Star Trek x reader fanfiction

Sleep: Data x Male!Reader

prompt: cuddling with data

just a little idea i had in my head for awhile
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"(Y/n), why do you insist on laying like this?" Data inquired, staying in position despite his confusion.

I rubbed my thumb against Data's cheek and nuzzled my face into his shoulder, "It feels good,"

Data thought on that for a few seconds.

"I am glad my body is comfortable to your liking," Data hummed, still stagnant.

"No, no," I giggled, "I mean emotionally. I feel happy from laying like this with you."

"Ah! Does this have to do with the human activity of 'cuddling'?"

"Right on point! Good job," I closed my eyes, thinking that was the end of it and trying to enjoy this rare moment of off time we both had together.

I shifted so that my arm was lying haphazardly over Data's chest and my torso was leaning into Data's side, his own arm wrapped around my shoulder.

"I have searched my data banks for information on 'cuddling' and i have found that this activity would be more satisfactory if the room temperature was below average and a thick blanket were to cover us both," Data stated, moving to get up. I whined at the action.

"Dataaa," I whined, "not everything has to be at peak comfort,"

Data looked down at me, a blank look of confusion on his face, "I wish to make you as comfortable as possible... You may attribute this to my research of human nature if it helps."

I pouted, spreading out on the bed, "Well I guess..." I flopped on my side to look at Data, who was messing with the temperature, "But what if I wanted to attribute it to you caring about me?" A bold move.

Data turned to look at me, "You may do that if you wish,". No reaction.

I looked back up at the ceiling. Why did I have to always fall for the emotionally unavailable ones? Literally. Data is incapable of human emotion.

Soon, Data returned with a fluffy gray blanket, "I hope this is satisfactory to your needs," he murmured, taking his own spot back and placing the blanket over the two of us.

I returned to my previous position under Data's arm and purred at the sudden warmth. He felt like walking into a heated house after a walk in the fall.

"You're so warm, Data," I said, attaching myself further to the android.

"Yes, I raised my internal temperature to 98° as to comfort you further," He buzzed.

"Maybe you doing your research isn't as bad as I previously thought..."

I felt myself begun to drift off, Data's comforting warmth lulling me further into sleep. The soft drone of both Data's internal workings and the Enterprise acting as ambiance. I hardly noticed Data rubbing my arm gently as I fell asleep, the only thing on my mind being if Data could actually feel emotions such as love and empathy. Maybe he could.