Chapter Text
A few days later, A2 steps into the sun-dappled room of the building they now call home, and she sees them.
She half expects him to charge her with sword raised, wild [Rage] blazing in his eyes. Or perhaps a cold silence with their backs turned to her, [Ignoring] her as if she didn’t exist.
After all, she figured with everything she did to them, both intentionally and unintentionally, she deserved that treatment.
But her expectations are thwarted. Instead, she is greeted with the sight of them patiently waiting for her.
The three stand facing each other; 2B and 9S near the bed on one side of the room, and A2 near the doorway on the other. It seemed that every time they met, it was always like this.
Yet this time, they all felt it would be different.
A2 slowly walks over to 2B and 9S, their seemingly stoic expressions betraying hidden apprehension. She stops a few feet away from them, realizing that she was at a loss of words.
Finally, she draws a deep breath.
“[I’m sorry.]”
The androids in front of her seem surprised, especially 9S. A2 turns to face him.
“I’m sorry. For causing you so much pain.”
9S looks at A2, then at 2B, seemingly unsure of how to respond. 2B takes a step forward, removing her blindfold as she did so. When she finally speaks, her voice is husky.
“You did what you had to. You did your best, in the end.”
A2 could see 9S tensing up. Clearly the agonizing [Memories] are still there. She bowed her head.
“9S…”
9S looks at her, then slowly removes his blindfold also, revealing his clear blue eyes. He looks straight at A2, his gaze [Unwavering].
“It’s…it’s alright. A2.”
9S gestures to 2B.
“She told me everything…that you helped her when the end came. I should be the one apologizing, for misunderstanding…”
9S trails off, his breath hitching as another wave of memories come rushing back to him. A2 shakes her head softly, closing her eyes as her own recollections resurfaced.
“It’s alright. I would’ve felt the exact same way.”
Silence stretches out between them, so empty, yet so fraught. The swirling doubts, the questions and misgivings, all hang in the breeze, light, yet laced with [Uncertainty].
And yet underneath it all, was the faintest trace of [Hope].