Programmed for Love

by Lyonne Riley

“You have always been kind to me, and I appreciate that about you.” It’s a little sad, hearing him say this. So it does get under his skin when people like Marc joke about strangling him, and he just doesn’t show it. “You deserve kindness and respect, just like anyone else.”

“I’m not entirely sure how to proceed. I know that humans have... customs, around these kinds of things. But I was not programmed with protocols for precisely how to navigate them.”

“We experience arousal, too. When there’s something to be aroused for.”

D leans down just slightly. “I can hold out as long as you need,” he says. “I can fuck you for hours, if that’s what you want.”

“Did you just come?” I ask as one of D’s elbows gives out, and he gently rests some of his weight on top of me. “Yes.” He’s breathing hard. “I did not expect to.” “That can happen?” “It has never happened to me before without warning.” He kisses the side of my face. “My sensory cortex got overwhelmed and needed to release tension. I could not help it.”

“You are fascinating,” he says, lifting a hand to my cheek. I lean into it. “And lovely. If I am what you want, as someone who can offer you so little, then I would be happy to make you happy.”

I burst all over his face, and it’s incredible and embarrassing at the same time. But D just drinks it up, and I wonder how human fluids interact with his digestive system. Will part of me be powering him tomorrow?

Well damn

“Love is not what I thought it would be,” he whispers. “So I simply did not recognize it. I am sorry for that. I am sorry it took me so long to understand.”

“I thought love would be some sudden strike of realization, like a bullet. But it’s not. It builds and grows, until you cannot imagine living without the person you love at your side.”

“I never want to be without you, Lela. I don’t think I could stand it. If that is not love, I don’t know what would be.”

“I love you, Lela Talbot,” he says. Every part of my body and mind is warm and sated. “I love you too, D-084.”