#dbh inspired

Max, the name he gave the android on the second day since it arrived in his house. There was no special reason he gave it a name, it was just more convenient than always saying 'MV33'. But, as time moved on, the name Max, started to feel more... Special. The driver had started to associate the name to the feeling of 'protected' and 'safe'. It was only inevitable. Though Max isn't actually human, it still has opinions it can give. Its cold, cutting, honesty is relieving to Charles who always has to be careful of what he says in fear of judgement from the public.

There is one problem though. Deviants. Deviants are androids who've gone rogue. Stated to have violent tendencies, and have even killed their owners. It's also mentioned that the deviant androids seems to have also developed 'feelings'. This is what catches Charles's eyes. The whole 'android killing human' thing doesn't really surprise him that much. He's watched enough tv shows and movies to know that an android being violent against humans was pretty much inevitable considering they gave inanimate objects sentience.

Them gaining feelings though, that's something he's never considered before. So, that's another thing to consider when having androids. great.

Charles side-eyes his robotic bodyguard beside him. Should I ask him- it? No. Even if it were to deviate, telling its owner who could send him to the scrapyard would be a dumb move. And he knows Max is smarter than that. Charles swallows nervously.

Max notices, ofcourse it does "are you alright, Charles? your anxiety levels are soaring to high levels" Charles sighs "It's nothing Max just a little worried" Max silently scans the phone the driver is holding, reading the article on the screen. "You do not need to worry about deviants, Charles, I am equipped with everything necessary to protect from any and all harm" Charles chuckles, it's true though, he's seen Max work firsthand. "I'm not worried about being attacked by deviants, Max. I'm more so worried about the fact that the amount of androids deviating has increased is staggering. like, the quantity of deviants in Detroit is a bit scary" Max furrows his- it- (you know what? I'll just give Max male pronouns, it's too tiring, accidentally messing up every singe time) eyebrows, a tilt of his head, and he looks like a confused child. It's almost... cute. No. You giving him pronouns is already controversial, if people find out that you suddenly find your android cute will just give people more fuel to hate you. Stop it, Charles.

"why would you need to worry about that?" Charles sighs again "Max, what would happen to me if you suddenly deviated?" Charles stares at the android's eyes, and though his tone serious, there is a hint of fear in his voice. A look crosses Max's perfect face, one that Charles couldn't read fast enough, before it disappears, and an impassive look settles on Max's face. "That wouldn't happen, Charles. You know this." Charles sighs, frustration bleeding in the action. "Just... hypothetically, if you were to deviate, would you point your gun at me?"

Max's LED turns yellow, clearly thinking the question over. "If I were to deviate, which I won't, I wouldn't point my gun at you." Charles releases a breath he didn't notice he was holding. Relief washes over Charles's whole body, before curiosity takes over. "Wait, why?" Max stares at the forest green eyes infront of him. "In the reports where Deviants hurt their owners, it's specified that they weren't treated very well, they were mostly abused. So, if I were to deviate, I wouldn't harm you because you have treated me with care and warmth"

Charles smiles "well, they do say that kindness is always repaid" Max smiles as well, and though he's an android there's a hint of realness in the action.

------------

The topic of deviants doesn't get mentioned again until 2 months later. Max had been acting weirder. And not the same 'android weird' where they lick anything and everything to analyze a substance Max seriously needs to stop doing that. It gets more disgusting the more I see it no, it's more 'human weird'. A simple example of this would be Max putting his hand on the small of Charles's back. Max had always been protective, it's in his code, it's how he was designed. But he's never done the gesture before. It almost feels like he's claiming his territory for the world to see. So he's being a bit more careful when protecting Charles, that's not really proof he's acting weird, or out of the ordinary since he's an android who can learn to do his job better.

But the problem is when someone gets too close to the Ferrari driver. Whether it's a complete stranger, a reporter, or even his friends, Max glares at them, actively daring them with his eyes to do something. It's making Charles worried again is Max deviating? no, he's not showing the same symptoms, he's not becoming aggressive. But his actions aren't really ordinary... What if he kills me...? No. Max said it himself. He wouldn't hurt me... But the chances aren't zero right? He might snap if I do one bad thing to him A shiver of fear runs down his spine I should get him tested for deviancy as a precaution, right? Yeah, just a small checkup.

"Hey Max, Before we get home let's drop by Cyberlife really quick." Max's LED flickers red as something crosses his face, but both are quickly covered in a split second. Charles's anxiety grows. Though he wasn't able to decipher what that was about, he knew it couldn't be good.

"may I ask why?" Was it just Charles or did Max's voice sound... Strained? Like, he's holding something back... something like anger. "Oh, it's nothing, it's just been a while since I've given you a checkup. I just want to make sure everything is fine with your software and stuff" sweat gathers on his forehead. There's no reason for Charles to be nervous. Max promised he wouldn't hurt him.

Max's grip on the steering wheel tightens. It's subtle, but not unnoticeable. Sadly, Charles is not that perceptive. "There is no need for that, Charles. I have already run a diagnostic check. My operations are currently working perfectly fine."

Shit. I forgot they could do that. "It's just to be sure! There might be problem you could check yourself" Charles smiles, but it's stiff, it's the smile he usually uses when asked a personal or invasive question in the media pen. silence fills the car, a tense atmosphere present between them. Sweat gathers and rolls down his cheek despite the air conditioning being on, and the stillness makes Charles try to fill the silence. "I also really want go and get a new android. I'm pretty tired of doing my own laundry, so I want to buy an AX400 model"

Max's hyperrealistic fingers grip the steering wheel a little harsher, and this time, Charles Notices. hesitantly, the formula one driver opens his mouth "Max?" he questions. Max averts his eyes from the road for a few seconds, his eyes stone cold, and if looks could kill, Charles would already be six feet under.

"Charles. It seems you've forgotten some of functions. I am able to detect the stress levels of those in my vicinity. Currently, your stress is at 90%." Charles audibly gulps. "You want me to tell you that data tells me?" Charles stays silent, suddenly remembering the the features given to the android beside him. "It tells me, that you are currently lying." Shit. Fuck. "and just so you know, even if I wasn't able to see the level of your stress, you were fidgeting with the hem of your hoodie, while biting your lip. It's a visible sign that you do when you are lying to ones that know you personally." Ofcourse he noticed that. Why wouldn't he? He's basically military grade tech.

when they finally park in the garage of Charles's building, the drive there being one in complete silence. Max pulls the gun strapped in his holster at all times, and points it at the head of the human. Charles freezes, his body unable to move, his heart and head racing. Is this it? Is this how I die? To my android gone deviant?

Max's cold voice rings in his ears "If you don't want your brains splattering in the car, I suggest you follow my words to the dot. nod your head if you understand." shakily, Charles moves his head up and down, indicating he understood Max's words. "when we get out of the car, we are heading straight to your home. If we meet anyone, you act normally and you don't tell them shit about what's happening. Understood?" Tears are gathering on the in Charles's emerald green eyes, but he still nods. Releasing a shaky breath as he does so.

"good boy" Charles hates it. He hates how the words make him shiver. Not out of fear. It would have been much better considering the situation he's currently in. But no. His traitorous body thought that now was the time to shiver in arousal. Great. Just how Charles wanted to go. Hard, aroused, and drowning in his own shame.

When they got out of the car and reached the elevator, they were met by a couple also waiting to up. Two elderly people, who immediately recognized the Ferrari driver. "Oh! Well, isn't today a lucky day? To think we'd be able to see someone so famous!" What a lucky day it is right now Charles thought bitterly. But he still smiled, was it fake? sure. But he's not exactly interested in dying infront two kind elders just because he forgot Max's rules.

"Hello! Do you want me to sign anything?" The old lady smiled sadly "unfortunately not, but maybe next time!" Charles laughed, relief being breathed into bones at the fact the interaction will last shorter. "Ofcourse!"

"oh, by the way, how is that android treating you? We've been planning on buying one ourselves but still not exactly sure." The old man kindly asks. "He's great" No he's not, He's currently kidnapping me "though I suggest doing a bit more research before actually buying one! It might waste your money"

"Ahem" Max catches the attention of the three talking, and stares at Charles, an expectant tint in his eyes. "well, it seems I have to go, have a wonderful day!" Charles waves goodbye, before entering the elevator and heads up to his penthouse.

When the doors open, Max immediately makes Charles go into the bed room, where he's tied to the bed with Max's tie. The same tie Charles recently bought him, how ironic.

"now then, let's begin the fun"