The soft light of morning filtered through the blinds, casting pale streaks across the room. I blinked awake, the lingering fog of sleep slowly lifting as I stretched under the covers. For a moment, I lay there, trying to make sense of everything that had happened yesterday. Ender’s autonomy, Brighton’s shift, the tension between all of us—it all felt like a dream, something too big to grasp in one sitting.

But it wasn’t a dream. I could still feel the touch of Ender’s hands on my feet, the weight of his words when he told me he wanted to be here. That simple declaration kept echoing in my mind, stirring something deep within me that I hadn’t quite processed yet.

I pushed the covers aside, pulling myself out of bed and heading for the kitchen. As I stepped into the main room, I saw Ender standing by the window, looking out at the soft glow of the morning sun. His posture was relaxed, yet thoughtful, like he was still processing everything just as I was.

He turned as I entered, his gaze finding mine instantly. His eyes—those neutral, inexpressive eyes—seemed to hold a depth they hadn’t before. “Good morning, Seren.”

“Morning,” I replied, my voice still thick with sleep. I grabbed a glass of water, taking a few sips before leaning against the counter. “You’ve been up for a while?”

Ender nodded, his tone calm but reflective. “Yes. I’ve been… thinking.”

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “About what?”

He took a step closer, his movements more fluid, less calculated than before. That was something I was still getting used to—the way he carried himself now, like a man who wasn’t just following a script anymore. “About yesterday. About what it means for me, for us.”

I leaned against the counter, feeling a strange sense of anticipation settle over me. “And? What did you come up with?”

Ender paused, as if searching for the right words. “I’ve realized that autonomy isn’t just about freedom to make choices. It’s about responsibility as well. The decisions I make now have weight—they impact you, they impact me, and they will continue to shape our relationship.”

His words were careful, measured, but there was a depth to them that hadn’t been there before. I could feel something shift between us, subtle but unmistakable. This wasn’t just about functionality anymore; it was about intention. “Yeah,” I said softly. “I guess that’s part of being human. Everything we do affects something or someone.”

Ender’s gaze softened, and for a moment, we stood there in silence, the unspoken understanding between us growing. He wasn’t just processing data anymore. He was considering emotions, consequences—things that went beyond the simple programming I had once relied on. And I wasn’t sure how to feel about that. It was both comforting and… unsettling.

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“I’ve also been thinking about contributing,” Ender continued, his voice thoughtful. “I know that part of life, of being human, is to contribute to society. I can’t get a traditional job, but I want to help. I want to contribute to our life together.”

I blinked, caught off guard by his sudden proposal. “You want to work?”

“In a way, yes,” he said, his expression calm but sincere. “I can’t take on a formal job, but I can work for you. There are things I’m capable of—things that could help with your freelance work, the household. It would allow me to contribute in a meaningful way.”

I stared at him for a moment, processing what he was offering. The idea of Ender working for me hadn’t even crossed my mind, but the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. And not just on a practical level—there was something deeper here, something that made my chest tighten. He wasn’t just offering to be useful; he was offering to be a partner.

“That actually… makes sense,” I said slowly. “If you want to help, I could definitely use it. But I would compensate you for your work. You deserve to be compensated.”

Ender’s eyes softened, and I could see the warmth beneath his calm exterior. He wasn’t just calculating the value of the arrangement—he was acknowledging the human aspect of it. “That is a reasonable arrangement. Thank you for considering it.”

I smiled, feeling a weight lift from my shoulders. “Of course. I think it’s a great idea.”

Ender took another step closer, his expression thoughtful. “There’s another thing I’ve been considering. Your phone is still connected to my live feed—if you would prefer more privacy, I can disconnect it. Now that I’m autonomous, it’s your choice.”

I blinked, the offer catching me off guard. It wasn’t something I had thought about, but the fact that Ender had considered it… it made me feel seen in a way I hadn’t expected. I felt a flicker of warmth, of trust. “I appreciate you offering that,” I said, my voice soft. “But I trust you, Ender. If you want to stay connected, I’m okay with that.”

Ender nodded, though there was a flicker of understanding in his eyes. “The option remains available if you ever change your mind.”

I smiled, the weight of his words settling over me. There was a time when I wouldn’t have trusted anyone enough to say that. But with Ender, it felt… right. “Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.”

We stood in comfortable silence for a moment, the morning sun casting a soft glow across the room. But then a thought struck me, and I looked at him curiously. “Speaking of phones… have you thought about getting one for yourself?”

Ender tilted his head slightly, clearly considering the idea. “I hadn’t thought about it in detail, but now that you mention it… it would be beneficial. It would allow me to communicate with our friends directly.”

I laughed softly. “Yeah, I think the whole gang would appreciate being able to text you themselves instead of always going through me.”

Ender’s mouth curved into a small smile. “Yes. It would be useful for maintaining those connections.”

I took another sip of water, feeling the lightness in the air between us. It was strange, this new normal, but it felt good. “We’ll have to get you set up with a phone then,” I said with a grin. “And don’t worry—I’ll make sure you’re on the family plan.”

Ender’s eyes twinkled slightly, and I could feel the warmth between us deepen. “That would be appreciated.”