Len knows something is off.

He doesn't need another human to figure out that Rin's not herself. Her wistfulness today says enough without words.

Something changed since last night, he realized quickly. Perhaps it was the phone call she received this morning. She just doesn't seem quite the same since. It wouldn't be as noticeable as it seems to him if he didn't know her as well, but he's able to clearly zone in on her change of heart.

The real clue-in is the weird fascination she has right now with staring out the window. The sun is high in the sky, shining down onto her face through the slits of her window blinds, but she seems unfazed by the piercing brightness, choosing to continue despite it. She's hardly spoken a word today, either. It's… worrying.

Is she thinking about what happened over the last few days? Rin has plenty of reasoning to be thoughtful or lost, with what I've given her to deal with. Yet she doesn't seem unhappy. Maybe a tinge of… sorrow? I can't tell if she's depressed, or only sentimental. It's a human quirk I haven't yet grasped.

He's tried to talk to her a bit about what she's feeling, or even prod her into doing something else, but she's been adamant about staying where she is.

If only he knew what had been said earlier in the day, perhaps he'd know a bit better about how to handle this. It's not uncharacteristic of her to be quiet and withdrawn, but this seems to be a new level. He just can't seem to break through whatever shield she's placing up in front of him. Almost like she downright refuses to show him at all.

Is it because of him? His actions? His words? His sentience? Her reaction seemed rather lackluster when he finally told her what was on his mind, but it could be hitting her now that it's not a stressful time. Such a burden to bear could be too much for her, as Rin seems fragile enough as it is. Has he added onto her mental weight? He could be contributing to her depression without even knowing.

Yet somehow he feels that's still not the case. She has always spoken her mind even when it hurt her to say it, and this just feels… odd, to him. She's doing this purposely, it has to be; and if she's not, she's much more indecipherable than he previously suspected.

Once again he finds himself drawn toward her small frame. She's got a deep rouge throw blanket tossed over her shoulders, one hand gripping to the fabric and pulling it tighter over her chest, and a mug of steaming chai tea cupped in the other. Her eyes reflect the blue sky outside the four walls of her apartment.

"Rin, are you sure there's nothing you want to do today?" His voice breaks the silence, but it feels intrusive, like he's encroached on her own private time.

She glances in his direction, and a small smile plays on her lips.

"Sorry, Len, but I really don't feel like going out today." She shakes her head softly.

"I see." He slumps down against the wall near her, allowing it to support his heavy body as he looks over her, unable to hide his concern. "If you say so."

He's about to give up the hope he'll get through to her, when she turns to face him again, her brows knitting together in consideration.

"Actually…"

He perks up immediately.

"Yes?"

"I had a dress I needed to get from Miku's." She sighs. "I guess it's not all that important, but…"

He's already standing tall and walking over to her, offering his hand.

"If you'd like to go, I'll happily escort you," he promises, but again she shakes her head.

"I have no desire to go," she responds quietly, deflating him. "But if you wouldn't mind grabbing it for me, I'd appreciate it."

She coughs into her hand, shaking, and he reaches out a hand to steady her; she stops him mid gesture, preventing him from coming any closer.

"Are you sure?" he asks her, frowning. "We could make a day of it, instead."

"No." It's harsher this time, and she clears her throat, trying to remove the frogginess from her voice. "I just… want to be alone for awhile, too. I hope that's okay. I'll just wait here until you come back."

His chest pangs, something he hasn't quite experienced before. It's a new, unpleasant, feeling.

"...As you wish," he finally relents, and she smiles at him again.

"Thank you, Len."

He takes her hand even though she flinches slightly upon the touch, and gently kisses the top of her hand.

"I'll be back soon."

.x.X.x.

He can't quite escape the feeling of uneasiness he receives every time he goes to Miku's.

Her house is a sprawling, beautiful home, but all it does is remind Len that it once housed the wretch that hurt Rin not too long ago. He hasn't heard anything about him in a bit, but he's wary all the same. The moment he even catches sight of that face, he'll be uncontrollable in his rage.

Setting that aside, Kaito welcomes him into the home quickly, as if having expected him. The bluenet looks all the same, wearing a familiar outfit. His smile remains unchanged; it's uncanny home similar, yet eerie, it is that they are so different internally. Can another android comprehend his nature? Can they fathom his sentience and intelligence in a good way, or would it immediately send red flags to any other android? He'd rather not find out.

Seated once again in that large living room that seems much too lonely for the space it provides, Len awaits Rin's friend a tad impatiently. He just wants to go home to Rin. It bothers him that she wanted to send him away to be on her own, but sometimes humans need space. It's another unique trait, right? But it… hurt.

"Len, it's you again."

His head cranes up to see the tealette approaching, but it's another instance where he notices something off about the atmosphere. She seems off.

The woman before him is trembling softly, her whole thin body seeming to shake under her own weight, and her skin is paler than normal. Her bright aqua eyes are rimmed red, like she's just been crying in the other room before he arrived. He's so used to her cheerful nature that it's a jarring change.

"Miss Miku, are you alright?" He asks, and she nods her head so hard her twintails go flying around her face.

She sits in front of him, a brown box cradled in her small hands, and she sets it aside to brush off the skirt of her chiffon lace yellow dress, a rather elegant ensemble that seems at odds with her current demeanor.

"I'm fine, nothing you need to worry about," she promises, using the back of her hand to delicately brush the corner of her eyes, an errant tear still trying to escape. "Sorry that you have to see me like this, Len."

"It's no problem. I am more concerned for your well-being. Rin would be sad to see you so upset." The words rush out of his mouth before he can stop them, not even his proper programming stopping him.

Miku's eyes settle on him, before darting away quickly. "...You're right."

She forces herself to perk up, gesturing to him and putting on a smile he instantly sees right through. He wants to continue to prod her, but she doesn't give him the chance.

"How are you?" she asks softly. "How are things between you and Rin? Is she feeling alright?"

He tilts his head, surprised by the sudden change in topic. Yet he isn't bothered by it, instead looking down at his hands and studying the intricacies of his skin.

"...They're good, I think," he says quietly. "Lately, we've… become closer, I think. Things have changed in a better way. I've become more in tune with her."

Before he knows it, he's babbling on to the woman without remorse, explaining some of the things he and Rin have been through. The destruction, the feelings, the way they've become so entwined since they were brought together. In all this Miku sits and listens quietly, her expression much more lively as he talks, but some kind of ache still visible in her eyes.

When he's done, she leans back against her couch, hands clasped tight in her lap.

"...I'm glad," she says with relief. "I'm so glad that the two of you hit it off, Len. I hate to say it, but at first, I really thought she was going to back out. When she told me she wanted an android, I almost laughed out loud. You should've met Rin back then. I know it doesn't seem that long, but a year ago Rin would have never even dreamed of the things you two do now. She was so very… closed off."

This is news to Len. Honestly he'd never put much thought into what Rin was like before him. That time doesn't exist in his life. Yet it exists within hers; and all he really knows about it is what she told him about her parents.

"Was she really that different?" he inquires.

"Oh yeah," she laughs, running a hand through her bangs. "Meaner, I think. Not in a bad way. It's why I started talking to her, though it's selfish to think back on. She was so distant from everyone that I had an itch to make her like me. I'm still not sure how I did. Maybe it was all the times I brought her dresses, or when I kept sending chocolate to her house so she'd have to talk to me. Maybe I seemed like a sta;lker at the time."

Miku keeps laughing, but in the back of his head, Len is cringing. So this is where Mikuo gets it from.

She softens up after a minute, her eyes drifting to the floor.

"Y'know, Len," she says, pursing her lips. "There was a time where I…"

She falls silent for a moment.

"...Well, not for a time. I've always… loved Rin."

He freezes. She quickly looks up, meeting his eyes this time.

"It's platonic love now, really, but I admired her. It was a puppy love. I wanted to know how she gained the strength to go on like she did despite everything that happened to her. You see her sweet sides more often, and I'm a bit jealous of you for it, but she honestly didn't have any kindness no matter how hard I poked and prodded her. Rin was sharp as a tack and just as hurtful. Everyone in the world wronged her so she couldn't trust anyone. Like a ghost of herself now. I like to think I helped change her a little, but what progress I did make in less than four years, you did in a year without trying. You are what makes her happy."

"I've seen her face when she looks at you. You share it. I am so glad that she had the chance to be with you and experience what I think is her first taste of happiness. I'm glad to be her best friend and see her enjoy her life while she can."

Len's mouth doesn't want to work, and he takes a minute to compose himself. He feels a bit of a kind bond with the tealette now; there's something very gentle about the way she talks about Rin that he can't help but agree with. She understands Rin, perhaps better than he might. It's aweing.

Which leads him toward what he addresses next.

"When you talk about the things Rin went through… what were they?"

She turns even more white, and she pauses.

"...I think Rin has to talk to you about it," she replies, hushed. "It's not my place to speak about her past, or what she still deals with. I think when the time is right, Rin will make sure you know what you need to. Trust her."

She's pleading, and he can't deny her. She is very convincing, and he isn't really inclined to disagree with her statement. Rin has never really lied to him before, and he's sure that whatever it is she's been through is something she herself still needs to figure out. Yet that trickling curiosity nags at him.

"Miku, I want to be even closer to Rin," he says, hands pressed to the seat below him. "What can I do to show her how much I care about her? I want to show Rin the same kind of happiness that she gives me." He's so determined that the chair is rocking under his grip.

Miku's aqua eyes glitter in the light, a little too brightly.

"Have you spoken to her about your condition?"

The wind is out of his sails immediately.

"What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean." Her tone is no-nonsense, but she's still got a smile plastered over her lips. "Your life. Does she know?"

"How…" He's at a loss, trying to piece together how she could have figured him out so easily. Has it become so obvious? The denial is palpable in his tone. "Miss Miku, how do you-?"

"Of course I know," she says with a small laugh. "You don't think I can tell? No android will come to another person and ask them advice for their owner. That should be something programmed into you, but you've gone beyond that, haven't you?"

An icy feeling chills his senses.

"Are you going to tell everyone?' he asks hesitantly, afraid of the answer. Miku blinks at him, shocked.

"Why would I do that?" she shakes her head. "Len, I don't know if you can understand this, but what you have… what you have with Rin, I envy. You have the ability to feel and comprehend her feelings better than any human, yet you have the pleasure of returning them the same. I have Kaito, but he can never be on that same level with me. He'll tell me he loves me thirty times a day, but each time it's a program saying it for him. Having an android is lonely. You will never have a true reciprocated love, only what you have created yourself. What you have with Rin can't be replicated by any software. You are in love with her, and she feels exactly the same about you. That can't be replaced by any manmade object. Treasure it."

She stands up suddenly, making her way to him until she's towering over him. She pulls him up off the chair with force, and he's so taken aback that he lets her.

"Those human feelings need to be acted on," she demands. "And I know exactly what you need to do."

Miku is abruptly on the ground, and he's about to see if she needs help when she grips tight to his hand and looks up into his eyes.

"When androids didn't exist, when this was more common, human used to use a ceremony to bind themselves to each other,, and it was like this" she says from the floor, bending down on what he assumes is one knee.

"Miss Miku, what in the world are you doing?"

"Hush, I'm teaching," she silences him.

Her fingers are tight on his, and while he can't feel pain, he imagines it's hard enough to crush the life out of a normal person.

"When someone wanted to bind their life to another for the rest of eternity, they'd get down on one knee, present a ring to their beloved, and ask them to marry them. It used to be the most romantic gesture in the world. It still is for some, but it's so rare now that people hardly ever talk about it. You don't need to marry an android to keep it forever, of course."

Len ponders her words as she picks herself up off the ground, even though the image of her supposedly doing this 'proposal' is funny in his head. Yet for some reason it tickles something in the back of his head; it doesn't sound so preposterous as it originally seemed.

"It may be uncommon now, but I think it's still one of the most important moments of our lives we all sorely miss," Miku says, brushing off her skirt. "If you do that, then I think there'll be nothing stopping you from being with Rin for as long as she lives."

Then she's walking away, retrieving the box she'd set on her couch and plopping it unceremoniously into his hands before offering him a smile.

"I know it's a little bit… eccentric nowadays," she chuckles. "But, truly…"

"...you should consider it."

.x.X.x.

Gripping tight to Miku's package, Len is lost in thought.

The whole encounter with the tealette still feels like a fever dream in ways. First she knows about his sentience, and is fine with it to the point of allowing him to live his life with Rin, but then she offers him a chance to make Rin his without a shadow of a doubt. Not that he had realized there was a doubt before, but for sure he had one now.

What if something happened and she found someone or something new? Would he be able to keep her by his side by offering her his eternity? There is also the painful prospect of living his entire existence without her.

The unavoidable truth, however, is that Rin has a limited lifespan. Humans tend to live to the age of eighty or younger; he may only have fifty years before she passes on. What happens to him then?

Actually, the truth is that he will most likely have rotted away by then. Androids aren't designed to last forever; his body will decay and rust, and one day he will just not turn on, much like an old toy. Hopefully by then Rin would be happy and living the best life he can offer her. Agh, what is he thinking? He's already picturing far ahead into the future, can see it as clearly in his mind's eye as if it has already happened.

I can't be foolish about this, but…

Len stops.

He's in front of a little unassuming store, the exterior decorated in shades of baby blue and pale pink. It seems to be a jewelry store of some kind, the window facing him inladen with displays of shimmering silvers and golds, jewels of every size, color, and shape.

His eyes drift to just the edge of the window, a little display that glitters up at him almost like it's trying to catch his attention.

Drawn to it, he finds himself pressed to the glass, staring in. He can't take his eyes off it, remembering what Miku had said to him.

Atop the display is a beautiful, elegant silver ring with an intricate treble and bass clef heart adoring its top, the design studded in small sapphires. It's not a gaudy or overcomplicated ring, and in that moment, he can see Rin's finger with such an accessory.

He's not sure if it's solely because Miku had convinced him of its importance, or his own growing desire to call Rin his true love, but just the sight of the ring is enough to throw him completely on the agreeing end of the idea.

If I offer this ring to Rin, and ask her to marry me… to become my wife, then…

Will she say yes? Will she accept me for the rest of her life?

It takes nothing before Len is hopping through the store's entrance, any doubt left behind in his wake.

.x.X.x.

"Len, c'mon. It's not like you to be 'mysterious.'"

It's the crest of night, the darkened sky hanging above their heads, and Rin wasn't really intending on being anywhere at this time of day. Yet here she is, hand tightly held in Len's, being led off to who knows where on a whim.

It was especially surprising to her when Len just appeared out of thin air close to sunset with a bouquet of flowers and a wide grin, and told her they were going out. He had seemed much more somber when she sent him off; that was her fault, of course, for being so sullen herself. Yet this change is unprecedented. What could have happened for Len to be acting so… nonchalant? Excited, even? He had even made her change into the dress she'd just received from Miku; a burgundy knee length gown with a flowing skirt and matching sleeves.

She can't match his energy, even though it's infectious in his movements. It's like he's walking on cloud nine all of a sudden. If only she could say the same.

No, she can't. This day has been… interesting, to say the least.

At least the world is still beautiful.

"I know, but I thought you could use a change in scenery," he replies easily, not letting go of her for a moment. His hand feels nice against her skin, and she can't deny him.

"Yeah, but we've been here before," she says, noting the familiar park they've trekked through at least a hundred times now. "How is this 'new scenery'?"

"Well, I've made a few changes."

Before she can ask what he means, they turn a corner, and her breath catches in her throat.

The path they always walk is now lit up by thousands of twinkling fairy lights strung up from tree to tree, the light casting shadows across the background but leaving them glowing under the rays. The sight is startling to say the least, and she feels her jaw drop.

"Len, how did you do this?" she asks, and he shrugs.

"Don't worry about it," he replies instead, allowing himself to grin in her direction, and her chest flutters.

He leads her through, and she's left to silently enjoy the new perspective on her favorite path. The night sky adds an air of sweet ethereal to the comforting atmosphere, and for the first time today she feels her soul begin to relax.

A few minutes of walking ends in a field, and she knows this isn't normally the path they'd wander. Instead it's the inner folds of the park, an empty clearing full of somewhat tall grass, and a single lantern in the center hanging up on a short pole.

"Come on, Rin," he says, pulling her forward. "I want to show you something."

She is helpless to respond, instead just allowing him to lead her when her legs refuse to walk. He is her lifeline in this moment, as she loses herself in her surroundings.

As they walk, she realizes that around her, the grass is shivering, and rising from it are the most beautiful fireflies she's ever seen. It's like magic, seeing them float around her from seemingly nowhere, piercing the air and making it seem like the night sky full of stars has dropped down to greet her.

For the first time in her life, there are no words to describe how she feels.

"Len…" she whispers, her eyes catching the lights around them. "I…"

"I'm not done," he says, smiling still, and pulling her toward a bench under the lantern she hadn't seen yet.

He sits her down, and joins her, sitting shoulder to shoulder and wrapping his arm around her. Together they watch the firefly swarm color the air. Len offers no words for awhile, letting her sit and enjoy the scenery, and she has to admit that this is definitely something she wasn't expecting.

How did Len know I would want to see this?

"Len, how did you find fireflies?" she asks, turning her gaze to him finally. "This isn't the time of year for them."

"You might be surprised. A little bit of research goes a long way, and I know how much you wanted to see them again. But let's not focus on that. I don't want to bring the mood down with something unnecessary when I want to make it about you."

He's staring her down now, and she's taken completely aback by his new behavior. It reminds her of the first day he awoke, when he had taken her over in seconds and won her over without trying.

Has it really been that long since that day? Nearly a year since…

"Rin, are you happy with me?"

She blinks, pulling away slightly.

His eyes are intense, far darker than the sky above them yet incredibly sweet, loving. The pure affection hidden there scares her a little.

"...Of course I am," she replies quietly. "What kind of question is that?"

He sits up quickly, almost as if on cue, and he turns her to stare him straight in the eye, unflinching. It's intense.

"Rin, I want to spend the rest of your life with you."

Her chest feels tight all of a sudden, and she can only offer him a pained smile, unsure how to react to the statement.

"You already are," she laughs softly, nibbling the inside of her cheek. "I don't know what you mean."

"I love you, Rin. That's what I mean."

She gazes into his softened gaze, her heart fluttering like a caged bird. She can't hardly speak.

"Len…"

He takes her hand again, gripping her tenderly.

"I'm in love with you, Rin. I want to be with you forever. That's why… I…"

His other free hand dips into his pocket, and for a fleeting moment she wonders where this is going.

"Len, what are you—?!"

A violent, wracking cough suddenly overtakes her, and she presses her hand to her face, trying to shield her expression from him even though the coughing won't stop.

Please, please, stop. Not now.

Not right now, please.

"Rin?" She can hear Len's voice and the tinge of worry that colors it. "Are you alright?"

Yet his words become mush in her ears. Her vision distorts, the fireflies fading into the background, and she pulls her hand away. It's not dark enough to shield her vision from the crimson laden across her palm.

Oh, no.

The coughs start up again, and her lungs fight for air, struggling to overcome the pain, and her world tilts on its axis in an instant.

Just for a moment, I forgot.

"Rin?!"

The environment spins, and she's toppling from the bench, her body losing the ability to function. Len's hands reach out to stop her, and something flies out of his grasp past her dimming line of sight, a silver glittering object that shines prism colors in the light.

I forgot that I don't have forever.

I don't even have today.

Then everything blurs into crimson, and is gone.

.x.X.x.

—I cried out;

'Please don't leave me behind.'

So you held me tight, and said I will be just fine.

I will be just fine.

A/N:. Hello everyone. I think you know how close we're getting to the end.

I want to let everyone know that updates are going to still be a bit sparse. I lost my grandfather recently and it's been bizarre. I apologize for the lack of updates during nanowrimo it has caused; I may fail it this year because of it.

Regardless, I hope you all have been enjoying the story thus far. I'll be seeing you again hopefully soon. And...

Maybe the chapter title means something.

Read on.