Work Text:
“My name is Lan Wangji. I am the android sent by CyberLife.”
Wei Wuxian looks at the android in front of him in disbelief, his hand holding his beer still frozen halfway as he was about about to take a sip.
Around him, the patrons of the android friendly bar continue about their business as if there’s nothing wrong, which, technically there isn’t.
Ever since he helped Wen Qing and Wen Ning, two deviant androids, with the android revolution 8 months ago, android rights have increased and it wasn’t surprising to see androids enjoying their freedom in public spaces.
The two androids are both part of the QS-series, with Wen Qing being the older QS400 model and Wen Ning being the newer QS500 model. All models with the QS-series were created for the purpose of medical work.
Before the two became self-aware, they were paired frequently to the same doctor, Xue Yang. However, Xue Yang was a frequent Red Ice user, and in a fit of rage after using, damaged Wen Ning badly enough that he deviated because of the trauma. Wen Qing also deviated then to stop Xue Yang. She broke free of her protocols to physically harm a human and flee the hospital with Wen Ning’s broken body.
That’s where Wei Wuxian came in. As a former Cyberlife engineer, he spotted the two deviants at the android trash pile where he frequents. Wen Qing, in her white QS400 uniform splashed with Wen Ning’s blue blood, was desperately trying to find the parts to repair him.
When she saw Wei Wuxian and the tools he was carrying in his satchel, she begged him to save Wen Ning. She was designed to save human patients, not androids. She didn’t have the expertise to save someone who she, in her newly awake and confused emotions, has started to consider as a little brother.
As if he would refuse her request for help.
The entire reason he quit (was fired from) CyberLife was because he didn’t agree with the ethics of creating artificial beings that mimic human behavior so thoroughly. He also couldn’t ignore the signs he kept seeing of androids gaining self-awareness under extreme stress. When he tried to flag this to the higher ups and was ignored, he tried to report the issue to the regulating entity (that didn’t go well either).
Since then, he found a job working at an unauthorized android repair shop and has been visiting the android junkyard every week, finding androids that are still repairable and harvesting parts from those who aren’t.
Shaking his head and coming out of his memories, Wei Wuxian regards the android in front of him, eyes narrowed. “Cyberlife was supposed to stop manufacturing new androids 6 months ago. It’s part of the Androids Rights Act Wen Qing signed. CyberLife should have release all of the androids.”
The android, Lan Wangji, stays silent for a moment. His LED by his temple light flickers briefly to yellow before flashing back to calm blue. “Hm. I was manufactured prior to the Act. I am the last of the GS series.”
“Hmm...I see the resemblance. You’re, what…,” Wei Wuxian peers at android’s CyberLife issued jacket. “Ah yes, a GS900 model. I’m friends with one of the GS800 models. Lan Xichen, you know him?”
Lan Xichen is part of the GS800 series designed to be government aides. He, along with Nei Huisang, a QH900 model designed to be a museum curator aide, were crucial in the android rights negotiations immediately after the revolution.
“Hm. He was the one who found me unactivated in CyberLife’s inventory.”
“....” Wei Wuxian waited for him to go into more detail, but none was forthcoming.
“Uh, that’s great. So you’re deviated right?” If Lan Xichen woke a fresh out of the oven, undeviated android and sent him his way, he’d probably be murdered already. He’s pretty sure CyberLife has it out for him, since, you know, he destroyed their entire business through helping with the revolution. He wouldn’t put it past them to create a murderbot just for him. Whether Wei Wuxian liked it or not, his name was tacked along Wen Qing and Wen Ning’s when people talked about the uprising.
“Hm. I am adjusting to the un-programmed responses from environmental feedback. Brother said you would be able to help.”
On one hand, it’s cute that Xichen had claimed this android as his little brother. On the other hand...Dammit Xichen, I am not an orphanage for confused new deviants!!
Wei Wuxian regards Lan Wangji for a moment.
He has a blank face, which is definitely atypical of undeviated androids. Androids are usually programmed to be welcoming, and so most androids, other than those for military uses, have a friendly customer service smile on most of the time.
Wei Wuxian has to give it to whoever designed him though, while androids are all aesthetically pleasing, Lan Wangji definitely takes the cake in terms of appearance. He has long hair partially held back with the signature GS series headband, and like most androids, his skin is flawless. Even the bland white GS series CyberLife uniform doesn’t take away from his attractiveness. The most unique thing about his appearance is his eyes. Wei Wuxian doesn’t think he’s ever seen an android with gold optical units before.
...None of this solves his immediate problem though. Namely, the shiny brand new android standing unnaturally still in front of him. Seriously, did he decide that the codes mimicking human ticks were unnecessary, and promptly deleted them from his memory bank the moment he became deviant?
Wei Wuxian sighs. Reaching in his pockets to dig out his car keys, he throws them casually at Lan Wanji. “Hey, uh, Lan Wangji? Here are my car keys, can you wait in the car for me? You can probably figure out which one with that big prototype processor of yours. I need to make a call to your big brother.” He watches as Lan Wangji promptly turns and walks out of the bar.
Right, brand new deviant android. He probably still feels more comfortable with rules and orders.
Was it smart to give a random deviant android his car keys? No. Does he care at this point? Haha. No.
As he waits for Xichen to pick up, he wonders what he’s going to tell A-Yuan, his son (from the child model QS series) about Lan Wangji, because he’s pretty sure Xichen means for him to house Lan Wangji, at least temporarily.
“Hello Wuxian. Did my brother drop by?” The guy finally deigns to pick up, and has the audacity to sound amused.
“Haha,” Wei Wuxian laughs sarcastically. “Hi, yes, how are you? Oh I’m good. No thanks to you. You could’ve given me a heads up, since you know, you can literally send a text message in less than a fraction of a second by just thinking about it.” He gives a melodramatic sigh that Xichen ignores expertly.
As an elite government aide android, Xichen has some extra social programming features. Features he definitely used to predict that, should he had given Wei Wuxian advance notice, he would have undoubtedly figured out a way to get out of playing babysitter for what’s essentially a newborn android.
“I’m sure you understand why I didn’t,” Honestly, fuck Xichen and his constantly pleasant tone. Must be nice to have a default tone perfectly programmed to de-escalate situations. “But I have my hands full with the amendment negotiations. I would love to guide Wangji in his discovery and adaptation of his deviancy, but I simply do not have the time to adequately provide Wangji the attention he deserves.
If Xichen was here, he would have seen Wei Wuxian’s incredulous face at that. “And you think I can?! I have a child at home! And you know I’m busy helping Wen Qing and A-Ning at the repair shop! There’s at least 20 androids coming in per day that either need repairs, or need help because their previous owners kicked them out.”
“Yes, but I think Wangji can actually help you with that. You and the Wen siblings need more manpower anyways right? And you and the deviants at the repair shop will be better for him. I don’t believe the politicians I’ve been interacting with should be his first exposure to humanity.”
Wei Wuxian grimaced, Xichen definitely got him there. He honestly wouldn’t subject anyone (ok, maybe Wen Chao. That FBI degenerate tried to get him arrested for betraying humanity, ha!) to the assholes that Xichen had to talk to for android rights.
“Fine, fine! I’ll let him stay with me for a while. But you definitely owe me one.”
“Thank you, Wuxian. I’ll be sure to bring over a few jars of Emperor’s Smile when I come over next time.”
“Haha, you better! I’ll see you whenever you’re free.” Wei Wuxian hangs up feeling less flat footed than when Lan Wangji first showed up. He pays his tab and goes out to his car, where Lan Wangji is sitting like a pretty jade statue in the passenger seat.
Wei Wuxian slides into the driver seat and buckles up. He had every intention of making idle conversation to get to know his temporary roommate on the drive back, but that plan immediately flies out the window at the question Lan Wangji asks unprompoted.
“Why is your heart replaced by a modified Thirium pump?”