A roaring, crack of thunder rumbled through the deserted streets of the resistance camp, the subsequent flash of lightning illuminating the abandoned tents and deserted streets as torrential rainfall pelted the surrounding buildings, its residents taking shelter from the storm within their ramshackle abodes. Stormy winds buffeted the ruined buildings, the rainfall sounding like muffled gunfire as they violently crashed against the ancient walls, windows rattling noisily with every powerful gust.
"I wonder if they're ok." Green eyes watched the rain pelt furiously against the window with great worry, the vision of the outside world distorted and washed out by the seemingly endless torrent of rain falling from the sky, the ever-present sun's rays lost behind impenetrable black storm clouds. Breathing out a heavy sigh, curly red locks fluttering gently in the periphery of her vision, Devola felt the familiar calming presence of her sister come to stand beside her.
"Wherever they are, as long as they are together, they'll be fine." Popola's voice, a familiar soothing balm for the wild-haired twin, drifted gently into her sister's ears, her words punctuated by a bright flash lighting up the rain-soaked vista outside their window, a rumbling crack of thunder echoing through the desolated building's walls.
"I'm sure you're right." Devola huffed softly as she rested her head against her folded arms, her emerald gaze tracing the winding descent of raindrops splattering against their window as it painted a vivid, abstract picture in her mind, the wild-haired twin hoping the storm would subside soon and that her friends will return to them safely.
She was getting bored being stuck inside like this.
Placing her hand against the shattered remains of the building's support pillar, hair billowing behind her in silver waves as steel-blue eyes gazed out into the washed-out landscape of the ruined cityscape, a fine mist of rain washed over A2 as another violent gust of wind blew through the crumbled hole in the wall.
Wide swaths of the surrounding landscape were obscured or downright lost within the heavy shadows and torrential rainfall from the pitch-black clouds covering the city, the pair having found shelter in the first building they could find as the sudden downpour caught them off guard while they were out on patrol, A2 carrying the human girl up toward a sheltered portion of a collapsed office building, the higher vantage point affording them a sense of protection from any possible enemies lurking within the storm.
It was going to be a while until the storm died down.
"C'mon, c'mon."
The soft, slightly agitated mutterings drifting through the ruined building managed to pull the combat android's attention away from the rain-soaked landscape, steel-blue eyes lighting up faintly as they fell upon the beautiful and slightly amusing sight of her human girlfriend. Crouched expectantly over a hastily constructed would-be campfire, the occasional curse falling from between her lips as she tried to get a decent spark going, Leah trying hard to get a fire started as she repeatedly struck a stone against the edge of her sword, little sparks of light briefly flaring up before fading back into darkness.
Raising her head to the sky with an annoyed grunt, her frustrations with the stubborn campfire that refused to light growing, a small shiver wracked the human girl's body as another fierce gust drifted through the derelict building, its walls pockmarked with various holes, the frosty wind blowing in from outside penetrating deeply into her rain-soaked skin.
Frowning slightly at the human girl's response to the storm's buffeting winds, Leah's shoulders trembled slightly as she sped up her efforts, the rhythmic clanging of stone on steel growing more frantic as the fire refused to light. Stepping forward slightly, hoping to offer whatever warmth she could provide her, her android body free from the negative effects of the extreme elements, a quick flash of lightning, followed by the familiar rumble of thunder was accompanied by a triumphant cheer of excitement as a spark of flame lit up the buildings interior.
Shimming excitedly in place in the closest approximation of a victory dance, something that brought an affectionate smile to the former soldier's face, Leah quickly went about stoking the campfire, throwing whatever burnable material they were able to find into the fire, the weak flame quickly growing into a roaring blaze of warmth. Deciding they were safe for the moment, any threat that would have taken the chance to attack them would have done so already, A2 prepared to join her girlfriend by the campfire when the android suddenly stopped short as the human girl began pulling off her rain-soaked clothes.
Laying her shirt on a flat rock next to the fire, Leah quickly unbuckled her belt as she shimmied out of her pants, the soaked material fighting slightly as it clung uncomfortably to her skin, the brown-haired girl sighing in relief as she placed them next to her drying shirt, leaving her only in a simple bra and bike shorts. Following the contours of her girlfriend's body, the firelight casting a gentle shadow across her form that accentuated every shallow dip and gentle curve, A2 staring on in mesmerized silence, steel-blue eyes flashing wantingly as she marveled at the human girl's newly built muscles.
Letting her gaze roam across Leah's body, watching the lean muscle writhe and flex just beneath the surface with every small movement, A2 felt a pang of anguish grip her heart as the fire's light illuminated the multitude of scars covering every inch of the human girl's skin. Shallow grooves and raised bumps, clean lines and jagged tears, littered her body like a road map of suffering, a reminder of the android's biggest failure. But, they were also a sign of the last surviving human's eternal struggle, of her sheer determination to live, to keep moving forward, to never let one moment of horror cast her into a life of fear.
Dropping into a seated crouch, bouncing slightly on her heels as she tried to find the perfect balance, Leah let out a satisfied sigh as the fire's blazing heat warmed her frigid skin, the droplets of water lightly dotting her body slowly evaporating, leaving only a delightful glow upon her skin. Throwing another piece of dry wood upon the flame, Leah smiled brightly as the fire briefly flared up as it hungrily devoured it with a sizzling crackle of satisfaction, the human girl was completely obvious of the android's approaching footsteps, the raging storm outside muffling the gentle clack of her heels on the solid concrete.
Staring deeply into the fire's orange glow, the flames dancing to-and-fro with every gust hissing through the cracked foundations of the building, Leah let out a small squeak of surprise as something strong and warm suddenly wrapped securely around her waist, a familiar weight resting gently upon her as it pressed itself comfortably into her back. Tilting her head slightly to look over her shoulder, Leah's vision was filled with a shimmering veil of silver, A2's delicate nose lightly grazing her skin as she pressed her forehead gently between her shoulder blades, the quiet gesture of closeness bringing a loving smile to the human girl's lips.
"What's up?" Leah questioned gently, her voice softly drifting over the crackling fire and howling winds, the combat android simply remaining silent as she softly pressed her lips against her girlfriend's shoulder in a tender kiss. Shivering softly from the lovely sensation of the android's delicate lips warmly pressed against her cold skin, Leah decided to let her be for now, the human girl returning her gaze to the bristling fire in front of her, simply enjoying the feeling of A2 pressed up against her, the warmth from her body and the heat radiating from the campfire helping stave off the winds frosty fingers.
Trailing a series of kisses along the curve of the human girl's back, A2 began idly tracing her fingers over the multitude of scars covering the last surviving human's torso, Leah smiling sadly as she understood what was going on. Staring into the flickering flames, a familiar pair of red eyes dancing across the corners of her mind, Leah raised her arm slowly into the fire's light, her scars dotting her skin like shadowed peaks and valleys.
"They're ugly, aren't they?" Leah whispered quietly with a wry smile curling on the corner of her lips, the human girl voicing a feeling she had been keeping locked away for a while, a shallow insecurity that had been slowly simmering just below the surface. It felt kind of pathetic to admit these feelings out loud, that with everything that had happened, the moments they shared, the hardships they had suffered and overcome together, that something as simple as a physical imperfection could affect her so.
And yet, seeing her marred skin, such a far cry from what it had once been, a time that seemed so foreign to her now, Leah could feel nothing but shameful revulsion. Would anyone in her previous life even recognize her now? What would her parents think of what had become of their daughter? She wasn't sure if she wanted to know the answer.
"No," A2 lightly shook her head, silver locks tickling Leah's bare skin as the combat android's grip tightened around her girlfriend's waist, her voice heavy and full of emotion, "they are beautiful, just like you. They are proof of just how precious your life is and how strong you are for bearing them upon your skin."
Smiling softly, a gentle warmth pooling in her heart from the combat android's sweet and wonderful words, Leah leaned backward into A2's embrace, their skin grazing gently against each other as she turned her head to place a loving kiss upon the silver-haired woman's cheek. Letting her lips linger upon her skin for a little longer, enjoying the subtle fragrance of A2's being filling her senses, that gentle, loving warmth she got whenever she was close to her sweet, wonderful, and strong girlfriend, Leah sighed blissfully as lightly nuzzled her nose into the crook of the former soldier's neck.
"Are you cold at all?" Leah questioned with a dreamy lilt in her voice, the brown-haired girl simply enjoying being held in the combat android's strong arms, delighted giggles passing her lips as she placed a couple more kisses upon the delicate skin of her girlfriend's neck.
"No. Our internals are designed to regulate our temperatures during extreme weather." A2 stated in a matter-of-fact tone, seemingly oblivious to her girlfriend's displays of affection, her face remaining stoic and emotionless. "In fact, androids draw energy from water, so I actually feel great right now."
"Lucky self-heating androids." Huffing quietly in mock anger, the gentle, rhythmic vibrations coming from her girlfriend's chest as she softly chuckled at the human girl's response bringing a smile to Leah's face as she snuggled deeper into A2's embrace, a warm feeling of comfort enveloping the pair as they idly watched the flames crackle and dance before them. The pair simply enjoyed this small moment of reprieve given to them, A2 idly tracing along the lines of the human girl's defined abdominal muscles as Leah gently caressed the android's leg curled protectively around her with an affectionate touch, small content smiles curling on each of their lips.
Lifting her head slightly, watching flecks of embers drift lazily into the air before fading away, Leah quietly mused to herself that, despite the unique circumstances that led them to finding shelter from the storm in this abandoned building, the two of them haven't really had time to relax like this in quite a while. After all the commotion surrounding the Commander's visit, when all the frayed emotions had finally worn off, the pair had nary the time to just be together. They went on numerous missions and would spend every day training together, but they barely had time to just wind down and enjoy each other's company, to be a couple, as much as one could be in a world like this.
"I hope we get to have more moments like this soon." Leah murmured softly as she leaned her head back slightly to rest it gently upon her girlfriend's shoulder, a content sigh passing her lips as a thunderous crash touched down nearby, a loud rumble echoing through the sky as the rain continued to pelt relentlessly against the buildings aged walls.
"Rainy days?" A2 quipped with a deadpan tone, the combat android chuckling softly as her sarcastic response earned her a playful pinch on the remaining skin left on her thigh from the brown-haired girl, Leah giggling quietly at her girlfriend's stupid joke.
"No, moments of peace." Leah smiled as placed her palm gently on A2's thigh, her fingers following the lines of wear and damage that covered the former YoRHa soldier's legs, remnants of a past life she hoped were finally behind her. "One's I can spend together with you."
Softly rubbing her hand along the gentle swell and curve of the combat android's leg, feeling the gentle texture of her exposed chassis against her rough, calloused hands, their lives a shared pain that bore eternal scars upon their skin, Leah hoped to one day find a place, a time, where they could finally be free from it all.
"I want you to be able to finally rest, to enjoy the rest of your life without fighting, without pain. And I want to be with you during those times."
Feeling a swell of warmth in her chest at her girlfriend's words, ones spoken so softly but with a depth of meaning and heartfelt conviction that made a light burn brightly within the combat android's breast, a love and devotion that entrenched her feelings for the human girl forever. It touched her greatly to know just how much Leah cared about her, that her future, her well-being, concerned her so greatly. The idea of someone else, let alone a human she grew to love, caring about her existence, let alone her future, was a feeling A2 never expected to feel.
It was just one of many feelings Leah had managed to unearth from her buried heart.
"No matter where I am, whatever happens in my life, as long as I'm with you, I will always be where I need to be."
Pressing her forehead against the back of Leah's head, wisps of brown hair softly tickled her skin as she placed a gentle kiss upon the nape of her neck, her arms squeezing the human girl tight, never wanting to let her go. Cooing sweetly in response to the former YoRHa soldier's beautiful words, butterflies fluttering in her stomach, Leah turned her head to plant a loving, passionate kiss upon A2's lips before snuggling contently back into her embrace, a satisfied grin on her lips.
"I wonder if everyone else is ok." Looking out over the rain-filled landscape spread out before them behind the roaring fire, a battle of volatile elements that worked together to create a strangely serene moment for the stranded pair, Leah's mind ended up wandering to the rest of their ragtag group of friends.
"I'm sure the camp is fine. They've been living on earth for a long time now. And wherever 2B and 9S are right now they are more than capable of taking care of themselves."
A2 reassured her with a comforting tone as she pulled the human girl in a little closer, Leah nodding softly in agreement, thinking back on all their times together, how strong and resilient all of them have been. Yeah. There was no need to worry. Placing her hands over the silver-haired woman's, the ones currently placed gently upon her stomach as they held her tight, the gentle orange glow from the firelight illuminating the striking blacks of her exposed chassis.
"A2…what do you want to do?" Leah's words hung silently in the air as she continued to stare at the android's hands resting on her stomach, the combat android staring wonderingly at the back of the human girl's head as she ran the question over and over in her head.
"What do you mean?" The combat android finally asked, her voice full of confusion and wonder, the question, despite its simple and innocent nature, having caught her completely off guard.
"What do you want to do with your life, you know, once there is peace for you?" Leah elaborated, her gaze never wavering from their hands as she gently rested them atop the silver-haired androids, the human girl acutely aware of every small movement coming from the former YoRHa soldier, her entire being focused completely on A2.
A2, for her part, was momentarily stumped by Leah's question, the combat android lifting her head slightly to stare absently at the craggy ceiling, having never really thought about her future before. It was strange, that after all these years, of her singular focus on revenge, she had never considered what would come after.
"I…I'm not sure." A2 answered honestly, silver hair brushing gently upon the human girl's back as she turned her head thoughtfully to the side, steel-blue eyes regarding the darkened environment surrounding them in silent contemplation, looking for answers within the heavy shadows covering the walls. "When my life started, when I was first rolled out, everything was decided for me. Once I was free from YoRHa, free to decide for myself, revenge was the only option I could think about."
Feeling Leah shift slightly in her grip, the cleanly shaven hairs lightly brushing up against her cheek as the last surviving human turned her head, her attention focused squarely on her girlfriend's words, A2's let her jumbled thoughts simply fall from her lips, hoping they will be enough to convey her feelings properly to the human girl in her arms.
"I always believed that I would keep fighting the machines until my life ended, be it in battle or until my systems failed me. I guess, in a way, I was always chasing my inevitable end."
Steel-blue eyes, clouded with memories of the past, of a pain that had enveloped her entire life, followed the shadowy tendrils as they were broken up and cast away by the glowing light emanating from the campfire, its warmth staving off the darkness's frigid grasp.
"I…I always believed I should have died with my comrades back during our descent mission, that my surviving was a mistake, that I was destined to join them in death."
Through the haze of shadowed memories and bygone feelings, A2 felt Leah's hand grasp hers tight, fingers trembling slightly with emotion, the human girl shaking her head at the combat android's words as a pained expression struck her features into a vision of agony.
"But things are different now. There was a reason why I survived, why I had to live." Slipping her hand into her girlfriend's, intertwining their fingers as she held them safely and securely, A2 smiled softly as she laid her cheek gently against the human girl's shoulder, love and adoration shining within the depths of her steel-blue eyes. "I was meant to find you."
Pressed comfortably into Leah's back, feeling the gentle warmth emanating from her skin as she pressed her cheek softly against her shoulder, A2 felt a strange coldness settle in her stomach as the last surviving human remained strangely silent. Seconds passed in eerie silence, the crackling of the fire, once so comforting and reassuring, now creating an incessant noise in A2's head as Leah remained quiet.
"Every day…I'm thankful every single day that you found me." Leah's voice, heavy and strained, made A2's stomach roll painfully, her words, so beautiful and heartfelt, making the silver-haired woman's chest clench painfully at the agony present with every note she spoke. "You are the woman I love more than anything in this world and I'm so, so happy that we managed to find each other despite the seemingly impossible odds."
Lightly loosening A2's grip upon her hand, a cold iciness chilling the android's fingers to her wiring that wormed its way into her heart, the combat android lifted her head slightly as Leah turned to face her. The sudden crack of lightning briefly illuminated the pair in their makeshift shelter, a soft gasp passing A2's lips as the flash of light lit up the human girl's face, Leah's features twisted into a vision of unbearable sadness.
"I love you, A2. But..." Lowering her head slightly, stray wisps of brown hair partially obscuring her features, Leah desperately struggled to find the right words, the burning pain in her chest at what she was about to say causing her to falter briefly. "But you have to find a reason to live for yourself. Loving me can't be your sole reason for existing."
Searching Leah's face for an answer, the close distance of their bodies making her feel like they were worlds apart as the human girl refused to meet her questioning gaze, her emerald eyes lowered firmly downward, a light tremble running through A2's body as an errant wind forced its way between the empty space between them.
"Why? Why can't it?"
A2's voice, full of confusion and pain, drifted over the din of noise surrounding the pair, the usually confident and resolute android sounding vulnerable and scared as she desperately awaited the human girl's answer, though she was afraid to hear it. Moving her hand slightly closer to the former YoRHa soldier's, their fingers brushing against each other with the faintest of touches before pulling away, Leah slowly lifted her head, emerald eyes piercing into A2's like a serrated blade into her chest.
"Because someday I will die, A2."
Deep, agonizing pain tore through A2's chest as those words passed Leah's lips, the look in her eyes, the naked honesty swirling within their emerald depths, the pure inevitability of her fate, causing the combat model's entire being to run cold with suffocating despair.
"Everyone…all of you will live until far after I'm gone. If something doesn't kill me first, I will eventually grow old and pass away."
The more Leah spoke, of the cold reality of her future, of a life where she would no longer be around, A2 grew more and more distraught. The thought of losing Leah, of never seeing her again, of having to inevitably say goodbye, no matter how hard she may try, filled A2 with a pain that struck her to the very core. She wasn't ignorant, she knew the chance was always there, that Leah wasn't like them, like the androids, that her life was precious, fragile. She knew that.
But, hearing her voice those fears, to have them laid out so plainly, so naturally, it just made the reality of it finally hit home. She will die. Someday, Leah will die.
She will be all alone again.
"This feeling…this pain, the pain you are feeling right now, will be so much worse when the time finally comes for you to say goodbye."
Placing her hand over A2's chest, the combat android hating how warm, how comforting her touch was, Leah stared deeply into the former soldier's eyes, emerald orbs alight with remorse for hurting her so, for burdening her with these emotions.
"W-why are you saying this?" A2 whispered quietly, the ache in her voice, the desperate longing, the need for understanding, making Leah choke back a pained sob. She never wanted this, to hurt her so, but she needed to. She needed A2 to understand.
"Because I want you to live, A2!" Leah choked out painfully, A2 reeling back slightly from the intensity in her voice, the desperation in her words, the scratchy roughness as they tore from her throat causing her steel-blue eyes to briefly widen in shock. "I don't want you to lose yourself to anger or despair, not again. I want you to keep being the woman I love even after I'm gone."
A pregnant silence followed the human girl's impassioned words, unshed tears pooling in the corner of Leah's eyes as she stared at her girlfriend's shocked features, A2 slowly lowering her head, her face hidden behind a veil of shimmering silver. Leaning closer, her heart aching painfully for the former soldier, a gasp of surprise passed the human girl's lips as A2 suddenly wrapped her arms around her, the combat android pulling Leah tightly to her chest as her hand rested firmly against the back of her head.
"I don't want that." Shaking her head wildly, silver hair whipping about with her movements, A2's voice was strangled and strained, every word laced with hurt and desperate denial. "I don't want to live in a world without you."
Sighing heavily, heart hanging heavily in her chest, Leah gently placed her hands on A2's sides, her voice wrought with sorrow for having placed such a loathsome burden upon the woman she loved. Preparing to push herself away, to disentangle herself from A2's desperate grip, Leah felt a weary weight rest on her shoulders, the thought of hurting the woman she loved making her heart clench painfully.
"A2…"
"But I will." A2 interjected suddenly, Leah's eyes widening in surprise as the combat android held her tight, her voice, so full of pain, taking on its familiar tinge of resolute strength. "I'll keep going. I'll keep living. You've shown me that there is more to my life than just my mission, that it's more than revenge, more than who I love."
Pressing her forehead gently atop the human girl's head, taking in her familiar scent, drawing strength from her, like she had done so often before, A2 knew that such moments would not last, that one day it would all be gone. It was scary, terrifying, to even think about, but, strangely, holding Leah now, with the storm raging viciously outside, A2 felt that once it was all over, when everything had passed, she will find the strength to move on.
"Life is all those things and more, the pain and joy, they are all a part of living. So I will keep going, to experience as much of it as possible."
Placing her hand gently under her girlfriend's chin, tilting it upward until their eyes met once more, steel-blue and emerald connecting in a quiet bond, A2 gave the human girl a sad, reassuring smile. Yes, she will be sad when Leah is gone, there was no escaping that. This girl, this sweet, wonderful, human girl has changed her life so much in such a short time, and A2 knew that, before everything was said and done, Leah will have done it a million times over. She loves her so much and will continue to do so until nothing but memories remain.
"Even if a millennia passes, if time itself comes to an end, I will never forget you."
Smiling brightly at her, steel-blue eyes shining with loving adoration, A2 gently ran her thumb along the brown-haired girl's cheek as tears gently rolled down Leah's face.
"Thank you." Wrapping her arms tightly around A2's waist, her whole body shaking with barely restrained sobs, Leah's smile shone through the tears, relief and joy awash within her heart as she embraced the woman she loved. "Thank you for loving me. Thank you for living."
Holding each other close, their frayed emotions soothed by the bond they share, the newly formed understanding between them sealed with a soft, tender kiss as the storm continued to rage outside.
The stones, slippery and slick from the rain, glistened brilliantly beneath the shining sun as A2 stepped out onto the building's edge through the hole in the wall, the landscape spread out having been transformed by the storm's hand. Pockets of accumulated rainwater, from shallow puddles to flowing streams that rolled down the destroyed remains of the highway, the storm's presence left an indelible mark upon the city.
But, with time, even that will fade, the world moving on as if it had never happened.
Hearing the light crunching of loose rock beneath shoes, A2 turned to look over her shoulder as Leah slowly stepped into the sunlight, donned in her regular clothes once more, sword fastened securely on her hip, hand coming up to shield her eyes, Leah blinked a couple of times as she adjusted to the sun's bright rays.
Leaning forward, hand stretched out toward her, A2 shone her girlfriend a beautiful, warm smile, the light from the sun illuminating her gorgeous features beneath their luminescent rays.
"Let's go."
Smiling back at her, emerald eyes shining with adoration as she admired the android's ethereal beauty, her hair blowing gently in the breeze covering her in a shimmering veil of silver as her lips curled into an expression of pure joy, Leah reached forward and placed her hand securely in hers.
A/N: Light shines upon a bright future.
In this chapter, A2 and Leah had to confront the inevitable subject of Leah's humanity and how limited such a life is. Leah and A2 both know that human life is meant to end, though neither were prepared to face this reality until nature intervened, giving them the moment to confront and make peace with it. They can now move forward through the rain.
Next chapter: Sins of the past.
Well, I managed to avoid going a full year without an update by the skin of my teeth. This was obviously not my intent, I was actually looking forward to writing this chapter for a while. Unfortunately, I got sick with Covid early in 2023 and life kind of hit me hard right after. With a looming major life decision right in front of me, being sick more often than I've ever been, and some severe writer's block to go with it, sadly I wasn't able to get much writing done this year. I hope this year will be a bit kinder to me, but unfortunately, I can't guarantee anything except that this story will not be abandoned.
Hopefully, you all enjoy seeing this story again and that you all have a wonderful day!