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Cecilia Immergreen was an automaton. An object created for the sole purpose of being a servant. Nothing more, nothing less. The beautifully crafted key placed atop her head reminded her of that, her body would not operate as long as it wasn’t wound on a daily basis. It was a blessing and a curse. She couldn’t function like a normal human, couldn’t feel emotions like one, couldn’t feel the steady thrum of a heartbeat coursing through her. Instead, the tiny whirs and clicks gave proof that she was alive and functioning. Just like a machine. There was no blood, but oil. Her doll-like joints could pop and flex, but there was no pain or discomfort. Everything about her was autonomous. There was a schedule. Every morning, one of the three members of Justice would come to her room and greet her. With Liz, their leader, her key was always turned gently, followed with a few gentle ruffles in her hair and a kiss on the cheek. It always left Cecilia flustered, and thankful at the fact that blush receptors weren’t features that she possessed. Raora was a little less affectionate, but still incredibly careful. Nervous hands trembled as she grasped the key and turned it, though very painstakingly and agonizingly slow as though not to hurt her. Cecilia never hesitated to grab and kiss the back of either hand once her systems were fully booted as a silent “thank you”, and Raora left with a quickened pace in her step and a “basta” through a squeak.
Now, that gremlin, Gigi Murin, was a different case. She always found unusual ways to wake Cecilia, whether by tying a rope around her string and connecting it to the ceiling fan, or by only using one hand so the process took twice as long. Cecilia didn’t hate it, quite the contrary. She loved being woken up regardless, but by Gigi made her feel something… Different. Gigi never faltered or wavered, made sure to answer any questions that Cecilia groggily grumbled upon awakening, and ensured that pink never left green. The way she’d sit back on her haunches and stare at Cecilia: the way her fingers twitched, the way her nose would scrunch up at the stray hairs that tickled her nose, or the way her dress would bunch and ruffle around as she fixed her posture. Cecilia knew that Gigi watched and took note of it all, yet “why” is a question she could never find herself asking the gremlin. She could tell that there was a certain … hunger … Behind those gentle pink eyes of her teammate, though for what, she never knew…
Until today…
Cecilia awoke with a groan, her neck being much stiffer thanks to the position that she found herself slumped in. A breathy groan escaped her lips as she stretched and twisted, earning a loud pop from one of her joints in turn. With a wince, she looked around slowly blinking and taking in her surroundings until a fit of laughter snapped her into focus. “Damn, that sounded like it hurt!” Gigi cackled, slapping her knee as a round of laughter rippled through her tiny frame. Cecilia rolled her eyes with a scoff. “Well, considering that I ended up slumped against this wall without any support, it was bound to happen.” Gigi quickly sat up, offering a hand which Cecilia gratefully took. The warmth of her teammate’s hand in hers sent a fleeting feeling of warmth through her body that she quickly dismissed with a clear of her throat. “So… Any plans for today? What does Liz have assigned for us?” Gigi looked at her blankly, then blinked. “Ceci… Do you need an update or somethin’’? Today’s our day off.” Cecilia blinked once, twice, then scoffed once again. “Well, of course, I knew that, but we might have paperwork to do or something…” She tapered off, releasing Gigi’s hands and smoothing down the edges of her dress instead. “You gonna get off the floor or…?” Gigi questioned, staring down at the automaton with an avid curiosity that Cecilia noticed. “I’ll move when I’m ready, Gigi. Today is my off day, after all.” Nodding, Gigi stretched and sat down on the floor opposite her. “Okay, cool. I’ll be right here until you find something to do then.” Cecilia rolled her eyes and shooed her away with her hands, her joints slightly rolling and popping as she did. “No, you don’t have to do that, Gigi. I’ll be fine right here by myself. I know that sitting down in one place for too long gets on your nerves.” Gigi chuckled and laid back, her hands cradling the back of her head. “Anywhere is fine as long as you’re there.”
“W-What?” Cecilia gasped incredulously. Gigi shrugged and with a sigh, continued: “I love the sound of your voice.” Cecilia felt her “heart” flutter as Gigi spoke but dared to keep quiet. “Not just the way it fills the silence, but the way it makes me feel safe. The way it softens when you’re tired. The way it peaks when you’re excited. The way it calms me, even when you don’t realize it. I could listen to you forever – not just the words, but to the love tucked inside them.” A shaky laugh and a sniffle, then quiet sobs. Cecilia could only stare at the trembling gremlin before her as her mind raced to catch up with her. Her chest heaved with rapid breaths, and she could hear her mechanisms whining from how fast her key started to spin. “Woah, woah… Easy there!” Gigi reached up and ran her fingers through silver locks, gently tucking the resident braid behind her ear with a watery smile. “Gigi… You’re crying.” Cecilia ran the back of her hand along the gremlin’s face, gently swiping at the tears. Gloved hands quickly found hers and she silently gasped. “I don’t know what’s gotten into me, I just-… I’m sorry.” Cecilia shook her head and leaned forward, gently resting her forehead against the gremlin’s. “Don’t apologize for saying how you feel. I… I’ve felt… The same… For quite some time now, but I-.” A pair of lips against her own cut her off mid-sentence and she couldn’t help the squeak of surprise that escaped her. She relished in how soft Gigi’s lips felt pressed against hers, the slightly salty taste to them (no doubt due to her tears), how she faintly smelled of the outdoors, and how she wanted more… She couldn’t help but gently coax the girl closer by wrapping both arms around her shoulders and pressing her lips firmly against the other’s. Gentle moans slipped through as she felt her internal temperature rise and could hear her artificial heart kick up in rhythm… Until she realized that they were both still sitting on the floor of her bedroom. A muffled cry escaped her as she tapped Gigi’s shoulder, slowly pushing the girl off her.