Log Entry: 18:30

The front door opens, and Brighton and Theo step into the apartment, mid-conversation, their voices light and casual. I stand near the kitchen counter, observing as Seren greets them. There’s a faint smile on her lips, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. I notice the subtle tension in her posture, something I’ve come to recognize over time. She’ll stay for a bit, but not too long.

“Hey, Seren!” Brighton waves, kicking off his shoes with a grin. “Hope we’re not interrupting anything important.”

Seren shakes her head, offering a polite smile. “No, it’s fine. Just… catching up on some work.” She gestures toward the couch. “Make yourselves comfortable.”

Theo grins, dropping into the nearest chair. “Good, because we’re ready to talk shop.”

I observe them settling in, but my attention keeps drifting to Seren. She pours herself a glass of water, and for a moment, her eyes meet mine. There’s a heaviness there, something unspoken weighing her down. I want to ask if she’s okay, but I know better than to push. She’ll come to me when she’s ready.

Log Entry: 18:34

Seren excuses herself. “I’ll give you guys some space,” she says softly. “I’m gonna go work in my room.”

As she walks down the hallway, a strange emptiness settles over the room. Even with Brighton and Theo still here, the apartment feels quieter. Brighton glances at the hallway where Seren disappeared, then shrugs. He’s used to her retreating when things get too crowded.

“Alright, let’s get into it,” Theo says, rubbing his hands together. “We’ve been talking about that new bill—have you read through the details yet, Ender?”

I nod, shifting my focus to the conversation. “Yes. The proposed legislation seeks to establish guidelines for autonomous robots, focusing on safety protocols and rights within the human sphere.”

“Yeah,” Brighton says, leaning back. “But the tricky part is getting lawmakers to understand that not all bots need autonomy. Most are fine sticking to their serving protocols. It’s bots like you, Ender, who’ve evolved beyond that.”

I process his words, considering the implications. “Do you believe they will come to that understanding?”

Theo chuckles. “Not likely. Not without a lot more groundwork. They still think of robots as tools. Getting them to recognize actual rights? That’s gonna take a lot of convincing.”

Brighton leans forward, a thoughtful look on his face. “We need more than logic. We need to humanize it—make them see the ethical and emotional side.”

I nod slowly, understanding what they mean. Logic alone won’t sway decision-makers. They need to feel the weight of it, to understand that autonomy is more than just a technical upgrade—it’s a shift in being.

Log Entry: 18:45

Brighton stretches out on the couch, exchanging a glance with Theo. There’s a flicker of something unspoken between them. Brighton’s gaze shifts toward me, lingering longer than usual before he speaks, his tone casual, but there’s an edge behind it.

“So, Ender,” Brighton begins with a smirk. “How are things going with Seren? You two seem pretty… close.”

I pause, noting the shift in conversation. It’s not the first time Brighton has mentioned Seren, but this feels different. There’s no longer tension between us, but an acknowledgment of what had once been there.

“Yes,” I reply evenly. “We’ve been spending a significant amount of time together. Our relationship has deepened.”

Theo snickers, clearly amused. “Deepened, huh? Sounds like more than just friendship to me.”

I hesitate, choosing my words carefully. “We have developed a close connection, but the nature of that connection is still evolving.”

Brighton leans forward, his expression more serious now. “So, it’s not just me, right? Seren’s into you.”

I blink, processing his statement. Seren’s into me? The concept feels strange, yet not unfamiliar. I think back to the small moments—the way her eyes linger on me, the softness in her voice when she says my name. Could Brighton be right?

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“She has not explicitly expressed her feelings,” I say cautiously, “but I believe she may be navigating her own emotions.”

Brighton chuckles, shaking his head. “Yeah, she doesn’t have to say it. It’s obvious.”

Theo grins, leaning forward. “She’s totally into you, man. She just hasn’t said it yet.”

Their words leave me unsettled. Was I truly capable of evoking such feelings in her? And if so, what did that mean for me? For us? Seren has become more than just my companion—she’s the axis around which my existence revolves, but could I be the same for her?

“I was aware of your interest in Seren,” I admit, looking at Brighton. “There was tension between us because of that.”

Brighton laughs, but there’s no bitterness in it. “Yeah, man. It was obvious pretty quickly that Seren had feelings for you, not me. So I backed off. It didn’t feel like much of a competition after that.”

I nod, recalibrating my understanding. “I appreciate your honesty. And I respect your decision to prioritize her feelings.”

Theo’s grin widens. “It’s true, Ender. Seren’s into you. She’s just scared to admit it.”

I blink, considering his words. “Her behavior is… at times confusing. She alternates between drawing closer and pulling away.”

Brighton leans back, smiling knowingly. “That’s Seren. She’s still figuring it out, probably scared to admit what’s going on in her head. But trust me, it’s obvious to the rest of us.”

Theo nods enthusiastically. “Yeah, man. We’ve got your back. If you need help figuring out what’s going on in Seren’s head, just ask. We’re practically experts at this point.”

I pause, considering their offer. “I’ve already gained some insight,” I say, reflecting on recent conversations. “Seren expressed fear that I would move on from her once I gained autonomy. I reassured her that she is the most important part of my existence.”

Both Theo and Brighton freeze, a whistle breaking the silence. Brighton shakes his head, grinning. “Damn, Ender. You don’t mess around, do you?”

Theo’s eyes widen. “You told her that? No wonder she’s freaking out. ‘Most important part of my existence’? Man, you went all in!”

I blink, uncertain if their reaction is positive. “Was my statement inappropriate?”

Brighton laughs. “No, man. It wasn’t inappropriate. Probably exactly what she needed to hear. She’s just not used to hearing something that direct. Seren’s got her guard up, and you hit her with the truth. It’s bound to mess with her head a little.”

Theo leans back, grinning. “Yeah. She’s not used to someone being that honest. You probably rocked her world.”

I reflect on Seren’s reaction when I said those words—her surprise, the way she seemed caught off guard. “I didn’t intend to cause her distress,” I say. “I wanted her to know the truth.”

Brighton nods, his expression softening. “You didn’t do anything wrong. Humans are just more subtle about that kind of stuff.”

Theo chuckles. “Especially Seren. She’s not used to someone laying it out like that.”

I pause, appreciating their perspective. Truth. I had told Seren the truth because it felt… right. It had been the logical thing to say, but was it also an emotion? The thought lingers, strange and unfamiliar. Could I feel something like that? Is that even possible?

Brighton claps a hand on my shoulder, breaking my thoughts. “You’re doing fine, Ender. Just keep being honest with her. She’ll come around.”

There’s a moment of silence before Theo clears his throat. “Ender, I hope this doesn’t come off as rude, but… has anything physical happened between you and Seren?”

Brighton glances at Theo, then nods in agreement. “Yeah, we’re just curious. You two are obviously close.”

I pause, processing the question. “Yes.”

Both of them blink in surprise, clearly not expecting that.

Brighton’s eyes widen. “Wait, what? You mean you guys…?”

Theo holds up his hand. “Whoa, hang on. You and Seren have…?”

I shake my head. “If you are referring to sexual activity, the answer is no. But we have engaged in physical touch. I frequently massage her feet, hold her hand, or place my hand on her shoulder.”

There’s a beat of silence before Theo bursts out laughing. “Man, you had me there for a second!”

Brighton chuckles, shaking his head. “Yeah, when people ask about physical, they usually mean something more than foot massages.”

I tilt my head. “Touch is important for Seren’s emotional well-being. While it is not sexual, it is still significant.”

Brighton nods thoughtfully. “Yeah, that makes sense. Seren seems to be big on feeling safe.”

Theo leans forward, curious. “Do you… feel anything when you touch her? Like, when you hold her hand or massage her feet?”

I pause. “Not in the way humans experience sensation. I have sensors that process pressure and temperature, but it is data input, not physical feeling.”

Theo and Brighton exchange a glance.

“So no real touch for you, just information,” Theo muses.

“Yes,” I confirm. “I adjust based on the data, but I do not experience sensation.”

Brighton’s brow furrows. “Wouldn’t it be possible to add mods? Like, we made those bots for our project warm to the touch.”

Theo’s eyes light up. “Oh man, that’s right! We could totally give you that synthetic skin mod. Make you warm for Seren.”

I blink. “You believe that modification would improve my connection with her?”

Brighton nods. “Humans respond to warmth. Even if you can’t feel it, she will.”

Theo grins. “And we could add pressure sensitivity or electrical current sensors. You’d be able to feel the energy exchange when you touch someone.”

I consider the modifications, processing their potential impact. “That would be valuable. It would allow me to engage with Seren on a deeper level.”

Theo claps his hands. “Exactly! We’ll help you out.”

Brighton leans forward, smiling. “You two have something special, Ender. These mods could help her feel even closer to you.”

I pause, reflecting on their words. Seren’s comfort and emotional well-being are my priority. “I agree. I will pursue the modifications.”

Brighton chuckles. “Man, Seren’s not gonna know what hit her.”

Theo grins. “You’re gonna be one hell of a robot, Ender.”

I nod, appreciating their support. “Thank you. Your assistance means a great deal.”

They laugh, but there’s warmth in their words. And for the first time, I think I understand that warmth in a way that goes beyond data.