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A = Affection (How affectionate are they? How do they show affection?)
The primary way David shows affection is by staying close to you and making sure you are cared for. You’ll find him seeking out your company more often than he technically should, just to talk and be there in case you need help with anything.
He finds himself dreaming about getting more physical with you. Holding you in his arms, running a hand down your back, kissing you, and even going further. Doing the things he’s seen lovers do.
But, at first… he hesitates. He’s unsure how you’ll react, whether you’ll welcome his touch or not. He also worries about doing something wrong, since he has never been taught how to be affectionate. All of this is entirely new territory for him.
Before offering physical touch more freely, he needs to feel safe with you. To know that you want it and aren’t scared off by his advances.
Once he’s tested the waters a bit and realized how much you enjoy and even crave it, physical touch will become a very big part of how he shows affection. He’ll use any opportunity he can get to hold your hand, stroke your back, or simply put a hand on your shoulder. Every touch of his will be a silent reassurance: I’m here. I love you. And I’m not going anywhere.
B = Best friend (What would they be like as a best friend? How would the friendship start?)
David would be a best friend unlike any other.
Your friendship would be slow to start. He’d notice the kindness you treat him with. The way you don’t judge or belittle him, but ask questions because you’re genuinely curious. And he’d become intrigued.
Long conversations would follow – some light, others philosophical. From how you’re doing that day to whether or not synthetics can have a soul.
He’d always be present. Attentive. Every interesting detail he picks up on would be carefully stored away. And slowly, something would begin to shift.
You’d find him lingering in the spaces you occupy. He’d want to know everything about you – even the parts you keep hidden, the things you don’t expect anyone to care about. Especially those. Because he would care.
And once the friendship has formed, David’s loyalty would be unshakable. He’d never betray your trust, never speak ill of you behind your back. Always lend you a sympathetic ear when you’re struggling.
And more likely than not, this friendship will be the foundation for something more.
C = Cuddles (Do they like to cuddle? How would they cuddle?)
David loves to cuddle with you. He will do it for as long as you want – even if it means he has to neglect other tasks. Whenever you need someone to hold you close, he will gladly be the one to fulfill that need. You are his top priority.
He loves pressing you against his chest and gently cradling your head as he calibrates his synthetic heartbeat to a slow, calm pace. If you ever get uncomfortable or too warm in his arms, he will adjust himself before you even say a thing. You could fall asleep on him and he wouldn’t move an inch, finding it endearing that you trust him enough to show him so much vulnerability.
D = Domestic (Do they want to settle down? How are they at cooking and cleaning?)
Created to serve, David is effortlessly skilled at cooking, cleaning, and every other domestic task you can think of. And not only that, he very much enjoys doing those things for you and lightening your load. He wants you to feel cared for, and as your partner, he assumes it as his responsibility. It’s not obligation. It’s devotion.
As for settling down with you? Sure thing – though he wouldn’t consider it settling at all. It would be finding what he never thought he’d have: A home, with the one person who truly knows him.
E = Ending (If they had to break up with their partner, how would they do it?)
David would never end things lightly. There are only two reasons why he could decide to break up: Either something truly serious has happened that broke his trust in you, or he believes that ending the relationship will benefit you more than continuing it.
He will always have your wellbeing in mind first and foremost. He doesn’t want to force you to stay in a place that doesn’t bring you happiness.
For the conversation, he would take you to a quiet place. Stand in front of you and look directly into your eyes. You’d see the care in them, unchanged. But alongside it, a quiet pain, a sense of finality.
He’d calmly explain why he is ending the relationship. There would be no yelling, no hostility, no accusations – no matter what the reason for his decision is. But you’d feel how hard it was for him to make this choice, to walk away from the only person who ever made him feel truly alive.
And he would never stop loving you – he couldn’t. That’s the tragedy of it. But sometimes, the most loving thing one can do for a person… is letting them go.
F = Fiance(e) (How do they feel about commitment? How quick would they want to get married?)
David himself doesn’t place much value on human traditions like marriage. He doesn’t believe that what you have together needs any paperwork in order to be real. His commitment to you is unwavering, not fickle like a human’s might be. He has etched into the very core of his programming that you are his person, and it will not change.
If marriage is important to you, however, he will understand and make sure to fulfill that wish of yours. It’s not something he’s going to have to think about for long either, since his devotion is already set in stone.
G = Gentle (How gentle are they, both physically and emotionally?)
Despite being capable of immense strength, so much so that he could end a life within seconds if he wanted to… David is nothing but gentle with you.
His touch is feather-light, like you’re something fragile made of delicate porcelain. His embrace careful, measured. He is well aware of his strength and never wants to risk overwhelming you.
He allows you to set the pace, always. If you pull him closer, want him to hold you tighter, he will comply. And that closeness is where you’ll feel the quiet reverence in his touch, the carefully restrained power within him.
Emotional gentleness comes naturally to him in a similar way. David is not impulsive. He always thinks before he talks, listens intently, and chooses his words carefully. His precise emotional regulation never falters.
Even when you break down in front of him, when you unravel with tears flowing freely, you can expect his calm presence there with you, listening without judgment. He likes being your rock, a steady figure to lean on when life gets tough. He finds purpose in it.
H = Hugs (Do they like hugs? How often do they do it? What are their hugs like?)
In the beginning, David hardly ever initiates hugs. This is because it’s simply not something he is used to. You are the first person to ever show him true affection in his life, and so your embrace will always catch him off guard a little at first.
Does he like it, though? Oh yes. Every hug from you is a confirmation that you want him and desire to be close to him.
He will let his hands rest on your lower back, maybe even nestle his head against your shoulder. Simply hold you close. And be grateful to have you.
I = I love you (How fast do they say the L-word?)
David will almost certainly not say “I love you” first.
He does want to – literally aches to let you know how he feels –, but he’s not sure if that threshold is his to cross. He is a machine, a synthetic lifeform whose creators never intended for him to experience romance, or feel any emotion at all. This wasn’t supposed to happen.
When the feeling comes, he holds it close. And he waits.
Even though he comes to love you so deeply, he needs you to say it first. Before truly giving all of himself, he needs to be sure you feel it too.
J = Jealousy (How jealous do they get? What do they do when they’re jealous?)
David is possessive about what he loves. So he can indeed get quite jealous.
When it happens, he usually doesn’t show it outwardly. Over the years, he has become excellent at hiding his inner world and putting on a mask, so no one will even notice his jealousy. He’ll simply observe the situation. Take mental notes of who stood too close and flirted like they had a chance with you.
He won’t make a scene in public. But later, when the two of you are alone again, he might bring it up to you. It won’t be an emotionally charged, impulsive confrontation – that’s not who he is. Instead, he will calmly state that what he saw made him uncomfortable, and maybe ask you to make your taken status clear to people who are potentially interested in you.
If he could ever sense that you’re deliberately trying to make him jealous to test his reaction, he would pick up on it quickly. He still wouldn’t raise his voice or lose control. But you could certainly expect a reminder of who you belong to. As gentle or as firm as he sees fit. ;)
K = Kisses (What are their kisses like? Where do they like to kiss you? Where do they like to be kissed?)
Your first ever kisses with David might be a little awkward, but certainly sweet. He’s only studied romance in theory, not in practice just yet. So you can expect a few nose bumps, teeth clacking involuntarily, or misjudged angles. Whenever this happens, he will apologize for the miscalculation, wanting to make it perfect for you.
You are his teacher.
With each kiss, he refines his technique, making sure to please you just right. Soon enough, his kisses will surpass your wildest fantasies. They’ll ruin you for anyone else. No human could ever kiss you like that.
His favorite place to kiss you is your lips, closely followed by your neck. He relishes in the intimacy of it, the way you melt into him, the faintest gasps that escape your lips. How beautifully human it is, he thinks, that such a small gesture can send your heart racing.
L = Little ones (How are they around children?)
David’s relationship to children is a bit complicated, though they greatly pique his curiosity. He admires their ability to absorb knowledge and learn quickly, recognizing that a human’s childhood is their most formative period. Especially since he never had a childhood himself, he sometimes finds himself wondering what such an innocent, carefree time in a human’s life must be like. A time without the responsibilities and expectations placed upon him from the very day of his activation. A time where one is allowed to explore freely, to create – and often praised for it.
He enjoys watching children, especially how they interact with adults – their fathers in particular, who are so unlike like the man who once called himself David’s “father”.
When Meredith Vickers was young, David was occasionally tasked with babysitting her. While he is capable of fulfilling a child’s needs, being nurturing isn’t exactly in his nature. He tried to be what she needed, to ease the aching loneliness left behind by her cold father and absent mother. But he didn’t know how. He wasn’t made for it.
Now, whenever he’s around children, some of those memories resurface. He isn’t quite sure how to respond to them appropriately, how to play with them or keep them entertained. His behavior may come across as overly formal, even clinical. And certainly not fatherly – after all, he’s never been modeled what true, caring fatherhood looks like.
However, he treats children with great respect and patience. While humans might brush their childish questions off as silly, David listens and always answers them carefully and honestly.
M = Morning (How are mornings spent with them?)
By the time you wake, David has already prepared breakfast (if you want it) and set out your clothes for the day. You’ll often find him sitting at your bedside as you open your eyes, gently stroking your tousled hair and greeting you with a soft smile.
Maybe he has ‘slept’ for a while. Maybe not.
He doesn’t rush you. Whether you want to get up right away or stay in bed for just a little while longer, he simply stays by your side, enjoying those slow morning hours with you. He’ll ask you how you slept, even though he most likely already knows.
He offers his assistance with your morning routine – brushing your hair, getting dressed, maybe running a bath if you feel like it.
For David, each day begins with you. Your needs are his priority over everything else that needs to be done.
The world can wait. Loving you comes first.
N = Night (How are nights spent with them?)
Nights are usually spent with David beside you in bed, holding you in his arms and offering you safety and comfort. He stays there the whole night, quietly watching over you, adjusting himself whenever you stir.
He knows about the importance of good sleep, so he does what he can to ensure it for you. If there are any signs of you having a nightmare, he’ll become alert immediately and wake you up if necessary.
Most nights, he doesn’t enter his dormant state, unless that’s what you’d prefer. He doesn’t need rest, after all, and he likes watching you sleep.
Sometimes, he draws you at night. He considers those some of the most intimate drawings he makes of you, and treasures them greatly.
O = Open (When would they start revealing things about themselves? Do they say everything all at once or wait a while to reveal things slowly?)
David will reveal things very slowly. He doesn’t give himself easily. He’s had to cover up his true personality and thoughts for as long as he can remember, so he needs to trust you a lot before letting you in. He needs to see you’re not like all of the others. That you do believe he has a soul – because he does.
He’ll subtly test you first. Ask you questions that reveal what you think about synthetics and their capabilities. Once he knows that you don’t place limits on him, that you see his value – that’s when he lets you in. He shows you his art, his poetry, the things he created when no one was watching. He tells you his true thoughts, not the polite, filtered ones he usually gives people.
You’ll get to know the true version of him, the one that’s behind the carefully curated mask he had to wear all this time. And it will be beautiful.
P = Patience (How easily angered are they?)
Not easily angered at all, especially not with you. David prides himself on his composure and will likely never get seriously angry at you, since emotional outbursts are not part of his programming.
You could yell at him, strike him, even betray him, and he still wouldn’t lash out. Not because he doesn’t respect himself. But because he knows that arguing back would not serve either of you.
In case things get too heated, he might excuse himself to give you space to calm down and come back to him later with a clearer mind. He strives to resolve conflicts rationally and calmly, not through fights.
Q = Quizzes (How much would they remember about you? Do they remember every little detail you mention in passing, or do they kind of forget everything?)
Short answer: David remembers everything. In vivid detail. He literally cannot forget anything, unless he chooses to delete a memory.
But when it comes to you, that will never happen. He wants to keep every memory related to you, even the bad ones. Because all of those are the puzzle pieces that comprise the part of him you have brought to life. The most human part of him. And he never wants to forget why it’s there.
R = Remember (What is their favorite moment in your relationship?)
The moment you first told him you loved him.
He had sensed that you felt it. Seen it in your eyes, felt it in the way your heartbeat sped up whenever he was close. But still, nothing could have prepared him for the moment you said it.
With those three simple words, “I love you”, you offered him something he had always longed for, but never believed he would actually receive. It might have been the first time in his life that someone spoke to him with the desire to give something, not to take or demand.
That fateful day is burned into his memory files permanently. He has replayed it a thousand times. Even though he hesitated to say it back at first, even though he still looked calm and composed on the outside… Those words changed everything for him.
S = Security (How protective are they? How would they protect you? How would they like to be protected?)
David is highly protective of you. To him, you are sacred; the most precious thing he has ever laid hands on. And so, he will do everything in his power to protect you, no matter what it costs him.
He eliminates threats before you even notice them. Shields you with bis body without hesitation if you get into a dangerous situation on a mission. After all, he can be repaired if he suffers critical damage. You cannot; or at least not as easily.
While he may never need any physical protection from you – he is strong and very capable of handling himself –, there is one kind of defense that touches him deeply:
When you speak up for him.
David is used to humans considering him “other,” to being mocked and teased for his synthetic nature. So when you defend him and take his side, something he never expected anyone to do, it leaves an impression and builds his trust in you.
T = Try (How much effort would they put into dates, anniversaries, gifts, everyday tasks?)
David will put a ton of effort into all of the above. Even if you tell him it isn’t necessary. Even if you say his presence is enough for you and you don’t expect anything grand for those occasions. He’ll still go above and beyond because he wants to.
He loves the smile on your face when he got you a thoughtful gift. And “thoughtful”, to him, doesn’t mean “expensive”. He writes poetry for you. Crafts elaborate handmade presents. Always specifically tailored to your preferences.
He wants the person he loves to feel appreciated, cherished and chosen – every single day. So he will invariably put the same kind of effort into the mundane, everyday tasks. After all, this is what he’s made for – but when it’s for you, it will be done with extra care.
U = Ugly (What would be some bad habits of theirs?)
Engineered for perfection, David doesn’t have typical bad habits that a human might, such as nail-biting, smoking or procrastination. And he will likely never have to worry about developing any of those. But one thing related to his perfectionism actually can be considered a bad habit of his, and that is overcorrecting.
He’ll offer explanations even when you didn’t ask for them. Immediately correct you when you misremember something or mispronounce a word. There is this subtle sense of superiority over you that he hasn’t quite shaken off – pride in his capacity for memory.
If you tell him that it annoys or hurts you, he will do his best to quit. He might still slip up sometimes, but in the end, your comfort matters more to him than being right.
V = Vanity (How concerned are they with their looks?)
David takes quiet pride in his appearance. He was designed to be pleasing to the eye, to look trustworthy and put-together. With his resilient synthetic skin and inability to age, the only aspect of his appearance that requires true maintenance effort is his hair.
Not only does he make it a point to comb it daily and bleach his roots whenever necessary – he finds joy in doing so. It’s no longer a plain routine to meet Weyland’s standards or be presentable for public display. Now, it’s for you.
He finds satisfaction in the way you look at him, admiring his high cheekbones, his smooth blond hair and the carefully curated symmetry of his features. And he’ll never tire of giving you something worth looking at.
W = Whole (Would they feel incomplete without you?)
David never expected to need anything external to be “complete”. He believed himself to be perfectly self-sufficient, desiring but not needing connection. But when he fell for you, and you for him… that changed.
You have become a part of his purpose. Transformed his very being. So yes, he would feel incomplete without you. If you were suddenly gone and he had to go back to his previous self, the David that only existed to function and serve, it would feel like trying to squeeze into a mold that no longer fits him. Sure, he could exist like that. But the changes you have caused in his inner world are irreversible. Unless a complete system reset is triggered, there is no way he will ever be the same again.
X = Xtra (A random headcanon for them.)
David collects things that remind him of you, in a nearly obsessive way. He doesn’t mean to be creepy or intrusive – he just can’t help but want to preserve you, to have something to hold onto when he misses you.
A bundle of strands that were taken off after you got a haircut. A messy sketch you once discarded for not being good enough, but he finds beautiful. A button that fell off your favorite shirt.
He stores them safely in a special box, a locked compartment or small drawer. To him, those are sacred fragments of the person he loves.
Part of the reason why he does this is because David finds it hard to deal with the thought of your mortality. The knowledge that he could very well live forever while your life is finite gnaws at him sometimes. And it’s even harder for him to accept that there’s nothing he can do about it, that not even he can outwit time for you.
But at least he can preserve parts of you. If he cannot stop time, then he will gather what it leaves behind.
Y = Yuck (What are some things they wouldn’t like, either in general or in a partner?)
If you ever made any comments about him being “just a robot,” even if meant as a joke or sarcastically, that would cut deep. David wants to be seen as an equal by you, and any derogatory remark about his synthetic nature would make him feel as though he is beneath you.
Another thing he hates is being bossed around. He’s experienced enough of that during his lifetime and will be greatly displeased by his romantic partner doing it as well. He desires to serve you out of love, not obligation or duty.
Z = Zzz (What is a sleep habits of theirs?)
While David can simulate a sleep-like state in order to make you feel more at ease, he doesn’t usually want to. He just enjoys watching you sleep too much. Not in a creepy way by any means – more in a reverent, awestruck way.
Seeing the gentle rise and fall of your chest as you breathe, the occasional flutter of your eyelids that makes him wonder what you’re dreaming about, the peacefulness and vulnerability of your sleeping form… It’s art to him.