Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Wind blew her hair slightly. Although she knew the wind howled around her and whipped the sides of the bunker walls, it barely affected her. She sighed and leaned back, staring at the toxic clouds over. A bit of lightning rippled through them. That was rare. She almost smiled. The last time she saw lightning was when N had approached her after a kill and she’d. . .

Her half smile faded instantly. She closed her eyes and shook off the memory. Sometimes, part of her wished Cyn was still here to erase her memory files. If she could go back to the way she was before. . .

Maybe N would look at her the same.

Maybe Uzi wouldn’t tease her.

Maybe. . .

Maybe she would-

“V!”

She snapped up. She hadn’t even heard Door 1 open. A small drone stomped through the snow. V didn’t even glance over.

“V! I know you’re out here! It’s all you ever do! It’s freezing! Show yourself!”

V flipped down from the roof she was hiding on right in front of the smaller drone, towering over them with crossed arms.

“Quit whining. You can’t even feel the cold.”

“I can too! It feels like- ugh, nevermind! Why are you even out here?! N and I have been texting you!”

V raised an eyebrow. “You missed me, didn’t you?”

She hadn’t even felt her phone go off.

I need to stop getting that distracted.

“No!” The pink drone said way too quickly. “You’re irritating! Why would I miss you?!” She threw her hands in the air and stormed off back to the door.

V followed silently.

The pink drone makes her way down the corridors of the bunker and stops at a room. With a knock it opens to a simple living room.

A green drone sits on the couch, laughing and practically jumping at whatever is on his game screen.

He pauses and acknowledges the others in the doorway. “Hey, Liz! ‘Sup, V!"

Lizzy jumps as she finally notices the drone looming over her shoulder. “Quit fucking doing that!”

V burst into giggles.

“Just because you can be stealthy doesn’t mean you should!” Lizzy fumes and drags V inside so she can shut the door. Can’t have randoms in the hall thinking she’s getting killed. That would be so lame. She glared up at V, who was still giggling. V faltered and hushed after she saw Lizzy staring at her.

Does she think it’s creepy? Does she think I’m creepy? She definitely does. It’s inevitable really.

Lizzy snaps V out of her thoughts yet again by dragging her by the wrist into Lizzy’s room.

Thad waved as the door shut. “Don’t make out in there!”

“Fuck off!” Lizzy called to which Thad barks a laugh just as the door hisses shut. “Ugh! He’s infuriating! You both are actually.” she mumbles, looking for something on her desk.

V stood.

Awkwardly.

Unfortunately.

She hated it but she had no other option. She didn’t know what to do in Lizzy’s room. Just because she’d been coming here more and more often didn’t mean. . . “hanging out” ever got easier.

“Why am I here?”

“Why wouldn’t you be here? You always tell me you have nowhere to stay. Even though I’m pretty sure N’s offered to let you stay with him a dozen times already.” Lizzy rolled her eyes and sat at her desk, swiveling to face V. “Plus, you did follow me home.”

“That was more to scare you than anything else.” V picked at her fangs with a claw. “Also, N lives with Uzi now and I do not want any part of that.”

“Ew. Gross. OMRG. You’re so real for that. Ugh. Yuck.” Lizzy spun around in her chair once, sticking out her tongue in disgust.

V chuckled. She loved teasing Lizzy about N and Uzi’s relationship, even though their relationship was nothing more than polite affection. She just didn’t want to be around them all the time. She felt like a burden. An awkward wall between the two. It also didn’t help that something deep in her code was jealous of them.

She shoved that aside and crawled up to sit on Lizzy’s top bunk. Nothing was up there except a few extra pillows so V always figured it was the best place to settle.

“Seriously, they are disgusting!” Lizzy was saying. V had unfortunately not been listening, which was unlike her. “You should see them at school, V! Ugh, wait no, I wouldn’t wish that upon you.”

“How sweet~” V mused.

Lizzy waved her off and turned to her mirror, untying the ponytail her hair was always in. V blinked in slight surprise. She actually had been unsure up until this point if the worker drone could even undo their ponytail, considering she always had it in. She noticed the pink dye job at the ends of the blonde was patchy and faded in some places and would only look good if tied up. That must be the reason.

“I thought you said you’d rather go bald then take your hair down like that?” V crossed her arms over the bunk railing.

Lizzy blinked hollow eyes at her through the mirror. “You heard that?” A frown. “Of course you did.” She spun to look up at V again. “Doesn’t matter. I would rather do anything than go bald. Like, end of the world or go bald? I choose end of the world.”

V leaned farther off the bunk. “The end of the world did happen.”

“Yeah, and I survived. So, no, I will not be going bald.”

V snickered and stared at the floor. It was speckled with pink glitter as a result of the sheer amount of clothing Lizzy had that adorned the color.

It had been three months since Cyn’s. . . “death”. Or lack thereof. At least the Solver got stuck with the two most annoying and nosy drones in the galaxy so it couldn’t possibly plan any more destruction. It sometimes felt unfair to V. That monster could just survive while Cyn, the real Cyn, and Tessa were just thrown away like trash.

V took a deep breath and leaned back.

Don’t think about that. It’s no use. It happened. Get over it.

Her core thumped against her chassis, definitely making a noticeable sound. She shut her eyes, trying to calm down. N had Uzi to help him through his surfacing issues and trauma. V knew they cuddled and talked all night after either one of them was woken up by a nightmare. V had those too. She’d had the unfortunate pleasure of never being mind wiped again after that first time back at the manor. She remembered everything. N complained a few times about how his memory files were filled with gaps and it drove him crazy not remembering his own life. V never said anything but she thought he was lucky. She remembered everything. He didn’t need to know the things that had happened. . . the things that they did. . . the things that she did. She had to protect him. That was all she was good for. Tessa was gone. Actually gone. He was all she had. She couldn’t lose-

“V!” Lizzy snapped angrily in her face. She’d climbed up to the top bunk as well, leaning over the edge towards V.

V realized her eyes showed tears. Panickedly, she turned away and scratched her face, trying to seem nonchalant. Lizzy’s annoyed expression melted and worry crept in. V never acted this distant. Well, yes, she did. All the time actually, but she was never vulnerable like this. Distracted? Never. Crying? Unlike her entirely.

“V?” Lizzy asked gently.

She didn’t know what to do. The last time she’d seen someone cry was Rebecca after being dumped by Darren over a year ago. That wasn’t a serious issue then and Lizzy hadn’t actually bothered to comfort her more than just listening to her. This time, she actually wanted to help. They were best friends. That term used to mean very little to Lizzy but since befriending the disassembly drone, she’d realized how much they had in common. How well they clicked. How V listened to her rants and even offered to ease her problems (through murder obviously, which Lizzy had reluctantly declined). How V often joined in on teasing N and Uzi with her. How she’d helped Lizzy sneak out of class on occasion. Lizzy knew V had no one else to turn to most of the time and even though she was incredibly secretive, the events of her past obviously haunted her. . . whatever they were. She had to try something.

“I’m fine."

She wasn't.

"I think I’m just hungry.” V said softly before Lizzy could even try anything else. She slipped off the top bunk. “I’m gonna go.” She stopped and turned with a sick smile. “Unless you want me to bite you~”

Any other time Lizzy would have been annoyed, maybe even slightly flustered, but she just hung there from the railing, staring at V.

V noticed and knew she wasn’t convinced.

Didn’t matter. She just needed to kill something.

She turned back to the door just as it opened to reveal a very surprised N.

Chapter Text

“V!” He swooped her into a hug. “We were looking everywhere for you!"

“Well, I’m always one of two places so it really shouldn’t be that hard.” she scoffed as he let go.

He hovered in the doorway nervously and she knew he was scanning her for injuries. He always did everytime they saw each other. She found it annoying but had to remind herself she always did the same thing to him.

Karma’s a bitch.

In the moment of silence between them, she noticed how different N looked. Finally noticed apparently.

Jeez, am I really away that much?

Uzi had added extensions to N’s hair, which he mostly wore in small updos done by her in some odd way. He still wore his pilot cap but Uzi had colored its skull symbol purple. His coat was snitched up like new but he wore it less often. Like today, he wore a shirt that was clearly Uzi’s based on the flames and skulls across it. Since living in the bunker full time, despite what other male drones preferred, N liked wearing shorts. His tail was covered in a small soft case, “To prevent accidents!” he’d said. He was also oddly adorned with several multicolored star stickers.

Pft, idiots.

“Hey, be nice.” Uzi smirked, appearing beside him and leaning against the doorway.

She had changed too.

Hair extensions as well, wore more colors than just black, and, of course, her yellow-tinted eyes and the ever present Solver tail, which was currently trying to bite the floor. She’d also gotten much calmer and rarely ever actually insulted V, only when she actually deserved it (which V would never admit she did).

They’d both changed so much in three months. V was the same.

The exact same.

Why was it so hard to adapt? That’s what she was programmed to do!

“I am nice,” V smirked back. She glanced back at Lizzy. “Right? Aren’t I the sweetest~?” She made probably the most unsweet face ever, smiling wickedly. Lizzy said nothing and looked her over, almost concerned.

Concerned.

For V.

Why was there a sinking feeling in her core? Panic? Guilt? Oh shit, it was guilt. Her face fell and she pushed past the others in the doorway.

“I’m hungry, see you guys later.”

Chapter Text

Not wanting to waste time walking, she leapt into a vent and crawled up to one of the outside roofs.

The wind blew through her cooling fans like a. . . well, like a breath of fresh air. She peered over the side of the bunker and out into the snowstorm. After quickly switching to infra-red vision, she spotted one drone far off. Far enough that she figured they weren’t from this bunker.

Good. Last thing I need is someone hating me for eating their cousin.

V froze, digging her claws she hadn’t even realized were out into the cement ledge.

Or their parents.

She groaned as N’s voice rang in her head about how they could simply drink the worker’s oil from their wrist or grab some from the bunker’s donation center in case of desperate emergencies.

"There’s no need to kill anymore! Isn’t that nice, V? We won’t be seen as monsters anymore!”

The word banged around in her head.

Monster.

It broke her to know N thought that of himself. Uzi thought of herself like that too, although she’d never admit it to V. Did V think of herself like that? Who was she kidding? Of course she did. She had ever since the manor.

Shut up, inner voice! Ugh, why do I always listen to N’s advice books? As if a worker would ever just give up half their oil while being intimidated by the thing programmed to murder them! Better to just kill it and get it over with. . .

She spread her wings and took off straight towards the heat signature. Closer and closer she got, wings gleaming and visor X-ed out in a terrifying smile. She landed hard on the worker, giggling madly as she gripped its neck in one clawed hand. It squirmed and screamed. The screams didn’t excite her anymore, which made her hesitate, frowning. In the hesitation, she noticed what the drone looked like.

Pink eyes, blonde hair.

She froze, dropping the drone and stepping back as her claws and wings flicked back in. The drone coughed and crawled away, too shaken to run yet. V almost spoke up but another glance thankfully did not confirm her worst fear.

Not Lizzy. Just a similar drone. Not Lizzy. Lizzy’s fine. Orange hair, not blonde. Not blonde. It’s not Lizzy. She’s fine. She’s not here.

She stepped back more, clenching her fists.

Calm down. Calm down. Calm down.

The drone stood, shaking off. “Jeez, no need to scare the shit outta me like that!”

What?

The drone looked annoyed. “Just because I’m sorta okay with you murder-guys doesn’t mean you have to go around treating us like play things.”

“Uh. . .”

“Anyway, what are you doing all the way out here? I thought the both of you were attached to some worker that you never stray away from?”

“We aren’t dogs.” she growled.

Who does this worker think he is? I should kill him. . .

“I could say the same about you.” she sneered.

“Oh, yeah, I guess I did wander pretty far. Just needed some time alone and since you guys aren’t killing anymore I just kept on walking.” He shrugged like he wasn’t at all worried about the fact the cold out here could also definitely kill him.

“Oh, we can still kill.” She stepped closer, sneering down at him. “Especially those that annoy us.”

He blinked, suddenly nervous.

Good. At least he has survival instincts. Unlike someone.

“Heh. . . you aren’t hungry. . . right?”

“I am actually~” She stepped closer, showing off her fangs and enjoying the way the other’s face dropped.

But not as much as she usually did.

She sighed and relaxed. “But. . . we don’t kill like that anymore. We just take a bit of oil from a willing subject.” She eyed him dangerously.

“A-and I’m a willing s-subject?”

“You’re gonna have to be~” she snickered. “Unless you want me to get really hungry?”

“F-fine!” he yelped. “What do I do?”

She grabbed his wrist and held it to her mouth. “It doesn’t hurt that bad. . . I think.”

“W-what?”

Chapter Text

Yuck.

“Now get back to the bunker. There’s a sentinel out here that does not follow the same rules I do.”

“W-what’s a sentinel?” he asked, wincing as he flexed his wrist.

“Yeah, you really don’t wanna find out.” She gestured him towards the bunker sternly. He nodded and quickly walked off.

She wiped a smear of oil off her face.

Didn’t even taste good. Of course. I could never be so lucky.

Another heat signature was on the horizon.

Another lost drone? What am I? A babysitter?

With another slam of her wings, she was at the heat signature. But. . . it was gone? She landed but there was nothing but a splash of oil in the snow.

What? This looks like some kind of. . . dive and grab attack? Like a murder drone would do?

There was a metallic chittering behind her. She turned to see red eyes.

“Sparky?” He spun in a circle. “Hey, bud. Did you do this? Did you get hungry?”

He chirped and cocked his head before nodding, stomping in the oil-colored snow.

“Haven’t seen you in a while, you rascal. What have you been up to?” She walked off with him trailing beside her.

He roamed around outside and V suspected he chomped on random drones from time to time but since being reset he was surprisingly friendly. Well, except to her. V snickered at the thought. She and Sparky spoke often whenever she came outside to get a break. Only she seemed to understand him.

She opened Door 1 and, to her surprise, Lizzy was standing there ready to open the door herself.

She jumped with a yelp when she spotted Sparky lurking behind V. “Why is that thing here?!”

“That thing is a ‘he’,” V patted his neck. “And you know he means no harm.”

“Maybe not to you! But definitely to me!”

V tried to hide her giggle. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Lizzy huffed and looked away. V noticed the keycard in her hand. Her smile turned sinister. “Were you gonna come look for me~?”

Lizzy froze. “What?! No?!” She tossed the keycard down on the table beside her. “I picked that up without thinking!”

She wouldn’t look at V.

V’s smile widened and stepped closer. “Aw, too difficult to admit you care about me~?”

Lizzy flushed, swatting her away. “No!”

“Then admit it.”

“W-what?”

V pressed a claw under Lizzy’s chin, tilting her head up to meet her eyes. “Admit that you care about me.”

Why is she still blushing? How is this. . .?

“Uh. . .” Lizzy’s core stalled and she tried to look anywhere but V’s direction.

Hard to do when she’s that pretty- SHUT UP!

Suddenly, Sparky was between them, chittering. V laughed and shoved him off playfully while Lizzy was very grateful and took several steps back. Although, she couldn’t help but admire V’s laugh. V rarely laughed, only if she was attempting to be scary. And yeah, V was scary but it didn’t scare Lizzy.

It’s bad that I want to hear her laugh all the time, isn’t it? Yep, real bad. Ugh, I’m such a loser. Thad is never gonna let this one go.

V sent Sparky off and closed Door 1. “So. . . um. . .”

Why is this so hard?

“Sorry for running off. I needed to. . . yeah. . . anyway, could I-?”

“Yes, you can still come over.” Lizzy finished, suddenly oozing confidence again. “In fact, we should have a sleepover. Haven’t had one in a while, right? It’ll do us some good. I already have tons of bonding activities planned so don’t you worry.”

V paused.

How did she forgive so easily? V had pushed her away again and again these past few weeks. How did Lizzy still enjoy her company.

She didn’t let any of these thoughts show. She couldn’t. At least. . . maybe. . . just maybe. . . not yet.

She cleared her throat. “Cool.”

“And, even better news, my dad isn’t home tonight. So, you’ll be free of his awful questions.”

She paused, suddenly guilty.

“I’m. . . sorry by the way. About all that stuff that he says. I’ve tried talking with him but it-”

V held up a hand. “Lizzy, it’s fine. Really. I’m used to it.”

Lizzy blinked, eyes hollow for a moment before filling in again. “Okay. . . uh, let’s go then.” She started walking and V followed silently. “Thad’s still home so he might be annoying but it’ll be hardly noticeable with all the fun things I’ve got planned!”

V smirked, secretly happy Lizzy was suddenly in better spirits. “May I ask what these fun things will be?”

“Nope! All surprises!” They stopped at her door.

“I’ve never been one for surprises, Lizzy.” V snickered.

“Shush. It’s not another murder plot. Promise.” She opened the door.

Chapter Text

Thad was sitting on the couch again, laughing and practically jumping at whatever was on his game screen. He paused and acknowledged them in the doorway. “Hey, Liz! Oh, by the way, your murder pet’s behind you again.”

Lizzy rolls her eyes.

V hisses and points a claw at Thad.

“Not a pet!” they say simultaneously.

Thad surrenders. “My bad, my bad!” He goes back to his game. Lizzy and V walk past him to Lizzy’s room. Thad speaks up again. “Oh, sick scarf, V! Suits you!”

Lizzy’s door shuts. She turns to V curiously and she finally notices the red scarf she was definitely not wearing the last time they were in this room. She gestures at it vaguely, confused.

“Picked it up outside. Well, Sparky did.” V toyed with the end of it before tucking it back around her neck. “He dug it out from the snow and I decided I’d keep it. Figured it was time for at least a slight outfit change.” She met Lizzy’s eyes. “Plus, red goes well with yellow.”

“Pink goes good with yellow.” Lizzy blurts, instantly regretting it.

They blink at each other, both quickly realizing the obvious indication.

And Lizzy wishes she was dead.

“Um. . .” V starts, desperately wanting to change the subject and ignore the fact her tail was wagging. “So, Thad calls you ‘Liz’? What’s up with that?”

“Oh, just a stupid nickname.” She was confident again but couldn’t look at V. “Something he’s called me since we were kids. Just an annoying brother thing.”

“Ah,” V cringed at herself. “I guess that was pretty obvious, yeah.”

“Yeah, no, it’s fine.” Lizzy dismissed quickly.

Silence.

Awkward silence.

Yeah, she’s still definitely thinking about that stupid comment. Nice going, Lizzy!

“Uh, I probably shouldn’t tell you this because he’ll kill me but Thad’s full name is Thaddeus.” she said in a rush.

V paused, deciding if she should laugh. Who cares? She bursts into giggles. Lizzy relaxes. “Oh man, that’s rich!” she manages to say. “Next thing you’ll tell me is that your full name is Elizabeth or something!”

Lizzy says nothing.

V goes silent, staring at her.

“Oh. . . it is, isn’t it?”

Lizzy nods.

“Oh. . . well. . . I’m not saying it’s a bad name or anything-”

“No, no, I get it, it’s fine.” Lizzy says quickly, trying to keep her composure.

Silence.

Awkward silence.

Again.

“Wanna start those games you were talking about? I’m all for it as long as there’s violence.” V’s eyes gleamed mischievously.

Lizzy cleared her throat gratefully and stepped to her desk, facing away from V. “No violence this time.”

V sat down on the bottom bunk, crossing her legs. “Aw, come on~? No more throwing kids around? Breaking through windows? Not even making snowmen?”

“We might do that.”

“Well, now I don’t want to.”

Lizzy huffed a laugh and fumbled with something on her desk. “So. . . N’s basically your 'brother', right?”

V blinked at the out-of-nowhere question. “Uh, yeah, I suppose so. Guess I haven’t thought about it like that before.”

“So. . . does he do anything that annoys you? Ya know, like a brother would? Any. . . dumb nicknames?”

V brightens. “Pft, yeah, actually, back at the manor he would-”

She stops short.

Lizzy knows nothing about the manor. Nothing about that life N and V had. She couldn’t tell her. . . could she? What would she think? She already probably secretly hated her enough for the whole murdering drones thing. If she knew she’d also helped with the extinction of humans? Robo-god no. No. No. No. No. No. She couldn’t know. V couldn’t lose anyone else because of her stupid mistakes.

“Um, nevermind, sorry. It’s actually embarrassing.” V coiled her tail around one of her legs tightly.

Lizzy noticed. “Girly, I don’t care. I’m not gonna judge ya.” Was V seriously being distant again? After two freak outs already today?

“No, it’s fine. Seriously. Forget I said anything.” V barely registered the fact Lizzy was now sitting next to her.

“Aw, come on! Can’t we laugh about it together?” Lizzy was trying to offer solutions but she was honestly getting tired of the disassembly drone’s behavior. Did she even want to be friends?

“I don’t want to talk about it.” V concluded sternly, gripping her own forearms.

“V. You have to be honest with me. Even about silly things! Aren’t we friends?” Lizzy attempted to be playful and leaned back, crossing her legs. Maybe V just needed the right atmosphere?

Silence.

“I. . . don’t think I really know what a friend is.” V was very quiet.

Lizzy raised an eyebrow. “Uh, N?”

“He’s. . . different.”

Lizzy rolled her eyes for the billionth time today. “Bullshit. How is that different?”

“Shut up, will you?” V suddenly got defensive, standing up sharply. “You don’t know anything about us.”

“Because you won’t tell me! You don’t tell anyone anything! N tells that purple freak everything! Why can’t you?!”

“Just drop it! Robo-god, you are annoying!”

Lizzy was extremely offended. Was V seriously snapping at her? After all she’d pulled today?

“Oh, I’m annoying?! You’re the one being a bitch all day for no reason! You’re the one avoiding everyone and everything that reaches out to you! I just want to hang out! Why can’t you just be friendly for once?!”

“Shut up! Jeez, you are worse than N.” V took a step back, desperately trying to calm herself.

Lizzy’s mean girl was showing a bit too much. “Oh, so you hate him now? First he’s not your friend and now you’re insulting him?!”

V’s claws flicked out. One of her eyes was an X. Her tail lashed behind her, slamming into the metal floor.

“Don’t bring him into this.” she snarled slowly.

Lizzy was not in the slightest scared. She was pissed. In fact, that was the last straw.

She stood up too, snapping. “You know what? I should! He knows you best! Maybe I should ask him why you have no friends, huh? Is it because you suck at relationships? Is it because you hurt everything around you because you’re a monster? That’s what happened with the purple thing, isn’t it? Did it happen with N too? Is that why you avoid him? Because you hurt him?”

V’s tail went stiff. Her face knit with anger but her eyes were hollow with lines of stress.

No. . . worry? Panic? Why was she scared? It’s not like Lizzy had said anything that was true? Right? She was just mad.

Wait.

Oh. No.

V grit her teeth with a soft metallic scrape before reaching into her jacket and pulling out her phone. She dropped it to the floor. “Keep your gifts,” She removed the glasses Lizzy had given her from another pocket, giving them a final glance. “I don’t keep trinkets from strangers.” She tossed them at Lizzy.

She was mad. So mad. And hurt. Lizzy hurt her.

With a twist and a leap, she was out the window, already flying off.

Lizzy stared at the glasses and phone on the floor. The rims were gold with a pink heart sticker in the corner of the left lens. Lizzy had put it there to annoy V.

She kept it there.

Lizzy slumped backwards onto her bunk.

Why did I say that? Why did I say that? Why did I say that? Fuck, am I really just a mean girl? Can I seriously not help being a bitch to those close to me? Can I never truly have friends? Fuck. . . what have I done? What have I done?! Why did I say that?!

Chapter Text

Her door opened. “Yo, Liz, I need that-”

Thad paused, looking over the scene in front of him, eyes hollow. Understandable. Lizzy had been staring at a pair of glasses for the past ten minutes, eyes brimmed with tears. She probably looked pathetic.

“Lizzy?” He was at her side suddenly. “Lizzy, what happened?”

She took a long, shaky breath. “I screwed up.”

He paused. “With V?”

She nodded.

“. . . do you need to talk about it?” he asked carefully.

“I called her a monster.”

Thad said nothing. That didn’t help but she didn’t blame him. What could he possibly say to make this better?

“Did you mean it?”

Lizzy flinched. “Of course I fucking didn’t! What kind of question is that?! I was just mad!”

“Then apologize.”

“But she’s the one who-!”

“Lizzy.” Thad grabbed her shoulders. “That doesn’t matter. Whatever happened doesn’t matter. What matters is how you feel right now. How V feels right now.”

Lizzy blinked, meeting his eyes. He was right. She’d messed up. She’d messed up so so so bad. A sob forced itself up her throat. Robo-god, she was pathetic.

Thad flinched. “Hey, hey, Liz, it’ll be okay,” He wanted to hug her but knew that she wouldn’t like that right now. “I think. . . you and V need to talk, okay? I can tell this is hurting you too much to hold onto any longer.”

Lizzy knew what he was referring to and if she wasn’t so emotional right now she would have pushed him off the bunk. “But how- how do I- talk to her?” She shivered, trying (and probably failing) not to cry. “V’s not exactly great at listening. Especially not now. . .”

Thad sighed. “She’ll listen to you. Even when she’s distant or upset she listens to you. Don’t think I don’t notice these things, Lizzy.”

She took a shaky breath, clenching her hands into fists.

“I’m just saying, as your brother, you need to talk to her. Nothing good will come from distance.”

Lizzy was silent.

“Please, Liz. . . I can’t stand to see you like this. Think of your own heart-”

She shook her head. “I don’t. . . I don’t have a way to reach her.” She wiped her visor in vain. She couldn’t erase her tears.

“Maybe N could help? Don’t they have a communicator between them because they’re disassembly drones?” Lizzy shrugged as Thad stood. “I’ll go ask, okay? Will you be okay here for a minute?” She gave a weak nod. “And you promise you’ll talk with her?” A weaker nod. “Honestly?” An even weaker nod. He sighed as he stepped out.

The door closed on the silence that followed.

He was right. She’d messed up. She’d messed up so so so bad. A sob forced itself up her throat again but she forced it back down. She needed to fix this. As soon as possible. It was going to hurt but she was done beating around the bush with this drone. This drone that she admired, adored even, if she could be so bold. She had to do something. Nothing came of her sitting here being pathetic. She put her hair back up, grabbed the phone and glasses, and marched out the door.

Her door opened. “So, N sent a message and he-” Thad noticed the room was empty.

Oh, that’s good. She must have left to find V. Good for her. Finally. Hope N doesn’t run into them out there. Pft, that’d be hilarious.

Of course the storm out here had to be this bad. Holy bolts, Lizzy couldn’t see anything. The wind was practically shoving her around.

What is this? Your twelfth bad idea of the day?

She wished she had some kind of disassembly drone vision. V had mentioned it once. . . something about infra-red waves and Lizzy had stopped her there.

Something was ahead. Oh, right, she’d been here before. She’d probably remembered the way subconsciously. The spire of drone shells stood just in front of her. Yeesh. She was unsure why it didn’t bother her to see discarded bodies like this. Perhaps her coding didn’t feel grief? No, that was definitely untrue.

She stepped into the hollow spire. How was it colder in here, shielded from the wind? She froze at a large metal spike in front of her. She followed it’s path and suddenly got the feeling she shouldn’t have gone looking for V alone.

A space pod from Earth stood in the center of the spire, much like the one N had described once. . . and a lot like that one she’d seen J fly off in. But. . . why was there another one? She’d seen that ship blow up and the only other one she knew of was lost in the atmosphere?

A stabbing pain erupted in her side. Worse than anything she’d ever felt. Like dying. She fell over in the snow, clutching her side. Her hands burned now too.

What?

Oh.

Oh no.

Oh. Shit.

Acid.

Nanite acid.

It stung her fingertips and dug into her side from an obvious puncture wound. Above her she could barely make out a face full of red overheating symbols.

Well. . . this is a pretty stupid way to die. . .

V thrashed her tail, tossing snow around herself as she paced.

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Way to go, V. Why would you ever get involved with worker drones? You’re not N! They don’t care about you and you don’t care about them! Ugh, you’re so stupid for caring! How could you?! You knew this would happen! How could she ever-

A message popped up on her HUD. From N.

V? WHERE ARE YOU? LIZZY WENT OUTSIDE TO LOOK FOR YOU. I HEARD WHAT HAPPENED. I THINK SHE WANTS TO TALK.

Curse her tail for wagging at the very thought of Lizzy worrying about her. Robo-god, she was pathetic.

Wait. . . she’s outside? In this storm?

The fuzzy positive feeling was quickly replaced with dread. Before she could move, a heat signature appeared in her 180 degree vision. She looked up just in time to see the blip fly over her.

A flying drone? Oh, a murder drone. WAIT! FUCK! THAT’S J!

She took off after the sound of metal wing beats. She tried to be hidden but it cost her a bit of speed. By the time she landed at the spire, J was already inside. She looked different.

Of course she does. I’m sure everyone looks different after three months of hell.

Her hair was down and noticeably shorter and her suit was gone, all that remained was the tattered undershirt.

Can’t imagine what it’s been like for her out here.

J glitched awkwardly and suddenly her tail flicked to stab something hidden in front of her. A drone whined in pain and slumped over in the snow.

V stepped forward, probably too far away, but she still saw it: pink eyes, blonde hair, and all too familiar glow of nanite acid.

Her core stops.

And suddenly, she’s on the ground. Suddenly, all she can see is black. All she can feel is the metal chassis below her she’s shredding to bits. All she can hear is her own growls and grunts of effort and rage. J’s surprised screams turn to whimpers. And still she doesn’t stop. The whimpers turn to silence. And still she doesn’t stop. Her claws hit the snow underneath J’s ruined shell and still she doesn’t stop even when there’s only scraps of wire left. Still she doesn’t stop even when she hears someone shouting nearby. She isn’t even consuming the precious oil that splashes her face and stains the snow. She doesn’t care. She’s been yearning, craving to kill something for months. She’s been begging for an excuse. She needs this. She wants this. And a tiny part of her is scared of herself.

“V!” N cries, eyes hollow with frustration.

She whips around, heaving, silver saliva and black oil dripping from her teeth. He’s holding Lizzy, who’s terrifyingly lifeless. V marches over to them and picks up Lizzy, flicking out her wings. N stands to say something but V cuts him off with a snarling hiss before taking off.

The next five minutes are a blur, even to her enhanced senses. She was at Door 1 in seconds and didn’t even hesitate to tear a hole in it. She brushed past Thad on her march down the hall. He tried to follow but she was going too fast. She burst into the maintenance room, setting Lizzy down and threatening the workers with death if they didn’t help her. Barely a minute later, Thad, Khan, and Lizzy’s father stormed in. Thad rushed to his sister but Khan and Lizzy’s father focused on V. How could they not? She was still covered in oil, still had her claws out, and still displayed an X visor. Through some hushed whispers, they told V she was scaring everyone and needed to leave. (Her father put it more as “get away from my daughter”).

With an exhausted huff, she stepped out. A few drones in the hall saw her frame and bolted off.

In the new silence, she sighed. Her claws retracted and her visor flicked back to normal eyes.

Eyes that were crying.

She slid down the wall and hugged her knees, switching off her auditory sensors.

Chapter Text

Something nudged her. She groaned and peeked upwards. It was N. She raised her hearing slightly but said nothing.

“None of this is your fault, V.”

Nothing.

“I’m sorry about all this.”

Still nothing.

“Thad said you can go in.”

Her sensors flicked back on completely and she straightened. N nodded in confirmation, offering her a hand. She took it and stood. She was shaking. N noticed but didn’t say anything, just gave her a heartbreaking smile. She squeezed his hand gratefully and stepped inside.

Thad and his father were sitting at her side. V could only see her shoes from behind them. Thad noticed V first and started towards her but his father stepped in the way. They talked in angry, hushed tones for a moment. V coiled her tail around her legs as she caught a glimpse of Lizzy’s hand. Their father turned with an accusatory look but Thad stopped him, whispering with him again. With a final glare (that actually made V nervous even though she’d never admit it), their father walked out.

“I’m sorry about him.” Thad spoke up, uncharacteristically timid. “He agreed to leave us alone for a few minutes. He doesn’t trust you though.”

V nodded sternly. Thad looked hesitant to say something else. She couldn’t imagine how he must be feeling. He probably hated her but was too nice to say anything at the moment.

“Is-” she started quietly before Thad rushed her into a hug. She froze, looking down at him in more than mild shock.

He retracted quickly, smiling awkwardly. “Sorry, I’m sure you didn’t like that but. . . it looked like you needed one. N said that too.” He removed his hat and ran a hand through his hair; an oddly human gesture that surprised V. “I just uh. . .” He took a long breath. “I need some air, I think. Uh, don’t tell anyone you’re in here alone, okay? You. . . might be in pretty deep trouble for this.” He replaced his hat and stepped out.

V sucked in a breath and steeled herself to look at the drone laying a few feet away. To her surprise, pink eyes stared back at her.

“Yeesh, dramatic much?” Lizzy sat up slightly, resting her head on a hand. V froze, stunned. “Talking about him, I mean. Poor thing was crying. Both of them.” She noticed V’s silence. “Uh, it’s not like I’m ungrateful or anything, I just. . .”

V was closer now, standing over her with fists clenched like she needed to crush something. Lizzy always forgot how silently she moved. She reeked of oil.

Yeah, obviously. She’s covered in it.

“Are you-?”

“Are you okay?”

“Uh, yeah, yeah, I’m fine. They said the damage was almost nothing. It just hurts like a bitch.” Lizzy looked away, slightly humiliated. “I, uh. . . thank you by the way. I would totally be robot food right now if not for you. So, yeah, thanks.” V said nothing. “How did. . . how did you know where I was?”

V re-clenched her hands. “Received a message from N that you were wandering. Noticed J and followed. Right place, right time. . . I guess. You’re very lucky.” Lizzy opened her mouth to speak but V wasn’t done. “By the way, what the hell were you thinking going outside alone like that?! Even if J wasn’t out there, Sparky would happily still eat you! Not to mention the storm that was out there! What if I wasn’t there, Lizzy?! You’d be dead!”

Lizzy smirked. “Aw, you do care~”

“Yes!” V said like it was obvious, catching them both off guard.

Two pairs of eyes quickly dart away from each other. Visors flush. Silence. Unspoken words that needed to be said. Lizzy was never one to apologize first (because she was always right), but this time she knew she was in the wrong.

“I’m sorry.” Lizzy spoke up weakly. V glanced back at her. “I-I said things I shouldn’t have and I’m sorry it made you run away again.”

V inhaled sharply. “You weren’t entirely wrong. . .”

“V-”

“No, you. . . you were right. I should be honest with who I. . . who I care about. I’m so tired of pushing everyone away. You’ve been nothing but patient and I. . . I fucked that up.” She took a deep breath, closing her eyes. “I’m sorry.”

Lizzy smiled sadly and looked down at her hands. “You really shouldn’t be the one apologizing. I’m the one who was stubborn and tried forcing you to do things. . . like talking about your past. . . or all those stupid ‘bonding activities-’”

“But I wanted to. I wanted to tell you. . . I wanted to spend time with you.”

“You big sap-”

V took her hands suddenly but recoiled when she saw Lizzy wince. Her hands were tarnished from the acid and probably hurt to move. “I’m not lying, Lizzy. I. . . want to be honest with you.”

Lizzy blinked up at her before nodding slowly, glancing at V’s shaking hands. She offered her own hands. V hesitated but took them, sitting beside the cot.

“So. . . you mentioned a ‘manor’?”

V nodded, steeling her nerves. “I was a worker drone before. Before the human race was wiped out and before Earth exploded. I worked in a manor full of humans, serving them.”

A pause.

“Doesn’t sound like you at all.” Lizzy smirked.

V chuckled dryly. “I know, right? N and J worked there too; that’s how we all started.” She straightened. “But, um, I was a lot different back then.”

A deep breath.

“The work was awful. We were treated like trash; dismantled constantly for the stupidest reasons. Except for. . . one girl. Tessa. She took care of us and any other drone she could. Treated us like humans. She’s the one who gave us our names.”

Another breath.

“I was the. . . first. . . first murder drone. First version at least. It was. . . very crude and. . . very painful. Ya know how Uzi looked when she went all crazy at camp?”

Lizzy nodded. She was still holding her hands, even stroking them softly, which was making the already difficult conversation even harder to focus on.

“Yeah, it was a lot like that. I remember one day, every other drone in the manor, including me but excluding N and J, went offline. We woke up to. . .”

A pause. She glanced back at Lizzy, who was patiently looking at her and offered a slight smile. V returned the smile softly.

“Every human was dead. Including Tessa. The Solver had killed them and completely taken over Cyn’s body. After that, it. . . turned us into what we are now. All the worker drones in the manor. The process was, um. . . it was-”

Lizzy squeezed her hands. V blinked and realized she was shaking again.

Another breath.

“It was torture, to put it short. The Solver was completely in our systems by then and told us to kill every human on Earth. So. . . we did. I’m sure you can imagine how. . . that went. Then the Solver caused the core collapse of Earth and every other human colony and quickly sent all of us out into the galaxy to destroy every remaining worker drone so it could later make them murder drones too.”

Another breath. This one came easier.

“And you know the rest sooo. . . yeah. Any. . . questions, I guess?”

She looked back at Lizzy, who was tracing the triangle on the back of one of her hands.

“Were you even listening?”

Lizzy paused and flicked her eyes back to V’s. “Yes, miss petty, and I do have one question.” V nodded. “You said you were. . . different back then? Do you mean that in a bad way?”

V fought a laugh. “No, no, I guess not. I was very. . . shy. . . quiet. . . timid. N and J. . . they haven’t changed at all since then. Funny, huh?” She sighed. “I could. . . tch, this is gonna be embarrassing. . .”

Lizzy perked up. “Okay, now you have to do it.”

V groaned and reluctantly withdrew her hands from Lizzy. After a couple memory file digs, a small blue hologram popped up from the back of her hand. It was her from back then, uniform and all.

“This picture was taken with Tessa and her family. She’d convinced them to let us in the photo. I probably look-”

“Damn, talk about perfectly nailing both hot and cute!” Lizzy gushed, pulling the image closer.

“W-what?”

“Like, sorry if this is weird but, wow wow wow, holy shit girl!”

V was more than a little caught off-guard. “Really? After a whole tragic backstory, that’s the first thing you say?”

“Oh, come on! You know it’s true!” Lizzy snickered.

V glanced back down at the photo. A soft smile crossed her face. “Alright. . . I was pretty cute.”

“Aaannnddd hot?”

V flicked the hologram off and leaned away. “Enough.” She failed to hide her smile behind her hand.

Lizzy giggled but then paused, thinking. “Is. . . that why you never wore the glasses? Even though you need them? Is it. . . because you don’t like remembering?”

V rolled her eyes playfully. “You are an excellent judge of character.”

Lizzy looked guilty.

V scooted closer again. “Sorry, um, yes, that’s why.”

Lizzy paused and reached behind her, pulling out the glasses and V’s phone. V took the phone and watched Lizzy gesture for her to come closer. She did. Lizzy placed the glasses on her visor with a soft magnetic tink. Lizzy blinked, eyes hollow.

“What? No longer cute?” V teased, resting her chin on her arms on the edge of the cot.

Lizzy flushed, faltering. “I-I didn’t say that! You just-! Ugh!” She turned away from V’s snicker. “You are an idiot! Talk about something else, please.”

Chapter Text

So, they did.

For only about five more minutes until Lizzy’s father stormed back in, Thad at his heels. V instinctively stood and stepped away from Lizzy, much to her dismay.

“Dad, she-” Thad was saying.

“You have overstayed your welcome, murder drone.” Their father spat, stepping right up to V’s face. “Leave.”

“Dad-” Lizzy started, annoyed.

“Elizabeth.”

She quieted.

V knit her expression, attempting to stay collected. “It’s fine, Lizzy. I’ll go.” She stepped to the door but stalled for a moment to untangle her tail from Lizzy’s leg.

She hadn’t even noticed.

Like her dad needed more reasons to hate me. Lizzy didn’t even say anything. How embarrassing.

The door shut, leaving her alone in the hall.

Did she. . . like it?

Suddenly, N and Uzi were beside her.

“She okay?” N whispered.

“Yeah, N, she’s. . . yeah, she’s more than okay.”

Uzi eyed her knowingly. “What’s with the glasses?”

“Oh, um,” V was definitely blushing and definitely wanted to kill Uzi for the unwanted smirk she was giving. “A ‘thank you’ gift. That’s all.”

“How sweet!” N chirped.

“Mhm.” Uzi mused, rolling her eyes.

V shot her a glare. “Anyway, I’ll be outside. Sparky needs some company and I should get outta here while all the ‘adults’ calm down.”

“Hey, my dad doesn’t blame you. He just wishes you hadn’t destroyed his door.”

“Of course that’s what he’s worried about.” V chuckled.

“My mom on the other hand. . .” Uzi started but stopped with a nod when she saw V’s grimace. 

“I’ll send you a message if Lizzy asks for you, okay?” N said with a sheepish smile.

Great. He knows too.

“Thanks.” She gritted a smile and turned away.

“And watch your back out there. Another J clone could still be active.” Uzi called after her.

V froze, unsheathing and sheathing her claws in an angry twitch. “Trust me. . . I’m not the one who should watch their back.” She kept walking until she was outside.

“How do they look?” V adjusted the glasses slightly. “I don’t look too different, do I?” Sparky shook his head and gave her face a lick. The metal-on-metal feeling wasn’t pleasant. “Ouch. Thanks.” He gave her a look. “What’s that for?” A chirp. “Oh, yeah. Yeah, it was a gift.” He sat and chittered. “Yes. From her.” A huff. “Oh, shush. I don’t care; you’re going to learn to like her. And no, I do not have any information about how she tastes. Weirdo.” They both chuckled.

Blip. A message.

HI, V! THEY LET LIZZY GO HOME. SHE ASKED WHERE YOU WERE BUT HER FATHER IS STILL MILDLY UPSET AND DOESN’T WANT YOU TALKING TO HER. I’M SORRY THIS IS ALL SO CRAZY.

She smirked and shook her head.

NO WORRIES, N. I’LL TALK TO HER.

A pause.

YOU’RE GOING TO SNEAK IN THROUGH HER WINDOW, AREN’T YOU?

Sparky snicked. She pushed him aside.

YES. TALK LATER?

OKAY! GOOD LUCK!

“I should go before things get crazier in there.” Sparky whined. “Hey. No. Whining. I’ll be back soon. A day maybe.” A huff. “No, I’m not bringing her along.” she laughed. “Get outta here!” He snickered and trotted off.

V turned back to the remains of Door 1 and saw it was already under construction. Khan, Uzi’s father, ordered a few drones around and handed around supplies. V stepped up to him curiously.

“And just when I thought they were- GAH!” He jumped when he noticed V next to him. “Phew! It’s just you! Thought you were the other one.” He relaxed slightly. “But you took care of that one, right?” V nodded and he relaxed a bit more. “Good, good. Can’t have any more of you guys running around.” He chuckled to himself and V forced a tight smile. “But seriously, I’m happy you brought that Lizzy kid back in one piece and all. . . but did you have to wreck my precious door?! I mean, look at it! It’ll take days to be operational again!” He rubbed his head, clearly stressed.

“I was in a bit of a rush?” V tried. He didn’t look soothed. “J isn’t gonna show her face here with me around so I wouldn’t worry about it.” He frowned. She got a twist in her core, like a need to do better. She hated it. “I could patrol?”

He brightened. “Oh, excellent! That would certainly put several drones’ minds at ease! Thanks, uh, V, was it?”

She smirked. “Yeah, that’s right. I’ll head out tomorrow.”

Lizzy laid on her bed, staring at the photos that decorated the underside of the bunk above her. Most were of herself but a few were with friends. A few from prom. A few from camp. A few with Thad. A few with V. She grabbed one and studied it. It was a selfie of V outside her window looking in. V had sent it to her one night about a month ago. It had scared the screws out of her but, of course, V had found it hilarious.

She slowly sat up and moved to her desk, pulling out her journal and pinning the photo to a page. She had to write her thoughts down before they made her explode.

V. You’re such an idiot. Trying to kill me. Not trying to kill me. Hanging out with me. Saving my life. Such an idiot. Acting like that. Looking like that. Looking at me like that. So stupid. Making me feel like this over a murderer that doesn’t even like me back. Sure, you care but that isn’t the same. I want to hear you say it. I know it’s selfish but I can’t help it. I’ve never felt this crazy before. So nervous and excited. Sure, I’ve liked some drones but, oh no, I’m in love, aren’t I? ROBO-GOD, I’m obsessed with you, aren’t I? That’s so lame. Maybe I should just ask you to kill me so I’d at least be getting two things I want.

TAP TAP TAP

Lizzy jumped at the sound, throwing her journal back under her mess of books. She turned slowly to the window and, sure enough, a pair of yellow eyes and five yellow bulbs greeted her. She sighed and stepped over, opening it to V’s upside-down face.

“Figured you’d wind up here eventually. Can’t stay away from me, can you?” Lizzy teased, loving how V flushed with embarrassment and failed to hide it.

“You are so full of yourself. But you’re a bit right.”

Lizzy smirked. “Worried?”

V smirked back. “Yes. . . and. . .?”

Lizzy didn’t have a coherent response so she just stepped aside. V crawled in, clinging to the ceiling a moment before dropping down.

Chapter Text

“So, is the sleepover back on?” Lizzy suddenly remembered.

V noted her odd sudden positivity after nearly dying but wasn’t surprised. It was Lizzy after all.

“If I can get away with it. I hear a certain someone is not allowing me near you?”

“UGH! Don’t remind me!” She collapsed backwards on her bed. “No one ever lets me have any fun. I mean, come on, this whole thing was my fault anyways. Punish me, not you! You saved me! That should count for something!” She sat up sharply, turning to V who had sat next to her. “You should get a medal.”

V fought her laugh. “Pft, no thanks. If they gave medals for saving helpless workers, wouldn’t me, N, and Uzi combined have like, dozens by now?”

“Hm, true.” Lizzy let her hair down, messing it up slightly and sighing.

“So, how are you?”

Lizzy blinked.

Oh, right, I almost died.

“Physically? Perfectly fine. Emotionally? Ehhh. . . confused.”

“Aren’t we all?” V smirked, crossing her legs.

“Ha. Ha.” Lizzy scooted back against the wall. “Uh. . . how are you? I mean, you aren’t hurt obviously but. . . well. . . V, you’re covered in oil. Yeesh, can’t believe you sat on my bed.” She stood and threw a towel at V’s face, who frowned and wiped her claws and face.

“I already cleaned off in the snow. And it’s not my oil.”

Lizzy sat back down, taking V’s hand and examining it. “Yeah, I figured that. I’m not an idiot.”

“You walked straight into a murder drone lair.” V watched as Lizzy steadied a brush between her fingers.

“I was looking for a disassembly drone! That was obviously the best place to look!” Lizzy glared up at V before refocusing on her “nails”. V scoffed. “What? Did you kill someone? You did say you were hungry. Was it one of those bully kids? I hope it was. They suck.”

Lizzy didn’t need to hear the details of V’s freak out on J. “I didn’t kill anyone. We don’t do that anymore.”

“Damn.”

“I found some worker outside and. . . tried what N said.”

V felt a little humiliated.

“Pft! Really? Draining? How would that even work?”

Okay, more than a little humiliated.

“Shut up. It worked well enough.”

“Did the other guy scream? I bet he did. Real loud too. Like a baby.” Lizzy switched to the other hand.

“Not really, surprisingly.” She paused, remembered how weird it had been being so close to killing someone yet knowing when to hold back. “I think that. . . since we always used to kill before we drank. . . we expected screams. But now that we won’t be doing that anymore. . . I guess we’ll have to get used to another type of reaction.”

Lizzy paused. “What did the worker do?”

V giggled. “Nothing bad. Quit worrying~” She flicked Lizzy’s forehead as the other moved to polish her own fingers. “I mean. . . the drone, he. . . it wasn’t what I was expecting. I bit down on his wrist and started drinking, very gently might I add,” Lizzy rolled her eyes. “And he. . . enjoyed it? He wasn’t really squirming or yelling in pain. . . it was like. . . I don’t know. It was my first time doing that and it was just really weird. Maybe it’s better to kill them because that whole thing was honestly uncomfortable.”

Lizzy had been frozen and silent. She glanced sideways at V, then back at her fingers, then sideways back at V.

“Hm.”

V raised an eyebrow.

“So. . . I have an odd question and it’s totally okay if you can’t exactly answer it-”

“Go ahead.”

Lizzy nodded, putting down the polish. “What’s oil taste like?” She didn’t look in V’s direction.

V chuckled and leaned back against the wall as well. “I guess I never thought about it too much but I think it depends on the drone. Most of the time it’s sweet, like coolant. Sometimes it’s bitter, like gasoline. But it definitely tastes way better than nanite acid, let me tell you. Yuck.”

Lizzy was quiet for a second again. “Hm. . . that’s right. You can counteract the acid with your saliva. Honestly, the Solver was incredibly smart to give you that backup. Plus all the other features unconsciously integrated into your-” She froze, eyes hollow and blush growing. She turned to V slowly. “Wait. . . so. . . when I got stabbed. . . did you-?”

V looked down at her curiously but shifted away. She didn’t really want to think about that. “Have to clean the acid off you? Yes. . . what’s the problem?”

Lizzy hugged her knees, blush increasing and quickly looking away. “Aha, nothing! Just. . . grateful!”

I was knocked out during that?! NO! What the FUCK?! I’m actually going to kill J!

Lizzy cleared her throat, scooting away from V. “SO! What. . . uh. . . what happened to J?”

V grit her teeth, visor flickering. “Dead.”

“Ah.”

J! I’M FUCKING KILLING YOU AGAIN!

Lizzy straightened, adopting an annoyed tone despite her true feelings. “So, what, you had to like, lick me? Haha. . . gross, right?”

“Would you rather have died?” V scooted closer so they were side by side again.

Lizzy thinks V’s trying to be intimidating, trying to make her realize the gravity of her injury. All Lizzy can think about is how warm it suddenly is.

“N-no, I guess not.” She finally looked back towards V. “Like the nails?”

V examined her own fingers. She hadn’t been really paying attention to the red color Lizzy had painted on the tips. She knew this was a common thing between girls. V smiled softly.

“Tessa used to do this. With me and J.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah. . . it was nice. She always talked us to death while she was doing it. Kinda like you do all the time.” Lizzy chuckled but stayed quiet. V looked over the colored tips again. “Thank you for making them red.”

“Goes well with the pink, don’t you think?” Lizzy put the tips of her own pink fingers against V’s.

“Heh, yeah, I guess it does.” V softened and took a breath before intertwining their hands and looking Lizzy in the eyes. As expected, she was a mess. “I’m sorry today happened.”

“Y-you really should not be apologizing again. Today was my mistake. My fault. And I’m accepting that so don’t try and make me feel better.”

In the silence that follwed, Lizzy’s core was making a noticeable sound as it beat against her chassis.

“You alright?”

“Ignore that. Please.”

“Not that. . . although it is cute.” She squeezed her hands a bit tighter. “Are you really okay after what happened?”

Lizzy sucked in a breath. “Yes, I’m fine. I promise. I’d say I’ve been through a lot worse the past few months, hm?” There was a hint of unusual desperation in V’s expression. Lizzy caught it and pulled V’s hands closer. “I’m not scared of you.”

She blinked in surprise. “I-”

“You were thinking it. It’s all over your face.”

“I’m sorry.” V slumped over a bit. She was clearly falling apart again but Lizzy was glad she wasn’t running away anymore.

“Quit apologizing.” Lizzy pulled her slowly into a hug.

V stalled a moment but accepted it. Her core was pounding as she fully relaxed into the hug, resting her head on Lizzy’s shoulder. Lizzy felt her tremble and guessed she was crying but wasn’t going to say anything. V deserved a moment of peace, a moment of vulnerability. And yes, it warmed Lizzy to know V felt safe with her but this wasn’t about her.

Many minutes passed, they eventually settled into leaning on each other, Lizzy resting her head entirely on V’s shoulder. V was only half-watching whatever was happening on Lizzy’s phone; her hands were busy tracing the outline of the acid scar on Lizzy’s palm.

“Whatcha doin’?” V was startled and let go of her hand, ashamed. Lizzy took it back gently.

“It hurt. . . didn’t it?”

“Yes, but it doesn’t anymore. Seriously.”

V made a sound that was almost a whimper. Half of her yelled at herself for being so pathetic but the other half yelled back saying she needed someone to open up to like this. And if not N, who else? It would destroy her eventually. She knew that.

“It. . . I was. . .” Lizzy set her phone down and looked up as V spoke. “You scared me. I was terrified.” V avoided the other’s eyes by resting on her shoulder. “I was terrified of losing you. I’ve never had that fear before for someone other than N and I hated it. I hate feeling so. . . helpless. Like with the-” She cut herself off and found herself clinging to Lizzy’s arm. “That’s not. . . pathetic. . . is it?”

Lizzy had never seen V like this. She was always so strong, intimidating, carefree, hot, badass. She wasn’t really a comforting type of drone but. . . now. . . with this “angel of death” on her shoulder (literally), she knew she had to do something. V cared about her more than anything; that was clear. Did Lizzy? Who was she kidding? Obviously. Even if it was silly. And probably incredibly dangerous.

“No,” Lizzy searched herself for the right words. “Not pathetic. I think. . . I think it’s admirable.” V tilted her head to look back at her. Her eyes no longer held the confident-fierceness Lizzy liked. Instead they were. . . soft, open, and kind. Lizzy thinks she’s catching a glimpse of V’s old self back at the manor. And Lizzy knows she loves it. “You’re beautiful. . .” she breathes out without thinking. Because what has she ever done correctly while thinking about V?

V blinks, pulling back slightly and looking her over, as if determining if she’s joking. She realizes she isn’t and about glitches. Her grip on Lizzy’s hand tightens and her core is unfortunately skipping (probably not good but that’s not what’s on her mind right now).

“H-huh?”

“Sorry! Shit!” Lizzy jumps away covering her face, visor entirely flushed pink. “You were trying to- ugh, I ruined it. I’m so lame. Forget I said that, seriously.” She mumbled a few things. “Can’t keep my mouth shut at all. Probably hates me. Ugh. So embarrassing.”

The silence was loud.

V folded her hands nervously. What she was feeling was scarily new, much different than what she’d felt with N all those years ago. This was. . . intense, exciting, terrifying, and almost. . . addictive? She glanced around the room while Lizzy fell apart beside her and tried to quiet the thumping of her core. She’d never been called that before. If anyone else had called her that, would she be reacting this. . . nervously? No, probably not. She stomped on her tail as it tapped against the floor happily. She groaned and glanced back at Lizzy. She had tucked her knees to her chest and looked. . . guilty.

“Liz?”

Lizzy made a noise that was probably a laugh. “Was wondering when you’d start calling me that.” She still looked terrible.

V scooted back over, hesitating before taking her hands again. “You meant that. . . didn’t you?”

Lizzy gulped and did not look anywhere near V. “Yeah.”

“And. . . not in a ‘besties’ way?”

Panic rose.

Unless I’ve been reading this entire situation wrong.

Lizzy nodded slowly.

Panic faded. V stalled. This didn’t feel real.

“Oh.”

A lot made sense now. How smoothly they clashed yet always seemed so tense with each other. The need to impress the other yet never get too close. The ability to care so much and still not be able to hold hands without falling apart. V had to chuckle at the realization. “We’re so stupid.”

Lizzy huffed out a laugh with her. “Yeah, we really are.”

V nudged her and they met eyes. “We. . . aren’t exactly friends anymore. . . are we?”

Lizzy smirked. “Took you long enough.”

V sputtered, furrowing her expression. “W-what?”

Lizzy’s smirk grew. V shoved her away and stood, flipping up to the empty bunk above. She sighed dramatically.

“V?!” Lizzy giggled. “Are you pouting?”

V dipped her head over the side. “Murder drones do not pout.”

“But you totally are!”

V’s head disappeared. “I prefer the word ‘sulk’.”

“You’re ridiculous!” A pause, then softly, “Can you come back down here please?” V flipped back over and sat next to Lizzy again, curious. “Could. . . could I try something? It might be stupid and creepy and weird but-”

“Go ahead.”

Lizzy hesitated another moment before leaning closer and reaching for V’s face. V’s eyes widened but then closed, anticipating something. They snapped open again when she felt a hand on her head instead of lips on lips. Lizzy’s hand was in her hair, tickling the sensors underneath. V (unfortunately) uttered a small gasp at the touch. It was so unexpected. So new. So unknown. So unheard of. The last time something touched her head. . . N did comfortingly once back at the manor. Since then, mostly just abuse from J or nothing at all. Uzi had jumped on it once so yeah, nothing very pleasant. This touch was. . . soft and hesitant. And it felt good? Like something in her code knew this was a feeling of comfort.

“V? You alright?”

She opened her eyes partly after unconsciously closing them. “Hm?”

“I think you’re doing a thing that. . . what are they called. . . cats do?”

V heard it now.

She was purring.

“Oh, robo-god!” She darted away and hid her face as her tail flicked anxiously.

“No, no! It’s. . . fine!” Lizzy tried.

V groaned into her hands.

"It’s cute! Really! I’m sorry I brought it up!”

She groaned louder.

Lizzy hesitated but took the risk. She ran her hand back through V’s hair and while V did tense, she didn’t pull away. In fact, she leaned into it, literally melting in Lizzy’s hands as the purring whirring sounds got louder.

“If you ever tell anyone about this, you’re going to wish I hadn’t saved you.” V grumbled as she wrapped her arms around Lizzy’s waist and her tail around one of her legs.

Lizzy was giddy, bringing her other hand to V’s hair as well. “No promises~”

Chapter Text

~ Three Months Later ~

heyyyy hot stuff <3

What is that

its a heart silly goose

I am not a goose

u r just being annoying

Yes

k whatever am i still good 2 come over?

Yes

now ok? boredddddddd

Give me a few minutes, I need to eat

fineeeeeee <3 <3 <3

Lizzy smirked and put her phone in her pocket before glancing at her mirror.

Hair up or hair down?

She stepped closer to the mirror.

V likes it down. Even if she’ll never admit it. She’s like a cat when she rakes her hands through it. The idiot. She smiled at the thought. And. . . hm, I guess I don’t mind it. Fine, down it is.

Her room door opened to Thad.

“What do you want?”

“Why so moody? You got a date or something?” He leaned against the doorframe.

“Yes, actually,” She brushed past him into the living room. “But she’s eating right now.

“You mean drinking?” Thad asked. Lizzy glanced at him. “She stopped killing drones?”

A pause.

“Right?”

“Ugh! Yes, Thad! Both her and N stopped like a year ago!” She rolled her eyes and pulled her phone back out, looking at it instead.

He threw his hands up, smiling nervously. “Alright, alright! I meant nothing by it!”

Lizzy rolled her eyes again as her dad entered the room.

“Listen to your brother, Elizabeth. He is right to worry.” he said plainly, sitting down to browse an old newspaper.

Lizzy rolled her eyes a third time.

Robo-goooooooood.

She knew all too well her father’s unappreciation for the disassembly drones. Even N. Somehow. That drone was actually the sweetest thing Lizzy had ever witnessed and she could very clearly see why Uzi liked him. Lizzy would have probably stolen him herself if V hadn’t been the first one to catch her eye. She hated the fuzzy positive feeling she got whenever V came up.

Thad straightened. “Dad, V isn’t evil. You know that. You’ve met her.”

Their father glanced up coolly. “And what about when it hurt Elizabeth with that acid?”

Lizzy really had to stop rolling her eyes. They might get stuck.

Thad started again. “Lizzy doesn’t have to prove V’s good enough to be her girlfriend. She helped save the galaxy, dad.”

“I can speak for myself, Thad.” Lizzy snapped, although she was grateful. He nodded and backed off. “Dad, that day was entirely my fault and V wasn’t the one that hurt me; she saved me.” She flushed, whipping back to Thad with sudden realization. “A-and she i-isn’t my girlfriend! I-! We aren’t using labels like that! We haven’t even talked about it! We didn’t-! She-! Ugh! I’m leaving now!” She rushed out.

The second she turned down the hallway she rammed into N. He caught her before she fell, which was inevitable considering his larger size.

“Oh, biscuits! Hey, Lizzy! So sorry to run into you like that!” He laughed nervously, straightening.

She smirked softly. “You’re fine, N. What’s got you in such a rush?”

“Funny you ask! I was actually stopping by to ask you something.” Lizzy gestured like she was waiting. “Oh, um, do you know where V is?”

Lizzy blinked and her face twisted into confusion. “At her place? Well, not right now I don’t think. She told me she was going to go eat?”

N nodded. “Yeah, um, that’s what’s weird.” He glanced around nervously and leaned closer like he was telling a secret. “V hasn’t been seen out of her room in two weeks. Uzi and I are worried and we thought it best to tell you.”

Her eyes hollowed. What he said made sense considering she’d only been texting V for the past couple weeks, always saying she was too busy with work and personal projects. The thought sent a chill through her. V had been working to be less. . . self-destructive. Worry crept into her about the possibility of V going back to her old. . . unfortunate habits.

“O-okay, we should go find her then, right?” She walked past him and down the corridor. N caught up, hurrying in front of her.

As they neared the room, Uzi stepped out in front of them suddenly.

“Whoa! Hey, jeez, what are you guys doing here?”

“Finding V.” They said simultaneously. Lizzy’s was dry while N’s was cheerful.

“Oh,” Uzi’s face dropped. N stepped past both of them and opened V’s door, disappearing inside. Lizzy stepped after him but Uzi put up a hand, stopping her. “Hey. . . do you know what’s going on with her?”

Lizzy frowned, glancing between the door and Uzi. “No, we’ve only been texting recently. Then N tells me no one’s seen her in weeks and I feel like I don’t even know anything anymore.”

A pause.

“Do you think she’s been eating?” Uzi asked softly.

Another pause.

“She told me she was eating.” Lizzy answered, suddenly unsure.

N threw the door open, closing it quickly and pressing himself against it. Digital sweat dripped down his visor. “Uh, guys? Maybe we shouldn’t go in there right now?”

Lizzy’s core dropped. “I am.” She brushed past Uzi and stood in front of N.

N swallowed. “L-Lizzy. . . I’m just warning you. She isn’t-”

“Don’t say she’s not herself! I don’t care what she’s like in there right now! I need to see her!”

Uzi grabbed her arm. “Lizzy, this is serious! Even N is brutal when he gets like this and that’s after only one week! She’s been hungry for two and it’s V we’re talking about! Do you know her at all?”

Lizzy ripped her arm away and stepped closer to the door. “Better than you!” She hissed. “N. Open. The. Door.”

He glanced between Lizzy, Uzi, and the door for a moment. Lizzy clenched her fists, actually panicking now. He sighed and pushed the door open a crack. Lizzy rushed in. The door slammed behind her, leaving her in pitch darkness.

“H-h-hope she k-k-kills her.” Uzi’s Solver tail chimed.

Uzi whacked it to the floor. “Shut up.”

“I-i-innocent giggle.”

Chapter Text

At once something was on top of her, slamming her to the floor. A yellow X and five yellow bulbs filled her vision. A shrilly giggle rang out as a claw etched down her visor. Lizzy was suddenly glad V liked to play around her with kills. Maybe she had time to talk her out of this? Crazier things had happened: Uzi literally swallowed a god. She could control one slightly upset disassembly drone, right?

“H-hey, V, uh-”

A growl. Claws tightened around her face. Words died in her throat as she subconsciously kicked at the drone above her uselessly.

Okay! Looks like talking will not work!

Lizzy gripped her arms, trying to force her off. It did nothing. . . obviously. Her arms were burning, literally almost too hot to touch.

V, what have you done to yourself?

V leaned closer and Lizzy could see the gleam of her fangs barely an inch away.

Under. . . other. . . circumstances, Lizzy would be more than a little excited. But not right now. No. Right now she was unfortunately more than a little terrified. Something flashed in her mind. Something N had said about. . .

She groaned, trying to hide the shakiness in her voice. “V, I’m actually going to kill you for making me do this!” With a swift movement, she cut her hand on V’s claw and held it to her mouth.

V stalled for a moment. . . then, like a viper, latched her teeth onto the cut, gripping the arm with both sets of claws. Lizzy yelped, pulling away but V held her firm, ripping the cut open further and drinking the spilling oil. Lizzy whimpered, desperately trying to crawl away as she felt tears fall.

Okay, Lizzy! Worst idea you’ve ever had! Now you’re gonna ACTUALLY get eaten by the hot, killer queen you haven’t even gotten to kiss yet! You idiot!

The lights flicked on. N burst in, diving at V. The two of them crashed across the room in a ball of claws. V hissed and pinned him down but he was quick. He rolled and forced her towards the jug of oil he was holding. She paused and drained the jug, licking her lips. N grabbed her backwards, pinning her down into a headlock. V struggled but couldn’t break free, instead deciding to gnaw on N’s forearm. Her tail thrashed but N stomped it down with his foot.

Uzi knelt next to Lizzy and winced at her hand. “Yo, Liz?” She waved her hand in front of her face. “You there? Can you stand?”

“I think. . . I should’ve. . . listened to N. . .”

The room was spinning.

Uzi shook her shoulders. “Hey! Open your eyes, Lizzy! Stay with me here!” She looked over her shoulder. “N! She’s-!”

Then it was dark.

Chapter Text

She sat up slowly, groaning.

She was on a cot in the maintenance room.

A hand was on her shoulder, squeezing gently. “Good morning, sleepyhead.”

“Thad?”

He sat beside her. “Hey. You were only out a few minutes but N came and got me.”

She nodded. “Good,” She shifted and winced. Her hand was wrapped in bandages and hurt like hell. “Dad doesn’t know. . . right?” She glanced at him desperately.

Thad sighed and crossed his arms. After way too long, he said, “No. I’m not gonna tell him anything.”

She breathed a little easier. “Thank you-”

“But I’m pissed, Liz. You told me everything was fine. That V was better.”

She groaned. “I wasn’t lying, Thad. I didn’t know she still struggled. You know how distant she gets-”

“This can’t happen again, Liz. Others could find out. Panic will spread. N and V will be hunted and forced offline-”

“You think I don’t know that?!” she snapped. Thad flinched. “I know how dangerous they are! I’m sure Uzi does too! But we don’t care! We still like them and we want to be around them!”

Thad looked at the floor. “I know that. I don’t blame V. . . I just. . . I was really scared, Liz.” He instantly pulled her into a tight hug.

She froze but slowly hugged back. “I’m sorry I made you worry. This whole thing was my fault really.”

“Yeah, N told me that.” He nudged her shoulder. “Badass though!” She scoffed. Thad sighed. “V, she uh. . . kinda punished herself and ran off once she came to her senses. I think N said she turned herself in and Khan put her in a cell.”

Lizzy about jumped to her feet. “He forced her offline?!”

“No! No, she’s mostly fine. She asked him to put her there.”

Lizzy looked at him desperately. “Where?”

The door in the dark hallway she’d never been down before slid open, revealing V. She was curled up in the corner, hugging her knees with her tail coiled tightly around herself, facing away from the entrance. She looked so small; no jacket, scarf, or glasses.

Not even the bracelets they’d made together.

“Go away, N!” She whipped around and froze. “L-Liz?” She sounded horrified. Lizzy stood there, probably staring. “I-I thought you would still be asleep-” V stuttered, scratching the back of her hand nervously. She scooted back into the corner, not looking anywhere near Lizzy. “I couldn’t handle seeing you on a cot again. . .”

Lizzy took a step. “V, wait-”

“No! Stay away from me! You’ll only get hurt. I hurt everything and everyone close to me. I’m hopeless. You were right: I am a monster.” She tucked into herself even more.

“V. . . I don’t think that. . . I never did.” Lizzy sat back down, sighing. “I said that in a moment of anger and I’m so sorry-” She blinked. “Have. . . have you still been thinking about that? For three months?” Her core sank. V didn’t say anything, which obviously meant yes. “V. . . come here. . . please?" V tensed, scratching into her hand more, drawing oil. Lizzy nearly sobbed. “V. . . I’m not scared of you. I never have been.” She grabbed her wrist and pulled her up to her feet. V panicked at the contact and tugged back, pressing herself against the wall and as far away as possible. Lizzy took a shaky breath. “Is that why you haven’t been eating?”

Silence.

"V. . . please be honest with me. You were once, can you do it again? This is about your well-being. You’re. . . my. . . best friend. I can’t have anything happen to you. You mean too much to me. Please.” V had moved a few inches closer but still couldn’t look at her. Lizzy moved a few inches closer as well. “Look at me. . . please?"

She did and instantly flinched. “Shit. . . what have I done. . .”

“Don’t focus on that-”

“How can I not?! Look at your hand, Liz! I did that! I was going to kill you! How can you just. . . brush past that? How can you forgive that? How can you forgive me? I can’t be trusted around you! Around anyone! Your dad’s right about me. . . everyone is. . . I’m nothing but a heartless killing machine. I just. . .” V hiccuped a sob. “I wanted to be gone! I thought everything might be better if I was! A-and I’m sorry I didn’t tell you but I-I thought maybe it would hurt less if I didn’t! I was wrong, I see that now but. . . I care about you so much, Liz. More than anything else. I never thought I would lose that until-” Her gaze fell to the tarnish on Lizzy’s other hand and she shivered. “And now this? How can I even say I care about you if I was so ready to kill you?! If because of me you always end up hurt?!”

“V, shut up! I don’t care about any of that! I just want you to be okay!” Now it was Lizzy’s turn to cry.

“I want you to be okay! And you clearly aren’t if I’m here! I should just leave before I make everything worse! N belongs here, I d-”

She froze.

Lizzy was kissing her.

Her.

Gripping her arms like V was her lifeline.

V sobbed and kissed back. Softly. Imperceptibly so. Just enough to make both of them realize V still wanted to be here. To try. To keep going.

How could this drone she adored so much possibly still want her after all she’d done? How could she not hate her?

Lizzy paused, still holding her tight. “You want me to be okay? If you leave, I’m not okay. So, stay. Please.”

V held her face, smiling through her trembling. “I will. I’ll stay. I’m sorry.”

“I’m sorry too,” Lizzy smiled back. “For not doing this sooner.”

V forced a chuckle and leaned their foreheads together. “I guess I can forgive you.”

“I forgive you too.”

Chapter Text

~ Six Months Later ~

Knock Knock Knock

Lizzy sat up slowly, groaning.

Knock Knock Knock

She yawned, stretching even though it was difficult in her position.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

“Whaaat?” she called weakly.

“You up?” said Thad’s voice.

“I am now.” She rubbed her visor awake.

“Did I wake you?”

“Yes.” she hissed.

“Ah, figured you were just ignoring me. Didn’t want to interrupt a make out sesh or something.”

“You’re grrrooosss! We didn’t do that!” she grumbled quietly. “. . . recently.”

“Are you mumbling?”

She pretended she’d coughed. “What do you want, Thad?”

“Nothing. . . just. . . N and Uzi are outside asking for V and-”

“She left through the window last night. That’s all I know.”

“Okay, I guess I’ll tell them. Sorry for waking you.”

Footsteps left the door.

Lizzy sighed and looked down to the pair of arms around her waist.

“Should’ve told the truth.” V mumbled from under a pillow behind her, not bothering to move.

“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”

“All your talk about being honest. . . hm, hypocrite.” The arms tightened around her.

“Let goooooo.”

“No.”

“Come onnnnnn.” Lizzy was not making any attempt to get free.

“No.”

“Quit being stubborn.”

“Says you.”

Lizzy sighed dramatically. “You’ll have to get up eventually.”

“Yeah, not gonna happen.” V chided, shifting closer. Lizzy huffed affectionately and started to put her hair up. She stopped short when a hand was combing through it suddenly. V had sat up and was leaning against her, raking her hands through the ends of Lizzy’s hair like a cat.

“What are you doing?”

“Making you want me to stay~” she purred directly into Lizzy’s audio receiver.

Lizzy shivered and her visor flushed entirely pink but she managed to smirk, leaning back against V.

“If they’re looking for you, it’s probably important, you know.”

“Mmm, really? More important than this~?” V tries again. Lizzy tilts her head back and meets V eyes. V blinks slowly and sighs. “You’re right. Fine. I’ll see what they want and be right back, okay?”

“Take your time. I can handle it.”

She stands, grabs her glasses, and snickers. “No, you can’t.”

Lizzy snickers back. “No. No, I cannot.”

V scoffs and kisses the back of her hand gracefully before disappearing out the window.

“I'm just saying!” Uzi yells over the green drones head as he tries to repair something inside the wall.

“This would go a lot faster without insults! Which ones do I cross?”

“I keep telling you! Red with blue and then blue with black! In that order!”

“I tried that and got shocked so do you have a better idea?!”

“Yeah! I could throw you in a-”

“Uzi?” N spoke up.

She quieted and turned to him instantly. “Yeah?”

“Um, can I try? I can’t really get shocked so maybe it’d be safer?” He inched closer to the power box.

Thad and Uzi stepped back. N switched his hand to a small metal prong and adjusted something in the box with a click. Suddenly, it beeped and the TV beside them flickered back on.

“My baby!” Thad fell forward, hugging the screen.

Uzi nudged N affectionately. “Good job.” N beamed, tail wagging rapidly.

“Yo, losers, what did you need me for?” V said, suddenly behind the three of them.

Uzi and Thad leaped back in surprise, clinging to N, who was unfazed and politely waved.

“Good morning, V! We just wanted to ask you a question!” V gestured for him to continue. “Oh, right, um, we were just gonna ask you about Lizzy’s download day.”

V’s eyes narrowed. “What?”

“Lizzy’s download day?” Uzi said again but slower. V blinked. “Like. . . the day that’s next week?” V gave her a deadpan look. Uzi gave one back. “Are you fucking with me right now?”

“Ohmygosh are you planning a surprise?!” N whispered excitedly, bouncing on his toes.

“A surprise for what?”

“Yeah, she has no idea what we’re talking about.” Uzi groaned.

“Oh! V, did I not tell you? Download days are what they call birthdays here!”

“I know what they are, N-”

Uzi eyed her. “You had no idea.”

“Of course I knew!” Her mind was scrambling for excuses. “I was just. . . waiting for you guys to get around to asking about it! I knew you’d come begging me for gift ideas eventually.” she ended with a scoff.

“We already got her gifts.”

“. . .what.”

“We wanted to run them by you and Thad to make sure Lizzy would like them. Because we’re very good friends.” Uzi explained as N nodded in agreement.

V pursed her face into a line. “Riiight. . .” She nodded like she totally knew what was going on. “Yeah, alright, sure.”

N sat next to Thad on the couch and Uzi draped herself over his lap. V stayed standing, wanting to stay far away from that.

“So! I know she likes cats so I got her a charm bracelet about them!” He pulled the charms out of his pocket. “She can mix and match them all she wants depending on what she feels like.”

V smiled. “That’s a great idea, N. I’m sure she’ll like it.”

Thad chimed in. “Especially cuz it’s pink!”

N pumped his fist, a move he definitely learned from Thad. “Awesome!”

V moved her gaze to Uzi. The purple drone scoffed and pulled out a soft blue book from her jacket. “A human book she’s been blabbering about for weeks.”

Thad grabbed it from her. “No way?! A Fault In Our Stars?! This thing is gold! In this condition-?! How did you-?!”

Uzi snatched it back. “Not your gift! Also, figure it out yourself.”

V shrugged. “I guess it’s fine.”

Uzi gasped. “What are you talking about?! This is a great gift!”

“Eh, N’s is nicer.”

That earned an excited tail wag from him which made her smile.

“Oh, not good enough for your precious little girlfriend is it?” Uzi grumbled.

V flushed. “You-”

The door behind her opened. Thad swiped the gifts, throwing them under the couch before Lizzy could turn and notice.

V’s eyes were instantly on her as she stumbled in sleepily. “Morning~”

Uzi stood, tugging N with her. “We should go! Right, N?” He nodded rapidly and she rushed them out the door and down the hall.

“Odd.” Lizzy commented before tossing a handful of batteries in her mouth. V gestured for once. Lizzy tossed one at her and it dinked off her visor.

“Wow. Thanks.” V glared to which Lizzy giggled and suddenly V could no longer glare at her.

Thad spoke up. “So, Liz. . . doing anything special for your 21st?”

Lizzy sighed. “Don’t remind me. I don’t get why everyone thinks it’s such a big deal-”

“Of course it’s a big deal! You can finally try gasoline!”

“I doubt it’s as good as everyone says.”

Her eyes fell on V with a calculating look. Jeez, her eyes still made V nervous even after all this time. They had finally gone out and said they were dating a little after that first kiss, but it was still so new for V to actually feel this way. There were some days she thought it would fade and eventually be ripped away, like with her and N. Those were the days she held Lizzy extra tight. Thank goodness the pink drone didn’t mind. In fact, she probably enjoyed it too much.

“V? You’ve had gasoline before, right?”

She snapped out of it. She’d definitely been staring. “Um, yeah?”

“So? How was it?”

“Bitter. . . I guess? Not for me. I prefer coolant if I had a choice.”

Thad blinked. “Not oil?”

V paused. “Oil. . . doesn’t taste good anymore.”

Thad breathed in relief. It hurt a bit but V knew he didn’t mean it like that.

“Well, that’s a good thing, right?”

“Yeah, I guess,”

She picked at her teeth with a claw but faltered when she realized there was nothing to pick at. She hadn’t eaten a drone in a year. She refocused, pushing all the forming thoughts away.

“Liz, you really don’t want to celebrate?”

“I didn’t say that. I just don’t get the hype. I’m not some party junkie like Thad.”

“Hey!”

“Full offense, by the way.”

“Wow.”

“Anyway, I’m just saying. I’m not gonna have some huge party or anything.”

“What about gifts?” V asked, instantly regretting it.

“Oh, yes, I do love gifts.” she giggles.

V wants her to laugh all the time. . . would a good gift do that? What could she even get that could be good enough? She wasn’t good at giving things, that was N’s thing. Could she ask him? Maybe.

“Well, my gift is going to be amazing, don’t worry.”

Why did I say that?! I’m so fucked!

Lizzy regarded her briefly but dropped it. “Well, I was supposed to have my first drink with dad. . .”

“But that’s not gonna happen.” Thad finished with a growing smile.

“Right.” Lizzy smirked back and left the room, seemingly with a plan.

When she was gone Thad turned to V. “You’re shaking.” V jumped as she noticed her fidgeting hands and clenched them in an attempt to stop. “Are you nervous about a gift?”

“Yes!” V whisper-shouted. “What am I getting myself into? I have no idea what to get her!”

Thad chuckled. “You’re overthinking it. It doesn’t have to be anything grand or planned out. The best gift is whatever you know she’d like. Could be something smaller and simpler than you think.”

“But she deserves more than that!”

“Ah,” Thad leaned back in understanding. “You want to prove yourself.” V was silenced. “V, you know she doesn’t care about that. She only cares about you.”

V wanted to argue (which would have fallen apart and failed miserably) but stopped short when Lizzy entered again with two cups. She handed one to Thad.

“Cheers.”

“You little rebel!” He took it happily and sipped it. “Ooo! This is the refined stuff, isn’t it?”

Lizzy sat next to him and nodded, steeling her nerves to take a drink. V regards her expression and almost looks worried before Lizzy finally took a gulp.

“Ugh! You- pft, guh, yuck, you like this stuff?!” she sputtered.

Thad gave an excited thumbs up while V shook her head disgustedly.

“You want the rest?” she asked the former.

He shook his head. “Probably shouldn’t. Not when it’s this stuff.”

Lizzy then offered the cup to V, who quickly took it and downed it in one gulp.

Thad whistled. “Damn, did you feel that at all?”

V shrugged. “Murder drones have an incredibly fast processing and analyzing system. Anything we consume is used up within minutes.”

“So-”

“Correct: I cannot get drunk.”

“Damn, that must be nice.” Thad sighed.

V recalls a time she found and consumed an entire barrel of the stuff on a failed hunt about two years ago, begging for it to make her feel something and being furious when it had hardly even warmed her.

“Eh, I don’t think it’s even noticeable.”

Lizzy cleared her throat. “Well, that was an unpleasant experience. I hope you know I will not be involved in any drinking on my download day.” Thad rolled his eyes as Lizzy walked back into her room, giving V one more glance before disappearing.

“V,”

She snapped her head back to Thad’s voice.

“Don’t overthink this, okay?”

V inhaled deeply and nodded before saying goodbye and walking out.

She was immediately met with a blue worker drone face.

“Can I. . . help you?” she asked slowly.

“Oh, wow! I didn’t expect to see you here! You’re a little famous you know! Didn’t know Lizzy kept such exciting company.” The drone babbled, stalking around her like she was a statue in a museum.

“You know Lizzy?”

Something bubbled inside her throat. Almost a growl.

Whoa. Unexpected.

“Yeah!” The drone shook her hand. “Name’s Braiden. She never mentioned she had such big friends.”

V grit her teeth, crossing her arms. She did not like unfamiliar drones and she owed this one no kindness. “Funny. She never mentioned you either.”

Braiden frowned.

Good.

“Well, I’m here to speak with Lizzy-”

“What do you want with her?”

There was the bubbling emotion again. It tasted like acid. She wanted to spit it out. Preferably at this drone, hoping it would burn him. She almost smiled at the thought. 

He ignored her question, which made her tense. “But if I’d known she had such. . . powerful friends. . .”

V did not like the way he was looking at her. She couldn’t make out whether it was hunger or interest. She didn’t want to find out. Why did some drones always have to look at her and N like that? And what did this inferior drone want with Lizzy? That worker was hers and only hers. Of course she’d never say that outloud because Lizzy would never let her hear the end of it, but it was true in every aspect of the word.

Lizzy stepped out into the hallway, interrupting the scene.

“Uh. . .”

She saw Braiden’s hand on V’s arm and narrowed her eyes. What the hell was he doing with his hands on her?

“What are you doing here this early, Braiden?”

“Just makin’ conversation.” He glanced at V hopefully, who hissed in disgust, flinching her arm away from him.

Who did this asshole think he was? He was incredibly lucky to even be near her considering any closer was about a 99% fatality rate.

“Yeah, sure looks that way.” Lizzy rolled her eyes, stepping between them.

Braiden was looking at V like used to look at Lizzy. Lizzy didn’t need that to happen again. And it probably wasn’t best for V to kill a drone right outside her house.

"I don’t need you here to work on the project until tonight.”

“So?”

“So. Get. Lost.” V seethed, lashing her tail.

Robo-god, she wanted to kill this idiot. His cockiness rivaled J’s and she did not mean that as a compliment.

Braiden threw up his hands. “Okay, okay. . . leaving.” He walked off, giving them a few unreadable glances as he did.

“Jeez, who was that guy?” V asked, her eyes following him down the hall.

“The guy who I was forced to do the mid-term project with.” Lizzy groaned. “And, even worse, he’s my ex.”

“What?!” V snapped around to look at her. The acid in her throat choked her. Lizzy raised an eyebrow. V straightened and cleared her throat, swallowing it down. “Sorry, I didn’t mean it like-”

“Like he’s totally not my type and not even close to good enough?” Lizzy offered.

V sighed in relief. “Yeah. . . exactly that actually.”

Lizzy giggled and squeezed V’s hand. “Good,” She pecked the taller drone’s cheek. “Because it’s true. He’s old news.”

“I know that-”

“Then relax.” Lizzy eyed her.

V sighed and rolled her shoulders. She was tense. “Sorry.”

“It’s okay,” Lizzy grinned. “Will I be seeing you later?”

“If work doesn’t keep me.”

“Well. . . farewell until then, my fair lady.” Lizzy bowed.

V cracked up. “You need to quit reading those cheesy books.”

“And why is that?”

“Because you’ve got the real thing right here~” V kissed the back of her hand and walked off with a smirk.

Chapter Text

While Lizzy recovered from that, V made a subtle beeline for Uzi’s pod.

On the way there she walked past an open pod.

A chill made her shiver and she paused. She couldn’t feel cold. But she could feel. . .

She took a step back and glanced into the room.

Her old place.

Dread.

Guilt.

Fear.

It all came flooding back, especially when she caught an accidental glimpse of the oil on the floor that was never cleaned. She began walking to Uzi’s again, a lot faster this time.

She knocked politely, expecting Khan to answer. Uzi opened it instead.

“Where’s N?”

“Why?”

“Where?”

A voice from inside. “Is that V?”

“No!” Uzi called back.

V scoffed. “Bitch, move.” She pushed past the purple drone.

“OW! The fuck?! Yeah, just come in I guess!”

“N? You here?”

He popped up from behind the couch, his face covered in purple stars scribbles. V froze and made a slow, sliding glance back at Uzi. She flushed and groaned.

V dropped it and turned back to N. “I need your help.”

He brightened. “Oh, of course! With what?” He hopped over the couch to sit on it, patting the spot next to him.

She sat. “So, if I had to get a gift for someone for someone. . . how would I make sure it was something they really wanted?”

Uzi snickered and leaned forward over the back of the couch. “You don’t have a gift for Lizzy~”

“No.” V said simply.

Uzi paused, expecting an argument. “Oh. . . well. . . I guess I figured since you’re dating her-”

V stomped on her own wagging tail. “We really didn’t talk about download days. Considering I don’t even have one anymore anyway I guess it just never came up.”

N piped up. “Wait, you had no idea Lizzy’s birthday was next week?” V shook her head. He frowned. “Oh, I’m sorry! Me or Uzi could’ve totally told you.”

V smiled softly. “It’s alright N. I figured I could manage.”

“But you can’t,” Uzi but in. “Which is why you’re here.”

“You make it sound like I’m begging.”

“You said it. I didn’t.”

“V,” N interjected nervously. “I think the best thing to do is listen to her. And listen to your heart. Do you know things she likes? Or what she likes to do?” V nodded slowly. “Then there you go! If you want we could help you scavenge for something?”

“I’ll be fine N, but thank you.” She stands and steps to the door. “Sorry for barging in. . . I guess I just. . . needed reassurance.”

“Lizzy will love whatever you get her. You’re being stupid.” Uzi rolled her eyes.

V forced a smile, waving to N as she walked out.

The door slid closed behind her and she sighed. She remembered a few things about download days. Humans called them “birthdays” and Tessa’s were always so grand, lasting days. She, N, and J all had the same day, they had called it “production day” instead because they weren’t exactly “born” like worker drones were now. Cyn couldn’t remember hers so Tessa made it the same as theirs. Tessa always got them a present of some kind on that day. Usually it was some random trinket from around the manor that no one would miss but V remembers loving them. It was the only thing she was allowed to have as a servant. She stared down at her hands, flicking her claws out and back in. She didn’t remember anything else. A production day wouldn’t work on Copper 9; it had a completely different timing system. V was pretty sure N had changed his to the day he’d met Uzi as that was always a day he knew he’d remember. Had he called it a production day? She didn’t think so. He’d called it a download day, just like a worker. Should she have one too? What day would it even be? Today? Tomorrow? Some random day? She should probably talk to Lizzy about it. She’d promised to always tell her everything after that incident.

If I did have a download day, I wouldn’t want any gifts that’s for sure. I’d just want quiet. Quiet with her and Sparky probably. . .

She pulled herself out of her thoughts and headed to work.

Knock Knock Knock

“Is that my knight in shining armor~?” Lizzy called.

“No, idiot.” Thad’s voice responded.

Lizzy groaned and opened the door to V’s mischievous grin.

“You bitch! You said you’d stop doing that!” Lizzy shoved her.

“And here I thought you’d actually be happy to see me. Guess I’m not welcome,” She turned away. “I’ll just go-”

“Ugh, OMRG, no! Just get in here!” Lizzy tugged her inside with a chuckle.

V sat on the bed and Lizzy settled on her lap. V rested her head on her shoulder and coiled her tail around one of the worker’s legs.

“How was work?”

“Another boring day of watching security cameras.” V groaned. “Why couldn’t they put me on the nightshift? I get nothing done in the daylight.”

“It is stupid. . . but if you worked all night, I’d be all alone.” Lizzy pouted.

“And we can’t have that.” V held her tighter as Lizzy giggled.

The day of the party arrived. It had taken V the entire past four days to think of a good enough gift and she was still doubting herself. She tried to push it all away but nothing really worked. The celebration itself was simple and pretty short. Lizzy was surprisingly the most excited about Uzi’s book. She’s such a nerd. Thad kept insisting his gift was the best but it wouldn’t be fully ready until the next day. V thought he was just lying. They all shared another round of gasoline and it went about as great as you’d think (V ended up drinking the rest of Lizzy’s, Uzi’s, and N’s). N left first with Uzi despite the purple drone’s best attempts to stay awake past midnight. Thad trotted off to his room soon after, stumbling a bit and again reassuring Lizzy he definitely had a gift for her.

“How many drinks did he have?” Lizzy asked as V followed her back to her room.

“Four.”

“Yeeessshhh, I’m gonna have to care for him all day tomorrow. . ."

“I could help? I don’t work.”

“Oh, that’d be great! Just make sure you film everything he does when he gets like this; it’s gold.” Lizzy sat down on her bed.

V didn’t.

Lizzy patted next to her encouragingly.

V didn’t budge.

“V, what’s wrong?”

“I got you a gift. . .”

“And that’s a bad thing?” V was quiet. Lizzy stood. “Is that what you’ve been hiding behind your back all night?”

V nodded. Lizzy offered to see it, which was cute because it was literally her gift. V placed the thick red and gold book in her hands. Lizzy skimmed the blank pages.

“A journal?”

“Yes,” V fidgeted with her hands nervously. “I noticed how much you like writing your thoughts down when you have an idea, especially if it’s about fashion. So, I figured you should have a whole book to write them in.” Lizzy said nothing. “. . .do you not like it?”

“What? No! No, I love it, thank you. Um. . .”

“I know it’s not much. Nothing like the awesome things the others got for you but. . .” She sighed, mildly panicking. What was with Lizzy’s expression? Why did she look so sad? Was she disappointed? “I’m not a very gift-giving drone. I don’t exactly know how to express my gratitude towards others in that way. I’m sorry if it’s not good enough. You deserve more. Really, you do. You’ve done so much for me.”

“Oh robo-god, V. . .” Was Lizzy tearing up? She straightened. “I want you to see something.” She grabbed her old pink journal from its hiding place under her desk.

“You. . . have one already. . .” V was trying hard not to look like a kicked puppy.

“Well, yeah, but that’s not important-”

“No, it’s alright. I’ll just put it back where I found it. If you already have one there’s no use-”

Lizzy grips her hand. “V, you’re spiraling again.” V freezes and drops her eyes, nodding guiltily. Lizzy hands her the book. “Read the last page,”

V opens it to the last entry, dated nine months ago. She reads the beautiful words about Lizzy’s feelings for her. She sees the scribbles of doodles around the words that are trying desperately to express themselves. She glances at Lizzy with wide eyes.

“And the one before that,” She flips the pages. “And before that,” She flips again. “And about half of the damn pages actually.”

V’s core sputtered. “You. . . You felt that way? All that time?”

Lizzy looked sheepish, like she’d been caught in some obvious trap. “I couldn’t help but write all my feelings down. I had no one to say them to.”

V looks back down at the book. “You haven’t written since that night-”

“Haven’t needed to. I have someone to tell everything to now.” Lizzy pokes her chest playfully.

V looked incredibly surprised. She had never felt so. . . what was the word?

“Why show me this?”

“Well, I’ve felt more than a little guilty about it. Ya know, not showing my literal girlfriend all the sappy things I think of her.”

That word. That title. Her tail was wagging way too fast.

“And I’ve been needing a new one anyway. Now I have a perfect excuse to move on.”

“But, there’s still room to-”

“Shush.” Lizzy pokes her again. “Think of it like a. . . new chapter. A new book, if you will.” V chuckles. “One to fill with lots more writings and drawings and memories. A new start. With you.” Lizzy was closer now. She set both books down and touched V’s cheek hesitantly. “If that’s alright with you?” She smiled up at V innocently like she just said the most romantic and incredible words V had ever heard.

V stalled. She felt like molten lava, so alive yet so slow. She’d never felt this important before. She’d never felt so needed before. So. . . So. . . Loved. To prevent herself from ruining the moment, she leaned down and kissed Lizzy. A giggle. She kissed her again. And again. And again. Another giggle.

“Have I ever mentioned I like it when you’re affectionate?”

“Once or twice.”

“You must listen well.”

“When I want to.”

A pause.

“What are you thinking?” V frowned. “You’ve got that look you get when you get a good idea.”

“It’s probably greedy-”

“It’s literally your day, Liz. You’re allowed to be greedy.”

“Could you sleep here tonight?”

“I was kinda already planning on asking-”

Lizzy pumped her fist with a small yes! “Thank you~” She turned away then instantly turned back. “Wait! I may have one more odd request.”

“Which is?” V leaned closer.

Lizzy flushed. V still knew exactly how to make her nervous. In a good way.

“Y-you know that thing you sometimes do when you sleep to help stretch out your wings and tail?”

A pause.

V cracked a sinister smile. “You want me to roost you?”

“W-well t-that’s a stupid way of putting it!”

“That’s the correct way of putting it-”

“Nevermind!” Lizzy shoved her away but V held tight, giggling. “Forget I asked!”

V glanced at the pipes across the ceiling. Most were high enough. She reluctantly pulled away from Lizzy and swung up to one, perching. She extended a hand down. Lizzy took it and V pulled her up, wrapping both arms around her before curling her wings around the both of them. Suddenly and without warning, V flipped herself down by her tail until they were completely upside-down. Lizzy yelped and had to wrap her legs around V’s waist to keep herself in place.

V fought a laugh. “You okay?”

“Y-yeah, I think so. How in the world does this help you stretch?”

“Must be the way I’m built.”

Lizzy met her eyes. “And there’s nothing wrong with the way you are built.”

V gripped her tighter. “Some days I think I don’t deserve you.”

A pause.

“Some days I think I don’t deserve you.”

“What? Really?”

“Yes, really.”

V blinked, dumbfounded. “But, you cut off your own father for me! I would never think anyone could-”

“My dad brought that on himself. If he can’t accept my girlfriend, AKA a huge part of my life, then he doesn’t get to be in my life.”

V was silent. Lizzy looped her arms around V’s neck.

“Why did you show me that journal?” V asked again, almost as if asking herself.

“I think you needed to see how much I care about you. How much I always have. And nothing is going to change how I feel about you. You don’t have to prove you’re good enough.”

V was definitely overheating. Her whole body shook a little from the trembling of her tail holding them up. “T-this is supposed to be your day. I-I should be showering you with compliments, n-not the other way around.”

“I can’t help being charming~” Lizzy smirked proudly. “But you’re right. Go ahead and wow me then. Win back your dignity.”

V tightened the hold on Lizzy’s waist so one of her hands could rest on Lizzy’s cheek. V was about to do something incredibly risky. Yet, she knew it really wasn’t. She knew it was only a matter of time. She knew it was mutual.

“I love you, Elizabeth.”

Lizzy beamed and hugged her tighter. She was glowing. And so was V. Finally, she knew that she would be happy.

“I love you too, V.” Lizzy kissed her. V kissed back. Lizzy kissed her again. V kissed back again. They both giggled.

Lizzy rested against V’s shoulder. “Thank you.”

“For the gift?”

“Yeah, the gift,” Lizzy elbowed her. “You know what I mean.”

“Ow. Okay, yes, yes, I get it. You’re welcome.”

“Goodnight. And don’t ever call me Elizabeth again.”

“No promises~”