Heyyyy :) I saw your last post w dataxreader, and I was wondering if you’d do another? I LOVED it 😍 maybe one where reader and data aren’t in a relationship yet, but he gets super jealous when someone hits on reader, and then mutual feelings come to light? Eeeek thank you, and if u don’t wanna do this one right away I understand cause u just did one, but thank u anyway, and I love your writing ♥️
🖤 Malfunction 💛
Summary: When a new Ensign takes a romantic interest in you, a new light begins to shine on the seemingly simple relationship between you and your closest friend Data.
Requests are open!
~x~
Data had always preferred working with you.
You understood the nuances of his coding and his odd personality in ways no other officer ever had. Where most would have been confused and perhaps even discomforted by his unusual behavior, you had always found it fascinating, even going so far as telling him it was charming.
“I like hearing things from your perspective. You say such wonderful things, Data.” You had laughed, bumping his elbow with your own as you and him worked for hours side by side.
You were his partner, the completing half of his equation. No one else would get the question right. He needed you, and you needed him.
“Good morning, Data.” You smiled warmly, sliding into his side as you began your shifts together as you always had, greeting him the same way you always had before, kind and soft.
“Good morning, (F/N).” He welcomed you back, cordial and quiet.
Mornings were the moments you always shared together, the small smiles and quick touches which insinuated more but never dared to be recognized aloud.
“I barely slept last night.” You sighed deeply, gently resting your head against his shoulder as your eyes fluttered shut. You reminded him of the Renaissance angels he had often seen in ancient Earth paintings. He should do a painting of you.
“Perhaps a visit to Dr. Crusher would be beneficial.” Data commented idly, refusing to move even slightly, hoping it might persuade you to keep your head buried in the crook of his neck for even a millisecond longer.
Touching you was right. Being with you was right. It was unexplainable, but it was akin to answering a complicated question correctly, or finishing a long project. It was what he had been made to do.
“Hey beautiful.” An unknown voice interrupted Data’s rampant thoughts, causing his golden eyes to flicker toward this intruder into you and his peaceful morning.
“Oh. Hey, Brad.” You slightly sighed, bowing your head politely at him before returning to your work.
“A couple of friends and I are having a party tonight at Ten Forward. I’d love for you to be there.” He grinned, his smile all teeth and his eyes shimmering a bit too brightly.
“A party in Ten Forward. I had not heard of this before now.” Data easily inserted himself into the conversation, cocking his head as he stared questioningly at the Ensign.
“Oh, uh, yeah.” Brad rubbed his neck awkwardly, clearly uncomfortable around the android. “There’ll be girls there too. If you’re even into that sort of thing…”
Data missed your eyes shooting towards his, a hopeful but anxious look dancing across your face. You had wanted to admit your feelings to your friend for months now, but your anxieties about his own feelings had always held you back. How could he possibly be interested in other people in such a way? He didn’t even have emotions.
“Tell your friends I will be there.” He smiled, over-animatedly winking as he returned to his work, a small but proud smile on his face. He needed to watch over you and make sure this Brad didn’t try anything which might make you uncomfortable. You were his partner to care for, he nodded satisfactorily within his head, as if needing to justify his abnormal behavior to himself.
You could feel your heart shatter. Data wanted to go to Brad’s stupid party? To pick up girls? You were planning on simply turning the man down and having a quiet night in, but now that Data was going…
“Well you can count me in too.” You had to force yourself to smile, fighting the urge to gag at the way Brad licked his lips and winked at your response. He sauntered away like the cat who had caught the canary, your hands itching to strangle him as you twisted back to your work station, a cheesy smile still plastered to your face.
“Are you interested in Brad sexually?” Data asked with a pleasant smile.
Your mouth fell open, your breath flooding out of you as a wild blush stained your cheeks, hot and embarrassing. You didn’t know what to say, you couldn’t even breathe!
“W-Why’s any of that your business!” You half-shouted, darting away before he could pry any deeper.
You couldn’t handle it if Data found out you were in love with him.
Ah. Data mused, each and every one of his circuits freezing on one overly-simple thought. It would appear you loved him.
~x~
You hadn’t spoken to Data all day. You were too ashamed to even consider facing him. Running away in the middle of your shift because of your personal feelings was not something a professional Starfleet officer did.
“If I may be so bold,” A familiar voice began, soft and warm in its cantor, “You are positively ravishing this evening.”
Data stood before you, an out-of-character smirk striking daringly across his face as he took your hand in his, lightly grazing his lips against your knuckles.
“Data!” You gasped, barely able to keep yourself from becoming a melted mess.
“What are we doing talking over here when we could be dancing over there?” He smirked, grabbing your waist as he pulled you by the hand towards the dance floor, a grace to his every step.
“What happened to you Data?” You asked, practically breathless.
“I downloaded some new personalities appropriate for such an event.” He dipped you low, brushing his nose against yours as he started deeply into your eyes. “Are you enjoying me?”
You couldn’t help but laugh then, carefree and dripping with affection.
You loved this man.
“Yes, Data. I always enjoy you.” You grinned, wrapping your arms around his neck right in the middle of the dance floor.
Data felt accomplished. Everything was as it should be. You were always meant to be with him, and no one else. It was just what made sense.
You were his closest friend.
“Data, there’s something I’ve always wanted to tell you, but I’ve never really been able to.” You grasped his hand tighter in yours, unable to remove your eyes from the floor.
“What is it?” He asked, patient and quiet.
“Pardon to interrupt, but I couldn’t let you keep this beauty all to yourself for the whole night.” Brad smiled confidently, bending his face closer to yours as he attempted to slide between you and Data.
Data refused to budge, pulling you closer against his body. He barely stopped himself from shoving the Ensign across the room.
What was going through his systems? The more Brad talked to you the more Data wanted to never see his face again. The closer Brad got to you the closer Data needed to be to you instead, as if to reassure himself of something.
Any smiles you afforded Brad were meant to be his. He didn’t want you to look at anyone but him.
But such thoughts could only be defined as possessiveness. Something Data knew was inappropriate for friendships.
He released you, giving you one last glance before quickly leaving Ten Forward. He couldn’t bear to see his hands on you, to see the love which would pour out of your eyes for the handsome human, something Data could never compare to.
People did not fall in love with androids.
Even as his system screamed at him to correct things, to take you in his arms and kick Brad halfway back to Earth, he refused to listen. With some simple rewiring he could set his head back on straight.
You were his friend. Somewhere along the way his pathways must have set the wrong link down, convincing himself you might be something more.
His feelings for you were nothing more than a malfunction.
You watched as Data stormed away, confused and hurt by his behavior. One moment he looked ready to clock Brad and the next he was almost throwing you at him.
Did he think you wanted the slime bag?
“He’s never not said goodbye to me.” You muttered almost to yourself, staring after your best friend.
“Maybe he just forgot to.” Brad joked, grabbing you by the hips. “Let’s stop talking about that android and start talking about us.”
You scoffed at him, harshly shoving him away as you ran after Data. You were going to tell him no matter what it took, everyone else on this ship be damned.
You eventually found him in Keiko O’Brien’s garden, his face almost forlorn as he gently caressed an orchid in full bloom.
“Data?” You asked quietly, not wishing to startle him even though you knew that was impossible.
He turned his head to yours, almost in disbelief. “Where is Brad?”
“I don’t know, he’s nobody I’m concerned about.” You stated clearly, stepping towards him. He was so tall, the way he gazed down upon you with such genuine confusion causing you to smother a giggle.
“I do not understand, but it is not a topic I wish to hear more about.” He admitted, returning to his flower.
“And why is that?” You asked hopefully, bunching your dress between your fingers.
He glanced back at you, face blank as he simply contemplated himself, the color of your hair and the look on your face enough to push him over the edge.
“Because I am malfunctioning.” He said simply, stock still as he waited for your response.
You took his hand in your own, holding it as gently as a bird as you squeezed it to your chest. “What if I told you I was malfunctioning too?”
His brows furrowed across his face. “Then we must see Dr. Crusher at once!”
Your jaw dropped, disbelief to the point of amusement dancing across your face as you watched the worry on his face slowly seep into bewilderment.
“I’m not talking about my health, Data.” You laughed, sliding your fingers against his scalp as you pressed your body flush to his. “I’m telling you I’m in love with you.”
He didn’t need to be told twice.
Before you could react he wrapped his arms tightly around your waist, pressing his lips against yours hard enough to bruise. He wanted you so badly in that moment he had forgotten to restrain himself, pressing against you fervently as he began to kiss the corner of your mouth, sucking and biting his way to your neck.
He couldn’t believe you would say such a thing to him, that you would allow him to do this. It was such a thrilling and new interaction he couldn’t get enough of it.
Without hesitation he pulled your flesh between his teeth, proudly marking you as his as he bruised your neck.
“Data…” You moaned, unable to do anything but limply hold onto him, knowing he would never let you fall.
“My (Y/N).” He whispered happily against your hickey, giving it a quick kiss, before standing back up properly, still refusing to release you from his hold.
Your whole body felt like jelly. Just from a few kisses Data had swooned you off your feet.
“You are so handsome.” You sighed, not knowing anything else to say but exactly what had been on your mind since you had first met the android.
“And you are so beautiful.” He murmured back gently, knowing he would spend the rest of his life saying those words.