Not wishing to put too far, they nestled closer and touched their head to Qalu’s as her head tendrils pleaded for completion, plucking here, tugging even, a level of urgency she’d never displayed before. Helix touched their soft, lower sex to hers, savoring the gentleness of it, the glide and heat. They experienced a duality of arousal in this fashion—the hardness aching and the slickness yearning.

Qalu entwined her lower limbs with theirs, moving in tempo with their joined head tendrils. The surging pleasure soon overwhelmed Helix’s ability to guide or control the encounter, and they lost themselves in Qalu—in her shivers and cries and the knowledge that she would always love them, no matter what.

Afterward, she stroked their back and whispered, “Sometimes I can’t believe you’re real. I will spend the rest of my life making sure you know how precious you are.”

Helix caught their breath and tried to imagine how they merited so much luck. Other AIs were still being hunted. Then they said, “Do you think we could quietly aid the resistance? They did help us when we needed it, even if our parting didn’t come under ideal circumstances.”

“Definitely. But my financial resources are limited. And now that I certainly won’t be producing results in my field, I will most likely stop receiving the stipend I’ve used for—”

“We don’t need to worry about credits,” Helix said.

“Why not?”

“Because I invested what I stole, after I took it from the syndicate. I returned precisely the amount taken, which means all the dividends I earned while the funds were under my control? I kept them.”

Qalu stared. “Helix. Are you telling me that you’re wealthy now?”

“By what standard?”

“Whisper a number to me.” They did, and she made a shrill, shocked noise. “I have no idea how to process this. We can do whatever we wish for the rest of our lives!”

“Indeed. Research whatever you desire. I will fund it. For my part, I would like to pursue art, as I did in the beginning.”

“I can’t wait to see the beauty you create,” Qalu said.

And they knew it was true. “If it’s all right with you, I’d like to get in touch with See-ra at some point. Make sure she and her family have everything they need.”

“I think that’s a wonderful idea. Truly, I need to thank her.”

“Why?” Helix asked.

“Because of her, I met you.”

A few days later, Qalu left Aevi playing in the hills near their home, eager to accompany Helix to the art museum once more.