"Nice beat you got there!" Astra grinned at Swag, who blushed slightly at that statement. It was a bit embarrassing for him, honestly, but he lived for that praise. After being revived in a dystopian world, he was glad that he had reunited with Taeyang. It had allowed him to meet this kind person. Who was on the same wavelength as him.

Someone who understood the words he spoke.

He found that he liked everything about Asuka Torajirou. He was a very kind person... He had the best jokes... and when they spent time together, it was like they were in their own world...

He thought about it as he walked back to his room. He was really happy when he spent time with the energetic teen, and his heart was always light around him. He was glad that he was dating the other, honestly. 

It reminded him of the times back in Unicorn, before he was put in stasis. Those were times he still felt conflicted about. Even though Rosie's dad had done it with his best interests in mind, it still hurt.

He closed his eyes. He didn't want to, no, he refused to go there. It was forbidden ground, he told himself. The past had passed... yet he refused to forgive him... 

"Hey, Swag? You good?" a hand placed itself on the former android's shoulder, making him turn to see a concerned look on Astra's face. 

"Nah, it's cool," he waved it off in what he hoped was a nonchalant way. "It's just thoughts, yo." 

"Okay then...?"

"Anyway, I'll see you later for our... date?" he flushed slightly as he said that. Gosh, human culture was weird. He knew that he was now boyfriends with him, but still, it made no sense to him. Why couldn't they just get married?

"Sure!" He gave finger guns before walking off to talk to his friends and partners about tracking down Milverton and Inari.

Swag smiled, but soon it turned into a frown as he sat down on the sofa, unsure of how to proceed.

"Hey, Swag," a new voice made him look up to see Gladio as he sat down beside him. "What's got you this confused?" 

"Is it on my face?" he touched his squishy face, feeling the heat rush to it in embarrassment. Was he really that obvious? Dang human face that was so used to expressing emotions!

"Nah I just recognised it," he sat down beside him. "Past stuff?" 

"Am I really that obvious?" he couldn't help the slightly salty edge his tone took. He felt exposed. 

"Nope. I mean, to me it is cause I did feel the same way at some point of my life," Gladio shrugged helplessly.

He looked at him, blinking, "You did?" 

He nodded, "I was young, and well, I had been exposed to stuff I wasn't supposed to. Aether and all that."

"Oh..." He had heard the stories from Satoshi and the others, and he felt horrible for Gladio. He must have hated his lifestyle...

"But you know, it helps to talk about it," Gladio said. 

"Really?" he blinked. 

He nodded, a smile on his face as he continued, "The entire thing about talking is to let out your feelings, and try to resolve them on your own. When you look deeper into yourself, what do you see? And how do you want to resolve those grudges deep within? That's what's important, if you ask me. Grudges don't help anyone; they only hinder a lot of things. A lot of good things come when you decide to let go of the pain you've been holding onto for years. I mean, I'm with Hau now, and I couldn't be happier. So don't let the past shackle you down, Swag. I'm sure you can do this."

Swag's eyes widened. 

Gladio...

Gladio was right, he realised. The grudges had been holding him back, taking him away from what truly mattered. 

Taeyang, the Tobots, the friends he had now...

Asuka Torajirou, the one person who understood him, who cared for him more than anyone else. 

He didn't know when he started crying, but he was only alerted to it when a familiar scent entered his nostrils, "Swag?" 

Looking up, aquamarine orbs met bright green ones, and Torajirou looked concerned, "Why are you crying?" 

It wasn't a judgemental statement. It was a concerned one. 

Without thinking, he surged forward and kissed him on the lips. Soft, light, and brief. 

But it allowed him to feel so much better. 

When he let go of a flabbergasted Torajirou, he turned to Gladio and said, "Thanks for your advice, yo." 

"No worries," Gladio laughed. "Plus, I'm pretty sure his parents are already videoing this." 

"H-His parents?!" he yelped, and spun around just to see Haru, Yuujin, Eri, and Rei holding up their phones with proud grins on their faces. 

"GUYS!" Torajirou screamed, and it didn't help that Musicmon and Dancing Tuney were with them in teasing him, making his face go so red. 

Swag blushed scarlet, but a smile soon found its way to his lips. 

The steps to recovery were bound to be long, but he had a family now. A family who cared for him and loved him for who he was.

And that was enough for Swag.

After all, he already had Asuka Torajirou, his other half, who he loved with all his heart.