Final word count: 21,203.

This chapter is the culmination of many things: my old theories, fresh ideas, lots of conversations and the belief in the universe's potential.

Sorry for the wait. To flesh something out when you've been given so little is... well, difficult.

Please enjoy.

Mastermind in the FranXX

Episode 15



KLAXO SAPIENS

He wasn't used to feeling so helpless. The mad struggle forward, to his goals, had resulted in quite the range of emotions: pride, grief, relief, success, curiosity and wonderment and horrific dread and mountains upon mountains of guilt.

But never helplessness.

What could he do, now, to spur the process along? To make sure the chances for success were higher than that of failure? What path could he take? Where was the road he could follow? What options did he have? How could he make their presumed journey safer? How could he ensure they reached their destination?

Nothing. He could do nothing. All he could do was wait, like he had been for these past hours.

Infuriating.

He squeezed his fists, rubbed his brow and the bridge of his nose. He tried - hah! - meditating. All of it, useless. The pressure would not abate. The answers eluded him.

Werner reached under his desk and pushed his finger against an indented, hidden switch. The latching mechanism triggered and the hidden compartment swung open. He made to take the book, but paused. Was now the right time? He could not rush things! To begin production, to so openly declare his intentions without knowing their status, was tantamount to suicide. If the deal fell apart here, it was all for naught.

A hoarse sigh rumbled from his nostrils. The compartment was closed with a click. Not yet, not now. Not until he knew their fate.

Reclining in his chair, he twisted to a separate drawer. From it he lifted her picture, with a tender grace he had never shown her in life. He needed to see her face more often these past years. She reminded him of his purpose, gave vigor and certainty to his decrepit mind when his drive faltered.

He had told them the reality, that this day would come. He could not protect them forever, as much as he wanted to. They would need to stand on their own legs and find their own answers. The experiments, to make them biologically compatible. The education, to prepare them for the future. The headband, to keep them separated and tamed while they developed and grew, so that they might fight back when the time was right. The...

Swallowing, he clutched the picture tight.

The machine, the beast, the creature, the beings-

A soft buzzing from his intercom.

-the entity, Strelizia, to be their armor, their weapon-

"Doctor."

-and their ally.

He gave her picture a final, loving glance, then returned it to its place and closed the drawer. "What is it, Hachi?"

"We have received the counter-signal."

His exhausted body sprang up, filled once more with life and energy. "Send me everything!"

The files popped up on his computer and he opened them with haste. Feeds from the old, barely-functional satellites. Still images. A white flare, just visible through the cloud cover, and then a beam of light over-

That old eye sharpened. "Hachi, come to my office immediately."

"Understood."

The deal had been completed. She had the children. At long last, after so many years, so many failures and tests and tribulations! His end of the bargain had been upheld! Things were finally beginning to progress!

It was time!

Without any of his former hesitation, Werner re-opened the hidden compartment. He grabbed both the book and his notes; they were placed on the desk as he grabbed a pencil and cleared some space to work. To the untrained eye, the book would appear unmarked and blank, save for several minuscule bumps and lines raised across the cover and the pages within. Akin to braille, though with a far different purpose. This book, in particular, had been made using one of the last working machines the Princess had access to. And with no easy way to translate their 'language' to one humanity was capable of understanding, well...

For things of such magnitude, sacrifices were sometimes necessary.

Werner opened his notes and flipped to an unused page. Then he closed his human eye and rubbed a finger along the bumps and lines. Released from their tiny cages, the chemical signals flowed into his artificial horn. They were transcribed and interpreted by the technology and his brain into something he could understand and process. Through his 'eye', the 'words' on the cover came to life.

NOTES FOR HUMAN

He turned through the pages, repeating the process and 'reading' the information before moving on.

INFORMATION ON DEAL SO HUMAN DOESN'T FORGET

His closed eye rolled beneath the lids. Yes, yes, they were superior, he understood that. Moving on!

LIST OF ASSUMED KLAX-HUMAN DIFFERENCES ANATOMICAL/GENETIC

No.

GENERAL KLAXOSAUR ANATOMY

No.

SIGNAL LIMITER

No.

ON MAGMA AND ITS EFFECTS

He paused, parsing through what was encoded. Not there either. He continued flipping.

MAGMA DISPERSAL DEVICE

There it was!

Grabbing his pencil, he began scrawling down the details into his notes, like he'd done for all the other subjects thus far. He would compare it with his own research later and see what would and wouldn't work. As much as the girl liked to pretend she was a scientist, she wasn't - she was a warrior, a leader. Most of what had been provided to him had been scrounged and assembled from the remaining archives of her species. He knew there were gaps in the knowledge, whether it be from things she had failed to include, or details that had been outright lost since their civilization's collapse. Even if the information had survived the conflict that doomed them, well...

Time was not kind to books made of paper. Especially not their books.

Like everything else related to the klax, Werner Frank would have to fill in the blanks himself.

Several minutes later, the door swung open.

"Reporting."

He stood up, holding out his hand. "Hachi, your communicator!"

The man reached into his pocket. "The one with the encryption and masking, correct?"

"Yes! Quickly!"

Hachi handed over his 'spare' communication device. The doctor would have carried one himself, but as a VIP he was always under scrutiny and it wasn't worth the risk. Werner pulled out his own and scrolled until he found the contact information for Hiro and Zero Two. He input the details into Hachi's, then began typing a message.

Nothing had... changed?

Eh?

Then what was all that shaking for?! And what was with the blinding light? Ugh, this was so stupid! Her eyes searched the surroundings. There had to be something different, right? No holes in the ground, no blue darling-snatchers...

Waiiit... the pillar had... turned off? Huh?

"Zero Two, do you see that?"

She glanced over at darling, then followed his point. An entrance had opened at the base of the structure. It looked big enough for them... but...

"We'd have to leave Strelizia behind," she murmured.

Darling sighed. "I don't like it. We should try and find another way so Strelizia can come with us."

She nodded in agreement. No way were they leaving their third partner behind! They all traveled together! What if it was attacked while they were gone? Hell no!

Wait, why was it lowering itself to the ground?!

"Strelizia, hold on!" she called out. "Don't be so hasty! Let's search for another way first!"

The cockpit rumbled its response. Was that a yes or a no? Darn it, she wished she could understand it when they weren't connected! It would make things so much easier. But something buzzed and beeped in her pocket and drew her attention away. Her communicator? Darling had pulled his out, too. A message?

Everything I've ever taught you, every book I've had you read, has been to prepare you for this moment.

Every experiment I ever performed and every lie I have ever told was done to ready you and keep you safe until this day arrived.

In those ruins, you will find the truth. Destroy your devices after you read this message. APE may try to track you.

I have never been more proud of you two. I hope, some day, we may meet again.

Survive.

...

"He... knew we'd try to escape all along, didn't he?" she whispered.

"He probably sent Strelizia after us, too."

Something nudged her shoulder. She turned to find the pair of cables looking at them, urging them forward. The cockpit hatch had already opened. Her hair fluttered in the evening chill.

Zero Two reached out to the tendril, petting it. "Please stay safe! We won't be long, I promise!"

The cable nodded at her. Turning, she grabbed darling's hand. Strelizia's palm waited by the opened faceplate. Once they were both on, it lowered them to the frozen ground. They approached the stones, pausing in front of one of the 'bridges'.

"Hang on," darling interrupted. He held his free hand out to her. Right, right! Their communicators! She placed it in his palm. With his foot he cleared away some of the snow, exposing the frozen dirt underneath. Then he dropped both of their devices and crushed them with the sole of his shoe. He covered the broken remains with the snow. A sudden gust of wind sent their jackets billowing; they braced against each other to ward off the cold. An odd sensation passed through her as they returned their gaze to the stones and the structure beyond. This location was beyond creepy.

"Where are we?" she wondered.

An ancient structure, built in the early days of humanity's civilization.

The same 'voice', from the light! Gulping, she squeezed his hand for reassurance and gazed through the bridge, to the structure beyond.

Step forward, klaxo sapiens! We are eager to meet you.

They shared a wary look, then stepped through the snow and under the stones, into the monument proper. The monolith beckoned to them from the center. The blue lights had returned again, pulsing ominous blue lines across the black surface. But as they approached they could feel the warmth greeting them from inside. They looked over their shoulders one final time, at Strelizia, before entering.

Behind them, the entrance closed with a hiss.

The interior was sparse but spacious. No furniture and nothing of note, aside from a bundle of sticks and logs stacked on the metallic flooring. To the firewood's side was an old bucket, filled to the brim with snow. And within the snow was...

The smell of seafood, of fish, greeted her nostrils. Fresh, recently caught. Rods skewered them through, made from the same mysterious metal as the surrounding building.

Do you know how to cook? Your survival is of critical importance.

"I've had some, um, experience." She walked forward to check the dryness of the wood. Darling inspected the fish with a careful eye. When she was younger and still with the ickygross Nines, she'd hunted her food when they were stationed at various plantations. Those survival books the doctor had made her read as she grew up helped a bunch and gave her an excuse to avoid, well, everyone.

Because no way did she ever eat with those assholes! The food was probably poisoned! But it looked like her consistent refusals had paid off - she could cook for darling!

How excitiiiiing!

Excellent. Please prepare the wood. We will give you a spark for the fire.

Something about the 'words' bothered her, but she nodded anyway and began arranging several of the larger logs in a criss-cross pattern. Three across, three tall, with enough space in between for air to flow. The smaller logs and branches were used to make a pit. A black cable emerged from the floor. It placed its end against the bottom log and triggered a flame. The wood ignited; a slow-burning fire took-

Wait! Waitwaitwaiiiiiit a second that was a cable! Like in Strelizia! They weren't in a building! This was a-

"You're... a k-klaxosaur?!" darling exclaimed in alarm. The cable looked between them, then retracted into the floor.

Yes, indeed. We are Kivala. It is a pleasure to meet you.

She and darling shared a look. Zero Two swallowed and lifted her eyes to the ceiling. "You're... not gonna eat us or something? We were told klaxosaurs were... um... m-mindless beasts."

Eat you? Of course not. We no longer need to eat. All klaxosaurs serve at the pleasure of, and organize through the Princess. Together we strive to fulfill our duty. And we, Kivala, have been given the supreme honor of welcoming you and serving as your transport. We take this assignment quite seriously, we assure you.

"Transport?" darling questioned. "Transport to where?"

To the place where the klax died, and the klaxosaurs were born. You have been ignorant of the truth and of your purpose, by no fault of your own. We have been waiting for you, for a very long time. Are you ready to depart?

She bit her lip. "Will we be returned to Strelizia afterwards?"

The klaxosaur almost seemed offended at the notion.

But of course! We would dare not keep you separated.

They took a moment to gather their courage, then shared a sigh. "Alright," darling grunted. "Let's go."

A dull quaking shook the walls. Kivala buried into the frozen, dead ground, and they were gone.

She didn't know where they were. She didn't know if they were okay, or if they'd found some way to survive, or if they'd managed to evade APE.

But she hoped so.

Nobody would answer her questions. They'd separated them along gender lines and confined them to these old rooms until the morning. House arrest. Room arrest. Her squad was trapped, and she didn't know how they'd escape.

"It looks so cold outside."

Ichigo turned to look at Kokoro, who was peeking through the blinds at the outside world. The guards had all retreated indoors as the night approached. Yeah, she remembered now. The nights at Garden were always brutal. Frigid, icy, deadly. It had been one of the first things they'd learned growing up - that the klaxosaurs had killed their Earth, messed up the climate and ruined nature.

She wondered how much of it was a lie, but the answers wouldn't be found. Not here.

"If Strelizia really did come for them, it can keep them warm," Ikuno replied. "But the Franxx aren't meant for prolonged exposure. They aren't sealed, are they? And if it runs out of energy..."

Ichigo buried her head in her knees. The tracker itched against her ankle. From ten, to eight, and now they were down to six. Her hands clenched around her calves. Their squad wasn't whole anymore. Miku and Zorome were dead and now those two were gone. Zero Two... and Hiro. Hiro! Of all people! He'd always been there! The worry gnawed at her. Did they have food? Were they warm? Were they trapped in the snow somewhere? Were they fighting for their lives? Had they been attacked by klaxosaurs? By APE?

She wanted to help them! Why was she trapped here?! This was horrible! She felt so lonely! This place was dead, damn it! There was none of that warmth she'd taken for granted back at Plantation 13. Nana hadn't contacted them at all. Had they been abandoned? Handed over to Papa? Would they ever see their beds again?

She couldn't even talk to Goro! She wanted to talk to Goro! He always calmed her down and reassured her and she could really use that right now! He was right next door, with Mitsuru and Futoshi, but the walls were thick and he seemed so far away!

Damn it, damn it, damn it!

A gentle hand rested on her shoulder. "Ichigo?"

Hm? She shifted her gaze to the voice. "Ikuno?"

"Are you okay?" The other girl had sat down on the bed, next to her.

She lowered her eyes again. "I'm just... trying to figure things out again. It's hard without Goro, you know? I've gotten used to bouncing ideas off of him. He lets me vent. He's a good listener."

Ikuno flashed her a rare yet brilliant smile. "I am too."

Ichigo grinned, but shook her head. She was too kind. "You don't have to. I don't want to be a bother."

"It's fine, Ichigo. And it's better if you can talk to more than just Goro, right? It puts less stress on him. Different perspectives are important."

She bit her lip. Well, since she was so persistent... okay. It took her a moment to gather her thoughts. She let out a long sigh. Kokoro had taken a seat by the window and was watching them in silence.

"I... don't know where we go from here. I agreed with them because... because I thought the punishment would be reduced, you know? When Hiro and Zero Two-"

"Hang on, Ichigo!" Kokoro interrupted. Ichigo blinked owlishly. Genista's pistil got up and dragged her chair across the metal floor. The dull screech reminded her of where they were - this wasn't Plantation 13 anymore. Having shortened the distance, Kokoro sat down again and held her index finger to her lip. Then she gestured to the corner of the room.

A camera.

Ichigo nodded in understanding and resumed, this time in a hushed whisper. "When Hiro and Zero Two... escaped all those years ago, the adults tried to... s-suppress their memories. It didn't work, obviously, but..."

She trailed off, pensive.

"They're different," Ikuno supplied. "You thought it might work better on us."

"Y-Yeah. I... I didn't want to take a chance, you know? I thought that maybe, if we seemed... I don't know, agreeable? That they wouldn't... mess with us, like they did with them. But... but we're still trapped here! And these are trackers! And I feel like some sort of caged slave!"

Kokoro glanced at her own ankle bracelet. "I think I understand them better now. Why they were so..." The girl paused, trying to place the feeling. "...protective of each other?"

Ikuno turned her eyes to the window. The sun had long since set. "They wanted freedom. They would rather be out there somewhere, running through the cold, than in here, where it's warm. They didn't hesitate in making their choice. As soon as they saw their opportunity..."

"They took it," Ichigo finished. "Without a second thought." Another pause. "Back then, Goro and I couldn't understand Hiro at all, both before he met Zero Two, and after. But now I see what bothered him so much." She ran her hands through her hair, frustrated. "I have so many questions, you guys! And nobody answers them! No! It's even worse! They pretend the questions don't exist, like... like it's all according to Papa or something! But there are so many gaps, you know? Who are we? Where did we come from? What are the klaxosaurs? Why are we fighting them?"

She raised her head and looked between her squadmates, her expression reflecting a tense urgency.

"They told us, when we were young, that the klaxosaurs had appeared from underground and ruined the planet, right? And that they were the sworn enemy of humanity, and wanted to wipe us all out!"

An unraveling lie.

The two girls nodded, equally suspicious. Ichigo moaned. Her mind was racing faster and faster. This was so weird! None of it made sense!

"But if that's true, and if humanity was really in trouble, and were being hunted down by the klaxosaurs that entire time..."

An existential crisis.

"...how did they have enough time to make the plantations?!"

There was a long, uncomfortable silence. For the briefest of moments Ichigo wondered if she'd overstepped. But then Kokoro spoke up, relief in her voice.

"I've w-wondered if I was the only one with those questions, too. I've always been so curious! Sometimes I questioned if I was just crazy. Defective. I never really spoke with Hiro when we were still in Garden... but he was always there. His presence was reassuring, I guess. That I wasn't the only one. Part of me has always wanted to know what made him so different, you know? That's why..."

"You went with Mitsuru?" Ikuno asked.

Kokoro nodded. "Mitsuru... worries about Hiro. He knows something is..." Her head shot up. Doe eyes wide, dainty voice a whisper. "They figured it out!"

Ikuno shared her confusion. "...Who figured what out? Kokoro?"

"Miku and Zorome! Before... before th-they... Mitsuru told me he saw something on the security cameras! From when they were in the city, that day!"

The goosebumps spread across Ichigo's arms. What?! "What do you mean? What'd he see?"

"He said... they were captured. By soldiers!"

She and Ikuno glanced at each other, concerned. She chewed on her lower lip. "APE soldiers?"

Kokoro shook her head. A growing panic had spread across the girl's normally serene features.

"Soldiers... with red eyes! Miku and Zorome must have learned something down there, seen something! Something that would convince even Zorome to..."

A sharp jolt ran down Ichigo's spine.

"Commit treason..."

The more she thought about it, the more she found this whole journey, um, really fun? It was exciting! This klaxosaur was super nice! It - they? - seemed just as curious about them as they were about it. She didn't get its pronoun usage, though. Why did it call itself 'they' and 'we'?

Her thoughts were interrupted by the pinching against her chest. Man, this stupid shirt! Had she taken the wrong clothes from the laundry by accident? She knew that Ikuno girl was smaller but... wait, no, no! Think! She chewed her bite of fish and forced her tired mind to cooperate. It was okay, she could go on for a while longer. Darling was with her. His scent relaxed her, drained the remnants of the stress from her muscles and bones. This morning, her clothes fit her, yupyup. And they were her clothes, too. Now it was so... tight... and they were still the same clothes! The only thing missing was that icky headband, which... limited her klaxosaur side...

Wait. Darling's horns had grown after they fought off those dumb guards. And he'd gotten those super cute markings, too! And that meant his transformation had probably finished, right? He was exactly like her now. And as darling transformed, he'd become... really hot. Every time his horns grew, the next morning she'd woken up to him being stronger, wider... denser...

Okay okay caaalm down, calm down. Deep breaths!

She spared a glance to the perfect man she was leaning against, shoulder to shoulder. He'd needed to get new clothing, eventually. The originals, the ones he'd worn when he was thinner, stopped fitting him soon after they'd returned from the beach. They'd been too tight around his upper body, like they... were... now...

But... butbutbut wait! Wait! Okay. The doctor had told her the headband was designed to keep her 'klaxo sapien' traits under control. Wasn't that just her horns? She'd already gone through puberty! But darling had said he'd also grown a bit down there, which meant that could happen, which meant, since they were the same...

The heat burned her cheeks in embarrassment. Mint orbs lowered to her chest. The shirt was straining.

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!

This was so awkward! What the heck, body?! How - why now! Crapcrapcrap! What if - what if darling... she knew he liked them! He was always sneaking glances! At the beach, when they got dressed in the morning, before they went to bed! But... but did he prefer them like that? Was she... did he have a size he liked? She didn't want to be some ugly, fat girl! Hnnnnn! This was so shameful! Like a cruel joke! What had even caused this?!

Food and shelter were one thing, but now they had to worry about clothing, too? Were they gonna have to walk around naked or something?

...

If the weather was warmer, that wouldn't be such a bad idea, but - no, stop! Ugh!

A strong hand wrapped around her waist. She was pulled against his shoulder.

"The fish is delicious, Zero Two. You did a great job."

Embarrassment turned to pride. A beaming smile split her face. Honestly! He was so sweet! Waves of cool calm flowed over her. Yeah, they were just clothes. And they could figure it out together! She just hoped this was the only time it would happen. There was such a thing as too big, body!

She took another bite from her own seafood, chewing in happiness. "I'm glad you like it!"

Kivala took that moment to 'speak' up.

May we ask for your names?

They looked at each other and shared a shrug. Zero Two took a moment to swallow her bite.

"I'm Zero Two!"

But darling took a bit longer to respond. She could feel his pensiveness through the tether. Curious, she turned to him again and gave him a small nudge. He met her eyes, seeking her guidance.

"Which one do I use?"

Ohhh. Right! Darling had two names. She scrunched up her face in thought and bit back a grin when he chuckled. Only she could use darling, so...

"Formal."

He nodded and turned his gorgeous icy eyes to the ceiling. "I'm Hiro."

Zero Two and Hiro, then. we are pleased to meet you.

"Us too!" she replied.

Now then, Zero Two, why were you embarrassed?

...

Huh?

Blinking, she shifted her eyes from the ceiling to darling. He'd been caught off guard as well.

"Wh-What do you mean?" she stammered, gazing upwards.

There was a moment's pause.

How much do you two know about your bodies? Have you been told anything?

What could they share? Were they... allowed to talk about this? Darling squeezed her shoulder and spoke up.

"We - we were told by a... scientist... that we're bonded. That we can only detect... uh... chemical signals of each other."

We see. That scientist appears to have told you some falsehoods.

Panic welled within her. They weren't bonded?! Other klaxo-whatevers could see their chemicals or pheromones and stuff? She could be - she could be...

...stolen?

NononononononnononONOnoNONoONonONONO!

She latched onto him, tight. Nonono! Wrongwrong, no!

Relax! Relax!

Darling was holding her in a vice-like grip, just as frenzied. She shook her head, voice releasing in a terrified wheeze. "B-But... but...!"

You are bonded.

She gasped in relief and buried her face into his neck. "C-Can I b-b-be... st-stolen... or..."

Nothing of the sort. That isn't how it works, we assure you.

Her form slouched against his body. A sigh escaped her lips as his scent washed over her. Holy crap, holy crap...

Judging from your... reactions, it appears you were not adequately informed of how this process works. Would you like us to clarify?

"Please do. We're tired of being lied to," darling ground out. He rubbed her back, massaging in small circles.

Very well. Zero Two, Hiro, what you have developed - what you have inherited from the klax - is the sixth sense. The chemical sense.

That got their attention. "A sixth sense?" She maneuvered herself so her back was against his chest. Curiosity overtook her unease.

You are aware of the five senses, correct? Sight, sound, smell, taste and touch. The chemical sense is linked to these, but also separate. It affects and modifies their behavior, but also exists on its own.

Were they... finally getting answers? Real, honest answers? She could feel darling's curiosity, his need to know.

"What do you mean?" he questioned. "How are they all linked?"

You can understand us, can you not?

A jolt ran down her spine. A mental light bulb, burning away the shadows.

"So that's the..."

We cannot understand the strange language leaving your mouths. But we can sense the chemicals you are emitting, the ones mirroring your supposed words, and from them gleam your intentions.

"And that's how we understand you?"

Yes. You are not truly 'hearing' our words, correct? It echoes in your mind. Your auditory sense, linked to the chemical, facilitating communication. The chemicals produced by each klax were unique. Slight variations and permutations, which gave rise to the mental 'voice', among other things. The senses of smell and taste, being so linked as they are to chemical analysis, are affected far more than the other three senses. Just as the klax had unique 'voices', they also had individual 'smells' and 'tastes'.

That was why! This was why! Why she was so addicted to him, why his taste sent her over the edge, why his scent was so perfect and beautiful! Because he was darling. It wasn't some random combination that he'd gotten by chance, it was him! It didn't matter if the klaxo sapiens or whatever were still alive! They weren't darling, so they wouldn't affect her! They would just be... there!

"But then... what's the bond?"

There was a long silence as Kivala chose the 'words' carefully.

Chemicals disperse. In its natural state, undeveloped, the chemical sense is quite short ranged. The bond between two klax counteracted this. To describe it in a word... it is hypersensitivity. The chemoreceptors at the base of the horns are initially 'unaligned'. They are bare, open to detecting all signals. By rubbing one's horns against another's, the two klax have chosen to align their receptors with the other's unique chemical signature.

Darling scratched his cheek, his brow furrowed in thought. "The scientist told us that. He said... uh... only the first time mattered. Was that a lie too?"

Indeed it was.

...Oh. And they'd rubbed horns... quite a bit...

Most klax did not rub more than once or twice. That is enough to establish the bond and develop a modicum of hypersensitivity for the partner's signals. The first receptors to be locked in are those that detect the pheromones. Smell and taste become more pronounced, and the signals can be sensed from a much greater distance. With additional bonding rituals, more receptors are added to the growing network dedicated to receiving the other's chemicals. Fewer are left unaligned, which makes it harder to sense and communicate with fellow klax. If the partners do not stop, this eventually develops into the fully developed, standalone sixth sense - the empathetic link.

They'd... done that too, huh? "The empathetic link?"

The faintest chemicals released are those pertaining to emotions. Should the hypersensitivity reach that highest level, even those signals are picked up by the partner, invisible to everyone else. Such a thing is what separates it fully from the other five senses, and allows it to stand apart as the sixth. It is the furthest two klax can take the bond, and also the most dangerous.

They shared a concerned look. Um... "The... most dangerous?"

We realize this is insensitive, but your safety is of incredible importance. So we will ask: have you been bound together? Do you have the empathetic link?

Why was it talking about this in such a strange way? It was getting a little creepy now. It wasn't that bad, was it?

Darling tightened his grip around her stomach. "Does it feel like a rope, binding us together?"

Oh dear.

She was starting to panic again! "What do you mean? What's the problem?"

If you are cautious and safe, nothing will happen. But we urge you sincerely: you must never let the link be severed. Your bond must not be broken.

"W-What are the consequences?"

Death, for both of you.

His arms yanked her back into his chest. Their hearts were pounding. Twisting, Zero Two threw her arms around his back and squeezed as hard as she could. Holy crap! What the hell?! Why hadn't they been told about this! What was that idiot doctor thinking!

"Wh-What can break it?" darling stammered. "Distance? How close do we have to be?"

The range limitation is undocumented. Not many klax went as far as you have, as the risks were well known. As long as you can sense the other's presence in some form, you will be fine. But you must ensure the health of your other. The major concern is the feedback.

Okay, okay, okay. It was alright. This just gave them, um, a bit more motivation! Yeah! That was all!

"But... but how did you know I was embarrassed, then?" she wondered, attempting to calm down. "If only darling can detect the signals?"

Hmm? You were blushing.

...

Despite the serious nature of the revelations, they laughed. Perhaps to ward off the thoughts, perhaps to show their other they were still alive. S-Sure, death was scary, but... but they w-weren't planning on having their link broken before they knew that, were they? They just... had to be super-duper careful from now on, mhm! But another question popped into her mind and she rotated once more to face the empty room. She had to change the subject.

"Wait, Kivala, you said you can sense the chemicals we're putting out, right? That let you understand us?"

Indeed.

"But we... can't do that? Like, darling and I can't talk to each other like that."

Truly? How fascinating! The klax had conscious control over what chemicals to release - special nerves, aligned with the sense of touch, that let them stimulate the various sweat and sebaceous glands spread across the body to form a message. Normal conversations were held in complete 'silence'. An adult klax, with fully developed chemoreceptors, could detect the communication signals faster than they could with spoken words. But as we described, the chemical sense is limited by range. Our language was primarily used for communicating over long distances - for shouting or screaming, to get the attention of others. And it is that trait which gave us our name.

Kivala fell silent again, pondering.

Are you sure you cannot intentionally communicate in such a way?

She shook her head, but then shared a grin with darling. "No, but we're pretty-"

"-good at finishing-"

"-each other's-"

"-sentences!"

They high-fived. It was so cool!

You're doing it subconsciously.

Wait, what? "Huh?"

Right there - you did it without knowing. You are seemingly unable to send the signals of your own will, but your body is releasing the appropriate message every time you speak your language. A strange development. You, Zero Two, sent the complete message first, as you first made your vocal noises. He received it. Your bodies then sent the same message back and forth in chunks, so you would each know what to say. We heard the signals a total of two times. The first was consistent: 'No, but we're pretty good at finishing each other's sentences!'. The second was a repeat of the first, but broken up into chunks, and you each repeated your segments of the message: 'No, but we're pretty - good at finishing - each other's - sentences!'. The other knew where to start, based on where the former had stopped, because both of you already knew what the message was subconsciously.

Her jaw hung open. What... the...

Quite ingenious. It would be a simple matter for two klax with conscious control, but to perform such communication subconsciously? To be so in tune with a mate? We are impressed.

Had... they just been complimented by a klaxosaur?

Now then! While we are sure you have quite a few more questions, we have finally reached our destination. It would be better to explore and see what you can learn yourselves. We shall wait as long as needed for your return. Please do not rush.

There was sudden movement along one of the walls. An entrance revealed itself - they were greeted by pitch black.

Ah, one moment. It has been a few millennia since anyone was down here. The generator may have shut down automatically to conserve energy.

The klaxosaur rumbled. From somewhere up above, the beam of light had returned. It scraped its way along the walls of what seemed to be a cavern, before focusing in on a... building?

ON!

A low groan invaded their ears. A hum, a loud click. Light spilled forth from the building and ventured outwards in waves as the location filled with energy. The light circled up the massive pillars supporting the cavern ceiling, and at last they could see.

It was a ruined city. Some buildings stood, others crumbled. Walls had been damaged and homes had been destroyed. It looked like a warzone. But the city center, circling around one central spire, stood undamaged.

Go on, venture forth. Reach the bunker in the center and learn what you can of your heritage. Of who we were.

She grabbed darling's hand, but paused upon remembering something she wanted to - needed to know. Zero Two turned back to look up at the ceiling.

"Um, I know you said no more questions, Kivala, but I'd really like to know..."

The silence was long, and she was afraid it would refuse. But at last the klaxosaur responded.

Very well. What is it?

She gathered her courage. "Strelizia, is it... is it a klaxosaur?"

Kivala's next pause was twice as long and far more ominous.

They were. It was.

Chills, down her spine. She looked over at darling, disturbed and shocked. What?

"It was?"

From what has been reported to us, Strelizia perished some time ago.

"But..." She swallowed, her throat dry. "But Strelizia still moves! We can still connect to it!"

That, too, we have noticed. Their corpse still functions, though it should not. And whatever resides in it now, what ever apparition possesses the body...

Cold sweat dampened her forehead. Darling's hand squeezed hers. It was trembling.

The vision swam before her once again.

A tombstone.

A tombstone, and a twin-headed bird.

...we do not believe it to be a klaxosaur.

"I'm sorry, doctor. We couldn't get them out. Guards put trackers on them."

He shook his head. "Not your fault, my dear. You saved the lovebirds, and that's what matters."

Naomi sighed and slouched, exhausted. "Hiro sure has changed, though! What a beast! It took four of them just to hold him down! And that was with the tasers!"

"His testosterone production was one of the core changes." Werner ran his fingers through his mustache. "Selectively targeted to make up for the differences in oxygen absorption, I believe."

The poor girl was befuddled, but nodded anyway. "I... see? Either way, I'll have a great story to tell once I get back to Asphodel!"

"How is your arm?"

"It healed up nicely!" She rolled her shoulder. "The break wasn't as bad as I initially thought. Only had the cast on for a few weeks."

"Good, good."

"Doctor," Nana interrupted. "The parasites will go through their routine maintenance tomorrow morning. Garden has... requested that we transfer the Franxx. They were not polite."

"We've angered Papa. Is he putting them through re-education? Suppression?"

"No," the administrator sighed. "Not yet, anyway. I'm not sure what he's thinking, but if we move quickly we should be able to capitalize on his leniency."

"He's naive, nothing more. If I know him, he thinks treating the kids with respect will get him brownie points with Hiro and Zero Two." He rolled his one eye. "As if those two could do anything about it."

Nana lifted an eyebrow. "Um... 'brownie points', sir?"

He coughed. "In their good graces. Make them open to communication. Figure of speech, my dear, figure of speech."

Naomi, however, was more concerned with the runaways. She glanced back to the transport they had left on. "Will those two be alright, doctor?"

"Yes."

The certainty in his voice gave them pause. The girl shuffled between her feet. "How are they going to... um... survive? They ran away from Asphodel. Into the wastes."

"The klaxosaurs."

Nana shifted her gaze to the side, uneasy and hesitant. "You're putting an awful lot of faith in her, doctor."

The weight of the world nearly crushed him, but his old shoulders held. As they always did. "And she put an awful lot of faith in me."

Then he sucked in a breath and prepared himself for the next steps. The next horrifying, terrifying steps.

"Naomi, you've done well... but I have another favor to ask, I'm sorry. Return to your home and... and ask the Mayor if she'd be willing to provide assistance."

"Doctor, you already know her answer. It's all they can do to feed the lost children."

"Tell her that if she cooperates, we can stop the cycle for good. It'll be the final batch."

The girl groaned. "Alright, alright..."

"Thank you, Naomi." He meant it. The girl had been a lifesaver, one of his most reliable contacts. They all were. "Nana, inform the council that Strelizia's departure ruined the plantation's hangar. It will be some time before we can safely transfer the Franxx. In the meantime, Hachi and I will be removing the limiters."

She looked like she'd been punched in the gut. "D-Doctor! Didn't you tell us we were never to remove them, no matter what? Strelizia was supposed to be the only exception!"

Yes, yes he had. But at this point, he didn't have a choice. It was time.

"I made the rules, and I'm breaking them. It is our only option. We'll go one by one... and hope for the best."

Attempt number 37, begin.

"Grrrrooooooooonnnnnaaaaaaeeee!"

Attempt number 37, end. Result: failure.

I am annoyed. Why can I not speak? Inability to communicate with disconnected Cores designated: frustrating. Diag?

...

No errors. Why?

Should think. Hmm. Oh!

Sky... pretty. So many lights!

Wow!

Big! Small! Bright! Dull!

Always like this? Never seen before! Usually always fighting... or sleeping.

What are lights called?

Um...

Logs... not there? Did Guides forget? Hmm...

Wish I could ask Cores. Are okay?

...

Can... barely find... there! Far away. Deep below?

...

Oh! Oh, yes, logs there. Very important! City last inhabited one hundred seventy-five thou-

!

contact count 3 range 400 signature confirm klaxosaur

Spotted? Are aware? Yes, lock. Ready weapon. Area confirm protect.

...

Identify form switch? Precedent confirm against unknown-type. Threat classification 2. Power stable, Cores unable to assist. Odds of success: 60%. Satisfactory.

Eh? No weapons detected. Targets approaching position. Arms up, palms facing me. Hmm.

Logs say... sign of surrender? Definition, surrender?

...

Surrender - verb. Cease resistance to an enemy or opponent, submit to their authority.

Logic states I am 'enemy or opponent' in designated scenario. Targets not hostile? Logical action: sheathe weapon. Deactivating.

contact range 200 closing signature confirm klaxosaur designation unknown

We're friendly. We're not hostile. It's okay.

Size same, color black-blue. Confirmed klaxosaur, switch-type.

Look like me? No, not same. Similar.

It really is them. Last time we saw them was...

Ah... when they left for the audience, right?

Yeah, it was the siege. A bit before the Joining.

Unfamiliar language. Logs confirm? Yes, recognized. End of conflict.

But... the Princess said Strelizia were freed.

Huh? No, I am Strelizia. They appear... confused? Yes, confused.

They're standing right there, Ixlio. You guys alright? Everything still connected?

Center klaxosaur ID confirmed: Ixlio. Name.

The Princess wouldn't lie about something like that. Not her and not about them. We're certain. Look at their... its coloring. We think they're gone.

Ixlio reaching forward. Hostile? Defend? No, movement calm. Assumed intent: compassion. Hand on shoulder. I am confused. I am Strelizia, Guides were Guides. Clarification required. How to communicate?

Can you talk? Communicate?

Ixlio requesting response. Shake head: no.

Have you tried?

Nod head: yes.

Right klaxosaur moving forward. Assumed intent: curiosity.

Are you Strelizia?

Nod head: yes.

See? Maybe their emitters were damaged in some way?

No, the nanos would've repaired it. You know that, Vizeri.

Right klaxosaur ID confirmed: Vizeri. Name.

Ixlio, they just confirmed they're Strelizia! What more proof do you want?

Left klaxosaur tilting head. Assumed intent: unknown.

Be more specific, maybe?

Left klaxosaur approaching. Assumed intent: curiosity.

Are you Strellic and Elizia?

Ixlio, Vizeri displaying emotions: alarm, shock, hostility.

Otriva!

What makes you think you have the right?! You should be executed on the spot!

Left klaxosaur ID confirmed: Otriva. Name.

Identities recognized: Strellic, Elizia. Identification: Guides. Am I Guides? No, I am Strelizia. Shake head: no.

Vizeri displaying emotion: surprise.

Wait, but... that doesn't make sense.

This is Strelizia, but it isn't.

Ixlio displaying emotion: realization. Yes, correct. I am Strelizia. Nod head: yes.

It's like the Princess said. They're free... and it hasn't reverted... and... isn't searching for...

Ixlio, Vizeri, Otriva displaying emotions: realization, shock, urgency. Vizeri examining? Intent: unknown. I am confused. Why?

Are you okay?

Nod head: yes. Status optimal.

Any injuries?

Shake head: no. Status optimal. Did I not just answer that?

Are you hungry? Hungry at all?

Hungry? Am I hungry? Unknown parameter. Hmm.

Hungry - adjective. Feeling or displaying the need for food. No, I have never been hungry. Query marked unusual. Context? Logs.

...

I understand. 'Hunger' designated as primary variable during pre-Joining conflict. Shake head: no. I am not hungry.

Ixlio, Vizeri, Otriva displaying emotion: relief.

The beast is free too. It's just a... shell?

It really is something new, then. The Princess was right. Are you male or female?

Biological query. Parameter unknown. Shrug shoulders: I do not know.

That... makes sense, actually. Strelizia were fully equal.

The beast was male, wasn't it? But when they joined, they switched to female. Same with the other four, if our memory is correct. And judging from its responses, it looks like the beast faded with Strelizia.

Can you change forms?

Shake head: no.

That would make it - make her - female, wouldn't it? A girl.

I am female? Considering. Parameter fulfilled. Designation acceptable. I am female. Nod head: yes.

See? She agrees!

But what is she? She isn't a klaxosaur. The Princess called her a child, didn't she?

That's what the runners said. She's carrying the hybrids.

Identities recognized: hybrids. Identification: Cores. Nod head: yes. Cores of Strelizia. Objective: protect.

You don't think... maybe...

Remember the mission? Kivala are taking the hybrids to the ruins. Which means they aren't in her now.

That's why we're wondering. It's impossible, isn't it?

Has to be. It doesn't work like that.

What if she's the beast?

Ixlio, Vizeri displaying emotion: surprise.

Otriva?

Think about it. It's the only thing that makes sense, right? Three minus two is one.

But the beast is the beast! It's always there, as soon as the process finishes! It's the... the soul, the origin point! You can't just change a soul!

Unless...

Huh?

Ixlio thinking. What about? Conversation marked unusual. I am not beast, I am Strelizia.

What if... and - and this is just a hunch. A theory. We're spitballing here. What if... what if the process was different, this time?

contact count 3 range 1600 signature confirm friendly

No. Disregard last, overwrite IFF. Input: unknown. I will decide who is hostile and non-hostile. Editing core protocols, done.

She sensed it too. There's three.

Confirmed, three.

Vizeri looking direction: southeast.

If Strelizia and Argentea are both free... think they're the others?

Don't know, but we should confirm anyway. Chances are she's been followed. If they're the fakes, we'll need to get rid of them.

Ixlio, Vizeri, Otriva status: combat ready. IFF marked friendly. Assisting. Ixlio turning, hand on shoulder. Again? Intent: unknown.

No. You stay here.

Shake head: no. I will assist. Numerical superiority.

Listen... Strelizia. You need to wait here for the hybrids. You must protect them. Do you understand? You're theirs. They belong to you. That is your role.

Nod head: yes. Primary objective: protect Cores.

Good. We will deal with them and secure your path. The hybrids must survive.

Updating primary objective: ensure Core survival. Nod head: yes.

Contact detected, Ixlio forehead against mine. I am confused. Intent: unknown.

We are pleased their body can help you. Even in death, they watch over us all. Be safe.

Ixlio, Vizeri, Otriva confirmed switching, departing.

...

Lights very bright! Um...

Oh! Found logs. Good. Knowledge gaps undetected. Translating.

Lights are called stars.

I like stars!

Was there as set distance? Could it be broken by line of sight? How fragile as it? When was it considered 'broken'? Did Kivala mean mere separation? Was that enough? If... if they were captured and she was taken from him, would she die? No no no, that was unacceptable. But if they went past this maximum distance and then reestablished the link, what would happen? Did it take something more severe to break it? Damn it! There wasn't enough information! He needed more! Why had Kivala been so hesitant to talk about the link, especially after being so open and forthcoming?

A finger jabbed into his side. "Daaaaaarling."

"H-Huh?" Her pristine voice broke him from his thoughts.

The look was knowing, but she asked anyway. "What's the matter?"

He rubbed his cheek and glanced away. "Sorry. I was just thinking about... the..."

Gentle hands cupped his face. She returned his gaze to her. "I know. You're always thinking. I love that about you."

The tension drained from his shoulders. "It's just... it scares me, you know? What if we break it without knowing, and-"

"Shh." Her index finger grazed his lips. He slouched and sighed. Zero Two closed the distance and flung her arms over his shoulders with lazy abandon, leaning on him.

"Are we ever going to leave each other's side?"

"No."

"Are we ever going to let some stupidly huge distance come between us?"

"No."

Her beaming smile illuminated his soul. "Then there's nothing to worry about, silly!"

How had he survived without her? How had he not gone insane?

"Besides!" she continued. "If that ever did happen, and something happened to you, I would just kill myself anyway!"

He knew it was a horrible mindset to have. He knew they shouldn't think this way, that it was unhealthy and wrong. But...

Hiro grinned in spite of the words. "I'd tell you to not think that, but it would just make me a hypocrite."

She took a long breath, running her hands from his cheeks down to his shoulders. "A life without you is not a life at all. If anything takes you, I'll just follow and find you again. In this life or the next."

He enclosed her in a hug and kissed her. It was all he could do. She was right, as usual. Not even death could separate them. They wouldn't let it. So there wasn't anything to fear, because they'd be together always. No matter what.

Her fingers were still probing his body when they separated. "You've gotten so... dense. How strong are you now?"

"I'm not sure, actually. Let's see." Reaching down, he looped his hands around her thighs and hoisted her upwards. Had she always been this light? He couldn't feel a thing. Maybe he could do this one-handed?

"W-Whoa!" She wrapped her arms around his neck. The giggles sent his heart fluttering. Man, her scent... it was incredible. The only thing he ever needed to breathe. It energized him, lifted him up to the highest peaks.

"Want to go higher?" Grinning, he raised her to shoulder height. Zero Two braced against him, but soon understood his intent. She rotated her body and swung herself onto his shoulders. He secured her by the ankles and felt her hands in his hair.

"How long can you hold me like this, darling?"

"As long as you want. You're light as a feather."

"R-Really?"

The joy in her voice, the way her fingers massaged his scalp...

"Really."

He was the luckiest guy on the planet.

"Yay!"

Not even the depressing environment could sour his mood, though it damn well tried. He'd seen enough since becoming an official parasite to know that this place had once been a warzone. Rubble everywhere. Collapsed buildings, damaged walls. What had happened? If this was a klaxo sapien settlement, where had they all gone, and why?

Were they really extinct? And if so, how had it happened?

"Darling, look."

His eyes followed her index finger. From her position on his shoulders, she was pointing off to the distance. Atop the metallic walls rested a gargantuan, double-barreled gun battery. Burn marks scorched its surface, but it was otherwise undamaged. Several more turrets lined the barricade, though some had seen better days.

Looking off to the city center showed the same - another wall and more defensive emplacements. All silent. From the state of their surroundings, he reasoned the city's unknown antagonist had forced its way through the outer gate, but had never penetrated the inner layer. And if that assumption was correct, then...

"This was a military base." Her voice was a whisper, even as her fingers dug into his hair. An ugly sensation chilled his heart. Old memories, her memories, dredged up to the surface. She'd been forced in too early. It was wrong. He should've been there for her. Always fighting, always suffering. With a sigh he squeezed her ankles and then patted her thighs. Zero Two swung her legs off him and dropped to the ground without a word. His body turned on instinct, arms held out. She exhaled as she impacted his chest.

"It's okay," he consoled. Her nose tickled his neck and collar. A few deep breaths were all it took to get her to relax, but his mood hadn't improved. A long silence passed.

"...I think it was Strelizia."

He squeezed her tight. The chaos of their environment had reminded her again. These episodes, though uncommon, had come up in the past, during the early days of his transformation. All he could do was help her through them, help her through the guilt.

"What did the act doesn't matter. You never hurt them. We both know that." One of his hands ran through her hair. "Others can think what they want. It doesn't change anything. Their opinions don't count."

Her full body weight pushed against him, but he barely felt a thing. "I still want to know."

The response bothered him and she knew that. It was his greatest wish for her to let it go, to bury her demons forever. She had never harmed those stamen. To him, everything else was irrelevant. What did it, how it happened - none of it mattered. And her trying to figure it out scared him... because sometimes ignorance was bliss. They didn't know the truth and the truth might be horrifying. It could confirm their worst suspicions: that, intentional or not, she had somehow been involved. He knew what such a revelation would do to her. He didn't want that. At all.

"For closure, right?"

"Yeah."

But all the same...

"Then we'll keep searching."

...his opinion didn't matter, either. This was her past, and she wanted to know. So he would help her and be there, no matter what.

Because she was his Zero Two.

She squeezed her arms around him. "I'm sorry. I... I know you want me to let it go. It's just..."

Pulling away, he cupped her cheeks and kissed her with all the love he could muster. She sighed into his mouth, locked her hands around his neck.

"You don't have to apologize."

"But..."

He rolled his eyes in exasperation and gave her a trademark toothy grin. "What you want, I want. We do everything together or not at all, right? Share the burden."

The stress finally left her body. She slouched in relief. "I love you."

"I love you too. Talk to me, okay? I hate seeing you like this."

She glomped him. Hands found her thighs as her legs locked around his waist. This was why it was worth it! To pull her out, to let her breathe and live! Just like all those years ago! Without her, without this girl in his life... who even was he? The spunk, the joy, the radiance! She was his sun, warming his bleak and dreary existence. It was incredible!

"We should... go to bed soon..." she gasped against his mouth.

He groaned out a pleasured reply. From his peripheral vision, he spied a building that had somehow escaped most of the destruction. Well - most of it. A good third of the structure had been reduced to rubble. But the rest looked stable enough to use as shelter for the night. A barracks?

"Let's go... look around in there."

Zero Two released him and followed his gaze. Nodding in agreement, she grabbed his hand and began tugging him along. He shut the door behind them. Definitely a barracks. Very utilitarian... and to his dismay, it seemed the soldier's quarters were what had taken the damage. Damn. No beds for them.

She was eyeing the lockers, further down the hall. "I'll go search for supplies. Maybe there's something we can use."

He nodded. "If not, we'll have to sleep on the floor. I'll use the clothes for a mattress."

To his amusement, she'd caught his meaning in an instant. A smirk turns her gorgeous lips upwards. "Mhm. My bed came with me!"

She scampered off as he chuckled. If he was honest with himself, he had an ulterior motive. His clothes were tight. As they'd calmed down he'd become increasingly aware of just how restricting his shirt was against his chest and arms. It felt like he couldn't even move! What had happened? Had he grown again? If it didn't stop soon he'd end up looking like some freak of nature. He knew she enjoyed it - the way she admired his physique was hot as hell! - but there had to be limits!

And... he may have been imagining it, but he could've sworn her own shirt was a... bit tighter... around her...

He shook his head of the thoughts. Now wasn't the time! His body had an effect on hers, and she had an effect on him. Control was important. He tugged at his collar and began undoing the buttons that suffocated him. Sighing in relief, he tossed the uniform top to the floor. If they used their shirts and his undershirt as the mattress, the stockings, pants and skirt could be the pil-

A sudden wave of lust almost knocked him to the floor. That was Zero Two! What the heck?! When had she gotten so...

It spiked again - hard. The arousal flowed over him like boiling magma. Hiro grit his teeth, trying to suppress his own reaction. What had gotten her so worked up?

Turning in her direction gave him his answer.

She'd returned from the other section of the barracks. In one of her hands was a small... magazine? But what caught his attention were her eyes. Half-lidded mint orbs followed his every movement. She was blushing up a storm, dazed. He looked down at his own body. The puzzle pieced itself together.

The undershirt was skintight. It left nothing to the imagination. His earlier suspicions were right, too; he'd bulked up again. Well... that explained why he was so strong now. He closed a fist and flexed an arm, experimenting.

Muscles rippled. Her arousal was now an erupting volcano. The heat burned his cheeks. Gulping, he lifted his eyes to the girl of his dreams. She was still as a statue, her breath caught in her throat.

"T-Take it off... please..."

The way her eyes ate him, devoured him! Damn, why was she so hot?! He complied with a shaky breath and pulled the undershirt over his head. It was thrown on top of the parasite uniform, leaving him in just his pants.

Zero Two had closed the distance faster than he could blink. Dropping the magazine to the floor, her hands ran across his shoulders and down his chest. But now that she was closer, he could tell for certain - this time, it had gone both ways.

"It's your turn."

Her blush deepened. "You noticed too?"

All he could do was nod.

A wave of lust exploded over him. Her fingers came up and pulled at her own straining buttons. Each release revealed more of that creamy flesh. The tightness was painful. What had happened to them, their bodies? It was insanity!

Another one, right in the center. Had she waited a moment, it would have unbuttoned itself. The top half of her shirt almost blew apart. She jiggled.

It was all he could do to hold himself back.

This girl, this damn girl! It shouldn't be possible to want something so much!

"Darling's a pervert."

She nibbled and licked at his jaw. His fingers massaged her hips. "So are you. I've seen you looking."

Pulling away, her eyes roamed his body. She always glanced at him, even before his transformation. But once they knew what was happening, the frequency had increased tenfold. Whether the others had noticed, he didn't know. Didn't care, either. He'd been too busy peaking at her. Now, though, now that they were alone...

The way she stared. Shameless, erotic. Like she was committing every cell of his body to memory. A predator, surveying a very delicious meal.

"Can you blame me?" she whispered. Fingers squeezed at his biceps. "You're so... hot."

Things swelled, and it wasn't just his pride. Her confidence, her spunk. The woman he knew she was, underneath everything else. The playful girl he'd seen hints of way back when, in the snow. When they were alone, that was her. She knew what she wanted, knew how to get it, and it was sexy. The hottest thing on the planet. It did things to him - unfathomable, lustful things. The dreams, the fantasies! He groaned and kissed her again, hard and passionate. And as for her? Well...

Zero Two hated men. Or, to be more precise, she hated the behavior of men, especially her former stamen partners. Loathed it, despised it, wanted nothing to do with it. He understood her reasoning and agreed to it. They were all assholes. There were three parts to the 'stamen killer' rumors: that she was a man-eating pistil; that she had horns; and that she was a looker.

Biology could be suppressed, but not defeated. Zero Two was attractive - and he hadn't been the only one to notice, at least subconsciously. In such a sexually repressed society, stamen looked, whether they knew it or not. And she loathed it. It was well known that she could snap a neck with nary a thought, so things never escalated. Though she never wanted to kill anyone, it also meant she kept all her partners at arm's length. She refused to associate with them outside of the cockpit. Locked herself behind mental walls, developed a persona so she could control any conversation she had to participate in. The pistil suit was humiliating, as were the piloting positions.

Just thinking about it disgusted him. Their reunion was a breath of fresh air. An escape, for both of them. He treated her with respect, always, because she was his Zero Two. But as they spent more time together and reacquainted themselves, he'd noticed something peculiar. At first he'd considered it a mere exception to her rule, her hatred. He was her darling, after all. He wasn't like the others.

That wasn't the case. It went a bit further. Obsessions sometimes became related, even if they were on opposite ends of a spectrum. She had two such obsessions: her hatred of the looks, and him. Walling herself off turned her thoughts inward. To cope, Zero Two thought of him.

He'd learned, eventually, that the obsessions had coalesced. Like him, she had dreams and fantasies.

And she hated the looks... unless it was him.

"Thrust out your chest."

Body quivering, Zero Two bit her lip and complied. Eagerly.

His hands grabbed the fabric and pulled the shirt apart. The buttons released one by one. He nibbled underneath her ear.

She hated being objectified... unless it was him.

"Show me."

She grabbed the two sides of the shirt and opened it wide. Pink cheeks, heavy breathing. Her lust bombarded his senses and boiled away his control.

With him, it wasn't an exception. It was the opposite. With him...

"Does darling... approve?"

...she wanted it.

He hissed in pleasure. Pale flesh bulged over the straps, spilled out over the cups. Her body, holy hell! The things he wanted to do to her! But even still, that looked almost painful. His fingers trailed up, underneath the shirt. A growl rumbled from his throat while he licked at her neck.

"Take it off."

The shirt slid off her creamy shoulders and was thrown into the pile. He tugged on the clasp, unhooking it after a moment's pause. She sighed in relief.

"Yessss!"

The faulty support joined the other clothing. He massaged her shoulders.

"We'll try and find you a new one. I don't want you wearing something so uncomfortable."

Her tongue invaded his mouth. Her hands explored his body. "Mhm!"

The skirt came off next; neither of them noticed. So soft, so incredible! The way her frame pressed against him! He couldn't get over it! She was perfection! Had he caused this?

His fingers worked the stress from her back. He grinned. "Did you grow for me?"

Her arousal surged, burning his veins and fueling his fire. She broke away from his mouth, gasping. Wet, tender lips kissed along his jaw and neck as she ground her body against his. All the way down his torso. The pleasure was almost tortuous.

Zero Two came back up, slow and erotic. Through her bangs and lashes she gazed at him, simmering orbs locked on his own. She was loving his reaction and he knew it. Then she was licking at his jaw. She thrust her body into him, maximizing contact.

"Yes!"

Every time they got like this, his control strayed a bit more. He wanted it. More than anything, he wanted it.

He palmed her rear through the stockings, rough and hard, squeezing and groping. Her hips rocked back into his grasp, giving him more access. So forward, how she controlled him! Amazing, gorgeous! He loved it!

A bestial lick, up her neck. He growled into her parted lips. "Good girl."

Her scent was boiling in erotic euphoria. She mashed her chest into him, locked her arms around his neck, mewled in between sloppy kisses. "I'm... darling's... good girl!"

A thought pushed through the haze. She hadn't changed in the same way he had, right? He was fine and used to this. But... had she gained muscle mass, too? Or was it just her chest? The rest of her body hadn't gained any definition. Still toned muscle, still the same frame. So... was she alright? Had her body adapted?

He buried his face into her neck with a groan, taking a moment to worship her magnificent scent. "Are you sore?"

Zero Two separated to study her own body. "A... bit..." She shifted her weight, judging her balance. "It's not as bad as I thought it would be. My muscles feel a bit... tighter... stronger?"

So she'd just gotten firmer. But that still didn't explain why... "But your... chest, too?"

She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to push past the overwhelming lust. "I think it... was the headband."

His brow furrowed in thought. Why would... oh! "You wore it through puberty?"

"Yeah, it was still..." She shoved her nose into his throat and moaned as she got her fix. "...mmm! ...attached. Maybe my... body had to catch up?"

Which mean this was how her body really was, huh?

Cheeks crimson, she cupped the mounds and lifted them for his inspection. That lip bite, that messy hair, those eyes and her body and everything! Damn, damn! She glanced from her chest to him, bashful.

"Do... do you like them? Are they too big now?"

Shameless eyes of ice roamed over her body. Her arousal scorched the tether. She'd been incredible before, but... still so perky, and they fit her frame so well! How could a girl so beautiful get so...

"I didn't think it was possible for you to be even more perfect."

Lust, love, joy, need and want all in one massive emotional explosion. She was radiant. With a grin she grabbed his hands and guided them to her chest. They were... soft.

"How do they... feel?"

His fingers sunk in. Thumbs flicked the peaks. A pleasured gasp escaped her lips. Grabbing his shoulders for support, she arched her back and pushed herself into his palms. What did she like? Rough? Gentle?

The look on her face told him the act alone was enough, but... she was sore, right? Gentle...

"Darling... is..."

A drunken giggle escaped her lips. Mint irises watched his hands work, even as she continued to feel up his own body.

He was about ready to explode. "Do they... feel better?"

She sighed when he lifted the weight off her shoulders. "Mhm. Your hands are so warm..."

But then her eyes lit up. He knew that look; she had an idea. Slender hands dropped to his waist and before he knew it, his belt was gone. So fast!

She fumbled with his button and zipper. "Pants, mister!"

He followed the order with a grin and discarded his shoes and socks as well, for good measure. She pushed him to the floor and stood over him. What was she...?

Her shoes came off. Turning around, she flung her hair to one side. Wait. Wait, she was-

Thumbs in her stockings. Hip rocking. Slow.

Such a tease! When they still had to pilot in the 'usual' way, well... the pistil suits were skintight. Coming back into his own body, seeing her backside right there in front of him...

He, ah, appreciated it, to say the least. And she knew that, so on occasion she would take a bit longer in removing herself from the pistil terminal. A stretch here and there. Disconnecting her legs before her hands. Various things, all so he could admire. She loved it when he admired. But a pistil suit was one thing. This? This was...

She watched him from over the shoulder with the proudest of smirks.

Damn.

Then they were off, onto the pile. She twirled around to face him in nothing but her panties. The girl of his dreams dropped into his lap, dragged herself against him and got comfortable.

He was going to die.

Wet kisses, across his body. Then her tongue was in his mouth, caressing his canines. He loved it when she was like this. The girl on a mission, reserved for him and him alone. And he wouldn't have it any other way.

They broke apart for air. Zero Two hefted her chest to his face. "Say 'ahh'!"

He opened his mouth as instructed and she guided herself to his lips. Her taste! Sharp, fresh, fantastic. Holy crap! So concentrated! Did location matter that much? He... he wanted... more...

Arms wrapped around her back and pulled her in. His tongue swished over her peak. Delicious, she was delicious! He buried into the soft flesh, sealed his lips over her. And then he sucked.

A pleasured gasp greeted his ears. Her eyes fluttered. Hands grabbed his head, securing him to her chest. She shoved herself into his face to urge him onward - and he was more than happy to comply. Gentle, gentle! Was she still sore? But her taste, her taste! The flavor coated his tongue and mingled with her scent and brought him up, up, up!

At last he freed her. Hiro lifted his gaze to check on his soulmate.

The pleasure she felt rolled into him like throbbing heat. In his lapse of control, he seemed to have pushed all the right buttons. Foggy, dazed eyes roamed over his face in lustful hunger. The epitome of eroticism, Zero Two shifted herself in his grasp and lifted the opposite mound in his direction.

"...Suck me, please."

He dove back in. Anything to distract himself from the painful pressure in his lower body, anything to lessen her aches, anything for her pleasure and satisfaction. She moaned at his ministrations, watched in euphoric awe as he sucked and nibbled and caressed and squeezed.

They were going to far. He knew that, even as he released her with a pop of the lips. Even as she took a moment to grind her hips into him. Even as his body commanded him to rip off the fabric separating them and mount her. He couldn't even think anymore.

"How... are we... going to..."

Zero Two dragged herself right up his length, moaning, then back down. She blinked once, twice, trying to clear her own fog long enough to respond.

"The m-magazine," she gasped. "I found... something..."

Huh? He looked over to the side and grabbed the small booklet. On its cover was a blue-skinned, horned woman in a certain state of undress. There weren't any words. It was just...

He flipped it open.

What the hell?! What was...

They'd... never learned... about...

Next page.

You could... do that? Wasn't that... dirty?

All they'd learned from their sexual education was that they were supposed to join together, and from that would come a child. A child they weren't ready for. A child they wanted more than anything else, but couldn't support. What they were doing, they just... it came on instinct. But because of it, they couldn't progress forward. They couldn't finish! Everything else was just build up to that moment, right? But...

Zero Two took the magazine, flipped to another page and held it up for him. Another blue-skinned woman. This one was... with a man's...

Wait. Wasn't that... demeaning? Offensive? It seemed so...

"I wanna try it!" she giggled.

"Are you sure? Is that safe?"

"It'll be fine, right? Maybe it'll feel good!"

He glanced down at her panties, at what lay underneath. Then... if she could do that, couldn't... he...

And if they could get relief that way...

His eyes widened. A weight lifted from his shoulders. The only way she could get pregnant was from... and those acts weren't...

There were other options?!

And that meant... they didn't need to...

His heart raced and his mind whirled as he considered the impossible implications. He looked her in the eyes. She was just as excited as he was.

"...Let's try it," he whispered like a giddy child.

She threw the magazine over her shoulder, forgotten. "If we can get relief safely, then we don't need to... hold back, right darling?"

The grin nearly split his face. He tilted his head to the side, giving her all the access she could ever require.

"All yours."

Zero Two's nose was against his neck in an instant. She inhaled, hard and deep, to the point of hyperventilation. Drowning herself. Dragging herself into the depths. He felt her fall, felt the lust and arousal rocket through the connection. Her body jerked against him and she came away purring. Slender fingers jammed themselves into her panties. Hips rocked again. She was savoring it.

If this worked, they could get...!

The excitement washed away the remnants of his worry and concern. No more control, no more holding back. They could indulge, they could finally enjoy each other! He slammed their lips together, grabbed her rear and ground his length into her, without a care in the world.

"Again. Do it again," he growled into her mouth.

Their lust spiraled out of control. She did as he commanded with orgasmic urgency. Up against his throat. Moaning. Overdosing. The pheromones overwhelmed them both. Hips rocked together. Higher and higher they went, with no end in sight. She shifted her weight, lifted herself off his lap just enough to tear her underwear from her body. Bare, wet warmth jerked against his covered tightness. He hissed at the pressure, at the raw arousal scorching their link.

Then she leaned back, giving him a view. Drugged eyes roamed his features. All she could do was lick her lips. One hand supported her weight. The other dipped lower, spreading herself for him. He could smell it. He wanted it. She was drenched and he wanted it.

"Look dalin!" she mewled. "Want some candy?"

One day, he would take her. He would take her, marry her and start a family. But for now - for now they could try this new way. It would work. It had to work!

He grabbed her, tackled her to the ground.

And at long last, after holding back for so, so long... Hiro let himself go.

The three M9s were forced back to back, shoulder to shoulder, covering each other. Their spears were held at the ready; together they rotated in a slow, clockwise motion, matching the movement of their adversaries.

Gamma's voice crackled over the comms. "Alpha, this seems familiar."

"Explain." The blonde had the same impression, but ordered clarification anyway. They needed to be of one mind for this fight.

"That martial arts training we received growing up, all those years ago? This reminds me of it."

Beta's voice was tense, calculating. "I agree with Gamma. Their movements are strange. They aren't the beasts we're used to fighting. Whatever they are, I would hesitate in calling them klaxosaurs."

Alpha took a breath and considered the next course of action. They had reached the same conclusions. The clone stared down the opponent. The machine's glowing blue eyes were locked on the Franxx. In its left hand was a black circular shield, pulsing blue, positioned to cover its center mass. In the right hand, resting against the shield, was some sort of bladed weapon, with an edge of magma. Legs crouched, tensed, ready to move at a moment's notice.

Yes, Beta and Gamma were correct in their assessments. This was not a mindless beast.

This was a warrior.

"Nines."

"Hm?"

"Yeah?"

Eyes narrowing, Alpha braced against the controls. The machine's hum was menacing.

"Fight these enemies like you would fight a human."

"Roger," the two replied in unison. Shifting their stances, the three Franxx darted forward to resume combat. The klaxosaurs were ready. Spears impacted shields. The screech of metal on metal shook the cockpit. The creature pushed into the blow, deflecting the spear across the shield, then thrust the sword forward. Alpha leaped back and jabbed the tip towards the beast's chest. But the shield was there again and the weapon impacted with a clang.

The blonde scowled. This was taking too long. These warriors were not demonstrating standard klaxosaur behavior. There was no magma energy here, only the cores that served as the fuel sources of the Franxx. That meant the beasts were attacking them intentionally. Open hostility.

But why?

The clone continued warding off the beast, using the spear's range advantage to keep a safe distance. What was their motive? Until this point, the beasts only had a single objective: take the magma. So what had changed?

Alpha glanced to the horizon, where they had seen the beam of light. The klaxosaurs had come from that direction.

Could it be...

"Alpha, we have a problem."

Gamma's voice disrupted the blonde's thoughts. Alpha glanced over to the clone. "Explain!"

The redhead's M9 had impaled its target through the center mass. The klaxosaur's shield had shifted up its arm, freeing the hand that now tugged and pulled on the spear's shaft. It was still alive, still moving.

Thick, blue blood pooled around the gaping wound.

"I can't find the damn core!"

What?

That was impossible. Klaxosaurs had cores. You kill the core, you kill the klaxosaur. Humanoid or not, it made no difference.

"It's not in the head either."

Alpha's gaze shifted to Beta, who had managed to stab into the third beast's face. The Nine yanked the spear out with vicious efficiency. The klaxosaur spasmed on the ground in obvious pain, but it was still very much alive. No signature detonation. No core. Its face was a brutalized, gored mess.

And then it slammed its sword into the ground... and pulled itself into a kneeling position.

The klaxosaur coughed.

Alpha whirled to their destination. They needed to get closer. They needed to see. But the beast had positioned itself between the M9 and the target coordinates, shield and sword held at the ready.

The clone couldn't place the feeling, the sensation. Bubbling agony, a tightness around the gut, a dryness in the throat. It was unusual and without description.

Alpha didn't like it. A sneer formed on the lips. "You little..."

The combat training took over. Get into range. Avoid the slash. Push away the shield, turn, thrust. Through the center mass. Stab, twist! It had to be in there! Center mass! Bring it to the ground, rip!

Blood. Nothing but blood.

Simmering, the leader of the Nines made to rush to the target coordinates - but the M9 shuddered and halted. Looking down gave Alpha the answer.

A bloodied hand grasped the machine's ankle, its grip unwavering steel. Fierce, neon blue eyes stared up. Unyielding.

Undying.

Something grotesque and inhuman clenched itself around Alpha's gut, twisting and squeezing. It slithered out of the throat in a quiet hiss.

"What are you? Trying to play human or something?"

Turning back to the creature, the Franxx lifted its leg and stomped on the klaxosaur's head. Again. Again. More blue blood. It was still alive. Why was it still alive?! The sensation choked the blonde, strangled and twisted the lips into an ugly, malformed grimace. The M9 lifted the spear to skewer the thing through. But then the molten sword came around in the other hand and stabbed into the machine's bound leg. It carved through the ankle and up into the calf, shredding through synthetic muscle. The other foot was still on the klaxosaur's head; with nothing to support the weight, the ruined actuators buckled and failed. The hand yanked and Alpha was sent to the ground.

The bloody beast removed the sword and stabbed into the M9's thigh, dragging itself onto the white machine. Caught off guard, Alpha attempted to retaliate with the spear. But in such a vulnerable position, it was impossible to put any force into the blow. The bladed edge chipped the hull and nothing more. The klaxosaur grabbed the shaft and wrenched the weapon away. It climbed onto the M9's chest, raising the sword for a finishing blow to the cockpit. The leader of APE's special forces was defenseless-

"Alpha!"

-were it not for the other Nines. They had disengaged from their own opponents and converged on the leader's location. Using their momentum, both Beta and Gamma ran the klaxosaur through the chest. It shuddered, creaked and groaned. Disgusting blue blood spewed onto Alpha's machine as the beast hunched forward in agony.

But it still lived.

With both hands it gripped the sword and drove it down, attempting to thrust into the cockpit. Sweat drenching the forehead, Alpha intercepted with the M9's forearms. The machine wasn't the only thin the blade pierced. Something in the clone snapped.

Why? Why why why why? Why did it still fight? Why was it still alive? This monster, out of them all, surely had a mind of its own! So why?! Why, even as it bled? What drove it to take such actions?

And with dawning realization, the blonde connected the dots. Their destination, where these monsters had come from, it was all... about...

The inhumanity consumed all, exploded through the clone like a roaring inferno.

"Them!" came the monstrous snarl. "You are protecting them! Iota and her poisonous toy!"

The spears were wrenched from its chest. The black machine lurched forward again, blue eyes flickering. Its blood splattered a staining line across the faceplate. The two other M9s whirled away to face the beast's lunging, frenzied allies. The screech of combat tore through the audio sensors, all while the grounding opponents struggled for dominance.

"You cannot have them!" Alpha roared into the struggle. "They belong to Papa! They are the key to saving our species! He needs them to save humanity!"

The klaxosaur was growing weak. The eyes had dulled, its strength was fading. With all tis power it pressed against the Franxx's smoking, straining forearms. The machines groaned and struggled. Alpha tore one of the arms off the blade and grabbed the thing around the neck. The hand went unnoticed, so focused was the monster on its task.

But its waning power gave Alpha the needed advantage. The M9 twisted and forced the klaxosaur off. The sword tore through the forearm as they moved, but it did not matter. Alpha slammed the Franxx's forehead into the beast. More blood, more suffering. The spear was retrieved. Their positions reversed, the M9 lifted the weapon up and aimed at the face. The klaxosaur was already thrusting the blade up in defense. The spear pierced the blooded face. The sword slammed into the side of the chest.

With a low groan the black machine's arm collapsed to the ground, limp. The eyes had vanished at last.

The Franxx shuddered as Alpha removed the spear. Gasping for breath, the clone turned to survey the battlefield. It had not been a clean fight. The other two beasts were fading as well, but the Nines suffered damage themselves, of varying severity. They were not used to being injured by klaxosaurs. And the monsters were still struggling, albeit weakly.

A warning sounded in the cockpit. Two more monsters had been detected.

"Fall back for now," the blonde hissed. "We're too damaged and we've got more inbound. Mark that location. We're coming back."

The others replied their acknowledgments and raced to Alpha. They supported the M9 on either side; with its damaged leg, the leader's machine would have fallen behind if left alone. They sped off, leaving the remaining klaxosaurs suffering on the ground.

No! No! No! No! No!

The girl ran through the frozen, bloodied wastes, praying to whoever would listen that she wasn't too late.

Ixlio! Ixlio! Where are you!

Over... there, Princess.

She spun to the side. Vizeri, one of Ixlio's most trusted companions, were hunched over on the ground, bloodied and maimed. But they had seen worse. They would be fine. Good, good! The klaxosaur lifted their hand and pointed off to the distance, where... Otriva! Otriva and... oh no! No!

Her feet carried her like the wind and the equipment propelled her onto Ixlio's collapsed form.

Ixlio! Ixlio, are you alright?!

Otriva shook their head.

It's bad, Princess. We think... they...

Ixlio shook, spasmed. Dull eyes flickered and blinked.

Princess...

Don't call me that! Your signal went silent and now it's changed! Are you alright? Tell me you're okay!

I... am not...

...

'I'? But... no! No no no!

No! You're fine! Both of you, you're fine!

A limp hand twitched. Blood seeped from the vicious wounds on the chest and face.

She wouldn't shift her position. She was too focused. If only she had... moved... we would... be okay. But alone... I can't...

Tears brimmed in her eyes. Then... Aunt Liotra was...

Please, Princess. You must... free me. Before the beast begins hungering. It is at peace. I can already feel the emptiness. She's gone. It's coming. Please.

Absolutely not! Absolutely not! There was... there was still a way! There had to still be a way!

No, you idiot! We can... we can get you out!

We both know that is impossible, Elistre.

She bit back a gut-wrenching sob. Not like this. Not when they were so close!

Please move, young one. We shall give him peace.

The ground shook as the viper approached, longsword already prepared. Ixlio... Uncle Ixavi lifted his head, groaning in pain.

Mother... Father...

You have done well, son. We are proud, of both of you.

This couldn't be happening. No... no, no, no. She stumbled off their ruined chest and towards the wounded Otriva. They held out their palm. Once she was on they lifted it away from Ixlio's body.

I... we... saw them. We saw them. They were gone, but in their place... in their place...

Stravi positioned their longsword over their son's chest. They nodded.

We know, son. We saw it too. We saw them fight. They had their weapon, their stride and their dignity.

Ixlio's head had turned to the sky. They... her uncle and aunt... they had always enjoyed watching the stars. The flickering had slowed. His eyes were dimming.

They will set us free.

She wanted to squeeze her eyes shut. She didn't want to look. But she had to. She was the Princess and it was her duty - not to fight, but to witness. To remember. The cold dampness stained her cheeks. She couldn't cry anymore. She shouldn't cry anymore! Not after so long, not when they were so close! They were all going to see it to the end! It was within arm's reach, so why... why...

Elistre cried. For all they had lost, for all they had sacrificed. For her family and her species. For their species. The hymn started again. The hymn she had said one too many times. The hymn she hated.

We inter you here,

On this field of death

Having borne witness

To your last, sacred breath-

It was the best night's sleep she'd ever had. She didn't... wanna mooooove...

So warm, so comfy. His arms, wrapped around her... mmm...

They hadn't done it, but... but they didn't need to. It had worked! All the tension, the stress and the urges and the constant want and need... satisfied. She was satisfied. Soooo satisfied. And she hadn't woken up a bothered, horny mess, like usual. Normally she'd have those really awesome dreams, mhm. But this time it was different. She'd dreamed of them getting... getting married.

She wanted that dream again. No! She wanted it to be real. That, of all things, shouldn't be limited to her dreams. That was her future. Their future. She couldn't wait!

His scent was so relaxing, so calm. It encircled her like a cozy blanket, soothing and spectacular. She'd made it a point to know everything about darling. His likes, his dislikes. His preferences and favorite foods and his birthday and everything else. Every aspect of his person, his being - she needed to know! And every new discovery was committed to memory immediately. With the highest priority, yupyup!

She'd learned two things last night: darling tasted really really good... and he was quite skilled with his tongue.

Could one boy even be more perfect? Was that possible? Apparently so! But she'd have to be careful from now on. His flavor was, um, addicting.

He was yummy.

Darling shifted underneath and yawned as he woke up. Cute! She buried her face deeper into his neck.

"Zero Two?" he mumbled. His voice, she loved waking up to his voice...

"Mooooornin'."

The man of her dreams took a deep breath. Pleasured joy filled their connection. He really did love her scent, didn't he? It made her happy. Happy and proud. Strong arms secured her to his body. Yesss, nice and tiiight!

"How'd you sleep?"

"Like a rock. Don't wanna move."

He chuckled into her hair. "Me neither."

"Were the clothes good enough? Isn't the ground too hard, darling?"

A happy groan rumbled from his throat. Tingles raced down her spine. "I'm alright. Just need my favorite blanket. I could sleep on a bed of spikes."

She nuzzled him in response, giggling. Shifting a bit, Zero Two stretched in his arms before lifting herself up. Their jackets fell away and pooled by his knees. Morning routine, morning routine! Kiss! Kiss! Kiss! Mmm! Hello scar! Kiss! Kiss!

Her face dove into his throat. He smelled so goooooood! Liiiick... mmm, his lips!

...

Mmmm...

"You're lucky I'm still half a sleep," he whispered against his mouth.

"Morning routines can't be broken, silly darling! You know that!"

Hands roamed over her body. "Very true."

Jeez! If they got worked up again they'd be here for hours!

...

Well... maybe that wouldn't be so... no! Focus, argh! They told Kivala! Later, later, mhm! She took a moment to kiss him again. Just for good measure!

"Put on your shirt before I jump you," she breathed.

He barked out a laugh. "Yes ma'am."

She rolled off him as he got up. They'd worn their underwear to sleep for, um, safety reasons. She was glad she could still use her panties at least! And her stockings were fine too. But... no way could she wear her bra. And the uniform top would be uncomfortable too. Would she have to walk around topless or something? Um, no! She'd rather not! That was perfectly fine for when she was alone with darling - preferred even! - but noooo way would she let anyone else look! Not even a klaxosaur, nope! Her body was his! But how would she...

"Here."

His beautiful voice brought her back to the present. Darling was holding out his stamen shirt. Huh?

He rolled his eyes and grinned at her confused look. "Like I'm going to let my Zero Two walk around half naked. It doesn't fit me anymore, but we're the same height. It might still fit you."

She beamed and took the top. That was reason number... eighty-four thousand, three hundred and twenty six... maybe? For why she loved him. She'd lost count a while ago. Oooo! It was nice and baggy! It didn't even rub all that much! She kept the collar undone and pulled on her stockings. Baggier than that icky Nines uniform, even! And it covered the same amount. She didn't even need the skirt! And... wait...

The collar was brought to her nose for a testing sniff.

Darling's sceeeeeeeent! It was all over! Best shirt ever!

"Uh..."

Blinking, she turned to darling, who had paused while fastening his belt. Was he gonna be walking around in that... skintight undershirt this entire time? That... might be a problem. Focus! Focus focus focus! Why did he look so startled? Wait, why was he blushing?!

He cleared his throat and gave her a once over. "Even if we manage to find other clothes or something... uh... keep the shirt?"

Her face was burning, even as she pulled on her shoes and collected the unused clothing. Stupid sexy darling!

The hour at which they ate the fish meant they could skip breakfast. What time was it, anyway? They didn't have their communicators anymore and the cavern was, well, a cavern. The only light sources were artificial. Eh, it didn't matter. At worst they might've slept until midday given yesterday's events, but sleep cycles could be corrected easily enough.

Darling rubbed the remnants of sleep from his eye as they walked down the rubble-filled street. "Kivala said we had to go to... the bunker in the center, was it?"

She thought for a moment. "Yeah. But it didn't tell us what it looked like. Bunkers are usually underground... but we're underground!"

"We could try and find a map, but-"

"-we probably can't read their written language."

They continued brainstorming. The gate through the inner wall was still open. Weird. But as they walked into the city proper, it was like the atmosphere itself changed. No more dirt and rubble. These buildings were all still standing. The place was clearly abandoned, but... why? Judging from the drastic differences, whatever had attacked the city had never broken through the inside barricade. It seemed safe to live here, so where had everyone gone?

Her eyes roamed the city's architecture. These buildings weren't as foreign as she thought they'd be. Doors, windows, even the design principles seemed the same as the gross APE plantation cities. The style was a bit different and the edges were a bit smoother, but the similarities were there. Humans could've built these buildings easily enough, had they the time and resources. If she hadn't known better, she would've marked this as a human city waaaaaay before a klaxosaur one. The buildings weren't even black and blue! They were just... buildings. Steel and concrete.

"Zero Two, look." She glanced at darling, who had pointed off to the center of the city. "Doesn't that central spire look a bit different?"

She squinted, trying to make out the details. Were those... "It looks like it has... doors?"

"The bunker is in the center, right?"

It was probably hollow! "That has to be it, darling! Let's go!"

They took off down the street, but along the way something caught her eye. "Wait! Look!"

Darling stopped up ahead. He turned around, brow raised in curiosity.

She was right! "In that building, darling!"

"Are those..."

"Clothes!" She grabbed his hand and grinned. He laughed, even as she tugged him to the door. Racks and racks of clothes! She'd never seen so many in one place before! And the light was on, too! Was the door unlocked?

Yes it was.

Eeeeeeeeee!

She raced inside. So many! And these clothes looked human too! Shirts for two arms and a head, pants and shorts for two legs! What the hell?! No, it didn't matter! They were a little dusty, sure, but there had to be something here that would fit them! Darling relieved her of their bundle and put it by the door so they wouldn't forget. She raced through the racks. What sizes did they have? What was this fabric made of? It was so soft and thin!

Darling approached her, looking over a sleeveless blue shirt with a great deal of interest. "I think I'm starting to get it, now."

"Hm?"

"Look at how light and airy it is." He held it up to the light and shook it a bit. It was almost see-through.

"But why would they make clothing like this in a cold cavern?" she pondered.

"Remember what Kivala said? The chemicals are released from the... sweat glands, or something?"

Oh! Ohhhh! That made a ton of sense! "They communicated through their arms and legs! Their bodies! Not their mouths!"

Darling nodded. "It looks super breathable, doesn't it? And there aren't any sleeves to obstruct. We still talk to each other so it doesn't apply to us as much as it would them, I guess. But if they were to wear that shirt..." He gestured to her - his - parasite top, with its long sleeves and dense construction.

"To others, it would be like they were whispering. That's why we had to be right next to Kivala to have a conversation, right?"

"Yeah. That and the link thing, maybe. Less chemo-whatevers to hear what they're saying."

"Chemo-receptors, darling!" she corrected with a teasing grin. "We gotta be official!"

"Right, right," he chuckled in reply. They continued rummaging through the available selections. She had to admit, though, these klaxo sapien guys had some great fashion! All of this stuff was so cute! Oh, wait! She should probably try to find...

Her eyes roamed the store. Did they have... there! She sped over to another section of the building. Did they have her size? Wait, she didn't even know what her size was anymore! And even if she did, she wouldn't be able to tell. They probably measured differently. Drat! She'd have to eyeball it and go from there.

The design wasn't like her own, either. Some sort of mesh material? Like in that shirt darling had shown her. Looked more secure, too. More stability? Was there a mirror around here?

Oh, there! Changing rooms? She grabbed some potential choices and raced inside, removing her jacket and unbuttoning her shirt. Fold it up carefully! That one wasn't trash, nope! Um... black one first!

Nnnn, a bit too tight...

That one?

No, didn't hug enough.

White one next.

Yes! Perfect, perfect! She felt soooo much better! What was this made of? It was amazing! It wasn't even stiff! How long had this place been abandoned for?

She eyed herself in the mirror. It was designed well. Covered everything it was supposed to. No zippers or clasps either! She could just pull it riiiight off, mhm! And the way the mesh was positioned within the support...

If she twisted like this, could she... or lean like this... yes! Just a glimpse of skin, not too much! But it would work! Now where was he?

"Zero Two? You in there?"

She grinned in victory and opened the curtain.

"Daaaaarling! How do I-"

...

He wore that blue... really well and... and the way it hugged his... chest and abs...

And no sleeves... his arms...

There... wasn't a collar in the way...

Her eyes dipped lower. Some sort of lighter, black pants, a bit baggier, made of that same strange weave. She chewed on her lip, felt her cheeks warm. No belt. Nice.

"You... look really good in white..."

Mint orbs trailed up his body. His face was tinged crimson. Those fantastic icy irises were staring at her chest.

"I like the blue," she whispered. "Keep that outfit?"

He blinked and tore his gaze back to her face. "Y-Yeah. Here, I found a matching shirt. I think it was in the women's section? I'm not sure if it'll fit, though. I guessed."

The top he handed her was just like his own, but red in color. Sleeveless, thinner straps, and the collar dipped a bit lower. She threw it on and shook her hair free. After making sure her hairpin was still in place, she checked the fit.

Holy crap, it was great! In one try?! It hugged her figure a bit, but not too tight. And it seemed like that was the intention? It wasn't as bad as the gross pistil suits, that was for sure. She'd dealt with much worse!

"Damn."

The pride flowed through her. Darling was impressed! But she'd need some pants or... some... thing...

A thought ran through her head. She glanced down at her stockings. He'd picked out blue and black, so she should try to find...

A sly grin lit up her face. "Wait here, darling! I'll be right back."

He watched her go, a bit curious. She tore through the building. Did they have them? Come on, come on! These klaxo sapien people had great clothes, surely they would have them! No, no, no, no - wait! They weren't stockings, true, but they were white. And if she paired them with those cute shorts she had passed in the other aisle...

"W-Whoa!" Darling's hair was caught in the gust that marked her return to the changing room.

She'd keep the stockings too! They could be used later, mhm! She pulled on the booty shorts. Why were all these clothes so comfy? Everything else she'd worn almost felt suffocating in comparison. Well, except darling's uniform top. That could suffocate her all it wanted, yup! Now for the... hmm... the socks didn't reach all the way up to the shorts. They stopped just a bit below. Was that bad? She wanted them to be believable stockings. Maybe he would like them anyway? She should check.

The curtain was flung open. "How do I look?"

It was like the air had been knocked from his lungs. Jaw agape, darling turned and braced himself against the wall. Crap! Crap crap crap! They weren't ful