[ For No. 4 ]

❤ [ For No. 4 ]

@contratvertueux

Determined, strong, incredible— he was someone worth respect, and yet Beckford wondered how he could hold his cool in such situations. They were ranging from downright disastrous to some family-styled arguments. At least, that’s what it looked like to the Operator as she was looking at some of their interactions from a side. She still didn’t understand why 4G told her to stay away from No. 6, but she didn’t question that much anymore. He knew what he was talking about even if she desired more information.

As of now, 8O wanted to make sure that things were set up and everything was alright. She needed to get back to Bunker sooner or later, she understood that all too well. She was selfish for pressuring them all into helping her. She knew it was selfish. The android felt guilty for being like this, but her dream and her wish was so much stronger than anything. She could die for it, but now death was not something she needed to think of. 8O didn’t want to trouble these units anymore. Perhaps, she needed to forget about her dream and simply return? It hurt to acknowledge, but it was soothing she thought of.

With that, 8O got another idea in her head. The thought of soon leaving made her find the new courage within herself as she was talking to the Gunner unit while watching the moon rise. Stars, moon, sky— it was amazing. 8O couldn’t forget this awe that she had the first time she saw this sky when she got here. A subtle smile appeared on her face as she turned to face the male unit.

She couldn’t process this feeling exactly. 8O was quite close to the understanding of human emotions, and she wanted to adopt them, but this feeling was making her feel … nervous? There were so many things she wanted to say to No. 4, but words were stuck in her throat, she squeezed her hands into fists as they lied atop her lap. A shaky breath was drawn.

“No. 4… Thank you.” Finally, first words escaped from her as the android smiled nervously but with gratitude nonetheless. A second thought graced her mind as she exhaled and stood up, gesturing for the other to sit still. It was one gesture of gratitude. She read about it, and it could be something that others would see as weird, but 8O wanted to try nonetheless. Words couldn’t express everything she wanted to say. “Um… May I ask you not to give me any lectures for this afterward?” Another awkward chuckle as her smile softened. How much pain had this unit went through, she wondered. Was there any way for her to ease that pain? Probably not. Probably she will never be someone who could do that. “And by ‘this’, I mean this…”

The Operator put a hand on his shoulder and bent forward slightly, her lips now pressed to his forehead. The android could remember that this was a gesture that could wish for good luck, for comfort, for anything sweet and warm. The touch lingered for a bit before she moved away, slowly as if scared to startle the Gunner. A smile much warmer and calmer was now seen on her face.

“Thank you for protecting me even if it was painful, No. 4. Thank you… for letting me see the world. For letting me dream even for a bit.” Finally, once the female unit finished, she felt how the weight fell off her shoulders. Instructor Black was kind to her, and she was blessed to know them all. However, No. 4 was the one who saved her first. That’s why, for 8O, it was important to show gratitude through any means. Without him, she wouldn’t be able to understand the weight of the world. “And… If there are any worries that you may have, I will be happy to listen to them. I may not know a lot, but… don’t take on too much. I have no idea how much pain you’ve been through, but I hope you will not face them alone.” It was not right. No one should be alone. It was too sad. It was too hard to imagine. It was too lonely to comprehend. At least, from her side and from her viewpoint.

kisses from cardia. / return from hiatus. ﹙ selectively accepting.﹚

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;;Unable to delete data. Now storing within Bunker archives. [Saved] *cries* I LOVE THIS SO M CUH ;;This is the story of a shy butterfly; Who fluttered from flower to flower. [8O]