Love.exe

“What do you mean? You were attacked?” I asked, horrified. I rose and went to grab a damp washcloth and Band-Aid. When I returned he looked at me confused.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“I’m tending to your injury.” I held his cheek and carefully dabbed at the bloody wound on his cheek. “Will you heal, or do I need to take you in to be repaired?”

“It will heal, just like a human.” He cocked his head. “My creator worked for two decades to create skin-like circuits that can act like real skin. It’s made from a combination of gel-like hydrogel, lab-made materials, or natural materials like collagen, gelatin, and others. When damaged it can bounce back to regular form after self-healing. I can feel the same sensations that a human feels on its skin, although there is no need for me to moisturize like a human would.”

I grimaced. “I see. So then, if it’s like human skin, you feel pain?”

He nodded. “Oh, yes. I feel pain, but it’s okay.”

“Says who?” I frowned.

He appeared stumped by my question. “I don’t know that I have an answer for you, Eric.”

I sighed. “If your creator was going to let you be harmed without anyone caring he shouldn’t have made you able to feel pain.”

“But if I couldn’t feel pain, I couldn’t feel pleasure. I’m an android designed to give pleasure. By being able to feel pain I’m better at giving pleasure.”

“Still.” I cleared my throat because his comment made me feel slightly aroused.

He studied me looking puzzled. “You seem very concerned, Eric. Please don’t be. I’m fine. I shall heal and all will be well. I won’t be a burden, I promise.”

“I’m not worried about you being a burden. I don’t like that you can feel pain.”

He shrugged. “I don’t mind. It makes me feel more human and I like the idea of that.”

“Do you?” I laughed.

“Yes. Humans are so intriguing. And it’s fascinating how you love one another. I’d like to be human.”

“You only think that because you’re not human,” I muttered. “It’s no cup of tea, Sloot. Emotions can be very painful.”

“I see.” He wrinkled his brow. “I’ll make a note of it.”

I finished cleaning him, and was about to put a Band-Aid on when he grabbed my hand. “Please, I don’t like those things.”

“Why not?”

“They hurt when you pull them off.” He swallowed, and his Adam’s apple bobbed as he stared at the little sticky Band-Aid in my hand.

I laughed. “Are you serious?”

He nodded. “I’d rather not wear it.”

I quirked one brow. “I thought you didn’t mind pain because it made you feel more human?”

His smile was sheepish. “Why listen to me? I’m just a silly android.”

My lips twitched. “I won’t put the Band-Aid on if you don’t want.”

He relaxed. “Thank you.”