1 year later…

The apartment was quiet as I opened the door, the cool evening air following me inside. It had been a long day, the last semester of my master’s program ramping up with assignments and projects, but as soon as I stepped inside, all the stress seemed to fade.

I heard it before I saw it—soft music floating from the living room, a familiar voice that made me smile.

How sweet it is to be loved by you.

I dropped my bag by the door, curiosity tugging at me as I made my way toward the sound. When I turned the corner, I stopped in my tracks, a laugh bubbling up from my chest.

There was Ender, standing in the middle of the living room, moving smoothly to the rhythm of the song. His movements were precise but easy, fluid in a way that almost made me forget he was still part machine. He hadn’t noticed me yet, lost in his quiet dance, and for a moment, I just watched him, warmth spreading through my chest.

When he finally glanced up, his eyes softened, and a small smile tugged at his lips. “Seren,” he said, his voice low and filled with affection. “You’re home.”

I stepped closer, unable to keep the grin off my face. “What’s this?” I teased, motioning toward the music and his impromptu dance party.

Ender tilted his head slightly, his smile widening just a fraction. “Just enjoying the moment,” he replied, then held out his hand to me. “Will you join me?”

My heart fluttered as I took his hand, letting him pull me into his arms. He twirled me gently, his movements confident, before settling his hand on my waist. We swayed together, my head resting against his chest as the music wrapped around us like a soft blanket.

How sweet it is to be loved by you.

We danced in silence for a moment, the room filled with the warmth of Ender’s body pressed close to mine. I closed my eyes, feeling the steady rhythm of his steps, the comfort of his presence. Every day with him felt like this—a quiet, constant joy I hadn’t even known I was missing.

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The song ended, but Ender didn’t let go. Instead, he glanced down at me, a glimmer of something playful in his eyes. “There’s one more,” he murmured, his voice softer now.

Before I could ask what he meant, a familiar piano melody began to play, and I blinked in surprise, a laugh escaping me.

Whenever I see your smiling face, I have to smile myself…

My heart melted instantly. It was his song—our song. The one he’d found not long after the mods, the one he said reminded him of me. I’d never be able to hear Your Smiling Face by James Taylor again without thinking of Ender.

“You always know how to get me,” I said, my voice light as I lifted my head to look at him.

Ender’s hand brushed gently against my cheek, his touch warm and familiar. “I know you,” he replied simply, his eyes holding mine with a quiet intensity. “And I love you.”

I smiled, my heart swelling with that familiar, overwhelming feeling that always came when he said those words. “I love you too,” I whispered, leaning in to press a soft kiss to his lips. It was sweet and gentle, the kind of kiss that spoke of comfort, of home. Because that’s what he was to me now—home.

We danced through the rest of the song, and when it ended, I sighed softly, resting my head on his chest again.

After a moment, I pulled back just enough to meet his eyes. “Brighton left for D.C. today,” I said quietly, though there was no sadness in my voice. “He’s speaking at the Senate meeting tomorrow.”

Ender’s eyes softened, a hint of pride in his expression. “He’s done remarkable work. I believe his voice will make a difference.”

I nodded, feeling the same sense of hope. Brighton’s work for robot rights had taken him across the country, and now he was pushing for real change—legislation that could give robots like Ender more autonomy, more freedom. It wasn’t going to be easy, but I knew Brighton was up for the challenge.

Ender’s hand tightened slightly on my waist, and when I looked up at him, I saw that quiet determination in his eyes—the same determination I’d seen when he first started talking about the mods, about wanting to be warm for me. For us.

“Do you think things will change?” I asked softly, the question more of a quiet thought than anything.

Ender tilted his head, his gaze thoughtful. “I don’t know,” he admitted, his voice steady. “But I do know that whatever happens, we’ll face it together. We’ve come this far, Seren. There’s no reason to doubt what’s ahead.”

A smile tugged at my lips as I leaned up to kiss him again, this time lingering just a little longer. He was right, as always. We didn’t know what the future held—whether it would bring more changes, more challenges, or more joy. But whatever came our way, I knew we’d take it on together.

And who knows…maybe Brighton will find a sweet robot of his own on his journey…