Beneath Infinity

Healing and Breaking

The motors in Brazen-61's jaw whirred and squeaked with fresh stiffness as he raised himself from the infirmary bed, testing his new mouth. The frame that had been working on him replaced its tools and left the room, leaving Brazen alone with Amanda.

"Sometimes I'm really glad I'm made of polymer."

Amanda sat down next to him and took his face in her hands, peering at every new contour and unfamiliar part.

"Yeno, I don't even think I can tell the difference. Kanta-7 did a real good job this time. The Captain very nearly tore through your frontal wiring, though."

Brazen took her hand in his, pressing it to his face, and closed his eyes. Her hand was tiny under his fingers but it was warm and gentle.

"Your hands are like shovels, Brazen. Now I know why they asked you to help build the City walls."

Brazen laughed out loud, placing his free hand over her face playfully, nearly covering her whole head.

"Mpf, gerroff!" Amanda pulled his hand away, laughing, and leaned in to kiss him. People always asked her what it was like kissing an Exo; whether or not it was anything like kissing a human. It wasn't too dissimilar, she would tell them. She loved Brazen for him, not for the casing in which he carried himself. Their kisses were not soft and damp, like humans' were, but the passion they held far outweighed the physical limitations.

As they pulled away from each other, Amanda took to gently stroking his new jaw parts again.

"You really need to be more careful. Even Titans can be outmatched sometimes."

"I know, I'm sorry. I was just so angry, I ran a bit on instinct. Fucking Captain totally showed me up in front of Jacob."

"Well, that's no reason to go barrelling into it, which is what you did by the reports? Yes, I thought so," Amanda said with playful disappointment as Brazen nodded, confirming what she had said. Placing her other hand on the other side of his face, she looked into his glowing purple eyes. There was a real sense of life emanating from them and she found it entrancing.

"You're gonna hurt yourself one day, Brazen-61. I didn't give you the Chaperone for you to not actually use the damn thing."

"Actually I did use it, it saved me. Blew away the Captain where he stood, after Jacob distracted it long enough. I should thank him actually, not seen him since he helped me in here."

"He was away to get a wound checked out I think, thought he had been shot in the back or something."

"Shit, did you notice if he was ok?"

"Fine by the looks of it, nothing serious."

"That's good, I'd hate if he had gotten hurt because of my carelessness."

"I'm pretty sure it would've been the Shock Rifle rounds that would've hurt him, not you being a big angry twat."

Brazen laughed sarcastically, giving her a furrowed look.

"You know what I mean. He was my responsibility."

"And he's home safe and sound with you in tow. I'd say you did a good job."

"Yeah, I guess you're right. Thanks."

Amanda laughed softly and shook her head at his sensitivity. He was the biggest and most rugged Guardian she had ever met, but was as soft as a marshmallow when it came to sentiment, part of the reason she loved him so dearly. She pulled him close and kissed him again, before a knock on the door interrupted the moment.

"Come in," said Amanda, taking Brazen's hand in her lap. The door opened and in walked Jacob wearing only the bottom half of his underplating and a large bandage around his torso. He stopped when he saw Amanda.