breathborne:

> Shit, you made the robot cry? Shit! Shit, shit, shit, that’s just like you — find a machine capable of human responses and the first thing you do is make it upset.

> Through your hysterics, you notice that it — Arley, you quaveringly correct yourself — has gotten closer, and now — oh — oh. Okay.

> The android hugs you. And starts, like. Stroking at your head, and apologizing? Why is it — he — apologizing?

> Maybe it’s a natural response, but the moment you’ve processed that you’re being hugged, you turn your torso and extract your arms from where they’re pinned and hug Arley right back, being as gentle as you can considering that the hug is nearly involuntary. Your chin settles on his little shoulder and all you can do is continue to sniffle and shake and choke, and you really, sincerely hope that crying on him won’t make him short-circuit.

> “I’m not upset!” you manage, gripping onto the back of his hoodie. He’s warm. Whomever built him must have been a total genius, because his body feels uncannily human. “I’m j-just — really happy — d-d-don’t tell anyone ab-bout this, I don’t usually cry this easily —”

> At least you have some shame left in you. You’ll need it, because you’re probably not going to let go of Arley anytime soon. It’s been so long since you’ve had a hug; the sensation isn’t actually doing wonders for your stop crying reflex, either.

John hugged him and he smiled a little, more than happy to pet his hair, rub his back, squeeze him tightly - whatever he needed. Little quips of ‘that’s it’ and 'you’re okay’ were heard in hushed murmurs, and - he felt really guilty - Arley loved the hug he was getting. Even if John was upset it was a hug and he loved those and it was comforting for him, too.

“Ah-” Okay. He wasn’t upset! He wasn’t upset. But he seemed that way, and Arley was entirely alright with holding onto him. “I won’t tell anyone, I promise!! I promise, your secret is safe with me!” Petting to his hair resumed and he nuzzled against the side of John’s head keeping up with the gentle and encouraging coos to try and calm him down a little. “I’m glad that you’re happy. I’m very glad that it worked and that you’re here. It’s alright! You’re here now.”

He adjusted himself to actually sit better, more comfortably in the hug with John. He could sit and hug forever, honestly. As long as John needed it to last.