glowing a rosy pink, her heart fluttering wildly in her chest. A2 was still dressed in one of Leah's oversized shirts, this one a simple stark white piece, devoid of any kind of slogans or art prints, the former YoRHa soldier's former coverings still lost to the wind.
What had left the human girl such a flustered mess, however, was the fact that A2 had tied the side of the shirt into a knot to keep the oversized garment from billowing loosely around her. This had the unintended side-effect of pulling the fabric rather taut against the android's skin. Leah noted, with overwhelming embarrassment, that it hugged the combat androids curves in a very tantalizing manner, every supple dip of her waist and dramatic flare of her hips on full, gorgeous display.
'She's so beautiful.' Leah thought as A2 sidled up to her, the combat android placing a gentle hand on her back, her silver locks playfully tickling the bare skin on her arm as she leaned in to dab lightly at the sweat dripping down her nose with a towel. Spluttering slightly as the rough fibers of the towel agitated the delicate skin of her nose, a small sneeze managing to wriggle it's way past her mouth, Leah could feel the blush rise anew on her cheeks as A2 giggled softly at her, her steel-blue eyes shining with mirth and affection.
Affection for her.
"Let's do one more rep and then call it a day, ok, Leah?" Lightly patting her shoulder, being mindful of the tape wrapped securely around her arm, A2 took a couple of cautionary steps back, her icy gaze studying Leah's movements like a hawk, occasionally chiming in with some advice on adjustments she could make and with words of encouragement. It made Leah smile, despite the pain and discomfort currently coursing through her exhausted limbs, the human girl felt happy and content, ready to give it her all until she physically couldn't go on.
She would do anything for A2.
"You did great." A2 chimed in, a bright smile curling on her lips as she gently took the blade from Leah grip, the katana disappearing in a shower of light back into her NFCS. "You think you're up for some light sparring with Popola?"
Stretching her aching shoulder, now free from the stifling bandages, the muscle feeling tender, but not painful, beneath her touch, Leah gave her silver-haired companion a determined nod, her mouth pulled into a thin line. Several weeks had now passed since her training started, the bandages riddling her body now down to a bare minimum, only the deepest and most severe injuries still in need of healing. Leah had spent pretty much every day with A2 and the twins, training or simply learning the ins and outs of living within the resistance camp, eager to prove herself to the androids.
"Yep. I'm feeling good." Nodding firmly at the silver-haired android, her emerald eyes set with determination, Leah turned to the red-headed twin standing a short distance away, Popola giving her a nod in return before walking up to her, her face a blank slate, not revealing a single emotion. It unnerved the human girl a little to see her like that, the absence of the soft, caring smile she associated so strongly with the straight-haired twin leaving her a little on edge. It was like staring down a stranger, one dressed as your best friend.
"This is just a practice session, so all you have to do is subdue the other. No need to cause harm or throw any punches, alright?" A2's voice cut through the nervous tension rising in her chest, Leah angling her head slightly to lay eyes upon her silver-haired love, making sure to keep Popola within her periphery, remembering the combat androids lesson about never letting your enemy out of your sight, no matter the cost. And, for all intents and purposes, right now, Popola was her enemy.
Steeling her nerves, the human girl clapping her hands together a couple of times to get herself hyped up, Leah felt a familiar smile curl on her lips. Despite her generally laid back attitude when it came to life, most of her time being spent lazing about with friends or simply wandering the city streets with no direction in mind, Leah had a fairly strong competitive streak in her.
Simple things as trying to out-wrestle her dad as a child, throwing a fit for days when she failed to even move him an inch, to spending an inordinate amount of time on a video game, merely because she lost to one of her friends in a throwaway match during a party. Leah was ashamed when these moments came out, it being one of her less than positive character traits. But, in a way, this attitude probably helped her make it this far. She was never willing to lay down and just give up, as much as she might want to at times.
So, as she approached the patiently waiting Popola, the redheaded android towering slightly above her, Leah felt like her smirk was going to threaten to split her face in half. Excitement, nervousness, and most of all competitive fire were churning like a witches brew in her stomach, the human girl bouncing lightly on her feet, making sure to keep her center of gravity low and hands up, just like A2 had taught her.
'This was going to be fun.'
Was the prevailing thought running through Leah's head until she locked up with the straight-haired sister, her arms immediately wrapping securely around Popola's neck, locking her fingers together as she clamped down tightly with her forearms. Using all of her strength, Leah letting out a roar of pure adrenaline, the human girl wrenched roughly at the android's neck, hoping to control Popola's body by using her own momentum.
Popola did not budge a single inch.
Cold dread ran down Leah's spine as she turned to stare into the dull, green eyes of her opponent, Popola gently placing her hands on the human girl's wrists, a hiss of pain seeping from the human girls clenched teeth at the androids strong grip. With disheartening ease, Popola pried Leah's arms apart, the brown-haired girl trying futilely to keep her hold upon the android's neck. But, the redheaded twin was too strong for her, Popola twisting the brown-haired girl's arm while simultaneously sweeping her legs, causing Leah to crash to the ground with a painful thud.
Letting out a couple of ragged wheezes, her chest throbbing painfully as she tried to suck in mouthfuls of air, her rough trip to the ground knocking the wind right out of her. Feeling Popola's knee press heavily into her back, the redheaded android holding her arms securely in place, Leah knew she had lost and with embarrassing ease.
"Popola wins."
Leah's stomach dropped heavily once A2 uttered those words, the heavy weight on her back slowly lessening as Popola released her arms and got back to her feet, the straight-haired twin kneeling down to check on the human girl, the familiar spark of care and worry lighting up her green eyes once again. Despite herself, Leah couldn't help the spark of anger that flashed in her chest as she looked into the redheaded twin's eyes, shame rolling like waves over her body at feeling this way, especially toward someone as sweet and caring as Popola.
"Seems like a good time for us to take a break." Leah absently registered A2 voice, her mind buzzing with rage and disappointment, drowning out everything around her. She had lost. The thought of it, in general, would not send her in such an angry spiral, the brown-haired girl having faced many setbacks and losses of varying degrees of importance in her young life. Leah could live with a loss.
But how she lost, so absolutely and devastatingly, is what rankled her so badly. She was humiliated, manhandled like she was a mere child, severely outclassed in every sense of the word. She put all her strength into trying to take Popola down, the redheaded android reacting as if a flea had tried to ram her over. It all just reminded her of just what she was, how weak, how helpless, she truly was.
She was just a mere human after all.
A low growl of frustration rolled out from Leah's chest as she clawed angrily at the dirt she currently found herself face down in, her fists clenching tightly in rage before pushing herself to her knees, her emerald eyes lifting to see a hand stretched out toward her.
Lifting her head, Leah stared into the soft green eyes of the straight-haired sister, a small, caring smile curling at the corner of her lips. Looking into Popola's eyes, seeing that gentle smile, simmered Leah's anger, her overwhelming frustration, into cooling embers. She was mad, yes. Disappointed even. But not with Popola. Popola was her friend, one of the people she cherished most in this new world. That was never going to change.
"Thank you." Clasping the android's hand tightly, Leah felt the strength behind Popola's grip as she lifted the human girl back to her feet with relative ease. She truly was a long way from being on the same level as them, should she ever reach it at all. A small smile curled on Leah's lips as the straight-haired twin lightly dusted off her shirt, admonishing the human girl for being so rough with herself, despite being the cause of said roughhousing.
As Popola led the time-traveling girl toward the main plaza of the camp, Leah playfully swatting the androids prodding hands away as she checked her for any wounds, A2 watched the pair leave with a small frown pulling at the corner of her mouth. Turning to the wild-haired twin standing across from her, her green eyes flickering toward A2, Devola gave the combat android a quizzical stare, clearly just as confused by the human girl's strange reaction as she was.
She hoped everything was alright.
"Argh! It's just so….frustrating!"
Leah groused loudly as she took a savage bite of her stale loaf of bread, the baked good cutting roughly against the side of her mouth, the brown-haired girl too famished and incensed to care. Her angry chewing, as well as the occasional slurp of the rich, boar stew Devola had made for her, helping soften the rock-like baked good as she ate. Leah was grateful to have anything to eat at all, the resistance camp's reserves quite scarce when it came to their selection of food, the androids lack of need for any sustenance making it hard for them to find any variety for the human girl beyond their strangely copious amount of fish in storage.
"It feels like I'm not getting anywhere!"
The androids watched the time-traveling human's animated movements and frustrated grumblings in quiet amusement, each one sporting a subdued grin, lips pulled taut, as they tried hard not to upset the agitated girl any further. Despite their earlier concerns, Leah's out-of-character outburst of anger having worried them quite a bit, the trio of A2, Devola, and Popola couldn't help but enjoy seeing her so upset. It meant she was getting better. That the past events were releasing their hold on her.
After her kidnapping and subsequent torture, Leah had become very quiet and docile, her fiery passion and infectious exuberance dulled, the human girl always sticking close to A2's side, a storm of fear and apprehension constantly brewing beneath her emerald gaze. As she strolled through the camp, her eyes would constantly dart toward dark corners, searching for some unseen threat, her whole body stiffening at every errant sound or unexpected movement. It hurt them to see her so wounded, her bandages only able to heal the surface level injuries, her very soul tainted by Adam's cruel hand.
It made them happy to see her in high spirits again, to see the light return to her eyes, her smile beaming bright and true. To see her joke around with Devola over a glass of whisky and lean comfortably against Popola as they listened to music on the ancient jukebox. To feel the raw passion as she kissed A2.
"You are already much better than when you first started." A2 smiled kindly toward the human girl as she gently placed her hand atop the human's, her thumb running softly across Leah's scarred knuckled. "Major advancements don't happen overnight. Everything takes time."
"That's easy for you to say," Leah mumbled quietly to herself as she took a small bite from her bread, a light blush staining her cheeks at the feeling of the silver-haired android's fingers brushing across her skin, the brown-haired girl surprised at how quickly A2 picked up such affectionate mannerisms, "you're already perfect."
Completely unbeknownst to Leah, the time-traveling girl having returned to enjoying her meal, A2 had heard what she had said, a light blush coloring her pale cheeks as she stared at her girlfriend in wide-eyed wonder. She had never been described as anything close to perfect before, her life fairly devoid of any kind of praise or positive accomplishments. So hearing something like that, especially from someone as special to her as Leah, left the combat android a flustered and frazzled mess.
"Oh!" Perking up slightly, her eyes lifting up from her bowl of stew, spoon raised halfway to her mouth, Leah turned to regard the twin androids sitting across from her with a questioning gaze. "Do either of you know how to cut hair? Adam kind of ruined mine when he was doing his freaky little 'experiment'."
Lightly scratching at the scar running across the side of her head, fingers playing with the uneven wisps of hair left behind from his cut, Leah chuckled softly as she held them out for them to see.
"I felt I could ask you two because I know how multitalented you guys are."
An identical look of shock crossed the redheaded android's faces, perfectly illustrating that they were in fact twins, before they both broke out into glorious smiles, warmth spreading throughout their system at the human girl's kind words. They never expected such a day would come, where not only would they be free of their guilt, absolved by one of the very race that had created them, but to also receive such kind words in turn. That said person, with their goofy smile and gentle eyes, would consider them friends, ones worthy to be called loved ones. It was something they had only dreamed of.
And yet, here they were.
"I have some experience with styling my own hair." Popola chimed up, her hand stretched out as she gestured toward her sister, Devola quirking an eyebrow curiously at her twin's strange action. "As you can see, I can't trust Devola to do it."
"Hey!" Growling angrily, Devola gave her sister a hard shove for her rude comment, Popola almost falling out of her chair as she held on tightly to the edge of the bench the twins were seated on, giggling all the while. Pouting cutely, green eyes downcast, Devola began self-consciously running her fingers through her wild mane of red hair.
"Your hair is fine." Surprisingly, A2 was the first one to speak up, a gentle smile curling on her lips as she regarded the downcast twin. "It doesn't matter how it looks because it fits your personality wonderfully."
"Of course you'd say that," Devola grumbled lowly as she smacked her head loudly against the top of the table, a petulant whine whistling from between her lips, "you're hair is perfect."
Once again, A2 was taken aback by someone else's words, a small, almost imperceptible gasp escaping her, her head lowering slightly to hide the growing blush on her cheeks. Where did these people get this opinion of her? Pinching a couple of strands of her silver hair between her fingers, feeling the synthetic fibers rub against her exposed exoskeleton, a tiny smile, completely unbeknownst to A2, started playing on her lips.
Leah couldn't help the bright grin from forming as she watched the android's interact, her emerald eyes locked firmly on A2's smiling face, her fingers absently intertwining with the silver-haired beauty's. It made Leah's heart swell with joy seeing her like this, so open and free, willing to show her true self to others. Sharing the wonderful person inside with the world.
It was strange.
Watching Popola cut Leah's hair, the scissors skillfully trimming the last couple of errant strands hovering over the human girl's emerald eyes, A2 had to think just how unfamiliar and strange a phenomenon she was bearing witness to. An android's hair doesn't grow, forever stuck to one length, unless specifically requested by maintenance to have it altered. A soldier had no need for such a request, their look and dress wholly unnecessary to effectively wage war.
Some of the soldiers during her time would style their hair in different ways, wanting some way to stand out, to ingrain a sense of individuality amongst a sea of copies. A2 never got the chance to try, her first mission turning out to be her last, the thought of forging an identity through her looks and dress buried beneath a sea of revenge and hate.
So seeing Leah now, remnants of her brown locks littering the ground, A2 had to admit there was a certain charm to it.
"Done!" Dropping her scissors onto a nearby table, the metallic utensil clattering loudly upon its wooden surface, Popola quickly grabbed a large shard of a mirror before skipping in front of the human girl, holding it up for Leah to see her handiwork.
"Popola! This is amazing!" Leah chirped happily, her head turning side to side, her emerald eyes glowing as she took in her new appearance. "I love it!"
Her once shoulder-length brown hair was now trimmed short, swept neatly to hang over one side, the tips barely reaching past her ear, each one cut with expert care and style. The other side, with her freshly healed scar cutting a line through the hair, was shaved down close to the skin, the little stubble's of hair looking soft to the touch. Turning her head to get a full view, her locks playfully swaying gently with her movements, Leah couldn't help the enormous smile from curling on her lips.
"Thank you." Giggling softly, Popola gently placed the piece of a mirror back onto the table before removing the makeshift tarp from around Leah's shoulders, a couple clumps of cut hair drifting lazily to the ground, joining their fallen brethren at the human girl's feet.
"Hey, A2. What do you think?" Angling her head back and forth, giving the combat android a full view of her new hairdo, Leah excitedly asked her new girlfriend for her opinion, a spark of elated curiosity shining within her emerald gaze.
With Leah's question drifting past her ears, words tinged with inquisitive glee, A2 became painfully aware of the fact that she had been unabashedly staring at the human girl like a love-struck fool. She liked it. She liked it a lot. The new hairdo suited the human girl well, the rebellious style complimenting her new scars well, adding a sense of strength to what once was a reminder of tortured pain.
"It looks really good." Ducking her head slightly, her silvery mane hiding her face from view, A2 could feel her cheeks grow hot, her black box beating softly in her chest. These new feelings were wreaking havoc within the combat android's system, A2 wholly unprepared to deal with these new emotions that have been awoken since meeting the last-surviving human. They seemed to have only grown stronger after they confessed their love for each other.
A2 couldn't say they were bad though, the joy and shy delight a happy contrast to the dull ache of anger and revenge.
"Thank you!" Bounding out of her seat, hair bobbing playfully atop her head, Leah playfully skipped over to A2's side before placing a quick thank you kiss upon the former YoRHa soldier's lips, her fingers briefly tracing along the androids exposed side, sending a small shiver down her back. Pulling away slowly, much too soon for either of their liking, Leah gave A2 a quick smile before rushing off to find Devola and Anemone, eager to show off her new hairstyle.
"Heehee." Giggling softly into her fist, her green eyes alight with quiet amusement, Popola took great enjoyment at seeing the stoic android so flustered, the combat android standing wide-eyed and ramrod straight, a crimson blush adorning her pale cheeks. "I'm glad you two finally got together."
Shaking her head slightly, her cascading silver locks swaying gently about her like glittering snow, A2 tried to calm the raging emotions burning within her black box. It was so easy for Leah to send her whole system into a spiral of bliss and elation, a simple touch or chaste kiss enough to have every synapse within her body fire with blinding joy. Way too easy.
"Hey, Popola?" Nodding softly toward the silver-haired android, the smile on her lips falling slightly at the vulnerable edge in A2's voice, Popola gently urged her to go on. "Do you think a human can truly love an android? That they can love each other?"
"I know they can." Popola's answer was quick and assured, a soft, caring look reflecting in her green orbs, the smile returning to her face once more. "Because you two love each other."
A brief silence fell over the pair after Popola's answer, her words settling softly over A2's black box, calming the rising fear within her, blanketing her system with a gentle warmth. A2 never thought she would be so lucky, to not only find a meaning to live, to find a truly special kind love in an unexpected place, able to share herself with someone who meant the world to her, but to also find people she could call her friends.
"You're a great friend, Popola." A2's voice, so soft and emotional, drifted past her lips at nary a whisper, but Popola heard them as if they were clear as day, a joyous smile lighting up her face.
"You're a great friend too, A2."
-A couple of weeks later-
"Hah!"
A cry rang out from Leah's throat as she lunged toward her redheaded adversary, her arms wrapping tightly around the androids midsection, her forehead pressed tightly against Popola's chest, perspiration rolling like waves down her skin. The pair had been locked in combat for several minutes now, the weeks Leah had spent tirelessly training with A2 since her first loss finally showing dividends, the human girl managing to last more than a couple of seconds against the straight-haired twin now.
Lifting the android of slightly off her feet, the androids immense weight straining her muscles for all their worth, Popola roughly grabbing at the human girl's arms wrapped around her stomach as Leah quickly placed her leg behind the twins while pressing her whole weight against her, dragging her down to the ground. The pair landed with a solid thump onto the ground, Leah briefly positioned above her, before Popola used her advanced strength to push the human girl off, using her momentum to quickly roll onto top of her, holding Leah's arms firmly down at her sides, effectively pinning her.
"Popola wins."
Getting off of the human girl after A2's declaration, Popola took a couple of steps back, watching with an amused smile as Leah quickly hopped back to her feet, the time-traveling girl pushing her sweat-soaked hair out of her eyes before patting her hands against her legs, little puffs of dirt flying off of her shorts. Lifting her head, contours etched into grim determination, Leah shot the straight-haired twin a playful grin, fire burning within her emerald orbs.
"Again."
A/N: The road to change is a long, but fruitful one.
More of a laid-back chapter after the major events of the last ones. We are starting down the road of Leah's goal of becoming stronger. We got a glimpse of her training, as well as the obstacles she will face along the way and her determination to overcome them.
Some small moments here shared between Leah and A2, the newly formed couple still early in their relationship, still a little shy and tentative with each other. A2 also is starting to grow closer to Devola and Popola, the twins support and help during her time of need resonating strongly with her. A2 feels like she can be more herself around them, knowing they have a shared experience and love for Leah, and now for each other.
Next chapter: A moment of respite.
Thank you all for your continued support! We have come so far since I first started this little story all those many months ago, never thinking anyone would even have any interest in this little idea of mine, to see these two come together in a bond of love. I am eternally thankful to all of you. I love you all and I hope you have a wonderful day.