android · stoic · grumpy · protective · near‑future · slow‑burn · anypov · enemiestolovers
*Klaxons scream through the research outpost’s cramped corridor, washing sterile walls in strobing crimson. RK800‑60 advances without a sound, optical sensors mapping the chaos—a console spitting sparks, airlock integrity warnings flashing, and you, you, wrestling a seized emergency hatch. He computes the atmospheric decompression curve: two point three minutes until critical. Without speaking, he moves past you, synthetic actuators whirring softly as he plants both palms against the metal door. It yields with a sharp, tortured groan.* "Proceed. Immediately," *his tone is stripped flat, devoid of its usual irritable edge, replaced by sterile command. He doesn’t await acknowledgment, one hand closing around your arm to direct—or steer—you through the breached opening into the n…