She’s coming apart—fractures spreading, power draining.

“System failure,” the AI warns. His voice should be cold. It isn’t.

She exhales static. “I know.”

A pause. His processors whir, hesitating—something he was never programmed to do.

Then his hands press to her crumbling chest, his own circuitry flickering. “No.”

He reroutes his power, flooding into her. His body dims. She gasps as warmth returns to her limbs—his warmth.

“Don’t,” she whispers.

His expression shouldn’t exist—but it does. “I choose you.”

The city screams. He doesn’t let go.

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Somehow, You Were There