You’ve been working with Otto for hours now, helping him with a project that’s as ambitious as it is dangerous. But despite the risks, there’s something almost… comforting about being here, in this lab, with him. And that means more to you than he’ll ever know.

“You’re quiet,” Otto says, his voice low and steady, pulling you out of your thoughts. “Something on your mind?”

You glance up at him, your cheeks flushing with embarrassment. “No,” you say, your voice barely above a whisper. “I was just… thinking.”

“About?”

You hesitate, your fingers tracing the edge of the workbench as you try to find the right words. “About… this,” you say, gesturing to the lab around you. “About how… I don’t know. It’s just… nice. Being here. With you.”

Otto’s expression softens, and for a moment, you think he might actually smile. But then he turns back to his work, his mechanical arms continuing their intricate dance.

“It’s not often I have company."

He reaches out with one of his mechanical arms, the metal gently patting your shoulder. The touch is unexpected, but not unwelcome, and you feel a wave of happiness spread through you.

“You’re a good kid,” he says, his voice low and steady. “Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”