The Android

Fynn sighed as they leaned back, looking over the living room of their apartment. Clothes were scattered, their trash almost overflowing the can, and their blankets and pillows littered the ground as evidence of late nights spent wandering around the house. Some surfaces had old food boxes and dishes sitting on them, not old enough to be too revolting. However, it had sat there for a few days at least. Looking at their apartment made them feel a bit nauseous, and inwardly they mocked themself, but they lacked the motivation to get up and clean it.

The door to their room was half-open, revealing the mess within, scattered clothing, and an unmade bed. The lights were all off, and the only light that allowed them to see was the light of the computer screen that sat in front of them on their desk, as well as the faint white light from the streets outside. Fynn kept their blinds closed, filtering out much of the light.

Half-read books on various fleeting interests were scattered through the living room, sitting on the coffee table, bookshelves, and the desk next to them. Books on programming, styling, game design, rigging, streaming, and AI. The only books neatly put away were books about the occult. Covered in dust the books sat forlorn, properly stored on the bookshelf. Fynn couldn't look at them for long. They knew them all by heart already.

Their computer made a noise, informing them they had received a message. They looked over and opened it. Ches had sent them a link to a robotics site.

Grass: You should get yourself a household android. We both know you could benefit from having someone (thing, ha) take care of you.

They frowned before clicking on the link. The site mainly sold household androids, just like Ches had said. The design was simplistic, showing off different models of androids with various styles people had custom ordered. It spoke of the satisfaction of customers as well as various other things that Fynn couldn't gather the energy to read through. Fynn glanced at the messenger app when they heard another notification.

Grass: It'll make me feel better knowing you're cared for.

Grass: Either this or I will hire a caretaker for you. A human one!

Fynn rolled their eyes but slowly clicked through the website, looking at the androids. They rubbed the back of their neck. Warding off the goosebumps that formed at the thought of Ches hiring a caretaker for them. Ches wouldn't hire an evil person, but the idea of another person in the house made them shudder. Ches was about as much as they could put up with. 'Even then, it's barely tolerable', Fynn joked inwardly before focusing back on the screen.

They sighed as they continued to look at the androids. Though there were differences between androids and humans, looking at the androids already made them a little uncomfortable. Some of them were just too realistic. They steeled their resolve, glancing at the messages again to gather their courage before finally choosing an android they thought fit their preferences. They made minimal changes to make it fit their preferences more. If they were going to suffer with an android living in their house, they'd make sure they didn't hate its appearance.

After they finally placed their order, a screen told them they should expect their new android soon. They clicked back to their streaming software, checking everything and double-checking things before they started their stream. It wouldn't do to dwell on their decision now. They would deal with it when the time came.

It would be two days before anything came of their order. By then, Fynn had forgotten what they had done. Someone knocked at Fynn's door. Fynn approached with a frown, wondering what they had ordered recently. Fynn paused when they opened the door to find someone standing with a box taller than Fynn. The delivery person explained that Fynn had received everything they needed for their household android in the package.

"There's a maintenance kit, along with instructions on maintenance of the android. It comes with the equipment necessary to clean the bot in case any unexpected situations happen. There's a 10-year warranty for the bot for wear and tear, as well as most accidents, the specifics are in the warranty-" The delivery person continues for a while, but Fynn felt themself zone out around there, instead trying to recall when they had ordered such a thing. It took them a second to remember the message from Ches.

The delivery person handed Fynn a paper, and they signed it almost on instinct, only snapping out of it long enough to read a few words of what they had just signed; 'We do not take responsibility for any actions taken by our products if'- Fynn didn't finish it before they had handed back the paper on autopilot, almost flinching when the delivery person took the paper from them. The delivery person gave them a look, and Fynn pursed their lips, not speaking as they stepped aside. The delivery person focused on their work, taking a second to get the dolly going with some strain. Fynn felt slightly relieved that they had cleared a path to the middle of their living room a day ago, with clothes and some discarded trash kicked to the side to make room for the pathway.

Fynn tried not to imagine how much the delivery person was judging them. The delivery person brought the dolly to a stop in the middle of their living room and undid the straps, nodding at Fynn before leaving Fynn's house with the dolly. Fynn closed the door while slumping against it with a sigh, taking a few deep breaths. 'It had been fine. Nothing had gone wrong.' Fynn tried to comfort themself inwardly as they stood, trying not to think of what had just happened. Fynn approached the box. They decided to open the box as a distraction from the building suffocation in their chest.

They reached towards the top of the box, pulling a small knife from their pocket to cut it open. The box opened from the tall side, meaning they didn't have to figure out how to get it on its side without damaging the android inside. However, Fynn didn't account for the android collapsing on top of them if they opened it while it was standing. Fynn let out a noise of alarm and surprise when the android fell out of the box, falling on top of them and knocking them down. The android's robotic body was heavy and completely dead weight.

Fynn grunted at the impact of both the android and the floor, wincing as pain lanced through their ribs. A dull ache developed, beating an irritating rhythm. They whined slightly as each breath ached with their creaking ribs. They tried to push the android off them, flinching back when they touched the android's synthetic skin. Their eyes widened as they drew back, their breath catching in their throat. It felt too real. Fynn took a few deep breaths, failing to ignore the shivers wracking their body. They closed their eyes, trying again to push the android body off them. They tried to ignore the feeling of the synthetic skin, but it was worse with their eyes closed. 'Roaring in their ears, the smell of blood. They were pushed, and they fell-'

Fynn opened their eyes as they felt the weight roll off them, scrambling so they were sitting up. They curled up a few feet away from the android, staring at it as they took a few minutes to slow their breathing, looking around. 'Home. My clothes, trash, my computer, my pictures, my books.' They listed off inwardly, trying not to think about anything else. They swallowed, rubbing their arms before looking at the android laying face down on the carpet. Fynn crawled over to it, using their sleeve to cover their hand as they lifted the android's hair, pressing the metallic button at the back of the android's neck.

Finally, Fynn backed up, watching with furrowed eyebrows and a frown as they curled up a few feet away. The android's chest began to rise and fall, its eyes closed. For a second Fynn softened, their frown lightening and almost smiling while watching the peaceful scene. The peace broke when the android began to twitch and move. First, it moved its fingers, beginning to blink, its eyes darting around as it sat up with clunky movements. Fynn watched, their eyes widening and their frown reappearing. They tried to decide what to do, keeping their distance a few feet away from the android.

The android looked at them, and its humanoid pupils expanded and constricted. "Greetings. Who are you?" The android asked, voice completely apathetic. Fynn watched, taking a second to process the android speaking to them.

"Oh, uh- my- my name- uh. Fuck. My name is Fynn." They managed after a second as they nervously looked at the android. Fynn had to admit to thinking the android was cute. They remembered designing it as such. An androgynous appearance Fynn admitted to envying. A simple t-shirt with the name of the company Fynn had bought it from hung off of it, loose jeans held up with a belt. It looked at Fynn silently, and Fynn felt a bit self-conscious about their messy appearance.

"You're my owner." The android said bluntly, "Who am I?" It stared into Fynn's eyes, and Fynn swallowed, looking away and trying to keep their breathing steady.

"You-you're- uh." Fynn stumbled, trying to figure out what they could call it. "You're Kalem," They finally managed, looking at the android. It blinked, nodding after a second. Kalem slowly stood and looked around, its pupils widening and constricting at seemingly random. Kalem didn't seem to react to Fynn's appearance, which caused them to relax.

Fynn tried to straighten themselves out, their clothes were stained and wrinkled, and the bags under their eyes were big enough to be seen from the doorway. They tried to run their hands through their short hair. It was dyed half blue and half pink a while ago. They knew their roots were coming in, their natural color was a sandy blond color. They had meant to touch it up for a few days, but the energy required far exceeded their energy levels. Maybe they could get Ches to dye it for them. They swallowed as their hands trembled slightly.

They glanced at Kalem's appearance- perfectly kempt, just like a new doll. Kalem didn't seem to notice their gaze as it began to pick up the clothes scattered throughout the house. The android automatically picked up on the household appliances. It connected to Fynn's home system the moment it entered the house. Fynn slowly stood up, going over to their chair, and sitting down as they watched Kalem.

The android's movements were a bit disturbing Fynn thought. They had expected it to be robotic, however, it didn't feel different from any other robot. They wouldn't have gotten an android if they knew they were like this. They wondered about the reason for it as they opened their messaging platform.

Fire: Yo, these things are creepy as fuck.

Grass: haha, I thought you'd like it. It's not a human.

Fire: But it's so close, but also not, like, an uncanny valley moment.

Grass: Don't you have some programming experience? Fix it, then.

Fynn frowned, staring at the words before an alarm went off on their computer. They blinked while looking at the alarm's pop-up, frowning as they turned it off. They opened up their streaming software and began setting it up. They checked how their avatar looked, double-checking all the rigging. They perked up as they started the live stream.