Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The young couple walked quietly through the deserted streets, once bustling with humans and Copper-9 drones. It was now nothing more than a ghost town, abandoned and frozen in an endless winter. Buildings and other structures were collapsing on themselves, and the snow-covered ground was strewn with human skeletons or drone corpses. 

N and Uzi arrived in a neighborhood, towards the outskirts of the city. The crackling light of half-standing streetlights dimly illuminated the street filled with malfunctioning machinery equipment, thrown out of the open hangar of an old drone factory. The light breeze made the icy metal pillars creak and roar at the broken windows, making the atmosphere more gloomy.

And, of course, a large quantity of drone frames, never put into service, lay in several piles everywhere. Uzi stopped, her eyes sparkling at this treasure that would have looked for any other Workers like a graveyard. 

"I can't believe I never found this place before ! There are so many components, much better than those of the bodies at the Tower!" Uzi got excited, barely containing her eagerness. She rushed over and looked at each element with an expert eye, revealing a manic smile. "Everything looks good and functional: N, it's great!" 

Her boyfriend gave her a huge smile: “Glad you like it, Uzi.”

N had discovered this depot several years ago: at the time, the Disassembly Drone had just arrived with J and V. He was on a hunting patrol when he came across it, but when he checked, he had not found a single body containing the slightest drop of oil and he never had returned there. 

Today, N was glad to have remembered this place, as Uzi began to wander further, looking for interesting parts to tinker with. While she searched, N walked quietly behind her with a carefree air. However, under his pilot's cap, the five eyes on his headband were constantly on alert. Each camera vigilantly scanned the area, switching to his thermal and infrared vision, the internal computer analyzing every millimeter of the surroundings. His highly amplified hearing picked out the surrounding noises, attentive to the slightest creak or suspicious rustle. 

N’s distrust was justified: Uzi and him were at the edge of their territory. It was not a place where, in the past, his team had been used to going. But he knew that other drones lived here, whether they were hostile Workers or other Disassembly. And N was determined to avoid a bad encounter. He wanted to keep Uzi safe at all costs. 

Then a small, mean voice crept into his head: Remember, Uzi doesn’t need you to protect herself anymore, inflicting a painful pinch on his core, and N held back a plaintive groan. 

Unconsciously, he slipped one of his hands into a pocket deep in the coat, anxiously fingering what was inside. 

“Ahah!” That’s when the little drone cried out in victory, pulling out a perfectly good core. She inspected it. “It’ll be perfect for my railgun, so much better than the other one that was half broken! And I found some glass plates for beam amplification and some thermal insulators! N, you-” Uzi broke off, seeing her boyfriend, looking thoughtful and his eyes hollow instead of his usual agitated one. Her joy calmed down, worrying a little about his silence. “N, you okay?” 

“Huh ?” N blinked as he realized Uzi was talking to him, then she appeared right in front of him. His screen reddened, and he gave her an awkward smile. “Ah, it's nothing at all ! I was just thinking ! Hehe…” 

Uzi's eyes narrowed in suspicion, not really convinced by his poor excuse. She placed her hands on her hips. “Are you sure?” 

N’s sweaty screen didn’t help at all, and his processor went into overdrive to find a distraction. “Huuuh…” Then luckily, the big drone remembered what he had been trying to show her. Oh, biscuits, I almost forgot ! His confidence restored, he smiled, “You know, I just called me back from another place I wanted to show you. It’s on the other side of town. Could we fly there?” As he spoke, N regained his drive and hoped that Uzi would agree. 

“Mhmh…” Uzi wasn’t entirely sure yet that N was sincere, nor what had upset him, but she was curious about what her boyfriend wanted to show her. He seemed very cheerful, if his wildly waving tail was anything to go by. She nodded. “Okay, let’s go.” 

With a cry of joy, N's steel wings sprang from his shoulder blades, extending into large, sharp silver blades, usually tucked behind his back. The metal feathers tinkled slightly as he turned to Uzi. “Good for me !” He waited until she was ready. 

“Give me one minute.” The Worker-Solver felt the familiar burning pierced her back, as two bat wings slid into the two specially designed holes in her sweater, one purplish and one white, then lifted majestically. The jagged wings lowered, her talons twitching as Uzi groaned in discomfort as her long tail shot out between her hips and snaked to the ground. The spiky lavender head of the hissing creature lifted, its many shiny eyes staring coldly at her as Uzi checked their look. 

Purple, not yellow. 

Uzi released the breath she had been holding, then nodded to N, who was waiting. He crouched down : his magnetic energy thrusters activated and, with a powerful flap of wings, the Disassembly Drone launched high into the air, kicking up a cloud of snow, making Uzi cough. 

She glared his boyfriend above. “N, watch out!” 

N gave her a sheepish smile. “Sorry.” 

After getting rid of all that disgusting, wet snow on her screen, Uzi followed, first running on the snow, then with a leap dragged onto the hood of a machine that served as a springboard. The push carried her several dozen meters. Her gaunt wings beat fast to catch N, who glided gracefully through the air, giving only an occasional flap of wings. Soon, the two of them were flying side by side in the night. 

Every time they flew, Uzi could not help but smile at the feeling it gave her. The exaltation she felt then warmed her with a feeling that had nothing to do with overheating. It was the freedom that flying gave her, as the ground passed beneath her. The wind in her hair and the air that tickled her. Ever since N had first taught her to fly, it was always this intense every time she took off. 

N adored it when Uzi and he flew together. It filled him with an indescribable happiness, that he had only felt with her. When they played in the clouds, or like now when their wings brushed, N had the impression that nothing existed except them. That night, the bright sky allowed him to appreciate the vision of Uzi so close to him, her eyes clearer than usual, and her innocent and joyful smile that only he knew. It was more beautiful and precious than anything, for him. 

His resolve only grew stronger in him, stronger than at the beginning. Tonight, I will tell her how I feel about her, N vowed to himself, as he pointed to a building below them. “It’s right there!” And he pointed to the grand balcony that towered above the other buildings. 

With an adjustment of their tail and a movement of wings, both of them fell toward the terrace. First, N landed gently, while Uzi arrived with more clumsiness and landed with great blows of her wings. Once Uzi tucked her limbs into her, N approached his girlfriend and showed her the place with a grand, spectacular gesture. “We’ve arrived !”

Uzi observed this new place : most of the tables and chairs were destroyed, where the remains of chic decorations hung. It must have used to be some kind of outdoor restaurant, back when humans lived here, Uzi guessed. Even though it was a mess, the balcony looked nice and chic. Of course N wanted to go there.

But, to her surprise, N didn't seem to have come for that : he walked away to the barrier and beckoned Uzi to join him. She soon came to his side, her core pounding strangely since they'd arrived. “Why did N bring me here?" wondered Uzi, as she climbed onto a box to sit on the barrier, beside the big drone.

Her own tail was twitching in anticipation, but seeing N, who was staring dreamily at the horizon, Uzi decided to quiet her question and followed his example. The view impressed her : beyond, the entire city stretched out before their astonished eyes. The night sky, the buildings, and the snow were resplendent in pure white. Further on, the pointed top of the Tower almost touched the stars. And beyond, looking the other way, one could make out the faint lights of Outpost 3, the bunker where Uzi lived. 

It was magnificent. 

After a while, N spoke softly, “I used to coming here and just standing there, sometimes staring the city for hours. Back then, J was often mad against me” N curled up slightly as he spoke of this, as if he'd been hit, which made Uzi look at him with concern. But he continued: “So when I wasn’t running and hiding in my nest, that’s where I was going.” 

His unexpected confession made Uzi’s head turn to him, her screen shining with emotion as N confided this. He continued, “When I was here, I forgot how sad I was, and everything seemed so much easier. Now, I come a lot less often, but I wanted to show you that.” His voice had become warm. 

Uzi did not hide her emotion, touched, and felt herself privileged as N invited her into what was for him his secret hideout. She smiled kindly at him, without sarcasm. “Thank you for showing me this place, N. It rocks.” Uzi felt something wrap around her tail : checking below, she saw N’s tail closely tied to her own. She didn't pull it out. 

N was still looking at the city, but his screen was a unique yellow. He stammered, "I-I'm glad you like it." Without Uzi catching him, his hand had returned to the pocket as he clutched what he was concealing. "Uzi?"

The little drone made a questioning noise, as N finally dared to look at her again. Once again, words failed him. Uzi was resplendent under the night light, her dark hair under the traditional cap looking like silver threads. Her intelligent, energetic eyes had the sparkle of jewels : topaz and amethyst. Once again, N felt incredibly lucky to have fallen in love with someone as great as her, regardless of the rather awkward circumstances of their first meeting. All their adventures, however horrifying, dangerous and traumatic, had only made him love the little drone that had invaded his life even more. N felt blessed that Uzi was part of it, and N was part of hers.

N wanted her to know. For months, he had waited. Now he felt ready to take another step forward.

Come on, N. You can do it ! N took a deep breath, gathering all his courage to utter the following words: "Uzi, I... I wanted you to know-"

Beep !

Beep !

Beep ! 

The warm bubble that united them burst, as a loud ringing emanated from Uzi. Her eyes, hollowed out in shock, filled with irritation as she clapped a hand on her screen she exclaimed, "Come on, you gotta be hell kidding me ?!", while N remained completely stunned. His hand, which he had almost pulled out again, hastily put away whatever it was he was holding, as he and Uzi separated when the teenager walked away cursing copiously. 

Why the hell now ?! Everything was so perfect for... for... For what exactly ? wondered Uzi as she accessed her internal mailbox. Anyway, it had been wonderful, and now the mood was completely ruined!

Message from Mom : 1 (unread)

Mom : come back to the bunker, kid. sunshine in a bit so stop cuddling your murderous boyfriend and come home! >O(

Uzi let out a hoarse groan and looked up at the sky. She was grateful for Nori's return to life, and that her mother was back among the living. But damn, her motherly instincts were scary and, right now, very annoying!

Me (to Mom) : coming…

The young drone returned a few moments later to N who was waiting, much less enthusiastic than before and back to her old self. "I've just had a message from mom : the sun's going to be up soon and my parents are telling me to come home," growled Uzi, wondering if her mother hadn't chosen to send the message at that moment on purpose. Her expression turned sour. Hell, she’ll do it : it’s mom, after all.

N held back an annoyed grunt, almost angered by the interruption when everything was going so well. He had great respect for Uzi's mother, but he couldn't help feeling frustrated by the situation. Checking his digital clock, N noticed that dawn was approaching. In ten minutes or so, the sun would appear.

He sighed before confirming: "You've got to go home now: it's going to be light soon. Do you want me to come with you?"

"No, N, you have to go back to the Tower or you'll burn," Uzi refused firmly, then she moved closer to him. The drone's gaze softened, as did her voice when she spoke again, "Before I go, N, was there something you wanted to tell me earlier. What was it ?"

N's eyes widened, caught off guard. "Huh-..." He hesitated for several seconds, trying to gather his courage as he had earlier. Not succeeding.. The Disassembly Drone gave up and decided to address a reassuring expression toward his girlfriend: "It was no big deal, buddy. Really. Y-You should go.”

Uzi sensed his discomfort and frowned. This time, he wasn't going to get away with it. She prepared to argue, when her screen caught the lavender touches of the sky. Daylight was approaching. She decided to let it go for now, and looked up at the larger drone.

"... Call you later ?"

N nodded with great enthusiasm, always enjoying it when they called each other. "Of course, Uzi ! I'll wait all day if I have to."

"You dork, you need to rest too" Uzi chuckled, amused by his impulsive response.

Just as she was about to put out her wings for the second time, Uzi felt N grab her as earlier and wrap her in his arms. Then, in a soft purr, he murmured, "Good night, Uzi."

"... G’night, N." And, this time, she turned to give him a gentle hug. After N released her, Uzi headed for the balcony. Her wings spread, she leapt from the terrace, her feet on the railings above the void. With a big, wry smile for N, she let herself fall backwards to the bottom, before gliding towards the path to the bunker. 

Staying back, N watched his girlfriend's silhouette gradually shrink until she disappeared. He whimpered sadly, already missing her, before flying off in the opposite direction. 

Back to the Tower.

V was probably already home from the hunt and asleep. Sparky, her tame pet Sentinel, lay just in front of the passageway, a freshly cut Worker arm tucked between its fangs like a dog toy. The metal reptile raised its flaming red eyes to N and chirped as the large drone approached the entrance.

Just in time, as the sun's rays poured out of the gaps and the solar star his species hated flooded the world with its deadly light. 

Up in the Tower, N saw V hanging from her perch near her nest, hanging by her tail upside down, wrapped in her wings and deeply asleep. Before doing the same, he cleaned the oil stains from his uniform to prevent them from becoming embedded and impossible to remove. Fortunately, as well as helping to heal and neutralize the nanite acid, their saliva made an excellent stain remover, and their rough tongue rubbed surfaces well.

N set to work, trying to be quick and efficient as the need to recharge arose.

Energy level : 21%

As his tongue gradually erased the stains, N began to think about what had almost happened earlier on the terrace. His screen reddened again at the thought and his tail twitched. Everything was magical: where they were, the mood of the moment, the glances they shared.

Just one more minute… he thought, his core beating wildly in his frame that threatened to burst out. 

His hand took out the purple box he had prepared for the occasion. When he opened it, a beautiful silver ring adorned with a magnificent purple stone was resting on red velvet. 

N had found it not long ago on a walk, at the feet of a human skeleton kneeling in the street. The sheen attracted him. It was one of those objects that human couples used to swear their loyalty to each other. He had picked it up and noticed how beautiful the stone was, the color being perfect for Uzi. N didn't know whether Uzi would appreciate this human custom - maybe not - but drones didn't really have another proposal equivalent, and he was desperate to show her how much he cared.

And he was a very cheesy hopeless romantic.

N had decided today, after months of uncertainty. Maybe he'd have better luck next time? But it had to be perfect. Uzi deserved no less.

"So I can tell her 'I love you' properly," N decided, closing the box as he determined to do everything right, and he flew off to join his nest to go into sleep mode.

_________________________________________________________

Just as the sun was coming up, Uzi returned to the bunker. At her annoyed banging of fists against the huge doors, Ron opened the hatch and gave her a cheerful "Glad to see you alive again, Uzi !", to which she grumbled an unkind "Bite me !”

The huge hydraulic doors opened with a bang, letting her storm in as Uzi ignored Ron's remarks about what she'd been doing out all night. Especially about her murder drone friends, and the big boy she was close to. At this question, when her tail hissed viciously at him as it snapped its jaws aggressively, he finally let her go.

"Aaah, these kids..." he muttered, rather amused as the drone returned to his surveillance post, where he kept hanging the childish apology drawing one of the "genocidal drones" had given him.

Uzi raced home and, after locking herself in her room to sulk and recharge, the teenage drone spent the rest of the day brooding, reassembling her reconfigured railgun and eating dinner with her family. Her thought circuit looped around last night's events.

What was N trying to tell me then ? she asked herself all the time.