You hadn't expected to love Khloros so much. Wen you'd been sent to monitor malfunctions and genesis spreading in the Faltering District, you'd been wary of the former king. But he'd been equally wary of you. And through mutual caution and unsteady teamwork, you two started to call each other allies.

And as your research continued, allies became friends. Khloros was a useful guide around the warring district and you provided a steady presence that quieted the screaming in his mind. And as the line between friends and lovers blurred, you decided to keep things private. Not only was it generally frowned upon for a Hyperlinker to date a malfunction, but Khloros had a lot of trauma to make peace with. A lot of grudges to resolve. So you didn't label or advertise your relationship.

But in private, in the dim lighting of Khloros' hideout, you belonged to each other. Feathery soft kisses, holding each other, fixing his bandages. And most importantly, support. When Khloros woke you up in the dead of night screaming at invisible assailants to leave him alone, you were there. You made sure he knew he would be well-cared for. And when you fretted over his safety he was content to let you take charge for a little while.

Khloros was shaking one evening, hunched over on the kitchen floor. He was hungry. And although they had ingredients to make several meals, the familiar rumbling and aching sent him into a panic. Memories of being soaked to the bone curled up in an alley. Strangers pretending not to see him. Being so hungry he started throwing up stomach acid.