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“That ‘cross my spark’ bullshit is not gonna work on me, Mirage,” Noah said, sounding mildly annoyed.
“You can’t blame a mech for tryin’” Mirage retorted with a sly smile. “Besides, it’s totally worked on you before, so it was worth a shot.”
“When has it ever-” Noah shook his head. “Whatever,” he whispered as he got back to work on repairs. “Well, cross my spark I’m not gonna cave again.”
“Totally unfair to swear on something you don’t have, dude.”
“What ‘chu mean ‘don’t have’?” Noah turned to look back at Mirage in confusion. “I gotta heart.”
“Literally and metaphorically, of course you do,” Mirage smiled at his odd compliment. “But a spark isn’t a heart though.”
“Just a catchy replacement for the word to use in human sayings?”
“No, no, it’s…” Mirage trailed off thinking of the best way to explain. “It’s kinda like an organ, I mean, it’s a physical thing.” He started pacing around the room, gesturing as he spoke, “But it’s… Well, I guess you could probably call it a soul I guess.”
That caught Noah’s attention and he spun around in his chair to face Mirage, “A soul? I thought you guys are robots.”
Mirage gasped in mock offense, “ Alien robots, babe. I’m sure I’ve mentioned being techno-organic before.”
“Well, I know you’re alive so you gotta have something,” Noah paused, “But I don’t know. I guess the idea of a soul just never registered.”
“I guess if you don’t have one that’s physical, you wouldn’t think much of it, would you?”
Noah shook his head. “That’s pretty cool though, knowing it’s there, that you’ve got one and all that.”
“I hadn’t really thought of it, but I guess it’s a better alternative to just hoping you have a soul.”
“We have brains, and I’m no philosopher or whatever, but maybe that’s a human soul.”
“Mmm,” Mirage squinted his optics, “I’m no scientist, but I don’t think so. We’ve got brains.”
“Oh so you guys get brains and sparks? Pretty unfair if you ask me,” Noah teased.
“Yeah, yeah, whatever,” Mirage waved him off. “You wanna see it?”
Noah’s eyes went wide, “You can do that?”
“Dude, why would I offer if I couldn’t do it?”
Noah blushed a little in embarrassment, but brushed it off, “Fine, show me then.”
Mirage crouched down to be closer to Noah’s height. Noah watched in awe as pieces of Mirage’s chassis moved away to expose what was beneath, and he was face to face with a bright, glowing orb.
“That’s it?” he asked.
“What do you mean ‘that’s it’? You say that like it’s boring.”
“No, no, no, I didn’t mean-”
“I’m just messin’ with ya,” Mirage laughed.
Noah rolled his eyes before leaning closer to get a better look. Mirage quietly admired Noah’s curiosity and intrigue as he observed Mirage’s spark. He had an idea that Noah might like.
“Wanna touch it?” Mirage asked.
“Oh,” Noah took a step back. “I don’t know, I don’t wanna like, fuck it up or anything.”
Mirage broke out in laughter, “I promise you can’t fuck it up. It’s not gonna hurt or anything like that,” he paused, “Well, it won’t hurt me.”
“But it’ll hurt me? You tryin’ to get rid of me?” Noah chided.
“No,” Mirage exclaimed. “Probably not,” he whispered.
Noah heard him but chose to ignore it. His curiosity outweighed the potential danger, and while Mirage could be reckless, Noah didn’t think Mirage would suggest this if he really thought it was dangerous. So he reached out, but before touching it, he looked up at Mirage for confirmation.
“Go on,” Mirage urged.
Noah’s fingertips met the glowing orb and his eyes went wide. It felt staticky and warm, sending tingles up his arm, but it didn’t hurt. Noah chuckled and wiggled his fingers in exploration. The sensation caused Mirage to hum.
“What does it feel like for you?” Noah asked.
“Nice,” Mirage said in a soft tone. “It’s nice. Especially ‘cus it’s you.”
Noah smiled, “Yeah, I guess you don’t let just anyone put hands directly into your chest,” he laughed.
“Nah, but you get a pass.”
“I’m just that special, huh?” Noah raised his brow, but he already knew the answer was yes.