[ Protection and desperation and love and fear and affection and every other strong emotion poured into the kiss leaves the Technical Boy a bit breathless when they separate so K can speak. Tech Boy can hear K's mind at work, but he doesn't read more into it than that for the moment. Although the particulars stay with K for now, his words reinforce the surface thoughts and the edge present in their kiss.

They're both in precarious positions in their respective homeworlds, but. But if they can find a way to stay together.... Would that be too much to ask from such a cruel dream world? To wake from a nightmare and find their physical selves still together? (More likely than you'd think!) ]

You make everything more bearable. This place [ indicating Deerington ] and this place. [ He draws one hand back for a moment to use a finger to tap himself on the forehead. ]

I got so used to being alone, but I never want to go back to that. [ He smiles softly. ] I know you'll protect me. And I'll do the same for you. You have a god's blessing.

[ Tech Boy threads his fingers behind K's neck again, leaning back a little to look at him, that same rare soft smile on his lips. Without forming the conscious word for it, "mine" is the impression. And "yours." ]