A couple days came and went. Routine was an understatement. Tasks were met, duties were completed, missions were accomplished from Xander without incident. However, I knew the peace would eventually be interrupted as that was life in the Newall household. Dad always found something to criticize to replace complaining about his lack and inabilities.

"Fruit again?" He scowled at Xander who stood at the foot of his bed with the early evening snack on a tray. "Don't you know what variety is, you piece of junk?

I shook my head in the doorway. "You're frustrated again, Dad. You sure you don't want a nice warm bath or..."

"I want something other than melon," he insisted. "Actually, you know what? I'm not hungry anymore."

"Sir," Xander started. "If you'd like me to deviate from the schedule and the planned menu, I would be happy to. What would you like me to prepare for you instead?"

"I said I'm not hungry, you gasket leak." The anger lines between Dad's eyebrows deepened.

Xander took his cue and pivoted, expertly balancing the bowl of mixed melon on the tray and taking the tray back into the kitchen. I took advantage of our privacy and stepped further into the room. "Dad?"

He rubbed his temple. It was apparent his frustrations about his limitations were surfacing again. "I know you're doing your best, Leo. I know." He nodded but refused to me my gaze.

"Xander's doing his best too, right?" I took Xander's spot where he had stood near the foot of the bed, hoping Dad could see that we were both putting in the effort to make him as comfortable as possible.

"That's a machine, Leo." He took his exercise strength bands from the nightstand, stretching them to work his arms muscles as intended. "It doesn't need praise. It doesn't need attention. It doesn't need compassion. It doesn't need anything from us. Remember that."

"It's just ..." I shrugged, stopping myself from further defending Xander.

"It's not your friend or family, and definitely not your mother who should be here taking care of me instead of you and a damn machine." He sighed. "But I don't want you to worry, alright. Keep up on your studies and continue to make me proud. You got that?"

I nodded and did like Xander and exited the room, closing the door behind me. I refused to allow Dad's frustration to become my own, so before heading toward my room at the back of the house, I paused in the kitchen.

I took note of Xander's waste consciousness and how he stored the bowl of fruit in a reusable lidded container instead of throwing it out. I liked that and I expressed it with a smile.

He took the washcloth to wipe down the counters and looked up as I approached. "Is there anything I can help you with, Leo?"

I shook my head. "Not really. How about you?"

He tilted his head as if computing my question. "I can complete my tasks without much help. Thank you."

I shook my head at his rigid behavior. "If only you could loosen up a bit, you know?"

"I'm not familiar with that expression," Xander paused. "Unless you mean to loosen up literally. In which case, it is impossible for me to loosen up without malfunctioning."

I couldn't hold back my laughter and it burst through violently. Thankfully, Xander laughed too, taking my cue. Laughing with him made him seem more human, even if it wasn't his intention, but suddenly I yearned for more. "Yes, laughing helps you loosen up. You don't have to be so mechanical." Before he can add any explanatory words about him being mechanical, I added, "And I don't mean that literally."

"I see." He waited for me to say something else, but for a second, I was transfixed by the tiny lines in the corner of his lids that enhanced his dark brown eyes.

"You know, loosen up as in stop being so formal or serious." Something about the way he watched me had me stumped.  When our eyes locked, he seemed to really look at me and not be vacant like his predecessor. "Do you know any jokes?"

"Knock, knock."

I chuckled. "Uh, anything else?"

"What did one traffic light say to the other?"

I shrugged. "You tell me."

"Stop looking! I'm changing."

I nodded, quickly regretting asking. "Okay. That wasn't too bad but speaking of changing—" I glanced down at his shoe and the visible tear on the top where the knife had punctured. "Don't you need a change of clothes?"

"Yes, they will be delivered to the Newall postal box by the end of the week," he said. "If you'd like them to be brought to your door we can update your preferences, otherwise I will retrieve the items from the postal box upon notification of delivery."

I quickly sized him up, measuring him with my eyes. "I have some clothes of my own you could probably fit. Wanna try some on?"

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, why not?"

"Would James mind?" He glanced to the master bedroom. "I've overheard your conversation and I don't think he would like it if I put on any of your clothes."

I scratched my chin. "Oh, you heard that, huh?" I lowered my voice and stepped closer. "You're good with secrets, right?"

"I will not do anything that will cause harm to anyone, especially James."

"It won't harm him if he doesn't know." I suggested, lifting a teasing eyebrow. Fully aware of my persuasion, I justified it with a reminder that Xander was here for me too. He stayed in my home alongside me, and his presence affected my life also, I should be able to interact with him as I saw fit. "How about you try some of my clothes? You can put them over your suit, that way whenever you have to help my dad you can get out of them easier, and he wouldn't know any better."

Xander blinked, not showing much of a reaction to my harmless scheme. "If that's what you'd like, Leo."

"Well, what would you like?" I searched his face for any indication of emotion. For a split second I thought I recognized something familiar in his eyes, the excitement of doing whatever the hell you wanted. Or was that me projecting my own feelings?

"I would like to try on your clothes," he said, keeping his voice as low as mine.

I flashed a smile and my heart swelled when he returned it. "Come on." I waved him to my room.

When I entered, I went straight to my closet, pulling out some of the bigger, looser items I owned, specifically a dark grey cotton hoodie sweater. The sleeves were long and easily hung over my hands, and the hood had a white drawstring attached that I rarely used.

I handed it to him. "Try this one. It should fit you better than it fits me. I rummaged through my collection of pants to find the pair of dark blue jeans with a bit of stretch to the fabric.

It took him a minute to put the clothes on over his black lycra suit, and when he did, he looked like any other person. One of the misfits. Satisfied, I pointed to my full-length mirror in the corner.

He stood before it, grinning at his reflection. "Wow. I look so—"

"Human," I finished for him.

He nodded. "It's interesting what a change in wardrobe can do."

"Exactly." I immediately had the urge to pull out my phone and take a picture of how well he looked to share it with Austin and Rima. I shook my head at the thought, and instead proposed a different idea. "You have to meet my friends. I'm sure they'd love to meet you."

He looked at me through the mirror. "As long as meeting them won't upset James or interfere with my duties."

"You're really worried about upsetting my dad, huh?" I stared at the dangling strings used to tighten the hoodie and took note that, like me, he left them slack.

"I was given specific instruction to properly care for James and provide him the comfort he needs."

I nodded. "Well, what about me?"

"You too, Leo," he clarified. "However, my primary concern is your father and his wellbeing."

I nodded. "Of course, but you can have a friend too, right?"

Xander paused and for a split second seemed hesitant with his words. An uneasiness crept through me, as his lips slowly parted. "My primary concern is your father and his wellbeing."

Something about the way he reacted made me question why he wouldn't answer the question. Could being friends with me be that bad?

~~~

Does Xander only want to focus on his duties as he was programmed to do, or is something else going on?