Chapter Text
Four months. It's been four months since they broke free of Admins chains.
Andre still remembers the day as clear as the water in the river nearby their house. His legs can recreate the cold of facility's floor tiles. His eyes can still see the burning of Assimilation's eye on him, breaking the player down.
They had a hard time gaining and learning to trust each other again. But, step by step, their relationship bloomed again, in the prime of freedom and ability to have each other by side.
The unlucky pair decided to plant their feet in the world of Collinlock16, as he was the only safe option they both relatively knew.
At first, not a single day of their life could be spent without an argument. It doesn't matter, whatever it was Andre trying to speedrun again or him using the wrong pickaxe for a rare ore that triggered Assimilation to fight, they would snap out at every minor inconvenience of the AI. It has gotten so far, that Collin himself started to become more and more irritated, to the point that he forced the two AIs to live a whole 100 chunks away from each other.
However, that was in past. Andre and Assimilation now were even more than just close friends. They shared the same house, slept by each other and did basically almost everything together.
Andre was grateful for his life. He felt the rush of unexplainable happiness every time even the smallest things made him feel alive and existing. Like a long grass brushing his hands, or Assimilation taking them in theirs. His existence was good. Andre learnt to love himself.
And now, he was safe. In the world where Admins would never dare to appear, living with his loved ones. Wasn't this a true paradise on Earth?
At this moment, Android was sitting beneath the frozen water on a small bridge. His fishing rod gently swayed in the hole that was carved out of ice to make the prey accessible. Collin asked him for some food to catch, giving a reasoning that they must trade something in order to stay in his world. But Andre knew he was just being lazy. Still, he had no protests against this given task – he had the opportunity to spend time with his chat alone, and think about his life path. It wasn't like Andre is a philosopher, but everyone sometimes gets thoughts like this.
Andre heard muffled footsteps behind his back. By the sound alone, he could already judge that this wasn't Assimilation – they would just teleport here – and not other entity either.
SOUPBEGONE31: oh collins back finally
SOUPBEGONE31: we can stop losing time now
Xx_E-G-O_xX: Dude shut up nobody cares about the time loss anymore
Andre didn't turn back and remained unmoving, before Collin's voice woke him up again.
– Oh my god, why do you get me that much!?
The robot jumped, finding another man's voice, all of a sudden, too high. Normally Collinlock16 would be ratherly quiet, with a notes of tiredness in his tone. Andre wasn't used to speech like this.
– Sorry, sorry, but seriously, I don't need all of this. Thanks, I guess.
Andre nodded, relieved that he wasn't getting yelled at. Not like he was yelled at for the last, at least, few weeks.
Android bounced on his feet, choosing his next objective. There wasn't so much that he could do, Andre was getting pretty exhausted by all this work today. Maybe, he needed to power off soon.
– By the way, where's your friend? I need to discuss...a few things with them.
Andre tapped his chin, mimicking the way people would look, when they were in deep thoughts. No, Assimilation didn't show up while he was fishing. Perhaps, they were looking for new materials, or just exploring the world. The other AI always liked exploring. They often took Andre with them on those little journeys, and would yap about the "beauty of world" for hours. Andre, as a good listener he is, took the information in. He didn't have the same feelings, but was working on it. However, the only human to follow and progress in developing his feelings around was Collin, and Andre avoided learning from his image. He knew that then his senses would be flooded with a pool of indifference.
Robot shook his head as a reply to the question.
– Uh, okay. Maybe they're preparing for New Year or smth. You guys must be getting ready for it, I guess.
Andre's previously shaken head tilted to the side. New Year? That wasn't a word in his dictionary. If that was something they should prepare for, does it mean that he should get anxious about it? Andre felt panic crawl all the way up his throat. Despite this, he was relieved that his emotions were working as they should, after all the modifications he had to go through, but that's a different story.
Collinlock16 looked at him with a suspicious glaze. He waited a second, before curiously asking.
– You know what New Year is, right?
Andre blinked at his question. He should be ashamed for his unintelligence. Because Collin was making it sound like a common thing everyone knew. But how was he supposed to know? His code contained only the info Admins set there, and things that he learnt about in his consciousness. He was literally created in a lab, so how should he know?
<AndreW2002>: no
The man continued staring at him, as if trying to make sure that Andre wasn't lying. Finally, he exhaled deeply.
– Well, it's like...a holiday. Yea, a holiday when people celebrate the end of the year.
Andre nodded. Huh, a holiday. He now understood. Though, the AI still had questions about it. Like, why should he prepare for it?
Collin, already skilled to recognise the emotions of his opponent, continued:
– Usually people give eachother gifts and everything. Oh, and they also decorate a tree! That's my favourite part.
At that point, Collin has gotten into a detailed tale about the Christmas. Andre decided that this information was enough for him.
He picked up his rod from the wooden bridge Andre was sitting on, and, without a single word, left the area. He could hear Collin shouting "rude!" behind, but that man was no longer worth of listening.
A New Year, huh? That sounds really interesting. Especially the present part. Andre was, like any normal person, a big fan of getting something for free.
***
When Andre got home, the "menacing" entity already was awaiting for him in the living room. Andre couldn't not notice the way their eye shines with different light every time they notice him, and how their body begins to relax. He was afraid that he was acting that way too, for some reason. Because Android could feel his insides heating up with every look in their eyes. But, that was pretty normal for friends to be like this, Andre guessed.
Their home was located at the top of a snowy mountain. It was a small shack with a farm nearby. Although, this building expirienced so many changes, that it was practically impossible to find the first version of this house in it.
The inside, even without having much interior, was the coziest place in the world for Andre. If he had to choose a location to be in, it would definitely be their living place, with a red carpet and two beds next to each other.
He waved at Assimilation, placing the rod and a bag of some loot he found on the way back to the house down. Assimilation smiled – well, not really, they had no mouth, but that definitely looked like a smile on their face.
He flopped on the bed next to the entity.
?So, how was your day, Andre?
Andre turned his head in their direction. Assimilation must've missed him. If Andre said that he didn't feel the same way all the time Assimilation was out of his range, that would be a complete lie. He definitely felt better around the entity.
<AndreW2002>: cool. was fishing for collin. missed you.
Despite the lack of letters, his response slipped into the Assimilation's soul. Their eye lit up even more, now looking like a glowing plate of the sun.
I missed you too, Andre. Very glad that you had a nice day, Andre.
Andre wasn't able to express any emotion with the way his appearance was built, but he hoped that his happiness was visible to Assimilation's eye.
They also were now laying instead of sitting. Andre fastly scanned through today's events, before remembering the things Collin told him before he got back.
New Year sounded very interesting. Plus, Andre was aware of Assimilation's want to live this life at its full limits, and celebrating a holiday together was a great idea to make them happier.
<AndreW2002>: collin told about the new year.
Assimilation turned to him with a surprise. Of course, they had no idea about it, as they were born in the same facility as he. Andre continued.
<AndreW2002>: its a holiday. people celebrate the end of year.
Assimilation now seemed to understand what he was talking about. They thoughtfully hummed.
Do you want us to celebrate New Year, Andre?
He quietly whispered "yes" in response. Thinking about celebrating New Year with Assimilation really filled his heart with excitement. That day was going to be their first holiday ever. He also turned to the entity.
<AndreW2002>: said they decorate tree and make gifts.
Assimilation wrapped their hands around his waist. Andre did the same, but on their neck. That was their typical way of interacting with each other.
Gifts? Sure sounds fascinating, Andre. I'd love to give you a gift.
With that, Assimilation calmly drifted to the dream land. He waited for a few moments. Assimilation sounded enthusiastic enough. However, as he could tell, they were always like this with him. But whatever. They liked the idea, and it was all that matters.
Andre powered off his system and joined the entity near him.
***
Their hand punched the sheep beside. With a long cry, it fell on the ground, leaving a pile of wool to lay on the grass.
Assimilation quickly sat down and collected the materials they just got. They weren't exactly a killer, but, if they have been having a bad day, and needed something to snap out all the frustration in their hands, Assimilation could sin a bit. Shears were an option, but not at the moment.
They deeply exhaled, feeling the tenseness of they body loose up and get replaced by the exhaustion. Assimilation stretched out, catching blooming sun rays to their weird void-like materia. It was the end of December 23rd, as they could remember. Andre insisted on keeping the calendar on their wall, as he was very excited about that strange "New Year" holiday, which, as Assimilation believes, happens between the 31st day of the last month of year and the 1st of January. They were thinking about that significant day for quite a lot. The most concern they had was Andre's gift.
Assimilation really wished they could just straight up go and ask the AI what he wants. Honestly, there were many things they wished to ask him. But, entity just didn't had the gut to do it. They always were able to find the dumbest excuses ever to just avoid a simple talk. But, that was complicated! They had no idea how to start the conversation, especially if it was something serious like their own feelings.
However, Andre wished for the gifts to be a surprise. Assimilation didn't understand his wish, but, well, if Andre wants a surprise, so it'll be a surprise. They would do anything for their Andre.
Assimilation passed the pine forest by their left. It was covered in an uncountable amount of snow. No wonder: everything was covered in snow at this moment. The rain droplets just turned into a snowflakes, and it seems to not being any close for this snowfall to the end, unless Collin leaves the world, of course. Assimilation couldn't quite decide if that change was bad or not. At one hand, the rain was becoming irritating for them, always pouring on their head and making it hurt. But, at the other, the switch wasn't so much better – the snow fell everywhere, blocking even already hardly accessible places and drowning your feet the moment you step on it.
Andre must've been feeling cold, they exclaimed for themselves. Not really feeling, maybe, but his system was definitely freezing in the weather like this. It might be dangerous for the robot!
So, Andre needs something to warm up. Assimilation's trail of thoughts continued, and then stopped at its final destination. Right! Andre needs something to not turn into an icicle in the environment like this! Maybe, some kind of clothing piece.
They immediately perked up at the realisation. Assimilation's movements were now more happy and animated, like they've uncovered the deepest government secret in the world. That's what Andre needs, a gift he's been all passionate about! Definitely, it must be something crafted with love, if Assimilation wants to show Andre their feelings that need to be delivered with it.
***
Andre wiped the nonexistent sweat from his forehead, just like he'd seen Collin do sometimes. Android stretched out his arms, tired from the consistent mining. His iron pickaxe already broke down, but, thankfully, Andre had many of them.
He turned around. The light from mine's entrance was hidden and consumed by rocks he had travelled. Looks like he was pretty deep, huh. Andre decided to call it a night and return to his and Assimilation's place.
When he finally left his workplace, android was greeted by a sudden flow of cold. And, even not having the ability to feel as bright as a human, he could still taste the wind scraping his metal skin. Andre squinted his eyes, refusing to move forward.
All that cold temperature made him wonder about Assimilation. Of course, he knew that Assimilation wasn't a real person, and they, most likely, couldn't get cold. But, that still is affecting their body, he guessed. How couldn't an environment like this affect one?
Andre looked at the sky. All those days the main subject of his thoughts was New Year. That bright holiday, a celebration of new era's birth. But it also meant he should get a gift for Assimilation. When Andre suggested they go with traditions, he didn't really pay that much attention to it. Now, after realising that he actually needs to start before it's too late, Andre has no idea about the thing he should create for Assim. Maybe, a jewellery of some kind? Though, he wasn't sure if Assimilation actually needs something like that.
Andre spent more time thinking, and then, it tickled in his brain. Assimilation would love something to hide them from the cold winter and carry warmth in it! Maybe, a cape with a hood? Or like that.
He wordlessly cheered his bright mind for having a great idea like that. Without his knowledge, Andre's steps became faster the more he thought of Assimilation being happy about his gift.
***
Assimilation settled on the red carpet. Around them, in a perfect square, sat chests, full of different kinds and colors of wool. Of course, they could just spawn the gift without spending so much time making it, but then, it would lack soul. And entity really wanted for Andre to see, how many effort they took into it. To see, how much they cared for him, how many time Assimilation spend thinking about the android when he wasn't around...okay, that's enough.
They stopped the uncontrollable rush of thoughts spiralling around.
Honestly, Assimilation didn't put too much thought into what they really were looking forward when imagining the end product. Maybe, they should've decided earlier, before starting the creation process.
Assimilation started building their image of the gift. Maybe, it should be a white coat...right! And it should have the accents of cyan blue, like Andre's other accessories!
They demanded themselves a genius for that idea, and took a handful of wool from the chest, as well as the leather and paint.
***
Andre had already gathered the materials for his creation. He didn't bother himself in sorting it out, as he had not so many.
Android imagined the coat he was going to sew way before he started the process. Thanks for being a natural speedrunner, he knew what he was going to do even days until it. His occupation just required robot to be like this.
Andre drew a vision in his mind. It was a long, fluffy cloak. It would be darkish brown, and, like a cherry on top, Andre wanted to sew a little heart in the center of where the entity's chest is. He thought it would be cool and silly, considering the fact that Assimilation had their real heart showing up there.
Andre decided to materialize his beautiful creation in the separate from their house place to minimise the chances of Assimilation catching him. Android closed the door of his little hideaway, and stepped into the art of creating.