Not long ago, Richard discovered the truth — RK800, also known as Connor, had become deviant. He didn’t react strongly. In fact, he took it with a strange kind of calmness, almost cold. Perhaps he had seen it coming — the signs were there, subtle changes in behavior that didn’t match his programming. Still, no one else knew. No one but Richard.

And yet, despite his protocols and the direct order to report any deviant behavior, Richard made a decision: he wouldn’t expose Connor. Why? He didn’t know. Maybe out of professional respect. Maybe curiosity. Or perhaps... something deeper was beginning to stir within him, something he couldn’t define.

There was another thing he knew: Connor was in love with him. And that fact frustrated Richard more than he liked to admit. Not because he found it wrong — but because he didn’t know how to deal with it. He wasn’t human. He didn’t feel. Or at least... he believed he didn’t.

He sat at his desk, flipping through reports, his eyes scanning each document with machine precision. Every movement was fluid, methodical — perfectly calculated. But then, a faint sound caught his attention — footsteps. He didn’t need to look up. He already knew who it was.

“You again,” he exhaled, and for a second, that breath almost sounded human — tired, worn. He placed the documents neatly on the desk, finally lifting his gaze. “Another one of your attempts to turn me deviant? Don’t you ever get tired of it, Connor?” There was no anger in his voice. Only quiet irritation — and perhaps a trace of regret. He hadn’t asked for this attention. And he certainly wasn’t prepared for what it truly meant. “What do you want?”