Just Human Things

Just Human Things (Requested)

"Ok, so what did you want to learn first?" You asked. Sitting down on your couch, leaving some space for the android to sit beside or one cushion over from you.
S34N was still very tense. Even if Android's had good posture, you could tell it wasn't the "straight back" type of stature.

S34N was patched up and the little LED circle on his temple was glowing blue. A much better colour than the warning yellow he was flashing the entire ride over to your home.
His expressionless gaze searched your home. And you patiently waited for him to finish whatever diagnostics he was running. He was, after-all, fresh out of a fight with some other Human's.
He was lucky you were walking that route tonight, or who knows what would have happened to him.

He was tense. Scared. Cautious. No doubt he was feelings these emotions for the first time and it was confusing him greatly.
"If it makes you feel better, you can have a look around my house. You're not the only Android that's stayed here for a night or two. I understand... how difficult it can be to trust a Human after being mistreated by others."

S34N looked at you. His blue light, which flickered to yellow when you spoke, was duller now. A more relaxed air seemed to surround him and S34N nodded, a stiff, manufactured smile stretching his lips.
"Thank you. But it would be rude of me to search your house when you've been so kind as to take me in."

"It's no trouble really." You said, happy S34N was starting to simmer down. "Do you want me to fix up that cut? It looks deep."

S34N, suddenly realising that he was bleeding, lifted a hand to touch the wound. The cut ran along his eyebrow, just above his eye. Even though he was made of metal and circuits, it definitely looked painful.
As he rubbed the blue blood between his fingers, almost curiously. S34N shook his head.

"Thank you, but I can do it. Do you have a medical kit?"

You nodded and stood, taking slow movements when you noticed S34N tense again. Like you told him, he wasn't the first Android you rescued from abusive Human owners.
You once had an Android, but the upkeep on such a machine wasn't exactly fitting into your low budget work schedules. Even if you felt bad about returning the Android to the shop, you couldn't keep them.
But now, after coming across your first Deviant and looking after them for a few weeks. You did everything in your power to help any Android you came across that needed help.

You returned from the bathroom with the medical supplies. Placing them on the coffee table, a bit away from you and taking your seat on the couch again. Leaving it up to S34N to take it.
Once he did, and started to patch himself up; you decided it was now or never to ask the big question.
"Have you deviated?"

The look on S34N's face told you everything.
The shock.
The horror.
The confusion.
All wrapped up in the poor Android's circuits. If he was showing that much emotion, he definitely has. But like so many others, he didn't know how to deal with that information.

S23N swallowed thickly. A mimicry of a nervous gesture he's seen his previous owner do.
"I...I don't know."

"You hurt one of the Humans who attacked you." You stated softly. Keeping your voice soft and as non-threatening as you could.

"N-Not on purpose!" S34N stuttered. His LED flashed red and you raised your hand in a calming gesture. Letting him breath for a moment, concentrate on keeping himself from getting too worked up. "I just got so angry. I didn't do anything and... and they attacked me. I had done nothing to them."

You sighed and nodded. "Some people are just cruel to what they don't understand. But until they do understand, you'll need to know how to blend in with Humans. And first thing's first, that little light on your temple? It needs to be removed."

S34N's eyes went wide. The now clean fingers touched the light on his skin. It was turning yellow and you cooed softly, trying to calm him.
"I promise you, it doesn't hurt. But those LED's are the first thing people notice, and its the first thing you'll be attacked for. S34N, I cannot stop you from leaving this house. You can leave anytime you want. But I cannot help you if you don't let me."

S34N watched you for a long moment. His fingers never leaving the flashing light on his head.
He somehow knew that it was the right thing to do. To remove the thing that kept him trapped inside a Human's judgemental ignorance.
Other Androids, the same people that have helped him get away from his previous home, all had theirs removed.
But to be in the position, to be in the moment of being freed... S34N wasn't sure what he was feeling.
But it felt right.

"Would you like me to remove it for you?" You asked softly.
And S34N nodded, almost immediately. He wanted this. He wanted to walk on the streets and not get stared at. To feel a little safer and have that little extra camouflage while he tried to help others that were in situations like his.

"Yes. Please."

You nodded and stood from your seat. Coming over to stand beside S34N as he placed the medical kit back down onto the table and take a seat in the couch. Allowing you easier access to the thing on the side of his head.
"Ready?" You asked. And when S34N nodded, you dug your fingers into the edges of the LED. S34N winced, tugging a little against the LED until it came free with a small spark and a pop of electricity.
You stepped back as S34N felt the now clean area of his temple as the fake skin crawled over it, giving the impression that nothing had been there.
He looked at you. Multiple emotions flying through his green eyes as you held out the now dead LED to him.

"You can leave if you want. But I can keep helping you learn how to be more... Human. At least to have you pass as one." You said with a small smile. Letting a sliver of humour drip into your words.
S34N glanced at the door, then down to the LED in his palm. He grunted and his fingers flexed into a fist, crushing the metal thing between his palm.

"I'd like to stay here. If that is ok. I.. I need a little help being more... Human."