Chapter Text
Falling in love with robots is stupid. You low-key wish Kiki would stop ranting about that one C-Drama about how an office lady ends up dating an android she found deserted next to some trash bin. Well, technically you can’t say anything about it because you haven’t had the time to watch it. But is it love when your “lover” is just wires and stuff?
It is a chilling night. It is the type of cold that reaches your bones as the wind blows. The fact that you have had nothing since dinner yesterday is making this way worse - the low blood sugar level is making you feel as if the floor is spinning. You step out of the office building, clutching a pile of documents.
“Rosa.”
The man, no, can you call him a man? Not exactly.
He is an android. An android your friend has gifted you because you have no life outside of work, because you sound like a “lonely old hag” every time you talk about your life. You received the android last week, and you still remembered the initial horror when you realized you were gazing lovingly at the handsome face of his the moment you unboxed him.
He calls your name again and your mind comes back to the present. The man next to your car is unbothered by the freezing air, yet he is carrying your fluffy coat - you haven’t had the time to unpack your Winter clothes, so you can’t help but wonder where he got that thing. He takes the pile of documents and holds the coat, allowing you to push your arms through the sleeves.
“Thank you, Artem.”
“It’s my duty.”
Hands trembling, you reach for the handle to your car only to trip on the curb. To your surprise, he grabs you by the hand before you can fall.
The two of you lock eyes for a moment.
His grip is firm. The palm, cold yet fleshy, is almost lifelike. You instinctively pull away and climb into the car, closing the door behind you.
The ride home is quiet. Sure, he has nothing to talk with you because he isn't involved in any part of your life except housework. It’s been a long day at work and your eyelids start to get heavier and heavier…
You wake up to the thud of the car door closing, your head still swimming and the ground still spinning. Artem isn’t next to you. You panicked for a moment until the door on your side opens.
“You’re awake.” He quirks an eyebrow.
That’s eerily human.
“What would you like for dinner?”
“I’m tired. I don’t want anything.”
The funny thing about Artem is that though he seems perfectly human, he talks in such a formal way, almost like a butler or some servant. As you search for the documents to bring home, he suddenly slides an arm under your legs, the other supporting your back. And just like that, he carries you out of the car and towards the apartment complex.
“This is weird… I can walk. Let me walk.”
“Results of a quick analysis tell me you’re experiencing low blood sugar levels and sleep deprivation. You must be tired. Would you like to have congee for dinner? It’s 14 degrees celsius tonight and you must stay warm.”
It’s… so robotic, but it feels like a pat on the back, some sort of validation you’ve always been seeking. How funny you feel comforted just because an android just “acknowledged” your hard work. But considering how little recognition you get at work other than the satisfaction that comes when you successfully help a client, you tell yourself it’s normal to feel like that.
Soon, the both of you enter the elevator. The silent whirling of the elevator cables permeates the tiny space. You lean closer to his chest and hear a gentle, mechanical hum emanating from somewhere deep inside him.
“It’s comforting.” The words escape your mouth.
The moment you gaze up, he stares back at you with a look that you can’t quite understand.
It just so happens that the elevator dings open at that moment.
“Dinner will be ready soon.”
You quickly shower and Artem prepares your dinner. Another night of you eating in silence as he sits next to you. The food is great - after all nothing beats a home cooked meal.
“Thank you, Artem.”
“It’s my duty.”
Your hand closes over his lying on the table.
“What are you doing?”
“I love you.”
“I love you too, Jia Yin”
The male lead pulls the protagonist into a deep, passionate kiss as the waves crash onto the shores, dramatic music playing in the background. They let their umbrellas fall and they embrace each other while the rain is pouring.
“Oh my God!” On the other side of the phone, Kiki is squealing. Her piercing scream echoes in your living room.
“They’re kissing. They’re kissing!”
The way she gets so excited when her favorite characters kiss is hilarious and quite relatable because you can’t help but also feel an overwhelming sense of sugary sweetness.
“I wish I had a boyfriend, you know.” Kiki laughs.
“Who doesn’t! But do we even have the time? We’re practically bound to our work. Is this the right time to regret getting into law school and ending up like this?”
The two of you are basically laughing your heads off when you catch a glimpse of Artem staring at the television with a sponge and a plate in his hands. Do androids like these kinds of things too?
A while later, Kiki leaves the call to shower and you sit on your couch staring at the television mindlessly.
“Rosa.”
The familiar voice wakes you from your daydreaming state. Artem, holding a plate of orange slices neatly arranged in a circle, hands you a glass of water.
Popping the orange slices in your mouth, you gesture him to sit instead of standing next to the TV like a statue. A romcom plays on TV and the sight of him staring at the characters kissing comes back to your mind again.
“Do androids feel love?” You ask him out of curiosity.
“ “Love” is prohibited for androids manufactured by our company.” He says in a low, monotonous voice.
“But can you, I mean you androids, feel love?”
“Our company prohibits their products from doing so.”
“You’re not answering my question, Artem.”
“Our company prohibits their products from doing so.”
Sometimes he feels so human, and sometimes he’s just like this. Maybe you will get used to it after a couple more weeks.
You shake your head and prepare to brush your teeth so you can go to bed soon.