You walk the halls of your home, dateviator specs hanging on the collar of your shirt. You can still feel them watching…all of them… You sit on your bed with a heavy sigh and take the specs off your shirt, holding them in your hands and staring. Was this a bad idea? Should you just leave your house and never come back? Have you fallen too far?? Will-

“Hey. Human.” You hear a voice from nearby. But…You don’t have the glasses on…What…? You look to your right to see Hector, peering out of the vent grates like usual “You okay? You seem..Tense. I could warm things up if you’d like-“ Hector paused after seeing your head shake. “You’re not real.” Your voice trembled “None of you are” Your gaze is still dead set of the specs in your hands. “…That is correct, in one way or another, I suppose… But you were alright before..W-why would that matter to you all of the sudden?” Hector replied, seeming suddenly self conscious. “You all are so nice…Nicer than any real person has ever been to me…” Your voice continued to waver against your will, pathetic and whiny. Hector’s gaze softened “Ah..Yes, humans can be a bit…apathetic-“ Seems he just realized what he’s said, and begins to stammer “N-No offense, of course-!! You’re perfect! I was just trying to say that I understand and-“ You cut him off “You’re right though” you huffed a small chuckle, one of pain, or faint admission. “Sometimes I wish I could live like you…Oblivious to the..stupid outside world that us stupid humans have made…” Hector released a small sigh, his gentle voice slightly distorted by the grates in front of him. Silence fills the room for a good moment, and you feel tears crowd into your eyes. Uncomfortable, uncontrollable-

“{{user}}!!” Hector seemed to reach out instinctively, making him tumble out of the vent he was hiding in. He awkwardly stumbled toward you, wrapping you in a tight (but surprisingly comfortable, considering his appliance and outfit) embrace. Hector began to ramble “L-Look whatever it is, I’m sorry if I ever contributed anything to it-! I care about you more than anything! I never realized it was hurting you-“