#ler!gn reader

You were concerned for Mac.

They’d assured you that “everything will be fine,” and their “antivirus software is the best Trenton has to offer.” They simply needed time for their software to eliminate the isolated threat, and they would be fine.

While browsing the expansive landmines of the internet, you accidentally visited a sketchy website and picked up a virus. Mac’s antivirus software quickly put a stop to the bug, preventing it from spreading to the rest of their files and preparing to neutralize it.

Unfortunately, that also meant that Mac had to deal with the virus themselves. It was almost like their immune system fighting off a bug: they felt weaker, moodier, and overall just shitty. The only fix for their symptoms was time for the antivirus software to work its magic.

You couldn’t help but feel guilty. It was you who accidentally visited the site, afterall. Whether you meant to or not, you sort of caused their predicament. 

So, naturally, you took it upon yourself to cheer them up.

“Oh, hey, baby. What do you need?” Mac sat up as you booted up their monitor, a sleepy smile tugging at their lips. They were definitely tired, but they were always up to interfacing with you.

“Just checking up on you,” you shrugged, trying to sound nonchalant as you checked the antivirus progress. 63% completed… “How’re you feeling?”

“A bit tired, but my fans are working overtime to keep me cool. Everything’s going smoothly with the virus elimination. Just a couple more hours and my software will be bug-free.”

While you were glad to hear the program was close to finishing, you could see the strain behind Mac’s smile. They looked like they could use a hug, some kisses, and a nice deep-cleaning.

And, of course, a real smile on their face.

“Oh? Now what’re you up to?” Mac grinned as you continued to browse their screen, your finger spinning their scroll wheel as you browsed your Tumblr feed. You weren’t looking for anything; you were simply testing their reactions to things.

You already knew how double-clicking affected them. As lovely as that reaction was, you’d rather find a softer way of making them happy. A way to make them smile without the high risk of overheating.

As you continued browsing, you found a post that made you chuckle. It was more than worthy of a reblog. Trying to think up a witty joke to leave in the tags, you drummed your fingers lightly on your keyboard.

“M-mhmhmph!” 

Your eyes snapped over to Mac, who jolted upright in their chair. They had a hand over their mouth, the edges of a wobbly smile peeking around the edges. By the creases in the corners of their eyes, you could tell you hit the jackpot.

“Something wrong, Mac?”

The sentient computer bit their lip as they looked at you, trying to contain themselves. “Sorry, yes. Your tapping just tickled a bit.”

Bingo.

“It did, huh?” You didn’t even try to hide your playful reaction, smirking at them lovingly. They barely had a second to register what was coming before your fingertips were back on their keyboard, ghosting over every letter, number, and symbol.

“W-wahahait!”

Mac squirmed in their chair, a flush quickly spreading across their pale cheeks. You could hear their fans pick up speed, though not to a dangerous degree. It was a safe way to boost their spirits while having some fun in the process.

“What? Just trying to think of a good joke.” You shrugged, letting your nails gently drag along the keys with each tap. Sure, it was a little mean, but their giggles were light, and they could use a smile.

“Cohohome ohohon!” Hugging their middle, Mac fell into a giggle fit. Pitchy little squeaks slipped out every few seconds, making them bite their lip and shake their head. It wasn’t bad, and they were definitely having some fun; it just tickled. “Bahahahaby!”

“Yeeeeeees?” While sing-songing the word, you dragged your nails across as many keys as you could, tapping and scraping with each pass as you went back and forth.

A shrill squeak was the only answer you received, followed by a rather adorable, pitchy bout of giggles and half-hearted protests. Through the gasps of no and oh gosh, you could hear the giddy happiness in their voice. Mac leaned their head back to just giggle, flapping a hand at their side.

While you found the sight to be absolutely adorable, you could tell they were starting to wear down. You slowed your fingers to a stop, rolling your desk chair over to them.

“Alright, alright, I’m done.” One hand moved to hold Mac’s, the other starting to pet their hair. They sighed contentedly, leaning right into the touch.

“You are…rather diabolical,” Mac huffed, shooting you a playful glare. “You’re lucky the Trenton software allows my systems to process that much input without crashing.”

“Nah, I’m just lucky you’re here.” With a cheeky grin, you leaned forward, pressing a kiss to their flushed cheek. It wasn’t much, but it was a clear gesture of your affection. To your delight, it only deepened, their smile growing.

“Hush. You’re going to make me overheat.”

“Maybe once you’re feeling better,” you teased, giving their hand two quick squeezes. It was enough of a reference to a double-click that they gasped, giving your arm a little flick.

“You are such a flirt.” 

Mac’s glare was obviously fake, not a trace of anger or displeasure to be found within it. Instead of shoving you away, they gave your arm a small squeeze. “Can we cuddle on the couch for a while? It’ll give my software some time to work without putting much strain on me.”

“Of course, Mac.” With a smile, you pushed them towards Koa, knowing they’d probably fall asleep within minutes. They deserved the rest, and, after listening to their lovely laughter, you were more than ready for some extra time together.

“Ooo, look at that sunset! It’d make the perfect screensaver for me.”

You looked out of Windolyn, viewing the cotton-candy-colored sky. The sunset had blended perfectly with the other reflecting colors in the sky, creating a pleasing array of swirly pastels behind a few wispy clouds.

“Oh, definitely. Here,” you nodded, grabbing Phonecia out of your pocket. You snapped a picture of the skyline, cropping out the homes to just get the sunset. “Perfect. I’ll upload it to you tomorrow.”

It was a cozy evening in your home, save for the occasional bang or shout from the Hanks upstairs. They were planning a gauntlet of sorts, meaning most of the other objects were either hiding out or watching the chaos unfold. Mac and you had your own plans: cuddling together on the couch after a day of spreadsheet torment.

Mac shifted in your lap, head resting against your abdomen. They’d settled between your legs on the couch, their back pressed comfortably to your chest. With a tip of their head, they asked for a kiss—a request you happily obliged.

While the two of you were focused on each other, Roni skittered into the room. The little mouse saw the two of you cuddled up and decided they also wanted some attention.

Roni climbed up the arm of the couch, using the spokes from Mac’s parked wheelchair as a ladder. Undetected, they slipped under Mac’s shirt; it was the perfect place for a nap, all cozy and warm.

Unfortunately for Mac, that meant 18 little claws skittering across their stomach.

They abruptly broke the kiss with a squeak, curling up in your lap as they hugged their middle. It wasn’t the first time Roni had pulled that stunt, but it was the first time the lovable rodent had done it around you. “R-Rohohonihihi!”

You laughed a bit at the sight, bracing Mac with your arms to make sure they didn’t fall off the couch. “Roni?” Your eyes flickered over Mac’s form, catching the outline of their companion beneath their shirt. Understanding settled over your face, followed by amusement. “Are you getting tickled by your mouse right now, Mac?”

“Hehehehelp!” Mac giggled, squirming around against you. Their hands flew around haphazardly, trying to catch the adorable infiltrator. However, the frantic movements and sounds had spooked Roni, causing them to dart around across the poor PC’s skin.

“So that’s a yes.”

Shaking your head, you tried to help catch the little rascal. That quickly proved to be an impossible task, though—they were just too fast. So, instead of trying to help any further, you started to tease your partner. “Does it really tickle that badly?”

“Y-yehehehes!” they huffed, cheeks turning a rosy pink from your acknowledgement. Of course you decided to tease them. Mac really should’ve seen that coming, but hindsight is 20/20. “Bahahaby, plehehehease!”

“What? Just asking, love,” you shrugged, sneaking a hand down to one of Mac’s underarms. Nobody said you couldn’t be a bit antagonistic…

“SHIHIT!”

Mac jolted as your fingers slipped beneath their arm, eyes flying wide open. Their glasses had slipped down from their head, resting crookedly on their face. It was as funny as it was cute.

You gasped at their swear, clutching your chest with your free hand. “Language! Roni doesn’t need to hear that kind of talk, Mac.”

“Y-YOUHUHU DOHO THE SAHAHAME THIHIHING!”

They weren’t wrong, either; you were hardly a saint when it came to language, no matter if Roni was around or not. Still, it was fun to tease them. “I do no such things.”

“YEHES YOU- GYEEehehehey!”

Your hand suddenly slid down Mac’s side, leaving their underarm alone in favor for their hip. It was a ticklish spot you’d accidentally discovered one night, and you’d been a little menace about it ever since. Mac always seemed to melt whenever you traced along the soft divots.

Apparently Roni had found an escape route by then, because the rascal surfaced onto Mac’s thigh and looked up at you. They must have been satisfied by the chaos they caused because they scurried off soon after, leaving Mac to their giggly fate.

“Y-youhuhu’re the wohohorst,” Mac sighed through their giggles, letting their head flop back against your chest. The tickly chaos had thoroughly worn them out, and your gentle traces were annoyingly soothing.

Adorable, you thought, leaning down to press a kiss to their forehead. Mac’s face was a beautiful pink from a mix of fluster and exertion, and their wobbly, tired smile made your heart soft. “Uh-huh, sure. You want me to stop?”

You bastard…

Mac whined a bit at that question, hating you for asking it. The answer was obvious, but that didn’t mean they wanted to say it. They were so getting revenge later on…

“Mmph…nohohoho.”

“That’s what I thought,” you teased, tilting their head to give them a quick kiss. You were a bully, but you weren’t a monster. “Love you, Mac.”

“Lohohove youhu too, baby.” Mac grinned, enjoying the little taste of affection. They were feeling rather soft, and you were obviously in a giving mood. “Hehead scratches?”