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Andre’s hair was always bright. Ever since he began to live with Collin, it was one of the first things Collin noticed. He'd typically wake up to Andre doing something whether it be drawing, running around in the yard (for some reason), cleaning, or cooking. But he'd always notice Andre's bright hair.
So when it began to fade, he worried. It had been a few months since his escape from the admins. Andre had begun to pull at his hair. It concerned him. Collin had begun to notice some other behaviors too.
That's how he found out Andre was afraid of thunder. The rain had turned into a
thunderstorm outside, and Collin was out. He didn't think much of it. The robot had barely crossed his mind while he was out. The player had gone out to get food, as he was running dangerously low on it. He really needed to start a farm. When he walked back to his home, he didn't take notice of the lights all being completely on. Why would he?
“Andre, I'm home. I've got food.” Collin called out, not expecting much of a reply. Andre had always been avoidant of conversations, typically gesturing or typing one word answers in chat. Collin didn't ask for much, he knew the robot was simple.
But he didn't even get greeted like normal. Andre was nowhere to be seen. Weird, he thought to himself. He began to worry. Andre wasn't typically the type to run off anymore, the robot usually preferred to stay by Collin's side. So this really did concern Collin.
He climbed downstairs in search of Andre, and found what he was looking for in a sense. He found the robot shaking and clutching his leg and head in fear, curled up in the corner. His hair, a dull teal color, was matted and wet. Collin stared for a good moment before speaking.
“Hey you uh. You alright man?” Fuck, why did he ask that? Obviously not.
He didn't expect a squeak to come from the terrified figure in front of him, much less a stare back. He looked like a frightened animal, the only visible eye wide and his fingers dug into his head. He looked in rough shape, small clumps of his hair on the ground next to him
“What's wrong? Is it the thunder outside or something?” Collin had no clue how to comfort someone, much less a robot who could barely respond to him. He felt relieved when Andre nodded. He felt even more relieved when he made little grabby hands at him.
Collin rushed over to Andre's side, discarding his raincoat in favor of not damaging the robot with how wet the coat was. Now that the player had a better look, Andre seemed to be shaking and sobbing. Poor guy, Collin thought. He ignored the softness of the entire interaction, in favor of making sure the robot was safe.
The moment he sat down at the robot's side, Andre threw himself into Collin's arms. Collin sat there in shock for a moment, but reciprocated the embrace after a bit. He rubbed the robot's back soothingly. Ignoring how Andre nuzzled into his neck, and the dizzy feeling it gave him. He ignored the dust of red on his face when he felt Andre's breath on his neck. And definitely didn't hold his breath when Andre hugged him tighter.
Andre and him sat there for a moment, enjoying the other's presence. That was until he heard something he hadn't ever heard before. A raspy, robotic-edged voice spoke out.
“Sorry. Threw myself onto you, sorry” Andre began to sob again. Collin shook his head with a fake frustration. “No, No. Don't apologize. If I hadn't been okay with it I would've pushed you off and told you to die by now, right?” Collin tried to joke around, a poor attempt to lighten the mood. It seemed to have worked, as he heard the other let out a small chuckle.
“I suppose.” Andre's voice was beautiful. Collin could barely focus on anything besides the honey-laced tone of the robot snuggled into his neck. Collin felt like he was gasping for air. Fuck, this was gay. Like, super gay.
He felt Andre slump against his shoulder. The poor guy must be tired. He also stared at the robot's matted and faded hair. He hadn't been taking care of himself, it was obvious. He had an idea, but he wasn't sure how it would work with Andre being a robot and all. It was worth bringing up though.
“Hey, Andre. When did you last have your hair washed? I think I can probably figure out something to dye your hair, too.”
Andre perked up at that. He looked to be thinking, and then nodded. “I'd like that. I am unsure how it'd work with..” He trailed off. Right, Andre hates that he isn't human. He didn't completely forget, but it didn't cross his mind every second.
“We'll figure it out. I can run a bath and sit in there, maybe you can sit on the outside or something. I can put a towel or something down and I can wash your hair from the bath, yea?” Collin rambled as he thought of what to do, unconsciously running his hands through the robot's hair.
Andre nodded, wobbling a little as he sat up. Collin stood up after a second, watching as the robot struggled to get on his feet. The player sighed, scooping Andre in his arms. Andre's fans began to whirr, and if Collin wasn't so tired he would've sworn he was wagging his tail.
He carried the robot over to the basement bathroom, turning on the light and depositing Andre onto the floor in front of the tub. He also turned to begin to run some warm water, running it on his hand and then plugging the drain.
He awkwardly removed his clothes, feeling a little embarrassed as he stepped into the warm water. Andre seemed intent on watching the player, blinking occasionally. Collin sighed as the water washed over him, the warmth bringing him comfort. He smiled as he looked over at the robot next to him, relishing in the soft look in his visible eye.
It was a nice feeling to care for someone else. He hummed as he washed Andre’s hair, his fingertips grazing the metal of his skin. He didn’t care enough to question how any of this worked. He was focused on taking care of the robot, who had stopped shaking a bit ago.
When he finished washing Andre’s hair, he didn’t even realize. He was so caught up in the warm, fuzzy feeling he hadn’t noticed he was done. He also definitely didn’t smile like a fucking idiot when Andre kissed his cheek.
Wait. Kissed his cheek? He began to snap back to consciousness when he felt Andre pepper kisses on his face, the robot smiling against his skin. “Andre- what are you doing dude?” Collin panicked a little. He didn’t like this at all. Totally. Yea.
“Do you want me to stop?” Andre’s tone was laced with something, he swears it. He looked off to the side, shaking his head.
“At least let me get dressed. You can sleep in my bed tonight I guess.” Collin mumbled, unsure if the robot would be able to hear him. Andre nodded, backing away from Collin. He took it as a chance to slip out of the tub and get dressed. He took note of the robot’s charger-tail-thing swaying back and fourth, smiling as he helped Andre up.
Without saying a word, he scooped the robot into his arms and carried him bridal style out of the bathroom. Andre squeaked at him, but relaxed eventually and nuzzled his shoulder. He was a bit disappointed when he had to put him down to climb up the ladder, but it wasn’t too big of a deal.
After fishing out some pajamas that he didn’t wear much out of his drawer for Andre, the two ended up entangled in bed. Andre began to purr while Collin ran his hand through the other’s hair, smiling down at the sleepy robot nuzzled into his chest. It felt nice, peaceful even. The storm outside had come to a downpour with the thunder being gone. He began to shut his eyes, hearing the other power off into sleep mode.
He had one final thought before he slept. Maybe I am gay for the robot.