“There’re billions of people on this planet, and I love you. How incredible is that?”
For a moment? Everything stops. Nines cannot hear the wind in the trees in his garden, the ever-comforting pitter-patter of Theodore’s heart, the humming of machinery, or his own thirium pump. He cannot see or remember his surroundings, gaze fixed on Theodore as he says it — speaks so openly and warmly as if there is nothing to fear in the entire world. Words sink in. They compute. Their meaning rings home, has everything in him jolting as if suddenly receiving a shock. Something in him changes. Diagnostics give him nothing; everything comes back with a green “OK” and yet he’s stuck in place, staring at Theo’s smile. Staring at this person he’s come to adore so much. Staring at the one thing he has to thank for being who he is — for being alive. He stares, wide-eyed and misaligned. Shocked and lovestruck.
The tears are artificial but they well up just the same.
Nines doesn’t understand why he’s crying.
He knows that there are billions of people on this Earth. He knows that there are billions of androids like himself, as well. He knows that there have been an uncountable number of instances where Theodore Iscariot had the chance to meet someone else — anyone else, and fall in love. That there could have easily been someone else in his place. A human. An android. 200,000 RK900 units shipped by CyberLife and yet he was the one that ended up in that alley, he was the one that Theodore decided to save, he was the one who deviated. He knows that he is fortunate to have met the man, that he’s learned so much while spending time with him. Hiding with him. Working with him. Forming a bond with him. Caring for him.
It wasn’t easy. Being a person never is. He’s not exactly good at it.
And yet … Theodore loves him.
It seems to really dawn on him. Despite all his chances, all his acquaintances, all his connections, all his choices?
Theodore Iscariot loves him.
Tears spill free and run down cheeks and he’s quick to touch them — to try his best to understand. The first time he’d cried he’d thought it had been out of anger but it had actually been due to fear. The fear of losing Theodore; bloody and winded and still fucking smiling as if he hadn’t just risked his life. Nines had yelled, then — yelled until tears started flowing, uncontrollable and confusing like right now. He’s not sad. He’s not angry. He’s not terrified. There’s something new, something he doesn’t know how to name or explain. An emptiness filled. Something gaping and cold shut and filled with warmth. He’s scared of forgetting this moment, yes, ever scared of losing the blond in front of him but the words had caused it — had caused everything. Pure and warm and honest. He doesn’t know how to deal with them, doesn’t know how to deal with any of it.
He’d used the right word; it’s incredible.