#shayam

[text] Liam’s really hurt, I think it’d be best if I spoke to you on his behalf.

[text] Shaylon please, this is important.

[text] Shaylon, are you even getting these?

[text] Are you ignoring me on purpose?

[text] Please respond, I don’t want to jump to conclusions.

[text] Shaylon?

[text] I wanted to get your consent first, but now I’m worried. I’m heading over to your office.

[text] I’m not very far away, I’ll be over in like ten minutes.

[text] The intersection's a bit busy... it might take longer than expected.

[text] I just got here, I’m entering the building.

Shaylon had little chance of preparation before there was a knock on the door. He instantly drew his attention to the entrance, placing his phone back on the desk.

He was unsure of what to do at first, hoping that whomever was out there (presumably Alistair) would just give up and leave.

But their persistence was ever so evident, and within time he finally forced himself out of the oh so comfortable chair. He strolled over to the entrance, quickly throwing on a jacket to cover his barren torso. He buttoned it up for at least some form of decency, and then opened the door.

He was met with Alistair, who stared at him with a concerned expression plastered on his face. Before he could open his mouth to speak Shaylon beat him to it. “What are you doing here?” he instantly asked, his companion shutting his mouth. “I... uh.” he started, rubbing his nape awkwardly. “I heard about what happened to Liam and I-”

“I hope you don’t intend to guilt trip me.”

“What? No! I just...”

Alistair lowered his glance to the floor, unsure of what to say. What words were usable and what were off limits. He couldn’t be too sure but... he had to start talking. “I need to talk to you, really bad.” he stated, desperation in his voice. Shaylon gave him a weary look, but let him inside nonetheless. “Be my guest.”

The android stepped into the room and glanced around, this being the first time he ever saw Shaylon’s office. It was messy to say the least, with a blown up mattress and a few bags of snacks tossed into the corner by a lamp. His desk was scattered with papers, and filing cabinets were left half open.

Nonetheless he was intrigued.

“Nice place you got here.” he remarked, though Shaylon taking it in the sarcastic sense. “I know, it’s just beautiful.” he mocked, gaining no reply from his companion. It took a second longer before Alistair turned on his heel to face the other.

“Listen Shaylon, I’m sorry to barge in at such an unexpected time but it’s an emergency.” his companion only rolled his eyes. “Right right, an ‘emergency’. Well if it has to do with anything that went down between me and Liam I don’t care, move on.” he spat, trying to appear as confident as he could. Alistair flinched at the harshness of the words, but nonetheless continued.

"I know, it was your decision and I have no right to harass you about it... but I have to admit that it just seemed a bit... weird for you.” Shaylon sent him a look. “What do you mean?”

“Well...” he started, picking his words carefully. “I just don’t understand how you could up and leave Liam behind, after all you two have been through. You seemed so happy and... in love. I just thought nothing could ever get between you two.” he answered, shifting his position briefly.

“Well you were wrong, can’t we just leave it at that?” Shaylon retorted, but his companion instantly snapped at him. “No, we can’t. You’re not acting like yourself, this isn’t you! This isn’t the Shaylon I know, the one I learned to care for and... befriend.” he started, skipping over a word or two and replacing them with another. “I can’t truly believe that you would do this to him... at least tell me why!” he begged, as desperate as ever.

Shaylon sent him a look, one of pity and disappointment. But that quickly faded, as he broke through to reality and understood how important this simple answer would be to Alistair, and maybe even Liam. Maybe then they’d understand and leave him alone... or give some well needed advice. Either or he didn’t care. “I just... I got scared okay?”

“...What?”

“After you told us the story of when you lost me... I didn’t know what to think.”

“What do you mean?”

“I keep thinking about what you said. About how my death and your creator’s were both equally heart wrenching. About the hell you went through for years on end, constantly trying to mend torn wounds. Seeing me again brought some life back to your eyes, V said so, but...”

“Shaylon...”

“I can’t do that. I can’t live with that. When I first got with Liam I knew the consequences, I knew what would happen when the time finally came. I was prepared for it. Or, at least, I thought I was. But now that I see the reality of it, what it really does to people... I just can’t. I can’t do it. I couldn’t live with myself after he died. I couldn’t cope... it’d be impossible.” Shaylon turned his gaze from the Alistair to the floor, shutting his eyes tight.

“Shaylon I-”

“I can’t do it Alistair, even you can admit that. I’m not human, I’m not built to express those emotions, or feel them. I’m built to get rid of the weaker ones and make way for the new. I wasn’t supposed to feel this way, about anyone, and now I’m stuck with facing the reality of it and I just can’t do it. Why don't you understand that!?" he snapped, surprising Alistair. It wasn't often that Shaylon was in such a state, and that only caused him to be even more concerned.

"Shaylon I'm sure we can find compromises, it's not the end of the world." he reassured, though that drew little agreement. "How Alistair, how?!" he spat, hands curling into fists. "We can't save him, he's doomed to die just as you and I are. The only difference is that we've been around for decades, maybe centuries, and he's been around for no more than two of them!"

"But-"

"And not only that, but he's only expected to be around for a handful more before something happens and he ends up dead. Then what do I do, sit in the corner and cry? I can't even do that, because I'm a fucking piece of shit machine! I'll be left to suffer in a barren wasteland without the one I love, how is that supposed to make me feel happy!?" he yelled, Alistair keeping quiet. He needed Shaylon to express his anger, the emotions were obviously getting to him.

He couldn't remember a time that Shaylon was this emotional, and though this was an interesting development it also concerned him heavily. "Shaylon, there's plenty of alternative ways to keeping Liam around. Just because his body fails doesn't mean his soul will as well, there's still the chance that you two can exist, you just have to trust-"

"I know that's a possibility but I also know that it's a program run and funded by the government, and I don't trust those fucking bastards with his soul."

"Then just trust me, V's friend went through a similar process and they literally brought her back from the dead. Yeah someone died but.. it was an eye for an eye situation."

"That's such bullshit."

"Don't say that."

"But it is, how can you trust those monsters?"

"I can rightfully believe that's one of the things that won't end up corrupted."

"How can you be so sure?"

"How can you prove me otherwise?"

"Do I need to pull out a history book and give you a lesson?"

"The program's newer, their past doesn't always define their future."

"How can you defend them?!"

"Because I'm trying to give you and Liam a chance..."

"What do you mean 'a chance'?"

"I mean I want to see you two happy together..."

"Why, so you can loathe about being single to V?"

"What? No!"

"Then why do you care so much?"

"Because I want to see you happy."

"You don't even know me."

"Know you!? I'm in love with you you bastard!"