A Last/First Dance ((AtTheEndOfEverything))

A whimper escaped Yuki’s voice box, causing Miu to turn to him.

Trembling hands were covering his faceplate as he mourned the lost souls as well as his own wretched fate. Waves of gratitude and grief slammed against the shores of his soul as he wrestled with what had just occurred.

“It’s overrrrrrr. It’s-It’s-It’s over for them,” he sighed as he slumped into Miu’s arms.

“Thaaaaaaaank you, Miiiiiiiuuuuuuu,” he cried.

Hearing the sadness peak through his digital tone pulled Miu’s heart into her throat as she cradled his hulking body.

“Of course, Yuki. I… I love you,” she whispered.

She could finally say it again.

Yuki’s head raised to meet her eyes.

“Reeeeeallly? Eveeeeeen this m-me?” he asked.

The tears returned once more as Miu held Yuki’s faceplate.

“Always. I have loved every version of you. And I will love you across time. Merry Christmas, Yuki,” Miu cried.

Unsteady, methodical fingers rose to meet her face. Cold, shaking metal brushed away her tears with every ounce of gentleness they could conjure.

“Merrrrrrrrry Christmas, Miuuuuu,” Yuki replied.

Glowing snowflakes began to land on their shoulders. In the absence of a roof, the facility was now welcoming the outside world’s wintry chill. Isolated, silent flakes adorned the silent beds and sleeping automatons in glinting white as the two lovers held one another and wished for a different existence that would never come.

Minutes passed without them separating. Only when Miu began to shiver did they separate.

“Yoooooouuuuu never l-liked theeeee coooooooolllddddd or snooooooow,” Yuki said.

Miu smiled and shook her head.

“Only yours. Only in your snow could I ever feel warm.”

“I-I-I will keeeeeep you waaaaarm, for-forever,” Yuki replied.

The End was upon them. There was nothing left in this world for them to cling to, and Yuki’s integrity ratings would reach zero soon. Miu had told Taki that the world would end on New Year’s Day, but there was a change of plans. A last-minute bit of decryption within the G.A.K.I.'s collective minds had revealed that there would be an ArcanTech 'shardholders' meeting on the following day. That would be when Miu’s assault began.

For now, the two of them had a couple more days to be alone together. In those days, they would do everything they could to stitch their essences to one another so that oblivion would not be able to part them when their end arrived. Tonight, that involved holding one another as gentle flames danced across Miu’s body to keep her warm.

Snowflakes evaporated as they neared her, but Yuki was unharmed. Neither dared to release the other, lest nothingness consume them right then and there.

Then, Yuki had an idea.

Even though his body was shaking and faulty, it was still more independent than his human body had ever been. There was something he had always wanted to do with Miu, and this might be his last chance.

“Miiiiiiiuuu?”

“Hmm?” she asked as her head rested on his chestplate.

“W-Would you d-dance wiiiiiiiith meeee?” Yuki asked.

His request touched Miu, causing her to lean back so that she could see his face as it bobbed over her.

“Dance?” she repeated.

“Weeeee never d-danced togeeeeeether. IIIIIIIIII would like that, if-if-if-if-if you would.”

“I’d love that. Thank you,”

Nervous, cautious feet slowly shifted in rhythmic twitches as hands met. Fingers held palms and waists. Steps rotated in slow, methodical spins. Music was absent, but it didn’t matter. Glowing light from the snowfall sparkled around them as they cautiously moved together.

Yuki’s head lowered so that he could look at Miu, and she blushed.

“You’re finally taller than me…” she smiled.

“I’m sorrrrrrry myyyyyyyy h-human b-b-body didn’t allllllllow meeeee to dance with youuuuuu,” Yuki replied.

“Oh, Yuki, please never apologize for that. Your body was perfect. I’m sorry if you ever felt insignificant or not enough because of it. You were perfect,” Miu said as she raised her hand to his faceplate.

His grip followed hers in solemn acceptance.

“IIIIIIII wish I’d h-have believedddddd that b-back then,” he lamented.

“We were just kids. We didn’t know any better. And we didn’t have the chance to grow or learn better. I’m so sorry,” Miu exhaled.

Yuki nodded, and their dance stopped. The two of them stood there looking at one another as the incandescent flurries drifted around them. Once they were children. Afraid. Alone. Forgotten. Now, even after so much had happened, they were still alone and forgotten, save for those who wanted them dead. But they were no longer afraid. If they had one another, there was nothing to fear, except the emptiness that awaited them when their tasks were done.

They were close now. Close enough for her breath to condensate on his surface paneling. Skin grazed stone and metal. Servos whispered forgotten secrets. Lips parted. Every manner of touch moved between fingertips. Their bodies shook as they leaned towards one another.

Miu’s lips met Yuki’s voice box, and a pleasant pink light drifted through his Manu-Crystal implants. Yuki’s large hands clasped Miu’s waist and jawline as he slowly pulled her against him. A quiet sigh escaped Miu’s mouth as she stood on her toes and pressed all of her being into his. For the briefest of moments, his tremors calmed.

For a single instant, they were eternal and at peace.

And that was enough.

Tomorrow, Oblivion arrived.