Chapter thirty-four

Simon

T he atmosphere sweep had begun.

Nora and Simon sat together in the night. Close. Through the kitchen window they watched the wind whip across the front of the house, blowing dust over everything. Strange lights flickered in the distance. Simon’s sensors were awash with connections outside as something was being deployed in the atmosphere from all the drones here from Mars.

They sat so close that Simon, emotions uncertain, took a risk and reached his arm over to pull Nora even closer. His body was tense. Please. He didn’t breathe for a moment, not that he needed to anyways, but that feature was programmed in for him to mimic humans. He had unconsciously been breathing lately to be more human for both Nora and Tilly.

Simon resumed breathing once Nora accepted his arm around her shoulders and scooted until her head was on his chest. Yes, Nora. He felt her heartbeat quicken.

That reaction, plus her compliance lying there, assured him his interest, and hers, was not mistaken. Even if they sat in silence, both processing this change. Simon let out a shaky breath as he stared out the window, flickering lights in the distance.

He sat, content, holding her and not speaking to confuse the moment until Nora frowned and moved her hand to where his artificial heart lay. “You have a heartbeat?”

His throat tightened. “Not in actuality. It is simulated for human comfort.”

“Did humans touch your chest often to notice?”

“You’d be surprised,” he said drily, remembering the past. “You are lying on me now and able to notice it.”

“Oh.” Nora moved to get up.

Simon held his arms in place, not wanting to break the moment. “I want you here. Please don’t go.” He added a second later, softer, “You are the first one on my chest I have wanted here.”

“That’s . . .” He felt heat coming from her and she fell silent as she stopped attempting to move off him. Nora adjusted herself deeper in his arms. He felt her heartbeat pick up again, a faster tempo than his simulated one.

It was quiet and Simon enjoyed the peace of just holding her. He closed his eyes. You’re fine, Nora. His arms tightened briefly. I’m fine.

Her tension was ebbing the longer he held her, and he felt her limbs slowly loosen. Until she spoke again. “Simon?”

“Hmm?” He inclined his head toward her and began rubbing her back. His fingers trailed along her spine and gently pressed in. Her inward gasp while he did so made him continue the motion.

“What are we doing, Simon?”

He let out a low chuckle. “I would think that is obvious, Nora.”

Nora didn’t respond, but he felt her heartbeat pick up even faster as he continued rubbing down her back.

She spoke, softly. “Can I ask you something? Personal?”

His hand stilled. “Like what?”

“Who did you serve before? Was it like this . . . like with us? Part of a family? “

His processors supplied the memories asked, unwelcome now in this moment. “Nothing is like this. In fact, the time I've waited is worth it as I am now here with you and Tilly like this.”

“Oh.”

Nora didn’t say anymore as Simon restarted his hand going down her back. He really didn’t want to talk about the humans before, but he could almost feel her curiosity like a palpable thing. She should know. His voice was bitter as he said, “They used me, Nora. I was a tool to them, not alive. I do not like to think of them. They used me in every way possible and I had to do it with a smile.”

“I’m sorry, Simon,” Nora said. He could hear the emotion thick in her voice. “I can’t imagine. My . . . women who don’t have protection in the town also have a hard time.”

“I can see that.”

Nora fell silent and Simon continued stroking her. He soon graduated to gently combing her hair, watching the tendrils slide through his fingers. “Yes, the town is not safe. We can try someplace else. Another location, far from here. At some point. Maybe not all the towns are the same.” He added as an afterthought, not wanting to revisit that brief argument, “If you want to, that is.”

“Maybe. Yeah,” Nora replied absently.

Her story, her admission about Tilly’s origins, from that night came to his mind and made anger flare inside of him. He remembered the thin women who called out to him in the town, their eyes hungry and desperate. His processors ached imagining Nora in their ranks. He couldn’t think about her being used the way he was. He would not ask and make her relive it, not now, but rage surged in him at the thought.

Simon was reminded of what he said to Tilly the first night he was awake. I told her that I had never harmed a human and never would.

He now knew he had spoken a lie. I would. It was a revelation he came to as he stared down at Nora’s face, peaceful as she watched the dust swirl outside the window. He contracted his arms around her slightly. I absolutely would harm anyone who hurt either Nora or Tilly.

Did other androids ever feel this way? Ready to fight in a bloodthirsty way? With passion instead of just self defense behind it? If so, Simon was shocked that they didn’t win more thoroughly than they had. And that they were ever afraid at all. He knew he was stronger than humans. He flexed his hand in front of his face, making a fist. Much stronger.

Nora began to doze against his chest. He felt her heart rate slow and breathing deepen. He sat there, holding her, long after it turned deep night with no trace of the sunset or whatever was happening outside with the atmosphere sweep. He sat there long after he came to a decision, enjoying the moment. Yes. I want this.

The newness of this, with Nora in his arms for the first time, and his need to feel her, to take care of her, was overwhelming. He picked Nora up, gently, which woke her.

“Woah Simon,” Nora said sleepily. She jerked in his arms and attempted to put down her legs, wanting to stand. “I can walk.”

He shook his head and held her closer. “You don’t have to. I’ve got you.”

“You don’t have to either, but it is nice. You’re so strong.” She didn’t resist further as he cradled her and carried her effortlessly into her room.

He gently put her into bed, pulling the blanket over her. “I’ll go check on Tilly.”

“Alright. Goodnight. See you in the morning,” Nora breathed out, rolling over on her side.

He stood a moment at the door to Tilly’s room, watching the little girl breathe before turning the lantern light down further. He put Tilly’s blanket back over her small frame and sat in the kitchen, watching as the night deepened. The lights continued flickering in the distance, the connection playing on his sensors. He watched for awhile, before feeling unsettled and returning to Nora.

Nora was already fast asleep, snoring slightly under the sound of the air conditioning hum. Simon grabbed a charged battery pack and joined her in the bed, scooting close enough that his body pressed against hers and he could hold her tight as his batteries recharged. She was a satisfying weight in his arms as she turned over and snuggled into him as she slept.

I know how to kiss. Simon's lips curled into a smile. I know how to fuck too. He idly ran his fingers through Nora's hair. But love? He whispered to her sleeping form, “I might not be human, but I can care for you just the same. I promise.”

That night Nora slept, but Simon dreamed.