A (once again) angsty Showtime fic
Woo! Havenât written Showtime on here yet, i donât think. Theyâre so silly!
Synopsis: Caine and Pomni recently got together, and a certain rabbit needs to make his two cents known about Caineâs priorities.
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Caine wouldnât say he had a favorite.
He barely even knew what the concept was, and he didnât ever think about it. Just another complex human behavior he didnât have the time or memory space to try and comprehend.
That is, until Pomni came along.
She was nervous and somewhat hotheaded, but Caine saw how much she tried to adjust. To enjoy his adventures. To make heads or even tails of what this world was.
And, over time, they had gotten closer. His worldview was a window, only letting a limited view in. Pomni pushed the proverbial window open, and he understood *so* much more now.
Her laugh, the concern she felt for others, what made her upset and made her smile, everything about her made him feel less like code and more like one of them.
They had just gone on another âdate nightâ, as Caine had dubbed it. Heâd make an adventure, a beautiful pocket of space just for her, and theyâd indulge in the endless possibilities that awaited them.
It was a picnic date, after Pomni had pitched the idea (and explained what a picnic was). The digital moon was high in the sky, and the wind was soft and cool. Caine pulled absolutely every trick in the book to make it a beautiful landscape.
Sometime during the date, right near the end, Pomni yawned. She rested her head on his shoulder and fell asleep on him.
Now, this shouldnât be surprising for any other couple, really. This kind of thing was normal. Not for them.
Pomni was affectionate and sweet, but not touchy. Caine always respected this. He never put a hand on her without silently asking if he could. She loved in her way, he loved in his.
So when Caine felt a head burying itself in the crook of his neck (???), he almost blue-screened. Soft snoring came from the jesterâs mouth as she slept on his shoulder.
He knew he absolutely couldnât mess this up or waste the opportunity. He snapped his fingers, and his coat appeared over her as a blanket. She made a soft, contented noise and smiled just as soft.
He snapped again, wincing at the noise he made. The portal appeared, and he pressed a small kiss to her forehead and floated through.
It was nighttime, and he didnât think anyone would still be up at all. He was halfway to the dorms to lay her to bed, when a voice interrupted his thoughts.
âHey, ringmaster!â Jax. The tone was taunting and mischievous. Of course.
âOh, hello Jax! I didnât think you would be up at this hour.â Caine tried to keep his voice down as much as he could. Pomni was still dozing peacefully in his arms.
Jaxâs eyes darted to Pomni, and then back to Caine. He strutted over. âSo, howâs your favorite doing?â He had a terrible grin on his face.
Caine didnât necessarily pick up on the sarcasm. âOh! Sheâs alright! Though, I must ask you to be quiet. Sheâs sleeping.â He explained, hoping he would just leave.
But this was Jax, and this opportunity was golden.
âOh, is she now? Thatâs a shame. Oh well. Maybe tomorrow youâll find some way to put her on a pedestal.â He sneered, more venom than usual in his voice.
âPedestal? Now, now, Jax! I donât have any favorites in this circus.â He gave him a scolding look. Heâd wag his finger if he wasnât so intent on holding Pomni.
âOh, yeah! Thatâs right!â He said in mock surprise. âDefinitely no favorites! Please. Jingles here shows up outta nowhere, and you let her skip adventures and get whatever she asks for.â He snapped, standing over the two now.
Caine sighed a bit. âIâm afraid we must talk at a later date, Jax! I really do need to bring her to her room.â He said in a tone that implied it was the end of the conversation.
Jax was quiet for a second, and Caine inwardly sighed of relief. He started to float again down the dorm hallway. How did everyone else deal with him? It was something heâd need to figure out-
âActually! I was thinking.â Oh god, why was Jax still talking? He caught up with the two, causing Caine to stop again. Pomni was still asleep, still peaceful.
âPomniâs pretty desperate to date you.â
Caine stopped at that. It was like those words shook him to his core.
That funny feeling he got when thinking too hard about their differences. Human. Artificial Intelligence. They could never be equal. He could never give her what she needed. Sheâd leave, and heâd be alone, and sheâd abstract, and heâd be alone, andandand-
Caineâs eyes widened and he gasped softly. He was gripping Pomni in his arms, too emotional and angry and insecure to realize he was doing so.
Pomni looked hurt. Her mouth was a tiny frown and she curled up a bit. He instantly softened his hold. She seemed to calm down at that.
Caine just stared. He just stared down at her face. This was supposed to be good. Supposed to be a stepping stone in their relationship. Now, she didnât know if sheâd trust him like this again.
Jax burst out laughing, his mouth opened and chest heaving. âOh, careful now! Wouldnât want to hurt your little jester.â
Caine took a shuddering breath. He held Pomni closer and floated down the hallway once more without a word.
That small noise of discomfort would forever lodge itself in his code. His very being. She winced in pain and he was the one to do it.
He snapped his fingers to open the door to her room. It was decorated more now, with items and lights Pomni had requested.
He floated over to the bed, laying her very gently down on the covers. He even tucked her in. He put a gloved hand on her cheek, caressing it with his thumb. She smiled and leaned into the contact.
âDonât you worry, my dear. Iâll be what you need. Iâll make you happy.â
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im happy w this one! i listened to âWashington On Your Sideâ from Hamilton and thought ab what it would be like for Jax to suspect favoritism to Pomni
Reblogs are appreciated! See u guys next time!
