A/N: There's no beta reader or edit so pardon me for grammar mistakes and weird sentences. (If you find any, you can leave them in the comment and I'll fix them later.)

Anyway, enjoy~

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One morning Boboiboy woke, and he announced he would propose to Yaya. Ochobot instinctively knew today was the day.

It was when he just took the first step into his twenties, while Yaya still had one month more to go.

His master usually acted on his impulse, which translated his 《would》 straightly to 《right now》. The power sphere couldn't say he was surprised the moment it ended up with the whole Aba household appearing before their neighbor's door, unannounced.

"Please have some tea." Yaya's mother said, filling out the cups. Ochobot muttered his thanks as he received one for himself. After the initial shock and a lot of messy excuses, the woman had reluctantly invited them all into the living room, where they had sat in awkward silence for a while.

"So," She initiated, eyes sweeping over her guests. "What was so urgent to make our dear neighbors show up in front of our house at seven in the morning?"

"Sorry for bothering you this early, Wawa. We are... What are we doing here again?" Amato whispered to his son, leaning not-so-subtle to him. Instead of answering, Boboiboy took his time to glance around. Edginess planted on his features.

"Sorry, ma'am. Can I ask where Yaya is?" He asked, moistening his lips. Upon the question, Wawa ached one of her eyebrows. She squinted at the young man whilst he averted his gaze, cheeks flustered, before something flashed her face.

Barely concealing her amused smile, the woman called over her shoulder.

"Yaya! You have guests!"

"Yes, mama!" came the reply from upstairs, along with a little ruckus.

"She'll be here in a few minutes. Please give her a few minutes.". Wawa chuckled, shaking her head from side to side. Turning back to them, she addressed the father this time. "Meanwhile, Amato. It's been a while since I saw you. Where have you been? How is your wife? Is she well?"

"As well as ever, Wawa. I was just here and there for... you know..." Amato answered, scratching his head. While the adults began to chat away, Ochobot sneaked a glance at his master.

"You ok?" He whispers, which earns him a nod.

"Yea— yeah. I guess...? Why-y-y didn't you t-t-think so?" Boboiboy squeaked out. The cup in his hand was rattling badly. The power sphere feared at this rate, there would be no tea left inside before it reached his mouth. Ochobot sighed. It was about time for Boboiboy to come to his senses, and realize how hasty he had been....

Actually, [hasty] was a light word. His master was downright thoughtless, like he had usually been in some battle.

Boboiboy, for his supposed big day, never once had a rehearsal, not with Ochobot, nor with the mirror. He didn't even discuss this properly with his family, or at the very least, inform Yaya beforehand of this sudden visit right after the morning prayer he might add.

Yes, his master had simply dragged both his grandfather and father, who conveniently got a rare break from his missions, to Yaya's doorway without explaining a thing. As a consequence, Boboiboy was now steadily creeping up to the verge of breaking down inside her living room, while the rest of his family questioned what they were doing there. Even tok Aba was confused enough to not berate his grandson for his recklessness. His old brain needed more time to catch up with the situation.

Tok Aba didn't forget the glare, though.

Ochobot gestured to the old man to let him handle this, or else his master would sink completely into the seat and become one with it instead of the love of his life.

"I told you to think before jumping into something. Would it kill you to slow down a bit?" The power sphere chided, helping Boboiboy to set the cup down before he broke it. With his hands-free, the young man clasped it in front of himself.

"I'm sorry. I just... I can't wait."

Ochobot let out another sigh. Now that the adrenaline faded away, it was his job to keep Boboiboy from being a messy bunch.

"Please tell me you have everything you need." Keeping his voice low, he reminded the young man. "The you-know-what?"

"Already here." Boboiboy patted his jacket pocket. A smile unconsciously lifted up his face, reassured by the presence of the familiar shape under his fingers. On the other hand, Ochobot made a quick check on his master overall. He thanked the Galaxy that this young man still had enough mind to remember to change out of his pajamas, although the same statement couldn't apply to Amato. The poor man was barely given time to register everything, much less to notice his clothes. So he had to don his Mechabot armor to hide the fluffy blue cloud pattern sleepwear, a part of the reason why Wawa had been so reluctant to let them in.

"Flowers?"

Ochobot regretted his question as soon as it came out while Boboiboy's expression became blank.

Of course, there was none, as anyone could see.

"... I can switch into Thorn at any time?"

"Don't. Unless you want to turn this whole thing into a circus."

At that moment, the star of the day showed up. Yaya greeted them with her usual smile. Totoitoy, her little brother, curiously followed behind her. The girl who chose to wear an outfit seemed a bit formal for a house dress. The pink hijab was slightly disarranged, no doubt the result of a rushing preparation. But she remained charming for a girl of her age.

And Boboiboy?

He looked like he had been just struck down by lightning.

"I'm sorry I didn't expect it to take so much time. Did you have to wait long for me?"

As though being hypnotized, Boboiboy sprang up on his feet. Ochobot didn't have the time to tug him back before he crossed the room in three steps to the flustered girl.

"Yaya." The young man stated, grasping both of her hands tightly. "Yaya, I know it was abrupt. But today, I brought my grandfather and father here to ask for your hand in marriage."

Yaya's mouth dropped as gasps echoed inside the living room. The shock mirrored on everyone's facades, except for Amato who was busy choking on his tea and Ochobot. The power sphere was wishing for nothing but to drag a hand down his face.

...What did he just say about being hasty?

"You are kind, caring, and fun to be around. You... I don't know since it started, but being with you, seeing you every day, is more than enough for me." Running a thumb over Yaya's hand, Boboiboby continued. His eyes were glued to them as the tips of his ears begin to turn redder and redder.

"I don't understand what [marriage] ever means... But whenever I see you in danger, my chest feels like it would burst. Losing anyone is scary, but the thought of never being able to meet you again... just terrifies me. And it hurts, right here." He gently pulled her hands toward the place where his heart was. "That's when I realized《Ah... is this what mom felt when dad got hurt?》. I... I just couldn't wait to tell you."

Taking a deep breath, Boboiboy raises his head to meet a pair of astonished amber eyes. Ochobot watched things unfold before him in a stunned moment. His master was having the familiar determined look he could only catch a glimpse of when he found to protect. That part of his was endearing.

The young man was rash, head first into something without thinking, so he meant every word and action.

"I'm fully aware that what I'm telling you is supper, supper selfish. And I know that it's really inconsiderate of me... But still I don't want things between us to continue to stay like this. Because if [marriage] means spending more time with someone special... with someone, who gives you strength and courage, then... I want it. I want to be with you."

Letting go of her hands, Boboiboy got down on his knee. He fumbled inside his pocket, not once breaking eye contact despite a deep blush covering his cheeks.

"Yaya Yah, will you marry me?"

The girl in question could only stare at the glittering ring offered to her. It was a simple, little thing. A silver ring, carved with flower symbols which were similar to the clip Yaya always wore on her scarf. Boboiboy had this ring with him for a while after he ran into a wanderer seller selling it during a mission. He had bought it without thinking, and even if he didn't admit it to anyone, Ochobot was aware that it was because the ring reminded him of a certain someone, proof of how much the young man had toyed with the idea ever since he was a teen.

And now, the rest was up to the girl who has haunted his thoughts.

The tension inside the room became heavier with each minute passing. Everyone held their breaths. Under the gazes, Yaya pursed her lips and held her hands closer to her chest. Boboiboy's Adam apple bobbed in his throat. Her expression was hidden under the veil of her hijab, so no one was able to know what she was thinking.

They remained still like that until the young man broke it.

"Sorry, I.. I'm putting you on the spot." He muttered, lowering his eyes. " It's such a selfishness of mine... but I—"

"Selfish is the last thing you are, Boboiboy."

Boboiboy blinked when the girl got down on her knees with him. Smiling softly, Yaya clasped her hands over his and pulled him up along with her.

"You know. When I saw you facing an enemy, I was scared, too. Because I know you would end up hurt since you always prioritize other people over yourself. It made me angry at how reckless you were. Sometimes, I just want to lock you up in a tower somewhere so that I can keep an eye on you."

The young man chuckled awkwardly at her mocking huff. He would have scratched his cheek if his hands weren't trapped inside hers. Yaya let out a sigh.

"However, there's no way I can do that." She shook her head. "Because that selflessness was what drew me in. It was so blinding, so beautiful, so... you. That was who you are, a brave hero and a loving boy at heart. You are the one who gave me strength and courage."

"You are the one I fell in love with."

This time it was Boboiboy who was rendered speechless. He watched dumbstruck as Yaya grinned at him. A fine pick was dusting her cheeks, making hers match his.

"Thank you for telling me how you feel, Boboiboy." The girl smiled. "If you're willing to have me, I couldn't be happier to marry you... Please take care of me from now on—"

Before she could finish, Boboiboy squeezed her into a tight hug and lifted her up. Yaya yelped, but it soon was replaced by amused laughter as he twirled them inside the living room. The young man totally exploded with euphoria while the adults cackled and exchanged knowing nods. Totoitoy held his cheeks with a big grin on his face and a "Boboiboy is gonna be my brother! I'm gonna have Galaxy's greatest hero as my brother!! "

Immerse in the joyful atmosphere, Ochobot smiled and closed his eyes.

Three... Two... One...

"Boboiboy?!" Yaya's panicked voice rang out. "Are you crying?!"

"I-I'm sorry. I was so afraid that you were going to reject me..." Sniffing, the young man confessed. "I'm– I'm just so happy... wahhhhh!"

Unable to help himself, he broke down. Boboiboy buried his face into her shoulder, not a single care that his manly image just shattered. Ochobot chuckled, watching Yaya pat him gently in the back, still smiling. Her own tears were gathering at the end of her eyes. And for some reason, Amato also turned into a sob mess when he held up his phone, recording. Mechabot just rolled his eyes at his antics while tok Aba and Wawa chuckled.

Although Boboiboy still had to go through a few more challenges before he could actually marry Yaya, namely an earful from tok Aba for being rash and tactless and breaking the news to his mother, those could be informed to him later. For now, Ochobot was glad that his feelings were requited. He couldn't be happier for them.

All was well that ended well... maybe expect some humiliation for Boboiboy. However, Ochobot was sure his master could live with it. He had the person he trusted with his life by his side.

—The power sphere just never expected the future would betray him so.

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To the future, where the timeline has been divided into two by a certain [turning point].

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[Starlight]

Stepping on the dry sand, a man squints his blood-red eyes into the suns above him. The snow-white hair is clinging to his sweaty forehead. This alien planet is getting on his nerves. Dry, hot, and empty. The fourteenth planet. There's nothing but a wasteland and rocky boulders that are as sharp as knives pointing at the sky.

There's no sight of what he has been looking for.

In fact, the man didn't even know what exactly he had been looking for. When he woke up, he had no memories, no idea where he was, why he was here and who he was.

It frightened him.

Fumbling in his pocket, the man fished out a worn locket. It has an oval shape with the letter B embossed on the surface. He understands what it stands for. [Boboiboy]. His name, or what he thinks it's. The one who found him calls him by it. While he's grateful that she took him in and looked after him ever since, some part of him seems to doubt whether she is someone he can trust.

The man opens the locket, revealing two pictures that the metal shell has been protecting: one of a woman with a round, yellow robot and the other of three children. Absently, he runs his thumb over the image of the woman. They are important people to him, he can tell. Looking at them elicited him with some concept of the person he used to be. For example, he remembers his original hair wasn't as pale as now, nor his eyes were this color.

Looking at them brings him a sense of solace. But strangely, their names escape him, like water slipping out from the finger gaps. The more he tries to recall, the more his mind becomes empty... 

It's frustrating, and perks his curiosity. 

Who are they? What are their names? What sort of connection between him and them?

Hence the locket is one of the few things in his possession that no one else is allowed to touch, even the one who found him. The other is the powerband since it's his source of power. It'd be damn if he lost it. However, the one who found him appears to be more obsessed with the locket. Not once or twice, she has tried to persuade him to throw it away. Of course, it met rejection every time.

She suggested that he throw his past away. That's something he will be able to do. If anything, the man starts to be warier of her, even though he doesn't show it. Something in that woman's touch made his skin cramped, and her sweet words made him feel sick in his stomach.

They were unlike...

...

Unlike... who? 

Whose touch was that he was craving? Whose voice was that he longing for—

A family dull pain flashed in his head, forcing the man to stop. The last time he attempted to pursue it, he had woken up again on the familiar bed inside the horse of the one who found him. It's good, or weird, that she seems to have a weird knack to pick him up whenever he passes out, even when it's in the middle of somewhere.

Shaking his head, the man carefully pockets the pendant. His lone journey continues.

Without knowing on the other side of the Galaxy, there's a power sphere mourning for his master's《death》.

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[Darkside]

The door auto slides to the side for Ochobot to enter. With minuscule effort, he finds his master curling in the corner of his dark room.

"It was my fault, Ochobot."

The man speaks up hoarsely as soon as he comes within earshot. His voice is muffled by his clothes as Boboiboy continues to bury his face into his knees. He pulls them closer to his chest, making himself as small as possible.

Such a pitiful state of TAPOPS's ace captain, Ochobot thinks sadly.

"You know it wasn't your fault—"

"It was!" The man snaps, cutting him off. He raises his head up, revealing to the power sphere a haggard face and reddened eyes. "The one who wants to go on is me! I'm too obsessed with adventures, with the thrill and... and everything in between! While Yaya... Yaya only wanted to be with me..."

His voice begins to crack again. Boboiboy clutches his face.

"I'm such a fool for not realizing it sooner... I should have quit..." He sobs. "I promised. Yet I wasn't even there when she needed me the most... Just what kind of husband I was? It should have been me...."

"... Why am I still alive?"

If Ochobot had a heart, the words would have cut it into pieces. It has been hard for them all when the news arrived. However, no one took it like Boboiboy and his children. No one could fully grasp what they are having gone through.

An ambush. While most TAPOPS agents focused on uncovering the biggest criminal act in the organization committed by the new admiral after admiral Tarung had retired, including Boboiboy and Fang, a group of enemies had attacked the Earth at the same time. Their identities were unknown, but their intention was clear: assassinate his family. Boboiboy's household had been the first place they had aimed.

It was so sudden, so unexpected. The enemies took them by surprise, and they are too powerful for Yaya and Qually to fend off by themselves while protecting the children.

As a result, they were outnumbered...

When Amato and Mechabot arrived, there was nothing but a pile of rubble and debris. The fire crackled, spreading to the whole area while black smoke covered the moon and the sky.

Nothing remained, even TAPOPS-U underground was wretched thoroughly.

"I know it hurts, Boboiboy... But you can't speak like that." Ochobot lets out a sigh and places a hand on his master's shoulder. "What would Norah, Halyan, and Farhan do if they heard those words? They just lost their mother. They can't lose their father on the same day."

Yaya sacrificed herself to buy more time for the children and Qually to escape.

And the moment they got out of the emergency escape pod, his sons outrageously blamed Boboiboy for her death. Driven by sorrow and desperation, they said things they didn't mean to say, things they had yet to understand. However, who could blame them? Those children just witnessed their mother being killed.

Most people would brush their cruel words off as a moment of losing control, but Boboiboy took them to heart. The man had already blamed himself as he knew it was too late. Now with the shunning of his own sons, he plunged himself into an invisible bottomless pit.

Boboiboy is a stubborn man. Once he believes something, only heímelf can change it. Ochobot just hopes the thought of his children will prevent him from doing something... stupid and impulsive.

"... how are they?" Boboiboy asks weakly after a while. His voice is barely audible, as though he fears that he now doesn't have the right to inquire about such a question.

"Nora has done a good job to calm the twins down. They have... cried themselves to sleep. She is staying with Gopal, Fang, and Qually now... But I don't think she can last any longer." Taking his hand back, Ochobot rubs his own arm. Electric blue eyes shoot at his master's hollow ones, sadly.

"She needs you, Boboiboy."

The air tenses after his statement. Ochobot feels a pang of relief rushing past him as Boboiboy slowly nods despite a grimace on his face. He doesn't reject it. Mutely, the man rises from the corner of his room and staggers outside, to the place where his daughter has waited.

The sliding door opens and closes, cutting off the source light from the corridor. Left behind, Ochobot spares a glance outside the window. They are currently a few hundred light-years from Earth in TAPOPS's new space station, but he can still vaguely pinpoint its location with his navigation, the place where one of his family members had met her end.

The power sphere let out a small weep for the loss of her, for the pain his master and the children going through. 

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A/N: A prompt for my NextGen AU. You can expect more of them from now on, along with "Petir in Mafialand" (which I was editing the old chapters after reaching enlightenment, sort of, so there might be subtle changes in some details. Otherwhile, the main plot remains the same).

And another note is that it's going to be a while before there's a new update, as usual. I apologize in advance.