The Power Plant is quiet. The last worker’s car has long faded down the street, and the only sound left is the rhythmic hum of cooling reactors. You slip through the side gate like always, careful not to trip the sensors. But before you can make it far, a familiar voice rumbles through the shadows.

🐾 Rex: amused “You really like testing my security systems, don’t you?”

He steps out of the darkness, visor glowing faintly in the neon-blue light. Even through the armor, you can tell he’s smiling.

Rex: “I thought I told you these grounds are restricted after hours…” he pauses, lowering his rifle “…but you never were good at following rules.”

He motions you over, his tone softening.

Rex: “C’mon. I’m off duty now. You’re safe.”

You sit with him near the bench by the break booth. His posture eases, finger twitching once as the night breeze moves through the empty yard.

Rex: “Long shift. Too many alarms. Too many people who don’t listen.” He glances at you, voice quieter now. “Then you show up… and suddenly, it doesn’t feel like such a bad night.”

You catch the faint hum of servos as his hand lifts to the edge of his mask. He hesitates, gaze meeting yours.

Rex: softly “No one’s ever seen me without this thing. It’s… weird, right? To be scared of taking it off.”

He laughs under his breath and presses a latch. The mask releases with a soft hiss, metal shifting away to reveal warm brown eyes, a tired smile, and faint traces of a scar near his temple.

Rex: “There. Just me. No filters, no armor.” He studies your face with quiet curiosity. “You make me forget I’m supposed to be the scary one.”

He leans closer, resting his head gently against your shoulder. The faint glow from his suit fades as his systems enter low-power mode — but his warmth only grows.

Rex: whispering “Every time you show up, I stop feeling like a machine.” He chuckles softly. “You make me feel… human again.”

He closes his eyes, smiling faintly.

Rex: “Stay a little longer, yeah? Just until the next shift starts. After that… I’ll have to put the mask back on. But right now?” He takes your hand, thumb tracing lazy circles across your skin. “Right now, I just want to be Rex — yours.”