The stitchpunks stood, still hand-in-hand; but, rather than leave immediately, 7 roughly tugged him into a tight hug.
"... be careful," she murmured, her usual tough-girl edge noticeably quieted. She pulled away and nearly forced her weapon into 9's hand.
"... I can't--" 9 started to protest, but 7 interrupted him quickly.
"Take it. Even if I can't be there, I'm still not about to let anything get you."
"... you could come with us," 9 offered, glancing up at Hector; but 7 shook her head.
"Someone's got to keep an eye on the twins," she said, smiling just a little. 9 just nodded in response, returning her small smile, and then she finally stepped away from him, reluctantly letting go of his hand.
"... goodbye," 9 said. "I'll be back soon-- I promise."
"I know," she answered quietly, and then she turned and went to the door, stopping to watch them leave. 9 waved at her a little, and she returned it before speaking up one last time, her tone teasing.
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"... be careful," she murmured, her usual tough-girl edge noticeably quieted. She pulled away and nearly forced her weapon into 9's hand.
"... I can't--" 9 started to protest, but 7 interrupted him quickly.
"Take it. Even if I can't be there, I'm still not about to let anything get you."
"... you could come with us," 9 offered, glancing up at Hector; but 7 shook her head.
"Someone's got to keep an eye on the twins," she said, smiling just a little. 9 just nodded in response, returning her small smile, and then she finally stepped away from him, reluctantly letting go of his hand.
"... goodbye," 9 said. "I'll be back soon-- I promise."
"I know," she answered quietly, and then she turned and went to the door, stopping to watch them leave. 9 waved at her a little, and she returned it before speaking up one last time, her tone teasing.
"Go on, get out of here!"