Chapter Text
2B and 9S watch their friend sleep, smiling at how [Peaceful] she looks.
They turn to each other, two pairs of blue eyes meeting. There is a warmth, a focus in their gazes.
2B reaches over to turn the music box off, before standing and turning to leave. 9S walks over to her and takes her hand. She nods, and the two walks out together, leaving their home and stepping into the crumbling city below.
The wind caresses them as they strolls the streets [Hand in hand], taking in the beauty of the empty sky and the overgrown ruins around them. They soon find themselves next to a large overgrown tree, its twisting trunk twining around a nearby building. Scaling it, 2B and 9S discover an expansive vantage point from which the rest of the city sprawls out before them. Together, they sit on the edge of the roof, quietly [Contemplating] the view.
9S lays his head on 2B’s shoulder and wraps one arm around her. 2B smiles and gently strokes his hair.
“2B?”
“Yes, [Nines]?”
9S grins at the sound of his beloved nickname.
“I was wondering…if we all could go fishing one day, perhaps. All five of us.”
“That definitely sounds wonderful,” 2B replies, returning her companion’s gaze as her own lips curve up into a similar grin. She turns back to the city view. “Maybe we can, soon. After all, there is that nice pond nearby.”
“Yeah! And we could have a picnic there too, with all kinds of awesome stuff! Wouldn’t it be great?”
2B can’t help but laugh at 9S’ [Enthusiasm]. “Of course, of course. That would be great, indeed.”
They look up to the sky as a large flock of birds soar overhead, marveling at the way the cloud shifts and writhes against the white and blue. The flock circles the area, silvery [Wingbeats] fluttering and [Shimmering] around them. Soon, the birds turn and head away from the ruins, slowly vanishing into the horizon.
“Wow,” 2B murmurs. “I never knew birds could form such huge flocks as these.”
“Those are called starlings.” 9S stretches one hand towards the sky, as if reaching out to the retreating cloud of birds. “They often form large flocks during migration times.”
“That’s quite impressive.” 2B stretches as well, then stands, helping 9S up as she did so. She looks around, then freezes as she hears a flap of wings right next to her, followed by an audible gasp from 9S. Then, there was the gentle sensation of a small set of claws landing on her left shoulder. 2B slowly turns her head and came face to face with a small black bird.
“What is this?” 2B reaches up to touch the bird. Its black eyes [Sparkle] with curiosity, and its feathers gleam purple in the sunlight.
“That,” 9S replies, staring in fascination, “is a starling.”
The starling lets out a soft chirp, turning its head to [Observe] its surroundings. 2B gently cups her right hand around it, before petting it softly with her fingers. The bird replies by chirping softly in [Contentment] and closing its eyes.
9S chuckled. “He seems to like you.”
2B’s eyes sparkle as she continues to caress the bird’s feathers. “Perhaps.”
Finally, 2B lets her hand fall away as the starling begins to show signs of [Restlessness]. It finally shakes itself off and stretched its wings, before leaping off of 2B’s shoulder and taking [Flight]. It quickly vanishes into the clouds, swooping on the breeze. 2B and 9S watch it soar, the blue sky [Reflected] in their eyes.
They turn to face each other again, and [Emotion] surges through them.
[Hope] for a future of peace, and [Joy] at knowing that they’re free.
And there’s something else too.
An emotion once locked away in the [Deepest] recesses of their hearts, now slowly pushing its way to the surface.
They hold each other’s [Gaze] for just a bit longer, each hoping the other’s wouldn’t fall…
Finally, 2B drops her eyes. 9S nods in [Understanding] and reaches out, placing one hand on her shoulder. She looks up again, smiling [Shyly], her cheeks dusted a light shade of red.
“We should go back. Perhaps A2 is awake by now, looking for us.”
“Right.”
Jumping down from the rooftop, 2B and 9S take off together back towards [Home].