Rusty felt himself wake up and found himself waiting outside of the room along with the girl called, "Ayre." He then realized that he was dreaming. Well, dreaming and remembering. He's been a lot better, for his bones were feeling a whole lot better. After all, he still had his life and since Rubicon was safe, thanks to his buddy, they were going to be just fine. And things were hopefully going to get interesting.

Ayre was surprised at how Rusty looked.

He had short gray hair with the exception of a small ponytail. His eyes were light blue. He wore a blue short jacket stopping at his waist. He wore a black shirt with gray sleeves along with a pair of black fingerless gloves. A black belt was strapped around the waist. He wore blue jeans to go along with his combat boots with red soles underneath.

If she wanted to be honest with herself, she'd say he was... quite handsome.

He looked over to the "Coral-Human" next to him, as she was covered by a cloak, covering a majority of her body.

So this was that "voice" Raven would apparently just keep on hearing, according to what Walter said. He knew that Raven was supposed to be 19 or something possibly, she seemed about his age.

She also happened to have a pair of crutches next to her, still trying to get used to walking again.

Looking at this girl, would make a nice perfect match with him. Ayre had admitted being just about the same age as Raven.

"So you're my buddy's little 'voice,' huh?" said Rusty.

"Yes." said the young woman, "The name's Ayre."

"Well, pleased to meet you, comrade. Thank goodness you were there to help straighten our little buddy back there."

Ayre blushed slightly. And then, soon enough, Carla came out, flicking her red strands of hair off her face, attempting to fix that. Rusty frowned a bit while Ayre simply smiled uncomfortably. It was amazing how Raven was able to somewhat "acquaintance" between the two enemies.

In all honesty and truth, Carla did not like how her favorite little tourist didn't want them to burn up the Coral, all the way down to the very last cinder. "Burn every last cinder" Walter would say.

It wasn't an all-the-way foolish choice, however, since he's "found a friend" like she heard Ayre say that Walter mentioned back on the Xylem where he fought his mercenary, maybe he discovered something that the others had failed to envision.

Rusty was greatly surprised that Raven was able to even think of the possibility of him and this crazy woman having to be under the very same roof. He didn't know just what his apparent crazy buddy was thinking, but he's got guts, just like he's always had.

Ayre was mainly proud of her partner. However, even this had surprised her. He certainly had the ability to attempt something like this.

However, they weren't here for a negotiation, they were here for Raven.

Despite her being so used to being cold to most, sometimes even calling him either "Hound" or "Dog," Carla remembered Walter admitting that he would at some times see him almost as a furiously loyal son. Since taking him from his original handler. He knew there was something special about him.

If he doesn't make it through this surgery, then Carla would feel most responsible, for he tasked her to basically look after him.

Having fought alongside him for quite some time, Rusty knew when he was "comfortable" enough to be called, "Buddy." He couldn't really ever remember a time where he wasn't helpful to him. After all, she was made for that.

He couldn't imagine a universe without a friend like him in his life.

Meanwhile Ayre was deeply concerned, worried about how Raven would be. She hasn't really gotten a good look at him, all she knows is that he's male. How would he even look? Would he... handsome?

Wait, wait, wait, she's seen him before. Why'd she act like she forgot?

She already couldn't imagine an entire life without him. For ever since she had contacted him, she had started to feel close to him.

"Well, how's our pal?" she heard Rusty asking.

"I'll give you a reminder, and a warning," Carla answered.

That made shivers run down Ayros' spine. What did the Broker mean by that, "warning?" That was already disturbing him right now. However, he crossed his arms, trying to mask his growing fear.

"The reminder is that our little tourist has undergone a lot of surgery to become who, or what he is today. And some parts...either can't be fixed or come back as easily as they were stripped from." Carla explained, "And now, for the warning; Raven may not be in an AC anymore, but he is still just as dangerous, for his long time of being a pilot may have become a mere instinct to him now. The rest... you'd have to find out for yourself."

"Don't worry," said Ayre, "we'll be fine."

Ayre basically lied right then and there. Maybe Rusty will, but maybe not her. She deeply cared for Raven. They had a shared dream. It was a selfish one, yes, however, she just knew she couldn't do it without him.

She dreamed it all, and yet, unlike her really, Raven was the one who helped bring it into reality.

Walter nodded and then walked by them. Ayre now became even more concerned for Raven now. She wondered what she meant by all of that, but she'll have to find her answer. She suddenly felt Rusty pat her on the shoulder.

"It's alright, pal." he said with reassurance, "We'll just approach our buddy carefully."

"Yeah. For his sake." said Ayre.

Eventually, they heard some silent footsteps coming their way. The two looked at each other then at who was approaching. There they saw him, Raven. Rusty and Ayros both stared in awe. Although, it was quite sad at the same time...

Ayre remembered him having plain black hair before she came into contact with him, gaining a red strand of hair, his brown eyes lifeless before gaining a bit of emotion as they shined red. His skin was so pale before she tanned it a bit back to life.

It scared her to see that again.

He wore a dark gray shirt with potentially short sleeves below a short dark jacket that was stopping just at his waist with a barcode on the right below his serial number: C4-621.

He also had on slightly lighter gray pants above his black high combat boots.

However, the sight was also a bit sad to them, especially Ayre.

A single bandage about an inch or two long was wrapped around his head, going diagonally. Most likely something left behind from the head surgery for the neural load. He also wore a small black oxygen mask that covered his mouth. And his brown eyes had this...lifelessness to them.

This all scared Ayre. He was probably once a beam of light and joy when he was younger, and here he was, a shadow from darkness and despair.

The boy took off his mask, signaling that it seemed that he could breathe fine without it, and waving weakly at them. His mouth didn't even twitch. It was as if he had little to no emotion at all.

Rusty looked over to Walter, silently demanding an answer.

"The surgery had taken most of her ability to show motion, but not his ability to feel them at all." Carla explained, "He can only express her feelings through actions."

Ayre knew that he wasn't lying, for she had seen, or mainly felt the emotions before. Whenever she'd hear Raven thinking about his deceased squad, she could feel his despair rising. She also felt his anger boil within his blood the moment she saw that Walter was turned against him, not to mention his concern for him as well.

"Raven?" she said, "Do you know me?"

She stepped forward, causing Raven to step back for a moment. Then she realized he still hadn't spoken.

"His vocal chords are trying to speak." Carla explained again, "Again, expressing through actions is all he can do currently."

Ayre tried to reach out to him as the older woman spoke. "Raven, it's me."

She walked closer, only for Raven to keep backing away. Ayre knew it was only a matter of time before he suddenly attacked her.

"It's Ayre." said the young woman, "Your partner."

The AC pilot's eyes widened. So far, he was looking surprised. Suddenly, he frowned, shaking his head. He was finding it hard to believe. She never mentioned anything about it to him at all, so how could he trust her?

"Listen, I know you don't recognize me, but really, it's-" Ayre tried.

She attempted to remove her cloak when she suddenly saw him panic and aim to grab her. Rusty quickly grabbed him before he could do anything, forcing him to focus now on him. He fought against his strong grip, she was beginning to bite his arm like a bloodhound, thankfully the fabric was strong, but not bite-proof of course.

"Easy, buddy!" Rusty painfully grunted, "It's us, we're your friends!"

Raven wouldn't stop, he finally got out of his grip. Rusty only grabbed onto him again, this time holding him even tighter.

"C4-621!" Carla commanded firmly.

And just like that, Raven stopped and looked down, ashamed. He was also surprised that Carla called him by his serial number. Not that he felt offended, just surprised. But even more at the fact that he reacted like it still had much meaning to him.

He looked over to Ayre. She didn't seem horrified. She had an understanding look. He felt a gentle and calm hand on his shoulder.

Carla's voice followed closely. "You are surrounded by friends this time. Not enemies or allies. Just friends."

Raven closed his eyes and nodded. Rusty let him go as he walked slowly over to Ayre. He just stood there, looking down, feeling ashamed of himself.

Ayre walked hesitantly, then regained her composure.

"It's me, Raven," she assured.

Ayre then pulled off the cloak, revealing her body. Raven's eyes widened in shock and surprise. She was... she was beautiful. The way her body softly glowed, small amounts of what seemed to be aura surrounding her, her clasping her hands. It was... breathtaking.

She then felt arms wrapping themselves around him. Raven flinched for a moment. She was hugging him. She was actually hugging him.

He hadn't felt real human affection for so long... he could remain in that very hug, that very moment, with her, forever. But he knew life wasn't that kind and merciful to him though. He'll have to use up whatever time he has with these things and just be grateful for them.

The grip his own arms had on Ayre tightened quite a bit. She rested her hands on his shoulders.

The boy's eyes widened and suddenly started coughing, he quickly got out of the hug and placed back on the mask. He breathed out a sigh of relief.

Ayre's protective concern came in. "You okay?"

"Forgot to mention," Carla added, "His lungs trying to get used to their normal habit."

Ayre nodded and helped Raven back to his room, followed by everyone else. After that, she dispersed into a mist of red energy and seeped towards Raven's head. By that time, everyone had already left.

Raven watched in a mirror by his bed as his eyes slowly became red and shiny, the small glowing red strand returning. The blue lights on his jacket had also started to shift into the color of Coral itself.

The air soon became controlled to the point where he could breathe without the mask.

He looked at his hands, his veins glowing red slightly as well, then eventually fading, meaning that he had gone back into complete contact with Ayros. He then heard a voice call out to him, one he's been hearing for so long just about now, ever since that powerful energy came into him. He felt relieved at the sound of her voice.

"Sorry I freaked you out." Ayre apologized.

The AC pilot then looked up to see her, she seemed to have kept her features as he saw back there, but she gave off a faint glow all over her body. It's probably either due to her finally being able to show off herself to him only or just their connection deepening even further than before.

Raven shook his head.

<>

Ayre smiled as she walked over to him.

"Raven, you need rest." she advised.

The AC pilot then placed his head onto his pillow. Although he couldn't feel a hand stroking his hair or stop at the top of his head where the bandage was, he could feel the warmth from it. He looked over to him, where she softly stopped him.

"Go to sleep, Raven." said Ayre, "We have a long day tomorrow. We're gonna see what steps we can take to bring the 'normal' you back. Same for me too."

She smiled as Raven turned his head back to the wall, where he closed his eyes.

https://youtu.be/WEsibVKPNA0

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