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Nya fidgets with her fingers as her eyes dart back and forth between her hands and the person beside her. She would worry about being too obvious if Pixal didn’t seem so absorbed in her own thoughts, eyes glazed over as she leans her weight on her arms.
Her hands move from each other to the grass below her, pulling at the blades before finding a flower stem. She plucks it from the ground and twirls it between her fingers, before turning to her partner and hovering it near her face to catch her attention. Pixal pauses for a moment before she recognizes Nya’s silent request and tilts her head slightly, allowing Nya to tuck the daisy behind her ear.
Nya smiles at her, but Pixal’s own is short lived. Her brows furrow slightly as her eyes scan Nya’s face.
“You seem distressed.”
The water ninja flinches at this, which deepens Pixal’s frown. Nya bites her lip as she goes back to fidgeting with her fingers.
“It’s nothing, really. I’ve just been thinking about some stuff, nothing you need to worry about.” She says quickly. Pixal has shifted her weight off of her arms now, and has moved to face the other fully.
“But it is causing you worry. If you tell me, I might be able to help.” Nya sighs, and her expression dampens.
“Pix, you’re an amazing engineer and all, but I don’t think this is something you can fix.”
“Then perhaps telling me your thoughts will ease your mind.”
Nya looks away from Pixal, not at her hands, but off into the distance. Pixal follows her gaze, but all she sees is trees, nothing of interest. Maybe Nya sees something she doesn’t, but she feels that is not the case.
“I’m sorry, I’m being too pushy, aren’t I?” Pixal sighs. Nya opens her mouth to protest but Pixal quickly cuts her off. “I am. You have no obligation to share if you do not want to. I just want to make sure you are okay.” Nya softens at the words, her eyes anywhere but Pixal’s own.
“It’s not even… I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”
Pixal reaches for Nya’s fidgety hands and holds them with her own, giving them a light squeeze.
“Talk to me.”
Nya finally meets Pixal’s eyes, and a small smile fickers on her face before it disappears again as her eyes dart away. She sighs again and leans back on one of her arms while leaving the other in Pixal’s grasp so she’s facing the large forest before them.
“So… I’m a human, and you’re a nindroid, right?” Pixal looks down and pats her chest with her free hand feigning curiosity, before looking up with a satisfied smile.
“Yes, I am indeed a nindroid. And your hand is warm and soft, so it is safe to assume you are still a human.” Nya snorts and rolls her eyes, and Pixal can help but giggle.
“Yeah yeah, glad we established that. But I mean… as a human, y’know… one day I’ll die.” Pixal’s smile fades, but she stays silent to let Nya continue, even though she already knows what’s to come.
“I’ll die, and you… you presumably will not. At least not anywhere near when I will.”
Pixal is suddenly grateful for metal hands, or else she might’ve winced at the grip that Nya had on hers. Her frown deepens. Nya already knew this. The team already knows this. The topic had come up between her and Zane before, and despite the idea being dropped quickly, it showed that Zane had thought about this at least somewhat as well. So why is she bringing it up now? Does this fact really make her so uncomfortable that she doesn’t want to be friends with Pixal anymore? Had she only now thought about what dating a nindroid implied and decided that–
“Are you breaking up with me?”
Nya gasps. Her head whips around and she immediately turns to face Pixal fully. “No no no,” - her ponytail swishes as she shakes her head rapidly - “that’s not it I promise! I should’ve kept talking oh geez–”
“-Is that not correct? Why else would you bring this up? You haven’t before.” It never seemed to bother you before. Nya squeezes Pixal’s hand and dear FSM she might actually dent it.
“Look, I’ve always known this is how things would be, i’m not stupid.” Pixal wants to correct her that she would never think Nya is stupid, but she lets her continue. “Even before I met you, the thought that Zane would see us age without him had crossed my mind at least once, and I’m sure it’s the same for the rest of the team.”
Her free hand waves in the air as she continues, “But I know that the only reason that bothers me is because I care about him. I would never stop hanging out with you guys because of that, and you sure as hell better not try that on me either.”
She blinks in shock but Nya just rolls her eyes again. “Oh c’mon, I can totally see you or Zane pulling that ‘It’s for your own good and mine that we stop being friends.’ crap or something.” Pixal just scoffs playfully.
“Perhaps Zane would say something like that, but I am quite sure I would not do the same.”
“Whatever you say, Pix.”
…
She is so very in love with this woman.
“Anyway, my point is, I promise that’s not it. I’m not breaking up with you, and certainly not over that.” Her eyes dart around as if looking for a sign that Pixal understands. But she doesn’t understand, not fully. At least not yet. She tilts her head slightly.
“Then what’s the matter? If this does not bother you, then why are you upset?” Nya’s slightly nervous demeanor returns.
“I told you it’s silly-”
“-Oh shush, just tell me. It’s okay.”
“Okay fine! It’s just…” Nya curls up on herself slightly. Pixal rubs soothing circles in her palm as encouragement. “One day I’ll die and… who knows how long you’ll go on for. You’ll meet new people, make new friends. Maybe even forge new relationships,” -she takes each of Pixal’s hands in each of her own- “relationships like ours.”
Pixal stiffens. Does she mean… a relationship that isn’t with Nya? Although she had pondered over the thought of eventually losing her friends, dreaded it, she realizes she’d never considered a courtship that didn’t include the person in front of her. And as she holds Nya’s hands in her own, she finds she cannot imagine one now either.
“I mean, I would be fine with that, of course. I wouldn’t want you to be alone if that wasn’t what you wanted, but just promise me one thing, okay?” She is surprised by the request, but does not resist.
“Yes?”
“Just don’t forget about me, okay?”
Pixal melts. Nya is looking down again and– oh heavens , Pixal is torn between wrapping her in a hug and grabbing her by the shoulders and shaking.
“What? Oh Nya, I would never, I–” she chooses to cup Nya’s face with her hand and tilt it upwards so their eyes meet, “I will never forget you Nya, I promise.” She rubs Nya’s cheek with her thumb. “ How could I? You're the most extraordinary person I have ever met.”
Nya’s face heats up in her hand, but Pixal doesn’t stop there. “You’re strong, brave, intelligent, kind hearted…” Her face is practically glowing red now, and Pixal can’t help but feel a little giddy at the fact that it is because of her. “And… you are the woman of my dreams.”
Nya’s eyes widen, and for a second Pixal worries if that was too much. But suddenly she is tackled into a hug and her back hits the grass.
“Oh SHUSH! You’re just– you’re just saying that!” Nya stammers into her chest. A giggle bubbles up in her throat, while Nya just pouts up at her. She grins.
“You are very cute, do you know that?”
That earns her a smack on the arm, not hard enough at all to hurt her, mind you. she laughs, ignoring Nya’s half-hearted glare.
“You’re so embarrassing, do you know that?” Nya mocks playfully.
“I don’t see how I could embarrass you when there’s no one-”
Nya silences her with a kiss, and Pixal isn’t one to complain.
. . .
Nya enters her room with a sigh. Master Wu has been as unrelenting as ever with training, and she just wants to collapse onto her bed and sleep .
Though, she should probably take a shower first.
As she trudges over to her dresser however, she notices something sitting on top. A single, soft pink flower. She picks it up and twirls it in between her fingers, before noticing the note that is attached.
Pink Carnation
I will never forget you.
Warmth blooms in her chest, and wide grin spreads across her face. Maybe after her shower she’ll see what her girlfriend is up to instead. Some cuddles are definitely in order.