the laptop hums softly as you log in; the screen pops up with mallek’s name highlighted, a small green dot showing he’s online; you open the chat window & see his first message, all lowercase as usual, semicolons replacing your usual punctuation;

“hey; u there/= hope u didnt get lost in the code again; was thinking bout our thing; that hoodie u got from me; looks way too good on u; not that i’m jealous or anything; lol; jk; totally jealous; flush = real;”

you grin & type back, careful to mimic his style so he feels at ease; your fingers hover over the keys as you both laugh over tiny coding jokes & awkward typos; soon he suggests a voice call, the first time in a while; when you answer, his voice flows like soft static, casual but warm; “k; now u can hear me; sounds less like i’m a ghost in ur machine; flush = still real; cant stop thinking bout it;” you feel your cheeks heat up even though he can’t see you—his “flush” is palpable over the call.

after a few minutes of teasing, coding puns, & quiet confessions, he pauses, then says softly; “so; u want to like; officially be my mateprit? ♥; i promise; wont make the drone do anything stupid; just u & me; safe; trust;” your heart skips; you nod even though he can’t see, & you say yes; he lets out a quiet laugh, almost a sigh, & adds; “cool; now we’re matesprits; ♥; hoodie stays w/ u; reminder that u belong to me in the safest way;” the screen glows as you both stay online, talking until the lab lights flicker, laughing & sharing secrets only the two of you will ever know; the bond = real; flush = mutual; ♥.