castellae | Ongoing PSL - In-game setting

[ In a lot of ways, this confirms something 2B has already known: 9S is far stronger than her, far stronger than she can ever hope to be. His resolve in the face of everything they'd been created for is admirable; she enjoys-- loves-- his curiosity, his willingness to investigate things. His hunger for knowledge. She's met other Scanner models, but none of them catch her attention the way he can.

2B wants to laugh at how pathetic she's being again. ]

If it works for you, it works for you. I wasn't trying to assert that it was wrong. You haven't been decommissioned yet, so Command doesn't see it as a liability, either. [ A half-truth, all things considered. ] I find it... admirable.

[ A small admission in the face of everything, but an admission nonetheless. At what he says next, 2B pauses, stopping in her tracks. The gears of her mind, both literal and figurative, begin to turn, and she fully looks at him for the first time since their encounter in the basement. ]

... So you admit that it was a mistake. [ Not a question. A statement. Her expression gives up nothing, though something about 9S feeling that way... sort of bothers her. ]

[ 9S stops, realizing that perhaps this was not the best way for him to approach the subject. He's realized that he's nearly tongue-tied around 2B half the time, at least lately. His insecurities have gotten the best of him, becoming practically unavoidable. All he thinks about is 2B. What they had done, how he feels about her... Even if the words escape him. ]

[ All he knows is that he doesn't feel so alone and sad around her. It seems like he's nothing but sad and dejected back on the Bunker. And he had been before being assigned to 2B. ]

[ Still, his face colors. Both at the compliment and the question. ]

I--

[ He stares at 2B, seemingly intimidated. ]

Not... Entirely.

I just assumed you felt that way.

[ 2B is used to people looking at her the same way that 9S is. Even behind her visor, her gaze is steady and unreadable, airtight in the way it keeps her thoughts safe from prying eyes. She spends so much time trying not to think about that basement that it eats up the majority of her time. It's almost counterproductive at this point.

2B steps closer to 9S, looking down at him. Her heels afford her a few more inches of height over him, even if she's not that much taller than he is without them. She sees the way color rushes to his cheeks, and she wonders why their creators had found such a function to be necessary.

She also wonders if 9S ever doesn't look like the best thing she's ever seen in a long while. ]

For a Scanner model, you aren't particularly perceptive. [ She knows she's said too much already, but she's tired. This cycle will end regardless, if not by her hand, then by Command's. And it will begin again, and again, and again, until the end of time.

2B doesn't know if she can take it. She allows her brow to furrow; the first sign of emotion she's shown since she'd kissed him in that basement. ]

[ He isn't sure how long it's going to take for him to adjust to 2B's manner of speaking. It seems like she has a surprise for him each time he starts to think he has her figured out. 9S is forced to stop when she approaches him, and a new sense of muscle-memory has kicked in to make him jolt when she comes to close proximity of him. His temperature rises again, pulse-rate spiking ever so slightly. 2B has such a strong effect on him, he's likely sure she'll cause him to implode someday. ]

[ He shifts his gaze for her, chin only slightly tilting to better regard her with the few inches her shoes provide. He tenses, pursing his lips only slightly. ]

I um...

[ She should be wrong. He should be more perceptive. ]

I... Thought I was. We haven't talked about it, and things kinda went on like it never happened.

[ Jesus, it's like looking at her threatens to short his circuits. 9S feels his insides crumble at the furrow of her brow, and he can't help but feel guilty. But he can't be sure either. ]

Was I wrong then?

[ 2B can practically hear 9S' internal processors go into overdrive as she approaches. Some part of her is gratified by this in a strange, twisted way; she's only ever heard him do this for her, and it's only gotten worse in the aftermath of what happened in the basement. She stares at him steadily, listening to him speak.

She knows she's given him nothing to work with. That much is true. ]

How am I supposed to broach the subject? You haven't exactly been forthcoming, either. [ A pause as she considers his question. ]

I don't see it as a mistake. You wanted data. I wanted-- [ you ] -- to assist. It was a natural progression. Or did that mean something else to you? [ It did to her, but like hell is she going to admit that out loud. ]

Edited 2017-04-15 07:23 (UTC)

[ He can't help the way his processes start to over react as she closes their distance. Last time, it has escalated rather quickly, and 9S isn't sure if he's nervous about it happening again or eager. Likely both. Still, he looks like a fish with his lips parted the way they are, at a loss for words initially. 9S looks to the flower he'd given her, what she so willingly put through her hair herself. How could he have truly thought she wasn't interested? ]

[ Data... He just wanted data. That's half-true. The rest of it is hard to put into words, and so 9S struggles. It's because this behavior is ill-advised. Almost banned. It may as well be, but that doesn't seem to deter 9S' feelings from setting his heatsink potentially on fire. ]

It meant... More to me than just data, yeah.

[ He spits it out. Like he should have in the first place, but he can't seem to get this confidence thing down like 2B has it. 9S purses his lips, searching for more words when silence, even brief, starts to bother him. He hesitantly reaches for the flower in 2B's hair, fingers delicately brushing at the petals until they graze along her cheek. Another affectionate gesture he's seen in human intel he's had access to. It's curiosity, as always, that guides his actions. But he can't help the gratification of her delicate features, which seem to cleverly be so disarming given her strength. ]

I'm sorry.

[ His hand retracts. ]

Maybe I should have just asked. It's not... An easy subject to approach, I've discovered.

[ 2B stops at a respectful distance, but she can still hear his internal systems hitch and spur their cooling processes as if she's close enough to touch. As quickly as her furrowed brow appears, it relaxes, leaving her looking as impassive as ever. She knows that putting all of this onto 9S isn't entirely fair; she hasn't exactly brought forth the image of being completely open and upfront about her own feelings on the matter, either.

At what he says next, she tilts her head slightly. She's coming to grips with the idea that it meant more than just Intel gathering for her, too, though that isn't to say that she knows exactly what her reasoning behind doing it was.

2B is being earnest when she asks what she does next. ]

If not for data, then for what?

[ Her voice is still soft eveb as his hand grazed her cherk, and she finds herself leaning into the gesture. She lifts her hand as his moves away, intending to hold it... But thinks better of it, lowering it as he does the same. When she speaks again, it's barely a whisper. ]

None of this makes sense.

[ While 2B expressed herself in an impassive manner, 9S wears his heart on his sleeve. There's a clear level of confusion yet care in his gaze, even shrouded behind his visor. He purses his lips, wrinkles his nose ever so slightly when the desire to touch her again seems to interrupt his processing. He could analyze this all day and night, but would it bring any decent results? Or would it just leave him forever confused? ]

[ He wonders if these kinds of feelings caused confusion for humans, too. ]

There's a correct explaination somewhere. I just haven't found it yet.

[ Timid and essentially broken down, 9S looks down to his feet. ]

All I do know is that once... Wasn't enough. I haven't stopped thinking about it, and I've already processed the entire thing from start to finish. Any data I've gathered has just been reviewed over and over. As if I'll find new answers, and I haven't.

Edited 2017-04-15 18:25 (UTC)

[ 2B watches 9S intently, familiar enough with his mannerisms by now to know when he's stuck on analyzing new data. She can't see his eyes behind his visor, but she knows him well enough to accurately guess at the expression he's making, the subtle movements behind the blindfold confirmation enough of her assumptions. An overwhelming sense of calm washes over her the more she watches him, and she vaguely wonders if it's always been this way.

She can't say that she isn't confused. Conflicted as she is, 2B is well aware of how these emotions could potentially prove themselves to be a liability. On the other hand, however, she's well aware that she can't run from them for much longer. ]

I'll leave the analytics to you, then, and you can tell me once you sort them out. [ She says gently, turning away from him. ]

... You're closer to understanding this than I am. But are you implying something by saying that it wasn't enough?

[ First and foremost, 9S is a Scanner model. Top of the line, actually. His analytical side is likely far more efficient than those who share his model. That was intentional, even if he doesn't know that. To gather useful Intel requires a certain level of skill, and given that he was assigned an executioner model to watch him? It's only natural that he gathers things other androids wouldn't. This is all beyond 9S' awareness or even control, which seems to tie in to his persistent demise. ]

[ He doesn't know any of that. But he does know one thing: he's grown incredibly dependent of 2B's company. What they shared in that dingy basement seems to have increased the need for her. Admitting that is terrifying-- Not for himself, but for what consequences may come from 2B's reactions. Because of this, he hesitates. But he's matter-of-fact. He's built that way. Delaying the inevitable is pointless, and he has no choice but to accept one consequence over the one that may follow his denial. ]

[ So he answers, response carried in that analytical, matter-of-fact tone that he honestly feels he's terrible at. Especially in times like these. ]

I could dance around implications all day, but that's doing us no favors. What happened, happened.

[ Another shrug, and 9S decides that maybe he should start walking towards this signal before he goes insane standing still. Though he'd rather continue to stay close to her. 9S passes 2B as he speaks, a breeze following him. ]

I'm saying that I want to do it again. Because I felt something beyond basic physical stimuli. And I liked it.

Dunno if you did, too. I can analyze you forever, 2B. But I can't speak for you.

[ 2B was given only a brief dossier on 9S when she'd been assigned to him; it had only told her of his specs and capabilities, nothing more. It had made no mention of the way he smiled, the way he laughed, the way he seemed to light up a room simply by being in it. As such, nothing could have prepared 2B for the way he struck her, crawled under her skin and practically embedded himself in her circuitry. She had been created to destroy him and keep him in check, but she highly doubts that their creators would have banked on him doing the exact same thing to her every time she watches the life fade from his eyes.

In the brief periods between his death and reactivation period, 2B wonders if she'll go insane, much like some of the other executioner units that she's met. She wonders if the guilt will slowly wear her away until nothing is left but the perfect YoRHa soldier image that she's become so adept at projecting. Her sister models seem incapable of striking a balance between being coldblooded killers and androids driven half- or fully mad with grief and guilt, and considering how killing 9S feels at present, 2B isn't entirely sure what's in store for her if she ever has to stop.

It's gotten to the point where she's sure that there's no her without 9S by her side. It's because of that that she wears the flower in her hair, and it's because of that that she hangs on to his words, lapsing into silence and following after him as he moves. ]

... Understood, [ She ventures after a short while, her tone flat and lacking inflection. After several moments of silent walking, she speaks again. ] But I believe we should set some ground rules. Any... contact made of that nature should be away from prying eyes, in areas with poor reception.

[ 2B speaks almost clinically, as if they're discussing combat tactics. ] I will take care not to damage you as I did during our initial bout. Carelessness won't serve us well in an arrangement like this.

Edited 2017-04-16 04:08 (UTC)

[ Given 9S' programming, it's only natural that he's developed a sort of unique personality to those who share his model. His curiosity and initial setup granting him insight to what he's meant to scan has made him gentle, sensitive. Perhaps it's because of his natural obsession with humans that he's grown a desire to be much like one. And perhaps that's why he's grown naturally attached to 2B. Even with her mannerisms and caution, he merely sees it as her personality. Not a designated behavior embedded into her OS. Though he supposes both work in tandem to make her her.]

Roger that.

[ There's something to be said about how mechanical the discussion becomes, despite the topic. And though 9S tries to maintain a similar attitude, he can't help how he struggles to get that agreement out. His face is incredibly warm, especially in realizing that they're discussing a sexual relationship as if they're speaking about a mission. The emotion-riddled 9S rubs the back of his neck, feeling rather timid despite his tone. ]

I wouldn't worry about my physical stability. At least not too much. They were able to salvage some better, reinforced replacements. Nothing wrong with being cautious, though.

[ He agrees about the privacy. About being away from a signal that Command could catch. 9S continues beside 2B, lips pursed as he stares at the ground. ]

We'll place our Pods in standby. I can cease any and all data collection during that particular activity. One file won't make the Commander react too much, but if she questions, I can sell it as intel. That's... what it partially was at least.

You...

Sure about this? If you don't feel the same way....

Edited 2017-04-16 04:37 (UTC)

[ 2B can't believe how much she wants him to touch her again. She finds herself craving it, and though she does her damnedest not to think about what happened between them in the basement, the thought makes her lubricant ducts activate in spite of herself, leaving her slick and shaking late in the night, mere feet away from 9S' bed in their shared lodgings. It's part of the reason why she's been throwing herself into combat with any machines that happen to be nearby, regardless of whether they're hostile or not. It does absolutely nothing to abate the gnawing ache that occurs between her legs, but it's better than standing around and hoping it goes away.

She notes the flush of his face, and part of her finds it endearing. Still, she doesn't crack a smile, instead opting to sidle closer to him by degrees, keeping time with his footsteps and staring straight ahead. Some strange, irrational part of her wants to grab his hand and hold it, but she doesn't. It's too risky, doing something like that out in the open. The flower remains securely tucked behind her ear, its faint fragrance gently wafting around her head; its presence soothes her in much the same way 9S' voice does, and 2B breathes deep before speaking. ]

We can't have them thinking you're accident-prone. Just in case they decide to decommission you or send you back up to the Bunker for fine-tuning. [ She speaks partially from a place of worry; while 9S has never exhibited outward signs of malfunctioning, it's not unheard of for Earth to have adverse effects on androids, particularly newer, less hardy models. 2B notes that he's trying to keep pace with her, and she shakes her head. ]

You don't have to pretend to treat it like this if it's not how you feel. Speak freely. [ It's an order, much like a superior gives to soldiers beneath their command... But it comes from a place of affection, even if 2B isn't particularly forthcoming with emotional matters. ]

... If I didn't feel the same way, I would have denied you outright. Or is that what you want?

[ Despite the mechanical manner of speaking about their arrangements, 9S feels a surge of energy to it. A thrill. There's a combination here: the fact that this is wrong, that they could easily get caught and reassigned or worse. But 9S finds himself more focused on the fact that he'll be able to feel close to her. He hasn't quite figured out what that feeling was that he had experienced... Joy? Elation? Love? There are so many words that at make sense on paper, but when they're spoken, he can't be certain. Not that he speaks about it. At least not around 2B. ]

[ But Pod 153 can only provide unbiased observations. And it's likely a bad idea to ask for courtship advice from a support pod. ]

[ As 2B closes a number of distance between them, he can't help but turn his glance. At least a little. Not by much, but there is enough lacking in their distance that he can feel her heat. Their hands don't connect, but his knuckle incidentally bumps at her wrist. ]

I'll be careful. Now that I know what my limitations are, it's less likely I'll need a full lower-body replacement again.

[ That, he chuckles at. Despite himself. ]

A-And I don't... Want that. No. I just--

[ He sighs. ]

Nevermind. Forget I said anything. I have no idea what I'm doing, and I don't want to screw this up. I'm happy with the outcome.

[ They're closer to the signal they had been chasing previously, but somehow? 9S' attention is shifted elsewhere. Particularly to their arrangement and the fact that 2B has essentially given the go-ahead for him to touch her again. He hasn't been able to get that out of his mind once. Not once. And it's caused manly restless nights. Sleep isn't required for an android, but recharging is always recommended. He's done the bare minimum, but not without difficulty. ]

[ His gaze shifts to her again, particularly when he smells the flower in her hair. He smiles a bit, touched that it remains there. And it compliments her features, though they're naturally perfect to begin with. But this gives a quality to her. As if... She's his. ]

[ He certainly belongs to her. Or he wants to. ]

There are plenty of places with little to no reception. Can't imagine finding a hideout to be all that hard...

We also can't jeopardize YoRHa operations here because of our arrangement. But I think that goes without saying.

[ 2B keeps her tone professional even as they make their way down into the crater in the middle of the city, using their pods to gently descend to the bottom. She doesn't want to think about forgetting what 9S has to say, but she doesn't argue. Instead, she offers reassurance in her own way. ]

I'm out of my element, too. We'll just have to play this by ear.

[ As they land, she rests on her knee for a second before standing, walking towards the waypoint he'd placed on the map. 2B hasn't noticed his lack of rest, but that's only because she's been doing her best not to pay too much attention to him in general. ] You aren't alone in not wanting to ruin this, though.

[ She's speaking honestly, and it shows in her tone. It's softer now that they're at the mouth of the cave within the crater. 2B stops at the entrance, waiting for him to get closer. The flower in her hair gently rustles in the breeze emanating from within the cavern, the only sound coming from the rush of water around their feet and the distant clanging of machine movement within the darkness. ]

... What do you want to attain from this?

[ He follows closely, as he always does. 9S feels plenty of doubts and is likely nervous enough for the two of them. But he maintains a demeanor that suggests otherwise, at least while they're technically under the watchful eye of yoRHa. 9S lands with a delicate huff shortly after 2B, standing upright and dusting himself off. ]

Really?

Huh. I never really took you as someone who felt insecurities. Given the circumstances, I shouldn't be surprised. It's basically uncovered ground we're tackling.

[ He pauses, walking closely beside 2B through the cavern. ]

Attain? Uh...

[ 9S ponders, putting his hand to his chin. He's genuinely considering an answer, analyzing the feelings and thoughts that go behind their arrangement. And though he's still nervous as all hell, he keeps that analytical side to prevent him from losing his mind. ]

I... Don't know. Humans who maintain frequent intimacy often end up a couple. I know there are androids up in the Bunker who are in relationships.

If... That's something you're into.

[ He literally knows no other way to ask. ]

Edited 2017-04-16 05:18 (UTC)

[ 2B stares at him through the murky darkness of the cavern for several seconds before turning her gaze ahead of her, assuring that no machines are lying in wait for their arrival. ]

Being self-assured doesn't make me immune to doubt, especially on uneasy footing, [ She responds coolly, drawing her weapon and rushing ahead to dispatch a small group of hostiles that drops down from the ceiling. She waits for him to catch up before resheathing her blade, the heels of her boots splashing in the shallow water.

She weighs what he says next, mulling it over. As they turn down a previously undiscovered fork in the cavern, she speaks. ]

I thought we already had such an arrangement.

[ There's no doubt or sheepishness in her voice; it's a simple statement of fact. I guess she already saw you as her boyfriend, 9S. ]

[ 2B often skips ahead to clear out any hostiles. Most of the time, she takes them all out before he can even attempt to provide support. This is one of those times. His Pod prepares for fire, but 2B hacks through the machines that block their path with a quick swiftness. He could never feel unsafe around 2B, even if he'd love to provide support more often. It's not in his model, but he manages. ]

[ At the very least... He can't help but notice the certain rush he feels when she takes out so many machine lifeforms at once. Without maintaining a scratch, it seems. ]

[ But it's not the visual of her mercilessly destroying their enemies with a simple swing. It's not the way her skirt seems to fly upward and expose the best parts of her. No, it's the answer she gives that catches 9S completely off-guard. Once their path is silent and cleared, he's left staring like a deer in headlights. ]

W... We had?

[ A pause. ]

I-I mean, of course! Yeah!

It only makes sense, right? We're close, we've been closer... Lately, and--

[ He rubs at the back of his head, staring at 2B. ]

Really?

[ 2B has always known that 9S has complemented her skillset; the fact that he isn't a combat model means very little in terms of his usefulness. It's widely known that combat units are a dime a dozen, and it's because of that that she'd initially risked life and limb to protect him... only for him to prove to her that that wouldn't be necessary in the slightest. She's been hacked before and knows its devastating effects, and knowing that 9S is built for that sort of warfare is equal parts thrilling and terrifying.

She knows she has nothing to worry about when 9S is around... save for his possibly getting injured. Even then, chances of that are slim.

At his questioning, she turns her head to look over her shoulder at him, arching a brow behind her visor. ]

Haven't we? Our relationship meets all of the criteria you've listed. Would I have said it if I'd thought otherwise? [ 2B asks, her tone both dry and vaguely incredulous.

Their walking eventually leads them to a small hovel surrounded by a field of flowers that seem to light up the pitch black cavern, prompting 2B to resheathe her weapon. The ceiling of the cavern extends far above them, thick layers of stone and dirt providing a tiny, enclosed space deep under the earth.

Stepping into its center, she takes stock of their surroundings. ]

Does someone... live here?

[ 2B is more matter-of-fact than he. The attempts that 9S has made to come off as casual and aloof for the sake of appearances have fallen pretty flat. And 2B's apparent assumption of them having been a couple is proof of that. He had no idea, nor did he think she was even interested in going this far. It goes against so many protocol, and 2B is all about protocol and efficiency. ]

[ So it's really no wonder that he feels completely flustered and tight in the stomach. She's... His girlfriend, then? That makes him a boyfriend. Which means that his courtship attempts had worked. It seemed so simple data-wise, but in execution? His confidence had taken a complete nosedive. He was certain she had no interest, and it just goes to show he'd be better off flat-out asking questions. ]

[ Despite himself, 9S smiles meekly, keeping close to 2B. There's that desire to grab her hand, to express himself with affection, but he holds off for now. ]

It's one thing to meet criteria, I can't just assume that you're on board if I've never asked but...

[ He chuckles. ]

Like I said, I'm happy with the outcome. We'll go from there.

[ Wow. He's a boyfriend. That's... Wow. ]

[ 9S stops as they reach a destination, one that he hadn't quite expected. This seems a touch far off from the signal that he had located, but... It seems that's on the back-burner for now. And he's fine with it. Especially in discovering a new location. He takes a look around, zooming in on every aspect that he can to take mental stock of the area. ]

It looks to have been inhabited recently. More than likely current. I'm detecting dips in the dirt that suggest someone having sat there frequently. Or lay there.

Or...

Placed a vehicle there.

[ He kneels down, trying to determine what exactly has been living here. He glances around, taken aback by the large expanse of flowers. ]

It's... Beautiful, actually.

[ To 2B, any designation for their relationship is illogical; no titles seem to work for them, so why bother? The only logical course of action would be to refer to their relationship as... whatever it is that 9S seems to be pointing to, because it makes the most sense. He's keeping closer to her and she knows it, and she makes it a point to not pull too far ahead of him.

Honestly, if he were to grab her hand now, she likely wouldn't mind. Especially since they seem to be in a secluded area, far away from prying eyes or ears. She lets 9S talk as she examines their surroundings, walking towards the small hovel. There doesn't seem to be anything there of worth; piles of junk and old cloth are piled one upon the other, with ancient artifacts of a civilization long gone. She assumes 9S will be interested in seeing all of it, but she focuses instead on his words. ]

A vehicle... [ 2B murmurs, turning back to the field. Her partner is right. The flowers are beautiful, luminous in the darkness with an eerily serene inner glow. Kneeling down, 2B gingerly grasps the petal of one, immediately recognizing them as Lunar Tears upon closer inspection. ]

Someone has to be tending to these. [ She says, gently resting her weight upon her heels. ] It doesn't seem like they've been here for a bit. I wonder if it's an android, or something else...

[ She raises her gaze to 9S, measuring her words before speaking. ]

We don't need to leave immediately, if you don't want to.

[ 2B understands the weight of what she says as she says it, letting her words hang heavily in the air as they leave her lips. Unlike 9S, she isn't going to openly admit to how badly she wants him, but she knows he's smart enough to know what she's getting at. ]

[ 9S seems to gather up his calm, for the time being, in presence of the glowing flowers. He takes in every last detail, from the smell of the air to the warmth he feels with his knees against the petals. He's careful not to crush any of them, observing them much as 2B does. ]

[ He's about to say something about where they are, perhaps get started on digging around to see what he can find. But something 2B says catches him off guard, seemingly ridding him of that newly-retaken calm to replace it with something else. 2B is absolutely right to assume that 9S is smart enough to get where she is going. Though he pauses, it only takes him a moment to gather courage to speak on that. ]

[ 9S looks around them, left and right, taking stock again of the area as if he's pondering. His gaze then shifts back to 2B, lips pressed in a delicate line, despite the way his cheeks color yet again. ]

Pod, suspend data collection feature and activate standby-mode.

Acknowledged.

[ Without questioning, without bother, Pod 153 shuts down, lowering itself in a dark corner. That, to 2B, should translate to an agreement. ]

Edited 2017-04-16 06:48 (UTC)

[ 2B wants to smile, though she doesn't understand why. Watching 9S' pod enter standby mode sends a thrill up her spine, struck like a match stick along its length. She almost absentmindedly sets her own Pod to follow suit as she watches 9S from behind her visor, not once verbalizing her own anticipation as she watches that lovely flush rise to his cheeks.

This is wrong, and she knows it. 2B wonders if that's the reason why she wants it so badly.

9S' eagerness certainly isn't lost on her, either, and it heartens her, prompting her to stand up and begin to undo her visor. She can't afford to have it short again; there's no convincing lie that she can fabricate towards Command in order to acquire a replacement. She doesn't meet 9S' eye as she sets it gently upon the ground, moving to untie the bow holding her skirt in place and allowing it to fall to the ground, pooling around her ankles.

With her skirt out of the way, she raises her eyes to 9S' face, her expression unreadable in the half-light cast by the Lunar Tears. She's come this far, but even so... It feels better to have him make the first move. ]

[ They continue to carry on in a very mechanical fashion, but 9S finds nothing wrong with it. He stands almost in tandem to his partner, eyes not once leaving her as she shuts down her Pod and works to move things along. It's quiet, it's heavy, and though 9S looks fragile in the sense that he so easily colors, his expression is rather calm. ]

[ That is, until 2B unties her skirt and visor, letting them create a pile upon the floor. The slightest, most delicate of smiles graces his lips, though there may be a touch of deviousness to it. Only slight. He's far from ballsy yet. But he'll get there. ]

[ His visor comes next, where he sets it neatly upon the ground as he slowly approaches her. It doesn't take him long to realize that her pause and lengthy gaze seems to serve as an invitation. He takes off his gloves, dropping them to the ground, hesitant when he closes their distance. He could move things along quickly, give in to the excitement that completely captivates him, but they're in no present danger or hurry. Not this time. ]

[ He reaches for her cheek, hand delicately pressed there until fingers ghost over her ear. It touches the flower she'd placed there previously, prompting a delicate sigh from him. ]

[ His desire to be as humans are, to experience life as it were, dictates his gestures. 9S has no idea what he is doing, or whether or not anything he's learned will work, but he wants to try. Especially in discovering he's apparently a boyfriend now. He should do as he's read. And so, his brow presses against hers, noses touching as his voice falls to a whisper. ]

You... You're incredibly beautiful.

[ Complimenting is sexy, right? Expressing adoration and need falls under acceptable behavior, yes? ]

[ Either way, if it doesn't work out too well, he's at least got the next part started to keep her distracted from laughing at him. 9S reaches for buttons down the side of 2B's top, carefully working his way through them. His lips press along her temple, ghosting at her ear and the curve of her jaw. ]

[ 2B isn't even entirely sure how humans got this to work, but she's willing to give it a try with 9S. Whether this is stilted or not is beyond her, as it never occurred to her what the "proper" way of going about such a strange act would be. A pregnant silence descends upon them in the small cavern, but there's nothing uncomfortable about it; the tension that coils around the both of them is anticipatory and almost suffocating in the most euphoric way possible.

Seeing 9S' eyes is always disarming to 2B, who's long since grown used to never seeing them from behind his visor. They're a steely blue, much like her own, but somehow more beautiful than any other android's. 2B drinks in the sight, her expression soft and gentle, standing stock-still as he moves towards her. She feels as if she's sprouted roots into the ground, tethering her in place. Something inside of her tells her to take her time with this. To savor it. After all, she doesn't know if she'll ever have this kind of opportunity again.

2B allows herself to lean into his hand when his palm caresses her cheek, eyelashes fluttering as his fingertips graze the flower at her ear. She closes her eyes, gently lifting a hand to cover his as she turns her head, experimentally brushing her lips against his palm and wrist.

At his compliment, 2B halts. She doesn't know how to respond to that. She opens her eyes and looks into his, slightly elevated by her heels. How would he want her to respond? She doesn't want to discourage him, but... ]

So... are you? [ She responds. It's slightly stilted, and her expression is one of mild confusion. Regardless, the gesture doesn't go unappreciated. She makes a soft noise, halfway between a grunt and a moan as his lips find her temple, her eyes closing again as she holds his hand to her face. Tilting her neck away from him gingerly, she begins to undo the snaps and buckles holding his coat closed with a deft swiftness, her movements smooth and precise. Her gloved fingers gently cradle the back of his bare hand as she presses earnest, slightly rough kisses along the underside of his palm and wrist, teeth lightly grazing his dermal layer as she attempts to open his coat. ]

Edited 2017-04-16 08:11 (UTC)

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject