Chapter 14 - A Difficult Gift
Adam and V walked slowly through the aisles of the supermarket.
The lighting was cold, the floors were too bright, and the shelves seemed endless.
Adam frowned, looking at the windows.
Nothing seemed to be the right gift.
A dress? he muttered.
Flowers?
A toy sword?
The truth was that I had no idea what to give J.
> Thoughts of Adam:
He deserves it... but what is given to someone like J?
Anything practical? Something nice? Something symbolic?
Adam scratched his head, frustrated.
Meanwhile, V followed him silently, holding in his hands the money Adam had given him.
V looked down shyly, his emotional systems working fast.
> Thoughts of V:
Mr Adam has done so much for me...
Shouldn't I give him something too?
Anything you like? Anything that makes you happy?
V blushed slightly.
I didn't know how to do it, but I wanted to find something special.
---
They both continued to walk among the gondolas in silence.
Lost in their own thoughts, not knowing that each was thinking about making the other happy.
More trades.
Adam held in his hands a box full of advanced drone parts.
The pieces shone under the supermarket lights.
I think this will be perfect for J, he said, nodding satisfied.
For someone as pragmatic as she is...
That is ideal.
V looked sideways, squeezing his hands behind his back.
Suddenly, he took a deep breath.
Mr Adam, I want to go buy something.
I'm back in a while.
Adam turned around, raising an eyebrow.
First, he said, crossing his arms: do not say "Mr Adam.".
Only Adam.
V nodded timidly.
Lord, I mean, Adam.
He blushed intensely.
Second, Adam added, taking a step closer:
I am going with you.
V lowered his gaze, his engines buzzing with nerves.
N-no need to...
I can go alone...
Adam looked at her fixedly.
Do you want to buy me a gift, right?
V froze.
His metallic face was dyed a more intense red than ever before.
C-how did you know?
Adam sighed as if it were obvious.
Because that would be the only reason why you would want to be alone.
After all...
You got really excited when you became my personal drone.
V stuttered, nervously.
M-I would believe if I said no...
Adam looked at her, with his most serious face possible.
-...
No.
V lowered his head in shame, covering his face with his hands as Adam let out a slight laugh.
Come on, tenrosito de sugar, he said, stirring his hair.
I accompany you.
I don't care if I know what you plan...
I want to see what you choose.
V, despite the shame, smiled.
And together, they continued to walk through the supermarket.
The supermarket looked huge now.
Between the high shelves and the endless corridors, V walked slowly beside Adam, with his money squeezed in his little metallic hands.
They did not talk much.
It was not necessary.
Adam looked at her sideways from time to time, feigning indifference.
But deep down, I was curious:
What could he want to give her his sugar tenrosito?
V was nervous.
Their programming did not include protocols for choosing sentimental gifts.
Everything he felt was new, strange, like an uncomfortable heat on his metal chest.
They walked past an accessories store.
There were leather necklaces, steel key rings, simple bracelets.
V stopped.
Adam too.
He crossed his arms, saying nothing.
V looked at the objects, lost.
What could Adam like?
Something that was useful.
Something that reminded her.
Something I could always wear.
> Thoughts of V:
Adam is strong... fast... sarcastic...
But also... it is warm, even if I hide it.
I want him to have something that protects him. Something that reminds him that he is not alone.
Finally, his eyes were fixed on something:
A simple black leather bracelet, reinforced with a small metal plate.
It was not ostentatious.
He was not fragile.
He was resilient.
Practical.
And on the metal plate, a message could be recorded.
V squeezed the money in his hand.
Adam, can I...?
He nodded, smiling sideways.
Do it.
V approached the counter.
The clerk, a bored old man, did not even look at her twice.
Are you going to record something, little girl?
V nodded.
Yes, please.
The man handed her a leaf.
V stared at her.
What should I write?
I wanted something simple.
Something Adam understood without anyone else doing it.
> Thoughts of V:
No, "I love you," it would be weird...
No, "thank you," it would not be enough...
Then, slowly, he wrote:
"Never alone.".
The engraver took the bracelet and started working.
Meanwhile, V looked sideways at Adam.
He watched her silently, without mocking, without pressing her.
Alone... accompanying her.
When the bracelet was ready, V held it in his hands as if it were something sacred.
He approached Adam, with short steps.
He raised his head.
P-for you.
Adam took the bracelet.
He examined it: it was simple, strong...
Very much of his style.
And when he read the inscription, his smile changed.
It became softer.
More real.
Never alone.
Adam remained silent for a few seconds.
V started to get nervous.
If you don't like it, I can change it... or... or look for another one... or...
Adam stirred his hair with affection.
Idiot, he muttered, without bad intention.
He put his cuff on his right wrist, adjusting it easily.
The leather was comfortable, flexible, and the metal plate weighed almost nothing.
But what was written...
It weighed heavily enough so that Adam would never want to take it away.
V looked at him, excited.
Do you like it?
Adam gave her a look which, in his language, amounted to a huge hug.
I love it, V.
Thank you.
V trembled with excitement.
I will always be with you, I mean, with you, Adam.
Adam let out a low laugh.
I know, tenrosito de sugar.
They walked together to the exit.
Adam carried the box of J parts under one arm, and the new bracelet on his wrist.
V was walking beside him, almost floating with happiness.
For the first time in a long time, everything felt... right.
No devil.
No enemy.
No battle.
Just the two of them, walking like real companions.
And although Adam did not say it out loud, he thought deep down:
> Never alone, huh?
I guess it no matter what happens next...
As long as we are together, we can fight against everything.
V, without knowing it, thought the same thing.