hello friends!

sorry it's been a little while! but i got it done in under a month so we're good XD

I'm so sorry I've been updating so slowly! I just happen to be working on several other projects right now (looking at you, Nash) and I haven't had a ton of time to do this one!

I hope y'all like this chapter, though! Sorry it's a bit short, but all of my chapters have been getting shorter lately, which I hope makes them more readable. Most people don't want to suffer through six thousand words of fluff.

Please review! I'd love feedback on how I'm doing :)

thanks to dr. wicks, as always, for reviewing! Your reviews make my day!

thank you my friends!

peace out!

—MOMAKASE—

"Tadashi," I hiss, giving him a gentle punch on the arm. "Stay awake! The chemistry lab is no place to take a nap!"

"Sorry!" Tadashi gasps. "I've been working on Baymax—all night, actually—I'm sorry, I'll try to stay awake!"

He says it a little louder than he means to, and Professor Holtry glances over, the corner of her mouth twitching upward in amusement. "That would be appreciated, Hamada."

Tadashi grins sheepishly, pushing his hair out of his eyes. "Sorry, Professor."

"Is Baymax progressing?" I ask, dropping my voice as Holtry returns to teaching. "I was under the impression that the project was not going well."

He sighs, leaning back in his chair. "You're right. When I turn him on, he either stands there and does nothing or starts flailing around and hitting me. And last night, all he would do was tell me he wanted a burrito. I don't get how he even knew what that was."

Maybe I should be listening to Tadashi, but as he leans back, his sweatshirt rides up slightly, and I can see the contours of his abdomen. Which still aren't very present, actually, but his midsection, while still soft, no longer has the subtle curve it used to—it looks flatter, more toned. I glance up to see that Tadashi's cheeks are losing their roundness as well, and the faint outlines of his cheekbones show through his skin.

Could it be?

Is Tadashi actually becoming attractive?

Sure, he's cute, but I've never thought of him as particularly good-looking. That term, at least in my head, is generally reserved for Obake.

Still, props to Tadashi if he's been working on self-care. Almost no one has time for that in college, least of all a freshman. And who knows? Maybe he'll actually end up being hot next year.

The bell rings, and Tadashi and I stand up to leave. I'm just about to walk out of the classroom when he says, "Momo, wait!"

I turn back, and Tadashi stammers, "Do you think you could come to my lab right after school? And maybe bring Obake? I need some help with Baymax—he's not working like I want him to, and I was hoping you guys could maybe help me out."

I shrug. "Why not. See you later, then."

"Bye, Momo!"

I head off to composites, hoping I'll see Obake in the hall. For whatever reason, I feel in need of his presence.

My wish is granted, and halfway to my next class, I catch sight of a faint purple glow, penetrating through the sea of students with a quiet intensity that I would know anywhere. I move toward the light, head down, and soon Obake's hand is on my shoulder, and he tilts my chin up.

"Momo," he whispers, brushing a lock of sky-colored hair out of my face. "How are you?"

"I'm well," I tell him, putting my hand—my human hand, so as not to give him a cold shock—gently to his cheek. "Tadashi has asked me to bring you to his lab after school. He needs assistance with his end-of-year project. Would you be willing to help him?"

"Of course. Tadashi is my friend, after all."

Obake's smile is soft and gentle, barely curving his lips. "Listen, Momo, I have an idea. It may have to wait until after the school year is over, but I have a plan for how to retrieve your blades. Shall we go to the park in Oka Heights later to discuss it? We can, of course, wait until our appointment with Tadashi is over."

"That sounds excellent," I reply, standing up on my tiptoes and pressing a kiss to Obake's cheek. "I will see you at lunch."

He looks adorably flustered as I leave, the side of his face glowing purple. I dare to lift my hand in a fluttery wave, and the violet light intensifies.

Obake still looks a little bright at lunch, and I have to stop myself from smirking. It makes me feel rather powerful to be able to fluster guys.

The rest of the day passes swiftly, and when the last bell rings, I head down to C134—Tadashi's lab. A loud crash echoes down the hall as I approach, and I cringe—it doesn't sound like this is going well.

The tinted glass switches abruptly to clear as a silhouette crashes against it, and I push open the door of the lab to see Obake pressed against the wall and Tadashi struggling to fend off a flailing Baymax.

"Hi, Momo!" Tadashi gasps, ducking under one of the robot's arms. "Glad you could make it!"

"Do you need assistance?" I ask, amused.

"It would be much appreciated," Obake replies, his voice sounding slightly strangled as Baymax staggers closer to him.

I stride forward and seize a flailing white arm, noting the remarkable cushiony texture. If I can just grab hold of the other one, it shouldn't be too hard to subdue Baymax.

"Nice robot!" Tadashi yelps, taking cover under his desk as Baymax flings a textbook across the room with his free hand. Obake lets out a rather unmanly shriek as the hefty projectile barely misses his head, scrambling up onto the file cabinet and crouching there.

So now it's up to me. Typical men.

I leap up onto Baymax's shoulders, and his arm draws back to throw a desk lamp. Seeing my chance, I reach out with my titanium hand and snatch the pillowy vinyl. Now I've got both arms—I just have to figure out how to turn this thing off.

Glancing over the robot's front, I spot what appears to be an access port—probably where Baymax's chip is stored. Desperately, I lunge for it, switching the restraint of Baymax's arms to my legs and slamming my hand onto the port.

A bright green chip, adorned with a smiley face, slides out, and I pull it free, sliding down Baymax's back as he deflates into a pile of vinyl on the floor. Tadashi emerges from under the desk, and Obake climbs down from the filing cabinet, his face glowing with embarrassment.

"You have to find a better way to turn that thing off," I tell Tadashi, thrusting the chip at him. "How long has he been doing this?"

"A long time," Tadashi mumbles, rubbing the back of his neck. "I don't know how to fix it."

"Perhaps it's a glitch in the personality chip," Obake suggests. "I could look at it if you'd like, Tadashi. I've had experience with personality programming."

"That'd be awesome," Tadashi says fervently. "I've been working on the chip for months, and nothing helps. I had bacitracin sprayed in my face the other day."

I try to keep from smiling as I picture that.

Obake holds out his hand. "I can scan the chip. Unless you'd like me to work on cleaning the lab up?"

Tadashi shakes his head. "No, go ahead. I'll clean up. Would you mind helping me, Momo?"

"Of course not."

I bend down and pick up a fallen textbook, stepping gingerly over Baymax as I place it back on Tadashi's desk. The other books lined up against the wall catch my eye, and I run a finger along their spines, reading the titles.

An Introduction to Personality Programming in Androids

The Lord of the Rings

Calculus For Dummies

The Inheritance Games

And Then There Were None

Composites: How to Wow the World with Carbon Fiber

"You like to read," I say softly. "Why didn't I know that?"

Tadashi shrugs. "It never came up."

"You enjoy Lord of the Rings?" Obake asks, coming over to look at the books. "I suppose that begs a question. Who do you believe is the greatest hero of Middle-Earth?"

"Sam," Tadashi says. "Obviously."

"You're correct," Obake replies, smiling at Tadashi. "He never gets enough credit. What do you think, Momo?"

I sigh. "I've never read it."

Two pairs of eyes, stormy gray and warm hazel, go wide.

"Never?" Tadashi gasps dramatically.

"You're kidding," Obake says.

I can't help but smile a little. "I'm afraid I'm not kidding, boys."

"How have you never read Lord of the Rings?" Tadashi asks. "It's the quintessential fantasy epic! Everything about it is amazing!"

Obake raises an eyebrow. "Even the Ents?"

"Okay, yeah, not the Ents."

"This is amusing," I remark. "You two are such nerds."

Obake laughs. "I suppose you're right. You ought to read it sometime, though. It is a bit slow in places, and I'm not sure you would appreciate anything that dragged-out."

He returns to Tadashi's desk, pulling up a screen with lines of code running the length of it. "I should have this uncorrupted in about twenty minutes, Tadashi. If that's even what's wrong—it could be something else."

"Take however long you need," Tadashi tells him, waving a hand. "Seriously, thanks for all your help. Yours too, Momo—I don't know what I'd do without you guys."

We try for hours, without success, to get Baymax to work. Obake runs scans on the personality chip over and over, and I look for abnormalities in Baymax's skeleton. Tadashi goes through fourteen tests, and all of them result in flailing vinyl arms and a swiftly deflating Baymax.

On the fifteenth test, Baymax's hand smacks Obake in the face, and as he staggers backward, the other one catches him in the midsection, sending him flying into Tadashi. Both boys go down, Tadashi letting out a yelp of surprise.

"I don't believe—this is working," Obake gasps, and I wince at the sight of his swiftly bruising cheek as I yank Baymax's chip out again.

"You're right," Tadashi agrees, disentangling himself from Obake and flopping down in his chair as he pushes his hair out of his eyes. "Maybe we should call it a night."

"We are not leaving until we fix this," I insist. "Tadashi, why don't Obake and I go out and bring you back something to eat? We'll never figure this out unless we have energy."

"That sounds awesome," Tadashi says wistfully. "Can we get noodle burgers?"

I glance at Obake, who nods, still panting from our most recent test. "Fine…with me."

"You okay?" Tadashi asks.

"Just…winded," Obake assures him, one hand on his stomach as he leans over Tadashi's desk, panting and offering a weak smile. "Your robot is…quite strong."

"Sorry," Tadashi says apologetically. "I didn't mean for him to hurt you."

"Not your fault. We'll work on fixing him after Momo and I return with dinner."

Obake straightens up, his face still shimmering slightly. "Shall we?"

I nod and pull open the door. "Don't work too hard, Tadashi. We will return soon—text me what you want on your burger, though."

"Okay! See you soon!"

The door shuts, and I glance at Obake as we walk down the hall. "Would you like to go to the park, Obake? I know you wanted to discuss your plan."

"I don't want Tadashi to become suspicious," Obake says worriedly. "Perhaps another time."

"Noodle Burger takes forever to make the food. Come on, he won't miss us."

I flutter my lashes slightly. "Besides, we haven't been alone for so long."

I'm rather shocked at myself. Liking a guy is one thing, but flirting with him? That's practically unheard of. I don't think I've flirted with a guy since…ever, actually. I'm not sure I've even liked one before.

Obake's cheeks start to shimmer again. "Alright, Momo. I suppose we can go. Still, I don't think we can stay out for any longer than it takes to make our food."

But he's smiling as he says it, and I know he wants this just as much as I do.

Tadashi texts me that he wants ketchup on his burger.

Just ketchup. Nothing else.

That boy is so weird.

"You'd better order something insanely complicated," I tell Obake as we walk down the street. "We may not have time to go to the park."

Obake smiles sheepishly. "I'm afraid I'm much like Tadashi in this respect. But perhaps one step higher—I prefer ketchup and mustard."

"Both of you are insufferable," I sigh. And so alike.

The Noodle Burger is crowded, as always, when we step inside. Obake puts a hand protectively on my elbow, pulling me towards him as a noodle burger-shaped robot whizzes across the floor.

"Howdy!" the robot says. "Can I take your order, ma'am?"

I shoot a glance at Obake. "You order."

"Why?"

"I despise ordering food. Even from a robot."

Obake obliges, placing the order as I coach him. My burger is quite elaborate, so I hope they'll take a while on it.

The robot cheerfully informs us that the food will be ready in about twenty minutes, and Obake and I leave for the park. I inhale deeply as we step outside, breathing in the cool night air.

Obake reaches out, his eyes sparkling, and takes my hand.

My cyborg hand.

And he does not flinch, only looks at me, a question in his eyes. I nod, almost imperceptibly, and Obake pulls off my glove, exposing the carbon fiber.

He squeezes it, his hand molding perfectly to mine, and I squeeze back, a rush of something warm and soft pulsing through my veins.

Perhaps this is love.

We walk down the sidewalk in silence, silhouetted in the moonlight, until we reach the park. Cherry blossom trees line the path, their dusky petals drifting down onto the grass and landing in the pools beside the trees.

"It's beautiful tonight, don't you think?" Obake says softly. "I adore the spring."

"It is," I reply as we walk down the path. Silver light shimmers on the water of the pools, and we cross a small bridge over one of them, walking deeper into the cherry blossom trees.

"You know," Obake murmurs, "I never thanked you."

"Thanked me for what?"

"For being willing to help me with my plan," Obake tells me. "It is a great commitment, and not one that I take lightly. I appreciate it more than you know—and not just because I needed a business partner."

He stops, taking both of my hands and looking into my eyes. "I needed someone to love, Momo."

I am drowning in his eyes, the deep, billowing clouds of his stormy gaze as he finishes.

"And I found her."

"I know you did," I whisper, reaching up to caress his cheek. "You've told me before."

"But my love has not died," Obake says, and he leans in, planting a soft, tender kiss on my forehead. "It only seems right to tell you again."

"It is alright that you have done so," I murmur, allowing the faintest hint of a smile to cross my face as I smooth a lock of Obake's dark hair down. "Because I have only once said it back, and you deserve to hear it every time."

"Oh, Momo," he whispers, and his voice is as soft and sweet as silk. "I never dreamed that I would be fortunate enough to find someone like you."

Obake kisses my forehead again, and then his lips move to my cheek, then my jaw, and I place my hands on his shoulders, pulling him closer as he kisses the hollow of my clavicle, his hand winding into my hair.

"You were going to tell me something," I mumble into his chest as Obake holds me to him, his grip strong and gentle.

His voice is low, husky, but still sweet. "To be honest, Momo, I do not remember it now."

"Neither do I."

Obake steps a little ways off the path, nearer to one of the cherry blossom trees, and I push him farther, pressing his back against the umber bark.

"I do not need to remember," I say quietly. "I have all I need."

And he leans in again, pressing his lips to mine with an intensity that rivals the glow of his beautiful face. I push harder, clutching his wrist as he places a hand to my cheek, wanting this moment to last forever.

Obake wraps his arms around my waist, lifting me into the air, and my lips are crushed against his, his teeth brushing gently against the bottom one. Fire seems to course through my veins, mingling with the brilliant violet glow that threatens to blind me if I open my eyes.

"I love you," he murmurs as he pulls back, and his voice is nearly inaudible, nothing but a wisp of sound on the wind, but I hear it.

"I love you more," I mumble, his breath warm against my lips, his grip relaxing slightly as he sets me back on my feet. My hold on him tightens, and I bring his mouth back to mine, the hunger for that closeness consuming me. We are all that exist, all that matters, and this moment is frozen in time forever.

I cup his face in my hands, press him against the cherry blossom tree, and he breathes his words into my lungs.

"I love you most."

All too soon, our food is ready, and the walk back to the Noodle Burger, then to SFIT, is spent in warm, blissful silence. Obake slips his hand into mine again, but we have to let go when we reach the lab hall.

"Hey!" Tadashi gasps when we come in. His tone is nasal, and he's holding a tissue to his nose. "You're back! I turned Baymax off for now—I might need your help figuring some things out."

"Bloody nose?" Obake asks sympathetically, handing Tadashi the bag with his burger in it.

Tadashi nods. "It's not like it hasn't happened before, though."

He takes the bag with a nod of thanks and gingerly removes the tissue, crumpling it up and throwing it into the trash can in the corner.

"You guys can go home after dinner if you want," Tadashi says as he takes a bite of his noodle burger. "It's already been forever."

"We're staying," I say determinedly. "We said we'd help you, Tadashi, and we will, even if it takes all night."

Obake nods in agreement. "You're our friend, Tadashi. We are not going to abandon you to an all-nighter if we can help it."

Tadashi smiles. "You guys are the best."

And so begins the all-nighter—once the burgers are gone, the testing picks back up. Obake continues to analyze the personality chip, and I help hold Baymax down when he flies out of control.

After several unsuccessful tests, I have a splitting headache and Baymax has knocked the power out. In the darkness, Obake falls asleep on Tadashi's desk, and I sit in a rolling chair, watching Tadashi shine a flashlight at the robot.

"I'm not giving up on you," he whispers. "You don't understand this yet, but people need you. So let's get back to work."

I barely hear his words, I'm so tired, but they resonate with me. I wonder if people need me the way they need Baymax, the way they need Tadashi. I have never felt a desire to be needed, but now I wonder what it would be like if no one wanted me.

The darkness is soft, comforting, and I fall asleep, waking up a few times in the night. The third time this happens, Tadashi is kneeling in front of Baymax, crying softly. I wonder if I should get up, but another silhouette moves through the darkness, dropping to his knees beside Tadashi.

"Tadashi," Obake whispers. "Do not despair. I will help you, and we will figure out how to make this work."

A sniff. "Thanks, Obake. But I feel really bad for making you and Momo stay so late."

"It is no trouble. You are my friend, after all."

Tadashi sighs. "Can I talk to you about something?"

"Of course."

"I don't know what to do about Momo."

Evidently, both boys think I'm still asleep. I think about revealing myself to them, but I want to hear what they have to say.

"Why is that?" Obake asks, his voice low, guarded.

"She doesn't like me," Tadashi laments. "I think she likes you. It's pretty obvious—she never spends time with me anymore, and I really wanna ask her out, but she's always with you or busy with studying or something. I don't know what to do—Momo's the only girl I've ever really loved."

Those words do more than just resonate with me. They drive a burning spike into my frozen heart.

"I know she sees you as more than a friend, too," Obake says softly. "You're right about me, but surely you know that you mean more to her than just another friend."

"I don't know," Tadashi whispers. "There's no way she loves me the way I love her. She doesn't even want my help getting her blades back anymore."

"That is because she cares about you," Obake insists. "It's not because she doesn't want you around, Tadashi. Momo fears that you will be in danger—she cannot bear the thought of that happening, and that, I think, is proof enough that she does love you."

He's not wrong, I realize. Obake isn't just trying to say what Tadashi wants to hear. He is telling Tadashi what he truly thinks about my feelings for both of them.

And he is right.

I have forgotten about Tadashi lately, cast him to the side in favor of Obake. But, suddenly, I can no longer put out of my mind the image of that kind, sweet, bumbling idiot who accompanied me on all those blade-hunting missions, who pushed down his fears to help me, who brought me Thanksgiving dinner and helped me limp back home from the docks and never wanted me to be alone.

My heart is pounding as I watch the two boys I love huddled together on the floor, their silhouettes starkly outlined against the glow of Tadashi's flashlight.

They are both so noble, so selfless, so kind. So unlike me that it is a miracle I even became friends with them, let alone fell in love twice over.

I wonder if my life would be easier if they weren't in it.

Morning comes, golden light streaming through the lab window, and I am pulled out of sleep by a robotic voice.

"Hello! I am Baymax, your personal healthcare companion."

A moment of stunned silence, and then Tadashi is running around the room, whooping in delight and yelling, "You work! You actually work! I knew it, I knew it, I knew it!"

I open my eyes as Tadashi stands back, spreading his arms in front of Baymax. "Scan me."

"Your neurotransmitter levels are elevated. This indicates that you are happy."

"I am!" Tadashi says joyfully. "I really am!"

He beams at the robot. "That's all for now. I am satisfied with my care."

Baymax deflates, folding up into his little red suitcase, and Tadashi turns to me, grabbing my hand and dragging me out of the chair. "Momo! You're awake! Did you see that? He works! He really works!"

He grabs Obake's hand too and pulls us both into a hug. "Thank you so much, you guys! I couldn't have done this without you."

Obake pats Tadashi on the back, looking exhausted but happy. "I'm glad it finally worked."

"What was wrong?" I ask as Tadashi releases us, still beaming like the rising sun.

"It was a glitch in the chip," he says. "I can't believe it took us that long to find it, but Obake caught it and overrode the coding. And Baymax works now! I can present him at the open house at the end of the year!"

The bell rings suddenly, and I realize with a jolt that we still have to go to school today—it's Friday, not the weekend. That's terribly annoying.

"I have to go to class!" Obake gasps, looking at his watch. "Sorry, guys—I will see you later!"

He dashes out of the lab, scooping up his backpack on the way out, and I'm left alone with Tadashi, who is suddenly blushing a bright, obvious pink.

"I apologize for falling asleep," I say awkwardly.

"No, that's okay," Tadashi insists. "Just…thank you. Thank you for everything."

He plants a swift but tender kiss on my cheek and then rushes out of the room and down the hall, his cheeks flaring even brighter.

Then I am standing alone in a sunlit lab as students start to pour through the halls, and I need to get to class, but I can't stop thinking about them.

Both of them.

Being in love is awful, I decide. I shouldn't have feelings for both of them! It is not practical. It is not logical.

And it is tearing my iron heart in two.