From Your Wires to Your Core

Material Analysis

"The phck are you doing, Toaster?" Reed asked tiredly as he appeared at the bottom of the stairs. Something in the zero model's chest lurched as he looked at Reed's ruffled form. His hair was fluffed and out of place. The T-shirt sat uneven on his slim hips, and his delicate hipbones jutted above the low waistline of his grey sweats. It was a good thing the zero model was already mute. He didn't think he'd be able to speak as Reed rubbed his tired green eyes and stumbled his way over to the kitchen.

I thought you would be hungry, so I started breakfast. The zero model was quietly worried by the stuttering feeling in his chest. It was like his thirium pump had malfunctioned. He ran a quick diagnostic, but all systems were functioning normally. Something was wrong. How could his systems be running normally when he felt like this? I should consult Connor. He's sure to know. It was a reasonable assumption. Connor was a year older than him. He returned his attention to the frying pan as he mused. Connor had risen to the role of older brother and offered him advice on most things. He'd also helped him to adjust to being outside Cyberlife Tower.

"Can you even cook? You're not a domestic model." Reed felt bad as the zero model's eyes dropped slightly. "I appreciate it though! It's thoughtful." He was somewhat reluctant to upset his new companion. When the phck did I get so soft for these things? He figured it was right around the time he'd first seen the zero model trembling in terror beneath the workbench. Those blue eyes did weird things to him. He was so new and vulnerable that Gavin just found himself wanting to look out for him a little.

It is my first attempt, but I did download quite a few extra programs while I was at Cyberlife Tower. The zero model was grateful for the guidance he'd been given. Simon, Josh, and Connor had been so helpful. There were so many things outside of his original programming that they'd suggested may be useful. Physical relaxation techniques, sparring programs, cooking, cleaning, drawing, needlework, muscle therapy, and even sexual subroutines. There were many more, of course, and some he'd tried and discarded already. It would take a while to figure out which things he actually liked to do. Cooking seemed to be one of them.

"What sort of programs?" Reed asked curiously as he watched the zero model plating up what looked like perfectly cooked bacon and eggs. The zero model seemed surprised that he was interested. His blue eyes warmed at the question. Reed was surprised, too. He'd never taken this sort of interest in Connor, nor had he taken an interest in anyone else really. Besides Tina, but Tina was special.

A few...I believe I enjoy cooking. He put the plate on the breakfast bar in front of Reed, along with a knife and fork. He tried not to watch too intently as he cut into an egg and watched the yellow of the yolk pool across the plate. The zero model busied himself getting the toast before turning on the coffee machine. How do you like your coffee? He hoped he'd be able to get it just right.

"Just black...Black and strong," Reed replied as he dipped the golden toast into the runny yolk. The zero model watched curiously as he brought it to his lips with a crunch. Green met blue. Reed's eyes widened a fraction as he registered he was staring. Properly staring. The zero model realised he'd lingered too long and turned awkwardly towards the coffee machine. He ran the Americano setting before adding a shot of espresso. "Thanks," Reed murmured as he accepted the large white mug, surprised by how good it tasted as he drank. His eyes fluttered in contentment.

Is it good? Should I change anything next time? The zero model seemed eager to please as he hovered in anticipation. Reed was a little taken aback by that eagerness. No one had ever been this focused on gaining his approval before. For anything. People didn't do nice things for Gavin Reed. It was unnatural, in an almost uncomfortable sort of way. It was also sweet. Maybe too sweet for a guy like him.