Ongoing PSL - In-game setting

[itshilarious]

"You say that you're no good for me, cause I'm always tugging at your sleeve--"

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[podskill]

[ If 9S has no idea, then 2B feels she's done her job adequately. 9S isn't supposed to know about how she feels about their arrangement, mainly because he isn't supposed to know about their arrangement at all. Even in the midst of the afterglow (if it can even be called that), the slow, steady realization that 2B will have to carry out her prime directive sooner rather than later begins to sink in. It makes her hold him a little more tightly as he trembles, and she silently vows that the next time (and the next, and the next, and the next), she will be more careful. She'll be more distant, to spare him the suffering that she can't guarantee to circumvent at the end of this cycle. 2B silently vows that this will be the first cycle and the last cycle where any of this happens, burying the tenderness she feels deep inside of her core files, never to be accessed again.

Heat begins to prick at the back of her eyes, but nothing comes of it. Her resolve is hardened steel even as he presses his mouth to her temple, the action almost akin to his hacking into her and tearing her apart from the inside. 2B feels the flower in her hair, still in place even after their frenzied movements, and takes a deep breath before she turns her head to face him, watching his face.

She wonders how she'll deal with the ache she feels every time she drinks in his features. She watches his emotions flicker across his face, reading and committing every single one to memory, vowing never to forget this 9S. Her Nines. Even if he won't ever remember this.

Gently, she reaches up to bring a palm to the side of his face, lightly smoothing her thumb along his cheekbone. When he speaks, she listens intently, half-expecting him to say what he wants to... But infinitely grateful when he doesn't.

This is already painful enough. ]

... I know, [ She responds, and she means it. ] Androids are hardwired to feel affection through combat and combat-related operations. I apologize for breaking your hips the last time, too.

[itshilarious]

[ He isn't certain if 2B is just having a hard time coming down from things, or if this is still just strange ground to cover. It is for him, too, knowing that they have this relationship blossoming and it's so new and strange. But it's exciting, and when he reminds himself that he is hers and she, his, his smile gets a little bit brighter. Blissful ignorance. ]

[ His eyes flicker, back to his gentle, personable self when she caresses his cheek. His hand cups over hers, keeping it there. 9S feels his face flush a bit, and he only briefly looks away. ]

Honestly?

I'm... Not even mad about that. You could have done it again, and I still wouldn't be mad.

[ He laughs, looking back at her. Smile meek and timid. ]

Kinda... Liked it. You're the only one who doesn't treat me like I'm fragile. Obvious specs aside. I'm pretty sturdy.

[podskill]

[ 2B can see what 9S is thinking just from looking at his face, and the irony of her thought processes in comparison to his is not lost on her. She's again put in a place where she wants to scream and to cry, but she does neither.

Instead, she takes shelter in his smile. She loses herself in it, though she doesn't mirror it. She can't. Not in good conscience. When his hand covers hers, she shifts upwards, once again looming over him... But this time, there are no insults or taunts to be had. Instead, she leans upwards and plants a light, gentle kiss to his forehead, her brow furrowing at what she knows she's going to have to do to him sooner or later. ]

You should get your self-preservation processes serviced. I'm not the only thing that can break you in half, especially here.

[itshilarious]

[ 9S shuts his eyes as she kisses his brow, committing the gesture to memory. Affection from 2B is intoxicating, and he wants more of it. More of her, more of this. To feel loved and love someone. And he does love her. 9S becomes more certain of that with every passing second. He smiles, reaching to cup her face in his hands. He could stay like this forever, honestly. ]

They're fine, I promise.

Logically, I know I'm not built like you. But I've held up and stayed alive this long, right? That's gotta count for something.

[ His thumb brushes along her cheek, lingering there as he tilts his head, their noses brushing. ]

2B...

[ God. He just... The overflow of love and care in the afterglow is infectious. 9S cranes his neck, delicately pressing his lips against hers. ]