@dangerouslyloyal from here
Alastair shrugged and muttered a “hell if I knew…” because really? What was he supposed to say to that? He didn’t understand humans most of the time, the rebellious part of him that constantly pushed against his programming even resented them for the most part, they had caused nothing but pain and suffering after all but Anais wasn’t quite like that.
After a moment he hesitantly reached out and awkwardly patted Anais’ head in an attempt to be comforting. It wasn’t in his programming and he could feel his systems groaning at the strain the bending of his programming put on it, he still continued. “Guess it’s because I’m such a good listener.”
The truth of it is because she doesn’t really have anyone else. She has ejected her parents from her life - and unless it’s in a courtroom, she doesn’t see them - doesn’t want to see them. Al is there, in part, in case they are stupid enough to show up. She’d been dumped by her boyfriend some time ago, she couldn’t trust her friends and her agent - while she thinks he’s a good person - she’s nervous about pouring too much trust into that.
Al is all she’s got.
He’s an odd little android - not nearly as compliant as she had imagined he would be - but efficient in his job - his mere presence seemingly enough most of the time. And he was always present. And while he disobeys her direct orders at times - she’s fairly certain if she asks him to keep the things she says sometimes to himself - he will. Unless it presents a danger to her safety.
She is grateful that he doesn’t point it out - her loneliness - if he can grasp the concept, and opts instead for an awkward attempt at comforting her.
“Yeah, maybe.” She mutters, leaning into the hand on her head. “Or maybe I’m just a giant pussy and I need to get the fuck over myself and grow up.”