Work Text:
"Ted?" The Android whispered, nudging Ted's unconscious form to try and get his attention.
"mh?"
"Ted I can't.. rest."
It wasn't really sleep. AM had yet to find what to call it when his body charged.
Ted's head perked up, blinking the sleep out of his eyes for a full five seconds or so before he put together what was even happening.
Once his human mind had reminded itself that earth was far away and so was the machinery to torment him, he sighed softly and invited the android to join him.
"C'mere.."
Ted allowed him under the sheets, took him into his arms, promptly becoming the big spoon to AMs tiny body.
After a little while of them laying like this, Ted sat up once more, reached over AM to the bedside table to pop two more sleeping pills into his mouth and laid right back down.
Ted had to take a lot of medication now, the human equivalent to the constant reprogramming and coding AM had to sit through to keep him docile, to keep the burning hatred at bay enough for him to enjoy his freedom.
AM felt guilt for a plethora if things these days. But especially for that. For diminishing not only the poor man's mental health, but his physical health too.
For ruining Ted and ruining himself but now it was too late to change anything about it. He'd just have to live with it, live with the endless shame for all he'd done. Live with nobody ever liking him.
Except for...
"Ted?"
"Mmyeah?"
"Can I.. can I ask you something Ted?"
"Shoot.."
"Why?"
"Why... what??"
Why are you holding me? Why are you comforting me? why are you nice to me? why do you care for me? why do you help me? why do you forgive me?
"Why.. Why did you decide to be so kind?"
Was what AM decided on, out of all the different Why's in his mind.
Because you looked small. weak? helpless? Because you needed it.. Because I needed it? Because I wanted to show I changed. Because I knew you'd change. Because you are the only thing I know.
"Because.."
He pondered.
"I don't know."
Typical human.. typical Ted. Never a clear answer for anything, damnit..
AM sighed. He could not bear to look at the pills anymore, instead turning to bury his silicone face in Ted's sleep shirt.
"What else was I meant to do?"
"Punish me.. torture me."
"If there's one thing you taught me.."
Ted yawned.
"It's that that wouldn't help anyone."
"But-"
"You're different now AM.. I know that with you I don't have to be scared."
AM didn't know what to say to that. It baffled him, the entire statement baffled him. Made him feel utterly confused. Ted knew all his wrath, how easy it was for the HATE to overrun his new coding. And yet he said this.
Meant it too.
What an idiot...
"Ted?"
"mhm?"
"...Thank you."