“Sir, this bitch just attacked Brandon for no reason!” said a man carrying Brandon on his shoulder and pointing toward Shashi.

"Oh, fuck off! That asshole had it coming, and he fucking knows it!" Shashi struggles to free themself from Mr. Garrison's hold, but he yells in their ear.

"We're going to my office! Now! Or do you want to get fired!?" Shashi calms down and reluctantly follows Mr. Garrison to a small, run-down office. He closes the door behind them.

“Now, I know this… work environment isn’t the best right lately. But you know I can’t afford to be firing anyone right now, given how busy we’ve been. We barely started getting enough people asking for our services. I think we’ll soon be the busiest shop in the Southeast-” Mr. Garrison almost has a smile on their face to continue when Shashi interrupts him.

“Are you fucking serious? At least have some sort of punishment for them!”

“Well, if it bothers people here so much, then they can quit anytime they want.”

“You know they can’t fucking do that. Nobody here has a proper license.” Shashi leans forward.

“This has something to do with the Red Metal gang, huh?”

“That’s quite the accusation! How dare you thi-"

“How’d you get money for all the new equipment if business was shit even with the new model released? A little suspicious, if you ask me.” Mr. Garrison stays silent for a moment.

“... I needed the help, Shashi. Business was going downhill. We needed the new equipment and workers who knew how to operate them. With the new model, I felt this could be the chance we needed! Please, Shashi, you have to understand. So just… ignore it and for the love of God, no more fights! This is your last warning.”

“With all due respect, sir, go fuck yourself.” Shashi flipped the bird in their boss’s face.

“You know what, how about you go home for the rest of the day? To cool off.” Shashi’s face grew redder, but they just got up and stormed out of the office. They cleaned up their area, packed their things, and headed toward the exit.

"Did you get fired?" a girl asked from behind Shashi. Her face seems as if she is about to cry. Shashi turns to her.

"No, he just asked me to go home for today." They walk towards her.

"Hey, I'm sorry for making a scene, Vali. I should have handled it differently. I'm just so tired of how they've treated us."

"Oh no! It's okay. If anything, I should be apologizing for getting you in trouble. I don't want you to lose your job because of me." Vali started to sniffle, and her eyes watered.

"Hey, hey. Come here." Shashi pulls her in for a hug.

"This is not your fault. Okay? You shouldn't have to deal with their bullshit. None of you." They stay silent for a bit, still embracing each other. Then Vali let's go of Shashi, and they follow.

"I should let you go now. Maybe you can a least catch up on some sleep."

"Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. You should hurry back too. Be careful."

"You too, Shashi." They both turn away from each other and walk away.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Upon returning home, Shashi slams the front door.

"Welcome hom-" Edwin is interrupted by Shashi again slamming a door, but now of their room.

"Must've had a bad day. They don't need to make so much noise, though. Like God, can't you let out your anger quietly? Oh, Edwin, add some more of the tuna salad." Jaden points to a plate of crackers with a variety of toppings.

"Yes, my sweetheart." Once Edwin is finished, he carries the plates to the living room, where Jaden starts another movie. But after Edwin sets down the plates, he doesn't sit next to Jaden as usual. He starts to make his way to the hallway.

"Hey, I don't think I forgot anything. Where are you going?" 

"To see if Shashi is alright. They seemed especially distressed today."

"Don't bother. It's just something that happens to them. Just leave them alone; they'll come out eventually."

"My job as a home helper android is to care not only for the home but also those living in the hom-"

"Oh my god! I know! You don't have to keep repeating that! Just... come back here. They'll be fine."

"...very well, my love." Edwin walks back to sit by Jaden's side. After two movies, Edwin gets up to prepare dinner, and Jaden goes to her room to prepare for bed. But on his way to the kitchen, Edwin decides to knock on Shashi's door. 

"Shashi, I am about to prepare dinner. I want to ask if you have any specific requests for tonight. I know you usually are 'fine with anything', but I just need to make sure." There is no response.

"Shashi? Are you alright? Do I need to make an emergency call?"

"... no, it's okay." There is the sound of bed sheets rustling. Footsteps approach the door. Shashi cracks open the door.

"Sorry, I was taking a nap. I'm not feeling hungry today, so don't make a lot of food. Thanks." Edwin suddenly grabs Shashi's hand holding the door.

"What happened!? Let me provide first aid! And I'll call any emergency assistance you need-"

"No, no, no! You don't need to do that. This is nothing. Just some bruises." Shashi tries to pull away, but Edwin won't let go. 

"This isn't nothing, Shashi. Please, let me make sure nothing is broken. I am programmed to know first aid. Or at least let me give you some pain relievers."

"Edwin, I said it's okay." Edwin doesn't let go, looking intently at Shashi.

"Fine." Edwin guides them to the couch, where he notices both of their hands are bruised. He moves their hands around, checking their wrists, palms, and fingers individually. He keeps asking questions such as 'how much does it hurts' and 'how far can you move this part of your hand'. He then leaves to go to the bathroom and quickly comes back. 

"Sorry, there are no pain relievers in pill form, but these topical pain relievers should help." Edwin squeezes some of the gel on his hands and gently massages Shashi's, focusing most on the knuckles. As he keeps massaging, he asks Shashi, 

"Are you sure you don't need me to call emergency assistance? These injuries look like they are from a fight."

"Yes, I'm sure. It was just a bad day at work."

"Very well, I will not insist." He finishes and puts the gel away. 

"The gel should help to reduce swelling as well, but I'm going to give you some ice packs to put over your hands. You need to rest them over a soft surface like a pillow. I will feed you dinner myself."

"I said I'm not hungry today." Shashi's stomach grumbles.

"Okay. I am, but you don't need to spoon-feed me. I'm sure I can use utensils on my own."

"I'm making alfredo today, so I would not be spoon-feeding you." Shashi chuckles a bit.

"So you're a smartass, too, huh?" Edwin looks at Shashi in confusion and is about to ask a question when Jaden calls out from her room.

"Edwin! Have you started dinner? I don't smell anything!"

"I will, sweetheart!" Edwin responds.

"Let me just get you a towel and those ice packs. I recommend you go back to your room to rest your hands properly on the bed," he tells Shashi as he makes his way to the freezer. They both go to Shashi's room, where Edwin helps them with tying the ice packs to both their hands over the knuckles. After about half an hour, Edwin takes a plate of chicken alfredo with fresh tomatoes to Shashi, who is still in their room and starting to take off the ice packs. 

"I will feed you. You need to rest your hands."

"...you're really stubborn, even for a 'droid. You know that?"

"I am merely making sure you heal as best and as quickly as possible."

"This seriously isn't that bad. I've had worse."

"Regardless, let me help you." Edwin sits next to Shashi on the edge of the bed. He twists the fork, blows on the pasta, and moves it close to Shashi's face. They let out a sigh and take a bite. Although they try to hide it, Shashi's blissful smile shows through having a mouthful of the food. They no longer protest to being feed fork after fork of Edwin's alfredo.

After finishing the plate, Edwin wipes off some sauce that stuck on Shashi's chin. He seems to linger on their lips. 

"Edwin, you okay? You've been staring for a bit."

"Yes, I am fine. I'm ensuring you have no more alfredo on your face. You are somewhat of a messy eater."

"Hey, I'm not. I've just never had someone feed me before." Shashi lets out a yawn.

"I should go to sleep. I have to get up early again tomorrow."

"You're still going with the condition your hands are in?"

"Edwin, I swear I'll be fine! Besides, I can't really be taking any days off, so don't fight me on this."

"... as long as you take it easy, then I guess it should be alright." He takes the empty plate and heads towards the door while Shashi gets comfortable, shuffling under their blankets. 

"Sleep well, Shashi."

"Goodnight, Edwin. Thanks for dinner and for taking care of my hands." Edwin pauses for a second, then goes to the kitchen, placing the dirty dishes in the sink. He prepares a smoothie, then walks to Jaden's room.

"Took you long enough. Not only did you take longer for dinner, but also to get my dishes and to make me my smoothie!"

"Apologies, my love. Here is the smoothie. I had to attend to Shashi. Their hands were injured and required first ai-"

"Didn't I tell you to leave them alone!? Are you disobeying me!?" Jaden scowls. 

"No, sweetheart. My job as a home helper android requires me to prioritize those in most need in the home."

"I thought I heard Shashi say they were fine. The only reason they probably didn't tell you off was because they're touch-starved."

"If that is the case, I can certainly help make them fee-"

"No! That's not what I- God, you're becoming so frustrating! Maybe I should get you checked out. You've been... distracted lately. All your attention should be on me, and only me."

"But you are not the only person living in this ho-"

"But I'm the one that bought you, and Shashi doesn't even ask you for anything. You're useless to them."

"They do eat my cooking, so that would mean I am not useless to Shashi."

"Don't talk back to me! You know what? I am going to have you checked. We're going tomorrow."

"I will add it to my schedule." Edwin starts to move to Jaden's side on the bed, starting to embrace her when she adds, 

"No, I'm mad. Just go charge in the living room." Edwin gets up and plugs a thin, long wire into the outlet next to the couch. He sits down, his eyes turning yellow and slowly blinking, now in what looks like a trance.