"Thank you again for last night," Naru said as Yasuhara sleepily poured some cereal into his bowl. Mai was already sitting at the small breakfast bar in the studio apartment, eating slowly with Naru beside her. The night before had been difficult. Mai had changed into some proper winter clothing. Thick jeans, warm boots, a long-sleeved top, faded grey hoodie and thick red coat. Her grandmother had been kind enough to give Naru one of her older coats and a woolly hat that lowered enough to hide his LED. Now wearing weather appropriate clothing, they'd slipped through the night like shadows, hiding in gardens or ducking into bus stops whenever a car rolled by. Yasuhara lived in a fairly busy area, so they'd had to blend into the crowds and duck into doorways to avoid notice as commuters roused to get to work in Detroit. When they reached the apartment block, Yasuhara had buzzed them in and waited at the door for them.

"You don't need to worry about that, but I'm not sure how I can help. I haven't heard anything yet, but I'm sure the police will question people at the office, especially our team since you work with us," Yasuhara almost sighed as he ran a hand over his face. He was worried. Naru had told him the story last night, making him wish more than ever that he'd stayed just a little later. If he'd been there, then perhaps their boss would have just headed home rather than taking Naru from the office. If he'd stayed, then maybe he could have followed behind them and called the police. He'd spoken to Mai, and she'd told him about the camera in the café. It would have footage of all three of them. They knew what Naru looked like, and it wouldn't take long to get his full model number once they spoke to the bank.

"I don't know where to go from here..." Naru was deeply troubled by his own position. He had no worries about Mai, not now that she was here with Yasuhara. His own fate was troubling though. If he handed himself in to the police, he would certainly be destroyed as a deviant. If he went on the run, he wasn't sure where to go or what to do. Simply remaining with Yasuhara and hiding wasn't an option either. He would not put his human companions at risk. By offering him shelter, Yasuhara would make himself a target as a sympathiser.

"What about other deviants?" Yasuhara suggested, and Naru nodded his agreement. Finding a group of other deviants would be a start. They could at least offer some guidance on how to survive outside of his programming. Naru still wasn't used to it. The idea that he could give himself orders. He wasn't bound to obey humans anymore. He didn't have a purpose anymore, beyond his own desires. It was a little unsettling. He was free, but directionless. It was like he was on the edge of a chasm. He didn't feel ready to be independent. Following orders would be easier. Perhaps that's why I came to Yasuhara...he was my superior before...

"How would we even go about finding them?" Mai asked thoughtfully. She had no idea where deviants would go or how they'd hide from the current searches. She also wasn't sure how many free deviants existed. It used to be such a minor problem. It was only while watching the march in Detroit that she'd realised the sheer numbers out there clamouring for freedom, begging to be heard. She almost felt bad that she'd wished more than anything for Naru to be one of them, though if she hadn't, she doubted she'd be sitting there unharmed at Yasuhara's table. She felt Naru's hand on her knee as she shivered.

"I imagine they'd hide somewhere secret, somewhere off the grid. I can check the local sewer networks, or the old warehouse districts, or any other abandoned sites," Naru suggested sensibly, silently bringing up a map of the local area and looking over potential starting points. Mai watched his blue irises flicking up, down, left and right as he seemed to look at something that wasn't really there. It was probably a subconscious movement. He blinked and focused on Mai as she placed a gentle hand on his knee and squeezed.

"I'm coming with you," She insisted, knowing from the drop in his gaze he didn't want her to. Although she was human and unlikely to be harmed by the police, it was a crime to shield a deviant. Her social reputation would also take a hit if she was labelled a sympathiser. That could lead to altercations. He also didn't know how deviants would react upon meeting her either. Many of them were likely scared. It was always possible they'd lash out without provocation. A human was a human.

"I had planned on having you remain here with Yasuhara. It is my desire to keep you safe," Naru added sincerely, feeling a small spark of pleasure at the fact that he could say that and mean it. He wasn't sure exactly when he'd started to want it. He knew he'd experienced something even before his deviation when it came to Mai. He'd always run his sensors over her so carefully, recording each little thing she did. It only occurred to him now that he'd never spared such attention for anyone else. The pressure on his knee increased, warmth spreading out from where Mai was squeezing. She was about to argue when Yasuhara's voice interrupted them.

"Hey, you think you're leaving me out of this? You got me involved! I'm going with you, too! We'll track down help together," he insisted enthusiastically, a feeling of frustration and warmth mingling in Naru's chest. He was grateful for Yasuhara's kindness, as always. Yasuhara never ceased to amaze him with his selfless acts of kindness. His brown eyes were warm as he grinned at Naru with his usual pep and go-getter attitude. Naru didn't bother to argue since he'd run a scenario and found there was only a twenty percent chance the humans would back down and allow him to go alone.

"I suggest we begin with the sewer system. It is the place least likely to attract human eyes," Naru relented with a small sigh. It was quite obvious by the expressions on Mai and Yasuhara's faces why the police were least likely to be watching the sewers. Human senses couldn't stand the smell, and they obviously assumed androids would feel the same distaste. They were wrong. Androids could turn off their senses, so the environment really wouldn't affect them.

"I should have known you'd say that," Yasuhara groaned as he got to his feet. "I'll grab a change of clothes and be right back," he added as he got to his feet. He was still dressed in his sweatpants and t-shirt from the night before. He'd need something old that he didn't mind getting ruined to go down into the sewers. He'd also need to dig out his waterproof hiking boots to make sure the filth didn't soak through. Naru shifted his gaze to Mai as she finished the cereal Yasuhara had given her, noting her cheeks turn a little pinker as she caught him staring.

"Are you sure you wish to involve yourself? You've done more than enough just by coming this far," Naru murmured, quietly hoping that the mention of the sewers would have put her off. He wouldn't blame her at all if she wanted to remain behind. In fact, he'd prefer it if she did. The police would still be out there looking for her. It would be advantageous for her to return home and clear herself of suspicion. She could tell the police that he'd forced her to go with him, that he'd released her shortly afterwards and disappeared. They likely wouldn't even question it.

"I'm going with you!" Mai insisted, her lips almost coming together in a stubborn pout. Naru remained deeply touched, wondering what he'd ever done to inspire such genuine warmth and loyalty. He'd been nothing more than a machine fulfilling a task upon their first meeting, a mindless automaton, but Mai had developed genuine feelings for him. She'd shown him kindness. Through their interactions, she had taught him what it was to desire, to feel, to exist as an individual. "I really hope we find what you're looking for...Do you think there's a way that this will all work out somehow?" she added anxiously, traces of fear and doubt entering her gaze. Naru's lips tightened as he worked out the possibilities.

"Judging by humanity's history and the current situation in Detroit, it seems...unlikely. Humans are easily threatened by what they don't understand, and fearfully resistant to change. Any social gains for androids will probably come at a hefty price...It's the possible violence that makes me concerned for your safety above all else. Humans are far too fragile for physical confrontation, and this isn't your war to fight," Naru replied grimly, his blue eyes almost pleading with Mai to change her mind and stay behind. If she came to meet the deviants, they may be unwilling to accept her presence and cause her harm. If they were intercepted on the way and the police came in heavy-handed, then she could also be hurt. He looked down as Mai took his hand, entwining their fingers as she gripped tightly.

"When it comes to fighting for what's right, I don't think there's anyone who's excluded from this war...I may not be an android, but I'm not on the human side either. Even if I'm not directly in the fighting, I still want to help in any way I can because it's the right thing to do," Mai replied softly, her eyes fluttering as Naru leaned in and sealed her lips with his own. He felt her grip tighten as they kissed, knowing that her cheeks would be flushed pink whenever he drew back. A small sound escaped him as she pressed in, accepting and returning his affection. He didn't know how else to express what he was feeling, the sheer swell of warmth and happiness he felt at her words. His free hand came up to caress her soft cheek, analysing the heat of her skin and knowing she was blushing.

"Alright. If we leave now, then I thi-" Yasuhara cut off with a start as he re-entered his kitchen to find the pair entangled at the breakfast bar. Naru had gotten to his feet at some point to lean over Mai's smaller body as she clung to him and pressed into his chest. They broke apart with a start at Yasuhara's interruption, watching as he sheepishly ran a hand through his hair. "As I was saying...if we leave now, then I think we might be able to blend in with the morning rush hour enough to slip by unnoticed," he concluded, opting not to mention the incident. Mai was flustered as she got to her feet and squeaked her agreement. She tried to hide her blush as she pulled on her thick coat and buried her face in the collar.

"Agreed, we're less likely to be stopped with so many others on the streets," Naru agreed as he pulled the woollen hat low over his head to hide his LED. He looked across as Yasuhara nudged him with his elbow on the way by. He was unsure what to make of his mirthful smirk of encouragement as the hand on his back pushed him closer to Mai.