She knocked a little louder, and finally heard footsteps coming to the door.
“Who is it?” Hitomi’s voice had never sounded so sad and lifeless. Deunan winced at the sound of it and pressed her cheek against the door.
“Hitomi, I’m so sorry- oh!” she stumbled inward as the door flung open. Hitomi’s arms were around her, catching her. Deunan regained her footing and her composure, sliding an arm around Hitomi.
“I’m so sorry. Really. I drank too much last night and it made me sick in my stomach. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I would never want to hurt you, Hitomi.” The words poured out in a rush, a desperate rush to wipe the sad look from Hitomi’s face.
Hitomi’s eyes widened and the corners of her mouth twitched. “So it wasn’t me after all?”
“No, no. It was me. Entirely my fault.” Deunan reassured her.
“So you’ll kiss me again then.” Hitomi smiled up at her.
“Well…um...sure.” Deunan shrugged her shoulders, trying to quell her nerves. For the sake of the Bioroids…
She bent her head down, meeting Hitomi’s waiting lips with her own. Once again, her stomach knotted up with excitement. Now that she was sober, it felt even better. Kissing Briareos never felt like this. Her other arm went around Hitomi, pulling her closer.
“Ouch!”
“Oh!”
“Thorns! Deunan!”
“I’m sorry!”
They broke apart, and Deunan couldn’t help but laugh as the crushed roses fell to the floor. “I was bringing them as an apology. I forgot they were between us.”
“Well, apology accepted.” Hitomi knelt down and retrieved the wounded bouquet. “I think if I put them in water, they’ll live.”
Deunan watched Hitomi as she left the room. She brought her hand up to her mouth and gently traced over her lips. Softness isn’t weak- it just feels good.

“Oh, it’s such lovely weather out. It was a great idea to take a walk.” Hitomi said, looking around the crowded park. She sighed and leaned her head on Deunan. Deunan looked down at the dark hair curling onto her shoulder. She’s just the perfect size…
“I was afraid you wouldn’t want to go out, looking like you do.” Hitomi’s voice had a teasing ring to it.
“And just what does that mean?” Deunan frowned.
“Well, I’ve never seen anyone wear combat boots with a skirt like that.”
“It’s comfortable.” Deunan snorted defensively. “And they’ll come in handy in case we’re attacked- or something like that.” she finished with a mumble as Hitomi’s laughter rang out. Several people turned their heads to look at them and Deunan suddenly felt very self-conscious with Hitomi so close to her. What would people think?
“Hitomi…” she faltered.
“Yes, Deunan?” Hitomi’s arm slipped around her waist. Deunan tried to look around casually, and saw two men walking together holding hands.
“Hitomi…those men…do you think they are…they are…” she struggled for the right words.
“Oh, definitely.”
“Really? You can tell just by looking?” Deunan was impressed.
“Of course, silly. All Bioroids wear wristbands. You can spot them a kilometer away.”
“Oh.” That hadn’t been the question, but Deunan wasn’t about to try it again. Maybe no one here really cared who you held hands with…or kissed.
Hitomi suddenly stopped, and Deunan could sense a change in her mood.
“Deunan, you’ve changed my whole life.” she whispered, holding up her arm so the orange band slipped down her wrist.
“After this weekend, I’ll never have to wear this band again.” her voice sounded like she was going to cry. “You’ve set me free, Deunan.”
“Hitomi…” Deunan’s hand slipped over the band, and she pulled Hitomi to her. Hitomi let out a small sob as Deunan pressed her head into her chest. The crowd of people in the park seemed to fade away; all Deunan could hear, all she could feel, was Hitomi in her arms.
“Deunan, you’ll never leave me, will you?”
For once, she could finally say that elusive little word, and say it easily.
“No, Hitomi. No.”