Chapter Text
When 2B receives the transmission from 6O she expects a standard mission briefing, or a regular check-in report, or any of the other managerial tasks normally relegated to YoRHa operators.
Not…this.
2B should have realized the conversation would turn toward 6O's social woes sooner rather than later. 6O's priorities have always been less about work and more about flirting with cute operators at HQ—not exactly the most professional quality for a YoRHa soldier, but it's become one that 2B has learned to grudgingly accept.
Feeling a little awkward, 2B tries to sympathize with her distraught operator as best she can, although admittedly her interest keeps straying to Pod 042 bobbing out in the ocean water. 6O has interrupted 2B's solo fishing outing in the flooded city, leaving 2B little choice but to multitask.
After a particularly long round of histrionics, 6O's (somewhat fake sounding) sobs die to sporadic sniffling. “Oh, 2B, I'm going to be alone forever…you're so lucky you have a boyfriend…someone who likes you back…”
2B is so focused on the movement in her Pod, trying to judge whether the recent bobbing is a wave or a potential catch, that 6O's words barely register. 2B almost loses balance from her fishing stand when 6O's comment finally processes.
“I have…what?”
2B could see the exaggerated roll of 6O’s eyes in the hologram feed. “You don't need to play dumb with me, 2B, everyone knows you're dating. We all see the way you two look at each other. If you think you're being subtle, trust me, you are not—”
Pod 042 jerks violently under the water before returning to the surface, a potential catch escaping amidst 2B's mounting confusion. “But…I wear a blindfold?”
6O waves her hand. “You know what I mean.”
“I don’t.”
6O puffs her cheeks and pouts. “There's no need to hide it from me. I tell you about my dating life all the time! If you're afraid you'll get in trouble with command, don't be. Those ‘emotions are prohibited’ rules are rubbish and you know it!”
“6O, what are you talking about?”
“The Commander never enforces it. Us operators date all the time without hiding it from her—she knows and she doesn't mind. Without dating things would get very boring for those of us stuck in the Bunker, and it's the same for everyone in YoRHa. If that's keeping you from going public you shouldn't let it stop you! You and 9S are so cute together!”
For a long moment 2B stares at 6O's flickering form in the hologram, completely at a loss for words, heat creeping to her neck and cheeks. “9S? Did he say that? That we're dating?”
6O huffs. “No, but we were all there when you two slipped out of the YoRHa party together. Like I said, it's just so obvious—”
“But we aren’t. We're not dating.”
“Uh huh,” 6O says in a tone that clearly indicates she doesn't believe 2B at all. “If you really want to keep it a secret, that's your call, but you should consider—”
How long must 2B keep talking in circles for 6O to believe her? 2B drops her gaze to the ocean water rippling at her feet. A small, uncomfortable feeling settles in 2B's chest. “I'm not lying, 6O.”
6O starts to laugh, at first, but when she glances at 2B's projection she stops, eyes widening. She clasps a shocked hand over her mouth. “Wait. You really aren't, are you?”
The burning sensation in 2B's cheeks gets worse.
“What on Earth were you two doing during the party, then?”
2B hesitates. “Post-mission maintenance.” The excuse sounds lame even to 2B.
6O mouths an ‘oh’ and flashes her a knowing expression that makes 2B suspect 6O doesn't really understand at all. “Well, if you have interest in him don’t be afraid to make it official! Scanners are always dating around. You’ve got to claim him before someone else does!”
“...Someone else?” The words are brittle on 2B’s tongue. She doesn’t understand it, but the suggestion is enough to make her stomach turn.
“Obviously the only rumors right now are that you both are together, but believe me 2B, the YoRHa dating pool is small—oh! There’s a transmission from 7B! Sorry, I’ve got to go.” 6O leans in close to the camera, her voice dropping to a cheerful whisper. “Good luck! I’ll be rooting for you!”
Then the transmission ends, leaving 2B feeling mildly accosted and more than a little confused.
There are rumors about her and 9S, just because they left the last YoRHa party early? 9S had offered to show her the new documentary the scanners put together about human culture, and 2B had been grateful for an excuse to slip away. Being surrounded by so many YoRHa at once isn’t always the most comfortable environment.
She’d gone to his room. They’d watched the film on the Pod projector. Nothing had happened. It was just…an extensive information briefing about their human creators, even if 9S had fallen asleep on her shoulder, and 2B had drawn the blanket snuggly around them, holding him close as he slept.
It wasn’t anything more than that. 9S and her couldn't be anything more than that, not with existing YoRHa regulations.
…Could they?