Chapter Text
It's already been a couple of days since the crew had their big break with the Militech job. Eddies were good, so they decided to take some days off, lay low, with exception of personal gigs. Kiwi heard from her acquaintances in Lizzie's that Crow took on a job right after their Afterlife party, but since then he disappeared. No new messages from him in the crew's group chat, no mentions from Rebecca or Lucy - the only two people on the team she could call friends. And Kiwi - she couldn't gather the courage to call him herself. Her handmade emotion dampening implant helped, replacing that stupid, unnecessary anxiety with simply wondering 'What's going on with him?', but even then something stopped her. Some part of her, something deep, tugging at her heartstrings - those that were left. But this shitty status quo couldn't go on. Even if they had personal issues, as a part of one crew they would have to work together sooner or later - better to just rip that band aid off.
She knew she screwed up, she kept digging, going where she shouldn't have. Judging by their talk with Zero, Crow left Militech in less than perfect circumstances.
'You blame yourself; I get it. For Hawk. For that situation.' - Why is he blaming himself? What was 'that situation', and who was Hawk? Well, Hawk was most likely a part of Crow's Militech squad, judging by his name. Crow was number six, and Zero's name was Eagle, so that deduction was probably on point. Just like T-Bug said, a real bird fetish. Blaming himself for Hawk, too - was he dead? Was it really Crow's fault?
'I lost people before. Some... are on me.' - On one hand, Kiwi remembered a piece of a convo she had with him. But on the other, were Zero's own words. - 'You did everything you could.' 'He did.' - That was Crow's answer, most likely talking about Hawk. Survivors guilt? He was Night City's native - losing people you care about here is a daily occurrence. To care so deeply as to leave everything behind, whatever happened must've cut him deep.
'Blaming yourself doesn't change things. Doesn't make them better.' - He told her once. Liar. 'Do as I say, not as I do' is bullshit for hypocrites, and Crow was no hypocrite - at least that's how she read him. He was trying to help David, get the kid's mind off Maine's death - help him avoid his own mistakes. 'If you keep blaming yourself for other people's fuckups - you're gonna punch your own ticket 'fore you turn twenty.' - Jesus. With all the info and hindsight she has now, that line makes a whole lot more sense. He was trying to protect the kid from doing something he thought of himself.
'It'll be worth the few more moments we could spend together. And even if I died - I know I would've died for a reason.' - Another memory, another piece of their conversations. That was when he got his legs replaced - when he, without hesitation or even a shadow of a doubt, saved two lives, almost giving up his own in return. 'It's always about the principle.' - So that's where your credo comes from, huh. Protect your friends, your loved ones - even if it costs you your life. Because death is better than the alternative, because he can't bear to lose another person he cares about.
And the most difficult part for Kiwi to admit was now obvious - he cared about her. Yes, there was an attraction, they had sex, but she never thought of it as something more, something other than them using each other to satisfy their needs and let off pressure of their lives. He asked her once - what was it that was going on between them, but she avoided the question, deflected it, as she usually did when a conversation began turning awkward. That goddamned implant made her blind to obvious things - but did she dare to turn it off? Maybe it was worth the shot.
But first, she has to find him. Obvious answer - his place in Megabuilding 4. Too obvious, probably - he was unlikely to be there in the middle of the day. Where else could he be? - That's when it dawned on her. She basically didn't know anything about him. His hobbies, his usual haunts, his friends - nothing. And instead of acting like a normal person and slowly getting to know him better, she jumped straight into the fire, rummaging through his skeleton-filled closet. I'm such a fucking gonk. Alright, another sour revelation, but the question remains the same. Who is he close to? David - definitely, Crow pretty much took over Maine's position as the kid's mentor and emotional support. Pilar - as much as she disliked that gonk, Crow was on good terms with the techie, but was it really enough to hang out together? Falco - the nomad was a free spirit, Kiwi could see that Crow was attracted to that, earning for that same freedom, and judging by their little race they may have some things in common. So, that left her with three choices - ones that she knew of, at least. With him being a Heywood native, his connections with Padre and Valentinos, he might be hanging out with some of his old friends, if he even had those still. Somewhere like Coyote Cojo, perhaps - but that path was closed to her. Trying to find him there would be like looking for a needle in a haystack, and attract unnecessary attention. Alright. Lucy first. Why? Calling David to look for her input would be weird.
[Hey, Luce.]
Start casual. Don't sound desperate.
[Kiwi! Hey. You wanted something or just wanna chat?]
Well she definitely sounds chipper. And as of late, one source of her happiness was taking over more and more of her time.
[Just a quick-quick-question. David with you?]
[Yep. Watching movies at his place. Had to sit through Bushido 9, but I got my romcom in the end.]
A-and bingo. You're getting predictable, Lucy.
[Romantic comedies, really? Didn't know you were a fan.]
[Seeing David cringe is worth it. Did something come up, need his help?]
[Nah. Guessing Crow's not with you, then.]
A little obvious, but maybe they saw him on their way to their little love nest. Ew, no. Don't think about the kids love life. It was Kiwi's turn to cringe now.
[Well, duh. Didn't hear from him in a long time, thought you would know where he's hiding. Wink.]
Really?
[Did you just 'wink' me?]
[Sure did. Well, we don't know where he is.]
[Damn. Ok, have fun, kids.]
A little of her own teasing to get even - Kiwi will not let Lucy one-up her.
[I'm not a...]
The Netrunner hung up when she heard the sigh of frustration.
Well, can cross that one out. Romcoms, jeez. With all the stuff going on between Lucy and David, and her with Crow - might as well film one about their crew. Well, maybe not about Kiwi and Crow - that was more on the tragedy side rather than comedy, but definitely about the kids. Those two lovesick gonks made Kiwi's teeth ache with how sweet they were with each other. Let them have their fun, some day reality will ruin it anyway - that's how things work in Night City.
Next stop on the list was... Ugh, Pilar. Kiwi disliked him - like, really. On the edge of hatred. His antics reminded her too much about her past - his stupid grin, his perverted mind, his wandering hands and crass words. It wasn't his fault, not entirely at least - he is a perv and a gonk, but he never actually made a move on her, so at least he had some idea about boundaries, but she couldn't help herself. Her past was full of men like this - and they went far past the point where Pilar stops. Kiwi hugged her shoulders and shuddered - No, just don't think about it. Stop that train of thought and focus on something else.
Falco. He was her next lead. Too goddamn bad you could never get a hold on him unless he wanted to talk with you - the nomad spent a lot of time in the Badlands outside the city where connection was far from stellar. And when he was in Night City? Well, he was not shy to just hang up on you. Old fucker. David was trying to get Falco to work with the crew full-time, but the jobs they got now were not interesting enough for him, so the nomad kept his Solo status most of the time.
[Falco.]
Silence, as usual.
[Falco, you hear me?]
God fucking damn it, was he out of the city again?
[What.]
Finally.
[You seen Crow?]
[Straight to the point, eh? Yeah, I've seen him.]
Kiwi sighed, lighting up a cigarette. This whole sitch was getting on her nerves.
[Do I need to keep asking stupid questions, or will you spill it already?]
[Eh, he probably won't like me giving him up like that, but fine - autoshop called Max-Imum Pleasure. Know where it is?]
Kiwi rolled her eyes, taking another puff.
[Not a car nerd, so no.]
[Carefull throwing stones out of a glass house, net-nerd. Offshore Street, Northside Industrial District.]
Cheeky bastard. Falco enjoyed the occasional back-and-forth he had with Kiwi. She couldn't exactly say the same, but on some level intelligent and witty exchange was entertaining for her - on rare occasions, and this was not one of them.
[Bum-fuck nowhere, got it. Wait - they called it after a sexshop?]
[Don't ask me.]
Kiwi knew he was smiling after she made him realize it.
[Mind telling me why he 'won't like you giving him up'?]
[Again - don't ask me. Wanna talk with him, I'm not gonna get in the way. But between you and me - he's kinda out of it.]
[Meaning?]
[Just go and fuckin' talk with him.]
The nomad dropped the line.
Great, he's still mad at me. It's not like Kiwi was surprised after hearing the nomad's words, but some part of her hoped that Crow would've calmed down by now. Because if he did, he would be the one to start that conversation, do the proverbial heavy lifting, and the Netrunner would only have to follow it up - she knew this whole thing was eating at him too. Naive, wanted to make it easier on herself - but now she had her destination at least. Time to face the music.
Kiwi got off her Yaiba, placing the helmet on the rear seat. Max-Imum Pleasure - the pink sign above the building told her that she came to the right place. Looking around, she saw a bunch of nomad cars parked both inside and outside with one Tygerclaw Quadra sticking out like a sore thumb, hovering above ground on jack stands - it was missing an engine, at least Kiwi could say she knew that much. Sparks were flying out of one of the closed off garages, while a group of nomads were working on a Mackinaw, and one Valentino-looking guy was busy under a lifted Villefort Alvarado. A real man den. If the 'Samurai' playing from the inside was any indication, Falco gave her the right direction - Crow was here. Samurai are not that popular, right?
Walking in, she felt invisible - even in her pink coat, the guys working were too busy with their rides to pay attention to anyone coming in. Following the sounds of a guitar and vague calls for rebellion, she found him - bent over a car, he was fiddling with something under the hood, while a bulky engine - probably from that Quadra outside - was hanging next to him on an engine stand.
"Come on, third time today!" - The Valentino screamed from under his Villefort, trying to make himself heard between the music and the noise of the shop. It startled Kiwi a little, but she quickly relaxed. It was not addressed to her - she was still invisible.
"I can play 'A Like Supreme' if you wanna." - Crow answered in between of him singing along with Johnny Silverhand. 'Archangel', she remembered - he played it sometimes in his Chevillon.
"Man, you know I don't like Eurodyne." - That man was probably one of Crow's friends, judging by their laid-back banter.
"Exactly. So pipe down, Cesar, we listened to yours last time." - The Edgerunner shot down the Valentino.
Even standing just a couple of steps away, she simply couldn't approach him, say something to him - tripped on the last god damn hurdle. Instead, she looked around the car he was working on - perhaps she could find some common ground, look at what he's interested in. Better late than never.
It was... Old. Before 'Time of the Red' old was her best quess. Boxy body, wide fenders, a low-key spoiler - the most noticeable thing, at least from the back, were four circular lights, inner ones smaller than the outer. It was most likely Japanese, which was a little surprising - Crow's current ride was a Chevillon, so Kiwi thought he preferred American.
"Found this beauty in a god damn junkyard, imagine that. Probably some rich kid got his hands on a priceless fuckin' piece of history, thrashed it, and got rid of it for some new toy." - Crow said, as if talking to himself. - "It's gutted, got some rust and dents, but I'll make something out of her yet."
He got up and faced Kiwi, wiping his hands with some dirty rag. He was dressed simple, just black jeans, an old tee, and busted up sneakers - probably didn't want his nice clothes to get dirty. But his Samurai jacket was there, hanging next to a radio playing songs of it's namesake - he never let the damn thing out of his sight. His face was... Hard to read. Anger and sadness in his eyes - Kiwi guessed those were most likely because of her - but also happiness, with maybe even a dash of pride - all of those, yet nothing concrete. The Netrunner was lost.
"How long were you planning on standing around like that?" - He asked her, wiping away machine oil and grime from his body.
"I wanted to talk." - Kiwi finally broke through her silence. Her tongue was heavy, her throat dry - but the ball was in her court, so she made them work, say something.
"Guessed as much." - He shrugged his shoulders and began putting away his tools. - "What about, though? Seems like you already know a lot about me."
"Can you not be a dick about this?" - Shouldn't have said it like that, but if you want to make it hard for me? Fine.
"Oh, so that's how it is." - He raised his eyebrows, crossing his arms on his chest. Shit. She wanted to put up her icy facade, but she was hopelessly buckling under the pressure.
"Listen, I'm sorry." - She took one step, trying to get closer. Not gonna hug him or anything, especially when he's like... that, but she wanted to close the distance - at least the physical one. - "Can we get out of here? It's really loud."
Crow looked at Kiwi for a few moments, closed his eyes with a sigh, and shook his head. Throwing away the used-up rag, he walked to the wall of the garage, put away his toolbox, picked up his jacket and turned off the music player. He walked past her straight to the Alvarado and the Valentino working on it.
"Ey, Cesar! Tell the boss I'm out for today. And don't let them touch the fucking Quadra, I'm not done with it." - Putting his hand on the bumper, he ducked his head under the car to leave some instructions to his friend before leaving the autoshop, gesturing for Kiwi to follow him.
She meekly began walking behind him, getting outside the autoshop. Wanting to catch his breath for a moment and let the city's breeze wash away the smell of oil and machinery, Crow sat down on the hood of the Tygerclaw Quadra standing outside. He patted the space close to him with his palm, inviting Kiwi to sit with him.
"So, uh... What were you doing there?" - Kiwi began. Something neutral at first, something easy - just to get him talking.
"Working on a new ride. Helps me relax." - He slouched a little, placing his elbows on his knees.
"Been doing it long?" - She asked. Another question, another way to dodge the heavy stuff.
Crow sighed, wiping away the sweat that was still present on his face. The Netrunner guessed that the question she asked was deeper than she thought - it took him some time to answer it. He looked at the shop, the cars around, even at his hands - but not at her. Did he want to answer it? Better question - did she deserve to know? Screw it.
"Since I came back." - He looked up at the sky, his tone heavy, four simple words carrying much more meaning than some might think - she understood what that meaning was.
"Couldn't sleep. The bed was too soft. Or some fucking gonk would start shooting and I... " - He began talking faster, but stopped himself. Didn't want to get too emotional. No, he didn't have PTSD, fuck off. He was just alert - in Night City, that's a good trait to have.
"Worked on the Thrax out in the street at first, but that's not exactly safe. Found this place - the guys here are chill, don't care about you or your rides, but you gotta work on your own stuff and pay for the space and tools - works fine for me." - He took out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter from the inside pocket of his jacket. Took one out, lit it up, and extended an offering hand to her. 'Fields of Green - Strawberry', Kiwi noticed the words written. That's what I... Oh. She silently took one out, and waited for Crow to light it up for her. There was a smile hiding under her mask.
"Familiar brand." - She said nonchalantly, exhaling the smoke.
"Wanted to give it to you after the Militech job. Considering I kept bumming yours." - He answered with a slight smile of his own.
"Thanks. But... You can keep it. Think I owe you at least that much."
"I overreacted. It's just... A touchy subject, and everything happened so fast that day I..." - He began talking quickly again.
"No." - She stopped him. Holding the cigarette in her left arm, she took Crow's hand with her right. - "I... Overstepped. Shouldn't have done that - and I'm sorry. Really."
"Don't get me wrong, but I didn't expect that." - The Edgerunner looked at the Netrunner, the cigarette quickly turning to ash in his hand.
"I get it. I'm not exactly the friendliest person." - She shrugged. It wasn't news for her - Kiwi knew herself, how the people saw her. - "You're not the only one with a shitty backstory."
"Everyone's like that in Night City, I guess." - He wondered aloud. - "City of dreams my ass."
This would probably be the part where he asks her about her past. Why she never replaced the faceplate - until he came around. Why she didn't like talking to people, why she kept her guard up, afraid to be vulnerable, be open - with others and with herself. What was it that scarred her, left its mark in both body and spirit. Why was she so open with her body, and so defensive of her soul...
"So, gonna tell me yours?" - Crow asked, disrupting her train of thought. There it is.
"It's sad and disgusting, I'm warning you." - Kiwi looked at Crow. She was afraid, letting her heart open bare to the world was not something she does, but she hid it well.
"Seen my share of vile shit, not gonna make me faint or anything." - The Edgerunner said. taking another drag.
"Don't say I didn't warn you." - This is it. Going all in - there's no coming back. No way to make him forget. He'll pity you, and you will hate it - but that's just how he is. He will feel bad on your behalf exactly because he cares about you, you dumb gonk. Because he still lo... Enough. Let's just get this over with.
"Don't remember my parents - they gave me away to a factory when I was a kid. The foreman took me in, fed me, gave me a place to sleep. Had to work in exchange, of course, but I survived. When I grew up, he decided that I owed him for that." - Kiwi took a hasty couple of drags of the cigarette - no oxygen, pure nicotine. Something to calm the nerves.
"Did he?.." - Crow asked. She knew what he meant.
"No. He proposed, believe it or not. Got kicked in the balls for that." - She answered the unspoken question.
"Huh." - The Edgerunner smirked. - "Guessing he didn't like that."
"He sold me off to a whorehouse." - Kiwi deadpanned. It was getting too painful, but she had to go on - felt like she owed him that, and he was willing to listen to her. It's supposed to get easier when you talk it out, right?
"Jesus." - One, simple exclamation from Crow to convey it all. Where was he back then?
"Two years. I've spent there two years." - Suddenly, Kiwi felt her fingers burn - the cigarette in her hand was reduced to only the embering filter. Throwing it away, she took another one from the pack laying between them - Crow's. He does care - you only have to believe it. - "One crazy motherfucker tore my jaw off. That's where the faceplate came from, if you wanted to know."
"Holy shit. Did you... Did they use doll chips? Did you... feel it?" - Crow carefully tip-toed around it, but he wanted to know. Unravel the trauma.
"No. Made an implant to numb myself, cut off the emotions and feelings. It was easier this way - to pretend I have a normal life. That everything that happened - was happening - that it was someone else." - Another cloud of smoke escaped her synthetic lips. - "In the end, I learned enough to burn both the factory and the whorehouse down with quickhacks. They didn't take better care of their wiring than they did of me."
"Moved to Night City after that, worked some small gigs until I met Rebecca. She invited me into the crew - said their previous netrunner, Sasha, kicked the bucket, so they needed someone to fill in. I agreed - you know the rest." - It's done. The sob story was over - but even then she felt her eyes beginning to water.
They sat in silence for a few minutes - it was Crow now that held her hand after Kiwi tried to pull away. A connection, warmth of another human being - not their lust, but something deeper, something greater. She felt it even if she didn't want to admit it's existence - and Crow gave it away to her, willingly and without hesitation. She needed it, right at this very moment, when she let her heart out of its icy prison, when she relived her darkest hours. A simple gesture that meant the world.
"I... Don't know what to say. Don't think I should, honestly." - He threw away his cigarette, thumb gliding over her knuckles. - "Know it can be annoying when people pity you, especially when they didn't see half the shit you did."
"Yeah. You're right." - Can't talk any more. Don't have the strength left.
"One question though - that implant... Is it working right now?" - He wanted to know, needed it.
"Turned it off before coming here." - She looked at him now. - "Wanted this, wanted myself - to be real."
Crow looked into Kiwi's eyes - he knew she was telling the truth. They were a little glassy, some redness around them - tell-tale signs of the storm hiding behind them. He wanted to just jump down from the hood, to hug her, to kiss her, to tell her that everything will be okay. But he knew better. Knew her and himself. She didn't want this, not right now. Too raw, too emotional, it would be too much - and he must respect her unspoken wish. So, he simply stood up, picking up the cigarettes with him.
"Want to drink something? Have a feeling you need it." - He offered her.
"Strong and bitter." - She agreed, in a roundabout way. - "But not Afterlife."
"Coyote Cojo it is."
The drive to El Coyote was silent - but at least Kiwi was in her usual place now, front passenger seat. Last time she was here is when she almost ruined it all by sticking her nose where it doesn't belong, with that drive's silence being tense and thick - but now things seemed fine, as fine as they can be after that trauma dump. Small victories. The Netrunner calmed down some, content with watching Night City's hustle and bustle through the window, old memories locked away where they belong - deep in the recesses of her mind, not seeing the light of day. With how tightly he was holding the wheel, she guessed Crow's offer to grab a drink was as much for her as it was for him.
The bar was half-empty and damn near silent, with only occasional conversations in both English and Spanish heard in its corners. Kiwi took a seat at the table, one on the edge of the bar, second floor. Crow went to the bartender, asking him for a bottle of Calavera. Pepe saw him when he entered with Kiwi, saw how they looked - and wordlessly placed the bottle on the table, together with two glasses, nodding his head in acknowledgement, Crow doing the same in gratitude. Such a simple exchange with almost no words needed - only gestures and mutual understanding.
A minute later, the Edgerunner sat down at the table close to the Netrunner, not opposed to her - he wanted to be there for her if needed, with no unnecessary physical boundaries separating them. Only mental ones - and they were working on that. He poured both of them their first shot, and the conversation soon began - slowly at first, careful and deliberate. It was hard to start again after the silence of their ride here - she didn't want to talk about her past, too painful, too overwhelming, and he was afraid to push her too hard. But they made it work, and Calavera was a good lubricant to smooth out their jumbled thoughts. Shot after shot, word after word, they began opening to each other.
"I can be hard to live with. I don't mean to, but I can be... Critical. Sometimes I think I'm just not good for people." - Kiwi said, looking at her glass. She took a sip and put it on the table. - "That it's not good for them to be around me. I wear them down."
"You know, back then - not sleeping." - Crow took the bottle and poured Kiwi another shot. - "Laying awake in my bed, I was thinking. About the choices I've made, people I met on the way. Arrived to the same conclusion."
"You're a damn ray of sunshine compared to me, don't give me this bullshit." - Kiwi pointed at Crow with her finger, holding the glass with the other four.
"It's that darkness inside. It's viscous, and sticky - like tar. You think you will get other people dirty with it, so you stay away." - Crow downed his shot in one go. It made him shiver. - "Ugh. But take it out, and what's you got left?.."
"Nothing." - Another sip by Kiwi. She didn't want to get too drunk, even if she felt like she needed it. Looking at Crow, he was reaching his threshold too. - "People don't change. Sometimes life is too fucked up."
"You're wrong." - He took out a cigarette. A little break from alcohol. - "We can change. Just takes time."
"That's where your principles end up, huh? Give people time so they can fix shit?" - Kiwi felt like she cracked the code, even if in the end it was simple.
"Yep." - Crow smiled, exhaling smoke. - "Got me all figured out."
"But you didn't move on yourself. That Milithech biz got you bad." - Shit, no, I am getting drunk.
"Just ghosts from the past." - He traced his finger on Kiwi's mask. It was no longer a faceplate, but she still wore some pink Kitsch gasmask - she was still protective of her face, her real self. - "We can move on when there is nothing pulling us back." - He put his hand back and looked at her. - "When we break free, we can start over."
Place me in my casket tonight
"You're saying that like it's easy." - Kiwi averted her eyes. Words that Crow said made her think, made the gears in her head spin. It made sense and she hated it - it was infuriating how easy he made it sound, how stupid it made her look. Oh, yeah, just move on from being a sex toy. No, that was unfair, he didn't mean it like that. She didn't want a damn therapy session - even if she needed it.
Because I'm already dying inside
"Is it not? I left Militech, and even if my Squad came back for a moment, that chapter of my life is closed." - Another puff of smoke. - "Painful reminders, guilt for the things I've done, people I left behind - not saying they are gone, these things will haunt me for a long time. But we can't change the past - and if we keep dwelling on it, we won't be able to change the future. What we can do is move beyond its reach." - He moved his hand in a smooth outward motion, as if letting go of something.
"Said it yourself. You burned the factory and the whorehouse down - ask me, that's a helluva way to say 'kiss my ass' to your past." - He wanted to smile, but didn't. Had to see her reaction first, had to know if he was going too far, came off as too insensitive.
Pale skin so cold to the touch
"That did feel good." - She smiled herself. Good, he was getting through to her. - "But why all this then? Just because I didn't ask? Bullshit - you know it still hurts." - She tried to convince Crow just as much as she tried to convince herself. Good old projection.
Like a rose in bloom when we blush
"It hurt exactly because of that." - He turned to look at her, just for a moment. - "Relationships are supposed to be built on trust, you know." - He turned away, didn't want her to see the expression on his face. - "But... I was also afraid."
Dark eyes meet under the sky
"Of what?" - Now it was her turn to be surprised.
The stars are out, we're alive in the night
"That you'll shut me off again." - He looked down at his empty glass, his reflection in it - what a pitiful piece of shit.
My hollow heart finds it too hard to trust
"And why would I do that?" - And yet, she took his hand. So touchy-feely today, why the fuck did I do that? Because her body moved on instinct, because deep down she wanted to comfort the person closest to her without her pesky logic getting in the way.
"I used to be a corpo attack dog, remember?" - He smiled weakly, and looked at her. - "A number."
"And I used to be a joytoy." - She shrugged, trying to make it seem like it didn't bother her - it was a lie. It did. Even as a Netrunner, everyone still just used her. Maybe not for her tits now, but for her cyberdeck - in the end, it was all the same. - "Like you said - we can move beyond our past." - She turned back to look into his eyes. No malice, no lies - he opened up to her, again, the only difference is that she did the same. Because she finally understood that he didn't want to use her. He simply wanted to be with her, however much she would allow him to have - allow herself to give.
"Perhaps we can." - He leaned in. No hesitation now - he was not afraid to make the move because he knew that it was right. The perfect moment. Her cybernetic eyes, her synthetic skin, her fake lips - they didn't matter.
Right now, she was real.
We're all alone until we turn back to dust